Pot or the Kettle

As I dropped my daughter off at school today, I quickly went into “I only have a few hours to get 5 days worth of stuff accomplished” mode.  As I was driving to my first destination, a monster truck decided that his lane wasn’t interesting enough.  So, he decided that my lane looked better to him.  With that said, he quickly came on over cutting me off.  My first reaction was not Christ like and I had to hold back from laying on my horn.  As I was driving behind this truck, praying for my enemies, we came upon a merge lane.  The car that was in front of him came to a stop instead of exhilarating into the merging traffic.  The monster truck did not restrain himself and his horn began to drown out every other sound currently heard.  As I witnessed this, I couldn’t help but think back to how he had just done the same thing to me only moments ago.  

How many times we do this in our everyday lives.  We look at others, judge them, talk about them, and become angry. When all the while if others do the same to us we become hurt, don’t understand, and wonder how anyone could act in such a way.  So, remember the next time you are too quick to judge, lie, treat someone poorly, steal, covet your neighbors things, and/or gossip - how would you like it if someone was doing the same to you?  Perspective.  Don’t allow someone to ask you the old saying of, “Would you like to be the pot or the kettle?”  

How I thank God for His grace because I know that I am not perfect and am guilty of such things.  “Lord, help me to be the daughter you created in your image.  May I love your children and see them through your eyes.  Help me to extend the same grace to others as you freely give to me.”

Don't mess with my kids!

As I waited for the oil to be changed in my car and tires rotated, I sat across two large African American women visiting.  I had ear buds in listening to some Group 1 Crew, but their conversation began to drown out my dance party music.  One of the ladies was getting worked up as she was telling a story.  All I heard of the conversation was, “you can mess with me, but don’t mess with my kids.  I’m telling you, don’t mess with my kids!”  Amen sister!  Being a mom now, I completely understand that statement.   You can mess with me, but if you mess with my daughter, I will destroy you.  Okay, I might not destroy you, but honestly my flesh would want to.  As parents, we become a Mother (or Father) Bear and are VERY protective of our children.  I can’t help but think of how the Lord does the same for us.  We are His children and talk about the anger that can come when you mess with one of His kids.  God loves us so much.  How His heart breaks when we hurt, when we cry, when we face disappointments and trials, when we are discouraged and afraid.  He is always with us.  He will NEVER leave you or forsake you.  He rejoices when we overcome obstacles, have victory, succeed, and when we spend time with Him.  He wants to have a relationship with you, His child.  He knows us better than we know ourselves, so why wouldn’t we spend time with our Father.  He is perfect and we are not, yet He loves us just the way we are because we are His.  Thank you Jesus!

Slow Down!!!

You might see the title, Slow Down, and think I'm talking to all of you crazy teenage drivers out there.  Yes, Katie Nixon, I'm talking to you! ;)  But, I'm actually talking about me.  Not about my driving abilities, although I have been known to put the petal to the metal, but about my life.  This week, as many of you have experienced, has been a blizzard of a time.  Literally.  My husband and I put a yard stick outside our front door, and at one point it was buried with snow!  I have been forced to slow down.  With the roads being iced over, businesses closed, and sonic happy hour not available, I have been forced to stay home.  I have had to slow down, relax, and just breathe!  Sometimes I think God has to create a snowpocalypse in order to get my attention.  It's as if He says, "Courtney, quit sprinting all day long and realize that I will carry you."

What about you?  Are you still running?  Do you need to just sit with Him for a while?  Maybe you are running from Him.  I will let you in on a little secret.  You can't outrun our Lord.  He continually pursues you, is chasing after you, and wants to be your everything.  Slow Down!  The light is not green.  

Shop Lifting

Well, I ventured to Walmart today with my 19 month old daughter. Going to the grocery story when you have a huge list of items to purchase is never fun. Then, add a 19 month old who is energized like there is caffeine running through her veins - well it just can't be good.

Francesca and I were actually doing fairly well. I had her DVD player with me, her favorite turtle, and her annoying Elmo telephone. I had my "big bag" so I was well equipped and prepared to deal with whatever was thrown my way. As we proceeded up and down each aisle, Francesca had managed to obtain a few items to play with from the shelves. (package of very well sealed colored erasers, animal crackers, etc.). After being in Walmart for almost 2 hours, we proceeded to the check out line. I knew my "Francesca in a good mood and cooperating" window was closing, so I quickly threw everything onto the belt.

After taking everything out of my cart, putting everything back in, and paying for my items, we quickly headed to the car. But, as we were walking out the door, the very loud "draw attention to yourself" beeper started going off. The very nice 90 year old Walmart greeter, "quickly" made his way towards me.

Why was I making the beeper go off? I had this horrify picture of me finding some items that Francesca had taken off of a shelf, stuck them in our cart, or worse in my purse, and I would be convicted for life in jail for shoplifting. As I began to sweat, we began the process of elimination. After a LONG ordeal, it was something on my person that was causing the beeper to sound in the air strike!

Guess what it was? An Elmo DVD that I had stuck in my "big bag" for Francesca to watch for her round two as we turned down aisle 127. I hate Elmo! All to say, the nice man let me go freely to my car with the Elmo DVD in hand. Thank you Mr. Walmart greeter!

How Christ does this same thing for us everyday, "you are free my child, but only because of me."

Beautiful!

Have you ever seen something and you literally feel a tug at your heart?

I was sitting in church this morning and noticed a teenage boy sitting by himself. I really hate seeing people sit by themselves. Adults - well sometimes sitting by yourself is a real treat. Moms, you know what I'm talking about! :) But, for a teenager to sit by themselves, well that is a different story. As I sat there wondering if anyone was going to ask to sit next to him, the most beautiful thing happened. I watched another teenage guy, who had his friends sitting on either side of him, stand up and walk over to the guy sitting by himself. He then nodded his head and sat next to him.

It was the most beautiful thing to see the effect it made on the student who was sitting by himself. A smile appeared, his shoulders raised a little, and I believe he actually started listening to the sermon with an accepted heart.

I admire the student who got out of his seat. Sometimes it takes US getting out of our comfort zone, taking a stand, and moving toward what God has called us to do. Are you still sitting there? Are you still staying in your comfort zone? Are you ready to take a stand for Christ?

Sometimes the hardest part is taking the first step. But you have to remember that God goes before us, He follows behind us, and He is all around us. We can never escape from His presence. He will give you the strength you need.

Take a step.

It's still January, so I haven't ruined my new years resolution just yet. :) As you will see, I will be blogging more often. So, thank you for reading, being a fan of I.D. Ministries on facebook, and for following us on Twitter!

For those who have ever heard me speak before, you know about my precious little toy pomeranian Cozmo. He is the one that is on about 5 medications daily, his knee caps go out on him often, he has a collapsing trachea, kidney issues, hypothyrodism, and the list goes on and on. I LOVE Cozmo! I have taken care of him for about 8 years now. (when I say taken care of him, I have REALLY taken care of him) He is my baby. And, yes I know that even though he is a dog, he is a part of our family. (and monthly bills) ;)

This month, Cozmo passed away. I was devastated. In fact, I still am. I have been grieving his death and can't seem to stop crying about it. I have been asking myself, why am I taking this so hard? I think I have cried harder about this than at my Nana's funeral a few months ago. And then it hit me. . . . . . I have been grieving without hope. Will I ever see Cozmo again? I really don't know. And not knowing equals no hope.

Have you ever grieved without hope? If something should happen to you, would others grieve over your death without hope? Have you ever placed your trust in Jesus and given your life over to Him?

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 14 says, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died."

Do you know of someone that doesn't have hope in Christ? Let's begin 2011 with an urgency to reach others for Christ. How much more sorrow is there when a human being dies and there is no hope of ever seeing them again. I heard someone once say, "we will do everything short of sin to reach others for Christ." What are you doing to reach the lost? Have you truly given your life over to the Jesus? Why not? He is waiting. It truly is the greatest decision you will EVER make!

All to bring attention to Him!

Courtney Bullard