As I stand in my kitchen preparing Sunday dinner for my family, my hunger is rapidly growing as the smell of a roast is simmering in the crock pot, corn bread in the oven and sweet peas and brown rice on the stove.  “YUMMY!”  I lift the lid of the crock pot to spot check the roast, this thought goes through my mind.  “Ah, one last meal with meat before our church starts a 21 day Daniel Fast tomorrow.”  As quickly as the thought comes to me, this thought comes, “That’s how my people look at sin.”  I said, what do you mean God?
 
The comparison is this:  the fast is equivalent to a life with God, a life of things of God, a commitment to live for Him.  The meat is equivalent to sin.  People choose to partake of sin one last time before they begin a journey with God much like we are partaking of meat one last time before the fast begins.  The problem is this:  that one last, tantalizing partaking is never enough and often times, the one last time turns into a lifetime.  The Bible tells us the wages of sin is death and while our intention was to only partake one last time, we end up entangled in our sin.
 
We fail to see the dangers of sin and therefore, we justify our longing for one last time.  I guess it comes down to this:  we wanted to eat the meat today because we knew we would be without it for the next 21 days.  It was totally to satisfy our fleshly desire…..and that’s what sin is all about. 
Pastor Julie 

 
Recently I was reminded of S&H Green Stamps.  Ah, yes back in the day when you could get something without money.  Even though you had to spend money to get the stamps; who cared?  I remember feeling I had hit the jackpot when the person paying for their groceries in front of me refused their stamps and graciously said, “Give them to her.”  Are you joking, of course I want your stamps.
 
The joy of S&H Green Stamps was the feeling of accomplishment that accompanied filling up a book and then ultimately redeeming the books for goods at the local S&H Green Stamp store.  Eagerly looking through the catalog finding that special item you longed for and then the goal of saving the stamps to get it.  I long for those days; I tend to think life was simpler when S&H Green Stamps were around. 
 
Although at times the stamps were a nuisance.  I mean they did require you to lick each stamp, which was discussing now that I think about it.  And some people didn’t see the value in the hassle of keeping them.   And then there was the time element, some people didn’t want to wait to collect the stamps needed to get what they wanted.  Your allotment of stamps was dependent upon how much money you spent at the grocery store. 
 
Even though the stamps had an ultimate reward, they required you to do something to get the reward.  In my pastor’s minds eye; I can see the parallel of God in S&H Green Stamps. 
 
We all have the same choice to receive God or not.  Some of us strategically hunted out stores that offered the stamps, much like many of us who strategically hunt for God; to see Him, hear Him, and share Him with others because we know the ultimate reward is worth the work and the wait. 
 
Sure living for God requires us to “lick the stamps”, paralleled to obedience, good works, studying, prayer, walking in faith and love; but we long for hitting the jackpot feeling that accompanies carrying out His plan in our lives, communities and other people’s lives.  

Opposition will come.  And it comes in various ways and through various people, maybe the same people that you live with or maybe the people that you work with, or perhaps a complete stranger.  Opposition can manifest in your life through other people’s opinions of you, your ideas or character that are different than yours.   Perhaps those people intentionally know what they’re doing to try to demean you or discourage you, or maybe they’re unaware, ignorant of their ill expression of their opinions toward you.  Either way, opposition will show up in your life. 

There are so many negative ways to handle opposition, and I have to work through those ways in my head and heart by eliminating them one at a time, regardless of how appealing they seem and the strong degree in which I want to respond with. After that process, I have to choose to take a deliberate stand of authority over my flesh and feelings and that includes the hurts.  When the fog of betrayal, hurt and injured pride lifts, you can then begin to see the good ways that you can respond to the opposition.

This vantage point will allow you to see that opposition can actually fortify you, your ideas and your character.  In order for it to accomplish this important growth in your life, you must take the road of humility, that’s when you take your attention off of the person that has brought the opposition and put it on you.  You begin to objectively listen to what was said or encountered and weight it against yourself.  If there is any truth in what was said or experienced, you admit the weaknesses to God and ask for His rescue or input.  If there’s no truth and the opposition was the person's own manifestation of their short comings or insecurities, you carry on and release the person from the offense. 

What comes out of this process of looking at you, is reassurance. Reassurance of you, your ideas and your character.  That God is the source of all things great in your life and because of Him, you can have confidence that He’s with you and He’s got you. 

Isn't it great that the enemy of opposition can be used for good in you?  Romans 8:28.  It’s going to be okay, okay being the minimum, and on those heavy days of opposition and you can’t see the rainbow, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a rainbow.  

Pastor Julie

Hello battle, you show up in different styles and with various deliveries.  Your timing is unexpected and your length is undetermined.  There are times I’m not even aware that you’re present until I pay attention.  Then there are times that I know you’re about to visit me before I see any evidence of you. 

It is my declaration that you are not greater than the God that loves me and lives in me.  My God is able to keep me, protect me, nurture me and promote me through every trial, inconvenience, pain and disappointment that you bring.  Through every battle that rages against me, my eyes are on God...NOT YOU! Oh, I know there are weak moments that I offer you more of my allegiance than My God, but then I come to myself because of the Word of God that's in me.

Dear battle, there’s purpose in the process of pain that you are not privy of.  So, I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of my faith.  You are temporary, you are circumstantial, and you are not worthy of my focus.  For what shall separate me from the love of my Father?  Nothing!  (Romans 8:38-39)

See battle, not even you can separate me from the protective and provisional love of my Father.  Though your feeble attempts appear to be strong evidence at times to doubt my God’s ability and love, I shall stand on the foundation of faith in my God. 

Dear battle, know these promises: Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you."
Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?”

I shall always combat you with the truth of the Word of God.  I will continue to believe that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.(1 John 4:4)

Victorious,
Pastor Julie

Parenting is not an easy gig and it doesn’t come with a one size fits all manual.  Each child is a unique gift from God and while there may be similarities in personality, behaviors and looks, each child is wired uniquely.  Ah, the joy of parenting. 
We can bless or curse our children with our words.  I think that is the biggest responsibility, and perhaps, the most seriousness of parental roles and responsibilities that we have.  The words of our mouth can confirm confidence and a future, or they can do the opposite.  Yikes! 

At times, without intention, we can make a child feel like what they do is more important than who they are.  We reward good choices, behaviors and grades.  All great and necessary things, but what happens when a child digresses and their choices, behaviors and grades tank?  Do we end the rewards?  Do we begin to penalize them because we know they have potential they’re not using?  Do we stop the compliments and “atta-boys” because we’re disappointed in the way they’re heading?  These are sobering and yet, very realistic things that we do.  But what is it saying to the child?  Are we reinforcing the hopelessness that perhaps they are already battling?  Maybe?

Perhaps a more influential way to respond to them is to always intentionally establish purpose in who they are by confirming their identity.  When we continually strive to do that, we release them to take on more responsibility and confidently be better because I think at the heart of every child, regardless of their age, is the struggle of finding their identity and their worth.  They are challenged by their peers to prove themselves, and often challenged by us to do the same thing.  Although, we have different tactics than their peers. 

Why wouldn’t you bless your child with your words?  It’s a rhetorical question, but I bet emotions are at the top of the reason pile.  Past the reason pile, is the truth that we need to separate identity and behavior.  Remember, our words can give them permission to prosper in life, which doesn’t mean we are condoning bad, rebellion or disobedience.  We are simply and consistently confirming their identity and blessing who they are, a child of God created with infinite value, dignity and worth-not for what they do.

"Father God, may you give us the wisdom, insight and strategy for each of our children.  May the words of our mouth be words of life over them.  In Jesus Name, Amen."  

Blessings,
​Pastor Julie

Who rules your world?
Sounds almost like a tongue in cheek question, but the raw truth behind the answer says a lot about who you are.  In church, as a Christian, we know the answer almost instinctively, "Jesus rules my world."

The definition of rule includes governing authority or customary response or behavior.  By this definition, does Jesus rule your world?  Does Jesus rule my world?  I know I desire Jesus to rule my world, but often my ways dictates my behavior and responses.  Sad face.  

So I'm convinced that my way has to take a back seat to God's way and God's Word.  It's easier to type that than to live it, but I will encourage you, and me that this is possible with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.  His indwelling presence in our life propels us to eagerly allow God space and time to work out His plan in our life.

Today is a great day to decrease, that God will increase (John 3:30).  Wisdom says that whoever rules your world you give first and most priority to.  Will you join me in decreasing that God will increase?  After all, it's all about Him, it only involves us.  

A life that is ruled by Jesus is a life of abundance.  A life that is filled with hope and love and faith.  We're all a work in progress, but admitting where you are and owning it only to give it to Jesus is the best place to be.

Here's to the rule of Jesus in your life, and mine.  
God loves you and has an awesome plan for your life!
Pastor Julie

God wants to be discovered by you. 

When you look to God, you will find Him.

Psalm 34:8 reads: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.  That means we need to participate by being involved, gaining first hand knowledge of who He is and what He is like.  Build a testimony of God by having experiences with God.

1 Peter 1:20 reads:  "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you." Know God and make God known.  

Galatians 1:12 reads: "For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." Discover God for yourself.

It doesn't benefit God to remain hidden from you or to be minimally known by you.  
​God is not playing a game of Hide and Go Seek with you. He is inviting you to a life of Follow the Leader.

Pastor Julie

New Year, New You!
New Year Resolutions!

We've all head these familiar phrases, they begin surfacing each year as December comes to a close and January is a flip away on the wall calendar.  I think the ideology behind these phrases is that a new year brings new possibilities and opportunities to start again.  Which is absoutely true; but unfortunately, often the new possibilities and opportunities remain undiscovered as the motivation is fleeting to actually take the steps necessary to enter into the new.

Have you ever realized there are times when your hesitation and lack of motivation is your biggest obstacle?  I have.  It's like I'm waiting for God to open doors and grant me opportunities; but yet I'm not really bringing my best faith game to the table.Wavering between belief and unbelief and allowing doubt to sabbotage my faith, however small or big it may be. I'm convinced through my faith battles, that consitency in my faith is worth its weight in gold.  When my faith is in tact, my motivation is positively affected.  

"So what if this year is different than previous years?  Better, wider, deeper and more meaningful than ever before?"  Those were thoughts I began having a few weeks ago, and I decided to up my faith game from that day on.  I made up my mind that I was perhaps my hardest opponent and that God's great grace and ever abiding presence was enough motivation for me to believe God has new in front of me and not because of the new year, but because I was willing to put in the hard work to trust Him.    

I pray this year, 2017 will be a year of unlimited potential, possibilities and opportunities for you. That each new day will be seen as an adventure waiting to be discovered.  I equally pray that your motivation in yourself is determined and consistent.  Because that's what's necessary to take steps of faith to Gods new that's in front of you.  

Pastor Julie

Here’s something to consider:

New thoughts, random thoughts, experiences, encounters and people could be markers in aiding you to your greater purpose. Perhaps each one is a potential catalyst to your greater purpose.  
Expand your thinking to be open to that potential and to paradigm shifts that enable you to receive new opportunities. 

Sometimes, when you're not receptive to new ideas, you'll excuse something as a trend and you don't offer much investment to it.  On the surface, you don't consider that person, opinion or experience to have any influence or lasting impact in your life, so you write it off and don't consider the potential it may have. I'm ever aware that the familiarity of routine and closure to receive, always blocks expansion.  

So what if…God is exposing you to this experience, thought or person to help you grow? God can do that you know.  Nothing is wasted with God, so rest assured, nothing is in vain.  

How cool is it that God loves you that much that He wants you to grow into your greater purpose?  A new opportunity could be the missing link to get you from where you are to where you're going.  One encounter or one introduction has the unlimited potential to help you grow into your greater purpose!

How will your curiosity be stirred so that you want to find out where and what your greater purpose is?   A great beginning is your willingness to leave your comfort zone and availability to say yes.  I hope you will be tenacious in discovering, or rediscovering God’s greater purpose for your life.  I hope you will search relentlessly to know the essence of who you are and to learn new things about yourself.  Spend time with yourself so you will know you, and through the process, you will find out amazing things about the God that created you.  

Psalm 139 reassures you that God has not designed you by happenstance.  He put crazy detail into you.  Every quirk, inkling, preference and detail is radically designed by God.  Some of those things will fluctuate and be circumstantial; and some will not.  All are the elements that make you, you. 

Have you ever said, “If it had not been for that person, experience or exposure, I would have never known.”  Right!  God’s best often comes through exposure, experience or people.  So be open, be available to accept the opportunity to learn and give yourself grace to grow and change.  You are amazing!  God made you that way, invest in yourself to discover your greater purpose. 

God is with you and through Him all things are possible!  As you learn your greater purpose, you'll discover amazing opportunities about you.  God knows, you're worth it!  

Tell me about how you're discovering your greater purpose.
Pastor Julie
​

Hello battle, you show up in different styles and deliveries.  Your timing is unexpected and your length is undetermined.  There are times I’m not even aware that you’re present until I pay attention and there are times that I know you’re about to visit me before I see any evidence of you. 

It is my declaration that you are not greater than the God that loves me and lives in me.  My God is able to keep me, protect me, nurture me and help me.  Through every trail, inconvenience, pain and disappointment.  Through every battle that rages against me, my eyes are on God. 

There’s purpose in the process of pain that you are not privy of.  So I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of my faith.  You are temporary, you are circumstantial, and you are not worthy of my focus.  For what shall separate me from the love of my Father?  Nothing!  Not even you battle, though your feeble attempts appears to be strong evidence at times, to doubt my God’s ability and love, I shall stand on the foundation of faith in my God. 

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you."
Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?”

I shall combat you with the truth of the Word of God.  I will continue to believe that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

​Pastor Julie