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Mama Bear & the sisterhood of infertility

This necklace could be my favorite Mother’s Day gift ever from my husband & kids! I’ve walked the hallowed halls of motherhood for over 20 years now, yet the name “Mama” still touches my heart in deep places. There were years of infertility, multiple miscarriages, & a slow trod through the valley of unanswered lonely prayer.  Throughout these years, I truly suspected that “Mama” would never be my name.

The women who are part of the never-desired Sisterhood of Infertility will tell you we all lived in the “Why God?” zone. We all told ourselves, “Don’t hope this month-then the grief won’t be as bad.” 

(This is impossible because our very nature as Christians is designed to hope.)

As my husband & I trudged through these years, we learned that God may not take pain away but the Man of Sorrows will offer Himself as companion & comfort. A life of faith will always be lived out in the bizarre tension of accepting pain and praying a way out of it! Many days, I still marvel at God blessing me with the honor of mothering two precious God-given lives.

May we never take Mother’s Day for granted as we lean into the One who loves us most!

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25 Floors Up

Sunrise time w/ the Lord on the 25th floor can truly change your point of view!

Every few years we hear a Bible verse (2 Chronicles 7:14) tossed around . Many bible study students will notice that this Old Testament verse is a “conditional” promise verse beginning with the word at the beginning “IF” and at the end of the verse with the word “THEN.” (Translation: If you obey,  you will be blessed.  If you disobey, you will not.) These “conditional” covenants are called the “Mosaic ” covenant and the “David” covenant. Interestingly , the first covenant (“Abrahamic”)  & the last covenant (“New ” )  are entirely unconditional with God amazing us with the phrase “I WILL!” It’s the unconditional covenants that usually astound us because God is the Giver of the covenant and the actual provider of the ability to fulfill it! Jesus fulfilled everything and we walk in newness of life.

So, how do we read an Old Testament “conditional” verse? We look for a timeless principle! Even though we don’t live under the Mosaic or Davidic law like the people of Israel in the OT, we can look throughout the New Testament for spiritual parallels that link the believers in Abraham’s day to the believers today under the New Covenant . The faith of Abe in Genesis 12 & 15 is similar to our faith in Matthew through Revelation.  God initiates the covenant and fulfills it. We can compare the covenant and ask ourselves: “Is the character of God similar here as in the NT?” “Is the way God operates here similar in the NT?” ”

NOW, we can read this text with fresh eyes! It’s a conditional covenant verse given to Israel under the Mosaic (Old Testament) covenant. Yet, we see all throughout the New covenant (New Testament) the similar way God responds to His people. He responds to true humility, He answers desperate prayer, & He delights to show Himself strong when we seek only Him!

In the verse below, we realize we can obey the OT call to humble ourselves  &trust our good God to show up for His NT people!  I wrote this out and wrote my personal application next to each phrase. Let’s pray expectantly!

2 Chronicles 7:14

“IF my people who are called by My Name will:

HUMBLE themselves (This means go low in your relationships starting with God !)

PRAY (This means ask big -even miraculous-things of God!)

SEEK My face (lThis means sit with God , look up, & wait on God!)

TURN from wicked ways (I must ask God to change me. Personal revival must precede national revival!)

THEN
I will hear.
I will forgive.
I will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

Time to hit our knees!

#WindowsillWorship — with Brian G. Fisher at Hotel Beacon NYC.

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Want a better marriage?

The most important relationship you will ever have is with GOD. The second most important relationship is with your SPOUSE.  We all have a habit of digging deep into the Word, joining Christian groups, and offering help in the name of Jesus. God always wants to move in our hearts and out into our relationships-especially marriage.  

  • Realize no marriage is perfect! This should encourage you-because we are humans with a sin nature and selfish tendency. If your marriage was perfect, you couldn’t see God change you or the situation. God loves to be needed.    
  • Realize we all want to grow in this area! Whether we can verbalize it or not, we all want a thriving marriage built on the constancy of Christ.  He has designed His people to want to grow in all areas of life.  God will show you where you need to grow-if you ask Him to reveal Himself through His Word and the counsel of godly friends.  
  • Realize encouragement is KEY!  Begin now to “speak” the language of encouragement in your marriage.   Come in deep humility and ask God to help you train your tongue now to speak words of life and not death to your spouse.  Practice being kind-it’s just not natural. Start now: are there 3 things your spouse has done this week that you appreciated? Tell him or her verbally , in a note, or even in a text.  Get ready! THIS will change your marriage relationship!