Build Anyway

"Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was angered and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews." Nehemiah 4:1 (ESV)
"So we went on rebuilding the wall, and soon it was half its full height, because the people were eager to work." Nehemiah 4:6 (GNT)


In 2004, an NFL player was captured by two words listed at the  bottom of a piece of paper passed around the locker room: "Congressional Internship".  Something about those words surprisingly reached deep in his soul and awakened an unknown  passion. After some prayer and consideration, Scott Turner found himself encouraging wounded Soldiers, typing awards certificates, and speaking on behalf of a former Presidential Candidate. Months into his internship, a hometown congressman was found guilty of a litany of charges and sentenced to prison, opening a congressional seat in the 50th District of San Diego.  Amidst the corruption, Scott received an undeniable call. He sensed the Lord asking, "Scott, will you run?".  A press conference officially announcing his candidacy for US Congress solidified his, "yes"! This of course was not without opposition. Political leaders, co-workers, friends, media, and yes, even his wife (that would ashamedly be me) questioned his motive, doubted his ability, and investigated his sanity! How dare a young African American male with little to no political prowess, legal acuity, or privileged heredity run for a highly coveted U.S. Congressional seat as a conservative candidate.  Nonetheless, the "Character Counts" campaign forged ahead. Scott discounted the jeers of man, the fear of failure, and the berating lies of the enemy and ran anyway!


Rewind some 2500 years ago and once again witness the opposition's tentacles reaching for a more established political figure. Nehemiah, a cup bearer to the King of another nation, and soon to be Governor to his own people, was disturbed to hear that his beloved hometown of Jerusalem was without protective walls. Desecrated by the Babylonian invasion, the broken spirit and rationed resources of the Jewish people let 100 years pass with nothing more than broken stone heaps surrounding them. For Nehemiah, inaction was not an option, for God had placed in his heart a call to rebuild the walls (Nehemiah 2:12). As the journey to fortify the city began, so did the opposition's antics. Political leaders in surrounding territories driven by sheer hatred for their Jewish neighbors and threatened by the possible resurrection of their once unconquerable nation, questioned, mocked, and incited fear of reprisal at even an attempt to re-build the walls.  Nehemiah first responded by praying, "Here us , O our God, for we are despised...." Then, He did what we all should do when everybody else, our flesh, and the enemy of our souls comes against what God has either put on our hearts or commanded and encouraged through His written word, he built anyway!



So what will you do when:

• Fatigue fights you getting up earlier so you can spend time with God before your appointments/work begin.....Pray and Get Up Anyway!                           
• Your hair day just went from bad to worse and the clothes you picked for the Women's Retreat don't fit....Pray and Go Anyway!
• The lady behind you is huffin and puffin because you are writing a check (are YOU that lady :)).....Pray and Smile Anyway!
• Your spouse says he doesn't love you anymore and wants a divorce....Pray and Hope Anyway!
• Ellie, your youngest child turns away from God and never answers or returns your call......Pray and Call Anyway!
• Giving money to the family in your church who have been out of work means your kids will have to wear their old shoes for another month......Pray and Give Anyway!
• The unspeakable happened to you as a child....Pray and Forgive Anyway!
• There's a person in your life who serves up some drama nearly every day.....Pray and Be Gracious Anyway!
• You hear the Lord say, "I want you to move and serve my people in full time ministry",  but that entails a 50% salary decrease.......Pray and Serve Anyway!
• Life is good, bills are paid, kids are healthy, you just got a promotion....Pray and Seek God Anyway, Always! 

Lord Jesus, may your voice and word always be the final authority in my Life. May I use them and prayer to drive a dagger through the opposition of pride, fear, possible poverty, discomfort, anger, frustration, physical and emotional pain, jealousy, and complacency. Lord, despite the opposition, as you call and lead may I say "Yes" and Do It Anyway!

"Go ahead and SHOUT Granny"

“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.” Psalm 71:23

Three days ago, in the early morning of January 2, I sat in a chair across from my husband’s grandmother, whom we affectionately called, “Granny”. Just before our arrival, her earthly body had given out and she breathed her last breath. As I gazed at her peaceful countenance, listened to the cry of her twin daughters, and watched the sweet stroke of my husband’s hand across Granny’s face, I could not help but reflect on the life that was and the life that is. You see, Granny allowed Jesus to become her Lord and Savior as a teenager. What great peace lies in knowing that her life, despite the many struggles and heartaches was purposeful and full because she lived it with and for Him. 

 I don’t know a lot of details about Granny’s journey, but as I became more acquainted with her over the last couple years, one thing was very evident, she loved to read and listen to God’s word, and worship Him. There was hardly a time that a sermon or worship music did not fill the air during our visits with her. She didn't care too much for TV, stating that it just keeps you from getting anything done! Ain't that the truth!

 A couple months back, Granny was admitted to ICU with little chance of survival. Extreme dehydration and infection sapped her energy leaving the very basic of movements a chore. I pulled up a chair, opened the Bible to her favorite passages (John 4:1-42  the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well: "Jesus answered (the Samaritan Woman), “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” and Genesis 1, the account of creation) and began to read. She didn’t move or comment, but upon closer observation, I saw tears streaming down her face. Just before this past Christmas, my husband continued this practice. As he read, Granny’s eyes brightened and her head lifted as she strained to hear every word of the Holy Scripture. Again, her eyes filled with tears. My husband told Granny how much he loved and needed Jesus everyday. Her labored, raspy response, “I do too”. Another time, my mother in law (Mama T) sang a hym, and Granny mustered just enough breath to briefly chime in.

As the family gathered the evening after her homegoing, Mama T spoke of Granny’s tenure as a choir member. I asked if Granny ever “got happy” (a practice in many African American churches where people express their adoration for God by dancing and/or shouting). She said that Granny didn’t dance, but she would always shout, “Thank You” (to God), often the only one doing so!  

Granny, from beginning to end, praised God with whatever she had. Be it a melodic voice, a shout of thanksgiving, a slight lift of the head, a twinkle in her eye, or a tear.  I can only imagine how she's expressing her adoration now as she has left the life that was and entered into the life that is. Life in the presence of Jesus the One who redeemed, led and loved her here, and welcomed, glorified and cherishes her there, the Holy City of Heaven. No longer will dehydration, disease, tubes and trips to the hospital minimize her ability to shout and sing to the One who gave her living water some 70 years ago (John 4:13-14, Revelation 21). 

"Right Back Ashy"

Deuteronomy 5:32 
So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you..."

My nephew needs lotion like a desert pirate needs water. Without it, his skin becomes a quick canvas for a game of tic tac toe! Dry skin can plague us all, but for some, it's a menace. Growing up, we used the term “ashy” to describe this crocodile like appearance. Water, soap, and cold air were the culprits. Lotion, Vaseline, or even lard and butter (when you hail from a family of 6 brothers and 2 sisters, you become quite resourceful) were the cure.

On our way to church a few weeks ago, I asked my little buddy (he’s 10) if he had applied lotion after bathing and he replied with questioning frustration, “Yes, but it seems like I get right back ashy.” We chuckled and searched the car for our extra stash of moisturizer!

For the past 6 months, I've been doing a one year Bible reading plan (more like a year and a half for me). Throughout the books of Exodus, Joshua, Numbers, 1st and 2nd Samuel and Kings, I’m astonished by Israel's repeated cycle of "Oh God, we love and worship you" one day, and "Oh idol baal, we love and worship you" the seeming next (the following link: Bible Timeline gives great summary of this)!  I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at their flip flop devotion. Then I thought, "Wait a minute, don't get all self righteous, you've walked in a few flip flops yourself."

Can you relate? One week you're encouraging a lost and hurting heart, reveling in God's presence as you sing along with the choir,  and facing each circumstance with faithful confidence. Then bam, a few weeks later, you are one consonant away from reading somebody their rights, watching or listening to something that once made you cringe, or believing that you are a failure and wondering how you will make it another day?

What happens? Well perhaps we can get a clue from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses, in his address to the Israelites prior to their possession of the promised land, repeatedly (I counted over 20 instances) warns his people to be careful.  This warning comes as a result of what the Israelites were about to encounter: an abundant land where all of their needs would be met (Deut 6:10-12), and groups of people whose devotion was anything but God (Deut 6:14, 7:1-16). This is not too unlike the world we live in now. Whatever we want, we can pretty much get. A baked potato in 6 minutes, fried butter, or a manicure while our car is vacuumed. There's also an outright rebellion against the one true God. We have come to idolize any and everything from football to political figures to cars.

If we are not careful, our comfort laden lives and desire for entertainment and lifestyle identity can weaken our need for the Savior, and replace Him with a "hobby" or "passion" made of pigskin or metal. Next thing you know, we become encrusted with sin, again.

However, there's a balm, that if applied daily will free us from our on again off again devotion. It drenches our soul, covers our sin (Rom 3:24-25), guards our walk (Proverbs 2:8), and protects us from evil (Ephes 6). It is the Word of God. If we live by it and it alone, using it as the tool by which we measure all else, we won't be so easily ensnared by the magnets of self fulfillment and worldly gain.  Proverbs 2

Lord, please help me to be intentional about attentiveness, always cognizant of what I take in and put out. There are so many things trying to take my eyes off of You. Forgive me for the times I've carelessly allowed them to take Your place. You and only You deserve all glory, honor and praise.

Oops, sorry about the Re-post of "Me and My Shadow"

Jesus and My Orange Juice

Hi Friends. I just wanted to take a moment to recommend a blog that I follow. It's entitled, "Jesus and My Orange Juice". It's a daily devotional written by a sweet friend who shares with us what God shares with her during her quiet time. It will make you laugh, go "hmmm", and even cry sometimes. So if you are looking for a biblically sound, daily devotional that will have you saying, "Girl, I know what you mean", and "Ooh, I never thought of it that way" click on:  Jesus and My Orange Juice. 

Remember, if you would like her posts automatically mailed to you, all you have to do is "Subscribe" on her site with your email address.

I know you will be blessed.

Me and My Shadow

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."

For the past couple weeks, I've been meditating on Psalm 91. One evening, I couldn't get beyond the word, "shadow".  In this particular passage, the probable author, King David was worshipping God for the many victories and protection He provided against his enemies. But I could not help but wonder what other benefits ensue when we choose, like David, to be a people after God's heart (Acts 13:22), and entrust our lives to the Almighty's care. I could go on for pages describing the goodness of God to us, but after a little dictionary digging, my eyes and heart settled upon one of Noah Webster's definitions of shadow:  inseparable companion. Immediately, I thought of the classic song re-recorded by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr in 1962, "Me and My Shadow". It playfully portrays the great, indivisible friendship had by these two singers. Since I couldn't remember any of the lyrics besides, "me (pause) and my shaaadow...", my friend, google helped me out. I've recorded most of them below. 



Each day as we follow and cling to the Almighty's word, we will not only find rest for our weary souls, but journey to places we've never dreamed of (Ephesians 3:20). I can't think of any cooler place to live than in the Shadow of the Almighty!

Like the wallpaper sticks to the wall

Like the seashore clings to the sea

Like you'll never get rid of your shadow

Frank, you'll never get rid of me

Let all the others fight and fuss

Whatever happens, we've got us.

Me and my shadow

We're closer than pages that stick in a book

We're closer than ripples that play in a brook

Strolling down the avenue

Wherever you find him, you'll find me, just look

Closer than a miser or the bloodhound's to Liza

Me and my shadow

We're closer than smog when it clings to L.A.

We're closer than Bobby is to J.F.K.

Not a soul can bust this team in two

We stick together like glue.....

Me and my shadow

Mr. Bo Bo

Have you ever had one of those days when everything seemed to go wrong? My husband and I just had one of those days. I am always amazed however, at the different ways God lightens our load. For us, it came in the form of a car salesman who I will call Mr. Bo Bo.

On the way to look at one of Mr. Bo Bo's cars for my sister in law, our already frustrating day seemed to culminate with an increasingly tense phone conversation. That call was an unwelcome reminder of all the difficulties of the past year. Fortunately, we hit one of those dead spots and the call was lost. You know, God always gives us a way out prior to our temptation to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13)! 

So we went on our not so merry way, frustrations to boot, searching for a deal. We got a little turned around while trying to locate the vehicle, but a quick call to Mr. Bo Bo got us going in the right direction. A few minutes later, we pulled into a makeshift car lot. I pointed out what had to be the car we were looking for. With furrowed brow and a half opened mouth, my husband stood dazed and confused. Just a quick tip (you probably already know this), don't ever go look at a car without first seeing some pictures of it! We called Mr. Bo Bo, again. A few minutes later, a man wearing a dingy tank top, shorts, sneakers, and a lopsided baby fro stepped outside. My husband, with arms and eyes open wide addressed him with a stern, "Is this it, is this the car?" Mr. Bo Bo, with a straight face and heavy accent replied, "Yeh, that's it". My husband, "I drove way down here for this!?", Mr. Bo Bo, "Yeh, what's wrong with it?" My husband, "What's right with it?" My husband then commenced to point out the faded paint, missing rear view mirror and gas tank cover, near flat tires and overall junky condition. Mr. Bo Bo, "I get you 4 new tires and some rims". My husband, "I don't want no rims." Mr. Bo Bo, "You can go to Mexico and get $150 paint job. It will look cheap, but it will be better. Make me offer." Scott declined and Mr. Bo Bo added fuel to the fire by asking if we were interested in the adjacent, wrecked vehicle with burnt up music cd's in the back window.  Needless to say, we left without Mr. Bo Bo's merchandise.

Our cross country trek wound up yielding something worth much more than a good deal on a car, a lightened load. We laughed all the way home. In fact, we are still laughing.  

After some reflection, I was drawn to Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."  God knows when we are burdened and often provides a way to soothe our pain. I hope this story brings a smile to your face and a chuckle in your belly. Lord, thank you for giving us joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of despair (Isaiah 61:3). Help us to stop and recognize the Mr. Bo Bo's along our way.