​I like to have a plan. I like rules, I like deadlines, I like knowing exactly what is expected of me. Yep, I am a rule follower (in most instances).

​I think my sway to that side came because I spent so much of my life breaking the rules, that now, I see the benefit in simply doing what I am told. Don't get me wrong, I can be stubborn and walk my own way when it suits me, but over all, rules and guidelines make me feel safe and productive. 

The other thing that I like is the Word of God, the freedom in brings, it's power over the law and it's pathway to freedom... totally opposite of the rule keeper that I am. It's Grace.

As I sit and take time reading and praying the Word of God over my life, I enjoy the regiment of daily reading as given to me through one of the many apps that I use. Sometimes, as it did today, it gave me 5 passages to read and I fully planed on reading them all, but I couldn't. I simply could not adhere to the plan. Not because of rebellion, but because of freedom.

I had planned to read the first 5 chapters of Job, but after the first chapter, I simply could not go on. I was frozen. Yes, frozen in a chapter that I have read before....many times. Yet, still, there I was frozen in the reality of what I just read and I could process no more. 

I found myself asking the question.."Is this guy for real?"..."did this really happen?" and already knowing the answer, hearing my spirit confirm what I already knew to be true. Yes, this is real, Yes, this happened and Yes, I want you to learn from it.

You see, in the first chapter of Job, Satan is allowed, by God, to stretch out his hand against the Lord's faithful servant, Job. And stretch it out, he does. Job in a moments time looses his oxen, donkeys, servants, sheep, camels and his children. Three different survivors from the three different incidents all arrived one after the other to break the news to Job. 

I have to imagine if that was me receiving this news, I would be in a state of shock and disbelief. But, what does Job do? He tore his robe, shaved his head and fell down and worshipped God!

WHAT? Where is the fist shaking, where is the "This is not fair, God!" Where is the yelling at God that He got it wrong? No, Job fell down and worshipped God and said "Naked, I came from my mother's womb and naked I shall return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

And there I was frozen. Frozen as I tried to imagine what my response would be. I hear so many times people saying, "It's ok to be angry with God, He can handle it. You can yell at Him, He's God, He's tough." Yet, this example of a man who lost all of his possessions and his own children...Yes, his children, was to fall down and worship God and bless His name acknowledging that it was all given and ultimately all allowed to be taken away by the hand of God. And to that, Job then blesses His Holy name.

May I, as I walk through life, through trial and heart wrenching loss, through times when things do not go according to my plan or expectations, be prepared to fall down and worship. And as I fall, may I bless the name of the Lord, His holy name. 

I have always loved singing this song, but as I grow closer to the Lord, with each and every breath, the more powerful this song becomes to me. Will you sing along with me as we prepare for that time when we too may have to fall down and worship Him as His outstretched arm returns what He has so graciously given to us on loan unto Himself.

You can listen below or you can buy the whole album on my site.

Blessed Be The Name of The Lord!

February has me back out on the road... And I am LOVING it. It's tiring, exhausting, my sleep is disrupted, I miss my husband, I fall off the wagon trying to eat healthy, I don't get enough water and I get too much coffee (not that that's a bad thing-I LOVE coffee), I get coughed on at every airport I'm in, my back gets all jacked up from flying... shall I go on?

With all of that, why do I love it so much? It's because of the people I meet, the stories I hear and the honor of seeing lives change.

This past weekend was so exception. I'm just going to jump into two quick stories.

First, a women who was passed a "random" Compassion International Child Sponsorship packet to hold shared with me that her son, who passed away, had married a women from the Philippines and his birthday was in December.

When she received a packet of a little boy from the Philippines who shared the exact same birthday as her deceased son, SHE KNEW it was not by chance and so she responded by committing to support, pray and encourage this young boy. It blows my mind!

Second, another women came up to me and shared that through the words I spoke (honestly, I have no clue what I say half the time..but, God!) God used those words to speak to her. You see, she was struggling and had a bag packed by the door and she was ready to walk out. But instead, after the ASPIRE event, she was going home to unpack the bag and put in the work with the grace and strength that the Lord would give her.

That's GOD!

So yes, while being on the road each weekend, jumping from plane to plane, sleeping in different hotels each night and missing my family is difficult, I count it as a privilege to answer the call that God has placed on my life.

My question for you is this: What is God calling you to do? I'm NOT asking "What do you want to do?" I am asking you "What is GOD calling you to do?"

Whatever it is, wherever it is, DO IT! Go! Don't hesitate!

"From Paul—an apostle [chosen] not by any group or individual but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who brought him back to life —and all the believers who are with me." Galatians 1:1-2