Diamond Necklace

For over a year now I've been involved in Recovery @ Grace Church as well as the step studies. I started as a participant and now lead in both. For those unfamiliar with our Recovery and step ministry, let me explain.

Recovery is a Christ-centered repentance an reconciliation ministry. My Pastor first introduced this ministry during the end of the year of 2009. He stated that everyone has something to recover from. Not just alcohol or drug addictions, but loss of a loved one, abuse, pride, envy...you get the idea. This is a place for anyone who is hurting or struggling with something holding them back from pursuing the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. It's a safe place to work through struggles. The people here are loving and accepting, with the goal of leaning on the Lord for truth and healing. We are not here to fix anyone, just simply a safe place where you can truly examine your heart.

Step study is also a safe place where you study the scripture while someone walks alongside you. It's 18 weeks and aims at identifying your struggles and learning to apply biblical truth as you embrace your new identity in Christ, Jesus. You are intensely involved in scripture daily through homework. You go through a personal inventory, one you work through with your sponsor. It's here I learned truth about myself and God's love for me.

Both have a non-specific, gender-specific groups. Both include biblical teaching, that has and continues to bless me tremendously. I continue to reap blessings by both these ministries. To watch the lives of others be touched by God is breathtaking. This weekend at our church picnic, 5 members of recovery and step were baptized.

Though these ministries I continue to struggle well in a safe place, I am blessed, and I, as a leader, continue to learn God's truth through those I serve.

This weekend, one of the women in my step group shared something I thought was absolutely beautiful. Spoke to my heart. a perfect example of how I learn through others.

Have you noticed a jeweler places a beautiful diamond necklace on a black cloth background? Have you ever heard the statement, "diamonds are a girl's best friend"? (Hold that thought).  The diamond necklace alone, we can all attest to it's beauty. But, once placed on the black background somehow it becomes far more radiant.

When we are in the midst of our brokenness, darkness overwhelms us (the black background), Jesus is the diamond! In our deepest darkest moments, Jesus, our best friend, radiates His light/beauty/love so brightly, we can't help but see truth and hope, feel love and acceptance. Even outside of our darkness, looking at Jesus, His light always radiates.

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what He has done has been done through God. John 3:21

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46

Don't Lie

For a little over a week now, these two words have echoed though my mind.

As a parent to five children, honesty one of many values I've tried to instill.


"Don't lie to me, you'll only get in deeper trouble".

"Don't lie, as one lie leads to another".

I realized that while truth is something I've stressed, I've also unintentionally encouraged my children, to lie.

How many of you with young children have heard them remark at one time or another something undesirable to someone and have unconsciously encouraged a lie? Young children are so honest, purely innocent, until we make it otherwise. They say things like...

"You have a fat belly, is there a baby in there?"

"Your butt jiggles when you walk."

"You smell funny, you need a bath."

When we hear our children say things like this, we shudder. And more often than not, in a round about way, we encourage lying. We tell our children they cannot say those things because it hurts their feelings, or "that's not nice". Our intent is to teach our children when it's important to "keep quiet". I'm not quite sure how it happens, but I think somewhere in raising our children we may unconsciously encourage lying. You know that "little white lie" won't hurt anyone. Keeping quite is by far better the better choice when truth may hurt someone. But lying, is clearly not the best option. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".

About a week ago, I told what I felt was a "little white lie". What I found out is...a lie is a lie!

Just as scripture tells us that to hate your brother is the same as murder, the Lord gently reminded me, through consequences...a "little white lie" is a lie...a sin.

At first, I truly believed lying was acceptable, as the outcome wouldn't change. I convinced myself that to lie even though the Spirit was convicting me otherwise.

As the Spirit revealed the error of my ways, I asked myself...

"Why did you lie"? Fear!
Fear of consequences and fear of retaliation towards an innocent person.

Fear birthed protection, protection birthed the lie.

Again, back to my children. I couldn't help but realize that in some circumstances, like me, their lie is from fear. Mostly, fear of consequences. I started re-examining my heart in this situation, as right before my very eyes, this one lie, began to snowball out of control. One lie, lead to another, then another...finally...CONFESSION!

I've always told my children, if you tell the truth your consequences won't be as severe. This doesn't mean there won't be consequences as a result of your wrong (sin).

Ephesians 5:13 But everything exposed by the light become visible.

Jesus is the light, and through the Holy Spirit, He exposed in me what's needed to change. Yes, there were consequences, but God is rich in mercy.

A few days later, my son and I were on our way to the orthodontist. He had lost a bracket, several days prior. They always lecture about the importance of coming in right away to get that taken care of. I don't like going back and forth to the orthodontist. In the car on the way, I told my son to tell them he just lost the bracket this morning. LIE! Immediately...the light! I couldn't believe I actually encouraged my teenage son to lie. Ugh! Yes, I did the right thing. But why a lie? There was no fear, I just didn't want to hear the lecture.

This was a wonderful moment for both my son and I. He got to witness how imperfect I am.  How I humbled and became obedient to the Lord. Most importantly, he saw the Lord's grace as we told the truth. There were no lectures.

For me, the most beautiful moment is; my son, who doesn't know the Lord, saw the Lord through me. Now that's awesome!!

Dancing to the Beat

This past weekend I had the opportunity to see my first 3D ultrasound of my newest granddaughter, Brooklyn. What an amazing thing to see...

When I think about God creating the heaven and earth, as I witness a sunrise or sunset, I'm absolutely awestruck. Then I saw Brooklyn...miraculous!!

For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13-14

Even now, as I look at this photo, my eyes well up with tears. Fearfully and wonderfully made...only God can do such a thing.

My grandson, Brayden was also in the room. There were some toys on the ground, and he was playing. The technician had asked if we wanted to hear the heartbeat...YES!

She turned up the volume, my grandson stood up and began to dance to his sister's heartbeat. I wish I had a camera to capture that moment! I tried to fight my tears...

Cherished!