This has been the best, most unconventional Christmas I ever had. I started the Christmas season with the desire for it to be unlike any other. We decided to take a Christmas vacation to Branson. A quiet family trip in a beautiful cabin to explore God's lovely creation away from all the hustle and bustle. Away from all the major distractions that have, in the past, kept me from focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. About a month before our big adventure, I spent some time praying, asking God to make this Christmas unlike any other. I sat at His feet with the desire for my sweet Jesus to show me what the real meaning of Christmas was. Not what I had grown up thinking. Not what the media and others tell me. What does HE intend it to look like? My heart wanted more. I did what any other daughter would do, I asked Him to show me and of course He did because in case you didn't know, God is faithful!
I spent most of the month of December completely overwhelmed and stressed trying to get everyone a gift that I needed to give along with the benevolent projects we had going on. Parties, shopping, baking, lists, my lists for lists on top of all my regular duties I have as a mother of two little ones and wife to my amazing husband is enough to drive this little lady to tears, and it did a few times. I just felt overwhelmed and all I wanted to do was sit at Jesus' feet. It's like I wanted so bad to be Mary but I was forced to be Martha. I don't like Martha. Martha stresses me out. lol. I couldn't wait until we left for our trip then I could catch my breath and finally get the much needed rest from the chaos that had been sucking my spirit dry.
The day finally arrived! The Weakly family arrived at our house Thursday afternoon (they are good friends of ours who had had enough too and joined the party). We piled in and took off. We stayed the night in Little Rock to break up the trip. Friday morning we got up and were Branson bound! We were all so excited. The closer we got I began to see the beautiful hills (they are like mountains to this Louisiana girl) the more I could taste the freedom and rest that my heart had been longing for. We arrived at the cabin safely and it was beautiful! It was all decorated for Christmas. I opened the door to the overwhelming smell of the beautiful pine walls. It had cathedral ceilings all made of pine. A huge stone fireplace separated two towering windows that overlooked a beautiful sloping hill filled with trees. The outside deck had a hot tub (which this larger than life pregnant lady was not going to be getting in). It was wonderful! I remember saying, "I'm not going to want to leave this place!". This was camping, "Melissa style". We started unpacking and I noticed after being in the cabin a little while my stomach started hurting but I chalked it up to pregnancy symptoms. Krystal and I ventured off to the overpriced Country Mart for groceries for the week. We left $160.00 poorer and headed back to the cabin. When we returned, we walked down to the fire pit for s'mores (or snores as Elijah calls them :). We returned to the cabin, frozen and ready for baths. Each bathroom had a gigantic Jacuzzi tub in it. I ran the kids a warm bubble bath that they swam in for a while and then it was mommy's turn! I was shivering and blue from being so cold and when I get cold I have a hard time warming up. Let's just say God predestined this girl to live in Louisiana for a purpose. As much as I enjoy the cold weather, my body doesn't handle it well. I went to get into the shower and it was freezing cold. Apparently, the swimming pool that I let the kids bathe in used all the hot water. So I jumped in and coached myself through it like a woman in labor or someone running a marathon. I kept repeating, "You got this Melissa! You can do this!". I remember thinking "If anyone hears me they are going to think I am a loony toon." But I was too cold to care and it got me through! After watching the Nativity Story, it was time for bed. I slept for about 2 hours and then awoke to major nausea and sharp stomach pains. I went to the bathroom and threw up. A couple hours later, same thing. I was hurting so bad and was so weak. I knew this wasn't pregnancy nausea and I also knew it wasn't a bug. It was a completely different feeling. Ive had this unique sickness before and it was always at my mother in laws house. They have a beautiful house out in the country. They built it a couple of years ago and she put white pine walls all throughout the house. Sometimes when I would spend the night out there I would get this weird sickness. We tried to narrow it down to figure out the cause but couldn't ever nail anything down. As I laid there in the bed I remembered the first thing I said when I walked into our cabin, "this smells just like Sis and Buck house!". So after a night of vomiting and stomach spasms we have come to the conclusion that I have some sort of weird allergy to cut pine.
Jared had a bunch of points at the Holiday Inn Express so after much discussion, we packed up and went to the hotel. I spent the whole day of Christmas eve laid up, trying to feel better and riddled with guilt over our friends having to leave and spend their Christmas at the holiday inn because of me. They were so great about it, two of the most unselfish people we know!
The longer I was out of the cabin the better I felt. We went and rode through Branson's Trail of Lights and then back to the hotel for bed. Early Christmas morning my eyes popped open at 7 am. I knew that the Lord had woke me and felt Him pressing on my heart that He had something to tell me. So I layed there and waited. He brought to my mind my city. Then I began thinking about my situation, what all I had planned and what actually transpired. I started thinking of others who may be waking up in a holiday inn on Christmas morning but have no hope. Then I heard His sweet soft voice say, "No matter where you are or what you are doing you have ME and I am the hope of Christmas. That is what I want you to share with others." I have heard Jesus was the hope of Christmas and understood it, but He had opened my eyes to it in such a fresh new way. I throw gifts at people with no hope during this time, desiring to bring a little smile to their faces but what they need is a joy that doesn't disappear with the trees and lights. A hope that is far above this world. This world needs JESUS! I asked the Lord to show me how this looks lived out and I immediately thought of those sick spending Christmas in the hospital. We are going to pray about next year visiting the hospitals, bringing them some goodies and the real hope of Christmas.
I have made Christmas all about me. Even when I desired to get away from that, I still painted a pretty picture of how I wanted Christmas with my family to look. When all that was stripped away, I got exactly what my heart desired, Jesus. A month before, as I sat at the feet of Jesus I told Him that all I wanted for Christmas was Him and at 7 am Christmas morning, He gave me the greatest Christmas gift I have ever recieved. Christmas will never be the same.
We got up and went to breakfast at Denny's then walked some trails overlooking God's beautiful creation before heading home that afternoon. All I can say is "Thank you God for a Christmas I will never forget"! I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness. He loves us too much to leave us in the same place. My greatest gift isnt the material things I acquire nor is it my family (even though my precious family is absolutely second). My greatest gift and their greatest gift is Jesus because in Him alone is hope. In Him alone is life. Everything else could be taken from me in a second but noone or nothing can ever take away my Jesus! He is my treasure! Merry CHRISTmas! :)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
strength in worship
After a long day today, I sat in my tub soaking all of the aches away listening to some Chris Tomlin. The song "How can I keep from singing?" came on and the Holy Spirit reminded me of one of the many times in my life where God showed himself faithful.
I was 16 years old and was excitedly planning a month long mission trip to Peru that coming summer with Teen Mania Ministries. It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon and I had just got out of school for the day. I went to my grandparents house to hang out until it was time to go to youth group at 6:00 that night. I remember this day like it was five minutes ago. I walked through their door and said hey to my grandmommy who was standing at the sink (as she usually is). She greeted me with a soft "hello". I could tell that something wasn't right. She then asked me if I had talked to my Dad and I responded with a "no ma'am". She then said "You need to go home sweetie..". Well of course this prompted a hundred questions. I knew something bad must have happened because my family has had it's share of major issues and my Grandmother never acted like this. About that time my D-Daddy who was sitting in his chair in the den said "Come in here sugar". So I walked to the den as my grandmommy followed. D-daddy told me that I needed to sit down, that he had something to tell me. Grandmommy quickly said "Now Dan, Steve (my dad) said he wanted to tell her!" My D-daddy quickly persisted with "Now Evelyn, that ain't right to scare this youngin' and make her wait and wonder what's going on! I'm tellin' her!" (lol anyone who knows these two will chuckle in reminiscence of many conversations that went on this way). So I sat on their couch and my D-Daddy looked at me and said "Sweetie, your mamma's got cancer and they have given her 6 months to live, you need to go on home and talk to your daddy". That wasn't what I was expecting to here. "Your mother has overdosed",yes, but not this, this was not at all on my radar. So I gave hugs, told my grandparents bye and headed home.
As I drove down Barksdale Blvd., I remember crying and praying, thanking God for every day that I had with my mom and pleading for her salvation. As I approached the water tower, I remember singing with one hand on the wheel and one hand in the air. When my life took a devastating turn all I could do was worship. I remember singing to the top of my lungs of God's faithfulness through my tears and being surprised at my reaction. Being a dreamer, I had thought of what my reaction would be if I had ever received news like this and never in my dreams was it worship but at that moment that is what seemed so natural and that is what gave me strength. Declaring through my tears, "God you are good and you are faithful and I know that you have brought me through all of these other trials and you will carry me through this!". I remember being shocked at my reaction. I believe with all of my heart that this wasn't at all me. This was the Holy Spirit leading me and carrying me, showing me how to deal with devastation. He is faithful, He is good and He did carry me through those difficult months.
When I got home, my dad was sitting in his chair and was talking to my mom on the phone. This was unusual because they were divorced and not buddies to say the least. My dad handed me the phone and I heard my mother sobbing. She persisted to tell me that she had cancer and the doctors gave her six months at the most.
In my immaturity and without prayer, I cancelled my trip to Peru because I felt my mission was to spend every minute I could ministering to my mother. She is a beautiful woman but a broken one who has battled the demon in the bottle for as long as I can remember. I spent the next four months driving across town to visit her everyday after school. I would come in to find her unconscious bathed in a stench. I would rub her hair and tell her that I loved her.
After four months of this, I got a phone call from my brother. He said that mom had overdosed on pills and they took her to LSU. He said he brought her in and told them her name and that she was a cancer patient there. They had no record of her being there since 1985. Come to find out the whole thing was a lie. Of course the family was furious at her, myself included. But soon after the Lord graced me with the understanding and forgiveness for her. My mother had just lost her dad to cancer and who knows if she really believed she had it or not but I believe she was wrenched with loneliness and just wanted to see if anyone cared. I learned a lot through that season. God showed me His strength and grace and the power of worship. He also taught me that I need not make hasty decisions but pray earnestly.
Since then, I have had other devastations come my way and He has been there through every single one of them. Things that I feared the most become my reality and He held me through them all. I know that my trials are far from over but with hands raised and heart humbled I will declare God Your are good, You are faithful and You will overcome!
I was 16 years old and was excitedly planning a month long mission trip to Peru that coming summer with Teen Mania Ministries. It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon and I had just got out of school for the day. I went to my grandparents house to hang out until it was time to go to youth group at 6:00 that night. I remember this day like it was five minutes ago. I walked through their door and said hey to my grandmommy who was standing at the sink (as she usually is). She greeted me with a soft "hello". I could tell that something wasn't right. She then asked me if I had talked to my Dad and I responded with a "no ma'am". She then said "You need to go home sweetie..". Well of course this prompted a hundred questions. I knew something bad must have happened because my family has had it's share of major issues and my Grandmother never acted like this. About that time my D-Daddy who was sitting in his chair in the den said "Come in here sugar". So I walked to the den as my grandmommy followed. D-daddy told me that I needed to sit down, that he had something to tell me. Grandmommy quickly said "Now Dan, Steve (my dad) said he wanted to tell her!" My D-daddy quickly persisted with "Now Evelyn, that ain't right to scare this youngin' and make her wait and wonder what's going on! I'm tellin' her!" (lol anyone who knows these two will chuckle in reminiscence of many conversations that went on this way). So I sat on their couch and my D-Daddy looked at me and said "Sweetie, your mamma's got cancer and they have given her 6 months to live, you need to go on home and talk to your daddy". That wasn't what I was expecting to here. "Your mother has overdosed",yes, but not this, this was not at all on my radar. So I gave hugs, told my grandparents bye and headed home.
As I drove down Barksdale Blvd., I remember crying and praying, thanking God for every day that I had with my mom and pleading for her salvation. As I approached the water tower, I remember singing with one hand on the wheel and one hand in the air. When my life took a devastating turn all I could do was worship. I remember singing to the top of my lungs of God's faithfulness through my tears and being surprised at my reaction. Being a dreamer, I had thought of what my reaction would be if I had ever received news like this and never in my dreams was it worship but at that moment that is what seemed so natural and that is what gave me strength. Declaring through my tears, "God you are good and you are faithful and I know that you have brought me through all of these other trials and you will carry me through this!". I remember being shocked at my reaction. I believe with all of my heart that this wasn't at all me. This was the Holy Spirit leading me and carrying me, showing me how to deal with devastation. He is faithful, He is good and He did carry me through those difficult months.
When I got home, my dad was sitting in his chair and was talking to my mom on the phone. This was unusual because they were divorced and not buddies to say the least. My dad handed me the phone and I heard my mother sobbing. She persisted to tell me that she had cancer and the doctors gave her six months at the most.
In my immaturity and without prayer, I cancelled my trip to Peru because I felt my mission was to spend every minute I could ministering to my mother. She is a beautiful woman but a broken one who has battled the demon in the bottle for as long as I can remember. I spent the next four months driving across town to visit her everyday after school. I would come in to find her unconscious bathed in a stench. I would rub her hair and tell her that I loved her.
After four months of this, I got a phone call from my brother. He said that mom had overdosed on pills and they took her to LSU. He said he brought her in and told them her name and that she was a cancer patient there. They had no record of her being there since 1985. Come to find out the whole thing was a lie. Of course the family was furious at her, myself included. But soon after the Lord graced me with the understanding and forgiveness for her. My mother had just lost her dad to cancer and who knows if she really believed she had it or not but I believe she was wrenched with loneliness and just wanted to see if anyone cared. I learned a lot through that season. God showed me His strength and grace and the power of worship. He also taught me that I need not make hasty decisions but pray earnestly.
Since then, I have had other devastations come my way and He has been there through every single one of them. Things that I feared the most become my reality and He held me through them all. I know that my trials are far from over but with hands raised and heart humbled I will declare God Your are good, You are faithful and You will overcome!
Friday, December 16, 2011
All I want for Christmas is Jesus
It's no secret that Luke and I have had a strong conviction to make this Christmas totally different than any other Christmas in our past. This conviction came from a place of year after year going through all of the "excitement" of the season only to be left empty. I have heard so many say that they get depressed after the holidays are over. While all of the presents, food, family and games are all fun and great they are gone so quickly and you are left with a bunch of empty boxes and an extra 5 lbs. I know that there is so much more. My heart knows there is so much more and I am deeply convicted that I have made the celebration of the greatest gift mankind has ever received into something about me. So we have began a journey, our little family is going to seek solitude in the midst of chaos. What we want for Christmas is Jesus. Nothing more, nothing less. Because we know He is all that satisfies. We are unsure how this is going to look in years to come, but we know we want to give our children a piece of treasure that they can pass down to their children.. the real heart of Christmas. As this world changes, Christmas in America has nothing to do with Christ. If you don't believe me turn on your television. There is less and less "grey area". Believers are going to have to start taking a stand otherwise, generations to come will have to research Christmas to ever know it had anything to do with Jesus.
This step of faith we have taken has endured much persecution and for that we rejoice. Jesus has my heart and with that all my devotion. Because of a tiny baby that came to this world to grow, minister, die and then overcome, I am fully accepted by the Father. Understanding that I am fully accepted by my Father changes the response of my heart when I am rejected by man. That precious gift is the one I am most thankful for. He is my treasure and my prayer is that He would be yours also. Nothing else satisfies.
Merry Christmas!
This step of faith we have taken has endured much persecution and for that we rejoice. Jesus has my heart and with that all my devotion. Because of a tiny baby that came to this world to grow, minister, die and then overcome, I am fully accepted by the Father. Understanding that I am fully accepted by my Father changes the response of my heart when I am rejected by man. That precious gift is the one I am most thankful for. He is my treasure and my prayer is that He would be yours also. Nothing else satisfies.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, September 12, 2011
where is your heart?
With all that God has been doing in our life lately, it comes as no surprise that Satan has put his attacks in over-drive. It would be very easy for me to start doubting and wondering if this is really what God is calling us to do. But I know my Father's voice and I know that this is His doing. I will rest in that. God knows we are made from dust. In the midst of the enemy's fit throwing, He is so gracious to continuously give us encouragement through confirmation. It's like a huge storm of doubts and questions roll in and He parts the clouds for a moment to shine his radiant smile into my heart and in an instant I feel Him saying "press on my sweet child and believe".
These past few days have been so busy and I have failed to find my special time to sit with Jesus. I pray in the morning and throughout the day but I schedule out a specific time with just He and I. In this time my heart is laid open bare and He speaks. Without this time, no one on the planet would want to be around me (no, really). This is my time of peace and restoration. So after a couple of days of not having this time, I couldn't get there quick enough today! I fell to my face and just told Him my heart and asked Him to show me His. He is such a wonderful and gracious God. I know that the only reason I desire so much to know His heart is because He put that desire there.
I then opened His Word and began to read. I turned to John chapter 7 about Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles. Overall, what stood out to me was the judgements and reactions that Jesus faced. We who have grown up in church know the stories of how Jesus was persecuted. Some believed He was the Christ, some a prophet and some thought He was demon-possessed. Although I have known this, there was a freshness that God gave me today. Jesus first of all did ONLY what the Father told Him to do. He spoke on God's behalf and for the glory of God not for himself. When He did this there were so many mixed reactions. I have been so guilty in the past of letting the judgments of others effect my view of myself and my decisions. Thank you Jesus that I have become much stronger in that area.
Another thing that stood out is His response to their accusations. I am "blessed" to be often put in conversations that are extremely frustrating. Those that breed frustration by pride and arrogance. The inability to actually listen because they are too worried about being "right" and making sure they feel superior. I am not at all threatened by this because I know my position as a child of God. But boy do I ever hate to be misunderstood! I have an ever-present urgency to try to make everyone understand my heart instead of just resting in who I am in Christ and letting Him make His love visible. I have a tendency to get frustrated in the conversations and act on emotions. I desire so much to respond like Jesus. He knew who He was and He knew not everyone was going to believe, but He loved them anyways. He called some a brood of vipers (yikes). He spoke truth with no apologies but He loved. I so desire to achieve this balance.
The bottom line is He knew what He came for. He did the will of the Father and did it perfectly. He knows that it hurts me when people misunderstand me and insult me but He told me to rejoice! All I need to do is keep my eyes on Him and remain in the Spirit.
I started thinking about the time of Jesus on this earth. Some loved him, some hated him, some believed in him, some tried to kill him but through it all He did the will of the Father. In the "Bible-belt" we have the tendency to grow up thinking that we can be like Jesus and still have everyone speak highly of you and life will be just grand. The truth is His word says the opposite. Luke 6:26 says "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.". Jesus was persecuted and you think you can live like Him and not endure that? If you believe that then you and I are not reading the same Bible. The truth is the gospel is offensive to the flesh. It is a light that exposes the darkness of this world. The more you look like Jesus the more this world is going to hate you. If you are living a comfortable little "Christian" life with no persecutions of any kind, I encourage you to evaluate your heart. Have you really given Him everything? Are you willing to go and do whatever the Father asks? What do you love more your comfort or Jesus? I say this not only to you but to me also!
His servant,
Melissa
These past few days have been so busy and I have failed to find my special time to sit with Jesus. I pray in the morning and throughout the day but I schedule out a specific time with just He and I. In this time my heart is laid open bare and He speaks. Without this time, no one on the planet would want to be around me (no, really). This is my time of peace and restoration. So after a couple of days of not having this time, I couldn't get there quick enough today! I fell to my face and just told Him my heart and asked Him to show me His. He is such a wonderful and gracious God. I know that the only reason I desire so much to know His heart is because He put that desire there.
I then opened His Word and began to read. I turned to John chapter 7 about Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles. Overall, what stood out to me was the judgements and reactions that Jesus faced. We who have grown up in church know the stories of how Jesus was persecuted. Some believed He was the Christ, some a prophet and some thought He was demon-possessed. Although I have known this, there was a freshness that God gave me today. Jesus first of all did ONLY what the Father told Him to do. He spoke on God's behalf and for the glory of God not for himself. When He did this there were so many mixed reactions. I have been so guilty in the past of letting the judgments of others effect my view of myself and my decisions. Thank you Jesus that I have become much stronger in that area.
Another thing that stood out is His response to their accusations. I am "blessed" to be often put in conversations that are extremely frustrating. Those that breed frustration by pride and arrogance. The inability to actually listen because they are too worried about being "right" and making sure they feel superior. I am not at all threatened by this because I know my position as a child of God. But boy do I ever hate to be misunderstood! I have an ever-present urgency to try to make everyone understand my heart instead of just resting in who I am in Christ and letting Him make His love visible. I have a tendency to get frustrated in the conversations and act on emotions. I desire so much to respond like Jesus. He knew who He was and He knew not everyone was going to believe, but He loved them anyways. He called some a brood of vipers (yikes). He spoke truth with no apologies but He loved. I so desire to achieve this balance.
The bottom line is He knew what He came for. He did the will of the Father and did it perfectly. He knows that it hurts me when people misunderstand me and insult me but He told me to rejoice! All I need to do is keep my eyes on Him and remain in the Spirit.
I started thinking about the time of Jesus on this earth. Some loved him, some hated him, some believed in him, some tried to kill him but through it all He did the will of the Father. In the "Bible-belt" we have the tendency to grow up thinking that we can be like Jesus and still have everyone speak highly of you and life will be just grand. The truth is His word says the opposite. Luke 6:26 says "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.". Jesus was persecuted and you think you can live like Him and not endure that? If you believe that then you and I are not reading the same Bible. The truth is the gospel is offensive to the flesh. It is a light that exposes the darkness of this world. The more you look like Jesus the more this world is going to hate you. If you are living a comfortable little "Christian" life with no persecutions of any kind, I encourage you to evaluate your heart. Have you really given Him everything? Are you willing to go and do whatever the Father asks? What do you love more your comfort or Jesus? I say this not only to you but to me also!
His servant,
Melissa
Monday, July 25, 2011
I have figured out what Victoria's Secret is..
Can I just say.. I'm ticked. That's right.. Melissa Gayle is ticked off. Who am I ticked at? Well, I'm so glad you asked.. I'm severely ticked off at Miss Victoria. Don't worry, im not slandering someone on the web, only voicing my strong opposition to the advertising campaign of Victoria's Secret. Since when is it okay to mail out soft core porn and call it a catalog? Granted, they mail those out to me every month because up until this point that was my go to place for all things underwear.. but it has recently hit me between the eyes just what Victoria's Secret is.. her secret is that she, like so many other things, is being used by Satan to creep into our homes and cause women to feel less than and men to lust. THAT IS NOT OKAY WITH ME! There are still men in this world who fear God almighty and want to honor their wives. This is a no doubt battle in this society of naked women plastered everywhere. Ladies, get this mess out of your house! Don't get the catalog in the mail and then leave it in the magazine basket by the toilet for your husband to have to battle the temptation to lust while he is taking a poop for crying out loud! We have got to aid our husbands in this battle.. don't be dumb to the fact that this is every mans battle.. as women who love God and love our husbands we must be a help and not a hindrance!
Also, I would love to be able to walk down the mall with my family without huge Goliath sized pictures of naked, airbrushed women shoved in our faces! FIRST of all I don't want to see your boobs.. I realize that there are many pervs out there who do.. and they can usually be found in a huddle right outside the doors.. but I don't! SECOND of all, DO NOT shove the message to my precious little girl, that she must look like that in order to be found beautiful! She was made absolutely perfect by her Heavenly Father and is His beautiful creation! Okay, allow me just take a second right here and say.. Ladies, I know what it is like to be sorting the mail sporting a t-shirt stained with peanut butter and jelly, your lovely hair in a nest on top of your head and wonderful coffee breath. You come across a Victoria Secret catalog and open it to find a plethora of 9 ft sticks with plastic boobs and airbrushed bodies sprawled out over a sandy beach wearing dental floss that they call "Very Sexy Bikinis". Okay, by this point you are feeling anything but "very sexy". Que ole fart head Satan who proceeds to tell you the lie he is always telling us women "You are not enough." Can I just say something from the bottom of my heart? Tell him to SHUT UP! (That is a no-no word in the Richardson house unless it is directed towards Satan.) Your heavenly Father created you absolutely beautiful! Find your security and worth in Him alone! Satan cant EVER take that away from you. He may try to deceive you into thinking he can.. but he cant. THIRD of all, my 3 year old son will soon enough be a young man... where do you get off plastering these images on your store front windows to catch his innocent little eye and cause him to lust. SHAME ON YOU. Shame on me for ever supporting your store.
Call me a prude.. if you haven't picked up on the tone of this blog.. I really don't care.. I will stand for purity, dignity and the protection of our minds! So Victoria, do me a favor, put some clothes on and leave our families alone.
Also, I would love to be able to walk down the mall with my family without huge Goliath sized pictures of naked, airbrushed women shoved in our faces! FIRST of all I don't want to see your boobs.. I realize that there are many pervs out there who do.. and they can usually be found in a huddle right outside the doors.. but I don't! SECOND of all, DO NOT shove the message to my precious little girl, that she must look like that in order to be found beautiful! She was made absolutely perfect by her Heavenly Father and is His beautiful creation! Okay, allow me just take a second right here and say.. Ladies, I know what it is like to be sorting the mail sporting a t-shirt stained with peanut butter and jelly, your lovely hair in a nest on top of your head and wonderful coffee breath. You come across a Victoria Secret catalog and open it to find a plethora of 9 ft sticks with plastic boobs and airbrushed bodies sprawled out over a sandy beach wearing dental floss that they call "Very Sexy Bikinis". Okay, by this point you are feeling anything but "very sexy". Que ole fart head Satan who proceeds to tell you the lie he is always telling us women "You are not enough." Can I just say something from the bottom of my heart? Tell him to SHUT UP! (That is a no-no word in the Richardson house unless it is directed towards Satan.) Your heavenly Father created you absolutely beautiful! Find your security and worth in Him alone! Satan cant EVER take that away from you. He may try to deceive you into thinking he can.. but he cant. THIRD of all, my 3 year old son will soon enough be a young man... where do you get off plastering these images on your store front windows to catch his innocent little eye and cause him to lust. SHAME ON YOU. Shame on me for ever supporting your store.
Call me a prude.. if you haven't picked up on the tone of this blog.. I really don't care.. I will stand for purity, dignity and the protection of our minds! So Victoria, do me a favor, put some clothes on and leave our families alone.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Lukewarm
Revelation 3:15-18
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
This is the letter to the church of Laodicea. Laodicea was the wealthiest of all the cities that Jesus addressed in Revelation. It was known for its banks, commerce, clothing and medical school that invented the salve that they put on their eyes to cure diseases. Although it was rich, it had a poor water supply. An aqueduct had been built to bring water to the city from a hot spring, but by the time it reached the city it was neither hot nor cold it was lukewarm and full of impurities that made it taste terrible.
I have been doing a study of the book of Revelation. After reading the seven letters to the churches, this is the letter that sounded so familiar to the country we live in today. The Laodiceans had everything but Jesus. They were so prideful in their money and science. They carried the attitude that they did not need God. I find this is the same attitude as most of America.
I was thinking today about verse 16... bear with me but I was thinking about lukewarm water. I started thinking about bacteria growth in lukewarm water so I researched it a little and found that most bacteria thrives at temperatures between 77 and 104 degrees. How interesting... also as most know, when you freeze water it slows the growth of bacteria and of course, when you boil it it kills the bacteria. So Jesus was referring to the spiritual state of the church when he told them that they were lukewarm. Is it any surprise that the creator would know this fact when he made this statement? Bacteria wasn't first observed until 1676 by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (sorry I had to copy and paste that brothers name lol). So you ask Melissa where are you going with this? Okay, my heart is so broken over the "lukewarmness" of the majority of churches in this country! We need an awakening!! Why is it so rare to find a believer who bears the name of Christ and actually lives for him?! I am not trying to be judgemental or condemning but growing up in the Bible belt where everyone is a Christian because they attend church every Sunday and then go out and live like the devil the rest of the week is the most detrimental thing to the Church of Jesus! It is like a breeding bacteria that turns more nonbelievers away from Christ than anything else. If your heart is cold to God and you are a self-proclaimed non believer then other non believers know that and are not surprised when you don't live like Christ. When one is on fire for God and is completely surrendered to Christ.. every bit of their being is consumed with Christ and walking in the Spirit.. in truth and love.. they are magnetic and bring God glory. They don't resemble the rest of the world. However, those that say they are Christians.. they say that they know Him yet live and look just like the rest of the world are a poison to the church. When someone who does not know him, sees this type of "Christian" they say "Why in the world would I need that?" Can I say I do not blame them?! As I said before, I am not trying to be condemning but come on people wake up! This is not a game and you are being a hindrance. Its not about you or me.. its about Christ and people are hurting and need Him. Stop playing games.
Verse 18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
I believe the gold he is referring to is "knowing him". The more fire we endure the more our hearts are refined and the closer we become to the Father. He burns away all of "us" and gives us all of Him. Praise you Jesus! Thank you!
Secondly, I believe the white clothes to cover our shameful nakedness is His grace. We are all shameful and naked until we are washed in the blood of Christ and instead of wearing our old flesh He gives us the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.. as Luke Allen calls it the "new man". Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy! Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit! Best outfit I have ever owned! (and it was free!!!!)
Lastly, the salve is the wisdom of God. Only God can give you the eyes to see Him. The wisdom that only comes from Him. Ask Him to reveal the secrets of His heart.. He will. "For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding!" Proverbs 2:6
We believers are all in the refining process but thank you God you gave us the Holy Spirit :)
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
This is the letter to the church of Laodicea. Laodicea was the wealthiest of all the cities that Jesus addressed in Revelation. It was known for its banks, commerce, clothing and medical school that invented the salve that they put on their eyes to cure diseases. Although it was rich, it had a poor water supply. An aqueduct had been built to bring water to the city from a hot spring, but by the time it reached the city it was neither hot nor cold it was lukewarm and full of impurities that made it taste terrible.
I have been doing a study of the book of Revelation. After reading the seven letters to the churches, this is the letter that sounded so familiar to the country we live in today. The Laodiceans had everything but Jesus. They were so prideful in their money and science. They carried the attitude that they did not need God. I find this is the same attitude as most of America.
I was thinking today about verse 16... bear with me but I was thinking about lukewarm water. I started thinking about bacteria growth in lukewarm water so I researched it a little and found that most bacteria thrives at temperatures between 77 and 104 degrees. How interesting... also as most know, when you freeze water it slows the growth of bacteria and of course, when you boil it it kills the bacteria. So Jesus was referring to the spiritual state of the church when he told them that they were lukewarm. Is it any surprise that the creator would know this fact when he made this statement? Bacteria wasn't first observed until 1676 by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (sorry I had to copy and paste that brothers name lol). So you ask Melissa where are you going with this? Okay, my heart is so broken over the "lukewarmness" of the majority of churches in this country! We need an awakening!! Why is it so rare to find a believer who bears the name of Christ and actually lives for him?! I am not trying to be judgemental or condemning but growing up in the Bible belt where everyone is a Christian because they attend church every Sunday and then go out and live like the devil the rest of the week is the most detrimental thing to the Church of Jesus! It is like a breeding bacteria that turns more nonbelievers away from Christ than anything else. If your heart is cold to God and you are a self-proclaimed non believer then other non believers know that and are not surprised when you don't live like Christ. When one is on fire for God and is completely surrendered to Christ.. every bit of their being is consumed with Christ and walking in the Spirit.. in truth and love.. they are magnetic and bring God glory. They don't resemble the rest of the world. However, those that say they are Christians.. they say that they know Him yet live and look just like the rest of the world are a poison to the church. When someone who does not know him, sees this type of "Christian" they say "Why in the world would I need that?" Can I say I do not blame them?! As I said before, I am not trying to be condemning but come on people wake up! This is not a game and you are being a hindrance. Its not about you or me.. its about Christ and people are hurting and need Him. Stop playing games.
Verse 18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
I believe the gold he is referring to is "knowing him". The more fire we endure the more our hearts are refined and the closer we become to the Father. He burns away all of "us" and gives us all of Him. Praise you Jesus! Thank you!
Secondly, I believe the white clothes to cover our shameful nakedness is His grace. We are all shameful and naked until we are washed in the blood of Christ and instead of wearing our old flesh He gives us the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.. as Luke Allen calls it the "new man". Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy! Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit! Best outfit I have ever owned! (and it was free!!!!)
Lastly, the salve is the wisdom of God. Only God can give you the eyes to see Him. The wisdom that only comes from Him. Ask Him to reveal the secrets of His heart.. He will. "For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding!" Proverbs 2:6
We believers are all in the refining process but thank you God you gave us the Holy Spirit :)
Monday, June 20, 2011
free from perfection
"Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called to them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:21-22
One would assume that day to be a lot like every other, Daddy Zebedee training his two sons in the family business. In walks Jesus and with just a few words and Zebedee's two sons are gone. I can only imagine what Zebedee's reaction must have been. Did he ask his sons "Where in the world are you going?!" "I am your Father! How can you just leave me?!" I wonder if he went home and told his wife, "Hunny, John and James have lost it". I wonder what her reaction was? Scripture doesn't tell us. Honestly, I have read this passage many, many times and I have often said to myself "Wow, I wonder if I would have turned my back on everything I had ever known.. all the plans that were laid before me and answered that call." Just recently that question was answered for me. Yes. Not because of my holiness but only because He is Jesus and at the sound of Him calling my name He had my heart.
As God reveals to me more and more His precious truths, the more I see so many things that I held dear, so many things that I longed for are not at all what I should treasure. Family. Everyone has a story, everyone has their issues. I will spare the details and just say that this very strong willed little girl grew up proclaiming "One day I will have a home of peace! I will never abandon or turn my back on my children! I will raise them in a godly home!" Well here I am. I am blessed beyond measure with a husband who loves Jesus and is on mission and two precious souls I have the opportunity to love and raise up in Christ. Somewhere along the way, my desire to do things differently became an idol that I put in place of where my desire to do ALL things for God's glory should be. I wanted to be the perfect mother and wife. Not for others, but because I wanted to give my children something better. Or maybe I should say, I never wanted them to experience the hurt and lonliness that I felt growing up. Although, you would think these are good motives with good intentions, still they are not done for the glory of God. Being convicted, I fell on my face in repentance. I fell a woman in chains of perfection and rose a woman of freedom in Christ. Since then I have been free to love my family like Jesus. Before I was always critiquing every word or action and because I am broken flesh that left me with a lot of frustration and disappointment. I ask God every morning to help me love my children the way He loves them. I pray that their little eyes would see His love shining through me. His love through patience with their catastrophes. His love through disciplining disobedience. His love through comforting a broken heart or a boo boo. His love through patience with people who don't know how to drive. His love through putting my plans on hold to help others. This is my heart's desire. I know that I am but dust and I will fall but by the power of the Holy Spirit I have everything living on the inside of me for all Godliness! Praise Jesus! Oh Lord I pray I never again get in the way!
Now, when Elijah, Halle or any other children God blesses us with comes to us when they are older and says, "Dad, Mom God has called me to move to Africa to share Jesus." I will remember ole' Zebedee and remind myself that they aren't mine and it's not about me. And of course say "When do we leave?" lol.
One would assume that day to be a lot like every other, Daddy Zebedee training his two sons in the family business. In walks Jesus and with just a few words and Zebedee's two sons are gone. I can only imagine what Zebedee's reaction must have been. Did he ask his sons "Where in the world are you going?!" "I am your Father! How can you just leave me?!" I wonder if he went home and told his wife, "Hunny, John and James have lost it". I wonder what her reaction was? Scripture doesn't tell us. Honestly, I have read this passage many, many times and I have often said to myself "Wow, I wonder if I would have turned my back on everything I had ever known.. all the plans that were laid before me and answered that call." Just recently that question was answered for me. Yes. Not because of my holiness but only because He is Jesus and at the sound of Him calling my name He had my heart.
As God reveals to me more and more His precious truths, the more I see so many things that I held dear, so many things that I longed for are not at all what I should treasure. Family. Everyone has a story, everyone has their issues. I will spare the details and just say that this very strong willed little girl grew up proclaiming "One day I will have a home of peace! I will never abandon or turn my back on my children! I will raise them in a godly home!" Well here I am. I am blessed beyond measure with a husband who loves Jesus and is on mission and two precious souls I have the opportunity to love and raise up in Christ. Somewhere along the way, my desire to do things differently became an idol that I put in place of where my desire to do ALL things for God's glory should be. I wanted to be the perfect mother and wife. Not for others, but because I wanted to give my children something better. Or maybe I should say, I never wanted them to experience the hurt and lonliness that I felt growing up. Although, you would think these are good motives with good intentions, still they are not done for the glory of God. Being convicted, I fell on my face in repentance. I fell a woman in chains of perfection and rose a woman of freedom in Christ. Since then I have been free to love my family like Jesus. Before I was always critiquing every word or action and because I am broken flesh that left me with a lot of frustration and disappointment. I ask God every morning to help me love my children the way He loves them. I pray that their little eyes would see His love shining through me. His love through patience with their catastrophes. His love through disciplining disobedience. His love through comforting a broken heart or a boo boo. His love through patience with people who don't know how to drive. His love through putting my plans on hold to help others. This is my heart's desire. I know that I am but dust and I will fall but by the power of the Holy Spirit I have everything living on the inside of me for all Godliness! Praise Jesus! Oh Lord I pray I never again get in the way!
Now, when Elijah, Halle or any other children God blesses us with comes to us when they are older and says, "Dad, Mom God has called me to move to Africa to share Jesus." I will remember ole' Zebedee and remind myself that they aren't mine and it's not about me. And of course say "When do we leave?" lol.
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