Friday, October 23, 2009

I dare you to "be still"

Today while in prayer at work, someone quoted Psalm 46:10,"Be still, and know that I am God". He asked that we just take a minute to be still.

Odd how that one minute felt like 1 hour. I tried to "be still" but thoughts of what I had to do today kept intersecting my meditative spirit. I didn't realize how hard it was to simply be still. Everytime I tried clearing my head of my thoughts and focus on who God is, I found myself fighting thoughts of busyness.

So, by the time the minute was over, I noticed I had spent that entire time fighting thoughts and trying to focus on others.

Why can't I just be still???

Even when I pray, I realize I'm thinking of everything else I need to pray for as I pray for something else. This is the madness in my head!

In this over saturated viral, networking, media infused world, it's hard to just stop it all and try to focus on nothing...except God. So I dare you, try to stop everything and simply "be still" and know that God is God.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Not of This World

My sister, Michelle, began studying at New World this fall with her major in Musical Theater. She's loved performing since she was young and is great at it, which is why it was no shocker to us when she was accepted.

Since the first week of school, she was immediately confronted about her faith in Jesus Christ. A teacher decided to have the students introduce themselves and what they believe in...odd...but I think it was just a great opportunity for Michelle to begin sharing her faith. Michelle's stance allowed other Christian students to feel confident in professing the same.

Last week, in a different class, each student was cast into a different play; Michelle was casted as a lesbian with another student as her lover. After class, she came up to the Professor and asked that she be given a different role. He said this has never happened before and that he'd have to discuss it with the Dean. There still has been no decision about what's going to happen, but Michelle is standing firm not because of "religion" but because playing that role goes against her faith in Jesus Christ. This isn't about being anti-gay, it's about not compromising to the world's standard of what they believe to be right.

As believers in Christ, we are not of this world.

Colossians 2:8-10 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."

Needless to say, she's been confronted with several spiritual encounters that have been difficult. But, I'm proud of my little sister and the strength the Lord has given her to be bold and a light in the midst of darkness. Please keep her in your prayers. I know the Lord has placed her in this place because of her love and passion for the arts as well as people.


Monday, October 5, 2009

Where's the fall?

I didn't even realize it's already fall...in fact, I thought it was Summer Part 2. I was watching the weather channel the other day and noticed that the rest of the country is starting to get a cold front in the 40s and 50s, some even in the 30s.

And where does Miami fall in that category? 80 degrees!!!

After moving to Tennessee last year, I experienced the Fall, followed by a freezing cold Winter, beautiful and long awaited Spring, and by Summer (a season I know too well) we moved back to South Florida. It was great experiencing the beauty of each season (some could've ended sooner...like winter)
Don't get me wrong, I love the sun and heat, but I'm ready to start wearing sweaters and jackets and enjoy my hot chocolate that has been stored up in my pantry for months. I miss going to harvest craft shows and seeing the leaves change colors.

I love living in Florida, but I guess there are some things that must be sacrificed as a result of living near the beach and being able to wear tank tops and shorts year round =p.

Lord, please send us some cold weather (for us Floridians, that's about 60 degrees)!