A Missionary Here at Home

Can You Be a Missionary Here at Home?

Yes, you most certainly can!

I used to be confused about that myself until, over the years, I came to understand that God will call you where He wants you to be. It may be overseas, or it may be as a missionary here at home. God is calling you to spread His message of salvation through Jesus Christ, and it doesn’t matter where you live.

Our Courageous Brothers and Sisters in Christ

There’s no doubt, the brave men and women who work in the foreign mission field are doing God’s work. They are working tirelessly right there on the front lines, with family in tow, planting seeds for the Kingdom and helping to lead people to Christ.

missionary here at homeI admire foreign missionaries more than I can say. It takes a special person to take the training and learn the culture to be able to acclimate abroad. Many of these missionaries risk their lives every day. They gladly accept the risks, including facing religious persecution and death, to spread the gospel.

But, what if you can’t travel right now? Is missionary work strictly a “ticket overseas” kind of thing? Not at all. In fact, God has endowed all of us with spiritual gifts which we can use for His kingdom no matter where we are. It could be overseas, it could be here in the U.S., it could even be at your place of work during your lunch hour.

*If we give God service it must be because He gives us grace. We work for Him because He works in us. – Christian pastor, Charles Spurgeon.

Blessed Giving

Opening your checkbook and donating to missions is a great thing. That’s being a good financial steward. But, if you can also discover your spiritual gifts and use them in a way to bring glory to God, then you’re in the mission field God has chosen just for you.

These are just a few of the many possible examples:

  • Volunteer at a local organization that clothes and feeds the needy and demonstrates God’s love.
  • Become an ESL teacher. Use that wonderful opportunity to break through the language barrier and share Christ’s love.
  • Establish a college campus ministry to support other Christian students in public universities.
  • Use your gift as a musician or vocalist to perform songs that glorify God, especially to our nation’s youth.
  • Start a Bible study for co-workers during your lunch hour.
  • Encourage others through social media.
  • Anonymously buy a meal at a restaurant for someone, for example, a soldier, an elderly person, or a cancer patient.
  • Write articles, a novel, or a screenplay that honors God and reaches a dying world.
  • Share your testimony, especially with a lost friend or neighbor.
  • Hand out gospel tracts in a busy downtown area.
  • Sponsor a child overseas or here at home.

sharing faithIf you are actively sharing your faith with others, then you’re working in a mission field. Don’t feel discouraged if you’re not able to travel with a missionary team. Your mission field doesn’t have to be overseas. It can be where you are right now. We must all look for those opportunities where we can talk about our delight in God with the world.

God will bless you for it!

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*Charles Spurgeon quotation, public domain, as quoted from ChristianQuotes.info.

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The Movie, “Risen”

The Movie, “Risen”

Have you seen the promos for the movie, “Risen?”

It looks like it could be pretty good. I’ve checked local theaters and it appears that, unfortunately, the movie is only being offered on a limited release. For instance, in our hometown, it’s just showing this weekend. I don’t understand that, but I really hope folks turn out to support it. We as Christians need to show Hollywood we want more movies the whole family can see.

Here’s a clip released from Sony Pictures for “Risen,”

I haven’t seen the movie yet or even a promotional copy, but I’m hoping for the best and that the film’s producers have created a believable story line.

I love this verse from Scripture

I’ve read the passages in the Bible about the death and resurrection of Jesus. One verse that always come back to mind is this one from Luke 23:47-48, NASB.

* 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

The movie RisenThe centurion praised God! A Roman officer witnessed the horrific events of the Cross and then he praised God.

To praise means to “admire and commend.”

That is so huge and one of the gold nuggets in the Bible that I like to think about. Jesus was experiencing a violent death and yet God’s only Son prayed for His enemies who had nailed Him to the Cross. Jesus also welcomed a repentant thief, also hanging on a cross, into the eternal kingdom that was to come.

JesusCan you imagine the centurion, a non-believer standing guard at the Cross, hearing those precious words of forgiveness from our Lord at a time of His greatest agony?

I try to put myself in his place.

What was going through the centurion’s mind? Perhaps,

No! This can’t be happening.
This man is innocent.
Oh Lord, forgive me.

I get chills.

God bless you this week.

*Bible verse taken from New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

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Rising Above Life’s Storms: Austin and Lindsey Adamec

Rising Above Life’s Storms: Austin and Lindsey Adamec                    

I can’t wait for Austin and Lindsey Adamec’s new album to come out. I recently heard an advance promotional copy and I think their new self-titled EP from Radiate Music is incredible. Their vocals are simply beautiful. The Adamecs There are six songs on the album. The lyrics of every song are heartfelt jewels of encouragement reminding us that God wants none of us to perish and that, with our heartfelt prayers, He will walk with us through every one of life’s storms.

This extremely gifted husband and wife team have dedicated their impressive musical talents to sharing God’s word through song. My favorite song on the album is, “Lost In You.” You can hear an excerpt of it in the video above. The guitar intro and soft harmonies lead the listener along a tranquil path. Sometimes I need that, just to hear a soothing song during the day.

Mysteries unraveling, hope that’s everlasting,

safe in the unknowing is where I want to be.

I’m lost in You, I’m lost in You.

Do you need encouragement? Are you facing a difficult challenge? This song affirms the real peace that comes when we are walking with God. He is always present, just a prayer away, when we put our trust in Him.

It Is Finished

Another favorite song of mine is “It Is Finished.”

A war was waged inside of Heaven,

a war the enemy has lost,

a war that ended with a sentence,

it is finished on the cross.

I love that! There is power, awesome power, in the name of Jesus. Through Him alone we will have the final victory. Spiritual attacks come into our lives, but remember that victory is ours. We must keep our focus and persevere in Jesus’ name.  When our hearts are heavy, we can shout it to our souls, “It is finished on the Cross!”

Rising Above Life’s Storms With Austin and Lindsey Adamec

Austin and Lindsey Adamec have weathered many storms in their own lives. In the beginning of their relationship, their busy schedules often kept them apart. Lindsey’s cup was already full as one of the talented singer/songwriters of 1 Girl Nation and Austin was burning the midnight oil as a singer and songwriter.

“With endless nights away from each other on the road and a growing whisper in our hearts to root ourselves back in the local church, we were desperate for signs in Scripture that pointed to such a crazy blind faith to step out into the unknown. That’s when the familiar passage of Peter walking on water came to us. In the midst of a massive storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus tells Peter to ‘come’ and walk out on the storm-battered waters,” 1 says Austin.

The reminder of Peter’s stormy encounter with Jesus marked a renewed commitment for the couple. They faced their challenges head on with fervent prayer and an unshakable faith. Austin and Lindsey AdamecThey decided to take a different path, become a duo, and the resulting album is a testimony to their beautiful story. I love that they are celebrating God’s faithfulness for the world to see. I hope their album will be a huge success. The album drops on March 29. For more information, you can find their website here: austinandlindseyadamec.com. They also have a Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/Austin-and-Lindsey-Adamec-461601650710092/ I hope you get a chance to check them out. Love and blessings to you!

[1] Single quotation from Hoganson Media Relations. (2016). Austin and Lindsey bio. [Press release}. From http://www.austinandlindseyadamec.com/about/

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Kids Parties and Palm Readings

Kids Parties and Palm Readings go together like …

Ughhh, you read that right.

parties for kidsNever would I have believed those two activities would be thrown together if I hadn’t heard about it for myself on a recent shopping trip.

I had picked out a few things at the store and then got into the checkout line to pay for my purchases. I was standing behind a lady who was buying a bunch of pink-colored items for her young daughter’s birthday party.

Cute, right?

I thought so.

The mom was excited as she was telling the clerk about her little girl’s upcoming celebration. There would be cupcakes and ice cream.

And then this…

My ears perked up at the mention of a “palm reader.”

Huh?

little girl birthday partyApparently, the mom decided to surprise the party girls with a palm reader, complete with tarot cards. She was almost gushing at her idea to get these little girls engaged in this practice so they could hear all about their “future.”

It made me sad.

I didn’t say anything, but I was thinking: Really, mom? Do the other parents know what you have planned for their daughters? Might as well include a ouija board while you’re at it.

Nothing like exposing young, impressionable children to the dark side early.

It certainly can be spiritually harmful to those impressionable young girls.

Out of all of the adorable birthday themes she could have chosen to celebrate her child’s life with, she chose palm readings and tarot cards.

An Issue For Parents to Consider

Here’s a question every parent should think about: when your child or grandchild is invited to a party, do you know what the theme is or what activities are planned?

You need to ask questions in today’s world. You can no longer assume that the other parents have sense enough to follow your Christian values of what’s acceptable or not.

If I had a young daughter and she was invited to a birthday party, you can bet I’d be finding out what the party’s theme is. If that would make me an “uncool” parent – so be it.

Parents, this is your child and you have the right to make an excuse and decline an invite if a certain type of party is not in your child’s best interests.

Isn’t it enough that this generation’s young eyes are continually being exposed to blood-sucking vampires, gratuitous sex, hookups, and violence on TV? In fact, there’s been an uptick in movies and television shows where the dark side is portrayed in a sympathetic and romantic light. Remember the Twilight Saga? Yuck. Was that a healthy relationship for kids to see? I think not. The hysteria over that series was sad to me.

The hysteria over the “50 Shades” movie was also sad to me. Do people realize that they’re setting a terrible example when they support and brag about seeing junk like that?

Pastor Charles Spurgeon

We are daughters of the King.

Why romanticize a film like that trash? Doesn’t anyone say “No” anymore? You may lose some friends over it, but it’s worth it if you can clean yours and your child’s brain of this anti-God junk.

Parental Guidance is Crucial

Teach your children to put their trust in God, not some fake cards. By the way, I saw an ad offering a lesson for people to learn how to “read” (I use that term lightly) tarot cards and earn $20 an hour at parties.

Parents, your children are looking to you for guidance. You have to take a bold and courageous stand when it involves your family. Be strong in your Biblical convictions. You have a choice of what your children are exposed to as long as they’re living in your household. Forget the social pressure of “anything goes and you have to be their friend.” Does the Bible say that? No. You are their parent!! God gave you that precious life as a gift.

The most loving thing you can do is say “No” on behalf of your child if something they could be exposed to is not appropriate. Don’t be afraid of a secular society, media bias, and political leaders who ultimately want your child to push God away.evil prowlng aroundThis is a spiritual battle. Don’t give a leg up to those who want to lie and infect young minds early. Evil in all of its forms is prowling around every day looking to devour your child, your marriage, and your family.

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*Charles Spurgeon quotation, public domain and as quoted from Christian quotes.info

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TobyMac’s Latest Tour Shines Bright In Dallas

TobyMac Tour Shines Bright in the Big D

Hands down, my best birthday present ever was getting to see TobyMac in concert…and getting to meet him.

I’m a huge fan and the tour for his latest album, the Grammy-nominated, “This Is Not A Test,” was already on my radar. I could hardly contain my excitement when I found out that my husband’s birthday surprise included a meet-and-greet with the artist himself.

TobyMac selfie

Backstage With TobyMac

Going backstage pre-concert was a thrill that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I wasn’t the only one on cloud 9. My husband and I were standing in the meet-and-greet line behind a dad and his two young daughters. I asked one of them which song off the album was her favorite and she said, “All of them!”

Toby was gracious to everyone and accommodating of each selfie request. When it was my turn, I got the prized photo above, plus Toby wished me a “Happy Birthday.”

Sweet!

The Verizon Theater in Dallas was packed with concert goers of all ages and the excitement was contagious.

The lineup included some impressive talent, namely, Colton Dixon, Hollyn, and Britt Nicole.

Some brief words about these other artists:

Hollyn sings

Hollyn was amazing and I love her musical collaborations with Toby. She has a powerful voice and I have no doubt she’ll be someone to watch in the world of Christian music.

A song from Colton Dixon

You may remember Colton Dixon as a former American Idol finalist. His driving rhythms had the crowd rocking from the first few seats all the way up to the rafters. I could actually feel his music in my chest.

I’ve seen him in interviews. He’s a sweet guy with a passion for sharing the message of Christ through his God-honoring lyrics. I’m grateful there are artists like Colton whose music appeals to a whole new generation of fans who are searching for meaning in a reckless world.

Britt Nicole charms the audience

Britt Nicole was a delight. She has more energy than any female recording artist I’ve ever seen on stage. Girl’s got some moves! A highlight was when she walked down into the audience and took selfies with young kids during her songs.

Toby Mac-netizes The Crowd With Unforgettable Hooks and a Dynamic Stage Presence

There was a short curtain glitch before TobyMac and DiverseCity came on. Once the curtain was righted, the crowd erupted in a loud roar as my new friend Toby (emphasis mine) came out on stage waving a huge white banner singing, “Til The Day I Die.”

opening number for TobyMac

You could safely say that every song he sang received a standing ovation from start to finish. We didn’t sit down once  🙂

I love his new album and, of course, I have my favorite songs already. He’s hit it out of the park again with “This Is Not a Test” – electrifying, heart-pumping rhythms that give you the irresistible urge to jump up and dance like no one’s watching.

TobyMac tour

Here are some thoughts on my faves:

Backseat Driver (Feat. Hollyn & Tru) – First off, let me mention, if you didn’t already know, Tru is Toby’s son. The title of this song and the catchy lyrics? Well, pure genius. Aren’t we all backseat drivers to God’s direction at one time or another? We want things our way, otherwise, we want God out of the way. This song emphasizes that our desire should be to let God be God and give control to Him.

Check out this official lyric video for the song, BackSeat Driver.

Aren’t We All Control Freaks At Times?

How many of us want to take over, take the wheel, take God out of the circumstances of our lives? In our moments of self-absorption, we sometimes think that we are actually in control. This is a song about surrendering everything to God and resting in the knowledge that He knows what’s best for us.

Lights Shine Bright (Feat. Hollyn) – Hollyn’s soulful vocals do not disappoint on this song. It begins with a whisper then builds to the unforgettable refrain.

Feel It (Feat. Mr. Talkbox) – this is another favorite. Like most of Toby’s songs, this is a high energy tune with empowering lyrics that embrace the spirit of our faith – that no matter what, Christ is all we need.

Move (Keep Walkin’)– If unanswered prayers have you feeling down, this song serves as a battle cry and important reminder to keep pushing forward because we have the promise of eternal victory through Christ. The lyrics are a battle cry really, with precise rhythms like what you might expect of soldiers marching into battle.

Undeniable – The lyrics to Undeniable are beautiful. Here’s a sample:

You’re the bright and morning star,

but still You speak to my heart.

Undeniable, You are,

You are.

God is on His throne above, Lord of all, and yet He speaks to our hearts and knows our names. His signature is on everything. It’s like a prayer. I love the addition of the youth choir singing at the end of this song.

TobyMac Just Keeps Getting Better and Better

The Hits Deep Tour is scheduled to begin in early February. You can find his latest tour dates on his website, http://tobymac.com/announcing-hits-deep-tour-2016/

TobyMac in Dallas

God bless!

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