Last weekend, I had the privilege to serve on the Emmaus team
for the women's walk in Stanton, Texas.
Wondering what a Walk to Emmaus is? Click
HERE.
To say, "The walk was amazing," is an understatement.
Two women gave
their lives to the Lord.
Hearts were healed, relationships were restored,
and freedom was found as God's grace and peace were made real to women.
His LOVE was tangible.
You could see it, touch it, smell it, feel it.
What I love about Emmaus is that it isn't about religion.
I don't like being around religion.
Emmaus isn't about following religious rules and putting on your "good girl" face.
It's about getting real.
I didn't know "churched women" had "pasts" and still struggle "being good" too.
See, I lived A LOT of life before I was saved at the age of 22.
When I went on my walk, I needed people to be real.
I needed someone to say I was not too "stained" to become a useful vessel in God's KINGDOM.
Emmaus is about God's love, and His power to set you FREE!!!
Free from past mistakes; FREE from present trials.
It's about GRACE, UPON GRACE, UPON GRACE.
It is about real women having the courage to testify about what God's love has done in their lives.
Nobody needs to go on a Walk to
Emmaus,
but everyone
DESERVES to go.
__________________________
Then when we got back we heard about
Alex's fatal car accident.
(I wish I could have uploaded a picture of her, but you can go
here to see her beautiful face.)
Our family knew Alex through the Kairos Prison Ministry. You don't usually meet girls like Alex: seventeen years old, on fire for the Lord, talented, beautiful, joyful, funny, smart, and yet she was even more than that. I remember the first time I met her I went up to her mom, Jeanne, and asked, "What have you and Johnny done to raise this girl so well?"
I am not going to lie and say I understand this tragedy.
I don't understand it.
It isn't fair.
My heart is bleeding for her mom and dad.
BUT GOD,
But God is still God.
God is who HE says HE IS.
GOD can do what HE says He can do.
I think the biggest tragedy during times like this is people asking,
"Why did God take Alex away?"
Well, God did not take Alex.
This was not God's will.
(John 10:10 makes this very clear.)
In her father's words,
"Alex was going down a road her mom and I forbid her to go down. Alex was driving too fast. Alex was texting and not wearing her seat belt."
God's love for Alex AND you AND me is so great that He gives us all a free will.
FREEDOM TO MAKE CHOICES.
Free will to not follow the laws that keep us safe.
Free will to choose HIM or reject HIM.
BUT GOD,
But God works all things out for good for those who love HIM,
and
Alex loved God!!!
(Romans 8:28)
During her funeral today over 800 people joined together to celebrate her life.
Not one questioned where she is right now.
NOT ONE.
She wasn't ashamed of the Good News.
Over 20 people gave their life to the Lord during this celebration of Alex's life.
How many people do you know who have led 20 people to the Lord in their lifetime?
God is already working this tragedy out for good.
And if you still don't believe God is real...you should go talk to Alex's mom, Jeanne.
Do you know any mother who has the strength to walk in and out of her daughter's funeral with a smile on her face, praising her God?
I do.
Alex's mom.
Oh...God is real.
God is MIGHTY to save.
This week I have experienced moments were joy was exploding inside my heart, and moments where grief and sorrow caused so many tears to fall I felt dehydrated.
BUT GOD...
But God is stable.
He is an immovable rock,
and when I abide and cling to Him,
His grace and love elevate me above "yo-yo Christianity."
The storm's life throws my way are powerless to move me.
The ups and the downs can't enslave me,
can't steal my joy,
and can't cause me to question God's goodness.
When you know the TRUTH the TRUTH will set you free.
I am walking by faith, not by sight.
When I walk by FAITH, I have to remind myself that my feelings don't get a vote.
BUT GOD...
In honor of Alex's life, I'd like to ask each of you a question.
Let's get real and honest with each other for just a moment, because none of us are promised tomorrow.
Can you draw up in your mind the day you gave your entire life to Jesus Christ?
James 2:19
"You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."
Giving your life to Christ is more than knowing ABOUT God.
IT'S MORE THAN KNOWING THERE IS A "BIG MAN" UPSTAIRS, because God's Word says even the demons believe there is a God.
Can you picture the day in your mind where your relationship with Jesus began?
Unfortunately, sitting in a church pew for 20 years does not mean you have a relationship with Jesus.
Can you picture the very moment when you realized Jesus really loves you? Has there been a moment in your life where you surrendered it all to HIM, and said, "It all for you Jesus."
Romans 10:9-10
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Do you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that when you leave this earth you will be with the Lord?
If you can, great; please pray for Alex's family right now.
If you can't draw up that picture or have any questions...
IT IS NOT TOO LATE.
Don't believe the lie that you can "out sin" God.
HIS SON WOULD HAVE DIED EVEN IF YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE.
He loves Alex,
AND
He loves you TOO.
Romans 8:28-39, "
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them...What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything for us... Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Drew's prayer for Alex's family,
"Oh Father God, you are a big God. You are so strong. We don't have to be afraid of that mean ol' snake. We are the boss of that mean snake, and we tell that snake to leave Alex's mommy and daddy alone. We stomp on him. We say, "Jesus," and that snake has to run away. Oh Father God, thank you for our super power because we are on God's team. We are the winners. Thank you for our muscles. Thank you we don't have to be afraid, because we are on God's team. Help us to kill those ol' Goliafs (aka- Goliaths). In Jesus Name, Amen."
I wanted to put something pretty (but cheap) on my coffee table. I rummaged around in my ornaments, picked some cotton, and viola!!!
I wanted to put something pretty (but cheap) on my coffee table. I rummaged around in my ornaments, picked some cotton, and viola!!!
