At the end of last year God quietly spoke to my heart again, as I felt He did the year before. He challenged me, since I was able (in His strength) to make a daily decision to run and practice the exertion of my will over my what I feel like doing for an entire year (one day at a time). He challenged me to commit 20 minutes a day to Him (roughly how long it takes to run 2 miles) for a year. So this is what I set out to do this year. I set a timer so it’s measurable. I write in my journal to record everything God teaches me. I get on my knees and on my face, I daily offer myself to the Lord, throwing off all opinions, excuses, expectations and plans about me, about Him, and about that time. He made it clear I was to practice being still and knowing He is God. I was to learn to stop and just BE STILL, to just BE me (without masks, without hiding), to BE exposed, to listen to His Voice, listen for His opinion, to let Him teach me the Word — to just BE in His presence and acknowledge Him as God. This felt up-side-down and backwards for days. This was different than my usual definition of a “quiet time” where I get all my devotionals out, put them in a pile and read through each one at a time to see, what “speaks” to me and then I do my Bible study or read a book or listen to a song etc. and then I would go on about my day after checking that off my list, feeling good about myself. This kind of “quiet time” was based on me being in control, sometimes it felt forced, I was attempting to experience God through other peoples experiences. Not that these things are bad, we are meant to encourage one another with our experiences with God. I just can’t sustain my soul on these things, I must personally BE in His presence have His first hand fresh manna, His daily bread, His living water, His Word revealed in the clarity of His light. I did not realize it but I was so thin and shallow spiritually because I was trying to fulfill my spirit with things & pleasures of the world, (possessions, people’s approval, good works, food, pleasure) and when I did meet with God it often tended to be processed, filtered down, experiences with God. It’s like the difference between reading a book about someone or being in personal, connected, raptured relationship with a Jesus, to feel His touch and hear His voice. Something was missing in my walk with God. I was missing Him, starving for Him, His presence, His voice, His revelation. Yes, I’ve had those times of “revelation” and experience with Him but that would be here and there. I am designed to BE in His life-changing presence every single day – my spirit is so desperately hungry for it. This 20-time was to be careful, sacred, open, in His agenda, under His control, His timing, His teaching. Some days, not much happens, but that is ok.  He assures me the process is slow and steady like a endurance running, but other days He moves mountains. Either day is progress. Either day is being with the Creator of the Universe (what a privilege).

So back to my family, when I made this cautious commitment to meet with the Lord everyday, I had the fear of failure staring me in the face (again), but God proved to me that my commitment, my will, could overcome my feelings (I practiced that every day the year before). A miraculous thing happened for me. The commitment shut down the conversation I had with myself of whether or not I would do it or had time for it or would run from God or shut Him out. I was going to do it no matter what – just like the running. And even if I did fail, I live in a relationship of grace with God What did I have to loose? And it’s interesting cause the running commitment started with unity with my husband – to do something for him (complete his year of running) and now my husband has joined me with his own

Josh’s (1st Grade) illustration: a scroll (God’s word) in a treasure box in a heart and in a cross.

commitment to meet with the Lord each day and it is transforming his life. My oldest son Josh who is 7 years old said, “I wanna do it too momma”. Each time I meet with God, he meets with God… he has met with God every day of the year so far. Before long, my other son Jayden (6) decided he was missing out and wanted also to take part in this time. So we all, every day, set the timer and our whole house stops and acknowledges God (for 20 minutes). Sometimes we meet God in our closets, sometimes we meet with God outside, and sometimes we just find a spot on the floor we can each be alone with God (together). It’s a humbling thing to see my home stop and honor God, to see my boys learning how to have a posture of praying, of being still and laying face down, of drawing pictures in their journal of what a verse means to them, seeing the prayers they write thanking God for helping them eat a vegetable or praise Him for making dogs or for healing their brother after he had been sick.

Jayden’s (Kindergarten) Illustration: Jayden and Jesus together – “God why is the moon in the sky?”

And although we meet for only 20 minutes, I have to confess there is a secret to this 20-time. It is a time that starts but it does not stop. God has used this time as an opening of the door to Him each day, acknowledging and seeking Him first and from there everything else is added. God has been using this time to speak to me, quiet my heart, fill me up so that His love spills over into the rest of my day and ultimately into others lives. It’s a natural overflow. And I have discovered that me getting myself in His presence and out of the way, I am actually seeing consistent traction in my walk with Him, because I’m no longer running from Him, hiding from Him, each day, not matter what my mood, no matter my failures, I come back to Him again. My main job is to show up, offer my body as a living sacrifice for this is my spiritual act of worship. Seek Him first, love Him most, and listen to His voice only. Then, I am able to love my family and others as an overflow of how much I love God first. This is a year commitment that I’m now convinced will be a lifetime commitment for me to not let a day go by (if it’s within my power) that I do not get on my knees and face and acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33),

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37)

Josh’s illustration of scripture: Josh trusting by thinking of Jesus.

Josh’s prayer: “God i want people to know you God and for people to get the Bible and to read the Bible and if people have a Bible and they don’t read the Bible i want for you to tell them to read the Bible.”

many of my ministry days are like snow days. they bolster much hype and a flurry of activity, but without the right conditions nothing sticks. ouch! as i head into a crazy busy week of ministry may this be my prayer each morning:

Lord, help the condition of my heart and the motivation of my intentions be in line with the unparalleled awe of the Savior, so that the flurry of activity in the day ahead brings truths that stick.

when i choose to stare at the circumstances, whether positive or negative, the circumstances become my focus! how grateful i am for the reminder God keeps sweetly whispering to be from hebrews 12:2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” what a relief to know that i don’t have to spend hours fixating on issues desperate to see them solved or restored. i must simply fix my eyes on Jesus.

it is when i look intently at Him i experience:
strength from the strongest
peace from the One who is in control
love perfectly unconditional
direction from the all-knowing Guide
joy undeserved
comfort from my Creator
a hope that doesn’t disappoint

quick fixes can’t deliver; it is where my eyes are fixed that matters most. i know this all in my head. my prayer is with each intentional glance at our Mighty God, it will begin to consume my heart.

the first thing i read in my beth moore james study was james 4:6a, “He gives greater grace.”  i was sitting quietly trying to soak it in and allow it to penetrate my hard head and heart.  what a marvelous, unfathomable truth.  the text went on to share that “He is enough.”  i read that statement twice and then the door opened.  that precious blonde walked over and stared at me with those big, round blue eyes.  ”well, what did He say?” she asked believing that if He was supposed to speak, He would.  i shared with her about His greater grace and what that meant.  my study even asked me to say it aloud.   so i did so with her standing right there.  ”He gives greater grace.”

she wandered back into the other room to resume her computer game, while i continued on with my study.  i was nearing the end when i was supposed to read through the following list of truths.

- “God knows everything about you and everything concerning you.  nothing is hidden from His sight.  so submit to God.”
– “He is always looking out for your ultimate good and takes our hurts personally. so submit to God.”
– “He is Holy and worthy and incapable of abusing His divine authority over you.  so submit to God.”
– “He knows when your motive was right but your mouth messed up.  so submit to God.”
– “He knows exactly how to work terrible into good. so submit to God.”
– “He loves you completely and unconditionally and will never let you go. so submit to God.”
– He knows the well-deliberated plan for your life and how all things must fall into place for you to fulfill your destiny.  so submit to God.”
– “He will never put to shame those who trust in Him. so submit to God.”

as i was reflecting on these powerful statements and which of them spoke to me the most, the door quietly opened again.  ”what did He say now, dandi?”  only moments before i had told her that God speaks through His Word and now she was confident that He would.  she was so convinced that she came and asked me not once, but twice what He was saying to me.   after i shared a truth or two that i loved with her, she smiled and said, “i like that.”

she had briefly heard of His character and that He speaks through His Word.  so, she expected Him to speak.  i know and have intimately experienced His character, yet so many times i am not willing, ready, or believing He has anything to say to me.  well, He did today.  through His Word, my Bible study, and the faith of a child He spoke loud and clear.  may i always be positioned with a believing heart to receive what He has to say.

** excerpts are from beth moore’s james Bible study, “mercy triumphs.” published by lifeway.

why wouldn’t it be easier?  i have been planted in a great town for 20 years, served in a church i love for 15 years, and have a far  greater group of friends and godly influences than i deserve.   yep, i am comfortable here.  i know this place.  although this season in life has been far from perfect, it has become familiar.  no wonder my flesh begs me to stay where i am all too often complacent.  my worldly self is so tempted to settle, but my Spirit is eager to soar.

on the morning of my last Sunday at belle aire, God was perfectly personal to send me a devotional through email that was of great comfort and timely encouragement. (read that devotional here.)  it is through the imperfect, yet faithful life of abraham i am reminded that sometimes we have to leave to receive.

with each day’s goodbyes i learn that leaving is simply letting go. it means that with each step forward the ground that once felt secure and certain gives way to uncharted territory and adventure only the Author of Life could write. leaving means not knowing what all the future holds, but trusting the One who holds it in His hands.

surely i can’t be alone in facing the fight of wanting to stay or leave.  for me, leaving is literally packing boxes and memories from such a precious season in life and moving to a new town, a new church, and new friends.  what about you, what is God asking you to leave?

• is it a habit that crept in slowly, but has you quickly moving further from Him?
• is is a sin that seems small and insignificant?  maybe it is something no one notices but you and God, but you sense you need to agree about the stronghold and release it to Him?
• maybe it is an attitude, an action, desire that you are holding on to more tightly than His hand and He is urging you to lay it down?
• or maybe you are like me. He has clearly spoken to you through His Word to go and your act of obedience is to just take the next step.

lately my mind is flooded with the visual of open palms ready to release the past and receive the future God has planned.  just think about all that abraham would have missed if He would have settled for staying.  sure, it may be easier to stay, but how will i ever truly walk in faith if i waiver in indecision?  God said go. so with trembling steps, an expectant outlook, a heart filled with bittersweet goodbyes, and eyes fixed on Him i step forward.  oh, how i find comfort in knowing the One who walks on water will walk faithfully with me during this new season.

it is with great peace but a heavy heart that i write to share with you my resignation as the minister of children at belle aire baptist church.  through scripture, circumstances, and much prayer, i am accepting the call to be the minister of children at dawson memorial baptist church in birmingham, alabama.

i want to make it clear that i was not looking to leave belle aire, and i am confident that God is calling me to this new position.  i cannot stress enough what a tough decision this has been for me.  belle aire is my home church.  it is the place where i “grew up” spiritually, and the church body that took a chance on me in ministry.  belle aire is more than my place of employment or my church–belle aire is my family!

parents, please help your children understand that i couldn’t love them more and it breaks my heart to go.  this is a choice to obey God.  although this will be a challenging time for all involved, it is also an opportunity to teach children how God leads us in our life’s journey.
i have sought God’s direction and confirmation in scripture and have received great peace in the midst of this hard decision.  while this move and transition will be difficult, i am excited about the next season God has for me in ministry.  God has laid out a plan for me and i am seeking to follow His will for my life.

my last sunday at belle aire will be may 20th.  please know that every effort has been made to help the children’s ministry run smoothly this summer (i.e. vbs, camps, sundays and wednesdays).  kelly jackson, preschool minister, will be overseeing these areas and she will need your enthusiastic support.

it has been a privilege and honor to serve under the most humble and God-fearing man i know, dean sisk.  his leadership and passion for Christ is a blessing to this church and has made a lasting impact on me throughout my spiritual journey!

what a joy it has been to serve alongside you the last 15 years.  my heart treasures each memory and moment we sought the Savior together.  thank you!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

in faith,
danielle bell

jayden and xavier's case file

the lady beside him, a case worker, was holding in her lap a large stack of binders filled to the brim with papers. on the spine of one notebook it read jayden v. jayden kept turning his head and looking at it and then he said, in not so much a whisper, “that’s my name!” the case worker quietly whispered, “yes, this is your file.” then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

while this was a physical adoption, i couldn’t help but think of my spiritual one. as i looked at those thick notebooks, i could only think of my case file. oh how it must be filled and marked with good intentions, works, impure thoughts, darkness of the heart, shame, religion, guilt, and tons of sin. there is no way i could ever defend my record. i could not be “good enough”, go to church enough, or wish it away. my case file in the best condition equaled filthy rags. i would most assuredly be found guilty.

then my friends stood and went before the judge to officially say that they would assume all responsibility for these boys. the case file size didn’t seem to matter to them. they loved these boys as unconditionally as humanly possible. they would do what the boys couldn’t do for themselves and that was to welcome them into their family and clear the record of all that was listed in the case files.

oh what a picture! i, too, am a recipient of such grace. my sins are countless and i am in need of a Savior who will do for me what i cannot do for myself. and He did! Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” i have been adopted into the family of the King of Kings. He also sweetly reminded me again this morning to “fear not” for He has redeemed me. He has also “called me by name” i am HIS! i don’t deserve such a gift, but His mercy is endless and His love is perfection.

this Christmas as i celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, i see Him with fresh eyes as my Father. my case file has been canceled by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. my soul has found mercy and my heart wrapped in grace. i am indeed a part of His forever family. may i live out each day forever grateful for His glory. my life in Him is a miracle indeed.

the burns family of five with the judge

Ephesians 1:4-6 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love hepredestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ”

thank you wayne and stephanie for your humble example of loving til it hurts, daily sacrifice, and the heart of the Father. you two were “Jesus with skin” to me today. a gift these weary eyes welcomed!

only an awesome and intimately involved Creator could make the act of death so magnificent!  leaves, at the end their life, display beauty with such splendor that i can’t help but seek God.

so, as i daily drive past trees boldly portraying beauty in death, i ponder this question… have i settled for a life of muted tones that infrequently give Him glory, or am i daily dying to self to allow His radiance to course incomparable color through me?  no dream, idea, habit, or sin i hang on to is worth missing out on the opportunity to be a beautiful reflection of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  for me, it is a season to get busy denying and dying.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25

just one of the incredible fall trees i passed today.

many see this position as easy.  (yes, i was thankful i didn’t have to do all that running.)  the fact is, i was always working.  no matter where the action was on the field i was constantly repositioning myself to be in the best spot to protect the goal.  then, when a shot was taken, i would literally throw my body in any direction or height to stop the opponent from scoring.  the goal was always my focus and it was when my attention was divided that the shots started to pass by me.

i have been pondering my goalie position quite a bit today, as i also think through my role as a believer and a minister to children.  my goal in life and ministry is really quite simple, too.  i have been set-apart, crucified with Christ, and my goal is Jesus.  He, alone, should have my focus and attention.  i wish i could say i was a great keeper of this goal.  i am afraid my focus has been blurred by programs, the praise of men, numbers, problems, serving half-halfheartedly, and more.    it is time to realign myself with the One and Only goal – Jesus.

the kids deserve my best goal keeping.  more importantly, my Savior deserves an undivided mind seeking Him with all my strength.

help me Lord, for i am prone to be distracted.   realign my focus on You!

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14

i had just picked up my niece and her mom from the airport for the Christmas holiday.  we immediately began discussing all the fun things we had planned to do during the break.  i then reminded my niece of our tradition to bake Jesus a birthday cake.  she got excited and like an adult i began to complicate the issue.  maybe we should do cupcakes this year and try something new, i thought.  so i asked carman, “do you think Jesus would rather have cupcakes or a cake this year for His birthday?” i started listing pros and cons for each and then interrupting me without thinking of what she wanted first she said, “well dandi, let’s just ask him.”  i watched in the rear-view window as she bowed her head and prayed silently.  it wasn’t long before she popped up with a bright smile and said, “He said cake!“  she then began to describe that it needed to be a red-velvet cake with white icing.  (don’t even get me started on the sweet symbolism i see in her color choices.)

carman with Jesus' birthday cake. of course we had to add sprinkles!

so now  i am in a season of really needing some clarity, answers, and direction from God.  i’m talking specifics and i would totally be okay with sky writing or a letter in the mail.   what keeps coming back to me is, “well dandi, just ask Him.”  have i?  am i running everywhere but to Him for the answers i seek?  my answer may not be cake, but i believe it is ask Him and be still to hear His answer.