A Faithful Friend

I'll begin with a quote today:

"A true friend to your destiny does not diminish, downplay, deny, detract, decrease, discount, or disdain your contribution! They recognize!" ~Christine Caine

Having been in the body of Christ for 36yrs I've felt both the sting of rejection and the warmth of loving friends. The latter honestly desired God's best for me. They wanted me to fully grow into and rejoice over the new creation God said that I was and continue to become even now. (2 Cor.5:17)  They made it easy to enjoy my walk with Christ. They shared His love extravagantly and prayed consistently for me.  I can testify that we can benefit so much from the love and support of the Godly influence of others in our lives! (1 Cor. 12:26ff)

On the occasions of felt rejection from both the world and fellow believers, I was moved to prayer, consideration of my steps and at times maybe even, much introspection. In those times I went to God's word and found true peace, acceptance, temperance and love.  Even in the rejection, He taught me that I am accepted in Him through Christ.  The sadness over not feeling like I fit in or couldn't please everyone, led me to the arms of the waiting Savior.  He saw my tears and patted them dry.  My heart in pieces, mended again and again.

See, what was very painful to experience, actually drew me closer to the One I needed to be running to in the first place. Only He deserves the place of honor, worship and adoration.  I don't need to be loved by everyone, only One.  When I understand and begin to live this life in the assurance of His love, I am better able to reflect His character.  After all, isn't that the purpose of all mankind anyway?

The exhilaration of those mountain-top experiences is breath-taking, but the valley (Psalm 23) has become a most welcomed place where I've continually found His peace and sustenance.  Oh, I can let the negative bring me down or I can choose to understand with new eyes, His constant transforming work of this new creation that I am becoming...for His glory!

A Work In Progress

Did you know that I, have trials and tribulations just like everyone else?! Is that too hard to believe??  I ask because sometimes I'm cited for always looking like I  "have it all together". Well, I thank you for that vote of confidence, I think.  But to be honest, I experience the shame of defeat somewhat regularly. Just ask any of my family members how I respond when rooms aren't picked up or if I only get half the truth in a matter, or don't get enough sleep in any given night!  After all, I am still in the flesh. Can I get a witness?!

This is reality. I do not like that the 'old' nature coexists with my new life in Christ.  Just wish it somehow didn't.  I understand that in Christ, I have His strength to grant victory over sin, but He still permits me to choose His way or mine.  And we all know what the consequences of taking the low road is.  First and foremost, it's broken fellowship with the Savior.  Thankfully He graciously restores that fellowship when sought out, and I do seek!

I hesitate to share my struggles in this venue, but I do have one or two trusted, believing friends that I can honestly share my 'ugly' side with, if you will. I know that they will pray for me and offer solid counsel from scripture.  So here, as in much of what I share, I'd rather encourage others with the scriptures that are either getting me or have gotten me THROUGH the struggles instead.  So if it looks like I have it all together, let it be known that I'm really a broken vessel who's resting in the certainty of His promises working their certainty in my life! For now, I'm a work in progress on the conveyor belt of His wonderful truths!

WHATEVER trials, struggles or concerns you may be facing today, or those you've been dealing with for what seems like forever, know that there stands One who understands completely.  His name...Jesus. Stay in the race! Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:13)  It aint over, till it's over!


TODAY'S SCRIPTURE <3
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy ~ 1 Peter 4:12,13 (NKJ)

27 The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’  ~ Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJ)

Our University Experience

Due to unusual heavy traffic this morning, what should have taken Gina and I twenty minutes to get to the University of South Florida, took an hour! We guessed there must have been an accident on the interstate that caused such a back up on the back roads.  But we were relieved to have made it to the campus on time, as Gina had an exam to get to.

Little Clayton and I accompanied Gina to school today so that we could then drive on to the airport from there. Gina was headed to Washington, DC for a prayer and worship event hosted by David's TentDC.  While walking in the direction she motioned and encouraged us to go in to reach the campus Starbucks, I was pleased to witness so many young people deciding to further their education! So young and full of life!  My prayer was that as their knowledge increases, may their love for the Creator do so as well.  We all have heard stories of how young people's faith has been tested when they enter college and whose lives unfortunately run a-muck.  But thank God for ministries like Campus Crusade, Intervarsity and others who offer studies and fellowship that maintain and even bolster faith in our young people.

Well, after walking for what seemed like miles (when you're wearing heels, it's always too far) anyway, we reached our destination!  We joined many students partaking of their morning cup joe as they peered into the screens of their laptops.  It amazes me that the information that used to be compiled in so many books can now be researched through one source...the internet!  Do you remember the Encyclopedia Britannica??  Volumes of information!  Yup, it's all online. How cool is that?!   But there's just something about holding a book in my hands that I still kinda enjoy.  Granted, some of those books were ginormous!

We finally got to sit down at a table to enjoy our breakfast goodies!  One toasted cranberry/raisin bagel and a Venti with a shot of hazelnut for me, and chocolate milk and a doughnut for the little man!  Delightful!  It made our already favorable University experience even that much more pleasant indeed!