Camp Beach

If you judge people, you have no time to love them...Mother Theresa

Why is it that we feel we have a right to make a judgement on a situation we know nothing about? Perception is not reality. Judging by outer appearance doesn't mean that is the truth of the matter. Listening to what the crowd thinks, does not allow me to hear His heart. My heart is broken, but is my heart always clean of not finding myself guilty of this. I constantly pray and ask God to allow me to see His people the way that he does. Many times I do. I pray that I never put myself on a platform where I feel I have the right to make the judgement. The ground at the foot of the cross is level. I have learned that if I stop to listen and find out the facts, then most of the time I am moved to show compassion. Jesus always knew to listen. He always was moved towards compassion. He knew what to say when the crowd was ready to start flinging the rocks. He would, he is the son of God. My quest is to learn from His example and then live it. Every life tells a story. A lot of the dirty looking lives are just trying to find their way to the truth. But we who hold the truth get in the way with our "we must be better than you" because we know the way. We are good, you must be bad. When really we are bad, we are no better. I want to have my Father's eyes and understand His heart and see the hurting, the dirty, the in need of the truth. Because I was dirty and really do look just the same to Him, I have just been covered by His blood. It hides the dirt.

I am very excited about tomorrow. It is September 25. Tuesday. (A friend's birthday: Happy B-day HP) & Release day in the music world. I love music!

Two bands currently in my fav top 10, are releasing their latest albums.

Rascal Flatts is releasing their fifth CD. I love their music and the stories that they tell. Their song, "My Wish" was the perfect song for my son's graduation party. I wonder what song will be part of our family this time around.

I am not sure how Crowder is going to top "A Collision", but I am sure Remedy is going to be a keeper. I had heard of Crowder before "A Collision", when the Sunsets and Sushi abum was out, but never purchased any of his music. Then I bought "A Collsion" and was amazed at the musical genious on that album.

I love to listen to writers and musicians talk about their creative process. I think it is so cool to see how a song can come to life. Some songs you just know came from God's heart to the writer's pen or instrument. Music has also been a tool in building relationships with my friends, family, and my Savior. The love of music was something my mother and I shared. Many times music was the only thing my son and I could communicate about during those tough teenager years. And I know Christ speaks to me through music so many times. Music prepares my heart to hear His word. I can't wait to see how these 2 albums will inspire, encourage and just make my day!

People can change, mom!

"People can change, mom!" These are the words of my daughter this past week. These words rang really loud in my ears. I know people can change, I thought. I am a product of change, knowing where I was to where I am now. My calling includes seeing lifechange in people. But this is my daughter and she is talking about a friend, we'll call "friend", who has over the last 2 years hurt who to the point of tears more than once. Hurt her down deep in her heart.
My daughter has decided to enter the friendship again, knowing the past. My first reaction, anger, not too happy about this, I want to protect her from pain. But I can not. This is one of those times of letting go and allowing her to learn. I have given her the advice to guard her heart, observe actions and not just listen to words, actions speak louder. I will be paying close attention from afar, but I so admire her for the ability to forgive and engage again. I am much more guarded. I pray the results this time aren't painful. But the greatest lessons I have ever learn involve pain. God is doing a work in her life. But I also told her insanity is repeating the same behavior with the same results...no this person is not insane; immature, yeah. "Friend" just needs to mature and work on character growth. I admire her for her ability to hope for better results. I again am reminded of how much my Savior loves me, love I can not fathom because I hurt Him so many times and yet he is still right there to be my friend, to forgive, to show me mercy. I believe my daughter has the gift of mercy, I do not. But I am learning! She is learning too, but she doesn't look at it that way. But I know better! The best parenting advice I ever got was that you want to allow your children to go through these issues while under your roof so that you can be there to catch them and guide them through. Allow her to learn a thinking it through and decision making process. She will need this when she is out on her own! So for now she is off the shore and navigating the waters and I know that I can throw the life vest as soon as needed.

Autumn in South Florida

I'm not sure if you noticed, but there is a sense of autumn in the South Florida air. Last night as I was walking, I could feel the breeze. This morning I could smell it in the air. In South Florida, you can't really see the change, leaves don't change colors, the weather temperature doesn't change drastically, but if you pay close attention, you can sense the change. God knew when he created time and seasons, that change was important to his creations growth, it was part of His creativity and He shares it with us, another part of his creation. You never see the creation complain about the change, they trust the creator and seem to welcome the change. I want to trust you Lord like your creation does, even when I can't see it, I want to trust you. I love this time of year!!

Celebrating Life Change

FRC Staff Prayer Meeting

Photos courtesy of Heredes and Miller

Milestones should be celebrated ~ Don't have much time to stop though
Encouragement is important, it gives us the energy to press forward especially when the enemy comes at us and is contantly trying to discourage us from our purpose.
About a week ago I blogged about the buzz of a new series called http://www.mynakedpastor.com/.
I could sense an excitement from the staff, the teamwork of everyone getting ready to launch this series, that God was about to do something special. Well, special He did...
This week at Flamingo we are celebrating that for the first time 8056 people were a part of the weekend services. Each one of those numbers represents a life, a life that God is pursuing to find Him for the first time, to come back home to Him, to grow to add more attributes of His Son each day, to determine the gifts He has given them to use for Him, to repent, to seek forgiveness from Him or someone important in their life, to find peace that passes all understanding.
A cool part of the celebration is that He uses me, he uses us, he uses people to fulfill His purposes. Insecure, sinful, not sure if we have the abilities to do this, people. What a privilege.
I have seen God have His hand on FRC for the past 17 years, He has a purpose for His house to reach the people of South Florida and beyond. The milestones just get sweeter, because to get their does get easier when you see that perservance and obedience are all that He is asking. He goes above and beyond our expectations...at 10am we thought it was 7K (note the number on the cake) but by the afternoon we had learned it was 8K. Now we each have to do our part to help those 8K find their niche in the purpose and plan for FRC to help reach out to the next 8K!

Hope they heard my heart

Sometimes you have something to say, but others say it so much better...this is one of those times. I really believe that finding this blog was a God sent. This blog (see link below) is written passionately about getting real and not playing Christian. I am praying for the students of FRC to catch that vision and the vision of a new way to do small groups to help reach lost and hurting teenagers and for the student of FRC to reach their God potential. The main concept is changing the focus from building holy huddles with those in the church to reaching out to not just those in the church but those on their school campuses that they live their Christianity in front of 5 days a week. I hope you hear Pastor Noble's heart in this blog, it is the heart of God. This world needs the real deal. It needs Jesus Lovers!

http://www.perrynoble.com/2007/09/11/nice-christian-boys-and-girls-make-me-sick

Let them go, for now, not forever

I realized this with my son and now I am back at the same place with my daughter. I knew it would come, it is part of the process. It is just a hard place to be. As parents we are wired to protect. Yet, there comes a time when we have to LET GO. I don't mean not to have boundaries for a teenager, I mean they have to make decisions on their own, and even when we know it may lead to pain, even when they know, we have to LET GO. We have to PRAY and ask for God to protect them. I can not really go into details about what I am watching my daughter deal with, that is not fair to her. And please do not derive worse case scenarios, it is teenage stuff. I was here before with my son and the first time around is hard. I shed tears, prayed, sought wise counsel and prayed some more. I knew the result of the choice may lead to pain, I wanted to protect, but I also had to be very careful that my opinion did not push him away. I still wanted to be a part of his world, but I had to give him his space. Teenagers are supposed to separate away from mom and dad leading every aspect of their life to them finding out how to lead their own way. They are becoming their own person, own belief, own values. You pray they choose what they have been taught. But they have to believe they got their on their own terms. It is a thin line, should I say adamantly, NO. Or should I pray and with some boundaries parent so that she now can navigate this situation to make the right choice. To see what is best for her not just today, but down the road. That is maturity, that is what I am always trying to get them to understand, don't just think for today, but how will this effect me down the road. During the time my son was 16-18 years old, God taught me so much about trusting Him, about letting go and it was about a 2 year process...But I will never forget being in a church service and during worship, one of those few times, I heard God clearly say to me, "Let him go". It was preparation for the day I left him at college many miles away. I have to remember what I have learned from that experience. I have to pray. The day I left my son at college I told him that from that day forward, he was directly under the leadership of God and I was there for guidance, but he needed to go to God for the direction of his life. I am not totally there yet with my daughter, but I trust and know that God loves her more than I do. I just wish right now she understood where I was coming from. She's not supposed to and one day she will. Right now, I may have to take the role of the mean, misunderstood mom. But I know that I answer to God and not to her for my leadership as a mom. My son came around after he left home and he realized I was only looking out for his best interest, I pray she does also. It is just so hard to let her go, but it is the healthy and best thing to do, slowly but surely...Lord, please protect her and let her one day understand how much I love her. It is hard, she is the youngest and shes a girl. I hear you Lord, I am doing the best I can...

A Lonely Island, just sometimes...

Ok, so this isn't easy, getting naked, but I am going to try...for my friends, students, family, I do not write this to be a whiner so please do not feel like you can not call me, write me, come to my home or office, or lean on me for strength...I know that is a big part of my purpose here....but Troy wrote about being lonely in his blog this morning and I can relate. Many times in my life I have felt like an island because I have taken a step one way in my journey and the crowd either laughed, didn't agree, stopped talking to me, etc. I felt alone. I felt like no one understood. Christ did, he has been the only one, everytime, and it has allowed my relationship with Him to grow so strong. But sometimes, you just need "God with skin on"...just someone who can be the strength for you instead of you always being the strength for them. Now see, that sounds like I am complaining, and I am not. I am just being honest and real. I know that God has given me the spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment for my purpose here on earth and I do not take it lightly. I know that many look at me to be the strength for them and that is ok, I want to. It shows me that all the pain that I have gone through was not in vain, Romans 8:28. I am just saying that because most look at me for that, sometimes when I am looking and I open up or share, they look back at me like oh no, not you, you are strong, why is this bothering you, or she'll be fine, she will figure it out. Sometimes being in leadership you keep so much inside between you and God, it can get lonely and you need God with skin on. But most of time, I think God says, that will come in heaven, for now here on earth, I have called you to be the strong one and it isn't about me, it is all about HIM!! He has done SO much for me, the least I can do is carry this cross...
Check out more about getting naked at www.mynakedpastor.com

Wynonna

If you are a Wynonna fan, let me know by sending a comment to this blog! Just need to know...Thanks!

If you are not, then just keep your comments to yourself! Thanks again!

Unmet Expectations

Today, after 3 years, my daughter finally got her braces off. I am so glad the ordeal is finally over. You probably think I am happy because my hard earned dollars have something to show for them...almost $5K later, she has pretty teeth. But honestly, I am glad because now I will not have to fight with her after every orthodonist visit. See, when they first put them on, we were told 2 years. So last October, 2006 was supposed to be it. But here we are a year later and they were still on. Each month after every visit either on the car ride home or later that day, Amber would just go off with anger, because she wanted them off and she wanted me to make it happen. She wanted me to rant and rave to the doc, like she was doing to me, so he would take them off. She wanted me to rescue her from this horrible plight of metal in her mouth. But I didn't, so she would get angry with me or her dad.
This week at www.mynakedpastor.com, you can check out my Pastor and his family as they allow cameras into their home. Again like I have said before, I give them major PROPS! This takes courage, endurance, etc! Pastor Troy and his wife will teach this weekend on marriage, conflict, fighting, etc. I know they will be transparent in hopes that what they deal with it can help save a marriage in conflict.
Now my conflict over the past year was with my daughter, and for the most part she is a lot of fun to be around, but when her expectations were not met on the date she thought those braces should come off, it was pretty ugly. I do not know if I would want those situations filmed in the car or at home. Isn't that what causes most anger to build, unmet expectations.
Make sure you attend or log in and hear what God has to say through Pastor Troy and Stephanie this weekend at Flamingo Road Church.
I hope to have a photo of Amber and her pearly whites to post soon...We are celebrating, the braces are OFF and the fits of anger cease. I hope she learned patience!