Planking… All the Rage…Really?

I was lost, but now I’m found. I have discovered what all the commotion is regarding this planking business. I was tired of being “out of the loop” on numerous FaceBook and Twitter feeds, so I headed over to my trusty compadre Google. And as always, my friend in deed came though like a champ. To my surprise I discovered that planking is just substitute verbiage for another “P” word that Christians have been practicing for centuries. I’ve always known this act as lying prostrate. By definition, prostrate is lying face down on the ground; and this is how Christians traditionally approach God in prayer; showing lowly humility.

Now, don’t get me wrong this “Planking Fiasco” is quite amusing (to each his own), but really people? Do we not have things better to do with our lives? Well, that’s a question that only you can answer. In the meantime, in between time, I’ll keep living while ya’ll play dead!

Holla!

Nikki D

Serving An Invisible God

As I sit here listening to the lyrics of this song, I began to feel deep longing for the companionship of another human being. But, this particular song emphasized how necessary it is for believers to trust and confide in Jesus; an invisible Savior. I think that has been, and continues to be one of the most difficult things about my Christian walk. My putting full and complete faith in someone I cannot even see. It’s tough! And regardless of how many Sunday mornings I attend service, how many messages I hear, or how much advice I seek, this is still the hardest part of my faith. How is it even humanly possible to trust in something or someone we can’t see? If I were to be seated at a table with no visible chairs, would I really risk the chance of falling for what I could not tangibly see? Well, this is what our faith in God is all about. And even though the logical notion of it all seems far beyond reality at times, I am comforted by the words of scripture.

In Hebrews 4:15-16 it reads:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (NIV).

Truly comprehending these words has softened the blow of my human frailty. So many times as believers we buy into the lie that we can’t approach God with foolishness; reasoning that an Almighty God wouldn’t want to deal with our, seemingly, insignificant life crises. But, today I learned for certain that this is a lie from Satan. The above passage instructs that we should approach God’s throne of grace boldly, accepting His mercy and grace in our time of longing need. And why, because we have a high priest who has felt, dealt with, and overcome the things that we bring to God in prayer. So your unpacking of emotional, physical, and spiritual baggage is not uncommon to God. This is not His first rodeo when it comes to hearing pleas for mercy and grace!

As I continued reading Hebrews I stopped at 5:8-9. The words in this passage literally jumped off the page, saturating my soul with pure unadulterated assurance. These verses read:

“Although [Christ Jesus] was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (NIV; emphasis mine).

Wow! This let me know, undoubtedly, that Christ has felt my longing as well. There were indeed times that He had difficulty trusting the plan of His invisible Father. But His secret to success was simply believing that God had His back. He trusted God’s love for Him. And I believe that there were times when Jesus looked around on the earth (as I’ve also done) and asked himself what would be my alternative. If I were to stop trusting God because at the moment my feelings are hurt, I’m wounded, I’m broken and vulnerable, or I am confused, what then would I turn my trusting to? And once we, as Christ did, understand that faith in God has bought the most longevity, out-of-this-world miraculous events, spontaneity, unspeakable joy, and peace that surpasses all understanding, we’ll look boldly towards heaven and receive grace and mercy to continue the race. All the while, happily proclaiming to Abba Father, “Let thine will be done!”

Nikki D



Making Every Scene Your Scene

Now I was the queen of the phrase, “That’s just not my scene”; and rightfully so in many instances. However, I discovered a secret that forever changed my life. I can make any scene my scene. How, by simply promising myself that wherever I am, whether in a stuffy room of borderline pharisaical Christians, or in a crowd of anything-goes-willy-nilliy free spirits, I would have a great time. And as a result, I transferred this social lesson into my lifestyle.

I found my happy medium and truly embody the words of Paul when he said “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11 NIV). It wasn’t that his circumstances morphed or that his “ideal world” was now present; no, Paul’s outlook on life itself changed. He discovered that life is comprised of more than dwelling on routine or happenstance. Paul understood that the secret to activating joy in every aspect of his existence was proper perspective.

Now, when I find myself in less than desirable situations, or in the company of those who are not necessarily “my cup of tea”, I remember Paul’s message. I willingly decide to make a glorious occasion out of every situation. Whether I break up the boring monotony of a lackluster conversation with a corny joke, that only I get, or sing songs of praise in the midst of utter sorrow, I consciously enjoy every moment in my life. Optimism doesn’t necessarily remedy life’s tough scenes, but it sure does help the time go by! And like the adage goes, “time flies when you’re having fun!”

So, enjoy every scene in your life regardless of how mundane or awful it may seem at any particular moment. Make it your own, and you’ll realize just how great God’s Spirit is residing within you. The joy of salvation is our strength! Therefore, live, laugh, love, and make every scene your scene!

Peace Out Home Skillets!

Nikki D

BREAKING NEWS: Boaz is Officially Off the Market!

After an interesting telephone conversation with my sister, we jointly discovered a phenomenon plaguing Christian woman. This epidemic which, I’ll dub “Boaz Obsession”, for naming purposes, is one that I have noticed hinders rather than helps women “locate” mates. Now, for those already scratching their heads, I suggest you head on over to your Bible and read the book of Ruth. It is here that you will find the peculiar love story that so many women long to reenact in their own lives. There have been, however, a vast number of misinterpretations of this romantic account that have left women striving for a man who was officially off the market by the close of the story.

What I gather from most conversations among Christian women is that they are itching to get married. I, myself, was once one of these very women who strived to capture the attention of “My Boaz”, while pretending to glean in a field near his. However, I came to the startling reality that I was doing everything that Ruth did not do to garner the attention of Boaz. First of all, Ruth was not trying to catch a man in the field, per say, when she went out to glean behind the other workers. Nope. Ruth was simply, trying to help the poor household of her mother-in-law Naomi. They were both coping with huge tragedies, and they needed food and money. Ruth saw it as her duty to help out; period.

However comma but, what many Christian women do is dress up, spray on smell good, and then travel out into the field with the intention of nabbing Boaz’s attention. Now don’t get me wrong a pulled together woman who smells good will get attention; and not only from Boaz but, from all the other field hands as well! What these women fail to realize is that their attempts read desperate in the eyes of a discerning potential mate. No man, especially Christian men, wants to feel like he is being forced or trapped into courting a woman. Men like to feel like the whole idea of dating and courting was their own idea. (SN: That’s men for ya! lol) But, the moment men sense that women are coming on too strong they retreat, or try to see what they can get, and then retreat. Now, the latter doesn’t apply to Christian men (wink) because they know better than to take advantage of people!

The second observation I made among searching Ruth’s is that their entire lifestyle becomes centered around preparing themselves for a man. Their career choice, education, style, conversation; EVERYTHING that they eat, breathe, and sleep is with the hopes that Boaz will find them appealing. It’s quite repulsive (yes I said it!), if you ask me. I have watched many a woman lose herself and God’s mission for her life, in order to score the affection of Joe Smoe because he thought she was cute. Don’t get me wrong, from personal experience, I understand the allure of receiving attention from the opposite sex. Every woman wants to know that her efforts are not going unnoticed. But, when your “man catching” efforts shape your livelihood—Houston we have a problem!

So, let’s set the record straight today! Number One: Boaz is off the market, He was Ruth’s man. So stop saying that you are waiting on Boaz! Number Two: Take your longing for a mate to the throne and not to the streets ladies. Desperation, regardless of how pretty her dress, is never a good look! Number Three: Get to work ladies! Ruth came in contact with Boaz because she was concentrating on the mission set before her; she needed to eat! Therefore, whatever tasks, duties, or goals God has placed before you, do them. And once you get busy about your Father’s business, He won’t withhold from you the desires of your heart.

I pray that this helps someone refocus her energies and pursue the things that really matter. Because at the end of the day, when you meet your Maker He won’t ask, “So what did you and Boaz do for the Kingdom?” No, God will want to know what your efforts for His Kingdom were. And you’ll want to have a better answer then, “Well, I got dressed up real nice so my Boaz could find me—”

Get a life ladies—literally!

I have nothing but love for ya!

Nikki D