The Currency in Your Mouth

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Genesis 1: 1-3

Those 3 words, ‘And God said…’ have always astonished me.

The first act of creation was done with words. God spoke and light, the heavens, the earth and seas came forth. Words created the world we live in.

I tell my kids that I make my living by words. And I always point out when they are watching a movie or playing a game on the Xbox or Wii that there had to be words first before the movie could be filmed or the game created. “All this came out of someone’s head,” I’ve told them over and over again.

I guess as a writer, which is a very solitary profession, you realize the value of the words you write and the words you say. Words create worlds. Words create life. Words help me pay my mortgage.

My kids think I’m a geek because I try to break down what the person was thinking when they created the film, wrote the book or the script to the game. What was their worldview? What are they trying to say or tell me?

With this little exercise, I’m trying to train them to think through the philosophy and the worldview of what is being pushed on them through ads, movies and games. They are the most media-saturated generation on the planet, and I believe discernment and truth are desperately needed to identify the voice and the agenda behind the influencer.

I want them to learn that words are valuable currency in the kingdom of God. God creates with words. He changes history by words. And He identifies Himself as The Word.

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1

The Word is a marvelous, divine being who rules everything He spoke into being. Having words, speaking words and expressing words is a godlike act. That’s why words are a treasure in the kingdom of God. He calls Himself, The Word.

I recently had a talk with my son about the value of his words and his actions. He rolled his eyes, sighed and said “Okay mom.” “Don’t be flippant with your words or actions,” I lectured him. “I’ve been flippant for most of my life and God has had to work that out of me because He is not flippant. He is careful and acts as a craftsman that is creating something for eternity.” Well I didn’t say that last part but it sounds really good now and I wish I would have said that.

God is doing amazing things in my son’s life. I see a leader and an influencer in the making. I see a young man that will be able to change the world with words.

And I want to give him a shortcut by not repeating the mistakes I’ve made with words spoken flippantly, with criticism, judgement that have hurt other people and caused pain. I wish I could download into him the many years of experience so he can step on my shoulders and fly.

I bet that’s what God would love for us to do…to step onto the threshold of His kingdom and fly. That we would emulate Him by creating goodness, kindness, love, joy and hope with our words. Not scar friends and family with words that hurt, bring pain and despair.

When we speak, when we express, when we create, we are like Him. Go be like Him and speak and create life with your words. You have irreplaceable currency in your mouth. Use it!

When God Doesn’t Heal Your Child

Today I read a testimony that hurt me. I hated the fact that it stung me when I read it because I should celebrate with this couple that they received their answer to prayer. The testimony hurt me because I’m still waiting for God to heal my daughter.

DÁndra taught herself to use Photo booth on my Mac.

When DÁndra was a baby, a lady told me that she would be healed of Down syndrome at 3-years-old. She turned 11 last May and she still has Down syndrome. I read a testimony today of a couple who received a diagnosis that their baby had Down syndrome.

Their church prayed and their baby was born healthy. Hallelujah! I should be doing a praise dance but I gulped when I read it and cried all day. I’m in a church that has seen lots of healings and sometimes it has been hard hearing the testimonies.

I fight the urge to leave the community of faith when I feel like her birth has marked me or made me a burden. I’m a target for every person who has a word about why she has Down syndrome. One well-meaning lady told me that my daughter had Down syndrome because I had a great great grandfather who practiced incest. “Ask the Lord if there’s incest and break it over your family,” she told me in the church bathroom. I wanted to vomit because I was not about to investigate my family line for sexual perversion.

I mean the church ideally should be the safest place for people who are weak, frail or disabled, right? My church has bent over backwards to help with DÁndra and she pretty much blends in with the people. I’m thankful for the church staff that has been very committed to her well-being. But there are still individuals that will take it upon themselves to give you a ‘word’ when you have a child with a disability.

I’ve cried out to God to remove every trace of bitterness in my soul because I haven’t got to stand in front of the congregation to tell them that she has been healed. Instead, I celebrate what God has done in her now:

• She loves to go to church. She would go to church everyday if she could.
•  She loves to worship.
• She is a fiery prayer person.
• She is prone to being independent which is a typical tween.
• She is far more sensitive and caring about people then most people that I know.
•  She is extremely outspoken and verbally coherent. You can understand what she is saying and she has something to say.
• She’s funny, a jokester and makes me laugh.
• She has taught me patience and compassion that I didn’t know I had.
• She has opened up a whole new world I didn’t notice of people with disabilities. I’m extremely sensitive to how people with disabilities are treated and perceived.
• She has made an advocate for people who can’t speak up for themselves.

My dream is to see the church become the safest place for people with disabilities. I dream of individuals with disabilities being able to step into the house of God and for one moment in His presence, feel normal, loved and significant. Every moment of life they are told without words that they are inconvenient and stupid by society that prizes beauty and strength. I would love to see a church where they can forget that they are disabled and blend in with the community of faith because we are all disabled by sin, fear, poverty, etc.

A place where Christ can step into their life without hindrances. If they get up from their wheel chair and leave their crutches  – hallelujah! If they don’t, we are still a part of their life and we will fight for them. But there’s no pressure of perfection, performance or get healed or something is wrong with you. Thankfully I have never ever felt that at my church.

My church isn’t perfect but it is a cocoon of acceptance and love for DÁndra. She doesn’t even know she has Down syndrome because she has blended in with the congregation. When we’re praying for healing, I’ve asked her if she wants to go down and receive prayer. “No mom, I pray for them.” she says.

When God doesn’t heal your child, know that healing is flowing. It may not be in the bright, shiny package you want it to be so you can show it off. It may be in the moments that she wants to pray for someone else to receive healing or she says, “Mommy, is their church tonight?” “No honey, we don’t have church tonight.” She looks disappointed and asks, “Is their church tomorrow?”

Receive the healing God wants to bring in your heart. I pray for God’s healing to flow in you. May you know His healing touch of love, acceptance, grace and strength to take care of your child. And may His healing flow through you.

Prove God

One thing God loves to do is show off. I know this is hard to fathom but God loves to display His power and glory to make a point that you’ll never forget. In I Kings 18, God marks the memory of His people by consuming a sacrifice by fire.

Some of you may know the story of how Elijah challenged 400 prophets of Baal. This was a showdown between Baal and the God of Elijah during a severe drought in the land. Elijah had declared a drought over the land and it was so bad that people were eating their children to live.

During this time water is as precious as gold/ Elijah prepares his sacrifice and asks for 12 large jars of water to be poured out on the water. You have to wonder where did Elijah store 12 large jars of water when everyone was thirsty. He was pouring out the most precious commodity of that time on God.

I’ll never forget this lesson that one of our pastors at World Revival Church taught during an offering. Pastor Dustin Smith said that Elijah poured out what was most valuable on the altar. God responded immediately by consuming the water and the sacrifice by fire.

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (I Kings 18:39-40)

God responds
The response didn’t stop with the sacrifice. “And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.’” (I Kings 18:41). The sacrifice broke the drought over the land.

If you’re struggling with a drought in your life – it could be a famine of the word of God, lack of finances or a famine for the presence of God – take note of Elijah’s action. Elijah took what was most valuable in his day and poured it out on God.

God proved Himself faithful by pouring rain on the land. When you show your utter dependence on Him by giving Him what’s most valuable to you – your time or your money – God will respond. We’ve sowed numerous times into the work of God when we didn’t have it.

We’ve seen God prove Himself over and over again with an unexpected $15,000 or $60,000 to $70,000 in scholarships and grants that our son didn’t even apply for, or new clients that came to me without having to market myself. Before we moved to Kansas City, the Lord put on Jerome’s heart that I should move ahead of the family. We were moving to Kansas City to help build World Revival Church.

Jerome opted to stay in Columbia, MO. to get the house ready to sale. “It will be easier for you to find a job,” he said. He was right because I was offered several jobs. Of course that meant I had to leave my 1-year-old and 4-year-old sons. I remember praying and crying out to God about the anguish of leaving them.

My sacrifice

Then a scripture came to my mind, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:28-30)

I remember weeping as I read that scripture over and over again. OK it wasn’t like I was one of those missionaries I’ve read about who left their kids in another country so they could preach the Gospel in a dangerous area. I was just moving 1 1/2 hours from them.

But I remember Jerome and I praying about this and laying this before God. I believed that for that season of sacrifice, my children would reap. I prayed that they wouldn’t have to see a therapist when they turned 30 about that season when I left. I felt like a bad mom but I got to see them Friday through Sunday.

Now we’ve lived in Kansas City for 14 years and we’ve seen tremendous blessings. I poured out being with my babies for a few months for the sake of the kingdom. And He has poured the blessing of being a family that serves God together back on us. My sons don’t even remember me being gone for those 3 months when I lived in Kansas City Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and then drove back to Columbia Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be with them.

I proved God to my own hurt and He proved Himself over and over and over again. God will not be outdone in sacrifice. Prove Him.

Overcoming First Day Fear

Today was DÁndra’s first day in middle school.

“I’m scared mommy,” DÁndra said as we walked in the office of Raytown Middle School. I was scared too but I can’t show fear. After all, I’m the big strong mommy adult.

I stood in front of the counter for a few minutes while office staff scrambled trying to figure out how to get a student that walked in his schedule. “This student doesn’t have his schedule,” one of the staff told the ladies behind the counter. I stood their silently fighting the urge to leave.

“If they can’t figure out how to get this kid’s schedule, is this a safe place for her?” I wondered. “Uhhh, I need to check my daughter into for school,” I interrupted the scramble behind the desk. “What’s her name?” The lady behind the desk asked. “DÁndra Haywood,” I answered. She handed me a yellow slip. Was I suppose to let my daughter with special needs navigate the maze to her first class on her own?

“Excuse me, my daughter is in the special ed class with Ms. Morgan,” I said. “Will someone come up here to get her from the class?” The lady looked puzzled until another staff person said that someone would escort DÁndra to class.

This is the school that had a rape a year ago and a police officer on the grounds. I was in major hover mom mode to ensure my daughter’s safety. The school doesn’t have a great reputation but I absolutely adored her teacher, Mrs. Morgan.

A guy showed up and said he would escort her. “Can I walk with her?” I asked. “Of course,” he said. He chatted as we walked through the massive entry way, through several hallways, down the stairs and pass the pile of office junk that met us before we got to her class.

“I want to go home mom,” she said when we walked past the auditorium filling up with sixth graders. “No, you’ll do great here,” I said. Signs encouraging students to not do meth or smoke cigarettes were posted on the walls along the way. I wanted to go home after that.

“Why are there so many signs about meth?” I asked the chatty staff person. “Oh we’re encouraging students to not do drugs or smoke,” he said. “You know, it’s the anti-drug campaign.”

DÁndra then said, “I need to go to the bathroom.” Knowing that this is her body saying she is scared, I assured her that she would go to the bathroom when we checked in with her teacher.

When we walked into her class, a young woman with blond hair and kind eyes opened the door and welcomed DÁndra. “Look DÁndra, they’re waiting for you,” I said. I handed the teacher the giant pizza kit that we brought with us. “She needed a transitional object to get out of the house,” I laughed.

A transitional object is an object that a special needs child may need to help them transition from a familiar location to an unfamiliar place. The greater the fear and unfamiliarity, the more objects DÁndra will haul to the new place. On the first day of school she brought an acoustic guitar with her.

Today it was just a pizza kit. She probably has forgotten about the pizza kit by now. And forgotten about her fears.

D’Andra overcame her first day fear. And so I have. We’re now starting a new chapter of middle-school. God help us.

 

 

When God Rewards Your Imperfect Teenage Son

Recently my oldest son, Chris, became the first valedictorian in my family. He also became the first at his school to receive the largest scholarship in the history of the school. He saw the reward of putting God first and the needs of others before his own desires.

Pastor Steve Gray, founder of World Revival Church Academy and my son, Chris.

Ever since Chris could hold a crayon, he was always drawing. He drew on the walls of our hallway when he was one-year-old. He was so cute that I couldn’t discipline him for the scribbles of purple and red jagged lines. Instead, I wiped them off with 409.

At 8-years-old, he had drawn by hand a mural that spanned two walls. The mural of a jungle scene featured an elephant, flying monkeys and a giraffe that were drawn to scale, perfectly porportional. When we shopped for paint, he was picky about the shade of green that he wanted for the grass versus the leaves on the trees.

We spent one week painting that mural. And he continued to draw on everything he could get his hands on. I bought books that taught you had to draw and he devoured them.

At the school he attended, the emphasis was on singing, acting and playing instruments. He had taken drum lessons and became leader of his drum line. He had a desire to pursue art, but since the class didn’t offer a lot of art classes at the time, he put all of his effort into singing, acting in the school’s plays and playing the drums, the synthesizer, the acoustic guitar, whatever the school needed him to play.

In May, we received a letter from the school he wanted to attend since he was 10-years-old. The letter stated that he had been awarded a merit scholarship of $60,000. We thought it was a scam and called the school to verify that this was a legitimate offer.

The award was legitimate and he had actually received more awards beyond that initial scholarship. Chris was blown away that he gets to attend the school of his dreams to study graphic design and animation. He has seen firsthand God’s provision because he had put God first and the needs of others before his own desires.

Now he can act, sing, play numerous instruments and gets to study what he loves to do – art. Chris experienced what my husband, Jerome and I had seen in our own college experience – the amazing provision of God. I know there’s a lot of bad news right now with rising prices for attending college. But your child can enjoy God’s provision when they learn how to put him first and put the needs of others before their own needs.

Chris doesn’t like me writing about him because he is not perfect. He likes to play Xbox games, skateboarding and hanging out with his friends. He is not super-spiritual. He has a girlfriend who is his best friend. What I’m trying to say is that he is a teenager like everyone else.

I think Chris learned that you don’t have to be a super-spiritual giant for God to reward you with the desires of your heart. Just someone that loves God, responds to Him and interested in Him. Chris doesn’t like the limelight and shies away from getting up in front of people.

Is your son or daughter in school and wondering if they will be able to pursue their dreams? Teach them how to put God first right now and He will provide for them. Trust God and serve others and He will reward you.

Poll: America losing its religion

Reblogged from CNN Belief Blog:

By Dan Merica, CNN

Washington (CNN) - More than three in four of Americans say religion is losing its influence in the United States, according to a new survey, the highest such percentage in more than 40 years. A nearly identical percentage says that trend bodes ill for the country.

"It may be happening, but Americans don't like it," Frank Newport, Gallup's editor in chief, said of religion's waning influence.

Read more… 279 more words

Someone Paid Your Way

Today I was thinking about the many individuals who gave up jobs, careers, families and beautiful homes to host a revival in Kansas City. Fourteen years later I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. But I’ll never forget the people who put their own desires on hold to build the kingdom.

We had services in a tent during the hottest summer and coldest winter of Kansas City’s history.

I remember one person who will go unnamed but they know who they are if they read this – lived on credit cards for one year so they could volunteer as much as possible at the new church. Another lady gave up her education so she could serve the ministry. And another couple who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because someone stole their business in another city.

There are so many stories like this of sacrifice, loyalty and commitment against all odds. I remember Pastor Kathy saying these are the people that the earth is not worthy of. These individuals would be embarrassed if I named them but they are my heroes.

You see, when I was on staff at World Revival Church I received a phone call from our realtor in Columbia, MO. “Leilani, we need you and Jerome to bring $10,000 to the table to close the sale of your home.” I remember telling Casey Lohman and she grabbed me and prayed for me with such intensity. Then she got busy trying to help me solve my problem.

Within hours we had an answer and the fleeting thought that maybe God was telling us to move back to Columbia MO was gone. I guess that’s why I get upset when people take lightly the things that God is doing at World Revival Church. Or they aren’t willing to sacrifice or give of their time when my friend lived on credit cards so she could serve the church for one year.

Or my friend who gave up her education to serve the church. You can’t give up one night of TV or going to a movie for the kingdom of God but you want to enjoy the benefits of someone else’s sacrifice. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate all of the incredibly talented  people God has called from Kansas City and other states since the church moved here in 2000. You have been fought for in prayer, and God has sent you! I desperately need you in my life.

As a church, we can’t get to the next level that God is calling us to in massive outreach without you. We need you. We need your strength, your gifting, your talent, and your heart. The point is that I never want you to forget that someone paid your way. Someone prayed for you. Someone sacrificed for you, gave up their education, put their own dreams on hold so God could move in your life.

When we first joined, Casey told us that we were prayed for. We were fought for, cried for on that ugly floor at Smithton Community Church when we were wondering if God remembered us. There were a group of people who gave up their nights to cry out to God and fight for me when I couldn’t even fight for myself.

Now I fight for you. I pay the price for you. I sacrifice for you. I pay your way as Casey paid my way.

As Pastor Steve always says, “Nothing is free.” Pastor Steve and his wife, Kathy, are incredible examples of sacrifice, commitment and loyalty and I’m sure only God knows their story. I want to encourage you to sacrifice something for the kingdom of God.

Give more time. Put a dream on hold so you can serve in an area of ministry that desperately needs help. We’ve got new buildings going up and more ministry opportunities and now it’s your turn to pay the price for someone else to be gathered into the kingdom of God.

It’s your turn to pay someone’s way. It’s your turn to sacrifice. Don’t let someone else pay your way. You do it.