Backward Praise, Down the Road a Bit

I was a kids' worship leader for almost 20 years--long enough that it became incredibly natural and easy for me to do. In the last five years of that ministry, God laid it on my heart to raise up youth to lead the younger kids in the same way. So I began leading from the stage less and directing from the floor more. As a result, I had to learn all the motions backwards. (Yes, I'm in a very contemporary church where we do lots of ACTIVE hand motions and choreography to our songs).

If I hadn't shown the motions backwards, the youth leading on the stage would've been all confused, hands and flip-flops flying every which direction. It took intense concentration and EXtremely intentional thinking for me to be able to do the motions both ways. It may sound easy, but...NOT!


This emulates my 'daily living' worship as well. It is so easy for me to spend time in the Word, soaking it up, applying it, teaching it, writing it. It's quite another to mirror the Word to others. It takes extreme focus on my part, as well as intentional surrender to the Holy Spirit. Sounds so simple when I'm reading it and praying it, but...NOT!

James 1:22-25 (NIV) 

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. 

Do what is says. 

Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says

is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, 

after looking at himself, 

goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 

But the man who looks intently into the perfect Law 

that gives freedom, and continues to do this, 

not forgetting what he has heard but doing it-

-he will be blessed in what he does.

My friends, pause & ponder this: Are you living a life of backward praise?

Difficulties, Anyone?

Dear Father, my Papa ~

That problem or

PREOCCUPATION.

That predicament.

That stronghold or

SIN.

That struggle.

That attitude or

ANGST.

That aggravation.

That confusion or

CONFLICT.

That commitment.

Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You. Thank You, Lord, that I can give You all the stuff that doesn't make sense in my life. Whether it's my own puzzles I'm fretting over, or someone else's, I submit to You, Father. You are in control of anything that feels out of control for me. Order my life, solve my problems, and help me to obey Your counsel, I pray. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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He Has Overcome!

It's Word-Filled Wednesday!!! I'm so thankful that, when the ick of life comes, I have Christ in me. "Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world." (1st John 4:4b) Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your indescribable gift!

The Message translation of this verse and the ones preceding it is fabulous:

John 16:31-33 (The Message)

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

For more Word-Filled Wednesday and for visual inspiration from Scripture, hike on over to:






In the Key of HE,

Just Sing...Word-Filled Wednesday

Sing to God.

Even if the tune is slow.
Even if the melody is in a minor key.
Even if you can't hear the harmony.

Sing to God.

In our joys, we can make His salvation known.
In our trials, we can show His salvation faithful.
In our sin struggles, we can prove His salvation necessary.

Sing to God, everyone & everything.

How often?
Every day.

Every day?
Yes, every hour of every day.

Sing with your mouth or sing in your mind,
cry songs from your soul or let them beam from your eyes.

Just sing.
Somehow, someway.
Every minute of every hour of every day.

"Sing to God,
Everyone & everything.
Get out His salvation news every day."
1 Chronicles 16:23, The Message

Father God, Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for sending Your Son in human form, as a precious baby to live...in order to die just for me. I pray that I would be faithful to make Your salvation known, no matter what circumstances come. And Lord God, may YOU receive all the glory and the renown and the praise in the process. I love You, Lord. In Your name I pray, Amen.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday and for visual inspiration from Scripture, hike on over to:






OHHHHHHH, I almost forgot!!!! Don't forget to come on over here tomorrow and see what I'm giving away as part of the Internet Cafe's Holiday Expo (button on my sidebar). You may wanna win it!

In the Key of HE,

Jesus: The REAL Thing

Here's a short little Bible Study Devotion that I had posted awhile back for my church's devotional website. I needed to repeat it today, ask myself the tough questions...I would love for you to join me.

“He saw through their duplicity and said to them…”
Luke 20:23

When I was a little girl, I began to get chosen for parts in school plays. The talent God gave me flourished all the way through high school. In my small town, I was a pretty big hit! When I moved to Dallas on a college music scholarship, it didn’t take long to realize that I was a small fish in a much larger pond. I began to learn more about performing and “getting into character.” At times I would get so into a role that I would have a difficult time finding the “real me” again.

Luke 20 shows us a parallel. The religious leaders had done a great job of convincing their small towns that they were a big hit. Now that the crowds were following Jesus, they were becoming small fishies in a much larger pond. In this text, they came out in full character, trying to make Jesus and the people believe that they are the real thing. After building their entire lives around the O.T. Law, it had become their identity in a false way. They had grown so comfortable living the list of dos and don’ts in the Word, that they had hardened their hearts to the Living Word standing right in front of them! This was duplicity in the purest form (pun intended).

What a contrast we find in Jesus! He was authentic in every way as He focused on His purpose. When His parents found him in the Temple as a young boy, He was fully determined to teach the Word. When Satan tempted Him in the desert, He resisted the challenge by speaking the Word. Now, as He was interrogated by these rulers, He answered them as THE Word. Their deception became transparent. And the crowd which stood there hanging on His teachings--He saw through them, too: their doubts, their lies, their sensationalism, their need to identify with someone popular—the way they would turn on Him in the next few days. It amazes me to think that even at the point of the cross, He kept His focus. The pain could’ve gotten to Him, the need to take care of His mom could’ve compelled Him, but NOTHING divided Him from His purpose. Thank goodness for us, He was the real thing!

Here we are on the journey, over 2000 years later, and Jesus sees through our duplicity as well. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” He, the Word Himself, sees and knows us—“Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

Today, let’s step out of any bogus character we’ve grown comfortable with and uncover ourselves before Him. As we willingly lay off any deception or falsehood, we will see that our true identity is found in Him—THE Word--our Redeemer, Savior and Friend.

Discussion Questions:
1. What does the word “duplicity” mean? How does the Hebrews verse, “it (the Word) judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” tie in to Jesus’ statement about duplicity?
2. Read John 1:1 to learn more about Jesus as the Word.
3. Am I “for real” before the Lord and others? Commit to pray for this daily.
4. When I read the Bible, are my attitudes consistent with it? Or, like the Pharisees, do I have any comfortable areas I’ve built into my identity that I need to give over to God to replace or remove?

Oh, Lord God, thank You for being the real thing. Thank you for being the Way, the Truth and the Life for my sake. Help me to be like You in this way. I confess my two-faced thoughts, attitudes and actions, Lord. Please forgive me and help me to overcome this way of living. I truly long to be like You, the real thing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

In the Key of HE,

Conversation "In The Raw"

At the Well today, we're doin' lots of talkin about talking. I think this is one of my most favorite topics ever at the well, probably because I'm a big ole blabber mouth. I'm so anxious to learn from the other women on the subject. Laurie Ann at Magnolia Heartbeats is the hostess today. Thank you so much for this incredible topic, Laurie Ann.

It seems to me that words are pretty important to God. When He created the world, He spoke it into being. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, the importance of God's words shone through again: Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Also, John 1 makes it clear that the Word came first and that the Word was God. Tremendous significance.

As it applies to me today, I know that "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks," and that I am to "let the Word of Christ dwell in me richly as I teach and admonish others with all wisdom." I am convicted by the fact that I am told that when or IF I speak, I should do it as one "speaking the very words of God." A tall order from a tall God.

For me personally, the struggle comes with the words I speak "in the moment." When I think and pray and am slow to speak, all is pretty well, but the spontaneous moments, the "conversation in the raw," yikes...that is where I need the help.

It's when my daughter loses her temper.
It's when my son is a know-it-all.
It's when my husband points out fault in me.
It's when I'm drowning in self-importance, and I think my opinion will make a difference.
It's when I read something that offends me, and I hit "reply" a moment too soon. (yes, the cyber-words we speak count too)
It's when...I could go on and on...it's when I don't think before I speak.

As much as that works in the seemingly negative way, the opposite can apply as well.

Sometimes I show no restraint in my tongue with the complimentary words. I become a flatterer, or someone who speaks words in order to get a response. I give false praise and empty encouragement. Yuck, that is just as despicable. Really, it is.

Then there's the gray line: the words we speak that have potential toward value or not. Small talk. Sometimes these words are useful for making a deeper relationship, sometimes they're spoken to get us through moments that I'd rather not share at all, and sometimes they are just a waste of time, a substitute for something more important I should be doing. I've asked the Lord countless times to make me a good steward of my words, because I believe they are to be used wisely and sparingly.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

This is such a deep subject at the well, that I'll betcha we're here for hours discussing. My bottom lines are the following:
1. I want to be self-controlled in my speech, thinking before I speak.
2. I want my words to matter, to have Christ's power and effectiveness behind them.
3. I want my words to be genuine and sincere, not empty praise or flattery--true encouragement from Christ.
4. I want to use less words, being a good steward of them. They don't have to be all serious and somber, just useful.

One of my favorite quotes as a writer is "If you want to change the world, pick up your pen." (Martin Luther) Why? Because words are that powerful. I consider the words I type on a comment page or in a chat room or on Facebook or even the ones sent to my devotional list or the teacher about homework as conversation. So I must be as careful and apply the same way of thinking to my typed and written words as well.

Thanks, Chelsey, for the opportunity to meet, and for you, Laurie Ann to introduce such a great topic.

In the Key of HE,

LOL! ROFL! Smiley faces...:)...LLPF!!!!

Okay, be honest, how many times do you type the text "LOL" to show that something is funny? And every time you type that, are you really LOLing? Beeeeee honest now. I'm talkin to me-self too. Are we really just Liars On Line? (Liars-liars-pants-on-fire On Line) LOLOLOL!!!!!

Don't even get me started on ROFLing. If I were to ROFL every time I typed it, they'd have to put me on a stretcher and hospitalize me. Plus it's kind of a weird thought picturing everyone who types that stepping away from their computer and falling down on the floor to laugh. It's more like, Rattling Off Facetious Lingo. ROFL!!!!!

And I would be tragically amiss if I forgot to mention Mr. Smiley. I think he started the whole thing anyway...you know kind of like Adam did? (Oh, and Eve too...winka) I have to ask: why do so many of us have deeply embedded frown wrinkles if the emoticons show their frowns upside down in their emails. I think maybe we're smiling on the inside. Yah, that's it!
Ahhhhhhhhh, a clean conscience. I feel so much better now. :)

We all are sorta justified though. When it comes to stuff as the cyber world turns, the rules are different than reality. The words are flat. Even as I look down at what I'm typing, these words...BORRRRRRING. ***snore*** So in order to bring the words to life, we add the text lingo and the images. Example:

I'm glad you liked my new dress. It was pretty before you spit your iced coffee on me when you were laughing like a mad woman. Ya KLUTZ!

I'm glad you liked my new dress. :) It was pretty before you spit your iced coffee on me when you were laughing like a mad woman. LOL! Ya KLUTZ! ROFL!!!! :)

Big diff, eh? The first one, depending on my mood, would've led me to believe the friendship had been tossed into cyber space, only to return no more. The second one would make me want to spew my iced coffee all over again in laughter.


You know, it kind of reminds me of the Word of God a little bit. Sometimes we think we have to "add to it" to make it more exciting to others, or ourselves for that matter. God has a little something to say on that:

"Every word of God is flawless...Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar."Proverbs 30:5a,6

There's that Liar, Liar, Pants on fire again. (LLPF) Saints, we do not need to spice up His Word. Why? Because it is already living. "For the Word of God is living and active." (Hebrews 4:12a) It's not just living, it is active. And to take it a step further, take 1 John 2:14b to heart: "I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God lives in you..." Wowzer.

WE can make our methods for teaching, preaching, writing and singing fun, hip, relevant, ever-changing and contemporary, but we must nevah-evah compromise the Truth of His Word in the process. No LLPF when it comes to my Saviour. Nope. But thank goodness, I can still add a little flavor to the flat words of my typewriter to help bring them to life.

Sooooooooo, FF2LF, ok? I'm going to DARFC, so CUL8r. G2GLYS!

FF2LF (Feel Free 2 Leave Feedback)
DARFC (Duck and Run For Cover)
CUL8r (C U Later)
G2GLYS (Got 2 Go, Love You So)

Drawin' A Blank

Most who know me know I love to send notes of encouragement. It's one of my favorite things to do when I have the spare time. So when I found some new blank cards at the store yesterday, I was ecstatic. What's even better is that I got the kind with foil gleaming throughout.

The great thing about blank cards is that I get to put my original thoughts inside of them--something I want to say especially for the person I'm sending it to. Just seems more personal than the blanket statements I see on the standard "thinking of you" cards. And when they have a sparkle or a glitter on the cover, it just says "You're special," you know?

God must like blank cards too.  Because I've noticed that when I go before Him with an empty heart, He etches a personal message on it, a unique one just for me. While He is powerful and full of splendor and majesty, He is also personal. He longs to give me His special encouragement and leading for my life.  And when I receive it, my life is wrapped in His foiled light, which glimmers for everyone around me to see. It's such a beautiful way for Him to say "You're special," you know?

"When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty."

Jeremiah 15:16

Lord, write your words on my heart, those I need to hear, those I need to absorb, and those I need to put into practice. And then Lord, may I come before You with my own special and personal lyrics of praise and worship--from my heart straight to Yours.