Spoken from the Heart

It's madness, it's sadness
the evil of this world can make you depressed
how can men kill, lose their own will
do they even feel the pain left behind?
what's in their mind?
murder, rape, death
the sound of someone's last breath?
But the fact is that THEIR back is against the wall
left feeling small
like there's no one to call for help
I see a dark hole
a lost soul
someone in need of love
change that can only come from the Almighty God above
my head aches
my heart breaks
when I see and hear the news
pictures of young girls covered in blood
bodies battered and bruised
my prayer is for the victims
those that are living and those that are dead
I even pray for the killers
God, please get inside their heads
they're on the edge, standing on the ledge
the devil's calling them to jump
society cries, angry words fly
the jury decides to "fry the chump!"
can I ask why
the reason I cry
for the souls lost and bodies found?
I know God is in control,
cuz His touch has made ME whole
yet I weep for those still bound
I pray for you
I pray for me
Lord keep us from the hand of the enemy
let us be holy
let us be pure
Dear God this race...
let us endure.

Superwoman vs. Virtuous Woman

As women, we often wear (and juggle) many different hats - wife, daughter, sister, mother, active church member, business-woman, confidante, friend and maybe even caregiver. Often times we can get overwhelmed and feel like yelling "I am not superwoman!" Indeed you are not superwoman; but you are a virtuous woman. And there is a BIG difference.

Superwoman is a fictitious comic book character who could display super-human strength in times of distress. She was powerful and strong, but just like her counterpart Superman, she had to hide her weaknesses from the enemy lest she would be taken advantage of. Kryptonite or some form of it was the thing she feared most, for she knew it was the thing that could bring her down and stop her from being successful.

Now the Virtuous Woman is different. Her super-strength comes from directly from a supernatural God. She doesn't have to hide her weaknesses, because she is blessed in spite of them. She has brought her weaknesses to God and has been forgiven. It doesn't matter what her enemies try, they cannot destroy the power that lies within. Because "this joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me and the world can't take it away." The Virtuous Woman understands that she can't save the entire world, so she paces herself with her tasks and responsiblities and does what she can. She is valuable to her family and to God. Her family, her home, her job would not be the same without her.

The Virtuous Woman is not lazy. She works while she can, making the most of the time she has. Priorities are established and plans are made. She meets the need of her household; taking care of husband and family. She doesn't rely on fancy capes, skin-tight outfits or invisible lassos to get the job done. No, her weapons are prayer and praise. These are what helps her to defeat that "Kryponite" of weariness, self-condemnation, depression, low self-esteem and the other tricks of the enemy.

My sisters, don't worry about being a Superwoman. That's not what you were created to be. The Superwoman relies on her own strength. The Virtuous Woman relies on the strength of God and the joy in knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

The EXIT Sign

Imagine yourself in a building with dozens of other people. A fire breaks out; there is smoke and flames everywhere. You see the EXIT sign up ahead and notice that everyone else is rushing towards that door. Would you stay right where you are or would you head for the Exit sign too? Hopefully you would head for the door, because you know that's the only way to get out alive.

Jesus said that "I am the door," meaning He is the way out of that "burning building" of sin. Why stay in the place that is going to kill you when you know there is an Exit up ahead? In the example above, it seems real foolish to stand there and watch others get to safety. But yet that's what many are doing. If there's a situation you need to get out of, do it today! You do not know when that door may shut, and your opportunity has passed. Don't stand and burn while watching others live. Life more abundantly can be yours and as well as mine. Oh my sister/my brother, grab my hand; let me help you get to the "door" so that you may live.

How's My Dress?

I recently attended a funeral for the mother of a friend. The night she fell ill she was heading to church. During the funeral, the preacher told us that prior to leaving the house she had asked a family member, "how's my dress?" This lady was known for always looking her best and for being a fashion pioneer in this area. She made it to church that night, but died a few days later.

The preacher stated that we as Christians ought to ask the same question when it comes to our spiritual garments: how is my "spiritual dress?" Such a powerful question! How do we look in the eyes of the Lord? Are our outfits too tight and "binding" in certain areas - i.e. envy, jealously, unforgiveness? Have we put on the garment of praise? Or are we still cloaked in the spirit of heaviness? Are you wearing your armor today (you know the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of rightousness, etc.)?

The next time you get ready to leave your house and go out into the world representing God's kingdom, ask yourself "how is my dress?" (Remember, God has a great return policy on used garments! No receipt necessary because He's already paid it all! Hallelujah!)

Drive It Out

In their efforts to possess the Promised Land, the children of Israel were told to drive out the inhabitants that were living in Canaan. God said that if they obeyed this instruction, He promised to help them win their battles. But instead of driving out the inhabitants, the Israelites got a little "friendly." They married into the Canaanite families, took on their idol worship and other practices. As a result they never fully possessed the Promised Land and eventually fell into capitivity. (Judges 1). Something that Joshua warned them about, saying that if they go back and cleave to a remnant of these nations that there would be hefty price to pay. (Joshua 23:12)

Sometimes God instructs us to get rid of or "drive out" some things in our life. These are things that are keeping from us from walking in victory, and possessing whatever the Promised Land is for us. But instead of driving these things away, we start to remember the good times and try to compromise. Hanging on to just a remnant of the very thing that is actually killing us spiritually. These things later become a snare for our souls, leading us into Satan's captivity. God told the Israelites since they proved to be unfaithful to Him, that these inhabitants would now be a thorn in their sides, and their gods would be a snare unto them (Judges 2:3). The only thing the Israelites could do was cry.

Let's not even consider the consequences of disobedience, because the rewards of sacrifice are so much better. If God says drive it out, put the pedal to the medal and be blessed.

It Ain't Over

Are you faced with a situation that seems to be dead? A loved one that you just don't think will get saved; a dream that seems like it will never be realized; a ministry that just can't seem to grow. In your mind it may be over, but it is never too late for God. Not only can He work a miracle with the living, He can even resurrect the dead.

Check out the story of Lazarus. No doubt his friends and family loved him and had expectations for him. But when he died, they buried him and started trying to figure out how to live without him. As far as they were concerned he was gone, never to return again. When Jesus arrived 4 days later, Lazarus' sister told Him "if you'd been here earlier maybe Lazarus would have lived." It was like telling God "you're too late! I needed you then but you did not come. I've already buried him (it); what can you do now?" But my God is not limited by time. He is the creator OF time! And it does not matter what time or stage you've reached in your situation, God can turn things around.

So whatever it is that you've given up on, understand that God can still bring it to pass. He can still saved that loved one. He can place a baby in a barren womb. He can restore love in your marriage and give life to a dead situation. Those desires/goals/wishes you've buried in your mind and heart can still come to pass. Is there anything too hard for God?

Praising in Pain

A young woman had one child, but really wanted to have another one. The first child was already a miracle because doctors told her she would not get pregnant. So she thought God would again honor her request with no problem. The pregnancy came but ended in a miscarriage. And so did the next one. Had she done something wrong? She had prayed so hard, laying hands on her womb, speaking life and calling those things that weren't as though they were. But yet God had allowed death instead of life to touch her body... twice. It was her Job-like experience; a time of great pain while doing all she knew how to serve the Lord. Well-meaning church folk said that "it's just God's will," and that she should "be glad, because the baby could have been deformed." Her response was simple: if the child had abnormalities, isn't God the Almighty healer?

Through this pain, life still goes on. And so do her praises. She is not foolish enough to "curse God and die" as Job's wife suggested in his time of sorrow. She has decided to trust God that the pain is for a reason; a purpose that only He could design. When you see her lift her hands towards heaven, its not because the praise team said to do it; its because she has finally learned to surrender everything to the only one who can control it all. She's just going with the flow.