My Nephew and the Sand Castle

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand."

      I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Vero Beach, FL with my family. In my opinion, the beach is the most beautiful place to be. It never ceases to leave me in awe of the handiwork of God. I look at the sand and remember the scripture in Psalm 139 that tells us that the Lord's thoughts towards us are more numerous than the grains of sand. I see how the tide continuously comes in and has been doing so for centuries and centuries. It's just a magnificent place.

      On the beach trip I previously mentioned, my sweet almost-seven-year-old nephew, Jadon, was building a sand castle. He was very intent and focused on this sand castle. He worked diligently adding detail and was doing a fantastic job, might I add. Jadon had his back to the ocean, so he was unaware that as he took his time, the tide was continuously getting closer and closer to him and his masterpiece. Within seconds, one big wave demolished his castle and flattened it to a pancake. I watched Jadon's face, knowing that he would get up frustrated, put his bucket and shovel away, and go boogey board or something. However, what he did not only surprised me but spoke volumns to me about the character of God. Instead of getting mad, Jadon breathed a little sigh, sat there for a second in thought, and picked up his bucket and shovel and started building the sand castle again, this time adding more detail and making it bigger than the first.

      I wish I could say that the waves left his castle alone this second time, but unfortunately, the same incident happened again - flattened like a pancake. For the third time, Jadon picked up his bucket and shovel and started to rebuild. It's then that God spoke to me. {In one of those really strong ways that you can audibly hear His whisper.} He said, this is how I am with you. Sometimes, I am the builder and you are the sand. Life's waves come and flatten you at times, but I don't get frustrated with you. I don't give up and say forget this one. Rather, I remake you with more detail and with more beauty than you were before. In fact, every time I remake you, I want you to look a little more like Me. 

      God spoke to me again - Sometimes, you are the castle builder, trying to build my Kingdom with your ministry, and the enemy comes to flatten it like pancake. In these times, child, don't throw away the bucket and shovel. Instead, take a breathe and start to build again. You will be tempted to move to a different spot to build the sand castle, because it would be easier. However, that's not where I want you to be. I want you close to the water, because that's where the best sand for building is. 

      Our ministries don't exist for ourselves. Our work doesn't happen to glorify us. Our ministries and all that we are exists solely to please the Father. The best "sand" for building the Kingdom lies right where we could most easily get hurt or be overwhelmed. Discipleship isn't always fun, and it's certainly not without trouble and heartache. However, the best castles are built out of the moist sand that's close to the water. We are to invade our enemy's territory to love and disciple. He will do all he can to destroy the work of God. We are to march straight into the space closest to the waves that may try to flatten us. That's where we can get our hands most dirty...and produce the most beautiful of sand castles.

      When trials make us feel like we have been flattened like a pancake, we shouldn't fear or get discouraged. God continually remakes us into a beautiful work of His hands. As He does with us, so should we do with others. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..." {Ephesians 2:10} 

Keep. Building.

{photo taken from http://www.kinhthanhmoingay.com}

I See Red People

      My church is currently in a sermon series called "Red." In fact, this entire year, God has given my husband the vision to be the year of RED. We are doing more, praying more, fasting more, and loving more than ever before. I've noticed that this movement isn't happening in just our church, but in churches across the globe. It's an exciting time for the body of Christ. Like anything that is done for God, however, opposition lurks around every corner. While the plan of God, to see the unbeliever enlightened by the love and power of our Father, is fulfilled, another counter-plan is being initiated. It is imperative as believers that we keep our eyes open and be watchful of this counter attack. We must defend our God-given vision and pursue this lost and dying world.

      Last week, my husband preached a sermon called "I See Red People." This message, in my opinion, was one of the best sermons I've ever heard. Not just because I'm married to the messenger, but because of the call to action it stated. Psalm 133:1-3 says "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard that went down to the skirts of his garment. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forevermore." There's absolutely no denying what this scripture is saying. We must be unified with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Without dwelling in unity, we don't have the promise of the blessing from God.

      I've pondered this message and this scripture all week. It's a scripture I've heard preached about and that I've read several times throughout my life. However, this week, it's meant more to me and convicted me more than ever before. I've had the privilege many times to see people from different backgrounds, denominations, ages, races, and cultures unify and join together for the cause of Christ. I've also had the unfortunate experience of seeing the effects of what happens when we try to destroy each other. Not only have I and my church been the ones being chewed up and spit out, but I've also been the one tearing down others with my words. It's disgusting what we do to each other. If it disgusts us, I can't imagine how much it disgusts God.

      If we would all simply take a step back, quit aiming at each other, and keep our focus on the commission our Father has called us to, we would see a day of Pentecost revival with 3000 or more being added to the Kingdom even in a day's time. If we would realize that God gives us all the same vision - love Him, reach the lost - we wouldn't meddle in the methods other churches use. IF IT'S NOT BLATANT SIN THAT THE BIBLE SPEAKS AGAINST, THEN LEAVE IT ALONE. While we spend our days cutting down one another, one more soul enters hell for all eternity. While we sit around and gossip and backbite other believers, another family goes without food. While we waste our time criticizing and looking down our nose at ministries, another person seeks love and fulfillment in what this world has to offer instead of the eternal love that God offers. What if we would work together? What if we would quit wounding the soldier wearing the same uniform fighting next to us and fought against the forces of our true enemy? What if?

      It's a proven scientific fact that when all hews of light shine in the same place, the mixture of the colors produces a white light. You would think that all colors of light put together would make an ugly brownish-mess, but it has the opposite effect. When all colors combine and work together in unity, the purity of the white light is able to be seen. In similar fashion, when the body of Christ, worldwide, works together, that's when this world will be able to see the pure, beautiful, spotless love of God. Take one color away and it will not work. We were meant to work together, not against each other. We all have aspects, talents, and ideas we can use to reach those that need us most. What works for my area and culture may not work for yours and vice versa. However, though our methods may be different, not sinful, but different, we are all still pursuing one goal. That goal should be to see God uplifted and souls brought into the fold. Let's be a RED people...together.

We See Red

As I've heard many other people say, I can't believe it's 2014! Every year seems to pass us by more quickly. Before we know it, this year will come to a close, and we again will be baffled by the speed of the passing days. Having said that, it's also got me thinking about how very close we are to the end this world as we know it. My entire life I've heard sermons from various preachers and teachers stating "Christ's return is near! You must be ready!" While I have always wholeheartedly agreed with those men and women, I also have never felt more of an urgency than I do in this new year. Every second, every moment, is a little bit closer to the return of Christ for His bride. How many people have I reached and brought into His Kingdom that will be going with me when He returns? How many people have I not shared the good news of hope in Christ with that I will have to stand before God and give an account for someday?
My wonderfully anointed pastor, who also happens to be my husband, has heard from God concerning the direction of our church for 2014. It has been proclaimed to be the year of RED. Sounds weird right?  What does red have to do with the return of Christ or with a vision for a church? God spoke very clearly to our pastor and said He wants the people of Epic Church to see red in this coming year. Red is a color of warning. It is a color that people notice quickly. It catches your eye unlike any other color. At Epic Church we are seeing red, and we hope that the body of Christ as a whole does also.
Psalms 18:29 says "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." This Psalm, written by David, was composed in the day the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of the evil king Saul. Later on in the same chapter David writes "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places." I don't know about you, but it sounds to me like David, through the power of God, has been propelled full force into victory. By putting His full faith and trust in the Lord, He has been successful in battle and His life has been spared.  The world is full of the "troops" of our enemy. Satan has strategically placed his army to devour as many souls as he possibly can. Unfortunately, many times, even Christians allow him to overtake them. Every day there seems to be an increase in evilness in the world. This is no coincidence. The closer we get to the return of Christ, the more evil the world will become. With each passing day, it becomes less common to be a true follower of Christ. It is for this very reason, that the people of Epic Church have been mandated to see RED.
When you hear the expression "I'm seeing red," you relate it to someone that is extremely angry and almost crazily overtaken with emotion. We also refer this to a charging bull that sees a moving cloth. The cloth in most cases is red. In this year, we are charging full force into the kingdom of our enemy. We are running through his troop, like the Psalm says. We are leaping over the walls that he has set up to keep the people of God out. We will be relentless in our pursuit of seeing souls filled with the hope that comes with a relationship with Christ. We are seeing red.
In the city our church is located in, Harriman, TN, there are approximately 4,000 people who claim to not be affiliated with a church of any kind. This means we will be seeing red until all 4,000 of these people come to know our epic God. How will we do this you ask? We will do anything, short of sin, to see people brought into God's kingdom. Whether it's a meal to the hungry, a bottle of water to the thirsty, or even more radical methods, we aren't afraid to pursue our target.
I am not writing this blog to pat my church on the back or to say we've perfected our methods. We have a lot of work to do just like everyone else. I believe the body of Christ across the globe feels this urging, this mandate to "see red." We no longer have time to argue over petty denominational differences and preferences. If it won't make an eternal difference, then it shouldn't be discussed. Our enemy for too long has tricked us into arguing with each other while he takes a majority of the world to hell. Why would anyone want to become a follower of Christ, when we haven't given Him an appropriate representation, because we are too busy arguing and disagreeing with each other? Today, more than ever, is the time to bind together in this charge into enemy territory. Let's leap over walls together. Let's keep the vision ever in front of us. Let's see red together.
Now, what color do you see?