Loaves & Fishes... OR... Salads & Wraps....

That night was a night I will never forget. 

I’m not sharing it to boast, but I share it because I believe God wants to reach every single person on this earth with His love. He wants you to know- His love for you is deep… and I believe God goes to great lengths to get us to see His love (even through small acts of kindness or great ones) and to know personally that He does in fact have a passionate heart for you- for each individual.

He goes to great lengths- and I believe that He can truly reach with long arms when we respond to His call in the littlest things to the largest things. 

Last Friday night God called “the foolish things”… “The weak things”… to confound the wise and mighty… (1 Cor. 1:26-31)

Let me begin with a little background before I delve into the night’s events!

I am a part of a Women’s Ministry called: Destined Women. Once a month we have a “soaking” night. If you aren’t familiar with what that is, it is a night when for 2 or more hours we get together to “soak” in the presence of God. We play continuous worship music, pray, read in the Bible and just enjoy the presence of God and each other.

A week ago Friday was that night. On my way to this event I stopped to read the Bible and prepare my heart - and as I sat there and read, and prayed- I felt the heart of God drop into mine- and just had a burden to help people really know how much God loves them- and that He wants to walk with them in their everyday life.

A couple years ago I went out in Minneapolis and helped Piercing Hearts ministry hand out blankets and food and HUGS to people less fortunate- anyone who God put on our hearts to talk with, pray with, and give to.

My remembrance of this event stirred in me and I told God how I missed it and would love to do something like that again…

Throughout the night I felt God continuing to speak to me through prayers of my sisters, and through the still small voice inside that God is doing a new thing… This past week God had also put this verse on my heart: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches the deep things of God.” 1 Cor. 2:9

I’ve had people pray over me, recently that God is sending us into a season of change, and He has confirmed to me He is doing new things.

Sunday I got to spend the entire day with my dear friend, Anna. Anna is a part of Destined Women with me. First, she and I went hiking on some beautiful trails to enjoy the majesty of fall and its brilliant colors. We spent our time praying and thanking God for how incredible He is and His creation is. Later she took me out for a dinner date to bless me, because that is the kind of beautiful heart she has.

In fact, just the other week she was able to bless a man who was less fortunate, with a meal and a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. (Like I said, beautiful giving heart.) I remember telling her God would multiply the seed she had sown- she didn’t do it for that purpose though. She did it because The Lord had impressed it upon her heart to give to someone who maybe needed a pick-me-up. Maybe he needed God’s love through that cup of coffee and sandwich.

That night, I believe we saw the fruit of that seed bloom.

After our incredible night of fellowship over a beautiful dinner- talking about all of the amazing things God is doing, and casting anticipated vision of what He will do, we then of course decided to go for a cup of coffee together- (we share many passions- coffee is just one)

The nearby coffee shop was already closed, so we headed to the one across town- actually- it was the one where she had planted the seed of God’s love with the man who needed some nourishment.

Not having done this before, we asked specifically for each barista’s name and looked at their small “bio’s” sitting on the wall to get to know them a little-

Our excited chatting more of the vision and destiny in our lives and all that we anticipate God to do, quickly led to closing time at the coffee shop.

One of the barista’s we ‘befriended’ came over, I had assumed to tell us it was closing time- when in fact she instead said that they had a surplus of food they were going to have to just throw away and she couldn’t bear the thought of it. She asked if we would like any. We initially gladly accepted thinking our husbands could finish off what she had- but then she warned us they had much more than we originally thought.

2 large grocery bags FULL of salads and sandwich wraps!

Anna and I didn’t know it at that moment- but God gave us each the exact same thoughts- we would be handing them out to people. Giving them to whoever God chose to bless that night with a healthy meal.

We took the bags out to the car where we started to call local shelters- but there was wrong numbers, and no one answering… after several failed attempts the conviction grew in my spirit that God meant what He showed me in my mind…Anna and I looked at each other and in agreement told each other that we believed God said to hand deliver each one…

We prayed and asked God to help guide our travel through the night to deliver the food to the exact people He wanted to reach. We asked that He would have the exact people out that He wanted to touch, and that He would prepare them to receive the blessing of a free healthy meal.

We set out on our journey. Anna turned to me and said “let’s see what KTIS has to say?” haha well wouldn’t you know it- the first words were from a song by Toby Mac… “TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT- for the sinners and the saints- two worlds collide- in a beautiful display”

Isn’t it funny how God can use songs on the radio, at just the right moment, with just the right lyric to speak into our lives? We took that as absolute confirmation that God was saying, “GO”… “tonight is the night!”

I was thinking in my mind to go down to a street that I knew minister friends of mine had gone down before, but then God dropped a different street on my heart. When I spoke it to Anna she said that was exactly what God put on her mind too! So off we went, looking and praying for souls who needed some food, and God’s love!

It was an incredible adventure. We were able to bless a young couple, an older lonely looking woman who was moving in a U-Haul- (she had a lot of trash in the front, it looked like she may need a meal), a young man coming home from work who had only had French fries to eat that day, another young man walking home listening to gospel music, another young man walking home from his third job that night, and a young pregnant woman walking home! We were also able to have 3 people say no, but told them we would pray for them, and we did… Our hopes is that God would continue to pursue them and show them in small little ways and big extravagant ways that He truly loves them and is reaching His arm out to let them know He is with them.

Some people might look and say this is foolish… “a salad??” “a wrap??” “Why didn’t God just give them $1000? Or something that would last longer?” … but I believe that God went through extravagant lengths that night. And like I mentioned earlier… God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise…

Here’s how I see it…

He prepared extra food at the coffee shop that would not be consumed that day… He drew 2 of His willing daughters to the specific location at just the right time. He moved on the Barista’s heart to donate the food instead of throw it away. He placed the SAME vision and SAME conviction on each of our hearts with where to go, and how to give this overabundance of food. He protected us and covered us the entire time- where we normally could feel fear of the unknown, we felt the compete love of God for the people He wanted to reach out to that night. The gas needle didn’t even budge on the car we were driving while driving all around the city and back home.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) …. But faith without works is dead (James 2:17)… Last night we headed out on an adventure by faith, with our Heavenly Daddy, our Protector, our Provider, and The Maker of Heaven and Earth, The One who loves you greatly. He was glorified… We could’ve fed our hubbies who had plenty that day, but instead I believe we reached the needy, the poor, the dry, the weary… whether in pocketbook or in spirit. And I pray that God loved on them through our actions. It’s time to rise up and be the hands and feet of God.

Looking back on our entire day, I realized that my day had begun in church, being prepared beyond my realization at the time by the song that sang this:

Let us become more aware of your presence

Let us experience the glory of your goodness

Holy Spirit you are welcome here: come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God is what are our hearts long for, to be overcome by your presence Lord.

I believe God was preparing my heart from the beginning to become more aware of His presence, to experience His goodness through reaching out as His hands to the people around me, and I believe The Holy Spirit filled the atmosphere that surrounded us as we reached out with smiles and hearts full of love to each and every person that needed that touch of God.

By the way… on the way home, we never saw another single soul walking on any of the streets… 

Sunrise... Awake My Soul

The warm sun gently cradles my face
The birdsong fills my soul with melody
The smell of the dewy glistening grass envelopes my lungs with peace
The perfectly gentle breeze caresses my skin
A kiss from The God of The Universe as He fills my entire being with His peace
A gift from The God of the Universe as His creation slowly begins to awake once more.
...

 If I were to walk with God in the flesh right now... I thought... How would I be? .... I would become as a child.
Full of wonder and curiosity. Full of joy. Simple. Pure. Honest.

 He would walk with me. Smile at me. Find joy in me and our talks. He has forgotten my sins. He chooses to forget. Even as I ask for forgiveness for the things I've failed in. He doesn't know my faults. He is a gentle, loving Daddy.

Am I angry with Him? No... Do I jump at the opportunity to blame Him or tell Him what He's done or not done? ... No....

But He tells me. It's ok if you do...because He is full of compassion and understanding. He knows our struggles. He knows the weight of them. And He cares.

But for me.... My soul is filled with peace just at the opportunity of being in His presence. I become humble and childlike.

I am covered. Protected. Precious. Cradled in His arms as he holds me against His chest and assures me of His love for me.
I cry. I tell Him. Daddy... So many people hate you. Hate others. They don't know you. How I wish they did. How I wish they could experience your love like I do.

He tells me that so does He. He loves them all so much. He doesn't look at what they've done wrong. He doesn't see it. He sees the hurt and wants to heal it. He longs to take away the tears and the pain. But this is the price of free will.
And so He will do everything He can without violation of it.... If they would just let Him in... Into their hearts.

 They'd find the peace they've been looking for. The rest that comes from His warmth and love.

 He smiles at me. He tells me we can take walks like this every day. It is up to my free will to decide.

The dewy grass becomes more fragrant.
The breeze seems to awaken my soul.
There are people who need His love. How can I help?
Will I walk with my Daddy and be a conduit of His beautiful love that I know so they can walk with Him too?
The choice is mine. I hope I do.

I may not be a Philosopher but I do know WHO LOVE is . . .

 

When you fall in love… love them NOT just because they love YOU well… but because of how well they love OTHERS…. We are called by GOD to LOVE our neighbor as ourselves (LUKE 10:27) … And when you can love someone who truly loves others well- you are in good hands. . .

Some want “love” for their heart so badly- they are willing to crush another’s heart just to get it. . . THAT is NOT love…. And I've seen it over and over again in other peoples' lives- in my extended family- and in my past have even experienced these things.

God’s word says that real LOVE is. . . (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Patient, (that has to do with waiting... which is VERY hard for me haha) Kind, it rejoices in TRUTH 

LOVE NEVER…. EVER… envies, is possessive, boastful, haughty, inconsiderate, unbecoming, selfish, grudging against others, does NOT rejoice in injustice. . .

That means when there is jealousy, envy, manipulation, pride, or arrogance, and ESPECIALLY self-seeking behavior (boy is that one hard!) … there is something off… God did not intend for REAL love to be this way. :)

If you find yourself experiencing things that love doesn’t do… remember that it is our human condition – it is natural- it happens every day.  (Romans 3:10) & Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? --- so to follow your heart can be extremely deceptive.

But the good news is we can follow after God's heart and find real love :)

Real love comes from God and when we love others the way God loves us… is when true love can bloom.

But here is the even better news. GOD LOVES YOU… Not only that but GOD IS LOVE~ (1 John 4:8) And He equips us to experience LOVE … REAL LOVE… how He intended… :) And we have access to that! (that's exciting- since in it of myself I have not the true power to love how I ought to)

I pray that God would help me love RIGHTLY every day! And that I would love not only my husband rightly- but the world around me as well. This is something I cannot do without God. J

I must add that these truths above stem from my study of Love in the Bible. It's something I try to do often- because it's easy to lose site of how love should operate when you are married (and the day to day's can really get to ya!) 

 :) It's SOOOO hard to be selfless.... but that is God's example to us... (even if you aren't married- relationships are tough!) But I have seen people in my immediate and extended family experience hurt in love- as well as friends' and their families- and it has been on my heart to bring encouragement to them- that love can be restored!

As many of these situations have impacted me or my friends personally- I think it's important for us to know how love should really look- and strive each and every day to try and model that as best we can :) With God's help!

"Romance Me" . . .

UNIQUELY YOU. . .

There is one thing I know for sure- and it is that no matter where you are in your walk with The Lord- weather you are just starting to think about church- have walked away from Him completely or know Him intimately... HE WANTS YOU!

He desires to develop a relationship with you.

He loves you- He perfectly knit you together in your mother's womb and created you to be a spectacular unique individual to do incredible things that you've never even dreamed possible!

I'd like to share with you one way in which I draw close to God... In the book of James it says "Draw close to me and I will draw close to you"... or basically- try and get to know me and I will reveal more of myself to you. God is a man of His word.

SAY WHAT?. . .

Yes, there are times when I feel distant, or I get "lazy" in my "walk with God" (Christian-ese for my relationship with Him)-- and this is something I do that really jumpstarts my heart!

Either in my spirit (or my mind) or out loud I will say...

"Lord! ... Romance Me!"

To some of you this might seem odd, or you may feel uncomfortable by that. And that's ok. But I will tell you why I love this, so.

I started "dating" Jesus in my college years.

Someone had told me they read a book "I kissed dating goodbye" I never read it, there were some other books that were on this topic of being a woman (or man) of God and instead of (in my words) 'wrecking' your heart with torn relationship after torn relationship-- focusing on building your relationship with Jesus and waiting for Him to bring someone special in your life that is willing to court you.

THE NIGHT I FELL IN LOVE. . .

Well- what I found interesting was this "dating" Jesus idea that I heard of... I had thought it seemed a little weird, but I did love Him and I was so grateful for all He was doing in my life that I thought I'd give it a try.

So I went to a coffee shop and I brought a devotional book a journal and I began to just have a "conversation" with Jesus.

That night, I truly fell in love.

I felt God's peace all over me. It was like a warm blanket of comfort and joy like I had never felt just enveloped my entire being- body, soul and spirit.

That was only the beginning.

Since then, I've had incredible experiences with my "Jesus dates".

SHOW ME YOU LOVE ME . . .

My favorite times are sunrises with Him.

I'd get up early before sunrise, and either take a walk (when warm out) or take a drive to my favorite coffee shop- and as I'm driving (and still waking up) I'd just yawn and start our conversation with "Good morning Lord! How are you?" and just smile and feel Him smiling back at me.


Then I'd ask my question, "Lord, will you romance me today?!" And time after time there would be something wonderful shortly after I'd ask.

A beautiful sunrise with vivid colors peeking up just over the hill as I was driving.

A rainbow in the only part of the sky that was sunny with a beautiful eagle flying right under it!

Or some beautiful scenery that I'd see while out and about that was just PERFECT right at the time that I needed it. And I felt like it was orchestrated just for me every time.

Nature is only one way He would romance me. This is why I fell in love. Because I truly felt Him saying. "This is for you"


Maybe just as I'd ask Him a barrage of songs would come on the radio that would directly speak to my heart.

Maybe it would be a person He would send my way to give me the words of encouragement I needed at that very moment.

And many times it was His Word. The Bible. . . I'd bring it with, along with my journal. And After I'd ask Him to romance me, or show me something wonderful He'd like to say to me that day. . . I'd open my Bible up at any page and trust that He'd speak, and He would. It was as if a certain part of that entire page would just illuminate and leap out at me- and guess what? It would romance me! It would speak right to my heart- pertain to something I was just thinking about, asking about or going through... My God is not dead, He is surely alive.

One instance not long ago I remember: there were several songs on in a row about God's beauty. I was singing along with the radio about God's beauty- to Him- and I just remember driving and having the warm sunshine touch my face and I felt like He was telling me, "I am in awe of your beauty too, Crystal"

THE CALL . . .

When the King of the Universe is "enthralled" with my beauty, my heart will melt. I am being romanced by The King of Kings.

I think the importance of my journey of asking God to 'romance me' is that- this is how He has revealed His love to me.

His love is unlike the love we have with other people.

There is so much more to it.

And all of the deepest desires of my heart can be answered when I simply ask Him to romance me.

I want to encourage you as my readers, and challenge you- this week- just ask Him... "Lord, will you romance me?"

I'd love to hear how God romances you!

Carry Me. . .

A part of life is facing the ups and the downs.

Everyone must go through different seasons in their life.

It's how we handle each season that builds   and   proves our character.

It can be difficult to have our faith tested by the fire of trials. And even more difficult when you've been thinking you were stronger than this all along. It's humbling.

During trials our faith is tested, our patience is tried, our endurance is stretched-- we are in the valley...

And the magnificent thing is-- that every single time I have found myself in a valley... Even when I feel so alone. I feel forgotten, rejected, hard pressed on every side...

When I call His name... He is always there...

In fact- even if I've reached a point where I doubt His companionship through my adversity- When I call on Him... His perfect peace consumes my heart-
and I can feel Him telling me-- 'Of course I never left you.' 'I have been with you every step of the way.'

It's at my broken point where I've been crushed on every side sometimes by life- sometimes by my own poor decisions...-- no matter what-- when I call on His name... He is there...And it's not that He had ever left my side... more than anything it is that I'm too preoccupied with the troubles that surround me- I forget He is right there- waiting for me to look to Him...

I'm reminded of the footprints parable.

I am never at a point- no matter how wonderful my life- or how trying my situation- where I don't find that I need God.
It is during the high times that I think- how could I NOT have a life knowing you?! Look at how I am so blessed!! And it is at my lowest points when I think... if I did not know you-- I would not be able to endure this much burden... because He has promised to lift and take it away- and actually carry it for me... And He always does...

Its hard to believe in the midst of trials- but I know that through each valley in my life- that my character sharpens and improves and that my love continues to grow deeper for my Lord.

He .... is.... FAITHFUL-

And maybe today, you need to know that you are not alone.
If you feel abandoned... I encourage you to try and dig deeper and call out His name... He WILL be there... He has never left... sometimes we don't realize that our own ears have been bombarded with the lies and pollutants of the world... and all along He is sweetly whispering- 'I'm here... I'll never leave you...'

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LIFE..... LIKE A MUSICAL

{I'M CHALLENGED}
I have been challenged today.
I've been challenged by the Word of God, and encouraged all at the same time.
By a verse that I've read hundreds of times.
That is 1. Why I am so thankful for the Bible. 2. How I know that it is living!

It was the verse of the day. An app on my phone. The simplest thing. Yet I find that somehow it always has to do with what I am going through or with what God is really trying to teach me at the moment.

{WHAT GOD SAYS}
Here is the verse:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16

{BREAK IT DOWN}
Let's break this down simply. What a great encouragement.

Let the WORD --- (That is The Bible--- also Christ is also known as "The Word"- they are one in the same; but that is for another blog) -- we are to let it DWELL {to live or stay as a PERMANENT resident: to settle or inhabit} in us RICHLY {using valuable materials or characterized by  elaborate workmanship-- lavishly, completely, properly}

. . . teaching and ADMONISHING --- now this word is fully loaded... apparently there are a lot of ways to admonish... the main definition is as follows- {to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner- to urge to a duty} But here are some synonyms:{ to rebuke, reprove, reprimand, condemn, let one have it, point the finger, strongly criticize etc---then there is; encourage, counsel, exhort, guide, instruct, prepare, recommend etc}

I would consider that Paul was probably meaning the latter. Rebuke and reprove is very important, but I think the way we apply this is very crucial- which is why this scripture exists! Let's see as we look into the next part of the verse.

So we are to- let God's Word dwell in us, using wisdom, teach and encourage one another (now this gets interesting to me because it is so anti- our culture)
in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs....

{REALLY?}
Woah... So instead of arguing and disputing (which Paul clearly also says not to do)- life should be like a musical?!?

I love God! This would be hilarious! But I bet, it would change our culture, if we'd just listen... let's see what these things mean...

a psalm...  a song of praise, a hymn, a verse, a melody, singing, worship song, -- or a poem of a similar nature.

a hymn... a song in honor of God, to praise or celebrate.

and spiritual songs.... haha- you can't get much more out of that! And we are to do it ALL with GRACE in our hearts!

{AGAINST OUR FEELINGS}
WHOOO! SOOOO not our flesh or our culture!

I'd like for us to seriously just take this as a challenge. The next time we have a quarrel with someone- TRY what GOD says to do... I don't know about you, but I'd say God's wisdom far surpasses our own.

Our flesh wants to blame, point the finger, defend ourselves, let other people know just how wrong they are... but what if we tried it God's way?

{WHAT IF?}
Seriously!

What if, I was hurt or upset with something my husband did? And instead of saying "Why didn't you put the laundry away like I asked?!?"

I began reading a psalm. Or I began singing a song about God's GRACE (because I'd probably really need it right about that time!)...

I wonder if, instead of remaining upset, fueling my anger or frustration, and letting something small or big, ruin my day.... I might be released from those negative feelings? I might gain a softer heart? I might come across as loving, gentle, kind, and full of GRACE and WISDOM? I might also come across as silly- so maybe we'd even end up laughing about it... but I just wonder...

{WALK IT OUT}
I know people like this. They walk in such peace. Every word from their lips is God's word, love, and grace. A spirit of Peace, and love, and joy, and wisdom completely RADIATE from them.

I aspire to be like this, and I think this verse is a secret key that God desires to give us, if we would only apply it to our daily lives.

Some people would think that is crazy, or would overlook the verse, like I did; hundreds of times.
But you see, I believe that things are far more spiritual than we realize. There is an invisible battle going on, and there is nothing the spiritual enemy of our soul loves more than to cause havoc between people who SHOULD be getting along.

I don't know about you, but any time I'm feeling down, frustrated, lost, or lonely.... I sing. I sing songs to God. And the negativity melts away. I regain my peace. I allow that Word of Christ- that dwells in me, to regain it's ground in my heart- and the lies of the enemy no longer have any place.

I have also written a lot of poetry in my life. Many people do, and mostly to express emotion! Why? It is a healthy way of expressing emotion and releasing your feelings.

God is smart!

I'm challenged to give this a try. Before I react to a stressful situation with Lincoln, James or anyone else... I will TRY what God says here...

Why not? What do you really have to lose?

Let's try it God's way!