The Renovation

Over the last couple of weeks, we've had work done on our living and dining room. The room was sadly way past due for an update! God reminded me of a few truths in the midst of the renovation.

As the old carpet was removed, walls sanded and painted, and new flooring laid, I couldn't help but think about my old self and the renovation I've undergone. Remodeling is not for the faint of heart. I knew the end result would be worth it, but when the living room couch, 2 Wing back chairs and a dining table were sitting in the den with me, and dust covered almost everything in the house, I had to wonder.

Truth #1: When God does the job of remodeling our hearts,

 it can get messy but the end result will be worth it. God uses every mess to make me

 more like Christ.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:28, 29)

 

The carpet was worn and dirty (thanks to an old sick dog and a new puppy!). My old nature was worn and dirty by sin. Just as the carpet was pulled up and discarded and new, clean flooring was placed, God has removed the old and dirty in me and placed a new nature, one clean and fresh by the cleansing of Jesus.

 Truth # 2: God can take even the dirtiest of sinners like me, 

clean them up and make them new.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
 

The walls at first glance looked ok (except for that awful shade of blue-what was I thinking when I picked it?), but with close inspection it was obvious they were damaged and needed repair. At first glance, I may look ok on the outside but under my paint, I was and am definitely broken and need fixing!

Truth #3: God sent the best Carpenter, His Son Jesus, to fix and repair the broken. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

 

The furniture in the room was handed down to me by my grandmother and I still love it. It is  mahogany and has aged beautifully. As we brought back the "old"  into the "new" room, I was reminded of how the old nature in me sometimes tries to creep back into the new nature. 

Truth #4: I am not controlled by the old, because of the life-giving Holy Spirit in me.

"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." (Romans 8:9)

 

I am pleased with the outcome of the renovation, but as I prepared the lesson for the Connect Group (SS) I teach, I was reminded that the room and everything in it means nothing. In the end, I will stand before God's throne and it will be just God and me. All the "earthly" things I love and have done will not matter. Only my relationship with Jesus and what I've done with a kingdom perspective to glorify God will matter. Only those things will last.

 

Truth # 5: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3: 10-13)



(Thank you to Robert Hunnings, Romero Sosa, Ben Francis, and of course my husband Rod, for their part in the renovation!
And yes, I love my Butterscotch accent wall!)



Don't Wave...GO!

As I was walking through church this morning, hurriedly on my way to the gym for the EXALT service, I saw a little girl I had worked with in Awanas and her brother. I waved hello and she had a happy and "I know you!" expression as she waved back. All was well, or so I thought.
As I sat in the service listening to Pastor Marc teach about following Jesus' example of connecting with people, I had one of those hit between the eyeball moments, or as Pastor Marc called it, "a hit in the heart with a 2x4 moment".  I listened to how Jesus STOPPED what he was doing to really minister and connect to people. I thought back to that simple wave before the service and asked myself how many times do I simply wave when I should STOP and connect. How many times do I think "all is well" when it really isn't. Waving is really a way of saying, "I see you but I don't have time for you." Or at least at times it is for me. It's like going through the grocery store, passing someone and giving a nod of the head, a slight glance or maybe a slight hello as you cut in front of them to grab a can of green beans. You try to look friendly when all you want is a can of beans. You don't know or care about the other person's beans. You just want yours. It's the "I'm in a hurry and life is all about me" syndrome and I yes, I am afflicted with it. Green beans and all.
Ah, back to the wave. Do I wave at the homeless person? Do I wave at the busy, tired mother in the hallway? Do I wave at the person whose marriage is falling apart? Do I wave at my friend that I know needs to talk? I'm surprised my waving hand isn't falling off! Do I wave at the cashier at the store who looks exhausted? Do I wave at the elderly widow, at the next-door neighbor caring for her disabled husband and do I wave at the new neighbor? What if Jesus had gone through his life on this earth waving and smiling instead of touching, listening, teaching, healing, and really loving and caring about the people He came in contact with? He didn't just wave, so why do I? If I am serious about following His example, sharing His love and reaching people for Him, I'll stop waving. Instead, I'll stop what I 'm doing and listen, touch, share, care and look them directly in the eyes. I'll leave my place of comfort and go to where they are. I will go into their homes, their business, their playground. I will not just study His Word, I will actually DO His Word. I will quit worrying about my busy schedule and all that I have to get done and pay attention to the mom who is so exhausted she can't get anything done. I will notice the widow that just wants me to hold her hand and listen to what she has to say (and to what she can teach me). I will interrupt my schedule and offer to run errands for the neighbor with the disabled husband and I will introduce myself to the new neighbor and finally learn their name. It won't always be easy or convenient but Jesus never said following Him would be easy or convenient. I need to remember what Priscilla Shirer writes in her study of Jonah: "Your life involves you but is not ultimately about you."  Maybe I need a visual to remind me of what God revealed to me and convicted me of today. I got it. A can of green beans will work just fine!

Carter-Finley Stadium: My Story

Carter-Finley Stadium is home to the Wolfpack! For as long as I can remember, I've been an NC State fan. I was raised that way. My father would not permit cheering for any other team in the house, and that's ok because we all know the Wolfpack is the best! My father was such a devout Pack fan, all of my family wore red and white to his funeral.
I don't go to all the football games at Carter-Finley, but when I do, I'm caught up in the action and excitement. I love red and white. (Red is a great color on me.) I love tailgating with family before the game. I love watching the band run out on the field and the half-time performance. I love waving my red pom-pom. I love the cheerleaders and the dance team.  I love wearing my Wolfpack t-shirt and pin. I love watching my fellow fan's emotions during the game. I love how LOUD it is! And, I love screaming and cheering for my Pack. What's not to love? Carter-Finley is the place!
But Carter-Finley holds a special place in my heart for another reason. It's part of my story. Something happened at Carter-Finley Stadium back in 1973 that is much more important than a football game. Much more exciting than wearing red, tailgating, watching the band and cheerleaders, and other fans. It's much more important and worth much more screaming and cheering than football. Back in 1973, a man named Billy Graham brought his crusade to Carter-Finley Stadium. I was there one night, sitting on the Visitor's side, lower level on about the south 30 yard line.  I heard Rev. Graham share the Good News about Jesus with thousands of people, but I knew he was talking directly to me. He told me how Jesus had died on the cross for my sins. How if I believed in him, I would have eternal life. When he was finished, he gave the invitation for those who made a decision to follow Jesus to come down on the field. I was only 9 years old but I knew God was calling me to be His. There on that football field, I confessed Jesus as Savior of my life.
When Caitlin was 3, Rod and I began attending Ridgecrest Baptist Church. At RBC, under Pastor Don Chasteen, (and now Pastor Marc Francis), various teachers, and Bible study leaders, my relationship with Christ was nurtured and began to grow. I desired more out of my relationship with Him. I wanted to love and trust Jesus more, and know Him better. I wanted a passion for Him and His Word. I wanted to be more than saved, I wanted to be His disciple. I prayed for that and God answered my prayer. My relationship is now deeper and more intimate. The passion He gave me for His Word led me to teaching others. For the past several years I've taught a Ladies Sunday School class (the Daughters Of The King- "DOTKs") and I've been blessed to minister to and encourage others. Recently, God brought me to a new place of service on the Women's Ministry team as Bible Study Coordinator. My desire is for women to know God, love God and love His Word. It is life-changing-I can testify to that! I don't know where God will lead me next, but I am content to continue loving and serving Him wherever He places me. I am always in awe that He loved me enough to save me and always amazed He can use a sinner like me! I never enter Carter-Finley Stadium and look on that field without remembering that night in August, 1973, The beginning of My Story.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16