unexpected fragrance

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient or these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:13-17, ESV).

Unexpected fragrance. That's what arrived at my door yesterday. It was a normal day in Houston for me. Massive amounts of projects lay in piles around my home office, in my computer, and at the house. Every morning I am in the unfortunate habit of grabbing my smart phone to see what has happened in eastern time (EST) while I slept. I admit I often moan. It is not all bad but it does draw me to my Bible to make sense of it all. Yesterday, the day started the same but sometime in the morning, a carrier arrived with the most unexpected vase of beautiful flowers from my friend and co-laborer in Christ, Tracy. What a great blessing! Tracy, who has the gift of exhortation, always gives words of encouragement that come with the fragrance of Christ. This time, they came with physical fragrance. This photo doesn't even do them justice. They look beautiful and smell wonderful.

Today, my actual birthday, I woke up to the constant buzzing of my phone. It has been buzzing all morning. This morning, I feel the fragrance coming from it because of the hundreds who have sent me a simple birthday message on Facebook and email. The phone has been ringing and I am blessed beyond what any one person should be blessed. Tracy called and gave me this verse in 2 Corinthians 2:14 (listed above). One of my favorites. There she goes again, sharing the fragrance of Christ when I least expect it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your simple words of hope in the phrase, Happy Birthday. You have blessed my soul!

All this has me remembering how simple it is to encourage someone. It can be a special day greeting or just a smile and word of encouragement we give to someone in passing. We may not think much about it, but it can bless people in remarkable ways. Let's step it up a notch and share the fragrance of Christ today. Let's look for someone who would least expect it. With Valentine's Day around the corner, let's see who we can share the love of the Lord with, and not worry about where we are in our relationships.

May we be the fragrance of Jesus' love to others this very day. You are loved and prayed for.

of constant sorrow?

"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous!  I have conquered the world" (John 16:33).

A favorite song of mine, from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? is "A Man of Constant Sorrow" - not just because I am living in Kentucky now, but because I like how the movie relates to Homer's book, Odyssey.  I thought of it when I remembered how many people go through different kinds of trouble. A few days ago, I found out that a couple of women in my office building have different stages of cancer.   It is tough for me to process.

What does God say about sorrow?  Last night, I was reading John 16, which jumps into the story of Jesus talking with the disciples before he is betrayed and arrested (He discusses several things, and so I recommend reading a couple of chapters before chapter 16).  One thing He said stood out to me: "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous!  I have conquered the world" (John 16:33, HCSB). 

The world is not a perfect place, we can see, but you know we don't have to be filled with fear in the midst of sorrow or troubles.  God promises new life for those who believe in Him. His Spirit brings joy, as we know He is with us.

I pray that we remember who God is when troubles come our way.  Is there someone else around us who is going through something tough?  I pray that we will be able to, in the midst of sorrows, remind ourselves and others of who Christ is.

"May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me" (John 17:21, HCSB).

Music video link:  YouTube.com, Soggy Bottom Boys, "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" 

Love Is An Action Verb!

The season of "Love" is upon us, Happy Valentines Day to you!

During this season, when you hear God's words, "Love One Another" what is the first evangelistic thought that comes to your mind? My first thought is, "who needs God's Love and the demonstration of the LOVE of CHRIST today?"

"Do not fear, O Zion (O Sister in Christ); do not let your hands hang limp (have you given up or are you worn out so you are unable to demonstrate the LOVE OF CHRIST to others?). 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."!! ♥Zephaniah 3:16-17♥

Dear Praying Sisters in Christ, when is the last time we have shared God's Love with someone that needs Jesus, which may even include weeping? When is the last time that we covered someone else, especially someone that needs Jesus, from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet with encouraging words and prayers of protection? ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

It is good to stop and remember that the enemy is constantly on the prowl roaring (lying to whoever he can and trying to paralyze God's witnesses with fear = False Evidence Appearing Real) and trying to cause someone to doubt God's Giftedness upon their life. The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword, the weapon we fight the enemy with on the front lines of evangelistic ministry! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

When the truth of God's Word is spoken into our lives and the lives of others, God extinguishes the flaming arrows of attack that are being launched everyday! Are we willing to "fight the good fight"? Are we covering each others backs in prayer? ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

Do you know that there is someone, tonight, that is crying herself to sleep and/or waking up each morning in doubt or despair as they wonder if anyone really cares about them (that is what my life was like without Christ!)? Do you know that there is someone that feels like they are in a dark pit; for example, right now in Alaska women are in a season of darkness because of winter, lets send our prayers to them because someone needs the LIGHT of God's Love! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

Urgent Breaking News Flash: God is calling us to speak Good News words of hope and blessing from His Love Letter (The Word of God) into the lives that the path of our life crosses ! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

Because of Jesus, we are GIFTED BY GOD to be His Gifted2Go evangelistic encourager and prayer warrior as we remember; "He takes great delight in you, He quiets you with His Love, and rejoices over you with singing"! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB, an ACTION VERB that was demonstrated ON THE CROSS by JESUS who LOVED US and GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16.....let's PASS HIS LOVE ON, IN JESUS' NAME & 4 HIS GLORY to people that need the Lord, AMEN & AMEN♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voawjjqg8zw&feature=related (How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Sarah Sadler)

Skype and the Gospel

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV). 

A few weeks ago, Alicia Wong of North American Mission Board (NAMB), was with us at Southern Seminary, via Skype. Alicia serves as a national missionary for women's evangelism and presented at Pendergraph Women's Ministry. Her tips on reaching women was quite helpful. Alicia shared some truths on how to get to know and develop relationships with women of different cultures. Heather Reynolds, a recent Southern Seminary grad and also with NAMB, told us how she had gotten involved in meeting women of different cultures. God's Spirit was there and many of us realized how easy it is to go to international restaurants and get to know those who work and dine there. All were blessed.

What a difference technology can make! What are some of the things you have done or seen in using technology to help women to connect and learn to share Christ?

"As You Swim"

"Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations...."  Matthew 28:19

Last week I was talking about how I need to be intentional about sharing boldly about Christ "as I go."  I recently had an opportunity to share "as I swam."  Swimming is my favorite form of exercise --no cell phones, e mails, talking, only silence and time to reflect and pray.  When I stopped to take a drink of water, a young man swimming near me asked me a question about breathing and swimming.  While I am no expert at all, I was able to give him a couple tips on how he could improve his stroke.

We finished swimming about the same time.  Since we already had a "starting point" for a conversation I asked him what he did for a job.  It turns out that he was from India and was away from home on business.  I told him I had friends who lived in India and that most of their friends were Hindu and asked him if he followed Hinduism.  He said yes, that He was a Hindu.  Time was short and he seemed open to a conversation just from the couple tips about swimming.  Following Kelli Martin's advice from a previous blog about simplicity, I just told him that I was a Christian and that Christianity was the only religion that actually had a Savior rise from the dead.  I asked him if he would use the Gideon Bible in the hotel room and read the gospel of John and see what it had to say about Jesus.  He said that he would.

Now I don't know if he was being polite or if he ever did, but God is trying to teach me to be intentional about the gospel AS I GO each day--and in this case AS I SWAM. :)

Let us all encourage each other to keep sharing n the ways that we are GIFTED TO GO!!!

being there

One of the things I am so thankful for is that God is here.  Yesterday, I wondered, do I act like I believe it?  I thought about that after a couple of colleagues reminded me that there is no need to stress out about things that are out of my control.

God is here.  I believe He sent Jesus to be our remedy, so that the Holy Spirit could come and we could have a new relationship with Him.  How can we share that with someone today?

"O Lord, you have searched me and know me

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.

"Where can I go from your spirit?  Or where can I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.

If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast...

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.  See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting."

-Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24

What To Wear!

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as The Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment."!! Colossians 3:12-14 (msg)



Everyday we ask ourselves, "what am I going to wear today?" There is even a TV show that is called "What Not To Wear"...when I saw that title, it made me think about God's words to us on what we should "put on" and "wear" everyday! No matter what season it is, no matter what size we are, no matter what is "in style", no matter what...Colossians 3:12-14 teaches us, as God's chosen children..."What To Wear"! Good News...One Size Fits ALL BELIEVERS!!

Why does it matter what we put on and wear everyday? All we have to do is read the newspapers, listen to the most recent tragic breaking news, and reflect on what is going on around us to see why it is so important to put on God's Garments each day and share them with others! This is something we cannot do on our own, we must ask God to supernaturally allow us to wear His loving example & walk in ways that reflect His Image!!



When we wear God's Garments, people who need the Lord, and believers that need to borrow some of what we are wearing, will See Jesus on everyone of the tags of the clothing that we have on...from the inside out!

As we put on and wear what is from The Lord, it is very important to know "What NOT to Wear"! Colossians 3:1-11 teaches believers what NOT to wear and/or what to take off/put away daily! "rid yourselves (clean out the closets of our heart) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on your new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator..." Colossians 3: 8-10 (NIV)

We live in a world that is raging against God and many people against one another; therefore, we have an even more urgent calling from God to "Put On His Righteousness" that is always in style!!!

• Please read Colossians 3 ♥Please memorize/meditate on the verse that is 4U!


• What are some things/clothes that God wants us to "take off-get rid of"?


• What Do We Need To Wear Everyday?!!!


• Who Needs Us To Share Jesus With Them?