Worship the Lamb of God

Shackled By A Heavy Burden

“Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘neath a load of guilt and shame...”
The the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.”

The Gaither Vocal Band wrote the lyrics to this gospel song which after a walk in the woods one morning with the pup kept coming to mind and I began to sing it.  I was admiring the beauty of the freshly fallen snow but as I glanced at the trees they were so heavy laden with that thick weighty load bearing upon the branches.  I am sure that some of them were so close to breaking and I thought of how familiar that is to us when we are full of unconfessed sin.

Sin is a very heavy load to bear, after all, the Father didn’t design us to carry that kind of a weight around!  It is a weight that will eventually cause damage physically and spiritually.  Physically we hide our sin and by hiding or stashing it we become unhealthy in our actions trying to cover up our mess.  And what about the guilt that we carry around because of our sin?  It could be from something we’ve done or said or we might live in denial pretending that we have done nothing wrong yet wonder why our happiness and joy is stifled, only a facade.

Spiritually speaking, we might do likewise as we pretend that our walk is just fine and that all is well.  When in fact we for some reason have a difficult time with people, especially certain ones who seem to remind of us of a place we would rather not visit.  Or those especially nice ones who make us uncomfortable because they seem so clean and right.  Why can’t I just find peace?  Then there is also that void when I don’t know Jesus and He doesn’t reside or dwell within, you just want peace with yourself and with others!

“Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same...”

I have learned that sin is a weight that is not intended to be can’t be carried.  And I am unable to soar bearing its load.  God created me/you to fly like an eagle and soar to great heights but by carrying an  unnecessary burden, I become handicapped so to speak unable to attain those things that God designed me for!  But there is a remedy...

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise." (NKJ)


God delights when we turn from sin!  There is no degree of one sin over another, it is all unacceptable to Him.  And there is nothing sweeter than being released from that burden which stood in the way as a road block between me and God!  No more guilt, no more shame and one thing is for sure, the world takes on a whole new look when it isn’t skewed with our sin and guilt!  You see, God provides enough grace and mercy daily for every wrong we confess.  After all, He delights in our felllowship and right standing with Him because of the sacrifice His Son Jesus made on the cross.  When Jesus rose from the grave on Resurrection morning, He made a way for us to have life and a relationship with Father God.  It was extreme love, given for us!

John 15:13 says it clearly, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (NKJ)
And like the song continues...
“He touched me, oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.”

So if it is unforgiveness, adultery, abuse, a besetting sin, the sin of unbelief, you just name it and give Him your burden, don’t delay, it belongs at the foot of the cross!  Jesus blood covers it and God has already forgiven it!

Don't Leave Home Without It!

What is your covering?  Right off the top we know that God is our ultimate covering.  He is Lord over all!  But as a married woman in ministry I am learning that my “covering” is my guy.  There was a time that I would not have liked or wanted to live that out.  However, being a female representative for Christ and a wife means this is key to God’s blessings as I serve Him!

My guy--old-fashioned man that he is--really enjoys having his girl home.  As the Lord began to open up more ministry opportunities this meant that I would have to be gone more frequently.  Believe me, I love to be home, especially being one who works all week.  But as requests to speak began to come more frequently I sensed that the guy was not very approving especially when there would be overnight stays.  I sensed and heard some grumbling and I knew that we had to go tete-et-tete!

Television is his evening routine spent with Bill and then Sean but I asked that he would please turn it off and hear my heart.  I then began to ask some questions like “Do you think that God uses my story to help, encourage and bring others to Christ?” and he admitted He does and has been for a time!  You see I have always done Bible study groups with teen girls and women which he has observed over the years.  Not to mention my program on air every day.  I then let reminded him that being a Stonecroft speaker means that I would be asked to speak all over our state (and bordering states).  Not to mention the other speaking events I would be doing.  It is at this juncture that I said to my guy, that if I don’t have your blessing, there is no way that I will have an anointing to go forward, if he didn’t agree that this was where God was taking me then I would lay it all down.  You see, I realized I cannot go forward if my husband disagrees with me doing so and it is vital for me to be under his covering, not out from under it “doing my own thing.”

After a bit guy paused and then said that he thought it was important to continue what I was doing but he also gave me some very sound advise and for the fist time I truly felt he was protecting me not restricting me.  (This was quite a breakthrough for us!)  Like not traveling to the Dakotas via automobile in the winter months, that makes sense!  I knew he was lovingly showing his care for me!  But the long and short of it was he had released me to “go”!

I was writing this on a plane en-route to an event in Platteville, WI where I would be keynotes at an all day women’s seminar!  This however did not come without some difficulties!  While preparing for this event I was overwhelmed at one point because of all these things that kept coming up out of nowhere!  The cold the guy acquired was over in three days while it stayed with me for ten.  And,  during the end of that time I somewhere along the line contracted conjunctivitis, not fun when you are praying and evaluating your talk!  Not to mention that it affected my voice for work.  Not only that but the weekend before I was to leave saw my husband admit himself to ER for chest pains (this is one of the healthiest guys!) where we suddenly had a pile of concerns to deal with.  Although, as we prayed I sensed God’s peace in it all.  I was ready to cancel out on the event but he settled, was put on a medication and sent home the next day.  Whew, Lord, what in the world was going on?

The rest of the week leading up to the Wisconsin event found me living with a grumbly man. The night before I departed I had to once again go tete-et-tete as we discussed our meeting over a year ago and the fact that he had released me to do this!  (He was feeling better and had been working that week)  I mentioned that as we prayed I knew things were going to be alright and he relaxed a bit and agreed but I am sure that there was a lot of uncertainty as to what the future was going to hold going on in his mind!

I remembered Moses' request that God's presence be with him or else he (Moses) would not go forward to do as God had called him:

Exodus 33:15, "Then Moses said to him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."

Moses knew he needed God's presence to accomplish the daunting task set before him and God certainly let His presence be known and Moses' face was radiant from his God encounter.

Now God really does show up in the eleventh hour.  I called my husband before I left and asked for his blessing upon the Saturday event and I asked him to pray for me especially during the times I would be speaking and he surprised me by saying that he would and that he loved me!  I can only tell you that it is much better to leave home knowing you not only have the Lord’s blessing but also your husband’s.  Isn’t God good!  

Friend, don’t just make sure that your bases are covered but don’t leave home unprotected!

Wearing the Blinders

The young girl asked, "What are those things by the horses eyes?  How can he see?"  The owner of the beautiful Percheron pair said "They are blinders and they keep the horse from being spooked or surprised (especially when pulling a sled full of people.)"  Which is just what we were getting ready to enjoy!


These are 1,600 pound horses that could do a lot of damage if they were spooked not to mention that one step on a someone and wow, I think you would break!  We had a delightful ride and my, that pair pulled a sled with 8 adults and 10 kids ranging in size and age.We had a marvelous time and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful winter day.  By the end of our hour long ride it began to snow so so although beautiful, it was somewhat heavy and wet, it all timed out beautifully!


As I pondered the thought of blinders I realized that in essence we all should be wearing spiritual blinders.  When I think of how easily we can be pulled this way or that in our thinking, (by the the wiles of the enemy of our soul) I think yes, that is just want he wants to do with us, spook us into old behavior and get us to regret and feel guilty and the like.  He is so sneaky!


My favorite verses in Philippians basically reminds us to keep our eyes on the prize so that we will attain the goal in sight, so we don't become distracted and pulled away from that goal!

The Message Paraphrase puts it this way:

:13 Friends, don’t get me wrong:  By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. :14  I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

If we do likewise, then we really can’t use excuses when we get pulled away and tempted to walk contrary to our Christ life.  God has certainly given us everything we need to literally be armed and dangerous.  I like that thought! We just need to read and lean into Ephesians 6 and remind ourselves of the armor God gives us to use, applying the armor daily just like the horseman.  He dresses his horses to protect them and others!

So, do you have your blinders on today?

Father, I can’t make excuses when I fall, you have fully equip me to stand the wiles of the enemy who would love nothing other than to trip me and then watch me fall. And, he would get double for his effort if I caused someone else to fall.  So guard my heart Lord, may I be armed and watchful and a trustworthy example keeping  my gaze upon the end result of an eternity with You!

Tending The Garden

Do you like to garden?  Once upon a time I was an avid gardener.  I had a small hobby farm and I grew produce and planted flowers.  I even had some ducks, geese and chickens to tend.  They weren't just any old chickens but rare breed chickens. It was just fun for my little boy and I although he struggled with the birds as they weren't very nice to him.


The older I got the more involved I became in kid things as they grew and I too began to participate in more stuff and suddenly I didn't have much time left over to take care of my garden and flower beds.  After all they take lots of work, and hours of dedication to keep them cleaned out so the tender shoots don't get choked out. they also need to be thinned out so that the plants themselves don't get over crowded and then there is harvesting...lots of work!  But what is there that is good that doesn't come with effort?


I have discovered a new web blog called A Holy Moment that is authored by Ann Voskamp who has come to the forefront with her book--now on the New York Times best-seller list--One Thousand Gifts.  


I think this beautiful girl is definitely on to something.  Nothing new, nothing that takes rocket science but an effort.  An effort to wake up alert to whose you are and gratefully appreciate what God has blessed you with. Oh friend, this just isn't quite as easy as it looks.  As I mentioned above, tending a garden takes effort and so does cultivating a heart of gratitude!  


You might be like me, having gone too long in the negative zone, with a negative mindset to start and finish your day.  But what if we put forth an effort to counter that mentality with thanking our Sovereign for who He is as the giver of all good things, acknowledging His marvelous presence in our lives each and every day?  And just like a garden we would tend to weeding out unwanted foreign thoughts that are contrary to our Sovereign's truth, and replanting with thankfulness after we have tilled up the crusty, dry ground that has settled for too long in in one place.  


Let's imagine looking at life with nothing less than a handful of things to be grateful for each day!  I will just bet that as you and I work toward cultivating our heart of gratitude that we are going to naturally adjust our outlook, in turn to other's and our family's, and then who knows what could overflow even outside of our immediate sphere of influence?  Seriously, what would the world look like filled with grateful hearts?


Today, I have decided to diligently proceed to my flower bed and take the trowel to grumbling and complaining and replant with appreciation and thankfulness. 


Psalm 66:1-3a says "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory  of His name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, "How awesome are Your deeds!""


The joy that comes for from a heart of gratitude is where we get the strength to stand in the difficult times (and they will come!)  Without it we will wither but joy is wrought with gratefulness!  So let's get our tools and get digging.