There are many different types of churches out there. I’m not talking denominations here, such as Baptist, Methodist, AME, or COGIC. I mean different church flavors. You have your Cotton Candy Church, where everything is always sweet and sugarcoated. Then there’s your Popcorn Church, where everyone settles in each week for the big show. But my favorite happens to be the one that’s losing popularity these days—Broccoli Church. You know, the one where you might not always like the way it’s prepared, but it’s always good for you.
What’s wrong with Cotton Candy Church? Doesn’t Psalm 119:103 say, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth”? True, the Word of God is sweet to us—but it is so much more than that. A look at 2 Timothy 3:16 shows us that other characteristics of the Word are “teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” And there are many more.
The truth is that the Word in and of itself is a full spiritual meal. Not just dessert. If you leave Cotton Candy Church every single Sunday with a “feel-good” spirit and never once with conviction or re-evaluation of your spiritual walk, you may not be getting your nutrients.
What about Popcorn Church? Why can’t we just sit back and enjoy the Sunday Show? We start with the musicians and a hot praise and worship set to get our soul all stirred up with praise dancers performing as spiritual cheerleaders, then on to the excitement of the service with more falling out than an old Michael Jackson concert—and that’s before the preacher even preaches. When the spiritual head of the House does arrive to take the podium, we’re hanging on to every word he utters, every phrase he turns, because his performance is just captivating. After service, you can hear folks leaving with words of, “Girl, that was some sermon” and “Oh, my spirit is so filled!” But come Monday morning, who knows what the sermon was about…oh, and who cares? We’ll be back on Sunday for the next show—and maybe even Wednesday night for the matinee!
There are plenty of defenses for Popcorn Church. There are those who will tell you that people don’t want to go to church and be bored to death. Or they argue that thanks to technology, we can take the church experience “to a new level.” Some may even say that because of the animated and likeable personalities of these preachers, more people are at least coming to church. But God is not looking for a church with quantity—He wants quality Christians.
And that brings me to Broccoli Church. I love Broccoli Church because it’s so beneficial to spiritual growth. It is full of healthy nutrients and always fresh. So it may be served up with praise and worship music that ministers to your soul—not just gets your heart racing. On the side you may get a presentation from the dance or drama ministry—not to distract you from the service, but to support it. And when the pastor comes to deliver the Word—it’s always so good, your spirit just eats it up. And even when the message is a little bitter in that it corrects or rebukes your spirit, it always goes down the right way.
I thank God for Broccoli Church, a place where I can grow spiritually healthy and strong!
What are other church flavors you’ve experienced? Are you also hungry for Broccoli Church? Leave a message!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Oh, Give Thanks
Roasted turkey with stuffing. Mashed potatoes with gravy. Roasted corn. Sweet potato pies. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I begin to salivate! But like any holiday, we can easily lose sight of the real meaning. When we think of those who will go without the holiday roast and the prepared meal, it starts to bring us back to the real reason for giving thanks.
As Christians, our Thanksgiving holiday isn’t about stuffing ourselves more than the bird on the table. We believe in truly giving thanks to the Lord for His provision over the year. Psalm 118 tells us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” And this appears in the chapter not once, but twice (verses 1 and 29).
We understand that we must give thanks—regardless of what our current situation looks like. Due to the current economy, there are families whose tables will not be full this Thanksgiving. And even those who will eat on the actual holiday—thanks to food banks, soup kitchens, and the help of people who care—those families may still be faced with the challenge of putting food on the table the rest of the winter. In Psalm 118:5-14, the psalmist speaks of some of the troubles and hardships the Lord has brought him through. It reminds us that it may be frightening and upsetting when we don’t know what tomorrow holds, but through it all, we must continue to be faithful to our thanksgiving to the Lord.
Let’s remember that Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday—it’s a way of life. Through the good times and the bad, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever!
As Christians, our Thanksgiving holiday isn’t about stuffing ourselves more than the bird on the table. We believe in truly giving thanks to the Lord for His provision over the year. Psalm 118 tells us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” And this appears in the chapter not once, but twice (verses 1 and 29).
We understand that we must give thanks—regardless of what our current situation looks like. Due to the current economy, there are families whose tables will not be full this Thanksgiving. And even those who will eat on the actual holiday—thanks to food banks, soup kitchens, and the help of people who care—those families may still be faced with the challenge of putting food on the table the rest of the winter. In Psalm 118:5-14, the psalmist speaks of some of the troubles and hardships the Lord has brought him through. It reminds us that it may be frightening and upsetting when we don’t know what tomorrow holds, but through it all, we must continue to be faithful to our thanksgiving to the Lord.
Let’s remember that Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday—it’s a way of life. Through the good times and the bad, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
“In a Relationship”
A friend of mine recently changed her Facebook status from “Single” to “In a Relationship.” I started to think about how as Christians, our daily status is “In a Relationship…With Jesus.” And I thought about how important it is for us to realize how precious our spiritual relationship with Him really is.
The one we love is sometimes called our “significant other.” The term implies that no matter how many others we have coming and going in our lives, there is “one” who has a significant impact on us. This is the one we care about most and the one we think about most often. A famous pickup line goes, “Wow, you must be tired, because you’ve been running around my mind all day.” While I’m not sure this line has led to any life-long relationships, the sentiment is correct. In our relationship with Jesus, He is on our mind all day—we’re thinking about Him and how to please Him, and thinking about what He’s thinking of us. He is the most significant “One” in our lives.
Being in a relationship also means taking time out to ensure the one you love knows you’re in love. This includes carving out time to spend with your loved one. When I wake up in the morning, I realize how important and special it is to start my day in conversation with Jesus. In fact, sometimes my prayers begin with, “Good morning, Lord.” It’s my way of letting Him know that I’m not coming before Him out of habit or compulsion, but a true desire to start my day with Him. And I dedicate one day a week, Sunday, to visit His house, talk with others about Him, and enjoy being surrounded by His presence. Giving my time is an important part of showing Him my love.
A relationship should not be taken for granted—it requires a lot of work. We often call it “give and take.” In our relationship with Jesus, we may sometimes feel like we take too much. After all, He gave His very life in order to have an eternal relationship with us. What can we possibly give Him in return? Well, the love we show others is our way of giving back to Him. And when we honor and praise Him with our thoughts and actions, He blesses us in return.
What I love most about being in a relationship with Jesus is that it never ends. In the physical world, He surrounds us with His love, and we know that when we pass on to a spiritual place, we will rest with Him in glory. It’s a relationship that goes on and on. With none other can your status be “In a Relationship” forever!
Throughout the book of Psalms, David declares his relationship status with the Lord. As I read his songs of praise, such as Psalm 145, I thank God that I am, and will forever be, “In a Relationship…With Jesus.”
The one we love is sometimes called our “significant other.” The term implies that no matter how many others we have coming and going in our lives, there is “one” who has a significant impact on us. This is the one we care about most and the one we think about most often. A famous pickup line goes, “Wow, you must be tired, because you’ve been running around my mind all day.” While I’m not sure this line has led to any life-long relationships, the sentiment is correct. In our relationship with Jesus, He is on our mind all day—we’re thinking about Him and how to please Him, and thinking about what He’s thinking of us. He is the most significant “One” in our lives.
Being in a relationship also means taking time out to ensure the one you love knows you’re in love. This includes carving out time to spend with your loved one. When I wake up in the morning, I realize how important and special it is to start my day in conversation with Jesus. In fact, sometimes my prayers begin with, “Good morning, Lord.” It’s my way of letting Him know that I’m not coming before Him out of habit or compulsion, but a true desire to start my day with Him. And I dedicate one day a week, Sunday, to visit His house, talk with others about Him, and enjoy being surrounded by His presence. Giving my time is an important part of showing Him my love.
A relationship should not be taken for granted—it requires a lot of work. We often call it “give and take.” In our relationship with Jesus, we may sometimes feel like we take too much. After all, He gave His very life in order to have an eternal relationship with us. What can we possibly give Him in return? Well, the love we show others is our way of giving back to Him. And when we honor and praise Him with our thoughts and actions, He blesses us in return.
What I love most about being in a relationship with Jesus is that it never ends. In the physical world, He surrounds us with His love, and we know that when we pass on to a spiritual place, we will rest with Him in glory. It’s a relationship that goes on and on. With none other can your status be “In a Relationship” forever!
Throughout the book of Psalms, David declares his relationship status with the Lord. As I read his songs of praise, such as Psalm 145, I thank God that I am, and will forever be, “In a Relationship…With Jesus.”
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Lesson in the Maze
Recently a group from my church paid a visit to a local farm. As a city girl, it was a treat for me to take a hayride, pick fresh pumpkins, and enjoy nature for a few hours on a brisk, fall day. As part of the fun, I decided to take a walk through the corn maze—which God used as a great teaching moment.
I made sure everyone who wanted to explore the maze went in first. Some of the teens, parents with small children, and even my husband and 2-year old nephew went in ahead of me. Then I took a deep breath and said a quick prayer as I entered the maze myself, with its neat walls of corn stalks that stood about 7 feet tall. In the beginning, I loddy-doddied my way through, figuring I’d simply let my instincts and a little help from the Holy Spirit guide me through.
The Lord gave me a few minutes of “me time.” I wandered alone, with the dirt path under my feet, checking out the dried ears of corn that were still on some of the stalks. I had a map of the maze in my hand—but as I said earlier, I’m a city girl, so it wasn’t of any worth to me. After about 15 minutes, I realized it was probably time to get serious about getting out. So, I started to make a concentrated effort to get to the end.
Just then, I ran into my husband. He had our nephew by one hand and the maze map in the other. “Are you really trying to read the map?” I asked. “Of course—you have to follow the instructions,” he replied. “Yeah right,” I said, taking a right while he took a left. And my right led me straight into a dead end. I suddenly recalled that Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” So, I decided to go with my husband!
We made it to the center of the maze, where there was a platform. We walked up the stairs of the platform which provided great view that overlooked the farm. I paused to take in the colors of fall—brown, gold, green, orange, and red—which were just gorgeous. My husband told me it was time to move on and he continued to lead us by the map.
I was starting to wonder if this map thing was really working out. We hadn’t really hit any dead ends while following it—but we still weren’t out of the maze, either. My nephew, who had grown tired of walking, was now in my husband’s arms, along with the map. As I was beginning to doubt my husband’s map-reading skills, we were joined by a young lady from another group. “You look like you know what you’re doing. I’m following you!” she said. Well, there was no way some one else was going to have more faith in my husband than me! “Yep, he’s a smart guy and he’s going to lead us out of here,” I told her.
Soon after, we were out of the maze! The young lady was the first of her group to make it out, and she triumphantly sat at the exit to wait for the others. I told my husband I was really proud of him for getting us out with the map. He replied, “It’s easy when you follow the instructions.”
That’s when the Lord laid on my heart the full scope of his words. When I followed my own way without the map, my “right” took me to the wrong place. Isn’t that a lot like life? When we try to follow our own mind, we end up in a dead end. In my home, we try each day to “follow the instructions” that God gave us for daily living—in other words, our Bible. And my husband is the one we depend on most to lead the charge and keep us on the right track—just as he had done in the maze. Even more so, his conviction and our example were an encouragement for someone else to follow the right path!
Lord, You have mapped out the best way to navigate through this life—I’m going to trust and follow Your way!
I made sure everyone who wanted to explore the maze went in first. Some of the teens, parents with small children, and even my husband and 2-year old nephew went in ahead of me. Then I took a deep breath and said a quick prayer as I entered the maze myself, with its neat walls of corn stalks that stood about 7 feet tall. In the beginning, I loddy-doddied my way through, figuring I’d simply let my instincts and a little help from the Holy Spirit guide me through.
The Lord gave me a few minutes of “me time.” I wandered alone, with the dirt path under my feet, checking out the dried ears of corn that were still on some of the stalks. I had a map of the maze in my hand—but as I said earlier, I’m a city girl, so it wasn’t of any worth to me. After about 15 minutes, I realized it was probably time to get serious about getting out. So, I started to make a concentrated effort to get to the end.
Just then, I ran into my husband. He had our nephew by one hand and the maze map in the other. “Are you really trying to read the map?” I asked. “Of course—you have to follow the instructions,” he replied. “Yeah right,” I said, taking a right while he took a left. And my right led me straight into a dead end. I suddenly recalled that Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” So, I decided to go with my husband!
We made it to the center of the maze, where there was a platform. We walked up the stairs of the platform which provided great view that overlooked the farm. I paused to take in the colors of fall—brown, gold, green, orange, and red—which were just gorgeous. My husband told me it was time to move on and he continued to lead us by the map.
I was starting to wonder if this map thing was really working out. We hadn’t really hit any dead ends while following it—but we still weren’t out of the maze, either. My nephew, who had grown tired of walking, was now in my husband’s arms, along with the map. As I was beginning to doubt my husband’s map-reading skills, we were joined by a young lady from another group. “You look like you know what you’re doing. I’m following you!” she said. Well, there was no way some one else was going to have more faith in my husband than me! “Yep, he’s a smart guy and he’s going to lead us out of here,” I told her.
Soon after, we were out of the maze! The young lady was the first of her group to make it out, and she triumphantly sat at the exit to wait for the others. I told my husband I was really proud of him for getting us out with the map. He replied, “It’s easy when you follow the instructions.”
That’s when the Lord laid on my heart the full scope of his words. When I followed my own way without the map, my “right” took me to the wrong place. Isn’t that a lot like life? When we try to follow our own mind, we end up in a dead end. In my home, we try each day to “follow the instructions” that God gave us for daily living—in other words, our Bible. And my husband is the one we depend on most to lead the charge and keep us on the right track—just as he had done in the maze. Even more so, his conviction and our example were an encouragement for someone else to follow the right path!
Lord, You have mapped out the best way to navigate through this life—I’m going to trust and follow Your way!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Masquerading Christians
Today, the streets will be filled with costumed trick-or-treaters collecting candy by the bagful. There will be vampires, zombies, ghosts, and demons—and oh my, actual Christians! Why are there so many Christians this year pretending to be something they are not?
I find that my position on Halloween is not one that wins a lot of support. Both the unbelievers and the Christians I know often disagree with me on this topic. I don’t celebrate Halloween in my home because there is nothing about it that celebrates what I believe in. As Christians, we are the light of the world. I’m not a fan of a holiday that is consumed by darkness.
If you’re still reading this ☺, here are some things to consider…
One of the things that I can appreciate about the holiday is the creativity that goes into it. The elaborate design of some of the handmade costumes and intricate makeup is just breathtaking. And as a kid, I loved wearing costumes and pretending to be someone or something else for a day. Currently, I even admire the work that goes into the house in the middle of town which—taking full advantage of its location—puts out a display that looks like a Hollywood set. Yet, it still doesn’t sit right with me that some of the images (for example, a guy hanging himself) are part of the “fun” of the holiday.
I also have a serious sweet tooth. So the idea of FREE CANDY is seductive enough to get me sucked in. Yet, isn’t that how the enemy works? Temptation begins with, “Aw, that doesn’t look so bad,” and ends in death. I love candy. But not enough to rot in hell for it. I’m just saying.
And trust me, I’m not caught up in the fact that it was based on a pagan holiday, because I understand that my lovely Christmas tree and those really fun Easter egg hunts also have pagan roots.* It’s more than that. Think about it—this year Halloween falls on a Sunday. I’ve heard quite a few Christians say, “It just doesn’t seem right to go to church, then go home and go trick-or-treating.” A town in Alabama decided to celebrate Halloween on Saturday this year because the officials even felt that it was a conflict to do it on Sunday. If something in your spirit is telling you it’s not right…don’t you think you should listen?
Romans 12 tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Unfortunately, there are so many Christians who make compromises—such as masquerading as those who follow the patterns of this world—that they are unable to see what God’s perfect will is for their daily lives.
I refuse to hide myself behind masks and costumes today—I’d prefer to hide behind the cross every day of my life!
* By the way, the reason pagan traditions found their way into Catholic celebrations (such as Christ’s mass, or Christmas) is because there was at least some parallel that could be drawn between the native culture’s celebration and the Christian observance. But there is nothing about Halloween that is even remotely familiar to Christianity. For more information about other Christian perspectives on Halloween, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween#Christianity.
I find that my position on Halloween is not one that wins a lot of support. Both the unbelievers and the Christians I know often disagree with me on this topic. I don’t celebrate Halloween in my home because there is nothing about it that celebrates what I believe in. As Christians, we are the light of the world. I’m not a fan of a holiday that is consumed by darkness.
If you’re still reading this ☺, here are some things to consider…
One of the things that I can appreciate about the holiday is the creativity that goes into it. The elaborate design of some of the handmade costumes and intricate makeup is just breathtaking. And as a kid, I loved wearing costumes and pretending to be someone or something else for a day. Currently, I even admire the work that goes into the house in the middle of town which—taking full advantage of its location—puts out a display that looks like a Hollywood set. Yet, it still doesn’t sit right with me that some of the images (for example, a guy hanging himself) are part of the “fun” of the holiday.
I also have a serious sweet tooth. So the idea of FREE CANDY is seductive enough to get me sucked in. Yet, isn’t that how the enemy works? Temptation begins with, “Aw, that doesn’t look so bad,” and ends in death. I love candy. But not enough to rot in hell for it. I’m just saying.
And trust me, I’m not caught up in the fact that it was based on a pagan holiday, because I understand that my lovely Christmas tree and those really fun Easter egg hunts also have pagan roots.* It’s more than that. Think about it—this year Halloween falls on a Sunday. I’ve heard quite a few Christians say, “It just doesn’t seem right to go to church, then go home and go trick-or-treating.” A town in Alabama decided to celebrate Halloween on Saturday this year because the officials even felt that it was a conflict to do it on Sunday. If something in your spirit is telling you it’s not right…don’t you think you should listen?
Romans 12 tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Unfortunately, there are so many Christians who make compromises—such as masquerading as those who follow the patterns of this world—that they are unable to see what God’s perfect will is for their daily lives.
I refuse to hide myself behind masks and costumes today—I’d prefer to hide behind the cross every day of my life!
* By the way, the reason pagan traditions found their way into Catholic celebrations (such as Christ’s mass, or Christmas) is because there was at least some parallel that could be drawn between the native culture’s celebration and the Christian observance. But there is nothing about Halloween that is even remotely familiar to Christianity. For more information about other Christian perspectives on Halloween, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween#Christianity.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
What Are You Thinking???
I was recently reminded that what we think about could have a direct impact on what we do and how we respond to situations in life. Remember The Little Engine That Could? Even when all seemed lost, he said, “I think I can, I think I can,” until he reached success. What are you thinking these days?
When we are faced with a challenge, we are often confronted with the negatives: Why something can’t be done. Who’s fault it is—or will be. What went wrong in the first place. We may forget that the battle starts from within. We have a spiritual enemy that can’t wait to present us with the reasons we cannot overcome a situation. And he will flood our mind with the negatives.
Effective problem-solvers will tell you that you have to look at all sides of a problem in order to overcome it. You have to understand where the limitations are in order to get past them. However, too often we get stuck focusing on the limitations only. We have to remember that when you dwell ON the negative, you have a great chance of ending up dwelling IN negativity.
In Philippians 4:8, while giving encouragement to believers, Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” His advice could be summed up by something we used to say in my neighborhood back in the day: “Get your mind right!”
Think about a challenge you’re facing right now. Maybe it’s a family issue. Maybe it’s unemployment. Maybe it’s poor health or depression. Now think about how you have been thinking about the situation. Stop and say a prayer. Turn it over to the Lord and ask Him—who is and has been with you all along—to help you think about anything that is excellent and praiseworthy surrounding that challenge. Think about those things and watch what happens!
I’m thinking that it’s time for a change in my life—and with the help of the Lord, I know it’s going to happen!
When we are faced with a challenge, we are often confronted with the negatives: Why something can’t be done. Who’s fault it is—or will be. What went wrong in the first place. We may forget that the battle starts from within. We have a spiritual enemy that can’t wait to present us with the reasons we cannot overcome a situation. And he will flood our mind with the negatives.
Effective problem-solvers will tell you that you have to look at all sides of a problem in order to overcome it. You have to understand where the limitations are in order to get past them. However, too often we get stuck focusing on the limitations only. We have to remember that when you dwell ON the negative, you have a great chance of ending up dwelling IN negativity.
In Philippians 4:8, while giving encouragement to believers, Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” His advice could be summed up by something we used to say in my neighborhood back in the day: “Get your mind right!”
Think about a challenge you’re facing right now. Maybe it’s a family issue. Maybe it’s unemployment. Maybe it’s poor health or depression. Now think about how you have been thinking about the situation. Stop and say a prayer. Turn it over to the Lord and ask Him—who is and has been with you all along—to help you think about anything that is excellent and praiseworthy surrounding that challenge. Think about those things and watch what happens!
I’m thinking that it’s time for a change in my life—and with the help of the Lord, I know it’s going to happen!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Victory Celebration!
Imagine going though—or think about the last time you went through—a terrible situation in your life. Think about spending hours on your knees praying over the situation, asking God for guidance and deliverance. Think about humbly reaching out to loved ones, prayer partners, and others to ask for support during our trying times…. Now think about overcoming the situation. Think about the joy that comes with deliverance! What comes next? My brothers and sisters in Christ, we need more Victory Celebrations!
I recently attended a wonderful affair hosted by a lovely married couple, friends of the family. It was a Victory Celebration—a thanksgiving for God’s goodness and awesome saving power. The attendees were friends and family members who have been witnesses to the couple’s testimony. It was an event unlike any other I’ve ever attended under circumstances that few of us would ever imagine. Let me explain…
Over the last several years, this family has been plagued by financial problems, job loss, even threat of criminal prosecution. They have faced devastation that many of us would shudder just thinking about. Yet through it all, they held to their faith in God and continued to weather each terrible storm together, with nothing but trust in the Lord to get them through. Family members and friends also prayed and lent any support they could through the trying times. And about a month ago, they received relief from their most recent trial. It was a major win for the family and an event definitely worth celebrating.
Psalm 34:19 tells us, “a righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Often, we hear about the troubles of those around us. We have prayer lists in our church bulletins and prayer requests from people we know. But how often do we hear how the Lord “delivers him from them all”? Not that we need confirmation for every prayer we send up, because we trust that the Lord is always faithful to answer our prayers. But sometimes it is nice to see that He is still in the miracle business!
During the Victory Celebration, the couple offered words of wisdom about the lessons learned during their trying times. I got a lot out of it, but one of the most important things I learned wasn’t just from what they said but what they demonstrated: When times are dark and the future is uncertain, we can reach out to loved ones, prayer partners, and even professional help—but when the clouds clear away and you are able to enjoy the light again, have them all join in as you GIVE GOD THE GLORY!
Matthew 6:6 tells me that when I pray in secret, the Lord will bless me openly—I’m inviting all those who prayed with me to join my Victory Celebration and share in the blessing!
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Each week, notification is sent out to our valued readers, letting them know that a new blog has been posted. Don’t be left out—to become part of our circle of valued readers, send your email address to info@vocabllc.com. Just write ADD ME in the subject line.
I recently attended a wonderful affair hosted by a lovely married couple, friends of the family. It was a Victory Celebration—a thanksgiving for God’s goodness and awesome saving power. The attendees were friends and family members who have been witnesses to the couple’s testimony. It was an event unlike any other I’ve ever attended under circumstances that few of us would ever imagine. Let me explain…
Over the last several years, this family has been plagued by financial problems, job loss, even threat of criminal prosecution. They have faced devastation that many of us would shudder just thinking about. Yet through it all, they held to their faith in God and continued to weather each terrible storm together, with nothing but trust in the Lord to get them through. Family members and friends also prayed and lent any support they could through the trying times. And about a month ago, they received relief from their most recent trial. It was a major win for the family and an event definitely worth celebrating.
Psalm 34:19 tells us, “a righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Often, we hear about the troubles of those around us. We have prayer lists in our church bulletins and prayer requests from people we know. But how often do we hear how the Lord “delivers him from them all”? Not that we need confirmation for every prayer we send up, because we trust that the Lord is always faithful to answer our prayers. But sometimes it is nice to see that He is still in the miracle business!
During the Victory Celebration, the couple offered words of wisdom about the lessons learned during their trying times. I got a lot out of it, but one of the most important things I learned wasn’t just from what they said but what they demonstrated: When times are dark and the future is uncertain, we can reach out to loved ones, prayer partners, and even professional help—but when the clouds clear away and you are able to enjoy the light again, have them all join in as you GIVE GOD THE GLORY!
Matthew 6:6 tells me that when I pray in secret, the Lord will bless me openly—I’m inviting all those who prayed with me to join my Victory Celebration and share in the blessing!
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Each week, notification is sent out to our valued readers, letting them know that a new blog has been posted. Don’t be left out—to become part of our circle of valued readers, send your email address to info@vocabllc.com. Just write ADD ME in the subject line.
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