Full Tank: He Holds No Good Thing

Posted by Christy

This is our “Thank Tank”

It’s a wonderful container that I got as a gift and turned into a thank tank years ago when my children, who are now 23 (next week) and 18, were very young. The card I placed in the top says,

“Thank Tank”
That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever (Psalm 30:12)

And this poem:
Consider what the Lord has done for you and those you love; then give Him thanks with hearts of praise for blessings from above

It’s been filled with lots and lots of notes. Personal ones that are only for God. These notes are written by my family and countless other people who have been in our home over the years. Small groups. Teenagers spending the weekend for a youth group function. Traveling choirs filled with strangers that come and fill my home to the brim. Grown ups as we talk and praise God for His goodness.

So many memories of year round teaching groups of girls, and guys and seeing them grab the empty pages and write their hearts on them

This tank is full of thanks to Him for blessings passed, and blessings coming. Hopes confirmed by seeing His hand, and hopes confirmed by the promise of His hand.

This year finds me in the same place. I look back over the years and see His victorious hand through many, many, MANY hard things. The joy in the many, many, MANY wonderful things. And just like in Matthew 14:20, when the disciples took the remnants of the blessed miracle of feeding the 5,000 men into their future, I take mine and give thanks for all He has done, is doing, and will do.

God is the same God that has done all He’s done. God is the same God that is doing all He is doing. God is the same God that will do all He’s going to do. His hands are capable. I trust His hands. No matter what, He knows me better than I know myself and His bountiful love will always fill my life full and over flowing into my future too. He loves us and holds no good thing from His children.

That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever (Psalm 30:12)

Forever

How Do You Live Out Your Love For God?

Posted by Christy

I read this story online somewhere(?) and wrote it down:

A tired father came home from work, grabbed his newspaper, and settled into his favorite chair with a sigh of relief. All he wanted was a little peace and quiet. All that his young son wanted was his daddy. The little boy raced into the room and asked, “Dad, can I get you something to drink?” The man lowered his newspaper, smiled and replied, “No, thanks. I’m not thirsty. I just want to read the paper.” He then raised his newspaper and resumed reading. The little boy thought for a moment and then said a little louder, “Dad, can I get you something to eat?” The slightly exasperated father lowered his paper and said, “No son, I just want to read the paper!” As the father resumed his reading, the little boy tried again. “Dad, can I get you……..” but before the little boy could finish his question, the now irritated father lowered his paper and demanded, “What is it that you want son?” The little boy sighed and gazed into his father’s eyes as he explained,

“I don’t want anything, Dad.”

“I just love you so much that I have to do something about it.”

How do you live out your love for God?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deut 6:5)

God + Nothing = Everything

Posted by Christy

I love the feeling I get when I see a box of things from our past. I smile just walking in the direction of the box. Opening them and talking about what each thing represents. The laughter, and love that flow as we remember. Things my kids made, holiday decorations, funny and sweet notes my children wrote, things sweet friends gave me, mementos of my Dad and other loved ones no longer with us. We’re all transported back. It’s cozy there in the kisses from our Heavenly Father.

What a blessing it is to cuddle with each kiss! It’s like getting blessed all over again. Passing to the next generation the moments of joy we have in raising our children, growing and loving in marriage, the awe, fear, wonder, and victories in God. I was talking with a friend the other day who said we don’t remember days, we remember moments. I agree.

I give thanks for remembering. For the remembering brings joy. Joy in giving God the glory and thanks in a life lived well. I add quickly not a life lived perfectly, but with honest passion, desire, love and compassion authored by God Himself. A passionate desire to follow, glorify and honor God. This story of love is authored by Him. A life together made on our own would not have been so great. In our own weak attempts we fail. For we are nothing and have nothing without Him

For you see, God + nothing = everything

Mighty To Save: Unleashed

Posted by Christy

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17a)

My family had a Jack Russell named Eddy. He was such an interesting dog. He traveled with us leading worship and speaking so much that whenever he saw that big white trailer being loaded with instruments, he’d go ahead and jump in the truck ready to go on the road. He loved the youth groups. And they loved him so much that they would have me sign his name along with my name when giving autographs!

Before we could start taking him on the road with us, we had to get him trained to walk with a leash. Training went smoothly. One day we noticed that he had gotten so used to the lifestyle of walking with the leash on, that even when he didn’t have it on he would follow closely and never leave our side. It was hilarious how he would move along with every move we made when he didn’t need to.

Because he assumed he was leashed, he was acting as though he was caught and couldn’t move in the freedom he had

The enemy tries that with us. He gives the allusion that we’re caught with no way out. Like Eddy, we get used to the lies and the lifestyle and walk like leashed dogs…..following his movement.

Turn to him in all the authority the name Jesus stands on and declare NO MORE!

Jesus came and paid the price and broke those chains!

Victory and freedom are yours

He is with you

HE is mighty

HE is mighty to save

Photo Credit: Christy Rawls©

All-out Control Freak: There’s Treasure In Letting Go

Posted by Christy

This is a picture I found somewhere on the Internet at some point. I don’t remember where or I would give credit to the author. That isn’t a picture of me, but I have a lot of hair…maybe not as out of control as hers….and I can relate. It’s a big picture because I think ~~sometimes~~….~~a lot of the time~~….ok….all of the time, we need a BIG reminder about control.

My husband likes it when I wear my hair up. At any given day, it takes AT LEAST this many barrettes to keep it tucked in, up, down, and over or whatever:

Sometimes I even use more!

As leaders and decision makers of our home, and in our workplace, we have a lot to be in charge of as women and men. But sometimes our strength of being conscientious can morph into the weakness of being slight–or all out–control freaks!

I think this stems from that age old fear of the dark. The unknown lurking in the shadows. Outright fear.

We’ve been hurt before by things out of our control, so controlling what we can feels powerful.

Today I was reminded of a verse that I had marked very well in my Bible and had notes on.

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isaiah 45:3)

“Wow! The truth of this verse rocks my world. Don’t miss it!”

“God has gone before us and buried a treasure in every problem and stored rich truths in every minute of darkness we will face. The only way we can discover that treasure is to embrace it as an opportunity to trust God and uncover a new seed of victory. Some things cannot be learned in the light–they are treasures of the darkness” –GiG

I challenge you today to let go and let God have His way with you, and that situation. There’s a treasure waiting for us there in the unknown.

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Posted by Christy

What’s love got to do with it? Ahhh….that huge hair and the growl of Tina’s voice singing in my head. Maybe it’s because of my own huge hair, or the growl my voice has this morning because of this sinus infection…..I don’t know but love is on my mind…..

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love does not demand it’s own way
Love always protects, always trusts
Love is patient, kind and humble
Love bears all, endures all, believes all
Love is forever and it does not fade
Love is a commitment, placing the needs of others above self
Love does not keep a record of wrongs

~BUT~

Infatuation is selfish and proud
Lust demands it’s own way
Infatuation is unkind, easily jealous and possessive
Infatuation is impatient
Infatuation and lust are feelings
Infatuation is temporary–it is weakened by time and separation.

Because God is love (1John 4:8) let’s replace the word love with God in the verses of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 at the beginning of this article

God is definitely committed and His character is stellar. God certainly is patient (SO glad because I sure need Him to be!) and kind to us. He isn’t resentful and wanting to take from us, He gives and gives and gives (Jeremiah 29:11). He always protects, and we certainly can trust Him. His love absolutely endures forever (Psalm 136) and does not fade away. He is totally committed (enough to die for us) and thinks always about us and our needs are definitely above His own (the suffering and death on that cross was horrendous). And hallelujah He does not keep a record of any wrongdoings we have asked forgiveness for (Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 103:12). He is our hope, and finds complete joy, and loves our victories.

Replace the word love with your name. As Christ to the world, we should be described as patient, kind, and humble, committed and standing strong without fading with time or when things don’t go our way. Placing the needs of others ahead of our own, not demanding our own way, and all those other things.

The Greek word for love of an adorable object, especially for love between man and woman is eros. Another Greek word phileo, refers to the love of friendship.

In verse one of this chapter, we see that this is referring to the Greek word, agape (pronounced as “ah-gop-ay”). Agape characterizes God (1John 4:8) and what He manifested in the gift of His Son (John 3:16). It is more than mutual affection; it expresses unselfish esteem of the object loved (me and you). Christ’s love for us is undeserved and without thought of return. The love that His followers show, Paul now says, should be the same.

….The love Christ’s followers show should be the same….

The questions on the floor are…..am I lavishing sloppy wet kisses of this kind of love on God Himself? Do I show Him that I’m madly in love with Him? Am I madly in love with Him? Is this just an infatuation?

And, as a Christ follower, am I treating others this way?

Lord, help us to love the way you love. Gracious, wonderful, loving Father, how I love you! I do adore you and I do lavish my sloppy wet kisses of love over you. I swim in your ocean of grace. Thank You for the everlasting love You pour out for us over and over and over again. If there is anything about my affection for you that speaks of a weak infatuation, I give it up. From this day forward, may the love I have for you, in my marriage, for the people of this world be true, strong AGAPE. Sold out is what I want. Sold out and undone with a new name. I am yours and have eyes for no other. In Jesus name, amen.

Aha!! I’m shouting it high and low!

Posted by Christy

No matter what you think, or how you feel God really does have a mighty, wonderful, victorious plan for you:

“For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God is in our corner!

God is crazy head over heels about us. He is for us and wants a thriving, growing relationship with us.

God’s love reaches into every corner of our lives and experiences:

(that you) may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide, and long, and high, and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19 (emphasis mine)

His love is (verse 18):

Wide–It covers the breadth of our own experience, and reaches out to the whole world. It’s all inclusive. Wraps around us and our lives and covers as far as the east is from the west. He’s got you covered. Enveloped. Wrapped up in His everlasting arms. Every time we turn, there He is. Again. And again. And again. Hugs. Every time we need comfort, there He is.

Long–It continues the length of our lives. Never stops. Forever. His love never runs out or fails. Sometimes we can’t grasp how huge and lasting His love is. We think, “Boy, I’ve gone done it this time” and that we have really gone beyond His reach. Not so! Here He comes again in His power and strokes your beautiful face and says, no, I still love you and always will. And no matter how long a matter seems to go on, it won’t outlast Him. He’s got loooong arms darling

“In a world that’s full of fragile loves–love that abandons, love that fades, love that divorces, love that is self-seeking—–know that from God burns a love that will NOT be extinguished. It survives ANY situation and lives through ANY circumstance. Forever. Forever means forever. And that’s that.”

And, let me tell you that once saved always saved

High–It rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. He resides in our praises and joys. He brings them to us. Every good things comes from God.

He carries us to the place of praise

—blesses to the point of high praises…..gets me singing and shouting and doing the Jesus jig! He loves you t o-t h e-m o o n-a n d-b a c k! wrapped around for alllll eternity!

Deep–it reaches into the depths of discouragement, sorrow, despair, and even death. Down deep into the crevices of our lives. He carries our burdens.

He literally and physically reached down to our alienated position and adopted us into His family! Hallelujah! JESUS CAME DOWN!

His love is HUGE! It carries the width of everything. The length of everything. The height of everything. And into the depths of everything.

When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God’s love!

Verse 19 says:

and know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God

God’s love blows my mind! When I see where I was….and where I could be now….where I DESERVE to be…were it not for His love…..it blows my mind and flips me out!!!

We’re “filled to the measure”. Filled up to the tip-top exactly where we need to be…when we need it….and in whatever the situation (recipe) calls for….of the fullness of Him. No imitation here….only the real deal. Whatever the moment, we’ll always be measured just right…on time every time…with enough of Him–always full. When I need more, He’ll be there. When I’m ok, He’ll be there too—always full!

Here’s the question: Am I walking around confident of this knowledge? When I walk in fear, am I doubting His ability and power to do this?

Am I not taking Him at His word….and calling Him a liar? Or, do I just think He’s bragging and weaker than He says He is??? No matter what I say or think….what are my actions really telling Him? Do I believe Him? I’d better start acting like it.

He has all authority and has given me the authority. Am I walking in the power He’s already given me?

He’s huge-He’s got this! It’s not in my strength anyway—

if I try it in my strength EVERYTHING will be messed up….

….Ahhhh! Aha!! Therein lies the answer, eh?

I love you deeply and pray for you, your marriage, your family, your relationships, your friendships, your influences, and your ministry.

Walk in the power of the King.

I Can’t Handle God

Posted by Christy

Ever have that time with the Lord? You know, that time. When His presence is so thick and He is absolutely skin to skin? Beautiful. Breathtaking. Wonderful. Speechless. Grateful. Wow.

I crave that. I love it with all of my being. Nothing I like more. No thing.

I love it so much and I want to walk in it constantly. I can’t stand it when it fades. I say, “No! Stay a while longer!”

I began asking the Lord why we couldn’t stay like that

“Why do You come so close, and then fade?

Why can’t I stay cheek to cheek with You?”

I asked Him this everyday for a few days every time it happened. I am SUCH a Daddy’s girl (Daddy in the sense of my heavenly Daddy. My favorite name for Him). I love crawling into His lap and cuddling. I love watching Him work in His dynamite power. I love everything about Him. Every part. I am sold-out-head-over-heels for Him

One morning, not long after, I was in the shower and I was singing and worshipping my heart out when He came so close that my Spirit was so full and was crying sweet tears. Know what I mean? When your spirit is so close to the Lord and you weep without crying? I LOVE IT EVERY TIME!! I wasn’t even taking a shower anymore as I stopped and just wailed and worshipped the King of Kings and my Daddy. Sweet. Powerful. Lovely. Breathtaking. Nothing like it.

Then God said….see, daughter, this is why you can’t stay this close to me….you are a hot mess! Can you imagine how you could be useful in this world like this? You wouldn’t get a thing done and would be on your face all the time! You can’t handle it.

God says, I can’t handle Him…..
that close….
all the time….

I just lay everything down. Stop what I’m doing. My spirit can’t be that close to my maker without stopping and reveling in it….rolling around in it….bathing in it. Just can’t. He has to move just far enough away, and cover me with His hand because I just can’t stand it.

When I’m that near, I’m consumed and on my face.

Couldn’t you just picture seeing me at a restaurant? You walk by and see that poor waitress trying to understand me as I sit with my face down on the table, crying, and saying, “I’ll haaaaave an i i ice waaaterrrrr with leeemoooonnnnn.” Wouldn’t I look hilarious scooting around with my face on the ground?

However, He’s always close…..He never leaves me. I’m always in His presence. There is no escape from God’s presence. Isn’t that WONDERFUL?! That just sends me flying!

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

Ahhh, David sure knew how to adore God didn’t he? He’s a master Jesus-jigging dude! When we see in 2 Samuel how he danced and whirled with all his might before the Lord we can take note that he was indeed a Jesus jigging master and said he would “become even more undignified than this and lose all dignity even to the point of embarrassing himself for his Lord”!

I would not be embarrassed and would gladly become undignified for my Lord. He is right that I can’t handle being that close all the time. I would explode! But, thank God He never leaves me, and He forever speaks. He’ll always be enough–always blow my mind and flip me out–always bamboozle me and I LOVE IT!

I love you deeply. Walk in worship with the King.

Rescued and Redeemed, walk in it: Colossians 1:13-14

Posted by Christy

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

We have been rescued! We needed rescuing from the domination of the enemy. His ways are meant for our destruction and harm. Let’s speak the truth….he’s after us.

Thanks to Jesus and His redeeming forgiveness of the cross, we reside under his dominion no more!!

The enemy no longer has any dominion over us. We are freeeeee!! Thank You Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Sweetest name I know!

Paul mentions we are rescued AND redeemed:

Rescued: to save someone from a dangerous or distressing situation; keep from being lost or abandoned; to set free from danger; a deliverance

Redeemed: Do something that compensates for poor past performances or behavior; to recover ownership by paying a specified sum

Isn’t that cool? Rescued and redeemed….that’s what we who accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior are! Saved and set free……paid for and under the power of a great and wonderful God!

Any bondage we are in is by our own doing.

My husband puts it like this:

Imagine being raised by a mean man….mean to the core. This man continually tells the child, “You can’t do this, you can’t do that.” or, “You must do this, you must do that.” One day this man dies, and that child is on his own. He comes to know that the old man was wrong about everything he said; that there is freedom in Christ that’s been there all along.

We need to start listening to the right Man! You see, we are co-heirs with Christ. This means everything Jesus has, we now have. Everything. We have put ourselves in bondage to things in this world that we are free of.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

(For more in relation to the former life read Ephesians 4:17-32)

But before we can have a former life, we have to gain a new life in Christ. I ask you now, if your life ended today, would you go to heaven? The Bible tells us all about how we can claim our salvation: read here and then come back and tell us about it, and let us celebrate with you.

Our sin debt is paid. We have been redeemed and and rescued. Our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west to be held against us no more(Psalm 103:12). Let’s walk in it!

There’s an awesome song that speaks so well what we’ve talked about today. Go here and allow this song to speak to you in worship of our risen Savior.

I love you deeply. Walk freely with the King.