Are You Bubbling Over...or lukewarm?

Today, my friend Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee is spotlighting me as one of her loyal commenters at her blog. So head on over there, after you read today's post here, and read her interview of me. She has 175 followers, so the fact that she picked me, well you know it thrills me to pieces! If you aren't a regular of hers, she is hysterical and I "Ken Lee" her blog. (That's can't live without it, for those of you who aren't her regulars).

****Today's Devotion****

One of Cici's favorite church songs is "It's bubbling, it's bubbling, it's bubbling in my soul, there's singing and laughing since Jesus made me whole! Folks don't understand it, I cannot keep it quiet...it's bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling day and night!"

That song completely and effectively describes the conversion process. Once you become "on fire" for God, it just bubbles in your soul so much you can't help but sing. God wants us to bubble over for him. And folks don't understand it!

My sister (My ADHD Me) shared with me that when I first started sharing my faith (I cannot keep it quiet), she thought it was a phase I was going through. I have to laugh at that (There's singing and laughing!). She's found out not only is it not a phase, but that it may be contagious. I believe it may be starting to bubble in her too. She just needs to turn the fire up a little and it will come to a full boil!

So what about you? Are you bubbling? If not, how can you turn up the heat?

CiCi singing her "Bubbling Song" 8/2008

Revelations 3:14, 15 -- I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Philippians 4:4 -- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

1 John 4:12 -- No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Thankful Thursday - 2/26

It's the time in the week where I pause to think of 5 things, big or small, that I am thankful for this week.

1. A babysitter! Date night is coming up, and it will be nice to go out with my hubby sans kids.

2. My dog Buddy. He is a sweet pup and such good companionship. I love my dog! (He is a Boston Terrier).

3. Encouragement. I received 2 encouraging cards in the mail this week. One from a good friend and the other from my sister. I love getting mail, and encouragement is the best.

4. My children's friends. Both my girls have best friends who are good kids (sisters too) from a good family. It's so nice to be able to switch off for playdates and know the kids are happy and well cared for.

5. Jesus! I'm so thankful for a Savior that truly experienced all the emotions and feelings I do, and I know he can relate to what I'm feeling in good times and not so good. Yay Jesus!

BONUS**I'm thankful for Sonya - who celebrated her birthday this week and is the host for the Thankful Thursday meme.

That's it. A moment to pause and think of things for which I'm thankful. What are you thankful for this week? You can join this meme by clicking the button below to visit Truth4theJourney.

What's the Worth?

Last fall I had a professional photo done. Many of the places where I've submitting articles ask for a professional head shot for their publication. I had to pay extra to receive the rights of my photo (and not just a print copy of it.) Now I own the rights to the print and can use it on my blog, or in print at my discretion.


In December, my family went to have our photo done at an inexpensive photo studio for our Christmas picture. After paying only $9.99 for about a billion prints, I asked if I could scan the photo and post in on my blog. The owner looked at the photographer and asked him. The photographer said, "you paid for them, you can do whatever you want with them." I was glad that he had given me full rights, without any charge. Yet his tone made me realize he wasn't being generous. He didn't realize the worth of his photography.


Do we realize the worth of our salvation? Jesus died for you and for me. He paid for the rights that we could be called children of God. He paid so that we could have eternal life. Yet too often, we don't realize the worth of this. We are cavalier like the guy at the photo study. We think we can do whatever we want, without realizing the price that was paid; and the worth of our salvation.


The photo of me on my blog didn't hold value because it was photo of me. No, it was the handiwork of the photographer the gave it worth. The photographer held the rights, and sold them to me. Likewise, I alone don't hold value. It is the handiwork of God that gives me any worth. He holds the rights to my life. He paid the price by Jesus' death on the cross for me, and for you. We need to be living a life worthy of the price that was paid. Get the picture?

Ephesians 4:1 -- As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Colossians 1:10 -- And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 -- With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

The Devil's Schemes

Last year when I attended the She Speaks Writers Conference, Lysa TerKeurst said that when you are working for God, be ready to be attacked by the devil. If you are writing a marriage book, be ready for a rocky road in your marriage. If you are writing a parenting book, your little darling may turn into a little dickens. The devil will attack you to make you insecure and in hopes of not letting you complete your work for God.

Two weeks ago, on a Wednesday night I wrote my thankful Thursday post and said I'd been faithful in exercise & Bible reading. I even gave God the glory. The next morning, when my thankful Thursday posted, I missed my workout. I then literally lost my Bible. I couldn't find it. I got behind in my reading more than a few days. (yes, I have more than 1 Bible, but my reading guide was inside of my lost Bible).

I've since found my Bible and caught up again (and gotten behind again too...I'm currently 5 days behind in my reading, or 10 chapters of Leviticus no less!) I had to miss a 2nd day at the gym to go on the field trip to the Circus with my daughters.

I feel a desire to "beat myself up" over these failures. Yet, I know that is exactly what the devil wants. He wants me to just quit. He wants my attitude to say "I'm so far behind I'll never catch up!" and give up. But I won't quit, with God's help.

I reminded of the lyrics from "Might to Save.*" It says to God, "So take me as You find me, All my fears & failures, Fill my life again. I give my life to follow, Everything I believe in, Now I surrender (I surrender)."

I am weak, and I can be lazy. I don't like exercising, and the Old Testament is hard reading! Yet, there is power in God. I must be strong in His power. So today, I will fight the devil.

Ephesians 6:10,11 -- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

James 4:7 -- Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.


*If you haven't heard this powerful song, here is a video: