My Assignment

Well, I just got home from one of the best women's meetings our church has had in years.  I think there was a combination of things that culminated tonight to make it so phenomenal and it was just what I needed.  

Pastor Lisa spoke tonight on "Assignments" -what we are called to do.  And for the first time, that I have ever truly heard, she pointed out that what our assignment is, may not necessarily be our passion.  Some examples she gave from the Bible included Noah.  His assignment was to build an ark.  But do we know that woodworking was his passion?  What about Jonah?  He was called to go to Ninevah and he ran away from that assignment.  How about Mary?  Her assignment was to give birth to Jesus, but that probably wasn't what she was passionate about.  My guess is she wanted to plan a nice wedding, make a home for her and Joseph, and then think about having kids.  She probably wasn't terribly fond of the whispers behind her back about being pregnant out of wedlock, but it was her assignment.  

For years I have struggled with this.  I am passionate about  many things, but don't really feel God leading me in the direction of pursuing those things as far as a life-calling goes.  I keep telling God that I know there is something more for me than what I'm doing now.  And maybe there is, but right now, He has confirmed tonight that my assignment is to continue to help my husband build our business.  

Pastor Lisa asked who was counting on me to fulfill my assignment.  That really got to me.  In addition to my family, we have a team of employees that are counting on me - and most of those employees have families themselves -kids to feed, rent, gas for their car, clothing, etc. Not only do our employees (or team members as we prefer to call them) count of me to fulfill my assignment, but our business partner does too.  And that partner, has a family as well.  Our partner is a divine connection from God and I can't let that family down.  They took a chance on us, we are building something together, and I am a part of that.  I must fulfill my assignment!

I still think there is something else inside of me that God will use in an entirely different fashion. When the timing is right, it will come about when it is supposed to.  In the meantime, I will man my post and fulfill my assignment to the best of my ability.

I am committed to my assignment.  Are you?

Why are we here?

Black, brown, white. Conservative, liberal, independent. Straight, gay, bi. Make-up, au-natural. Pants, long dresses. Heavy metal, A Capella.  Wealthy, poor.  Dog lover, cat lover.  Employee, employer.  If you are a follower of Christ we need to walk in love. It doesn't mean we will all agree but we better get our crap together because we are all going to be in eternity together.

We are to love our neighbors as ourselves.  That doesn't mean we have to agree with everyone's lifestyle choices or political philosophies.   It does mean we need to walk together treating one another the way we would want to be treated.  We ought to be able to have civil, intellectual debates without getting ugly.  And if we can't, then we can agree to disagree in love or we will never win others to Christ. Isn't that why we are really here?

The Beauty of America

With all the Chick-fil-A hoopla I've gotten all riled up inside.  This deal really IS about free speech.  It is NOT about who is right and who is wrong regarding same sex marriage.  It is NOT about the "wicked" rich cramming their opinions down our throats.  We, the people, are much too smart for that, I hope.  Be gay.  Be straight.  Walk hand in hand with God.  Walk alone.  It's your choice.  We have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Go -pursue your happiness, but why do we have to be so ugly about it? The double standards that this country has decided to embrace is hateful and downright embarrassing.  I am pretty sure the other nations of the world think we look like clowns as we crumble at the doings of our own hands. 

For some reason, this day and age, it's okay for Hollywood or Oprah or any other democratic leaning person/entity to voice a liberal opinion (which they are fully entitled to), and yet, now that a conservative Christian owner of a business voices his personal opinion it's UN-American and "hateful".  Since when has it not been okay, in America, to voice an opinion - even if it is different than your own?  Since when has it not been okay, in America, to donate money to programs you support?  Since when has it not been okay, in America, to have a peaceful demonstration to support or protest an ideal?  


The people that know me know I am a born again, follower of Jesus Christ.  I have family members that are as well.  I also have family members that are not.  But just because our beliefs are different doesn't mean we sling ugly words or call one another "haters."  I am entitled to my personal beliefs and opinions just like everyone else.  Yet, suddenly with this Chick-fil-A "controversy" I have been placed into a box labeled bigot, hater, and "rich bully" (even though I am far from rich when it comes to money) simply because my beliefs align with a man who stood up for his convictions.  


I admire people who stand up for their convictions - even if they are different than my own.  We have to stand for something or we will fall for anything.  (No, that's not an original saying)  But can't we stand on the Constitution and look at it with a keen eye into what this country really stands for and was founded on?  This country was founded on biblical principles, promoting personal freedoms. . . . period.  If you don't like that or disagree with those principles, that's okay.  You have the freedom to disagree and debate the issue.  You also have the freedom to leave so you don't have to live under the Constitution or you can choose to stay and deal with the fact that this country's foundation is different than your personal beliefs and then get in alignment.  It's your choice -that's the beauty of America!