Today's blog post is an article that I wrote last month for Women's Inc. This article was written and submitted long before I knew that a family in my church would find themselves thrust into the valley of the shadow of death. My friends, Larry and Sheryl Mulberry, lost two sons in a car accident. Keith was 18 and Jacob was 16.
It has been one week since the accident and my church family and community continues to grieve the profound loss of Keith and Jake. Keith and Jake were full of life and love. Both boys loved and served Jesus. As you might guess, Keith and Jake touched many lives. Yesterday at the service, I watched Larry and Sheryl celebrate the life their boys lived. Without a doubt, Larry and Sheryl have displayed big-picture-living as they have accepted God's plan for Keith and Jake. A moving moment during the service occurred as the congregation sang, It is Well With My Soul. Both Larry and Sheryl sang with hands lifted high in praise to God.
I dedicate this article to Larry, Sheryl, and Bobbie Mulberry. Thank you for embracing the call to big-picture-living. You have set a Christ-like example for all of us! May God grant you His strength and peace as you continue to lean on Him!
Embrace a big-picture perspective with faith!
My boys recently brought home their art projects from school. I love it when the boys bring artwork home. Seeing Jake and Andrew creatively express their ideas on paper brings joy to this non-creative mom’s heart. However, the most recent art project that one brought home left me scratching my head. As I looked at the project, I had no idea what to say. I wanted to find something positive and uplifting to say about the work, but, honestly, I was at a loss for words. I had no idea what the picture represented. I asked my son a few prompting questions and soon learned that the picture was a vase with flowers. “Mom, can’t you tell?” was my son's defeated response. “Of course, honey, now I see it,” came my reassuring reply.
Sometimes we see our lives much like I saw my son's art project. We know something is there but we have no idea what kind of picture God is attempting to create. As a result, we may go to the Lord with a few prompting questions.
• “Lord, what is this obstacle I face?”
• “Lord, how can I figure out what You are calling me to do?”
• “Lord, when will I understand your plan for my life?”
Thankfully, God knows exactly the picture He is creating with our lives. He sees the big picture. This means that God sees and knows every detail going on in our lives-- past, present, and future. Not only does God see and know every detail going on in our lives, God uses every detail in our lives to draw us closer to Him. I can think of no greater reassurance of truth in my life than this: God sees, God knows, and God cares.
Each day you have the chance to live your life with a big-picture perspective. Big-picture-living requires that you recognize that there is more going on around you than you can see or know. One mark of a mature believer in Jesus Christ is displayed in big-picture-living. At the very heart of big-picture-living resides the truth that God is in control of your life even when your life seems out of control.
In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon gave the following instruction. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, New International Version)
This passage of scripture provides the basic building blocks for big-picture-living. First, we must trust the Lord. For me, one of the hardest times to trust the Lord is when I have no idea what He is doing in my life. Placing my trust in the Lord during confusing times displays a heart that believes that God sees and knows every detail going on in my life. Second, we must forsake an earthly perspective on our situations. Oh, how challenging this point can be! Solomon made this point clear when he said, “lean not on your own understanding.” Forsaking my perspective in confusing situations shows that I understand that my view is limited. Instead of leaning on my understanding, I am called to do one thing--- acknowledge the Lord.
Today you can know that God is creating an eternal picture with your life. The best way to view and understand this picture occurs as you embrace an eternal or big-picture perspective. This type of perspective allows you to trust the Lord with all your heart no matter how confusing your life may seem. As you embrace a big-picture perspective, you will discover something very amazing. The areas of your life that once seemed confusing will slowly come into focus as you trust God and know this reassuring truth--- God sees, God knows, and God cares for you.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Peace in the midst of a crazy storm!
Oh, where to begin?? It has been one of those crazy weeks. Things started out amazing. On Sunday, I had the chance to join my pastor during the sermon in order to help unpack the topic: Women in Ministry. What a blessing to share my journey in regards to this important issue. I planned to blog about this topic but the Lord had other plans for my week. Lord willing, I will blog about this topic next week. You can listen to the service at www.2BC.tv. Click on the message link and then select "Women in Ministry."
Monday came along and I spent the day doing laundry (5 loads--- washed, folded, and put away!) I also took time to finish up my handouts for this weekend's retreat. I am so thankful the Lord prompted me to finish the handouts on Monday because Tuesday hit with a pronounced thud! Tuesday morning I went to Little Rock to have lunch with my good friends, Jimmie and Annette Sheffield. Following lunch, I received a phone call from my dad stating that he was taking my mom to the hospital because she needed a pacemaker ASAP! I was surprised about the call because I had spent the previous weekend with my parents and my mom seemed fine to me.
Sidebar--- perhaps you remember a few years ago when my dad was in a similar situation. Dad was experiencing a heart attack and was taken to the hospital for urgent care. My response to my dad's situation was pitiful at best. To be honest, I fell apart. There is no other way to describe my response. I could not think. I could not talk. I literally felt myself shutting down. In light of my response to my dad's health crisis, I praise the good Lord that I am able to report to you, that God has taught me so much in the last two years. Our sweet Lord has developed my faith. This development was demonstrated in my response to my mom's health crisis. When I received the call about my mom, the first thing I did was pray and give my mom to the Lord. I can't tell you what a relief this brought to my heart. I was reassured by the truth that God loves my mom even more than I love her. As I prayed, my heart clung to right theology--- God knows the number of days my mom will spend on this earth and everything that will happen to my mom while she is on this earth. As a result, I was able to present my request to the Lord for my mom's healing and then surrender my will to His will. Can I just share that I love spiritual FREEDOM! I will sing it from the roof top, there is nothing like living your life with an eternal perspective. Living for eternity rather than this world really takes our circumstances out of the drivers seat and puts God and His sovereign will clearly in the forefront of our minds. This is not to say that I did not have my moments, but praise God, I did not fall apart. Trust me--- God gets all the glory for that because I know my tendency and it ain't pretty! :)
Ok, back to my week in review--- Mom did not receiver her pacemaker on Tuesday. The doctor decided to wait until Wednesday. I left Conway on Wednesday at noon and drove to NWA to be with mom and dad. I arrived at mom's hospital at 2:30 in the afternoon. The surgery was scheduled for 3:00. LONG, LONG, LONG story short, my mom finally received the pacemaker at 1:30am the next morning. Praise Jesus, mom is recovering well and is on the road to a full recovery.
In the midst of mom's health crisis, my husband leaves in the morning for an overseas mission trip. Jay is leading a team of 9 people to the other side of the world to share the love of Jesus with men, women, and children who need to know that Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life. Please pray for Jay and the team as they seek to share Jesus and set up a medical mission clinic. We are asking God to do BIG things that only He can receive the credit and glory for!
As not to under pack our weekend, I will be leading a women's conference this weekend at FBC Manila, AR. I love this sweet church. I have spoken at FBC Manila numerous times. I know the ladies and I love them. The women's ministry team at FBC is so supportive of True Vine Ministry. This is such a blessing to me and my family. FBC knows how to take care of a family in ministry. I count it an honor to serve this church and community. This weekend we will examine the topic Free To Thrive! Saturday will be jammed packed with the Word and I know the women will come with a ready heart. My prayer, "Lord show Your power!"
The boys will be in Harrison for the weekend. Jay's parents are picking them up tomorrow and I am so thankful! God is good and always provides everything we need to be obedient to Him. Aren't you glad He does not leave us on our own? He is with us! Today, I am taking this promise to the spiritual bank and making a personal deposit! I hope you do too!
Peace and Love!
Andrea@TVM
Monday came along and I spent the day doing laundry (5 loads--- washed, folded, and put away!) I also took time to finish up my handouts for this weekend's retreat. I am so thankful the Lord prompted me to finish the handouts on Monday because Tuesday hit with a pronounced thud! Tuesday morning I went to Little Rock to have lunch with my good friends, Jimmie and Annette Sheffield. Following lunch, I received a phone call from my dad stating that he was taking my mom to the hospital because she needed a pacemaker ASAP! I was surprised about the call because I had spent the previous weekend with my parents and my mom seemed fine to me.
Sidebar--- perhaps you remember a few years ago when my dad was in a similar situation. Dad was experiencing a heart attack and was taken to the hospital for urgent care. My response to my dad's situation was pitiful at best. To be honest, I fell apart. There is no other way to describe my response. I could not think. I could not talk. I literally felt myself shutting down. In light of my response to my dad's health crisis, I praise the good Lord that I am able to report to you, that God has taught me so much in the last two years. Our sweet Lord has developed my faith. This development was demonstrated in my response to my mom's health crisis. When I received the call about my mom, the first thing I did was pray and give my mom to the Lord. I can't tell you what a relief this brought to my heart. I was reassured by the truth that God loves my mom even more than I love her. As I prayed, my heart clung to right theology--- God knows the number of days my mom will spend on this earth and everything that will happen to my mom while she is on this earth. As a result, I was able to present my request to the Lord for my mom's healing and then surrender my will to His will. Can I just share that I love spiritual FREEDOM! I will sing it from the roof top, there is nothing like living your life with an eternal perspective. Living for eternity rather than this world really takes our circumstances out of the drivers seat and puts God and His sovereign will clearly in the forefront of our minds. This is not to say that I did not have my moments, but praise God, I did not fall apart. Trust me--- God gets all the glory for that because I know my tendency and it ain't pretty! :)
Ok, back to my week in review--- Mom did not receiver her pacemaker on Tuesday. The doctor decided to wait until Wednesday. I left Conway on Wednesday at noon and drove to NWA to be with mom and dad. I arrived at mom's hospital at 2:30 in the afternoon. The surgery was scheduled for 3:00. LONG, LONG, LONG story short, my mom finally received the pacemaker at 1:30am the next morning. Praise Jesus, mom is recovering well and is on the road to a full recovery.
In the midst of mom's health crisis, my husband leaves in the morning for an overseas mission trip. Jay is leading a team of 9 people to the other side of the world to share the love of Jesus with men, women, and children who need to know that Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life. Please pray for Jay and the team as they seek to share Jesus and set up a medical mission clinic. We are asking God to do BIG things that only He can receive the credit and glory for!
As not to under pack our weekend, I will be leading a women's conference this weekend at FBC Manila, AR. I love this sweet church. I have spoken at FBC Manila numerous times. I know the ladies and I love them. The women's ministry team at FBC is so supportive of True Vine Ministry. This is such a blessing to me and my family. FBC knows how to take care of a family in ministry. I count it an honor to serve this church and community. This weekend we will examine the topic Free To Thrive! Saturday will be jammed packed with the Word and I know the women will come with a ready heart. My prayer, "Lord show Your power!"
The boys will be in Harrison for the weekend. Jay's parents are picking them up tomorrow and I am so thankful! God is good and always provides everything we need to be obedient to Him. Aren't you glad He does not leave us on our own? He is with us! Today, I am taking this promise to the spiritual bank and making a personal deposit! I hope you do too!
Peace and Love!
Andrea@TVM
Friday, March 4, 2011
A Sacred Trust
Well, I meant to write this post last week but got sidetracked with life. (Can you relate?) Even now, there are several things I need to do--- laundry, toilets, dishes, etc! My "to do'" list is long but it will have to wait. I simply have to share something with you. It is a passage of scripture that God is using to rock my world!
It all began last week. One morning before school, Jake (my ten year old) and I were working on memorizing a passage of scripture. Jake is involved in Bible drill at church. I am so proud of Jake! He is memorizing 25 verses of scripture and 10 key passages. Jake is really working hard on this task. Recently, we started working on memorizing 1 Corinthians 4:2. "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." Jake and I went over the passage several times and then I asked Jake, "What do you think 1 Corinthians 4:2 means?" Jake blew me away with his response. Jake stated, "There are responsibilities that come along with being a Christian." I asked Jake, "What are the responsibilities?" Jake said, "The number one responsibility is to love God more than I love anything else." Can I say, "Wow!" Out of the mouth of my ten year old son, flowed life-changing truth. As a believer in Jesus Christ, it is my responsibility to guard my life from loving anything or anyone more than I love Christ.
Following my conversation with Jake, I dropped Jake and Andrew off at school. Then I rushed home and opened my Bible to 1 Corinthians. I wanted to examine the context of 1 Corinthians 4. As I did, I was reminded that the believers in Corinth, the original recipients of Paul's letter, were arguing over the person they chose to follow. Some said, "I follow Paul." While others stated, "I follow Apollos." Paul set the record straight by saying, "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe..." (1 Corinthians 3:5)
As I processed this passage of scripture, I had to smile. I thought about the fact that things really do have a way of remaining the same. Even today you find loyal followers of preachers, teachers, and leaders who make it their passion to follow their guy or gal. I hope this statement does not come across as judgmental. Please know that my desire is to lift up and encourage the body of Christ! With out a doubt, I have a list of leaders that I pray for and follow on a regular basis. We all should. The point I attempting to make is that our passion to follow an individual must not supersede our passion to follow Christ! I know everyone reading this blog will agree with me in theory, but what about practice? A good way to measure your heart on this important issue is by asking this question, "Do I spend more time listening to a spiritual leader than I do in one-on-one time with my Lord?"
I will be honest with you. This message hits close to home. As many of you know, some exciting things are going on at True Vine Ministry. I am thankful, humbled and amazed. At the same time, I find myself fighting a near trap. During these days it would be easy for me to think that I need to create a successful ministry by gathering a large following of women, thus making a statement about the validity of TVM to the Christian world. In essence, striving to be the kind of leader that women are drawn to follow. While this sounds good and "dead on" when it comes to marketing your ministry or profession, it teeters near a very dangerous line in ministry that I simply cannot cross. The focus of TVM should never be on people following me. Rather, the focus of TVM must be on directing others attention towards Christ. I have been given this trust and I must prove faithful in it.
In your life, you have been given a trust as well. This trust involves loving "no one" or "no thing" more than you love Christ. Additionally, your trust requires that you make a choice to forsake a path in your life that might cause someone else to love you more than they love Christ. This is your trust. How will you respond?
ReFocused!
Andrea@TVM
It all began last week. One morning before school, Jake (my ten year old) and I were working on memorizing a passage of scripture. Jake is involved in Bible drill at church. I am so proud of Jake! He is memorizing 25 verses of scripture and 10 key passages. Jake is really working hard on this task. Recently, we started working on memorizing 1 Corinthians 4:2. "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." Jake and I went over the passage several times and then I asked Jake, "What do you think 1 Corinthians 4:2 means?" Jake blew me away with his response. Jake stated, "There are responsibilities that come along with being a Christian." I asked Jake, "What are the responsibilities?" Jake said, "The number one responsibility is to love God more than I love anything else." Can I say, "Wow!" Out of the mouth of my ten year old son, flowed life-changing truth. As a believer in Jesus Christ, it is my responsibility to guard my life from loving anything or anyone more than I love Christ.
Following my conversation with Jake, I dropped Jake and Andrew off at school. Then I rushed home and opened my Bible to 1 Corinthians. I wanted to examine the context of 1 Corinthians 4. As I did, I was reminded that the believers in Corinth, the original recipients of Paul's letter, were arguing over the person they chose to follow. Some said, "I follow Paul." While others stated, "I follow Apollos." Paul set the record straight by saying, "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe..." (1 Corinthians 3:5)
As I processed this passage of scripture, I had to smile. I thought about the fact that things really do have a way of remaining the same. Even today you find loyal followers of preachers, teachers, and leaders who make it their passion to follow their guy or gal. I hope this statement does not come across as judgmental. Please know that my desire is to lift up and encourage the body of Christ! With out a doubt, I have a list of leaders that I pray for and follow on a regular basis. We all should. The point I attempting to make is that our passion to follow an individual must not supersede our passion to follow Christ! I know everyone reading this blog will agree with me in theory, but what about practice? A good way to measure your heart on this important issue is by asking this question, "Do I spend more time listening to a spiritual leader than I do in one-on-one time with my Lord?"
I will be honest with you. This message hits close to home. As many of you know, some exciting things are going on at True Vine Ministry. I am thankful, humbled and amazed. At the same time, I find myself fighting a near trap. During these days it would be easy for me to think that I need to create a successful ministry by gathering a large following of women, thus making a statement about the validity of TVM to the Christian world. In essence, striving to be the kind of leader that women are drawn to follow. While this sounds good and "dead on" when it comes to marketing your ministry or profession, it teeters near a very dangerous line in ministry that I simply cannot cross. The focus of TVM should never be on people following me. Rather, the focus of TVM must be on directing others attention towards Christ. I have been given this trust and I must prove faithful in it.
In your life, you have been given a trust as well. This trust involves loving "no one" or "no thing" more than you love Christ. Additionally, your trust requires that you make a choice to forsake a path in your life that might cause someone else to love you more than they love Christ. This is your trust. How will you respond?
ReFocused!
Andrea@TVM
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