Stop Kicking

The other morning I was trying to apply my make-up.  I have a circular magnified mirror attached to my vanity mirror in my bathroom.  As I began to apply it, I noticed that I had to lean my body to the right to access the magnified mirror.  Something on the floor was in my way.  I tried kicking it out of the way but it wouldn't budge.  I continued to apply mascara still leaning to my right because whatever was on the floor was getting in my way.  I would lean to the right then straighten up as my make-up was to my left.  I did this enough times that my side finally hurt doing it.  The way to avoid that was to move what was on the floor.  Instead, I continued to to kick without looking down to see what it was.

When I finally looked down to move it, I discovered what it was that was preventing me from properly using my mirror.  It was my bible.  My bible is no small thing.  It is a large print bible so it's double the size.  You see, in the morning when I wake up-especially when I am teaching, I go to the bathroom floor to do my devotion.  I turn on the light, close the door and proceed with my devotion so I don't wake my husband. I usually sit on the floor with a pillow at my back.  When I have prayed, I simply move my bible and jump in the shower.  This time, I must have moved the bible and it landed in front of the vanity.

When I discovered it was my bible, this thought emerged: "How many times do we kick our bible to the curb without physically kicking it?"  There are excuses like "It's too late, I'm too tired, I'll do it tomorrow, I went to church so I don't have to read the bible today."  I ask this because these are all excuses I have found myself using.

If we would only remember that the Word of God is our greatest weapon against the enemy, I think we would keep it close and learn it.  Don't make that mistake.  Don't go into battle without the weapon that can help defeat the enemy.  He is afraid of the one true God and when we fight him with "it is written" he can not win!

So if you're kicking your bible out of the way, either literally or mentally, consider that it is your weapon in spiritual warfare and stop kicking!

Jesus said to him "Away from me Satan!"For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:10-11

Ferrari

The other day my son called me and asked "Mom, can we pray?" What an awesome feeling that is too hear that from one of your kids.  I had always been the initiator, I was the one who always asked that question. My heart swelled with warmth at the request. First he shared his heart, then we prayed. I prayed first, thanking God for the awesome work  He is doing in our son's life. Then, our son prayed and it was the most sincere, humbling prayer I've ever heard.

We joined in spirit as we prayed.  My heart was full.  Then for one split second, I was distracted as I heard him say "take this old truck and turn it into a Ferrari."  My thought was this: "he does have a truck but it's not old, and really God, he's asking for a a Ferrari?"  The air was sucked out of my lungs at the thought. For that split second  I allowed the enemy to distract me from the prayer. Had I stayed in that distraction, I would have missed him saying how much he loved the Lord and the opportunity of ministry he had been given. I would have missed him saying "Take this  old truck (him) and turn it into a Ferrari (a priceless servant of God)!

When I came to that understanding I was humbled. There comes a time when we have to let go. We have to leave things of the past in the past. If we continue to be that "old truck" just barely making it through without recharging, without re-fueling and without restoring, it (we) will eventually break down.  But when we give our life to God completely, he turns us into something that will be polished, brand new, and priceless. 

I thank God for those of you that took the time to speak into this child's life. I thank those of you who have prayed for this child and have contributed to his growth in loving Christ. Most of all, I thank my Heavenly Father for doing a work that is turning an old truck into a Ferrari.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

My Child

With a career in law enforcement,  at 37 years of age I had pretty much resigned to the idea that I would never have a biological child. God saw different.  When I had my son, it was pretty much decided that his name would be Matthew...Child of God. I loved the meaning of the name.  When he was four years old, I came to know what it meant to give your child over to God.  Hannah in the old testament was also granted a child and at two years old, she gave Samuel to God.  I gave my son to God but "got to keep him."

All of his life, I have tried to teach him a Godly way.  We have prayed together, read God's Word together and gone to church together.  Then comes the time when you have to let them go.  While I feared him leaving and being on his own, I knew that God would take care of him.  We as parents can only go so far then it's between them and God. 

This summer, my son decided to attend a Campus Outreach event called Project 2016. He was supported by many friends including a mentor, a teacher, a pastor, and family members.  We visited him this week and were amazed at his growth and commitment to sharing the Word of God.

Today, he called me and we spoke for about 45 minutes.  I could sense the spirit of the Lord as  he shared his passion for a lost soul he works with.  I had never heard such commitment to making a difference.  I had never had a conversation with him where he quoted scripture and spoke of ministering to the lost and leading others to Christ.  In essence, I could tell Christ had touched his heart.

After our discussion, I prayed and then he prayed.  Parents, let me tell you....there is nothing that compares to a child at the foot of the cross praying for lost souls.  Many of my friends have had this all their life, we have not.  We often worshiped at different services, sometimes different days, and even different churches but the truth of it is you need to be an example and you need to trust God.
We are honored at the man of God our boy is becoming and we pray that God will take him and use him to his glory!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:27 

Pay Attention

Pay Attention.  I have found myself saying those words often.  Sometimes with an exclamation point at the end of the two words.  Pay attention when you cross the street, pay attention in class, pay attention to the instructions.  It has brought me to ask myself "What area am I not paying attention in?"

My youngest son is embarking on a journey that is new to me.  He has generated a letter that I want to change.  I want to add, change, correct, and then send.  Yet, I have found that I simply need to pay attention in this area.  This morning while reading God's Word, I was hit with this:

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ears to my words. [Proverbs 4:20]

So...you know what I did?  I took a picture and sent it to my son.  I sent it to him because it said my son and I wanted him to remember that we often get distracted and we need to pay attention.  We need to remain faithful and in God's Word.  Yet as I continued reading, I realized that the pay attention message was for me!

It was like God was telling me "Pay Attention Dee.  This is your son's journey not yours.  I gave him the words for that letter so don't change it!"  Wow!  What an eye opener.  As I have watched moms in the past years post their son's transition from high school to college or real life, I walked that walk with them.  I call them my KPark moms.  We had to let go.

Today, that son has completed his junior year in college.  As I watch my friend Shelly West post pictures of her beautiful daughter, I have seen "momma proud pictures" of her amazing art work and journey as a senior in high school.  The tears flow as I recall being there three years ago.  To Shelly I say "we have been there, we stand with you."

Today God tells me Pay Attention Momma! I need to pay attention and remember that this is HIS journey.  I couldn't be more proud that he has chosen to serve God.  I will continue to pray that I will pay attention and not interfere with God's plan.

I ask that you join me in praying for all our sons and daughters that have left home or will be leaving home and that we as parents pay attention in being faithful to seriously lifting up to our Savior.  Oh and Pay Attention-don't get in their way...especially if they are following Christ!

My son, pay attention to what I say, turn your ear to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Proverbs 4:20-23

Six Words

Yesterday my devotion spoke about six words.  I love to talk and I could never say what I have to say in six words...or so I thought.  I read my devotion and realized just how many times only six words are used.  When God chose David, he referred to him as "A man after my own heart."  Paul described Timothy as "My true son in the faith" and regarding Mary, mother of Jesus, "The virgin shall be with child."

So, it took it upon myself to find the six words that spoke of me in my life-it wasn't easy!  Would they be "Not an easy person to love" or "Lost in my own little world" or even "In this world without a care."  I hoped not!   While those six word phrases might at some point describe me, I hoped for better. 

So I sought out my six words.  I came up with these there six word phrases:

• Create in me a pure heart [Psalms 51:10]
• Here am I, send me Lord. [Isaiah 6:8]
• Her children will call her blessed. [Psalm 31]

What poignant words.  How do I represent those six words?  Do my actions reflect a pure heart?  Am I kind, caring, sensitive?  Am I really always ready to say "send me?"  Am I willing to leave the comforts of my own home, my family or my life, in order to follow God's command?  Am I willing?

Take time today to sit back and reflect on six words that describe you.  Are you "A shining light for the Lord?" or "Sitting back hoping things will happen."

The Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Our Daily Bread Devotion Collection (2014) Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishing

Sweet fragrance

This past summer, while on a cruise ship, I had the opportunity to smell Chanel's Coco perfume.  I had only smelled it on my niece and have never purchased it before.  When I saw the price, I knew why.  I recall saying to my husband "I'M not paying 125.00 for a small bottle of perfume!"  So I left without it. 


February was my birthday and I received several gift cards to Macy's.  As we strolled through the store, I hit the perfume counter.  My husband commented on the perfume and I again stated that it cost too much.  This time however, I had all my gift cards.  We examined the bottles and the sizes, which was a better deal and whether or not I really wanted the perfume.  Of course I did...I just didn't want to pay that much for it. 


After we made all the calculations, we decided that if I did purchase it, the larger bottle would be the better deal.  I reached into my purse and counted my gift cards and handed them to her.  In the end, my total payment was 25.00.  What a deal.  All my family had purchased this perfume for me and it smelled "delicious."  My husband loved the smell, I loved it and we were set. 


It had such a unique smell that I can't even describe.  It was sweet yet gentle, it was strong yet not overbearing.  I loved it and felt like everyone I passed knew exactly what I was wearing.  That reminded me of one of my favorite verses.  It made me question "In my Christian walk, what do I smell like?"  Do I exude a fragrance of Christ or a stench of the world?  My prayer is that as I walk past other, the smell lingers like the sweet fragrance of Jesus Christ.


When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance that can inspire others to follow (Our Daily Bread 2016).


But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

I have hidden your word in my heart

Years ago, during Vacation Bible School, I memorized Psalm 119:11  I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  I probably learned as I read the pledge allegiance  to the Bible.  I have always believed in this verse.  It is the ammunition to our armor mentioned in Ephesians 6.  this morning as I opened my bible to my devotion I realized that this was part of the readings.  What I didn't realize is the impact of the verses preceding it.

I have often been asked about purity.  When I read these scriptures, they really spoke to my own life. 
(V9) How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.  (V10) I seek you with all my heart do not let me stray from your commands.

I have to admit I don't recall reading that before but it is a great introduction to verse 11.  How do we remain on the path of purity?  This does not end with a young person.  It carries over to our entire lives for the rest of our life. 

We don't need reminders when we get off track.  I don't know about you but as hard as the enemy works to side track me, the Holy Spirit works to keep me grounded.  It is a no brainer.  If you love Jesus, if you are committed to Jesus, if you are loyal to Jesus, this prompting will speak to you.  When I was younger, I recall making some decisions that only took one question to determine whether or not I had crossed the line.  The question was "What would dad think if he knew I was doing this?"  The same rings true for our heavenly Father.

How do we  fight the urge, the temptation, the taunting?  By hiding His Word in our heart that we may tap into that when we become the enemy's target.   We have to first seek Him with all our heart and combine that with living according to His word so that we do not stray from His commands. 

It was refreshing to read that this morning.  I am content.  I am full.  I pray that I will live according to His Word but in order to do that, I must first read His Word them commit to hiding His Word in my heart.

Run the race

Good morning.  It has been a long while, I know. Being a doctoral candidate, supporting my brother's election, keeping up with kids and a husband, and tending to a new puppy has kept me pretty busy.  I have now relaxed from one of those things but must speak about it.

My brother was a candidate for Harris County Constable Precinct 3. He ran an impeccable race.  My father and I, being the two retired, witnessed much of the process.  We were at polls for all of early voting.  We, as a family, were at my brother's side when he made this decision a year ago. We made the decision to run a clean, fair race with character as the foundation.

There were nine candidates in the race and this was my brother's first go at it.  Many of the others had run before.  Each time I saw my brother I saw a qualified, loyal, ardent individual.  He didn't need a job, he is an investigator for Harris County District Attorney's Office.  He wanted to make a difference.  While other candidates had the time to be at the polls, my brother did not.  He continued to serve the citizens. 

This week, my Pastor, Dr. Ed Young, gave an amazing sermon with an introduction of integrity, service and character to those we choose as leaders.  It left an abiding impact in my heart as I knew my brothers election race was Tuesday. 

On several days at early voting, my father and I witnessed actions contrary to the laws of integrity but aligned with the laws of human nature.  We heard name calling, accusations, challenges, showboating, allegations of wrong doing, shouting, cursing and so much more.  We witnessed printed derogatory material, a particular candidate yelling at an employee of the library where they were graciously allowing them to vote, pushing the envelope just a little until it became an all out war,  and so much more. 

We were so confident in our candidate.  What else could the community want?  A dedicated servant who served in law enforcement over 26 years and now serves the community in the DA's office. A beaming record with numerous awards for service. I was often asked "Do you really think your brother will win?" My response was often "We serve a God that parted the red sea, that opened the heavens with rain, that rescued Daniel from the Lion's den-is anything impossible for him?"

My daily devotions were aligned with endless possibilities of Gideon, Joshua, Caleb and giants.  Nothing is impossible for our God but I must say that our prayer was "but if not" [Daniel 3:19], let us still continue to glorify our God. And so we have.  He did not win the race but he kept his character and integrity. There is a second part to this election story.   Throughout the race,  I was met by individuals that thought "being good" would get them to heaven.  I was put in a position to tell them that only believing in the Lord Jesus Christ would get them eternal life.  Many of these workers from other teams were individuals that were paid and had never met the candidate, we knew ours and we knew his heart.  We knew the God we believe in and he put us there to impact lives not to win a race.

My father, our patriarch, led the way.  His love for his son led him to stand countless hours [as did I] holding signs that said vote for our candidate.  My father was up early and stayed late.  The reward in that was the endless people that complimented us on our brothers character and our example.  Oh don't get me wrong, we were not faultless.  The poor show of respect prompted us to want to cross that line and we had a heart to heart that ended something like this...."Are we going to trust God like we have been saying or will we let them win out?"  The defeat was difficult only because we saw the ill actions of others, but we are content in God's final say.  We lost the race but one lost soul won over is a greater victory!

I will give thanks to you O my God with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever. Psalms 86:12

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do. John 17:4

I have run the race, I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

The Consequences of Sin

The other day I heard some news that kind of surprised me.  I really didn't know how to feel.  I was shocked that an individual with so much potential would ruin it by getting involved in a bar fight.  I was saddened that this individual would not be able to be a part of something he had worked so hard to accomplish,  Most of all, I was surprised that he was not allowed to play in one of the most important games of his career.

"TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin has been suspended for Saturday's Alamo Bowl after he was arrested following a bar fight early Thursday morning, head coach Garry Patterson announced."

To see the face of this individual as he apologized to his team, his coach and even his family was heartbreaking.  It was obvious that he was remorseful, he was sad and he regretted his actions.  I hated to see this happen to him.  He asked for forgiveness for his actions and stressed his shame.

While the team forgave him, the consequences of his actions remained.  Normally, I would not have watched this college game.  In fact, when TCU trailed Oregon by 31 at halftime, I should have turned the television off, but unfortunately,  I was one of those who regretfully believed that the entire foundation of the success of this team was Boykin.  Why couldn't I turn the game off?  My husband was long asleep and it was 9:30pm,  already past my bedtime. Instead, I held on and continued to watch.  Of course my first thought was that TCU would not be able to recover from this great deficit.

After half time, the team not only came back, they went into overtime....three times.  The team that I had expected would lose because they were not playing their star quarterback had won with a back up. One would think that the consequences of Boykin's sin would be that the team would lose.  That was not the consequence.  A young man by the name of Bram Kohlhausen led the team to victory.

Although Boykin asked for forgiveness for his sin, he had to live with the consequences of that sin. He was not allowed to play in his final TCU game and could not honorably wear the TCU Jersey.  It doesn't mean he wasn't forgiven, it just means that those were the consequences of that sin.  

So many times we may ask God to forgive us our sin and when things don't go our way,  we question whether he forgave us or not.  For example, if an individual embezzles money from a company and they ask for forgiveness, the employer may forgive him.  However, the employer can fire them as a result of the theft.  Does not mean he didn't forgive them, It just means that the consequence of the sin was termination.

I know that Boykin learned a hard lesson but I pray that he finds comfort in God's forgiveness and does not dwell on the consequences of sin,

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalms 103:9-12





Sports Illustrated (2015) TCU QB Trevone Boykin suspended for Alamo Bowl after Arrest. Posted December 31, 2015