When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

March 27, 2019 Gracie

Ordinary People

Do you have the good looks of a high fashion model?

The vocal talent of an American Idol?

Or, the superhuman strength of the world’s greatest bodybuilder?

Yea, me neither.

I guess by those standards, people like myself would be considered “ordinary.”

Do I Really Matter To God?

You matter to God

The word “ordinary” can have a negative connotation, kind of like you’re a “vanilla” instead of a ”Rocky Road.”

Let’s face it – being “ordinary” isn’t flashy.

But, you know what?

What the world considers “ordinary,” for a Christian, becomes extraordinary.

Do you know why?

Because God Himself, Who created you from the beginning, thinks you matter.

He created you, didn’t He?

Please consider this.

Your life matters to God and He has a purpose for it.

Wherever you are . . . right now . . . in your life.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:15-16, (ESV).

I Matter, But What’s Next?

We’re here on this earth to glorify God.

Not just on Sunday.

Your economic status, good looks, athletic ability, talent – those are all fine and good, but none of those have anything to do with your effectiveness for the Kingdom

Unless . . . you’re open about your faith when you’re receiving all of those accolades.

So what can we “ordinary” people bring to the table?

Bring your ordinary self and your heart for God.

Bring your prayerful heart and your willingness to reach out to others

and tell them about Jesus.

When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

Recently, I read a memorable quote from Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest America that addresses this very thing.

God isn’t looking for talented people, gifted people, or handsome people. I’m not saying that He won’t use those people. But God is looking for available people, and He can do a lot with a little. He can do extraordinary things through very ordinary people. God uses ordinary people to change the world. – Greg Laurie, Harvest Devotion.

Please be encouraged. You may not always see the results of your faith-sharing, but in Heaven you will know.

Pray for those opportunities.

Not that long ago, I had one of those unexpected and grace-filled opportunities. It came right out of the blue. I was able to share my faith and testimony, uninterrupted, with someone. It was a powerful moment and I’ll never forget it.

I know the Holy Spirit will take it from there with this dear person . . . in God’s providential timing.

Call On Jesus

Friends – you are not ordinary in the eyes of God.

We have work to do!

Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Nicole Mullen, performed a song several years ago that comes to mind. When I first heard it, I was drawn to the encouraging lyrics and the pretty melody.

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** Quotation from Pastor Greg Laurie, Bible teacher, pastor, and author. From Harvest.org, “Ordinarily Useful.” Online Devotion. Accessed March 24, 2019. https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/ordinarily-useful/

Our Exceptional God

A Film Of Hope Mercy And Grace

March 20, 2019 Gracie

Let’s Go To The Movies

a film of hope mercy and grace

How about a movie date?

Are you free Friday, March 29th or maybe sometime that weekend?

I hope so.

You don’t want to miss the new movie, “UNPLANNED” showing at your local theaters.

Unfortunately, the film may not be in the theaters for too long, so please be on the lookout.

A Film of Hope Mercy and Grace

So what is the “UNPLANNED” film about?

It’s the true story of Abby Johnson, a former clinic director of Planned Parenthood, who walked away from that organization once she witnessed for herself the whole shocking truth of abortion procedures.

The movie is brought to you by Pure Flix Entertainment.

You may remember Pure Flix also produced the popular 2014 film, “God’s Not Dead.”

Make no mistake. This is an emotional film, and the subject matter is vital.

Could this film be any more timely, considering the horrific infanticide legislation passed in New York?

I’m still in shock over that. This legislation is an example of pure evil, and so easily embraced by those politicians who care more about winning elections than the lives of those babies – babies created by God Himself.

new life created by God Himself

UNPLANNED Film Rating

You may be wondering why “UNPLANNED” was given an “R” rating. It doesn’t contain any sex or nudity according to the film’s producer.

I have yet to see a logical explanation for this, especially considering that what’s shown in movies and on mainstream television now is – in many cases and in my opinion, actually offensive.

Courage Under Fire

Ashley Bratcher is a courageous woman. I couldn’t end this blog post without saying how much I admire this actress who portrays Abby Johnson in the film.

I watched her interview on Fox News and was so appreciative of her courage. The actress has a touching back story as well.

God had plans for her as He does for all of us.

Much respect.

I hope you get a chance to see this meaningful film of hope and grace.

Don’t forget to bring some Kleenex.

# # #

God Created The Stars

March 13, 2019 Gracie

Star Light, Star Bright – God Created The Stars

Have you ever walked outside at night and noticed the beautiful moon and the stars?

No human artist can paint the day and night skies like God can.

What a gift He has given us!

It’s like we’re getting a little glimpse of Heaven.

How many can you count?

I dare not even try, they are so numerous.

Every star is unique, just like the flakes of snow that blanket the landscape during winter, and the grains of sand beneath our feet when we walk on the beach.

Unique, just like you and me.

We are created by God for His master plan, some day to be revealed to the whole world in all of its glory.

⁴¹There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. – 1 Cor 15:41, NASB.

We Are Never Truly Alone

God loves you and me, and praise God, we’re never truly alone.

He is the Master Author of our lives, our Creator God.

Elizabeth Hexberg, a fellow Christian writer, captures this truth well in one of her poems.

I’m happy to share it here with you.

by Elizabeth Hexberg
06/08/13

A thousand stars are shining.
All clouds have silver lining.
I know my God is with me,
in everything I do.

I know He is the reason,
for every single season.
I know His Will is perfect,
and all my heart is His.

I know I sometimes leave Him.
Tested to believe Him,
Dear Lord I’m only human
and give my best to You.

So in my imperfection,
I pray God for direction.
Forgive me all misgivings,
it is Your heart I’m living.

and Jesus tells me, keep the Faith.
Be still and let things go.
I wrote the story of your life
and always Love you so.

There may be mountains yet to climb.
There may be times of drought,
but I am with you through it all,
and I will lead you out.

Trust in me with all your heart.
listen with your soul.
Did I not string the heavens
and die to make you whole.

The broken can be mended.
The blind will one day see.
All you ever need to do,
is give it all to me.

A thousand stars are shining.
All clouds have silver lining,
I know my God is with me,
In everything I do.

# # #

**Poetry shared from article url: https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=185177

Our Exceptional God

The Battle Is Already Won

March 6, 2019 Gracie

When Animals Attack

Did you ever watch the TV show, “I Was Prey”?

It aired on the Animal Planet Network a couple of years ago.

Considering the show’s title, I’m sure you can imagine what it was about.

A wild and dangerous animal attacks an unsuspecting person, and he or she may (or may not) make it out alive.

The show was scary and captivating at the same time.

Each episode was a vivid reminder that we should never completely let our guard down when we’re in the great outdoors.

Don’t Touch A Dead Snake!

We are vulnerable, but not defenseless Out of all of the scenes on “I Was Prey”, there was one that really stuck out in my mind and sparked some interesting conversations afterward.

During the episode, Tennessee firefighter Kyle Watson and his family were out having a fun day hiking in the woods.

Along the trail, they came upon a rattlesnake. Kyle killed the snake and cut it in half to make sure it was dead.

He wanted to show it to his kids and then move it off the trail to protect other hikers. As he bent down to retrieve the dead snake, the severed head reared up and bit him on the finger.

A severed snake head, seemingly harmless at that point, was still able to bite.

Eek! Creeps me out.

I had to look it up and sure enough, it’s not all that uncommon.

Vulnerable, But Not Defenseless

You don’t have to be hiking on a wooded trail to suffer the bite from a serpent.

I’m talking about life for us as Christians.

None of us are immune from spiritual attacks by the devil.

The adversary is alive and well today, just as he was in back in Jesus’ day.

In the Bible, 1 Peter 5: 8-11 says this:

⁸Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:8-11, (ESV).

The Battle Is Already Won

Satan is a cunning liar.

He will tempt you to doubt God’s love and he will reinforce any insecurities you’re having about yourself and your relationships. He’ll also try to convince you that God doesn’t care.

But we, dear Christians, know better.

The battle is already won.

We don’t belong to the Enemy.

We have a Champion – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Fire will rain down from Heaven and the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity.

Please remember this: the devil hates your prayers.

If you’re in the midst of a spiritual attack, put on your spiritual armor and pray.

Our Father in Heaven will hear you.

the battle is already won

Amen to that!

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**A.W. Tozer quotation, as quoted from Christian quotes.info

Our Exceptional God

Bethany Hamilton – A Survivor Story of Inspiration and Courage

February 28, 2019 Gracie

Bethany Hamilton – A Survivor Story Of Inspiration And Courage

Bethany Hamilton – inspiration and courage

*Photo courtesy of: Mike Coots

Did you ever see the movie “Soul Surfer”?

What a great movie!

It’s the true story of 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton, an up-and-coming professional surfer who lost her left arm when she was attacked by a shark.

What I admire about Bethany is that, even with the emotions of her loss and the intense pain she suffered from her injuries, she never gave up.

She refused to let this life-changing setback in her teen years define the rest of her life.

Even though “Soul Surfer” came out in 2011, it’s still available on Amazon.

I still watch it occasionally because it’s so uplifting and inspiring.

What Is Bethany Hamilton Doing Today?

Bethany is happily married now with two children.

She remains a champion in every sense of the word, and continues to use her testimony to encourage others.

From her website:

No, I’m not perfect. And Yes, I have crazy hard days and times in my life, but I’m rooted in my faith and the truths of God. This is how I know that whatever huge life waves or gnarly challenges come my way, the Lord is with me and on my side.
Because of Him, I am Unstoppable. – Bethany Hamilton. [Blog post]. Retrieved from Aloha! I’m Bethany/About/ n.d., para. 100.

Pretty amazing, right?!

I follow Bethany on social media and love to see her posts.

Recently, I watched one of her videos that really touched my heart. It’s about her “Beautifully Flawed” campaign.

Please watch, and you’ll see what I mean.

Who Defines “Beautiful?”

We shouldn’t let Hollywood and the media define what’s “beautiful.”

God does.

He created you and me because He loves us.

Here’s how the Apostle John describes God’s everlasting love in the Bible.

³ See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. – 1 John 3:1 NASB

Remember that feeling you had when you find out that your someone special loves you? God’s love is eternally more wonderful than that, way beyond comparison.

I hope Bethany’s triumph over tragedy will inspire you to take your own testimony to others.

Signups for the 2019 Beautifully Flawed retreat is underway until April 30.

If you know a young lady who has lost a limb and would love to be a part of this unforgettable program, please visit the Friends of Bethany Hamilton website for more information.

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*Bethany Hamilton photo courtesy of: Mike Coots, via BethanyHamilton.com.
*Scripture quotation is from New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Our Exceptional God

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