by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Ten months ago I met this bamboo plant for the first time. That very same day I met Leah. They both have an interesting story.
Let’s start with “Bamboo”. When the plant made it’s home on the breakfast table in the nook of the Table Rock Freedom Center, it was just an ordinary plant. It was a bit dry, needed some attention, but it had a lot of potential. It was setting in a perfect place for the sun to give it life.
Now there’s Leah. There was an emptiness about her, she needed some attention, but she had so much potential. She was sitting in the perfect place for the son to give her life.
Today I sit back in admiration, both at the flourishing bamboo plant and Leah. God has done a mighty work in both of them. There were days the leaves of the plant turned brown, but she offered it nourishment. There were days Leah wasn’t sure if she had the strength to endure anymore hardships, but through prayer and spiritual nourishment the branches of her trees continued to bloom.
When you walk into the kitchen, “Bamboo” is one the first things you see. It has gotten so tall in the last few months. It
brings so much color to the room.
When you walk into any room that Leah’s in, you see Jesus in her. You see a beautiful woman who is no longer tied to her addiction. You see life. You see colors. You see love.
The Bamboo plant symbolizes luck and success because of its ability to grow quickly, strength and resilience. I don’t know about the whole “luck” thing. We are creations in Christ Jesus, we don’t need luck. But I completely believe in its resilience and strength – not just in the plant, but in Leah as well.
It is my honor to call her friend. The last ten months of walking by her side and seeing the transformation of Jesus in her fills my heart with joy.
Never forget the potential God has created for you. It’s up to you to go out and get it!
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Digging into Psalm 63:5-6
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4PHtl_8eK4]
by | Life Application
An awesome friend gifted me with a one-hour massage. I was excited and nervous at the same time. To be honest, I am very ticklish. The thought of someone touching my feet FREAKED me out! But, I decided I would go for it.
When I saw the massage table for the first time something hit me like a ton of bricks: I HAVE TO TAKE OFF MY CLOTHES! I forgot about that small detail. So, I took a few deep breaths in the bathroom and decided I was bound and determined to enjoy this massage. Abby Lewis carefully directed me in the steps she would be taking, let me know in her smooth, calming voice that we could talk about whatever topic we wanted to, and that I didn’t need to be nervous. Right… I’m lying naked under a blanket, knowing at any moment she will be touching my feet, and there’s no need to be nervous. Hmm..
That’s where it ends folks! No, not the massage – my worry, stress, ticklish nerves, and ability to focus on anything but the heaven I was in at that present moment. Oh My Goodness! Not only did my feet survive, I was finding myself wondering how she could possible expect me to carry on a conversation. I was trying desperately not to drool!
Needless to say the massage was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Thank you to Abby Lewis. Contact her today and book your massage.
by | Life Application
Did You Know?
- The #1 fear of most parents today is that their children will be abused and/or kidnapped. Thousands are abducted and disappear daily.
- Hundreds of thousands of young women and children in the United States and around the world are being sold as sex slaves.
- Atlanta, Georgia is the #1 city in the Nation for child sex trade – little girls as young as 11 are abducted, sold into prostitution, and forced to perform sexual acts for profit.
- Sex Slave Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Billions of dollars are profited yearly.
Today I made a new friend, Rebecca from Rahab’s Rope. Rebecca had an inspiring story to say the least. At 60 years old God called her into this ministry to help rescue girls from human trafficking. Rebecca sold everything she had, except for her car and devoted the rest of her life to helping these women. In Mark 10:21 Jesus said, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Rebecca did just that.
Rebecca told me some saddening news today. She told me the United States is the third largest human trafficking location in the world. Am I the only one that makes sick? We are the United States of America! We are supposed to stand on Freedom. We are supposed to be the richest nation in the world. What is happening to the world today?
She told me the story of a 10-year old girl abducted on the corner of a small Georgia town who was sold into sex slavery and raped up to 40 times per day. Her innocence was completely taken from her. We ended the conversation with a smile and a friendly goodbye. I walked to my car. I ate lunch. I chit chatted with friends. Meanwhile, some innocent girl is being abducted and forced into a world of crazy darkness.
For more information on the sex trafficking industry and what you can do to help, visit their website for more information.
The above information was researched from the Internet, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Salvation Army website.
by | Life Application
A song came on the radio today that left me speechless. I know, that’s rare.
The lyrics start out like this:
I havent been to church since I don’t remember when
Things were goin’ great ‘til they fell apart again
So I listened to the preacher as he told me what to do
He said you can’t go hatin’ others who have done wrong to you
Sometimes we get angry, but we must not condemn
Let the good Lord do His job and you just pray for them
Sounds good at first glance eh? Read the rest:
I pray your brakes go out runnin’ down a hill
I pray a flowerpot falls from a window sill and knocks you in the head like I’d like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you’re flyin’ high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know whereever you are honey, I pray for you
My question: Is Nashville seriously that desperate for artists?
by | Life Application
There’s this girl. She has this burning passion for life inside of her. Sometimes she wonders if others can see it. Sometimes she wonders why others can’t understand it when she explains it. Creativity fills her mind up so much that she often can’t get it all out before she forgets what she was thinking.
She lives in the city. Her loft apartment is filled with vibrant colors of yellows, oranges, reds, greens. She comes home everyday to one big open space. Black and white pictures of her family and friends adorn the red brick wall separating her kitchen and living area. She comes home from an amazingly fulfilling day at work and props her feet up on the coffee table with sushi in her lap.
It’s still daylight outside – time for a leisurely walk with her dog. The city surrounds her. Bookstores, coffee shops, bistros. Her choices are endless. Okay, maybe one Starbucks Frozen Mocha won’t hurt.
It’s time to end the day. Tomorrow will start again soon. As she tucks herself into bed she smiles at the beautiful photo of her mother staring back at her from the night stand. A wave of the homesick blues takes over her as she lies her head on the pillow.
Then I wake up.
As I spent the weekend in St.Louis I found myself thinking these thoughts over and over again. I have always dreamed of living the city life, yet I can’t imagine leaving the country life. As I stood in line for the Metro Link I thought to myself, I think I could do this. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just a dream or part of God’s plan.
I have never done things ordinary. As my best friend puts it, “Your circumstances have never been ordinary; they’ve always been extraordinary.” She’s right. So, here’s what I’m thinking: I could find my “spot” in the woods somewhere and just build a big metal building with my dream loft. It could be my city in the woods. I thank God for dreams and creativity. It keeps me going.
Ten months ago I met this bamboo plant for the first time. That very same day I met Leah. They both have an interesting story.
brings so much color to the room.