In a Backdraft?

• back·draft [bak-draft, -drahft] -  Noun   ~   1. a reverse movement of air, gas or liquid.                     
•  2. an explosion that occurs when air reaches a fire that has used up all the available oxygen, often occurring when a door is opened to the room containing the fire. 

The 1991 film called 'Backdraft', Kurt Russell and William Baldwin, play feuding firefighter brothers, while an arsonist runs rampant.

Everyday we face an adversarial arsonist, who attempts to use the backdraft of our past sins, mistakes and failures to smolder our fire/passion for Jesus.

He desires for us to focus on the people we were rather than who we've become in Christ.

This arsonist wants to destroy the hope of promise and purpose Jesus calls us to, convincing us to live our lives looking through the rear view mirror.

We must remember that our past doesn't define our present or future.....this isn’t a new phenomenon.

God has always used ordinary men/women with sordid backstories.

•  Abraham, called the Father of faith but, lacked it;
•  Moses the Deliverer, was a murderer;
•  Rahab, included in the genealogy of Jesus, was a prostitute;      
  
•  David, called a man after God's own heart, struggled with lust.

Each and every one of us has a backstory. 

The good news, Jesus stepped forward, so our yesterday would no longer be our today. God didn't create perfect people, but people who are unfinished. He's looking to qualify those who are called.

I Peter 2:9 (NASB) ~ But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Isn't she LOVELY?

The above picture (me on the left, my brother and his beautiful wife Cheyenne) was taken, this past weekend, at a family member's surprise birthday celebration.

As I sat across this couple, I couldn't help but be captured by the love, care and tenderness they expressed towards one another throughout the evening....their small touches and the sheets of music their laughter made.

This phenomenal woman who anchors her household with:

the ripples of her love, like stones skipping over glassy waters, that's endless...

eyes of understanding and wisdom, as she speaks with her children...

commitment and strength guarding her husband's heart

and grace like the fresh morning breeze.

She may not realize it, but I love her style. 

Thankful and Blessed to have his woman apart of my life.....YES, she is Lovely!

Love you, Sister-in-Law!

Clothed

I'm always challenged to examine and evaluate the things that truly hold my heart, as I read Matthew 19:16-26.

I wondered, if more often than not, we experience the same grief and regret as the Rich Young Ruler when he walked away from the personal invitation Jesus extended for him to become one of His Disciples. This would seem to be such an unprecedented encounter, a personal invitation to be a close friend to the one who would make ALL things new!


Apparently, the man whom would seem to have everything, had to much to deny his possessions to walk alongside Jesus.

The heart of God is for us to live and walk with such abandonment and surrender, that we're willing to say, (unlike the Rich Ruler), 'you can have it ALL because I'm clothed in Christ'.

God has an Extraordinary call for each of us, the question we have to ask ourselves, 'is whether we're willing to take the Risk of Faith to walk out His plan.' 


We can make the choice to contended for the things of Heaven or the things that satisfy our flesh. But, before we answer, we must understand.....


More than earthly possessions.....
More than fame or accolades....
More than fulfilled dreams and promises....


HE alone is the PRIZE!

Taster's Choice

The other day my husband and I took two of our girls to Cold Stone Creamery.

My husband walked them into the shop for their 'Love It' size ice cream, while I waited in the car. 10 mins went by...15....20....then 25. I couldn't imagine what could possibly take so long. Just as I was grabbing my purse to go in and investigate, the back passenger door opened and I saw the smiling face of our youngest daughter.

As we began to drive off, I couldn't help but ask my husband what took so long. His response, "They had to sample all the selections that were available."

I looked back at my girls, asking them why they feel the need to sample/taste test all the options available when they continue to get the same flavor EVERY TIME (Cake Batter and Cotton Candy).

With blue ice-cream colored teeth, they explained the importance of embracing the full Cold Stone experience (WOW! Didn't realize I had future Brand Marketers)  :))

I couldn't help but consider how we like to taste, choose, select what portions, verses, commandments of God's word we live by.

We sample the different options and determine what best fits our comfortably lifestyle or what's convenient so we can still proclaim we're 'Christians' or Followers of Christ.

But the call of God supersedes our comfort and convenience. 

When it comes to the inspired word of God, obedience ISN'T optional.

It isn't enough to hear God's voice.

We must do what His voice says.

What is He whispering to YOU?

ReUnited

This post is to honor my cousin, Shalise!

I heard a voice today that caused tears to stream down my face as my heart filled with joy!

The picture to the left is of myself and Shalise at 7 and 8.

We were tight as glue and thick as thieves. We had lost touch of each other and today after 28 years, I heard the distinction of her voice and laughter, as if it was the day after a sleepover.

I had called earlier in the day, with the sound of each ring anticipation building but eventually I had to leave a message.

Five minutes later, my caller id listed the number I had just called.

Oh my, could this really be her?

She said, "Hello, this is Shalise." I said, "Shalise, this is your cousin Tiffany"with my eyes filled with tears and unsure of her response....we laughed....we cried and expressed our love for one another!

This 40 year old woman (Me), all of sudden felt like I was 12 again, talking to my closest friend. It's amazing how things we assume to be forgotten quickly comes to our remembrance to the things we love.

This Saturday, June 23rd, I will be boarding a plane to see, whom I thought I once lost.

Remember to take the time to say the things you want to say to the ones you love.

To a cousin, I will never lose again!

Much Love, Shalise

Get Low

There was a gloom that was invading my atmosphere towards the end of August, last fall as September 8th was quickly approaching. You may be wondering what was to occur on that particular Thursday? It was the beginning of the 2011-2012 NFL Season and I realized, as each day was crouching towards dooms day; my husband would watch every game feasible on 30 something channels all at once (a little exaggeration).

Now, for those who know me understand that, I dislike Football to the very core of my being (that's an understatement ;)). Perhaps, it's my lack of knowledge or that I didn't grow up with football (we're an NBA Family....I won't take the time to discuss my dismay over my Los Angeles Lakers not playing in the Finals or how I became literally sick after Game 6 with little okc that took us out of the running or.....oops forgot not going to go there) OR the possiblity of something just simply being wrong with viewing grown men on a field, attired in sweaty shimmery tights.....YIKES!

But, one thing I discovered or had an appreciation for after viewing the movie entitled, 'Invincible' with Mark Walberg inspired by the true story of Vince Papale. One scene from the film depicts Mark Walberg, portraying Vince Papale, at the training camp for the Philadelphia Eagles. While he was in his dorm room, feeling pretty despaired regarding the lack of his abilities and acceptance. 

One of his roommates enters the room and gets him down low on the ground to show him the importance of his defensive stance. He begins to explain how the positioning of his fingers on the ground communicates the intention of his motion to the opposing defender.

I couldn't help but reflect on the opposer we face in our daily walk, as Christ Followers. When the enemy tries to hold a standard agains us......when we're faced with difficulty and resistance that comes our way, I wonder what posture/position/defensive stance we communicate?

The reality is, we have two choices in the midst of adversity or opposition: Drift away and regress (allowing the opposing team to take ground...OUR ground) or Dig Down/Get Low and throw off ALL Fear, Restraint and Intimidation!

Remember: Isaiah 54:17 ~ 

But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

A Cry

Reading through the Gospels tonight, more specifically Matthew, I was struck by something I probably read hundreds of times. But tonight, I was mesmerized by the account of two Blind Men in Matthew 20:29-34. Two Men (Blind Men), who cried out...who wouldn't be silent...who were relentless and tenacious in capturing the attention of the Messiah as He was approaching them.

Scripture doesn't reveal the names of these two blind men and we don't know their story.....where they came from, their background, if they've been blind since birth or why they were on the roadside that particular day. However, what we do know is, they would NOT be silent! They didn't acquiesce to the criticism, correction or judgement from the crowd that attempted to silence them.

In fact, they cried out in a greater measure or degree to Jesus! They resigned themselves, to although they had obvious limitations physically, that wouldn't dictate their level of tenacity. They couldn't pursue Jesus by making their way through the crowd, so along the roadside they yelled out, "Lord, have pity and mercy on us." Jesus responded by asking, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Their response, "Open our eyes" and so Jesus, like only Jesus can DO, touched their eyes and they were healed!

What is so beautiful within these five verses, is we get a glimpse of an Extreme Need (Healing), an Extreme Cry (Persistence) and an Extreme Response (Jesus didn't just heal them from afar but He got up close and personal, as He touched their eyes).