A Sheet Cake Offering

Posted by Nikol

Jan 25

As some of you are aware, Jamie and I just wrapped up writing and teaching the women’s conference at our church and to be honest, I am just flat out of writing material. Turns out – this is gonna be a great blessing to you because Robyn had a fabulous post that I want to share. So, without further adieux, let’s have a round of applause for Robyn’s sheet cake offering. Enjoy!

I don’t have a very big sweet tooth, but my mom has some pretty spectacular dessert recipes that when prepared, make me morph into some kind of unrecognizable addict.

Like somehow I can justify eating three pieces of cake a day.

Her chocolate sheet cake is one of those, and I thought I might like to try it out this weekend to honor a friend’s birthday.

As most of her best recipes go, they’re well, loose, in places. Her macaroni and cheese, for example, calls for no specific ratio of macaroni to milk to eggs. It’s just, “until it’s the right consistency.”

Right.

This sheet cake recipe is my Mimi’s recipe, and it has a couple of interpretive elements. For one, the cake batter is to be poured into “the pan,” which refers to one pan. And I don’t mean one particular sized pan, but the actual pan that Mimi used, and that Mom now uses. In other words, the one I don’t have.

Mom doesn’t know the exact size, but only that “it’s bigger than a 9 x 13.”

And the icing calls for “1-1½ boxes of confectioner’s sugar.”

My grandmother’s and mom’s generations are not making it easy on daughters like me to carry on our favorite cooking traditions, I tell you.

Needless to say, between the wrong pan size and the un-measurements (and my omission of some critical vanilla in the icing), Round One was a disaster.

I called Mom today to report back. “I just finished making my second chocolate sheet cake, if that tells you anything.”

How often this happens in our spiritual lives! Despite the guide and instructions that we’ve been given by the Lord — and no, the specifics are not always explicit – we mess up all the time.

Disappointing? Sure. Costly of time and energy (and another round of ingredients)? Uh-huh. Normal? Absolutely.

But praise Jesus, he is gracious, and generous with second chances. He allows us opportunities to learn from our mistakes, and to learn his ways, that we often struggle to understand.

Mom was very sweet and said to me, “Well, it’ll get easier when you make it more. That’s probably one of those we should’ve done together the first time.”

I think God’s like that, too. I think he knows when we’re trying, and encourages us to keep at it. And no matter what we’re doing, or how many times we’ve done it, I imagine he’s always saying to us, Do it with me. It’ll turn out better that way.

Gracious Lord, continue to remind me that you are the God of second chances, and that whether I’m on the first, tenth, or hundredth chance, I’m better off doing life with You.

And please, Lord, let this chocolate sheet cake be an acceptable birthday dessert for my friend offering to you.

0 Comments

Filed under: Reflections

2011: The Year of Exercise

Posted by Nikol

Jan 1

OK. So, that title might be a bit of a stretch (get it? I crack myself up). 2011 was, indeed, the year of exercise for me but not in the sense it has been previously. 2011 was the year of exercising…my faith. And boy did I feel the burn.

Inspired my Robyn’s reflections of the year (which, by the way, I look forward to with ridiculous enthusiasm), I thought I’d share my own.

Most Memorable Moment
Standing in a pile of rubble after a significant hike through a ravine to lead my first person to Christ. Totally worth it!

Favorite Moment
Holding hands and praying in the middle of a dusty, dirt road with a complete stranger who is now my brother in Christ.

Most Awkward Moment
Holding a plastic 13 gallon trash bag that was as white as my face as I nauseously paced at the Lima airport before boarding the plane for Arequipa.

Worst Moment
Watching my friend hold a tee-tiny Delta barf bag for 8 hours on the way home from Peru, and then feeling terrible that she actually had to use it the second we pulled into the church parking lot.

Best Purchase
An adorable, white labrador puppy who is as beautiful and sweet as she was in my dreams.

Favorite Gift

A Spanish Bible with a hand-written note inside given to me by a 10 year old Peruvian girl.

Most Embarrassing Moment
Being the only woman in the room who admitted to having a tattoo while playing “Do You Love Your Neighbor” at the Valleydale Women’s Conference. So glad this was caught on film.

Most Disgusting Moment
With two miles to go in a four mile race, watching thousands of people stuff handfuls of soggy donuts into their mouths at the Krispy Kreme Challenge. NOTE: No donuts were consumed by me or Robyn, and we have never looked at a Krispy Kreme donut the same again. It was THAT disgusting.

Most Hilarious Moment
I’m going to have to agree to Robyn on this one: having a huge, middle of the night, delirious, ugly-girl laugh (complete with snorting) in wondering if the Delta blankets on our return flight from Peru were made from baby alpaca.

Favorite Football Moment
Watching my Auburn Tigers win their first national championship after 57 years.

Verse of the Year
Zephaniah 3:17

Greatest Accomplishment
Finishing Daily Resolve 2011

Biggest Endeavor
Writing the women’s retreat material with Jamie Harper which is still to be completed.

Favorite Line from My Prayer Journal
“Can you shut that bird up that is outside my window? It is driving me crazy. At the very least can you give it a different tune?” (He did, by the way.)

Best Trip
My one-on-one retreat with God to my favorite place on earth: El-Bethel. It’s actually a condo that a friend’s parents own, but it is a very special place where I go to meet with God.

OK. I think that’s enough reminscing seeing that I have a writing deadline tomorrow.

Happy New Year, Y’all!

1 Comment

Filed under: Reflections

It Is Finished

Posted by Nikol

Dec 23

I have been looking forward to writing this post for 364 days when me and my accountability peeps decided to embark on “Daily Resolve 2011″ and read through The Bible in a year. Remember our cute binders?

Well…mine is FULL!

And so is my heart.

It’s been quite the journey to say the least, and like any journey, it has been full of ups and downs, disappointments and doubts, followed by complete and total elation upon reading the last words penned by John in Revelation.

I had the name of this post picked out a long, long time ago. A smile crept across my face when I read my last reading assignment and those very words popped up by Jesus Himself. I think these are my three most favorite verses in the whole entire bible:

“And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!‘ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’ And he also said, ‘It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.’ Revelation 21:6-8

I cannot think of a more beautiful way to celebrate the birth of Christ than to behold the truth that He is coming again. Three times Jesus tells us in the last chapter of His Word, “I am coming soon!”

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book (v. 7)…Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (v. 12-13)…I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star (v. 16)…Yes, I am coming soon! (v. 20).

It’s like he just couldn’t say it enough…he couldn’t remind us enough…that he is coming soon. And I can’t help but echo John as he writes:

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (v. 20)

0 Comments

Filed under: Bible Reading Plan

Music Monday: Always

Posted by Nikol

Dec 19

I was going to post a lovely Christmas song for Music Monday, but this song held such a special meaning for me last week that I knew it needed to be a post. I hope you’ll roll with this non-Christmas song.

I was plagued with doubts early in the week, and when my unexplainably joyful friend, Jada, sent me this song, it was an ointment that soothed some old scars on my heart.

Give it up for Mr. Kristian Stanfill.

Always

My foes are many.
They rise against me.
But I will hold my ground.

I will not fear the war.
I will not fear the storm.
My help in on the way.
My help is on the way.

Oh, my God
He will not delay.
My refuge and strength – always.
I will not fear.
His promise is true.
My god will come through – always.

Trouble surrounds me.
Chaos abounding.
but my soul will rest in you.

I will not fear the war.
I will not fear the storm.
My help is on the way.
My help is on the way.

Oh, my God
He will not delay.
My refuge and strength – always.
I will not fear.
His promise is true.
My god will come through – always.

I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.
I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.
I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.
I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.

From you Lord
From you Lord

Oh, my God
He will not delay.
My refuge and strength – always.
I will not fear.
His promise is true.
My god will come through – always.

I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.
I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.
I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.
I lift my eyes up.
my help come from the Lord.

0 Comments

Filed under: Music Mondays, Struggles

Waiting

Posted by Nikol

Dec 14

Often, we have trouble making sense of the Bible. It is full of so many stories…

…good stories
…amazing stories
…stories that bring hope.

But sometimes we forget that it’s one big story. God used a little concert called Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson to help me to see the big picture from the Old Testament to the birth of His son.

But you see, the story didn’t stop with the birth of Christ but became the greatest story ever told through his death on the cross. And it isn’t finished; the story isn’t over; it is still being written today…as we wait for him…

Are you waiting?
Do you believe?

Advent: God With Us from The Village Church on Vimeo.

0 Comments

Filed under: (Re)Thinking Christmas, Reflections

Rest

Posted by Nikol

Dec 13

I asked God this morning what He wanted me to know today. His answer came quickly – without hesitation or delay.

“I am in control.”

Not me.
Not my boss.
Not the President of the United States.

God is in control.

Maybe, like me, you need to be reminded of this truth.

The burden – whatever it is – is not your’s to bear. It is God’s and God’s alone.

It is not your responsibility to accomplish – it is His.

Your responsibility is to know Him for to know Him is to trust Him. His intentions are good and noble and trustworthy towards us. Ask Him to show you and He will. And in the meantime…may you REST in knowing that He is in control. Always and forever. Amen.

0 Comments

Filed under: Reflections

Plan B

Posted by Nikol

Dec 8

A while back, God started to reveal to me a plan he had for my life. So, I’ve been waiting…and waiting…and waiting some more…for Him to set things in motion for that new season to begin. It’s difficult. It stretches my faith. But yet it is so much fun to see Him work.

I realized yesterday that I do not have a Plan B should things not happen as God has promised. My mind started to get away from me, and to be honest, a little panic started to set it. What am I going to do if XYZ doesn’t happen? I don’t have a plan B.

Now for some not prone to plan, this might not phase you, but for a project manager who is constantly asking the question, “What is our contingency plan? What if this doesn’t work?” it is difficult.

So, like any good project manager, I immediately started to come up with a Plan B. “What are my options?” I asked myself. Never, not once, did I take this question to God.

This morning, I overslept. Since my coffee time with Christ was limited, I started reading some random devotions that I keep on my phone for emergency purposes. To be honest, I cannot remember the last time I opened one. Here is what I discovered:

“I kept hearing in my spirit, “Steady as she goes.” It is a navigational phrase that means the same thing as “stay the course”. Don’t change anything; keep doing what you’ve been doing. And, I heard the Lord say: In your recent course corrections refuse to get discouraged when you don’t see immediate advantage. You are on the right track. Just keep moving and obeying My voice and My leading. You will see that divine purpose is being accomplished.

While I found this interesting, I didn’t know exactly what God wanted me to do with it. Until I read another devotion. This one written by Beth Moore (which I haven’t picked that up in months and months, mind you). This is what Mrs. Beth had to share:

“…The Greek term for “keep watch” is prosecho. “As a nautical term it means to hold a ship in a direction, to sail towards…to hold on ones course toward a place.”

Immediately, my response to God was, “What is up with the nautical terms this morning?” And then it occurred to me.

Despite the fact that I never took my Plan B question to God, He answered it.

I am on the right track.
I need to stay the course.
There isn’t a Plan B.

You see, when we have a plan B, we are doubting God’s ability to accomplish His plan for our lives, and that denotes doubt. Doubt, as we have learned in the past, is the antonym of belief. The nemesis of faith. Scripture tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God”
(Hebrews 11:6).

So, despite the discomfort and the waiting, I will choose to stay the course. I will not have a Plan B “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ”
(Philippians 1:6).

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful”
(Hebrews 10:23).

2 Comments

Filed under: Reflections

Dang it!

Posted by Nikol

Dec 6

Do you have any grace stretchers in your life? Grace stretchers are people who cause you to extend so much grace that you are sore from all the stretching. They are typically people you want to love from really far away, but not always.

 I have a grace stretcher in my life right now that makes me want to bop someone in the head. He is difficult; he doesn’t listen; he creates confusion; and makes a huge mess for people to clean up and its generally just annoying. Grace stretching exhausts me.

This morning, I went to the throne to pray for him. I wanted to pray that God would change him. That God would help him see the error of his ways and rehabilitate him into a non-grace stretcher. But I knew that wasn’t what God wanted me to pray. Dang it!

God wanted me to pray that He would change my heart. Dang it! Dang it! Dang it!
God wanted me to pray for additional grace to love this person. Dang it! Dang it! Dang it!

You know what that means, don’t you?

That means that I will have to try.
It means that I will have to surrender.
It means that I am going to be frustrated and uncomfortable as God removes some of the dross from my heart so that I can love the way Jesus loves; see the way Jesus sees; and care the way that Jesus cares.

I hope God doesn’t mind as I wince and whine from all the stretching. After all, no grace will ever stretch me as much as the grace that Jesus extended to me on the cross.

1 Comment

Filed under: Struggles

(Re)Thinking Christmas: Family

Posted by Nikol

Dec 1

Last year, I posted a series called (Re)Thinking Christmas because of my history for loathing the holiday for many, many years. I knew my heart needed to change; but I didn’t know how. So, I prayed – and I had other people pray – for God to change me. As with anything God does to change us, it’s been a process.

The process began with Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God concert in 2009, and it continued as I wrote each (Re)Thinking Christmas post during 2010.

This year, however, I’ve started to observe some pretty awesome results:

I didn’t flinch the way I normally do when I see the holiday decorations (except for scowling at an elf but only because he was working before Thanksgiving).

I didn’t brace quite as stiffly when I heard the first Christmas song.

But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I did let out a small sigh and wondered if I was ready for another Christmas.

As I was chatting with my counselor this week, I had an epiphany that might be Christmas-changing.

I realized that my struggle with Christmas was not because my dad is no longer here or that my family doesn’t get along or because Jesus gets overlooked. It’s because I have had a white-knuckled grip on a childhood dream of the ideal Christmas.

I used to believe that in order to have a merry Christmas a family needed to be involved.

I mean – the world screams FAMILY at us this time of year with…

kids sitting on Santa’s lap;
holiday family photos on Christmas cards;
and parents lovingly picking out the best toys for their children.

All of these things are really, really good things.

Family is great.
Family is awesome.
Go Team Family.

But, when you lose a loved one, or harmony among the family is lost, and your belief system tells you that family is necessary for you to be merry, its a recipe for some loathing.

So, this year, I’m letting the blood rush back into my knuckles and taking my grip off of my dream that a happy family (or any family for that matter) is necessary for me to enjoy the festivities around me.

You see, contrary to what the world tells us, Christmas is not about family – it’s about God. It’s about a God who loved us so much that he became one of us. He lived among us and walked among us.

I don’t need the perfect family in this world to celebrate the fact that I am a member of an eternal one.

So, Merry Christmas y’all, from my Family to yours!

3 Comments

Filed under: (Re)Thinking Christmas

Seven Digits

Posted by Nikol

Nov 29

I picked up the phone and dialed the number by memory. It had been a while since I dialed any number by memory, let alone this one, but as I stared at the keypad, my fingers dialed it effortlessly.

I cannot tell you how many times I have typed those seven digits over the course of almost thirty years.

Hundreds?
Thousands?

But today, as they have for so many years, those digits unlocked a treasure: the sound of my friend’s voice.

When we first met in 5th grade, Connie and I weren’t big fans of each other. In fact, I am likely the reason that she never got to go outside during recess for an entire year. But over the course of a school year, we became friends to the point that we really just had one name: Connieandnikol.

Our friendship carried on, miraculously, through middle school and high school, and we were roommates in college for all five-ish years.

As path’s often do, our’s split when we left college, but the thread of Connie’s friendship is woven deeply into the fabric of my heart.

We talk sporadically these days, but when we do talk there is…

no pretense;
no facade;
no mask.

Just love and acceptance that seem to grow with each passing year.

I’ve often thought about the extraordinary gift of her friendship and wondered how it has weathered the years, and there is one word that resounds with me: grace.

You see, Connie and I are very different, and have been our entire lives. Yet, even though we don’t always agree or have the same things in common, we have consistently extended grace to each other.

Grace to grow without obligation;
grace to be without expectation;
and grace to fall without condemnation.

Grace is an extension of love that we have for others; and the grace we extend is dim in comparison to the grace that God extends to us. His grace is magnificent and mind-boggling and truly amazing.

Is there someone in your life that needs grace?

Perhaps you think they are unlovely;
or you have deemed them unworthy;
or maybe their offense unforgivable.

But if He – the One who is perfect, the One who is righteous, and the only One who is just in His judgments chose to give us grace, who are we to deny it to another?

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” – Colossians 3:13

0 Comments

Filed under: Reflections

Music Monday: The Great Awakening

Posted by Nikol

Nov 28

“Awaken” is the name of the conference in January. I had a nice blurb written all about why Jamie & I picked that word, but I trashed it when I ran across this video by Leeland Mooring. This is EXACTLY what I feel like God wants to do in His Church today.

The Great Awakening

One man wakes, awakens another
Second one wakes his next door brother
Three awake can rouse a town
And turn the whole place upside down
Many awake will cause such a fuss
It finally awakes all of us
One man wakes with dawn in his eyes
Surely then it multiplies
Surely then it multiplies

1 Comment

Filed under: Music Mondays

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 23

Today, I am grateful…

…for an awesome co-writer, Jamie Harper,

…for Immodium (don’t ask)…

…and for a God who keeps His promises.

1 Comment

Filed under: Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 22

Today, I am grateful…

…for the 26 years I got to spend with the best dad a girl could ask for. 14 years ago today, he got to see the face of Jesus. My life and the world was a bit better because Billy Whitten walked the face of the earth. I miss you, Daddy!

…the joy that follows every act of obedience to God’s call even though, at first, it’s uncomfortable.

…for a great group of Sophomore girls that I have the privilege of teaching each week. These girls are smart, kind and an unbelievable joy to me.

Tell me. What are you grateful for?

1 Comment

Filed under: Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 21

Happy Monday! I am grateful…

…for my brother whom I love dearly (but don’t tell him that). Always the little sister, one of the greatest joys of my life is to bug him. He’s so easily bug-able.

…for leather furniture so the dog hair doesn’t stick.

…and for the many, many, many things God shows me through Zephaniah 3:17.

The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you.
He will quiet you with His love.
He will rejoice over you with singing.

P.S. My brother requested that I let everyone know that I am standing on an ottoman so that you don’t think he is 5’0″ tall.

0 Comments

Filed under: Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 20

Day #4. We are rockin’ it out.

I’m grateful…

…for a wonderful mom. How do I even begin to list all the things that she has done for me and the things that she has taught me? There are no words.

…that Ellie has now had all of her shots and she is free to go walking at the park or on trails.

…for the Sabbath. Who doesn’t love a day of rest?

0 Comments

Filed under: Giving Thanks, Reflections

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 19

Today, I am grateful…

…for new puppies & memories of old ones.

…for my Keurig brewer which makes coffee with Christ so much easier.

…and for the blood of Jesus that covers a multitude of sins.

0 Comments

Filed under: Giving Thanks, Reflections

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 18

Day #2. Let’s be grateful.

I am grateful for….

…Dave Ramsey and garbage disposals. My old disposer cracked and that got ugly. But, thanks to Dave, I have not only a House Repairs fund, but also an Emergency Fund (just in case) allowing me to pay the plumber an obscene price required to fix it.

…two amazingly awesome bosses who love Jesus and allow me to support them. Nothing makes me happier than discussing how we can pray for each other through projects and circumstances that stretch us; sharing what God is doing in our lives; and, of course, just generally loving on The Lord.

…God’s timing, plan, purposes and creativity. There is no greater author. He writes the best stories. Hands down.

Now it’s your turn!

0 Comments

Filed under: Giving Thanks, Reflections

Giving Thanks: 7 Days of Gratitude

Posted by Nikol

Nov 17

Confession: I scowled at some elves yesterday. Elves! Ok. Actually they were people who were putting up the Christmas decorations at my office. Yesh.

I feel sorry for Thanksgiving. It gets overlooked. In my opinion we really should celebrate it more than any other holiday besides Easter. (And you guys know how much I love Easter.) It would probably be different if people celebrated Christ more at Christmas, but alas, I don’t think that’s why we love it. But that is another post that hopefully – for your sakes – I will never write.

Since I celebrate Easter for seven days, and the rest of the world celebrates Christmas for 2 months, I thought it would be nice to start celebrating Thanksgiving a week early. So, every day for the next seven days, I want to give God some praise and Thanksgiving some props.

I hope you will join me in celebrating early by posting with me, but if you don’t, that’s okay. Let’s try three each day. One each for the body (things that make life a bit easier), the heart (things that you love, love, love), and the soul (spiritual things).

Today, I am grateful…
…that I live in a country with drinkable tap water (I have Peru to thank for this lesson).
…for the girls in my accountability group (Kels, Robyn, Lil, Donna and Hope – you keep me sane and honest, and I love you dearly).
…that God chose me to be His child.

OK. Your turn. What are you celebrating this Thanksgiving?

2 Comments

Filed under: Giving Thanks, Reflections

Music Monday: Captivate Us

Posted by Nikol

Nov 14

This song has been on repeat for the past week on my iPod. I just love it so much. I hope you do too! Let’s bask in His beauty this Monday morning!

Your face is beautiful
And your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There, inside the scars
You’re loving arms they draw me near
And your smile, it brings me peace
Draw me closer, Oh my Lord,
Draw me closer, Lord, to thee

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on you
Devastate us with your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with you
And captivate us, Lord Jesus
With you.

Your voice is powerful
and your words are radiant bright
In your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And your fellowship is free
Draw me closer
Oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to thee

Captivate us, Lord Jesus,
Set our eyes on you
Devastate us with your presence
Falling down
And rushing river draw us nearer
Holy Fountain consume us with you
And captivate us, Lord Jesus
With you.

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in your grace
For your yoke is easy
Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye, will see you.

Captivate us, Lord Jesus,
Set our eyes on you
Devastate us with your presence
Falling down
And rushing river draw us nearer
Holy Fountain consume us with you
And captivate us, Lord Jesus,
With you.

1 Comment

Filed under: Music Mondays

Rejoice

Posted by Nikol

Nov 9

It’s been a rough couple of weeks for several of my beloved friends. And, of course, those are just the struggles that I know about.

There are people everywhere – maybe even you – who are in the midst of a discouraging, disappointing or frustrating period in your life. Today, I want to give you a reason to rejoice and a prayer for those who are struggling during a difficult period.

“I see that the Lord is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad,

and my tongue shouts his praises!

My body rests in hope.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead

or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.

You have shown me the way of life,

and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.” – Psalm 16:8-11

Holy God,

I thank you that you are with my friend that is struggling.

I rejoice that you are right beside her during this frustrating and discouraging season. You knew before the creation of the world that this season in her life would come. We know you have a purpose for it – a purpose to glorify Your Name – but we confess that it is difficult.

Your word says that you will fill her with the joy of your presence. Yes, Lord. JOY! That is what she needs! She needs

the joyful,

abundant

and

full LIFE

Your word says you provide.

We know that you do not give as the world gives because the world will neither satisfy nor will it bring us joy. Let her joy come from simply acknowledging Your presence, trusting that You are with her and she is not alone, as your son, David, did.

We praise you, Father! We praise you that though the devil intends these seasons for evil, YOU intent them for good, and we are grateful and rejoice in knowing that it is not his evil purposes, but Yours, that will stand!

What a wonderful God you are! Father, let her heart be glad, her tongue shout your praises and her body rest in your hope, for you will not allow her to be shaken.

In the wondrous name of Jesus, we thank you!

Amen!

0 Comments

Filed under: Struggles

Awkward

Posted by Nikol

Oct 31

This is a totally, embarrassing, and awkward post for me, but I really felt like I needed to share this with you.

Around Memorial Day 2010, I felt God leading me to teach and to write. I never felt the urge to write anything for anyone. Even in college, as people would ask if I was going to get a doctorate in Psychology, I would look at them and disgustingly say, “I never want to know enough about something where I could write a book.” (I’m sure if I had listened close enough, I would’ve heard an angel giggle.)

With writing not high on the list of dreams, (or even considerations), teaching anything – let alone the word of God – seemed just as unlikely because…well…I never thought about it.

However, as we know, God has His own plans. Through some interesting conversations, God confirmed that writing and teaching was what he wanted me to do. So, I prayed: “OK, Lord. Sure. No problem. I’ll be glad to teach and write. If this is what you want me to do, then I’ll need an opportunity.”

A few weeks later, I received a phone call from a pastor friend of mine and he asked me to speak at the women’s conference he was having at his church that fall.

“Ummm…can I pray about that?” (I know. I’m a dork.)

A few months later, after watching a bible study video, my sweet friend, Lil, whispered to me: “I can totally see you doing something like that one day.”

Say WHAT?!

There were a couple of more “unique” experiences that confirmed where God was leading, including meeting Jamie Harper in January 2011. Turns out she found my blog because – even though she is not a coffee drinker (and is seriously allergic even to the thought of drinking it) – “coffee” had been repeating to her. So, she did some digging and found my blog…not once…but twice. Turns out, we go to the same church, and God had been leading her to speak and to write too.

Weird.

For a few months Jamie and I met not knowing what God was leading us to do but certain that He had a plan. And guess what?! He did. And this is where it gets awkward….

This January, we have been given a great (and humbling, and completely mindboggling) opportunity to teach at the women’s conference at Valleydale Church. I’ve attached a copy of a flier just in case you’d like to see. I kind of have to slap myself when I see the fliers all of the church…it’s surreal. I’d love for you to come and meet Jamie and hopefully learn some really cool things about God.

You can register by contacting the church at 205.991.5282 or you can email Amy Harris (aharrisathome@yahoo.com).

Regardless of whether or not you can make it, may I be so bold as to ask you for a favor? Please pray over Jamie and I as we continue to prepare and write and check out Jamie’s blog sometime. I’m praying that God will do mighty things for those in attendance.

OK. Awkwardness over. [Sigh]

2 Comments

Filed under: Random

Healing

Posted by Nikol

Oct 19

The truck was loaded with some firewood, basic supplies and a warm meal. We pulled the truck off the road and headed up a small trail where we could see our friends huddled around a makeshift fire trying to keep warm. As we made our way toward them, greetings were exchanged and supplies unloaded.

I removed my gloves for a minute and went to shake the hand of a friend who lives under the overpass. He pulled back in horror. His hands were covered in soot from the fire and he refused to shake my hand. With his head bowed and eyes focused on his shoes he muttered, “No. I don’t want to get your hands dirty.”

Talk about awkward. So, I did the only thing I knew to do and hugged him instead.

I thought about my friend this morning as I was reading the story of Jesus healing the leper in Matthew 8.

Jesus is being followed by a large crowd of people and out of nowhere a leper approaches him, asking for healing and cleansing. This is a bold move because lepers were labeled “unclean” – by God Himself, mind you( Leviticus 13:3) – and were isolated from society. Drawing close to anyone, let alone this Jesus fellow, was risky.

Of course, I love that Jesus healed this man, but today I saw something more to love: “Jesus reached out and touched him” (v. 3). Can you imagine how long it had been since he felt the touch of another? I wonder if he shrunk back as my friend did.

Notice that Jesus could have simply spoken the healing, as He did in the story that follows, but He didn’t. Why? I think He knew this man needed the acceptance that we feel from the loving touch of another.

Have you hugged someone today? If not (and even if you have) get out there and hug some unsuspecting people! You never know when the last time someone showed them some affection.

1 Comment

Filed under: Random, Reflections

Bring It!

Posted by Nikol

Oct 17

Me and the girls packed up our tents recently and moved from the Old Testament into the New Testament! I am absolutely flabbergasted that we are 1) still reading and 2) still on schedule. All the glory goes to God for both!

Our trek through the Bible in a Year has certainly had it’s peaks (think Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Esther) and valleys (think Adam & Eve; Jonah; Ezekiel). But this past week, we got to stick our toes in the New Testament for the first time in nine months! I’ve never been so excited to read about Jesus in my entire life!

Interestingly enough, I’m having to adjust to our new location. I was comfortable in the OT despite the repetitive stories of disaster, destruction and disobedience that went along with it. While the NT it’s certainly a breath of fresh air, it has surprisingly taken some getting used to. It’s clearly a different message, different structure, different tempo, different…everything. But I’m learning to embrace change. Pour on the grace and mercy, and bring me some Jesus!

2 Comments

Filed under: Random

Unexplainable

Posted by Nikol

Oct 15

Hang out with God long enough and weird things start to happen. Things that some might call “coincidences” come at the most unlikely of places and in the most fascinating ways. I love to watch God work!

When you go on a mission trip with e3 Partners, they give you one of these bracelets and a really cool t-shirt.

The bracelets and the t-shirts are designed to be conversation starters, and to say they work is an understatement. (Just ask Robyn about her many experiences trying to explain why she is second to complete strangers.)

My roommate in Peru was a bubbly little twenty-something named Jada. Jada prays for God to give her unexplainable joy, and trust me when I say that He has not disappointed her. She is so…very…happy. And I love her to pieces.

I’ve only known Jada for a few months, but you get to know someone pretty well when you share a small room with them for ten days.

We’ve kept in touch.

We’ve had lunch.

We text message.

We chat on the phone.

We Skype.

We’re tight.

So, when I found out she was spending the night in Birmingham before heading to her second mission trip in almost as many months, I couldn’t resist the urge to take her to dinner and pray over her.

A mission trip send off requires some heavenly food, so I met her and her parents at Leonardo’s fully confident that she would leave carb-loaded and ready to spread some Jesus over India. Her mom needed some comfort food too, because she was nervous about her very precious daughter going to a very foreign place.

We were about 3/4 of the way into our meal, when Jada gasps and blurts out to our waiter: “OH MY GOSH! Are you second? I am too!!!”

I almost choked on my food.

Turns out, our waiter had on an I Am Second bracelet. What are the odds?

Excited conversation followed and we discovered that he had been to India with e3 Partners…not once…not twice …but three times.

Come ON! That is all God all the way!

It makes me want to cry to realize that our God orchestrated that dinner…

…at that particular place

…at that particular table

…with that specific waiter

…on that specific day…

…and he did it, not just so I could ooh and ahh over his awesomeness, but to bring comfort to a nervous mom and encouragement for an obedient daughter.

That is one awesome God that I adore. Praise Him!

6 Comments

Filed under: Random

A Time

Posted by Nikol

Oct 4

I walked outside this morning to a pleasant surprise: a nip in the air. After one crazy, humid, hot summer in the south, I have to admit that I got a little excited.

I love the change of seasons. It forces me to look at the world a bit differently. In the summer, I never notice individual leaves. But in the fall, when one turns a brilliant shade of orange or a vibrant violet, it catches my attention if only for a moment.

How similar are our seasons in life. Some seasons are meant for us to blend: each day a monotony of tasks and – like blades of grass – seemingly identical from the rest.

Then, suddenly our summer fades into fall. Our lives begin to shift and we become vibrant and beautiful with a brilliant purpose: to stand out from the rest.

Days are filled with a vigor unlike the season before. Each one bringing with it a cool breeze refreshing us from the stagnancy and oppressiveness that so often accompanies the end of summer. We feel alive and rejuvenated. There is a spring in our step (pardon the pun), and our souls seem to dance.

I’m wondering what season you are in.

Are you feeling oppressed by the monotony of your summer? Then, step outside for a moment and inhale deeply the crisp, fresh, fall air. See how the leaves swing and sway? Perhaps that is evidence of the season to come.

Or perhaps you are already in a season of fall, and winter is heading your way. As you brace yourself for the chill, enjoy the season of rest and, remember: spring always comes.

Enjoy whatever season you are in knowing that the days of each one are numbered by God himself and each serves His purpose. Let the wisdom of King Solomon settle into your soul.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

4 Comments

Filed under: Reflections

View more posts »