Letting Go of the Wheel.

not sure if you have ever had the experience of teaching a child to drive, but i have.  it is one of the most challenging things I have been through in my life, honestly.  In a nutshell, it is called "letting go of the wheel".

jacob drove himself to school this morning (as usual).   i was sitting in the passenger seat trying not to overreact at his every move, and it hit me that this was such a perfect example of my relationship with Christ.

we say that we are going to give God control, but the honestly, do we?   no.   most of the time we sit in the passenger seat saying "slow down" or "speed up" or "don't get too close to that car".   of course, we do this in order to protect ourselves or others.   but, ultimately not we aren't trusting the Driver.

there is a crazy point you reach in your journey with Christ where you have to let go of the wheel.   it is hard.   it might put you in danger and you might crash.  but, the point is, do you trust the Driver?

Repost from June 2010

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010

The Brevity

Some of you know my story, some of you don't.  But it occurred to me this morning that it is really good for us to look back sometimes at where we have been so that we can reevaluate where we are headed.  I also believe it is good cleansing for the soul to share where we have been and the things we have dealt with in life.  So, with that said, let me give you some background.  I was raised in Chattanooga, TN by my stay-at-home Mom and Army serving Dad.   My parents sacrificed a lot so that I would be able to attend Christian schools and I am so fortunate for that.   My brother and sister were 12 and 10 years older than me and I was the "baby" of the family.  From the time that I can remember, I always felt SO much love in my heart for others.  I remember thinking that I wasn't normal because I loved people with such a fierce passion.  I was also very insecure, due to many different reasons and this eventually led to my "falling in with the bad crowd" during high school.   I was a people pleaser and I loved to make people laugh - I wanted them to like me.

When I was 20 years old my Mother suffered a massive heart attack and died.   My world was blown apart.  I was devastated.   We weren't on the best terms when she passed away and this obviously was a crucial point in my life that defined me.......shaped me.  I was angry with God and I walked away from Him completely.

Fast forward 5 years and my first child was born.  I don't know why, but it has been my observation through the years that the birth of a child brings many "prodigals" back home to Christ.  And that is exactly what happened with me.  I wanted Christ again, I wanted Him for my children.

Three years ago, my brother (an alcoholic) suffered a fall that left him quadriplegic.  He lived in Chattanooga and at this point we were living here in Winchester and thus started an almost year-long process of driving back and forth to try and make sure he was receiving adequate care, etc.  It was excruciating.  I loved my brother dearly.  He had such a sweet heart, but let his addiction rule his words quite often, but God gave me the eyes to always see his heart and not his actions.   In 2008 we received a call that my brother had choked while in the nursing home he had just been moved to.   He had to be airlifted from that facility to downtown Chattanooga and as a result was without oxygen for over 20 minutes.  We rushed to Chattanooga and our family had to make the decision to take him off of life support.  As his caregiver, I had to sign the papers to do so.   Once again, life changing......life shaping.   I held his hand as he died and as he slipped away I wondered once again - "why God?".    So, I decided to seek Christ like I had never sought Him before.  If God really did love me like his own child then I wanted to know him more about Him, figure out what I believed and get some healing.

And this is why I share this very brief version of my 40 years here on earth - God is good!  He IS faithful.  He can heal you heart.  He can make you whole.  He has done it for me - I am living proof.  I am a testimony of His love.    Is my life perfect? - well, heck no!  Do I still struggle with sin and disbelief? - well, yeah!  But I have a peace.  A peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.   And learning about and getting to know my God has brought me to places I thought I would never be.  Like taking seminary classes and doing mission trips.   I guarantee you no one thought that was where this girl has headed!

So my question for you is this?  Have you given God a try?  Have you read His Word and tried him out?  If so, why not?  What would it hurt?  For you see, this life is brief.  The brevity of it is overwhelming, trust me I have lived it.

So it fell by the wayside.....

My blogging has absolutely fallen to the wayside this year.   Just one of those seasons where blogging had to take backseat to my family, service in the Church and my jobs.   But, I am determined to start gearing up for another year of blog-madness.   I would really love to be able to start writing devotionals again and help come along women and encourage them in their walk with Christ.  One thing I have learned this year ( that I knew in my head but had not completely settled into my heart ) is that God really honestly never does waste a hurt!  Those of you who have faithfully followed my blog have seen me write about taking care of and eventually losing my brother, watched me battle with bouts of depression at times, stood along beside me as I felt God's call for me to ministry and then ultimately, this year, try to discern where in the world He wants to use me.   Well, guess what?   I am pretty sure he wants to use me right where I am at.  :)   It isn't difficult.  I think what is difficult for me is that I love serving in so many different capacities and I have to decide on one and stick with it.   So, please join with me in prayer as I get "settled in my skin" about God using me where He has planted me for right now.   I ask you to bear with me as I start getting back into the practice of daily (or maybe bi-daily) blogging and would love for you send me ideas or feedback.   Love to you all and I can't wait to see where 2011 takes us all!


John 3: 16-17  "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?" Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."   Matthew 9: 9-13

  

Respost from September 2007 - Sacred Marriage

I am reading a wonderful book titled "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. I highly recommend it. It is very well written and a fairly easy read. I wanted to share an excerpt with you this morning. 

"One of the best wedding gifts God gave you was a full-length mirror called your spouse. Had there been a card attached, it would have read "Here's to helping you discover what you are really like." quote by Gary and Betsy Ricucci.

"What is humility? Fenelon tells us "It is a certain honesty and childlike willingness to acknowledge our faults, to recover from them and to submit to the advice of experienced people; these will be solid useful virtues, adapted to your sanctification." We must not enter marriage predominantly to be fulfilled, emotionally satisfied or romantically charged , but rather to become more like Jesus Christ. We must embrace the reality of having our flaws exposed to our partner, and thereby having them exposed to us as well. Sin never seems quite as shocking when it is known only to us; when we see how it looks or sounds to another it is magnified ten times over. The single or celibate can "hide" frustration by removing himself or herself from the situation, but the married man or women has no true refuge. It is hard to hide when you share the same bed.."

Isn't that the truth? We all are sinful creatures, but tend in marriage to point the finger or get into a pattern of blaming our partner. We should first examine ourselves and see where our own sin lies. Whether it be a critical spirit, an angry heart, addiction, etc., we need to first focus on our own sin and repentance because our job is to become more like Christ. We are not in control of our partners' behavior. We are ultimately only responsible for ourselves when we stand before Christ on judgment day. Trust me, I lived the life of blaming another for many years. Guess what, it didn't change anything. Maybe the problem lies within ourselves.......

Just a little humor.

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business….

Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities , but feared her enough to maintain their silence…

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's
only bar one afternoon...

She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there
WOULD KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING!

Frank , a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away…

He didn't explain, defend, or deny…

He said nothing….

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ...

walked home

.....and left it there all night !!!

Empty Promises

Great new sermon series from Pete Wilson at Crosspoint on "Empty Promises".  This series is about idolatry and how to identify the idols we have in our own lives.   Guess what?  We all have them..........

Click here for sermon:
Empty Promises

Quick Update from the ever-crazy Brown House

I hardly know if I am coming or going and sanity is something I have long ago given up hope on.  Emma is cheering this year, Abby and Emma both are playing soccer (practice everyday and sometimes 2 games a week) and all three of the kids are very involved with church - not to mention school.    I know that one day I will look back and miss these days, but right now I am just praying to make it through them.  We have all remained healthy so far this school year and I am praising God for that!  As a matter of fact, I am trying to make it a daily practice to look around and give thanks for all the good things in my life.   Why not? - it sure is a lot better than dwelling on the negatives!  I am still trying to work on my own school - which seems to fall to the bottom of the list most days, but still wanting to work towards completing my Religious Studies degree at Berea.  Chris is traveling a lot these days and I am co-leading a Wednesday night study at my church and will be hosting a girls only study this Fall for the girls in Youth at Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian.  That is my love.  If I could study God's Word and/or lead studies every day I think I would die a very happy woman.   It has taken me a long time to realize my calling, but finally I know that I just love to help others in their journey to study the Scriptures.   

Praying that this post finds all in good health and in constant pursuit of their journey with Christ.   Love to you all - Melissa

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

A Fig Tree Can't Bear Olives

The Fig Tree

We have been going through a situation in our now "previous" church that has caused some great division and dissension amongst the family of believers.   Needless to say, this has mad me very sad.  It seems like this "thing" has grown legs and sprouted tentacles and is entangling people.    Rumors are being spread and there has been division caused between people who love each other and have such good, sweet hearts.   It is so sad to see the body of Christ act the way I have witnessed it acting the past few weeks.  But, God is good and I know he is working all things together for the good of His people and for His glory.   Yet, it is still a hard thing to witness.

A sweet friend of mine reminded me this morning of the following verse and I thought I would share it with you.  It comes from the book of James, chapter 3, verses 8-18:

New International Version

---

8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11Can both fresh water and salt^a water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

My prayer for  all of those still drudging through this situation is for them be peace-loving, full of mercy, bearers of good fruit,  impartial and sincere.   You see, when we align ourselves with Scripture and what God's Word says, there can be no room for division - He will show you the truth and the light and, in turn, you will know where you are supposed to be, whether that be at your current church or another.   He is truth and light.   He will reveal Himself to you and show you Truth.  No darkness can dwell within us or around us  if we are in His will.    Oh if only people would we humble their hearts then God would turn His gaze upon them and bless them.    Lord, help us to be humble..........   

Peace ~ Melissa