Shake Your Booty

This is what I woke up to this morning…

Actually I have been waking up to this every morning for quite a while.

The picture does not do the display of excitement justice. Some days, I know he is up by the sound of the crib shaking. My 9 month old boy not only smiles from ear to ear but he has got rhythmic knees that know just how to shake.

So much has been filling my heart this week—and so much I want to write and share—but this picture says alot for me right now.

Let me explain first, that on Monday morning I woke up with a bizarre set of lyrics from a song in my head. “Shake Your Booty,” rattled in my head and Ihad this inclination to ask God..."Why?"

Sometimes when things just seem absurd, don't you ask Him, "Why?"

Having these lyrics in my head was just funny to me, because I don't watch much televsion, or even listen to much radio...and I don't remember hearing those lyrics recently. I also noticed that after settling my heart a bit with God in His Word before the Lane clan awoke and I went on to prepare breakfast and lunches for the day, I was filled with great inspiration for my busy week ahead. I even posted something on Facebook about it.

So, since Monday, the word 'Shake' has been on my mind!

I felt compelled to look up verses with the word 'shake' in them...I found myself in Isaiah 52 and was reminded of how dirty and dusty my feet actually were while meeting with some girlfriends doing ministry at the park. (Long story, but if you want to see some really awesome upcoming things happening check out Girlfriendit beginning October 1st!

Anyway...back to what's shakin...

Tomorrow I am off with one of my biggest loving cheerleaders in my life--my Mom! And we are off to a women’s retreat in the mountains. I just have a feeling that God is going to shake things up a bit, and bring smiles to our hearts and faces. I am expecting Him to do great things!

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my mom, it reveals her wild, adventurous side...

This adventurous side is so often overlooked in us women.

*Someone has to be the tamer amongst wild animals in life*

Will you join me in praying for this special time set apart for me and my sweet mother. And pray this verse over your own precious heart girlfriend! (Please insert your own name in place of mine and my mothers).

Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your garments of splendor,
O Julie and Linda, the holy ones of the Lord.
The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Julie and Linda.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive daughters of Zion.

Isaiah 52:1&2

WE ARE HIS DAUGHTERS!

Hallelujah! May He do some shaking this weekend and give our hearts peace and rest!

He will do this for all of us if we ask...don't you agree?

*This is me and my mom about 37 years ago...during the days she was greeted every morning with me shaking the crib. {INSERT great big God and Julie SMILES}

In The Waves of Life

Do you ever feel like life keeps throwing you one monstrous wave after another? After reading Psalm 93:3-4 this week, I sank my body deep into the cushions of the sofa and let my thoughts go for a second. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I reflected on the recent waves crashing into my heart these recent weeks. The cares and concerns of my heart may be small to the next person but still pounding upon my tender heart.

Thank you Jesus that we can take the cares and concerns to You because you care for us.
(1 Peter 5:7).

As I sank deeper into thought, I found myself back at the beach with family and friends riding the waves. I almost felt the movement of the breaking waters again as I saw myself back upon the boogie board riding the surf with some girlfriends. After being pounded by the waves hours earlier many of the kids and dads were now resting their feet in the sand and it was now our turn. The waves of life do have a way of pounding down on us.

Many times, I glanced over seeing my girlfriends smiling, laughing, riding the waves with me. I remember then, and now again am praising God for enabling me to ride the waves of life and share the precious memories with dear friends. **Insert a sudden halt**—a pause to the television DVR—the sound muted for just a second, for as soon as we are wrapped up in something good we are reminded that not all waves are able to be ridden together. My thoughts immediately shifted to remembering many a waves I was left in the dust watching my girlfriend ride on ahead and some I plunged ahead on my own. My body language may not have demonstrated as such, but when I was left behind, there was a speck of disappointment—a speck of just plain, “Ahhh, I want to ride too!” I know I am not alone as I saw the body language of many young and old demonstrate this same emotion thorughout our time on the beach.

Life is much more than riding the ocean waves isn’t it? I am studying about David in 2 Samuel 6 right now and his time to boogie board with thirty thousand men. They were riding the waves to bring up the Ark. Celebration was in order until their feat was halted with Uzzah’s death. Devastation hit the heart of the men and David became angry and afraid and left the Ark with someone else. David sat paralyzed holding his boogie board watching another named Obed-Edom ride the blessing of a wave.

David didn’t ride those waves again for 3 months and how often do we stand paralyzed because of life’s waves and then even become envious of another riding a wave while we are stuck with our feet in the sand. I am thankful for David’s example, for it encourages me to keep going.
We see David choosing to see God’s love rather than become jealous of his friend Obed-Edom.

Are you ever tempted to get out of the game and cease riding the waves?

For me, it is tempting at times…yet, rather than be jealous of another’s blessing He is nudging my heart and yours to say, “Yay God! “ And just as God reminded David , He is wanting to remind us too...He loves each one of us.

What waves are you watching another ride?
Are you watching reminding yourself that God loves you too?

So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves!
(Psalm 107:21 The Message)



*This is dedicated to my girlfriends who not only rode the waves with me this summer, but continually ride the waves of life with me. I am so thankful for you and your encouragement. Thank you for continuing to point me to Him and cheer me on--I pray I will always do the same for you!

Finally!

“Finally, we can be out here!” A sweet woman riding her bicycle on the path next to me exclaimed and smiled. The cooler temperatures of this approaching new season are something to get excited about. I was thankful for her smile and comment as my thoughts were beginning to drift remembering the latest storm as I watched groundskeepers clean up fallen branches and debris.

As I watched them haul off large tree trunks I recalled the images seen on television from the devastation of September 11th, 2001 as we just passed the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Remnants of that particular storm remain in our hearts tempting us to be paralyzed with fear and forget that even in the storms of life God is near.

So often in my own storms I am tempted to doubt and fear. I am thankful for vows in the recesses of my heart to “NEVER FORGET” and for the simple smile, truths and prayers of girlfriends—sweet sisters who are tenaciously seeking a relationship with our Father. So many times God has used a girlfriend to remind me that He is near. And, today is no different as this woman’s smile and word “finally” resonates in my mind.

Later the same woman on the bicycle came up from behind me a little wearier from her ride and began to share with me the dysfunction and disappointment found in her recent spiffed up bicycle. Apparently, she has been preparing for this upcoming season and had her bicycle repaired.

I just loved that this woman who I had just met began to share her minor trouble. Are you courageous enough to share your struggles with another? I know I am often tempted to cover up the struggles in my heart.

I sensed God nudging me to remind her…encourage her just as she had brought my wayward thoughts minutes earlier… and I simply said "Praise God we are here! Finally…we are here!"

If God is currently still working on you and cleaning up some debris in your life…please join me in exclaiming…finally! It's by no means perfect, but we are riding in this journey...all of us are a work in progress.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Eph 6:10)

Finally, my sisters, rejoice in the Lord! (Phil 3:1)

Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think of such things. (Phil 4:8)

Finally, sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2 Thes 3:1)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as sisters, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)

Weeds of Discouragement

Do you ever feel like God has made a way for you, maybe cleared a mountain flat or helped boost you right on top of it only to find that you are still right there in the middle of it all? I feel like God has actually just split open a huge mountain in my life, kind of like He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites yet, I am stuck—kind of paralyzed—right here in the middle.

Right here in the middle I have to admit, I am tempted to be discouraged and doubt in this place. Part of me wants to just run away…I guess—basically give up.

Yet, I know better than this and something in me causes me to remember!

Remember everything that God has done thus far; He has brought me right here-right now and He has not left me alone. Am I the only one who is tempted to think God has left me when something doesn’t go so smoothly?

I was comforted in God’s Word and wrote out some truths from 1 Chron 28:20:

“With God I am strong and courageous and can do this work! With God I will not be afraid or discouraged, for He is with me and will not fail me or leave me until this work is finished.”

I am so thankful for God and His willingness to help when we are humble enough to ask. I was pounding through these thoughts as I walked this morning and He reminded me of the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13 as I was walking. It was like God literally touched my face and steered it to focus on the weeds that had sprouted up along the road.

I came to conclude that God saw my path like this with weeds and He was choosing not to pull them. He has split the mountain, but He has not prevented weeds to sprout up on my path—the mountain is no longer an obstacle, but I am surely not on a pristine yellow brick road. Maybe it’s the royal wedding recently that has allowed me to take my own princess status a bit too far (SMILING!).

In Matthew 13:29 where Jesus tells the parable of the weeds the owner of the field did not want the servants to pull up the weeds because in doing so they may pull up some of the ‘good seed’ that was planted. Could there be purpose in standing along some weeds for a time? I somehow know that with God there is security in standing right here with this annoying weed.

I think I may be understanding a little more about what it means to have God teach me through His Word and walk with Jesus, and for this I simply say, “Thank you.” I’m laying down my desire for comfort and ease, maybe a little of my desire for perfection and trusting that God will do what He is going to do—even with the weeds right here.

I admit, the weeds bother me, and in reality some of the weeds in my yard will cause a letter to arrive in the mail from my HOA. And simply, I just don’t like them. Still, like them or not, I am choosing to trust God and I will let Him take care of them in His perfect time.

What about you girlfriend? Are there any weeds growing in your life that you need to be okay with just leaving there for God to take care of at the right time? I hope you talk to Him about them today and maybe even ask a girlfriend to pray for you.

All of us could use a prayer for strength to keep walking the path He has for us—especially when weeds sprout up!

P.S. I would both appreciate your prayers and also be honored to pray for you too girlfriend! May our prayers encourage one another to be brave and do the things we need to do!

Raising Expectations For A Boaz

We’ve got some attitude growing in our house these days, attitude the size of a pre-teen young boy. I don’t know how, but I remember being a pre-teen and my mother talking to me about an attitude that I refused to own at the time. Me, a brat? Never! Raising responsible young boys is not easy and I’ll be honest it has been wearing me out lately! As I pray for myself (my own attitude and weariness), the pre-teen “attitude” in our home, I am also in prayer for some REMARKABLE ladies this morning. Some of who I know and some of who I don’t—some of who are walking with light and love and some who are desperate for love and walking in the dark—I am reminded of my own responsibility to shape this pre-teen attitude to have a keen sense of responsibility and integrity. “Lord, make him a Boaz and awake their desire for a Boaz in the night.” So interesting and not a coincidence that this week my studying brought me to, two wonderful stories in the Bible that are connected together and connected to you and me in Christ! So thrilling to read our history in the pages of the Bible and be inspired by them. As I pray for the hearts walking in darkness, desperate for love…I read about Rahab, the prostitute in Joshua 2 and the rescuing of her heart and loved ones tied to cords of scarlet. Recognizing that these cords of love are connected to another story of rescuing; my heart melts reading the story of this young, responsible man full of integrity—Boaz—raised by Rahab, the prostitute. (WOW!) As I read of this man…this hero, his words spoken to the woman (Ruth) in need made my heart melt and I asked God to not only develop this hero heart in my pre-teen boy, but to also bring this kind of hero to the many women desperate for love. All women deserve and need a hero like Boaz, one who will encourage us to stay (verse 8); one who will tell the men not to touch us (verse 9), one who will provide us food and drink (verse 9); one who give us work that allows us to keep our dignity and keeps us safe (verse 12); one who will give orders to other men not to embarrass us (verse 15). Lord help us raise such a Boaz in our boys and accept nothing but a Boaz to love our little girls. Bring a Boaz in the night for all that need one and help me shape a Boaz here at home. “May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:12 NAS

Open Hands

I know Valentine’s Day was last month, but I’ve been thinking a lot about love and the things we value and treasure. Also, how do we know we are loved and treasured? How do we communicate to others that they are loved and treasured? Do we believe it?

Both hearing and saying recently, “I love you. Love that! Love ya,” has brought forth questions in my heart. What does love really mean?

Kind of interesting, that a friend on Facebook reminded me today, that it is ‘Happy 3-16 Day’ by posting John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…”

I wonder if we get ourselves wrapped up in what we think love is…only to find out it really isn’t love at all. Do you think we can get confused about love and thus settle for less than love in our lives?

How do I know how to love? Did I ever take that class and did I pass?

Must we receive love in order to give love? I think so…

Last week I enjoyed a bike ride with my middle son. We were enjoying the warm Spring weather through our neighborhood; an when we got to a curvy part of the trail, my son asked if he could jump ahead for a little while. He disappeared from my eyes for a bit and when he reappeared I noticed he was no longer riding, but was walking his bike. I began to think of reasons why he was now choosing to walk his bike. For someone who so desired to get out and ride his bike, it made no sense. (Do we take the time to try and understand the weird/odd/different actions of others, or just presume they are strange? Hmmm…maybe a thought for another blog.)

Still from afar I was checking out his tires, his bike chains, his body language to see if there was any sign of bicycle mishap. No flat, no chains dangling and a perk in his step told me he was just fine—but still knowing there had to be a reason that he chose to walk rather than ride his bike.
When I caught up to him, I asked inquisitively, “What happened? Why are you walking your bike instead of riding it?”

He replied, “I didn’t want to lose my treasures, and I don’t have a pocket for them.” He pried his hand open to reveal his treasures…

Four small acorn shells rested in his small hands. I offered to put them in my pocket so he could ride. As he pedalled off again, I realized how quickly he "treasured" these acorns…just holding them for a matter of minutes and also how willing he was to give me his treasures because he trusted me. He knew that I would not just discard them but rather care for them and keep them safe. As I put his treasures in my pocket the word sacrifice seemed to come roaring up from my toes and then resonated in my mind for the rest of the ride.

Pure love is sacrifice and I don’t think we can fully embrace or understand it on our own. We need help…specifically God’s help to grasp this kind of pure love.

For our God who created us knows all about the ultimate sacrifice given fully in the name of love.
When left to ourselves, we get love all twisted up.

How can we unravel the mess and live with this healthy pure love?

Gonna ponder this some more, but I am thinking it has something to do with keeping my hands open.

What about you?

How do you receive and give love that is healthy and pure to those around you?

UNSHAKEABLE

Woosh! I was startled by a noise outside my baby’s window and realized that the wind is blowing all kinds of stuff around outside made me think about our lives and how often things may seem to be tossed around to and fro.

When I glanced through the window I noticed that the only things not moving around in the yard were the rocks.

Hmmmmm…to hold onto something unshakeable like a rock seems so comforting for my heart right now.

What’s unshakeable in your life? Do you have something solid to hold onto?

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.

(Deut 32:4)

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. (Psalm 18:2)

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

(Psalm 62:6)

But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

(Psalm 94:22)

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.

(Isaiah 26:4)