The Unlikely Missionary

Ain't nothing special about me. I'm just like you. I struggle. I get mad. I cuss from time to time. People piss me off. I have bad days. I doubt. I love. I laugh. I cry. I drink a  little every now and then. I love coffee. My kids and husband are my heart. The only difference is that when God sees me instead of my sin, He sees the blood of Jesus. I think people think that when you get saved you become perfect. That is a crock of bull! I will never be perfect. However, when I am in the midst of all that life brings I am never walking it alone. Jesus is always walking with me. There is comfort in knowing that I don't walk alone. I still am a sinner and always will be. My salvation doesn't stop my sinning, it allows me access to God in spite of my sin. I am not immune to bad things happening. Good things do not magically happen to me all the time. I am not rich and I am not happy all the time. All I did was accept God's gift of forgiveness and salvation. I've latch

The earth was new, a great frontier The perfect place to spread his fear So satan set up shop to draw them in Bright lights to display all his wares "Come on in, forget your cares" That devil knew just how to package sin People came from far and wide Not a guilty soul denied But before they knew they'd been deceived They'd step inside and never leave They said his eyes were black as coal His voice a shudder to the soul He preyed upon the broken and the proud He told them they were lost for good No one loved them and who would Before too long he owned that fallen town And from inside the gates they'd wail: Who can save us from this hell? And as their hopes turned into tears He laughed and all his demons stood and cheered Then down a dirt road from the east Came one, they said, could slay the beast But did not fight with bullets or a sword They called him Mercy and at his side A thousand angels chose to ride And a

Its easy to feel like you are a slave to your circumstances. Not too long ago I was feeling that way and sitting in it. Being weighed down by despair, pity, disappointment, anger, frustration. Allowing those things to poison my mind and spirit. And then I made the choice to be free. My situation hasn't changed but my outlook, my response, the way I live in that situation has. I've chosen freedom. God has set you free. Jesus died so that you can be free and the Father gives you the opportunity to choose to accept that freedom or live in captivity. We have bought the lie that Satan says that we don't have a choice. That there is no way to live victorious even in the worst of circumstances. It is his way to limit our power. He knows that if we get caught up in what we can see and lose hope he has effectively halted our growth, our praise, our worship, our ability to be resilient. He knows that if we let joy, hope, passion, praises, gratefulness, optimism to bubble up ins

HALLELUJAH! The gates and doors were barred  And all the windows fastened down  I spent the night in sleeplessness  And rose at every sound  Half in hope of sorrow  And half in fear the day  Would find the soldiers breakin' through  To drag us all away  And just before the sunrise  I heard something at the wall  The gate began to rattle  And a voice began to call  I hurried to the window  Looked down into the street  Expecting swords and torches  And the sound of soldiers' feet  But there was no one there but Mary  So I went down to let her in  John stood there beside me  As she told me where she'd been  She said they've moved Him in the night  And none of us know where  The stone's been rolled away  And now His body isn't there  We both ran towards the garden  Then John ran on ahead  We found the stone and empty tomb  Just the way that Mary said  But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in 

What a week I had last week! I’m just glad I didn’t have to go through it alone. Each day and every step of the way God was there. My kids were sick, I helped a friend in need, and my husband had a flare of his pericarditis. It was the scariest one yet. And in my fear I had to stay calm to help Him and not frighten our babies. I only got through it by God’s grace and mercy. Life is but a vapor. But each day that open our eyes is God giving us another chance to get it right. It’s another chance for me to look at the beautiful faces of my husband, son and daughter and tell God thank you that you got me to this point so that I can have this moment. We don’t always get it right but God always gives us a reset. A day. Fresh grace. New mercy. My life is far from all the way together and there are days I struggle but God is ALWAYS good and I will be fine. I write this as I bask in the glory of the new mercy God has bestowed on me today. I am thankful. The Unlikely Missionary 

Trust me  Though you can't see  You can trust me  The way may be steep  You can trust me  Let me lead...trust me 

People only ask where God is when bad things happen. Why didn’t He stop the flood, the death, the ?  He could have. But life is full of good and bad. If God interfered in everything we would complain about that too. God created us to be people of choice. Our lives are a series of decisions most of which we make and some that others make that affect us. Either way we have to deal with the consequences. At the end of the day, no matter the outcome - good or bad- God is a good God. He wants what is best for us and often times we go through what we go through so that we can get to where God wants us to be. Look at Jonah for the example. He had to endure being in the belly of a fish in order to get it right. Mary and Martha lost their brother Lazarus in order to truly learn the power of God. We go through things not as punishment but as preparation. Our response is key. My response to hardship in my life is awful! I hate conflict, I hate not being in control of my circumstances a

🎵The Great I Am, I worship You With reverence I stand In awe of You I love this song because it is so worshipful and it reminds me that there is NOTHING that can separate me from my Savior. 🎵Where can I go from Your spirit,Where can I flee from You If I go up to the Heavens, I lie in the depths, You're there too No matter our circumstances I am comforted in knowing that God knew me before I was born, that He living formed me in my mother's womb and my life including my choices are not a surprise to Him. 🎵You created my inmost being Before I was born You thought me I'm fearfully and wonderfully made And I praise Your name Finally, I'm so blessed that God looks at my heart when so many only look at who they think am I am. God know who I am. 🎵Search me O God, and know my heart Test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any offensive way In me Lead me into the path of Life

John 9 -Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind Don't you just hate when people make assumptions about your life and your situation and they really have no idea what they are talking about? Most, myself included would answer yes.  Then why do we do it to others? Over the last 2 years I have learned intimately how painful it is to br condemned by others who are on the outside of your situation. And I have thought to myself how has my judgemental assumptions hurt others? Why wasn't I more loving? Why was telling them all that was wrong more important than meeting their need? In the story of the man born blind, the first thing that people focused on was what was the reason he was born blind. Jesus's response, there is no reason. And truthfully the reason doesn't matter because it's and opportunity for God to show up and reveal His power and love. Often times we are like the people in this parable. We are always wondering what the person did wrong to become "bl

Falling Into You - Hillsong Young & Free Chorus I'm falling into you Cause no one's gonna Love me like you do (alright) I've got nothing to lose So I can't stop, won't stop Falling into you (alright) The Unlikely Missionary

I used to think, quite arrogantly in fact, that I was doing all the things I did at church because if I didn't who else would? At the time of course I didn't see it as arrogance but really it is. Who did I think I was? God doesn't need me to keep His church open. He doesn't need me to lead worship, or sing solos, or preach, or ANYTHING. He doesn't need me. He wants me but He doesn't need me. God's Word has existed way before I got here. The message of His love has existed for centuries, generations and it has spread and saved millions way before I was even a thought. And it will continue on once I'm gone. But I NEED God. I need the Holy Spirit. I need the saving grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I need the presence of the Lord like I need air. He didn't need me to sing solos but I needed to sing the Word of the Lord for myself. To remind me of His goodness, His love; to be met by God and experience God on this deeper level. It's not un

Today we celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. No one, except Jesus knew what was to come in just a week's time. I can imagine the excitement, and fanfare. It was Passover, Jesus was the promised Savior. People were excited and it was contagious. I woke up today so happy and grateful. I had just been sick the night before and it landed me in the hospital. I was so grateful to God to be alive and well at home. For his healing, for the beautiful day, for the sunshine, for my family. I was rejoicing as many did this day so long ago. The savior had come and all was right in the world. We should wake up everyday rejoicing. We have life and breath. We have another day to get it right. The savior is alive and He loves you. No matter what, each day is a new blessing from God, the opportunity to get to know Him in a deeper way. Next Sunday has way more pomp and circumstance than today does but today is a reason to celebrate nonetheless. Today, we recognized Jesus as King! Our h

To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored. Isaiah 61:3 I write this today because it has been bothering me this week how people try to justify people's pain with the sovereignty of God. Just this week a senator tried to imply that rape and incest could be part of God's will for someones life because God is sovereign and He can use any circumstance. First of all, that is a crock of CRAP ! Yes, God is sovereign but He would never, Ever, EVER will us harm. His Word clearly says that His plans for us are good and NOT evil to bring us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Rape and incest are evil and are not of God so to insinuate that to get an abortion bill passed is sinful and God will deal with that senator. Seco

He's able! Worship Him today! The Unlikely Missionary DHW

I love You Lord  And I lift my voice  To worship You  O my soul rejoice  Take joy my King  In what You hear  May it be a sweet sweet sound  In Your ear 1978, 1980 House Of Mercy Music  (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) The Unlikely Missionary DHW

It was a rough night for me last night. I hold a lot of things in because I don't trust many people with my heart. So when I do and then it is stomped on something rises in my that makes me lash out. Then when its all over I'm broken. But last night, as I sang my son to sleep I sang the song I love you Lord. And as the song soothed him it soothed me too. The one thing I never did before after being heartbroken was sing. Music is very spiritual for me. God speaks to me in and through music in a way that no one else can. Even after my son was asleep I kept on singing and my anger subsided and I just heard God tell me He loves me in spite of what other people say or try to label you as or do to you. I love you and I see you. You are important and special to me. Normally it would have taken me hours to go to sleep on a night like last night but it only took 20 mins. I woke up today, in a good place. Not because last night doesn't still hurt or that the words don't sti

Sometimes when life starts to close in on me God always find a way to reassure me that everything will be ok. Today it came in the form of a song from my sister. Being a follower of Christ doesn't mean that you don't worry about things. It means that when the worries come you have someone that you can turn to and He will ALWAYS provide what we need. That is His promise and being reminded of that meant everything to me this morning. So listen to Tamela and be encouraged because God does and ALWAYS will provide. The Unlikely Missionary DHW

I am the one, yes, I created the whole universe Greater than anything in heaven and in all the earth It's my air you breathe, so I'm the one that you should please I am the one you need, why should you be alone? I am that I am, I'm all that you need I can, yes, I can, no, it ain't too hard for me Do you know, really know, do you really believe? Every day, every night of your life, I am It hurts my heart indeed to see those whom I love in need Knowing all I wonder, why they never call on me If you just ask and I can satisfy you with the things I'll give you everything, yes, you can have it all I tell the sun to rise, the wind to blow, the rain to fall I move the mountains and the oceans, rivers great and small Yes, everything I made I want to hear them give me praise Especially you, my children each and every day I am that I am, I'm all that you need I can, yes, I can, no, it ain't too hard for me Do you know,

Can I be real for a minute? I have been quite discouraged recently. And this post is not going to be about coming out the other side. I am still in that place. I've personally been dealing with somethings where life, no matter how hard you work doesn't get better. And everywhere you turn - on the news, social media, the White House - there always is something else to take the wind out of your sails. And when you are in the midst it is hard to see the other side. As a Christian I know that trouble don't last always and that joy comes in the morning . I know the stories of Paul and Peter and John the Baptist who suffered much worse than I but discouragement is this animal that doesn't care about what you know it just pulls you under. Its at these times that I pray harder. Its at these times when I cry the most tears. Its at these times that I recognize that my strength alone cannot change my situation. It is hard in these times. But I have to remind myself that I

I have always been puzzled by this because first Jesus Christ is not white, He's Jewish and second the first Christ followers were not white they were Jewish. In the climate of society Jews are often the targets of white supremacists so as I have said this association has always puzzled me. The term white man's religion came about because of Christianity's popularity in Europe which is predominately white. However, that in no way means that it is the religion of white people or that it is only for white people. In fact during Jesus' day the term "white people" didn't exist. You were categorized based on your country of origin (Midianite, Cushite, Canaanite) and honestly most of the people during Jesus' time including Jesus himself had brown skin. This is the Middle East we are talking about not Europe. These are farmers, carpenters, laborers who spent many hours in the hot sun we are talking about. The question was not what shade of white you were

I must tell Jesus all my trials. I can not bear these burdens alone. In my distress he, He kindly will help me. He ever loves and cares for his own . You don't have to worry, no. Your burdens you won't bear alone. Even in the darkest night, he's sure to be your guiding light.

I know alot of people question why God allows things to happen. I've said this before and I'll probably say it again, many times. Its because He has given us free will. He gives us the ability to choose whether we want Him in our lives or not. That does not mean that God won't stop things from happening. He will, but we have to ask. Ask and it will be given to you; For everyone who asks receives; Matthew 7:7-8 If you don't ask you can't receive and in these times especially where families are being ripped apart, lives are being lost and rights are being stripped away we need not just speak out and against injustice but in that same voice ask that God mete out His justice for the injustices being rendered. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:6 This should be an audible prayer. A prayer deep in the soul that forces you to speak aloud as

It is Black History Month in America and Canada and at least in America slavery is still a hot button issue in this country. So I thought that I would talk today about in the Bible and all the misconceptions people have about God and slavery. Whenever man creates a system it is inherently flawed. Man is not perfect. Man is sinful and therefore nothing created by man will be perfect or done correctly. Man created slavery. For this reason God created guidelines for how a slave was supposed to be treated because He knew we would mess it up. FYI : Just because God allows something to happen doesn't mean that is His ideal. Just because He does not come out and condemn it doesn't mean He is condoning it. Because He has given us free will He doesn't intervene unless we ask Him to. Many great people of God in the Bible had slaves. Abraham in particular. If we look however at how Abraham treated his slaves we get the closest representation of what God wanted the master/slave r

No matter what today remember, you are loved! God took the time to form you in your mother's womb and breathe life in you and opened up your eyes today to see another day. Everyday is not easy but there is not a day that goes by that you are not loved and adored by your Creator. Be blessed and be love today. The Unlikely Missionary DHW

1 Corinthians 13:3-10 (MSG) 3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love . Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 8-10 Love never dies . Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our

Men love to tell their wives that God says to submit to their husbands. This is absolutely true and we'll discuss why in a moment. But they ALWAYS gloss over the mandate that God gives them. It says, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and laid down his LIFE for it (Eph 5:24). It goes on further to say that men should love their wives as they love their own bodies, and to love his wife even as he loves himself (v28). So yes, while God tells us ladies to submit He also tells husbands that their responsibility to their wives is to literally exchange their life for hers if necessary and to love her the exact same way that you love yourself for, no man has EVER yet hated his own flesh (v29). If you are not familiar with the sacrifice that Jesus made for us see here . I love how the Message lays out the passage this comes from. It reads, Ephesians 5:22-33 The Message (MSG) 22-24  Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for

If the reports of Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast are true, which knowing him I believe them to be, I issue a stiff warning to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Galatians 6:7-8 says, Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. To sit by and watch a man - who has shown no care or reverence for God, who clearly serves mammon (money) and has no concept of love your neighbor as yourself - on a national stage ask for prayer for the ratings of a TV show, God will deal most harshly with you. He is, each and everyday making a mockery of who God is.  If I didn't know who Christ is and Trump was my introduction I would run far away from Christ because I