Fight For It

My life will change in the next month. Well really this year.

My first book, Shaken, releases February 4. The second book is due to the publisher at the same time. I should be moving and grooving. Should be making plans, dreaming big, marketing, promoting, and all around enjoying this crazy fun answer to prayer and success of my dream. And I am.

But I'm terrified. Self-doubt cripples my creativity. Time marches on, creating apathy. There just aren't enough hours in the day. And I just can't do it.

Man, that's the evil one. I have to fight. Fight because this is more than a dream. It's a calling. Fight because even if it impacts one, it is well worth it. Fight because others need to know that the Lord answers prayer in crazy ways beyond our imaginations. I couldn't have dreamed for this exact outcome. I must fight. And I'm reminded of the picture in Psalm 34 that the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Because of that, I will develop the heart of a warrior like the characters in my book. I will remember who I am, whose I am, and where this dream came from. I'll remember I'm not doing this alone. And I'll remember I have a whole team of loved ones fighting with me against discouragement and apathy.

Most of all, I'll remember that success in the world's eyes is not the standard of success in God's eyes. So, I'll fight to be faithful to that which He has called me to. Here's to my next great adventure!

Linking up with Five Minute Friday!

Five Minute Friday - Brave

Joining with other writers at Lisa-Jo's today to talk about...

BRAVE

I visit a third world country for a week and call myself brave. What a misuse of the word. I return to my comfortable bed, good job, and three meals a day plus anything else I want, and I have truly missed the meaning of the word.

I share my faith with the waitress, leave a verse on the receipt, and call myself brave, while soldiers may now receive a court martial for sharing their faith. Believers in other countries must hide their Bibles for fear of jail time, and I'm too tired to read mine tonight.

I don't define this word. I've just Americanized it to pat myself on the back, but I've missed the mark completely.

It's that mom who gives the last bit of food to her toddler while she rocks him to sleep crying, all while she prays and trusts that somehow God will provide tomorrow.

It's the soldier who values truth over man's version of honor and believes eternal life outweighs a reprimand.

It's the believer in China who invites his neighbor to the church in his basement, knowing they risk imprisonment and death if that neighbor snitches.

We are losing our status as "land of the free" when tolerance is redefined as anything goes unless it's Christian, and "home of the brave" means we take a stand for what is right and true only when we feel like it or it suits our purpose.

God help us be brave if the time ever comes when they take our homes because we bear His name. I usually keep quiet over social media with all this political correctness. What good does it do for Christians who have never met to argue in this arena? But when sharing my faith is in jeopardy, silence is not brave. So I'll add my voice to the crowd, and pray that I'll be brave when it matters most.

Crazy Lesson 3: God Redeems Circumstances

Lessons in the midst of crazy...

Lesson 3: The Lord redeems circumstances for good.

For the record, I hate being the guinea pig, but as the first child, I have been the guinea pig all my life. The benefit is that I am getting pretty good at "winging it" and "figuring it out." I basically expect things to be a challenge and rarely go as I plan. Thankfully, I serve a God who somehow works situations out better than I plan.

In the past several months, my community group has experienced a lot of growing pains. I've seen these women grow. The encouragement and challenge are mutual. Lukewarm has turned to on fire.

We've struggled through some tough life circumstances. Struggles with family, questions on why the Lord doesn't intervene, new relationships and ending old ones, two getting married, processing painful pasts. Apparently at the moment we decided to finally be authentic community, a whole bunch of major stuff hit at once. Thank the Lord we have handled it together. But it has been pretty rocky. Lots of miscommunication, lots of DTRs (define the relationship for you older crowd), lots of wrong expectations, lots of opinions, lots of frustration, and lots of good intentions poorly executed.

While I've led the group for the past 2.5 years, I haven't always done a great job. More recently, this group has stepped up to lead me. In this season where I feel like I am falling apart, they dedicated the entire time last week to writing me letters of encouragement, sharing scripture, inviting me to be honest and open, and just listening and seeking to comfort me in the way that loves me best. I'm pretty sure I cried the whole 2 hours.

We have arrived. And yet we have a long way to go. Every week, we learn what it looks like to be a better community. It is rocky and frustrating.

Application: Vulnerability is painful, but it brings freedom and greater bonds. There is value in letting someone else carry our load for a while.  

I cannot tell you how blessed I am to have these women in my life. Too often, I take it for granted.
If the circumstances in my life are the "guinea pig" to help us figure out how to love one another better and communicate truth to one another, then so be it. It just proves beauty comes out of chaotic circumstances.

My community is stronger for it. I'm stronger for it.

2013 Word of the Year

One word can change the course of a person's life. By definition, this change requires dedication, commitment, and a strength derived from a source greater than ourselves.

I once heard that "Growing is not being satisfied, but to always be pushing yourself." I would amend that slightly. I would say that I am content with who I am, but I am not satisfied or content to remain there. A new year means a fresh opportunity to change and grow. My word for 2012 was COURAGE. This year, I want to build on what the Lord showed me last year. For 2013, my word is...

Savor

...each moment and opportunity.

... the ability to celebrate a ton of weddings with close friends this year.

... celebrate God's goodness, even when I don't understand circumstance.

... time with my family.

... the ability to go, do, and be.

... every new person, place, and opportunity.

... the process of writing a new book.

... the time to rest and the time to be busy.

... the growing pains at work.

... each season as an opportunity to do fun things with my community group.

... each new relationship.

... every opportunity to serve and love others.

... a growing relationship with the Lord.

... every opportunity to make a difference or influence.

... the chance to slow down and enjoy life.

... laughter, love, and living life to the full as the Lord called us to.

          

In 2012, the Lord began to show me what it looks like to live abundantly and make the most of every opportunity. I want to put that lesson into practice in 2013. I am so incredibly excited for this year. I have a huge tendency to always look for the next thing. I stay busy and rush and see how quickly I can accomplish something and move on to the next latest and greatest challenge. Part of that is who I am. Part of it needs to change.

I want to take time to "stop and smell the roses" as my mom says. I don't want to miss the joys of this year. God is so good, and He calls His people to have a heart of praise. I lose track of that fact in my busyness. This year looks like it will be one of the craziest of my life, but I'm ready for it.

Bring it on 2013! Let the adventure begin.

Dream Big - Better than Yesterday

I once heard it said that we should look to our heroes for inspiration and then set out to surpass them. Have you identified your hero lately?

I'm not talking about Justin Bieber or the church answer of Jesus. (Since Jesus is Lord, to lump Him in the hero category seems a little demeaning.) I'm talking about a person in your life, your profession, or your history that encourages, inspires, or challenges you to be better.

Better yet, have you determined to surpass your personal best?

In high school, my band director told us that we should only purpose to beat one competitor...ourselves. If we continued to improve everytime we stepped on the field, we could hold our heads up.

I took that to heart. I trained my fingers to fly over the keys until I could play the music in my sleep. I trained my lungs to handle running while playing in various weather conditions. I trained my muscles to walk backwards, forwards, and sideways without ever turning my torso from the sidelines. I trained my mind to keep pushing when I was tired and encourage those around me rather than complain. And every day, I was better than my previous day's best.

The same is true in life. Learn from the success and failures of your heroes. Learn from your own successes and failures. Don't base your dreams on your hero's victories, but on your own personal ability and calling. Be better than you were yesterday.

Have you identified your hero lately? Have you identified what draws you to this individual? How can watching them make you better? How can you use that to beat your personal best from yesterday and the day before?

Satisfaction today comes from knowing you met the demands of the day with your best. Contentment tomorrow means embracing the day before and diligently working to improve. Dreams are achieved when you belong to Christ, know who you are in Him, and walk obediently, working for the Lord and not for man.

Thankful Heart Day 9 - Quiet

I'm learning the value of QUIET again. What does it really mean to unplug in a world that constantly bombards us with messages "needing" our immediate response?

Quiet from the chaos in my own head, telling me what I need to do and when.

Quiet from the constant tug to people please.

Quiet from the hum of machines and the "ding" of my email.

Quiet from the voices on TV that paint a sadly accurate portrait of a crumbling American morality.

Quiet from my own fears and worries.

Quiet from the opinions of others.

When I quiet my mind and heart, I hear a different voice, One that whispers "this is the way you should go, now walk in it."

I don't need a microphone to hear it. This voice is familiar to me, but too often I turn the volume of life up so loud that I drown Him out. Sometimes intentionally. Sometimes unintentionally.

Today, I'm so thankful for the QUIET, still small voice that speaks to me in the whirlwind and the storm. 

Nothing erases Him. The voice is constant and strong, giving me the courage to stand strong and turn the volume up on everything else enough to make an impact but still hear His counsel.

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." (Isaiah 30:15)

Linking up with Five Minute Friday today!

Thankful Heart Day 6 - I Voted!

I voted! I actually voted a couple weekends ago.

But today, I'm thankful for the freedom to exercise my rights.

Everyone seems to have an opinion "based on facts," but the facts seem to discount one another. Get a grip, people. After a while, your emotional response gets annoying.

My pastor said something very wise this past Sunday: The only election of eternal significance is the election into God's family. 

I love what Daniel 2 says about my God, "He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."

Pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders. God is Sovereign over whoever wins, and no matter what comes, He will get glory. Pray. Vote for issues that align with the Bible. CHILL OUT. And let's see what God does.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." (Proverbs 14:34) Vote for what's right and pleasing to God!

Thankful Heart Day 1 - Honest Friends

Last year, I spent the month of November concentrating on building a thankful heart. Too often, I fail to thank the Lord for His goodness in my life, regardless of the circumstances. This year, I would like to start this again...30 days of a Thankful Heart.

Today, I am so thankful for my community group...

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend;  profuse are the kisses of an enemy." (Proverbs 27:6)

I gotta be honest...accountability sucks. I mean, it is awful. And I'm not talking about accountability for something I'm doing wrong. I'm talking about accountability for something I want to do right. But, check that verse out:

Faithful are the WOUNDS of a friend. 

Not the hugs of a friend or the compliments or encouragements of a friend, although I like all that. Nope. That verse is incredibly clear about pain inflicted by a friend. But the shocker is that those wounds are not the result of a broken friendship but a faithful friend, one who loves you and wants your best. 

Community isn't comfortable. In fact, it is very uncomfortable. But, I am safe and loved in that uncomfortable feeling because I know these women are running hard after Jesus. Therefore, I can trust them. I would rather have women in my life who tell me the blunt truth and encourage me in the right way than those who are so worried about my initial defensive reaction that they coddle me.

Tough love is better than selfish, kind words. Day 1? So thankful for blunt honesty and unconditional love in community. I pray we continue to sharpen one another.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)

Finding My Voice

It's time for Five Minute Friday where a flash mob of writers join to write purely for the joy of the craft and then share their thoughts over at Lisa-Jo's. Today's word?

Voice

I used to be quiet. I never voiced an opinion unless I was surrounded by my closest family and friends. For those who know me now, that's hard to believe. For those who knew me then, I speak a little differently now.

There was a time when my friends fought over my voice. One discovered I have a sarcastic edge and did his best to nurse it to health. The other discovered subdued opinions and encouraged them to life.

In college, I overcompensated a bit, sometimes struggling to find that line between blunt and honest while seasoning every word with salt. Turns out that seasoning gave my voice a strength and flavor all its own.

I still don't have it mastered, but I know who made my mouth. I know who gave me a voice, and I know He told me to use it well, all for His glory. So I take delight in using this tool God gave me. I exercise it like any other muscle, making it submissive to the heart of my Father. I want Him to approve. I want to make Him proud.

Some days taste a little salty than others. Other days, it's a little bland. But, I'm constantly learning the balance. Turns out my voice is unique to me. My opinions, my heart, and my thoughts are treasured by the King.

He even gives me words to say when my voice goes silent. I pray my voice finds its source of strength in the One who spoke the world into being. Only then will I truly use this platform effectively.

Dream Big - Live Intentionally

"Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others." William Arthur Ward

Sharing the story of Jesus with 2 of my Haitian buddies while they colored.

How do you determine the meaning of life? For that matter, what does it mean to really live a life full of meaning? It isn't a magic number or word. It isn't determined by status, money or lack there of.

Boy, if those questions don't make your head spin, I don't know what will. The answer isn't a magic number or word. It isn't determined by status, money or lack there of. In the past few months, my view on the meaning of life was sharpened through experiencing life with some of the poorest people on earth.

In May, I spent a week with the Haitian people, immersing myself in their villages and homes. Even then, I only got a small peak into their reality. Homes are barely decent, clothes threadbare, food scarce, but smiles are abundant. Somehow, in the midst of the awful conditions, they have found the key to meaning, the motivation to exist, and the reason to smile.

Jesus said that He came that we might have life and have it to the full. 

Too often I miss the full life Jesus desires for me because I am too caught up in the American dream or the American schedule. How I long for the simplicity of conversations on broken rocking chairs on the front porch of Haitian homes. I'm so thankful that as intricate as the gospel is, it can be boiled down to Jesus' love for us. The meaning of life is solved.

It was difficult to come back and sit in an office after a week of walking house to house, sitting on front porches, sharing the gospel, praying, and loving on people. Why? I spent a week living life intentionally. My needs were secondary, my schedule irrelevant, technology silent. No distractions, interruptions, or agendas. Just me, my team, and people who need to be encouraged and loved. For a week, I lived with a greater purpose. Life was black and white yet never looked more colorful, more rich.

But my mission is the same here. Abundant life doesn't just exist in Haiti. The picture is just more clear there. My prayer is that I live abundantly in my day-to-day and don't lose sight of the simplicity of the gospel. Care to join me?

Dream Big - Olympic Fever

A champion is built on the hard days when the only thing left to do is push harder.

I don't know about you, but I am definitely dropping this ball. Like the rest of the world, I have developed a severe case of Olympic fever. Seriously, it's bad. I spent the weekend in Missouri with a friend and only watched the Olympics on one night. I know what happened while I was gone, who won medals, and how they did, but I still can't help but watch my DVR and cheer.

They make it look so easy don't they? Gabby Douglas, the all-around women's gymnastic gold medalist soared to new heights on the bars. Michael Phelps set even more records in the pool, and 17-year old, Missy Franklin continues to reject sponsorships so she can swim on her high school team. We fall in love with their stories. We cheer them on to victory.

We forget their sacrifice.

They aren't Olympians because they gave into chocolate cravings on rough days. They didn't win gold because they just didn't feel like working out on vacation, if they took one. They trained and trained and trained, knowing that pay off would come in a short two week time span while the world watched.

As I push forward to my dreams, I hope that this Olympic fever continues. The hard moments will shape me, the failures make me better, the lessons will propel me forward. May I develop the heart of a champion on the hard days so that I can push myself harder on the easy days. I can't see the pay off, but I know it's coming. I just have to keep pushing.

Do you need to push harder today?

Countdown to Haiti - 4 Days

As I count down the days until we board the plane for this tiny country, I want to share with you ways the Lord is working in me to prepare to serve in Haiti. Today's focus? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."

READY FOR LIFE-CHANGE

The soul of a person is the core of who they are - their character, personality, talents, desires, and dreams. In our preparation for this trip, soul equates to spiritual preparation. We have memorized verses, talked about the best ways to share the Gospel, and talked about how to meet the Haitians where they're at within their culture.  Live what I believe. Be ready to give an account for the hope that is in me. Love others in such a way that they can see Jesus in me.



While I was working on my book, I spent time in Manitou Springs, Colorado studying with DiAnn Mills, Jerry B. Jenkins, and Doc Hensley. I'll never forget the encouragement and challenge Jerry gave me as he read my story...

"Kariss, my generation has a tendency to throw money at problems to solve them. But your generation? You go. You aren't content to sit still. It's the difference between doing church and being the church. Both our generations have a lot to learn from one another." Man, how convicting. But, it's true.

It's time for the church to be the church, time for His body to be active.We are commanded to share the Gospel, to help the less fortunate. We live in a country overflowing with plenty while half the world starves. I wish I had answers. There isn't an easy fix, but we can all do something.

How can we fix a culture that is trapped in confusion and chaos in a week?

Quick answer? I can’t. My team can’t. But, we can be faithful. We can focus on reaching one. We can go. My prayer is that the Lord will grow me and that I won't abdicate my responsibility and privilege to be His hands and feet to a broken world.

But, that never comes without sacrifice. Inevitably on these short-term mission trips, we go to serve and return changed.  These trips are part of the refining process, a beautiful part of the story that the Lord uses to transform us more into His likeness and give us His heart. The change that will come as a result of this trip scares me. I know after seeing how these people live, I will never be able to return to the naivety of my comfortable, American lifestyle.

I once heard that if we had but a drop of the Lord’s compassion, it would break our hearts. I’m praying that the Lord will break my heart for what breaks His. As Hosea 6:1-3, says, the Lord breaks us so that He can bind up our wounds, revive us, and restore us. All for His glory.

No matter how He chooses to transform me, bring it on! I pray for life change on the part of the Haitians, whether we get to see tangible results or not. And, I pray that none of my team returns the same. I wanna give it all I got. Love with all I am. Lord, I'm Yours. Have Your way.

5 Minute Friday - Let's Be Honest

Let's be honest...no one's really honest anymore. We choose our words carefully. Or maybe we don't. We people-please our way through work, friendships, dating, etc. all in the name of our comfort, because we just don't think anyone could handle it if we were truly, completely authentic.

REAL.

Every once in a while, we run across one of those people that we can truly be ourselves with and say how it is. They've loved us at our worst, celebrated our best, and somehow they handle all the in between just fine.

They're the ones we tell how we really feel about the decision that was made at work or the first ones we text when a guy breaks our heart. They are the first line of defense when the world is caving in, and oddly enough, they are the ones honest enough to tell us the world is caving in because we called the wrong shot.

I wonder what life would be like if everyone lived vulnerable, authentic, REAL. What if we made a commitment to live real, think real, speak real, BE REAL?

We've catered to the politically correct agenda when what we believe or what we think or what needs to be said is toned down because someone else just won't like it. LAME. News flash...you can't be all things to all people. And the truth sucks. Own it, get over it, and don't be afraid to speak it.

Let's be honest....being REAL is more than showing who we are to that one person. It's living in such a way that the whole world knows who we are, where we stand, and what we believe. Speaking the truth in love. Living boldly. Loving deeply. Speaking honestly.

And living authentically. Courageously. Because we were made uniquely, stamped by the fingerprint of the Creator. And there's too much at stake not to live like it.

REAL.

Linking up with Gypsy Mama.

Brave

It's time to link up with Gypsy Mama and other writers to write for 5 minutes flat - unedited, unscripted, purely for the joy of the craft. And, I need to get my creative juices flowing. So, here we go. Today's word?

BRAVE

I stepped to the ledge. A pebble skittered beneath my feet and down the rocky cliff. Red rock ensconced me. Heat waves danced off the majestic stones.

The Grand Canyon.

I made myself step to the ledge. My foot slipped and a friend grabbed my waist and yanked me backwards. Away from the edge. Away from danger.

Bravery is a trait held by few and craved by most. I would like to count myself brave, but I'm not. I force myself to place a toe to the edge, scared to pear over. Yet curious.

We miss out when we refuse to embrace the risk with the reward. I saw the river, the canyon where God's finger traced the dirt. I saw colors and shades I never dreamed possible, patterns in the rock only designed by the hand of a mighty Creator.

Bravery is stepping up to the ledge, acknowledging the possibility of defeat, but knowing life is too short not to embrace the full picture of what God desires to show us. Abundant life. Freedom. Beauty. His masterpiece.

Maybe bravery will define me. One day. For now, it is a daily choice to stand on the ledge and peer over.

Your turn! What does bravery mean to you? Leave a comment below.

Remember the Alamo

There is a legend in Texas of a line drawn in the sand by Col. William B. Travis on March 5, 1836. As the legend goes, Santa Anna and the Mexican army waited outside the Alamo, planning ways to breach its walls and kill the men desperately fighting inside. Travis knew there was little hope but decided to give his men a chance to run.

With his sword, Travis drew a line in the sand. "We must die," he began. "Our business is not to make a fruitless effort to save our lives, but to choose the manner of our death." All but one man crossed over that line, ready to make a final stand, ready to die. According to Travis, by crossing the line, they committed to "remain in this fort…resist every assault, and to sell our lives as dearly as possible."

The men who fought valiently at the Alamo died the morning after their decision when Santa Anna breached the walls and slaughtered every last man. But their sacrifice did not die. To this day, Texans remember the Alamo, remember the sacrifice, the brutal fight, and the purpose behind it - freedom.

We all draw lines in the sand. We all have a point of no return. Often, that line indicates a separation between right and wrong. The line does not allow for a gray area.

Just like Travis allowed his men to choose death or escape, so, too, Jesus Christ gives us the option to follow Him. Most people don't like the line in the sand. They want to earn eternal life on their own terms, with no set standards or holy God holding them accountable for what they don't feel like doing. The line in the sand is not popular, but it is immovable. 

In John 14:6, Jesus draws His own line in the sand: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Crossing this line means following Him into battle, obeying His commands, being willing to die, understanding His sacrifice on the cross. It is not a guarantee of a happy ending, but it is a guarantee of a life of worth and significance with a Commander and Chief who only has your best at heart.

He isn't a dictator. His death on the cross and resurrection afforded us a choice. The line in the sand at the Alamo represented an option for men to choose to be courageous and live and die in such a way that mattered. That is what choosing to follow Christ is all about.

Do you have the courage to cross the line? Will you trust Him enough to follow Him no matter what? If you don't understand what crossing this line looks like, check out the tab at the top of this page called "know Jesus." I have never met anyone who regretted the decision.

Florida

I spent this past week in Panama City, Florida with 200 teenagers for a beach camp. The theme of the week was connection. While the word got REALLY OLD by Friday, I loved watching the teenagers connect with a Kenyan child who they wrote and sent virtual pictures to throughout the week. The kids learned they have a voice and the ability to make an impact.

PURPOSE
DIFFERENCE
IMPACT
CONNECTION
SUCCESS
DREAMS
RELATIONSHIPS

These words define this generation. They want to make a difference. They want purpose. They want to connect and make relationships with those around them. They want to see success and experience dreams coming true. And they need to be told they can do it. They need to be told that they are not too young or inexperienced or incapable. They need to be equipped and trained and encouraged. An older woman told me that I could not write or make an impact because I am too young. Her words crushed me. I struggled to motivate myself each time I sat down to write because her words rang in my ears. Our words impact these kids for better or worse.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

I am not far removed from the experiences of these teens but I learned about life and love and desire and need for relationships and encouragement from them this week. I love what Jeremiah 1 says to those who are young and feeling inexperienced. The chapter is a conversation between this young prophet and the Lord...

“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” 

 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.  Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.  

The Lord called Jeremiah to go and speak truth to Israel and Jeremiah told the Lord he was scared because of His youth. The Lord equipped him to do BIG THINGS and then promised to NEVER LEAVE HIM. I pray that the youth on this trip claim who they are in Christ and allow Him to do big things through them as they grow to love Him more. I pray for you as you do the same, no matter your stage of life. He didn't call us to sit on the sidelines but to live abundantly and follow wherever He leads.

Seeking to do big things with you,

Kariss

Compassion for the Confused

"We Are the World: Haiti"

They say Haiti is 80% Catholic, 20% Protestant, and 100% Voodoo. My heart breaks for Haiti, for the cultural confusion and the spiritual darkness that is rooted in a violent history. My heart breaks for the Christians who have accepted it so as not to offend. My heart breaks that the presentation of voodoo in my book may offend some because it speaks truth.

About 2 weeks ago, I was royally stuck in the middle of my story. (There is a voodoo doctor in my book who is a conflicted antagonist.) I was stuck because I want so desperately to portray him and his culture accurately. I knew next to nothing about voodoo, only that what I have seen in movies of dolls and pins is not an accurate portrayal. So I dug deeper, wholeheartedly desiring to shed light on this culture in a way that  respects and loves the people who practice. What I found was chilling. Not only is voodoo not like the Hollywood version, it is much worse. After watching several news broadcast voodoo rituals and ceremonies of spirits and sacrifices, I am convinced the spirits are very real and very ungodly. 

I prayed, researched, and asked questions. I was advised to portray voodoo as peaceful and the people that follow both voodoo and Jesus as Christian. But here is the startling Biblical truth...God speaks to Moses in Exodus 20:3 and says, "You shall have NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME." God didn't sugar coat how important His holiness and individuality are and neither will I, though it may offend some. I apologize if this truth offends you. I will not apologize for the truth itself. Just as I spoke of life earlier this week, abundant, sweet life in Christ, Haiti is not only locked in a cycle of death from the earthquake but from spiritual blindness and confusion.

In John 14:6 says, "Jesus answered, 'I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" The people of Haiti cannot straddle a fence by worshiping God and following voodoo spirits. It isn't possible. Many are walking a road of death that expands past the grave and it absolutely breaks my heart. Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti. Pray that the Lord will give me the words to say. They are not bad people, just confused and lost. Pray that people will read the character of the voodoo doctor and have compassion on him as Jesus did to those who crucified Him - "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'" 

The woman in the brown dress in the photo is a voodoo priestess one of my friends met on a trip to Haiti who was interested in Jesus. Pray that eyes will be open and ears will be receptive. The song above inspires me daily to pray for the people of Haiti, not only their daily lives but for them to know Jesus and experience LIFE. There are some very Godly people in Haiti who love their people and want to see it changed for Jesus. Voodoo is a looming reality and some in Haiti confuse the two religions or follow voodoo because it is traditional or cultural. Only Jesus can change their hearts and shine truth into darkness.

Epic Fail

"Stand" by Rascal Flatts

Failure is not an option if your perspective is an eternal one.

Writer's block has been a killer the past two weeks for this budding author. I am a perfectionist and, ironically, failure is part of my daily life. Such a bitter pill to swallow. This week as I prepare for my residency in Colorado Springs with the Christian Writer's Guild, I want to focus on success and failure. 

Failure is not the end game. It is the means by which we are forced to push ourselves, dream big, and reach success. I am encouraged that the great people in history failed multiple times before they succeeded. Failure only defined them if they chose to stop in the midst of it. 

So this week, I use the words of others who have walked the path of FAILURE before and lived to tell the tale. They conquered this demon and tasted their own version of success. Their eyes were on the finish line, not on the current trap. As I focus on their words, I encourage you...KEEP ON KEEPING ON.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” Colin Powell

“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet.” Mahatma Ghandi

"The say President Wilson has blundered. Perhaps he has, but I notice he usually blunders forward." Thomas Edison

"There is no failure. Only feedback." Robert Allen

"Because a fellow has failed once or twice or a dozen times, you don't want to set him down as a failure till he's dead or loses his courage." George Horace Lorimer

Bottom line - failure is an opportunity to stand back up after you fall. It is a test of your courage, perseverance, and joy. It is a tool used to build your character to handle both success and failure. Embrace it, use it, learn from it, and MOVE ON. The Lord promises a future and a hope for you and it NEVER ends with failure.

I AM Truth

I heard in a sermon that we shouldn't focus on thanking the Lord for WHAT He has done as much as we should thank Him for WHO He is. I really struggled with that statement for a long time.  We know the Lord is love because he loved us. He is Savior because He saved us. He is King because He is King of heaven and is coming back. You get the point...So many of the names and character attributes of God are in response to an action He has performed on the behalf of mankind. So how do you separate what He has done from who  He is?

This week, I have studied truth in regards to faith and have come to one solid conclusion: JESUS IS TRUTH. Truth that we understand as God's Word did not come before God was truth; God's Word was dependent on Jesus being truth before the foundation of the world. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."(John 1:1) In the beginning is before time began, before man existed, before we were God was and was the WORD which is TRUTH. Do you see the correlation? It's a little confusing but stay with me! "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."(John 1:14) Jesus was truth and is truth. The man who walked on water, turned water to wine, died on the cross, came back to life, and ascended to heaven is truth. We know truth because God is truth!

I think I understand better what my pastor was saying about praising God for who He is and not just what  He has done. Action follows character. God acts because it is an outpouring of His character. Whereas we tend to define the Lord by what He does for us, God is defined by embodying the characteristics of the actions He performs. We have it all wrong!

Our culture has done away with truth. In fact, we struggle to see the black and white in the midst of a situation that looks very gray. Absolute truth exists and it is Jesus Christ. The Lord makes it easier for us to discern the black and white. When we acknowledge that He is truth, then we have an inward understanding (Psalm 51:6) that truth comes from God (Psalm 40:11) and that those of us who claim Jesus as Savior know that truth draws us closer to Christ (Psalm 43:3), we daily walk in truth when we follow Jesus (Psalm 86:11) because God is abundant in truth (Psalm 86:15), and the Lord is close to those who call on Him in truth (Psalm 145:18). To break that down: believers in Christ following the Lord have the ability to discern truth because they are searching whole-heartedly to know and understand the One who is truth. The fuzzy, gray areas become clear in the light of the One who knows and is truth. He is the great I AM of Truth. Rest in that and follow Him! The path is peace and abundant understanding.

Seek the real deal, not an indiscernible imitation! "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

Following the the great I AM of Truth,
Kariss