He Lives! That's Good News!

So, through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak his name. Hebrews 13:15 NCV

Christmas time is really upon us. I must say it has been one of the most relaxing and refreshing Christmases for me. My husband, Kevin, and I have always tried not to get caught up in the stuff. We were blessed with Christmases of one gift and of plenty. Yet, we always tried to stay focused.

When the kids were babies and toddlers we were very careful about the books, video, music, that we brought into the home. I was taught from elementary school throughout high school about how external stimuli can influence decision making and behavior. Also, as a marketing major I was amazed at all of the “tricks” companies used to persuade buyers. Wording on products, placement, pricing, design, etc are all designed for one thing…to separate us from our money. That is why when the kids ask for the candy at the register, I understood. It’s at eye distance.

We only allowed the kids to watch public TV programs; other selected programs and carefully picked out videos. Public TV did not have commercials, therefore the kid’s mind weren't always bombarded with things to buy. A trip to any store with all 5 kids was a doable thing. Of course, there were times they asked for items, but we were blessed the kids didn’t beg obsessively and throw tantrums in the store.

The result is kids who understand that Christmas isn’t about the stuff. It was never about the stuff and then we changed the meaning in the middle of the experience. I am certain one of the Grier kids would have called us out. We asked each year, what they desired for Christmas. The question was never, “What do you want Santa to bring you?” They don’t feel slighted by the experience. Though, one Christmas one of my sons wrote a 3 page list. I looked at it with amusement. I called him to the room and simply stated, “Son, I apologize to you if I made you believe that we would buy 3 pages of gifts to place under the tree.” He simply nodded and with a slight grin, walked out of the room. I know someone had to try.

The kids understood this…

• We were not going to hold our tithe to buy presents.

• We were not working second jobs to supply toys for Christmas. But to survive we would.

• We were not going to max out credit cards and suffer financially for being irresponsible.

• We were not going to borrow money from all of the relatives, and add on more debt.

Once through a financial wilderness, it would have been crazy for us to take the kids back through with us.

We don’t debate across the dinner table about the true meaning of Christmas. We know the meaning. It saddens us there is so much debate. We pray that the people who are served during the Christmas season continue to be helped after Christmas.

The good news is that Christ was born to die for our sins. We can’t seem to utter that doing this festive season. Yet,owning that powerful revelation will remove all doubt.

My favorite hymn….

He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

Now that’s Good News!

Prayer Thank you father for sending your son, Jesus. I don't think we always embrace the enormity of such a wonderful and awesome Gift. Please forgive us where we fall short.We are praising your name , Father, just for allowing us to lift you up in this Christmas season. You alone are the reason for the season. ~Amen 

New Beginnings to Wholeness

2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me



In 1986 my roommate and I attended a sales presentation for dinnerware and cookware. We were sold on the beauty of the product and the lifetime guarantee warranty for the cookware. We purchased the entire set which included cookware, fine china, bone china and a casual dinnerware set. I was excited about one day using the dinnerware.

I was always careful with taking care of my items. Growing up, my parents stressed how to take care of simple items so that we weren’t always replacing broken, lost, or misused items. I was careful to teach my kids the same thing. But we all understand and expect there to be mishaps, mistakes, and certainly something breaking in the kitchen! Yet, we didn’t have many broken dishes.

Then one day, I walked in the kitchen and there it was, a broken bowl in 3 pieces. It was lovingly placed on the counter with all pieces accounted for. I asked the kids what happened. My daughter explained it was dropped while washing dishes. I looked at her gentle face , smiled and thanked her for saving the pieces. I let the bowl sit for a couple of days, and eventually glued the pieces together. I followed the instructions carefully.

*Make sure the surface is clean

*Align the blue trim on the top of the bowl to insure a good fit

*Apply a coat of super glue and place the pieces together

*Hold the pieces together to secure the glue

*Wipe off excess glue

*Allow the glue in the item to set

That was over ten years ago. The bowl is still in use. We have washed it by hand and the dishwasher. We have placed it in the microwave. The bowl is good for cold cereal or hot soup. Because the glue has held up, we treat the bowl as if it was never broken.

I can still see the crack, but the bowl is like new and usable.

For so long I have lived a broken life. The pieces were neatly placed inside of me. Every time I attempted to get past my issues the task failed. I realized there was going to be a process. What I didn’t know is that the process for me would be longer than expected. There were lessons I was trying to by-pass because I wasn’t ready to deal with my issues. I thought by placing memories in the back of my mind, and moving forward with fervor would do the trick!

Not! Life will make you deal with her!

In ,Paulette Harper Johnson  new book Completely Whole she wrote 2 very important points in the first chapter that grabbed my heart….

*There are avenues and detours we must take (or make!)

*We want to get from A to Z without the bumpy roads.

Those 2 sentences stopped me in my track. I recognized this as confirmation from God concerning my weary days. I know there is no short cut and I opened myself to that fact a while back. I am walking in faith that I will be made whole.

Steps I have taken so far…..

• Allow the Lord to create in me a clean heart


• Align my life with the Word


• Apply the Word to the broken pieces


• Allow the Word to hold the broken pieces together


• Allow the Lord to wipe my tears


• Sit under the Word allowing the healing to set.

My wholeness looks just like my bowl. If I look hard enough, I can see the crack. But that’s just my testimony! My wholeness can withstand the hot and the cold issues life presents. And the Lord can use me and use me some more! I have recognized the weakness in my bowl and I submit those weaknesses to the Almighty!

Prayer Lord, Lord Dear Lord, I bring before you my brokenness. I thank you for never leaving me. I thank you for my trials and tribulations for I have grown Lord and I have learned to trust you. Please forgive for the times I worried. Please forgive me for having a Plan B for when I doubted. I trust you, Lord. Thank you for your grace and mercy!

Worry Doesn't Have a Place in the Kingdom, Part II

Early in our marriage, my husband and I brought our first home. It was a single family home with 3 bedrooms and an inviting fireplace. Three of our five kids were born while we lived there. This house was a place of fond memories. But at times, it was quite difficult managing a house with kids, a spouse and a fish name Herbie!

We used oil as our source of heat. And I remember the large oil tank sitting at the back of the house. There were times when I was quite concerned because my sons would climb on the tank and jump off when playing. I remember feeling at one time, the heat in the house wasn’t as intense. We blamed it on the weather getting colder. Then one day, we woke up to a very cold house. My husband decided to call the oil company. But I was certain the tank could not have emptied so quickly. So, they came out. Put more oil in the tank. Left.


For a little while, heat. Then silence. Then cold. After a visit from the serviceman, the verdict,
“Your furnace is gone completely out!”

“Hmmmmm, it was not going to last. No one told you?”


Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”


There were mixed emotions of anger and worry. We attempted several times to get assistance to no avail. Living paycheck to paycheck, wouldn’t allow for immediate savings. We continued to pray about our situation and looked forward to events that would take us out of the house like church, work, and playtime.

During the day, the kids played outside. At the time, we didn’t have video games, VCRs or anything else that would keep the kids locked to the TV. We had plenty of bikes, trucks, play shovels, balls and a whole lot of imagination!


The fireplace was deep and really wasn’t designed to warm a house. Yet, its purpose had changed. We were burning wood from the yard and paper. At night, we dressed the kids in footed PJ’s, hats and gloves and slept in front of the fireplace. Even though we didn’t have an appreciation for this danger, the Lord never left us.


I reached out to the Crisis center. It was so wonderful to finally get some help.

"How long has the heat been out?"
2 weeks

"How much does it cost to replace?"
$1500

"How many kids are in the house?"
4 kids, 2 infants, 2 year old, 4 year old

"OMG! We have to get you immediate help!"
"Are you married?"
Yes.

Silence………..

More silence………..

"I am sorry Ms Grier. If there is a father in the house, we can’t provide assistance."

I could hear my heart cracking. Tears filled my eyes. I called my husband and gave him the news. He didn’t express an once of worry. ‘Something is going to work out.” So, I tried to stay focused as well. Yet, the butterflies in my stomach wouldn't be still.


One morning, there was a knock on the door. I peeked out the window. I didn’t recognize the ladies on the step. I opened the door and stared blankly. “Yes?” One of the ladies began to speak about the Word the Lord had for me that cold morning. I was blocking the door so they couldn’t see the fireplace and feel the coldness of the house.


Immediately, the lady stopped speaking. She asked me if I had a fire in the fire place. "Yes." She asked what I was burning. "Wood and newspaper. "She asked about the flue, liner an dother parts of the chimney. I had no idea what she asking me. Finally she stated,

"I can see a film of smoke in this room. You wouldn’t have noticed it because it would have been gradual and it’s uniform. But the smoke is not venting out of your house. If you would open your curtains and allow the light in, you would be able to see it.”

I looked around and in the moment I realized how dark it really was in the house. She looked at the ladies and no longer seemed interested in the Bible study. They bid me farewell and I closed the door.

I stroked my fingers on the wall. Soot! An even smooth coat of soot. When I pulled the curtain, I noticed the film on my hands. I could now see the difference in the shades of paint. The blinds were thick with a thin layer of soot that was almost unnoticeable. I was amazed and sad at the same time. I thought about the nights  the family was sleeping in front of the fireplace, using our bodies to keep the kids warm. I began to cry thanking God for keeping my babies safe.

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”


In that moment of despair, knowing the fireplace was no longer an option, there was strong knock on the door. When I opened the door, it was the Bible study lady. She had something in her hand. A kerosene heater and an oil can! She stated she had this at home for emergencies and she and her husband decided to allow us to use it. I was so overwhelmed. She stated we could use it as long as we needed. My heart was overjoyed. The Lord sent a total stranger to remind me not to worry , but to dwell in His safety. Psalm 4:8.


Here was a lady on a mission to give a mini Bible study. Yet, she recognized another need. And without a whole lot of conversation, took care of the need, prayed with me and left. I will remember this visit from the Lord always.

Eventually, we had to replace the blinds, curtains, paint the inside of the house. And yes, the Lord blessed us with a brand new furnace! All in God’s time.

Many times when we worry, we invite into our lives a constant flow of soot that is so thin we don’t notice it until it effects all the surfaces of our lives. We kept the light out and nothing is allowed to grow in our spirits. The walls of our hearts because dense and filthy. We continue to agonize over the same situation, not acknowledging the pain and suffering that could be pending.


During this time, I was encouraged by my husband's strength. He came home every day with the same jolly disposition he left with. He played and tickled the kids each night as they expected. He never missed an opportunity to hug and kiss me at the beginning and end of every day. He didn’t harbor over the fact there was no heat. He simply gave matter-of-fact information on a need to know basis. Therefore, we lived each day as if the Lord was going to help us. And while we were waiting on help from family, friends, agencies, He sent a total stranger!


So today, if you are living in cold place of worry I want you to just open the door to your heart and receive what God has for you.

He may not come when you want, but He’s always on time. Just a reminder!


He may not send the person you are expecting.

If you don’t allow Light in, your situation will compound itself.

Don’t ignore the signs your situation is getting worst. It may cost you your peace.

Remember it’s not just about you and your decisions will affect others.

Pray and Pray some more!

Can we stop right now and just pray?


Prayer Dear Lord, please hear our prayer. We ask for forgiveness Lord for the times we were impatient in our situation. We are so thankful that even in the worst of times, when we have closed ourselves up, you never left us. We are thankful for opportunities to praise and to worship. Lord, right now today, we are casting our worries on you so that you can use us for the upligting of your Kingdom. ~Amen

Worry Doesn’t Have a Place in Kingdom Living, Part I

For years I lived with anxiety and worry. As a child I didn’t know exactly what those feelings were called. But I’ve always known they were paralyzing. Not knowing how to adequately describe my thoughts and feelings, I kept my emotions to myself. Aside from writing in my dairy, my communication was very low key. I would look around at school, wondering who I could talk to. I would sit silently at church trying to determine which adult I could confide in. And with each attempt to open my mouth, an overpowering fear would come over me. And I would hear the questions:

What if they laugh?

What if they don’t understand?

What if they announce it in church?

What if we are no longer friends?

What would people think of me once they know?



Romans 8:6” For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”



The violations of my physical self and my innocent mind, had consumed me. I cried a lot. I don’t think a week went by and I didn’t spend at least one full night crying trying to understand the physical attributes of anxiety and worry.

At the age of 11, I began to read the Holy Bible regularly. Previously, my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Powell had ignited such a strong desire in me by reading the stories in the Bible. Then the reading stopped abruptly and I wasn’t sure how to navigate on my own. Yet, the Holy Spirit would always lead me to the Psalm and Proverbs. I made it a point to learn a scripture a week. The Lord never left me.


Matthew 11:30 ” My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”



Many times we consume ourselves with worry. And if the day doesn’t present itself with anything to worry about, we reach back to get some stuff from yesterday. And if that’s not enough, we obsessed over how to control tomorrow. It can be a vicious cycle or merry-go-round that doesn’t immediately stop. Therefore, we have to find a jumping point and leap! And to leap we have to have faith that God’s got this!



When I was having trouble with my 8th grade math teacher, I told my parents. I didn’t have a worry in the world about that situation, because I knew the very next day, my parents would come to the school. I had faith! Also, they weren’t going to call me in for further details; it was going to be handled amongst them. The Lord works that way as well. We are to pray and not worry. Once we take it to Him, he doesn’t come back for further explanation and our assistance. I truly believe he doesn’t want us to live burdensome lives.



What’s amazing about worrying is its ability to suck the life out of any situation. Yet, we still fall victim to its hold. But I have learned that doesn’t have to be our declaration. I have learned to do something different. When I allow the spirit of worry in my life, I have to immediately react. Otherwise, I would exchange an entire day of life for worry. God doesn’t desire that I live like that.



Therefore, I seek Him. Not because I am meandering through my situation and just happen to fall upon a prayer. I seek Him first and I seek Him on purpose. My efforts to communicate with the Lord are intentional and immediate. If not, I allow doubt, over thinking, Plan A-C, and other people opinions to block out what the Lord has for me. I have been in that wilderness, marked the trees and don’t want to return!



This week I am praying for those whose life is consumed with anxiety and worry. The Lord desires peace and rest for us. I am experiencing this like never before. I desire peace for you as well. I encourage you to intentionally carve time each day just for the Lord. Open your heart to Him. Receive from Him. And then follow the instructions given. Remember, the Lord moves in His own time. Period! No further explanation. Own that statement and live in the moment you have right now, and you will find yourself on the awesome path to Peace.


God Bless You!



Prayer Lord, I am asking you to create in us a clean heart. We have worried needlessly. Please forgive us. Thank you for never leaving us and for being our Provider. You have cared for the birds of the air; surely you will take care of us also. Amen

Use Your Talents to Please God, Not People

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ~Romans 12: 6-7


I was speaking with a colleague. She was expressing her dislike for the position she was in. She stated that she had a dental appointment and couldn’t wait because she would rather have her teeth pulled that day than to endure another day in that position! I was thinking, “Wow, oh my!” We talked a little more and I realized many of her decisions were made without consideration what her strengths and talents were. She had a creative talent in graphic design and had sold many ideas. Her face lit up when talking about her passion. It was exciting just to see the joy on her face. Yet, I could still remember the anguish when speaking about the current situation.


I wonder how many of us, lack passion for jobs we take on. How many of us lack the desire to even improve where we are? I am speaking about vocations, Pan-Hellenic committees, church committees, community organizations and everything in between. There are times we give just enough and post all we can to our resumes.


Many times we find ourselves trying to please others. An excessive desire to please can be a curse. A lot of people can’t be pleased and we can find ourselves constantly doing tricks and performing for approval and acceptance. This song and dance will always lead to hurt feelings, feeling empty and having regrets. People will allow you try and try to appease them, yet your performance will be like pouring water in a glass with no bottom.

Often we have to use so much extra energy just to endure tasks that we have signed up for. We sometimes transfer that same attitude to our service to the Lord. We sign up for committees we have no interest in. We obligate ourselves to several committees and over extend ourselves. Therefore, we are of no use to anyone. I believe most folk’s intentions are honorable. But when we are aiming to please others, the task can become burdensome.


Growing up I had a very strong desire to please the adult around me. Heaven forbid someone was disappointed in anything that I did. So, I found myself in a constant motion of making sure everyone was happy with me. The behavior fed my passive aggressive personality and left me feeling resentment many times.

We are not sure to live our lives to satisfy other people. We are here to live our lives to satisfy the Lord. Our talents belong to the Lord. Wouldn’t it awesome to be able to use your gift for the Lord on the right committee, on your job, in your business, in your daily life? Perhaps, you have forgotten or hidden talents? Carve out a little time for yourself and find out what they are.


Sincerly pray and ask yourself….

• Who am I in Christ?

• What am I currently doing to improve my talents?

• How can use my talents for the Kingdom?

• Where are my talents really needed?

• When can I get started?

All of these questions may take some serious soul searching with some honest answers, but it’s worth it! Always go to God in prayer and don’t plan without Him. I am a witness!!!

Don’t live the rest of your live trying to please others. Continue to seek God and he will give you the desires of your heart..