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In faith

a rest of faith…

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i am not a finisher.  i have great intentions and big plans, but the truth is i usually fall way short and end up feeling defeated.  that didn’t happen this time.  with God’s gentle conviction and with the encouragement of others, i did it.  i finally memorized all of Hebrews 11.  there is no doubt that this is my favorite chapter in the Bible and i have longed for some time to hide these Words in my heart.

with 40 verses in front of me,  i thought the goal was to wrap my mind and memory around these scriptures.  with constant repetition and study,  i would “know” these truths.   i quickly learned that it was my heart (not my head) that needed to be molded and the marrow of my faith penetrated with these Living Words.  to simply be able to recite them from memory without allow them to change me, would be fruitless.

here are a couple ways these Truths have shaped my heart…

  • while memorizing the last half of the chapter i found myself in a restless state. i was not happy with the state of my life, wanting more, and being a poor example of waiting.  then, as i was studying the words of this chapter it hit me over and over again that these heroes of the faith didn’t have eyes for their present.  they were constantly looking ahead to the future.  the example of their eternal gaze snapped my flesh back in line with my Spirit for a future perspective.
  • i also keep asking myself, will i be a woman of faith if this is the best life gets?  these heroes “did not receive the things promised, they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.”  yes many of these listed in Hebrews 11 lived through miraculous circumstances while still others were “stoned, sawed in half, and put to death by the sword.”  the stark difference between them and me is that they knew what was really of value.  i think i need to reevaluate the importance i put on the things of this world.
  • lastly, as i studied these scripture i was reminded that He is not done with me yet.  i am a work in progress, ever-changing.  the paths He leads me on are not only bringing me closer to Him, but shaping me to look more like Him. (He sure has His work cut out for Him and i am thankful for His patience.)   these heroes weren’t’ perfect, just passionate people in pursuit of a Holy God.  they were sure to their core of the things hoped for and certain of what they did not see.

the night i completed my memorization and shared it for the first time, God spoke a very personal Word to me.  i had prayed during the opening prayer that He would turn my restlessness into a Holy rest.  the first thing kay arthur shared after prayer is that we need to have a “rest of faith.”  why am i battling and swimming up stream  and in circles chasing after what i think i want and need, when what He has for me requires me to simply rest in Him?    so daily  (as i hold Hebrews 11 close to my heart) i am handing over my restlessness, wanting nothing more than to abide in the One who is Faithful.  the question is… in the mundane, in the joys, and in the next wave of storms… will i consider Him faithful who has made the promise?

what about you?  what is God teaching you about faith and a rest of faith?

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In faith

the ministry of rest

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“i just have one question for you, danielle.  when are you going to take some time for yourself?”  those were the strong, yet encouraging words of a ministry friend that just might know me too well.  all the kidmin events for the summer were winding down and i was a bit worn.  (ok, who am i kidding?  i was way more than a bit worn.)  i thought i was hiding it beautifully, but i am increasingly grateful for friends God puts in my path with keen senses of discernment and loving hearts for His best for me.  so this began my mind reeling.  yes,  i wanted rest.  i longed to get away, but as a single girl time away by myself felt more restricting than renewing.  the last thing this girl, who despises the sound of silence, longs for is more of it.  so i made it a matter of prayer.

through many God moments and His leading, i decided to take a trip to visit sweet friends that are more like family.  i had done a poor job maintaining the relationship, because i once again allowed the events and details of the fabric of  life to squeeze out time for the relationships that make it so beautiful.   even though my whole being was eager and excited to get away, nothing could prepare me for the ministry of rest i would receive in auburn, al.

from the moment i arrived i was welcomed with open arms and unconditional love.  through many hours of conversation and quality time;  i was encouraged, listened to, shared with, and prayed over on a screened-in patio that doubled as a sanctuary.  things were spoken to me and over me about God’s plan for me and how He uses me, that i had been too buried in ministry to remember.  there were few, if any, moments that Jesus and/or scripture were not the center, springboard, or conclusion to our conversations.

i had spent so much time in the months before being “on” it felt good to pull back the layers, let down the walls, and just be me – simple, imperfect me.  there was no pretense and no pretending.  this time was God using sweet friends to minister to my soul and heart and lead me to His sweet rest.  i was able to linger in my quiet times and get real before my Father.  i finally got still and quiet enough to be reminded He is God and He holds my life in the palm of His hand.  the days became a haven for one worn from ministry.

i felt as though i gave very little and received an abundance of love, grace, encouragement, and direction from servants that love our Savior so much.   God used a family He brought into my life 14+ years ago (through children’s ministry camp) to saturate me with the ministry of rest.  i will be forever changed and eternally grateful.

i think in children’s ministry we tend to give until we are empty, lead until we are worn out, and serve without making the needed time to sit at the true Servant’s feet.  i know i often don’t feel the “need” for rest and surely don’t feel like i deserve any encouragement.  those thoughts don’t make me super-spiritual, because they just aren’t scriptural.  Jesus beckons us to come to Him when we are weary and He will give us rest.  i am now a firm believer in the ministry of rest.  what about you?  when is the last time you took time off and away to be still, be encouraged, and rest at your Savior’s feet?

the copes... my gracious and godly hosts in alabama.

P.S. WAR EAGLE!

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In kidmin

the blessings in longevity…

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i love change.  i crave new adventures and all the challenges and stretching that comes with them.  so, when God decided to have me plant at one church for so long , (13 and 1/2 years and counting) i questioned His plan for me.  of course there are gifts each day in children’s ministry, but this past year i was blown away by the abundant blessings he gave me through a dozen precious young ladies.

in seeking a place to serve as a “volunteer” in my own church, God brought the opportunity for me to lead a senior high small group of youth girls.  this wasn’t just any group of young ladies, this was a group of girls that were toddlers when i began children’s ministry as a eager, yet clueless college grad with no experience.  as they grew older, i grew up in children’s ministry.

so, for the last year and a half before many of them spread their wings to new seasons God had before them in college, we did life together.  we studied the books of ephsians and hosea.  we shared burdens, struggles, and secrets.   we also shed tears and had some of the greatest laughs together.    it was through this time that God poured heaps of blessings on me i would have never experienced had i not been planted in this one place for so long.  here are just a couple:

  • i was constantly filled with joy and awe as i stood back and recounted what all God had done in their lives since they had been in the children’s ministry.  this was such a reminder that our God is an active God, longing to lead us to His purpose and destiny for our lives.  He is a life shaper and it is so encouraging to see His work in young lives.
  • these girls taught me that passionate faith wasn’t always perfect faith.  i could see their hearts for Jesus through their mistakes, questions, and sometimes failures.  they longed not to be perfect people, but to be obedient to the God that had captured their hearts.
  • youth have always scared me, because i didn’t ever feel like i could relate or connect with them.  these girls taught me courage to try something new and through that process God showed me that He is the timeless truth and that’s what they were longing for.  (go figure, it had nothing to do with me.)
  • with the eclectic group of girls in our small group there was never a shortage of fun.  these girls reminded me to not take myself so seriously and throw my head back and laugh once in a while.
  • one of the sweetest lessons i learned through time in the Word with these girls was to NEVER underestimate the power of scripture.  you see, i think so many times as children’s leaders we think our neat tricks or creative lessons can change lives, but the power is found in the Word of God that is alive and active.  it was scripture that i saw convicting hearts of how they talked and joked with one another.  it was scripture that challenged them to return to God.   God’s Truth  inspired action in their daily walks.  it was the Word of God that encouraged them through reminding them that we have a God that loves us far beyond our comprehension and can do abundantly more than we hope or imagine.

i have spent many hours at the church in the last 13 1/2 years, but i must admit one of my favorite times was the hour or two i would spend with the small group of youth women and the Word of God.  maybe i could have had other “adventures” in the last 13+, but i don’t think any could have blessed and touched my life the way God did through the best small group of girls ever.

our time is now over and some are still close as others are spread at college campuses across the south.  while i am getting use to doing ministry without the core of girls that have always been present, i am blown away at how they are planting themselves firmly in Christ in this new chapter in their stories.   i have no doubt my life and walk with Christ will continue to be impacted by these girls i consider my own.  i am grateful to a God that has plans, purposes, and adventures wilder than i can imagine.  sometimes, i just need to remain still enough to receive them.

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In my journey

gloriously gathered

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early in my walk with Christ i thought that the most Godly people were the ones that had it all together. somehow i was mistaken to think that a sincere walk with Christ meant complete normalcy, sanity, and a healed heart.

as i grow closer to God and begin to see things through His eyes, those whose walks i admire most are quite the opposite. it is not the Bible toting and scripture quoting “picture perfect” people who portray the false portrait of  perfection that i see Jesus in the most. it is those rare people whose life canvases have been slashed with pain, shattered with weakness, and sit crookedly on the easel of life that i see a mighty Savior.  they humbly lay their imperfect pieces on the floor, then allow a Living Savior to graciously gather them up. through their God-centered brokenness they refuse to steal even a glimpse of His glory as He binds their wounds.

they don’t have all the answers.  they most certainly don’t have it all together.  their hearts may be breaking, but they have a contagious love for a God that delights in genuine brokenness and is ever close to their aching hearts.  to see the evidence of being graciously gathered, causes me to question why i don’t more freely lay my broken pieces down.

Photo by: Deviantart work by Deviant ~warbirdaddict. I

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In kidmin

big, simple lessons, from little ones

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these lessons won’t be new to most of you, but i am  a slow learner.   i love to dream and move, but i often overlook the little details that make up the journey.  well, so far this summer i have been taught some powerful and simple lessons from children (one niece especially).  here are just a couple of the things i want to grasp and not just let slip by as fast as this summer season.

sometimes the road ahead can’t capture the adventure in my heart as much as what i see in the rear view mirror.  i need to slow down and quit frantically attacking the next task, forgetting to savor each moment with the faces around me.

the vbs week as a whole isn’t my passion.  it is the small moments when a child provides you with a God sighting that pierces your heart.  (this child brought her treasure box and salvation map back to church to give to the pirate that was spiritually lost. )

i also have been taught that sometimes you need to just stop and party for no reason at all.  (or maybe just to celebrate yourself.)

i have learned that money doesn’t buy a good time.  sometimes you just have to play and often playing is FREE. (and freeing)

quiet times with my Savior become sweeter when the person that shares my table is thirsty to know what i am learning.

although i rarely experience the slow pace of summer, i am grateful for these moments (and more) that stopped me in my tracks.   i can’t wait to see what God teaches me as the summer comes to a close.

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