Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan, and a Sad Day for the Church

by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application

Yesterday was a sad day for America. It was a sad day for the Church. Yesterday was a sad day for unbelievers when they saw the hearts of many in the Church.

Before I go any further, let me say this… I do not support the Biden Administration’s release and negotiation tactics they so eagerly announced to the world yesterday. As a matter of fact, I’m yet to find one decision they’ve made that I can stand behind.

Is that because they’re Democrats? No. It’s because they are men and women who claim to know God and yet make decisions that spit in His face. Don’t worry; the Republicans are doing it too. I’ll get to that in a minute. Back to yesterday being a sad day.

My Facebook and Twitter feeds were filled with diverse people from all walks of life joining in on the conversation regarding “The Swap.” Have I mentioned it was sad?

I saw Christians, who’d only 24 hours prior shared Scriptures about love, followed by “Let’s save the WNBA druggie!” I saw disgraceful tweets from preachers who, only four days earlier, were inviting “those looking for a place to belong” to come to church. For time’s sake, you get the point.

I have to wonder how many of us were actually willing to get on our knees and cry out to God about what had just taken place. I wonder if it crossed our minds to repent for the sins of our leadership and ask God for mercy. What would’ve happened if we had started praying for that marine to get set free instead of cussing out Biden on Facebook?

Yesterday was a sad day.

But it gets even sadder. Because while Facebook was blowing up with hate, the “Respect for Marriage Act” was being voted on by Congress. Voted for by both Democrats and Republicans. Of course, they dressed it up to look pretty, but it was a devastating blow for Christians in the natural and spiritual worlds.

This nation stopped being led by Republicans vs. Democrats a long time ago. We still manage to divide it by those titles, but it means nothing. Both sides have thrown their moral compasses aside. It’s not about standing for one thing or another anymore (for the majority). No, it’s about figuring out what party you get on to make sure you win.

To make sure they win because it’s not about representing the people anymore. It’s about winning. It’s about power. It has been for a long time, but now it’s just in plain sight.

The bill’s title is a slap in the face to God because America has lost respect for a merciful God who has blessed a nation with the ability and resources to go out and love the world well.

Instead, we hate our neighbors and use our Facebook feeds as a platform to rant. And instead of interceding and repenting for the destruction we’ve caused by being passive when the Constitution is lit on fire right in front of us, the Church grabs a can of gasoline and a match and says, “I’m here for the party!”

What would happen if unbelievers actually read the things we posted on Facebook and said, “Wow, that makes me want to know more about Jesus?”

What would happen if we prayed together? What would happen if we fasted together? What would happen if we truly got on our knees as the body of Christ and repented for the destruction we’ve caused?

Miracles. Outpourings of Holy Spirit that make the day of Pentecost look like a snoozefest. People fall in love with Jesus because the Church looks like what it’s supposed to look like.

We can be angry about the decisions taking place. But let’s do something productive with that anger, my friends.

Lord, forgive me for not doing better. Clean out the dark corners of my condemning heart. Let my prayers be enough to turn the hearts of a nation. Give me a repentant heart like Daniel. Sharpen my spiritual sword to take down the giants like David. Give me the boldness of Esther. Give me a heart of humility like Jesus.

If I Could Go Back, Here’s What I’d Tell Myself

by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application

If I could go back and talk to the 17-year-old girl in this picture, there’s so much I would say.

I’d tell her that she didn’t have to pretend to be so tough.

I’d tell her that all the secrets of her past didn’t define her.

I’d tell her that sweater vests were cool, despite what others said.

I’d tell her that the shame she was carrying could be gone if she’d only let it go.

I’d tell her how much Jesus loved her, and how much He longed to set her free.

I’d tell her that she mattered and that her life was worth living.

Those are just a few of the things I’d tell her. And I want to tell you those things today, too. You matter. God has plans for your life, despite what the enemy is telling you.

Lean into Papa. He has so much love for you. He has such BIG plans for your future.

You. Are. Valuable.

I Went and Got Myself Ordained

by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application

An hour before my aunt Vicki walked into the arms of Jesus, I was getting ordained, prayed over, and prophesied over. I may or may not have snot bubble cried.

Part of the prophecy spoken over me said, “I will use you to bring many sons and daughters into my Kingdom! Prodigals will come home when they hear my message through you! Yours is an evangelistic calling. The Lord says, ‘I call you my evangelist.’”

Before I left, we prayed for Vicki to be healed. 10 minutes later, I got a phone call that she had indeed been healed, just not on this side of heaven.

There’s just something so amazing about God’s timing. We were going to plan a more intimate ordination ceremony so I could invite friends and family, but it ended up not working out that way.

Now I know why. Four days later, I gave the eulogy at Vicki’s funeral. Did I need to be ordained for that? No. But I believe it was God’s way of launching me into this new season of what He’s doing in my life, and what more vulnerable, scary, emotional, honoring way to do so than leading my aunt’s funeral?

Another part of that prophecy said, “You can make a peanut butter sandwich a gourmet meal! You can make a simple word into something explosive! You can take a simple song and make it resonate in reality!”

Though I don’t know what all of that means just yet, God is already showing me glimpses I’m not fully prepared for, which tells me He’s in the details because I CAN NOT do it without Him.

I am so honored that Mrs. Erma and Mrs. Lois believe in me enough to ordain me under the umbrella of The Ark Apostolic Center. May I honor the Lord well with what He’s entrusted me, and may I also honor you with the trust you have given me.

You can see the full set of pictures here…