Tune In

We have a million voices that swirl around us every day. We are bombarded with the temptation to believe the “NO’s” that the world pushes in our face.


No, to you becoming all that God has purposed in His heart for you. No, to you living a life of victory. No, to you living in God’s peace.

Or enticed to stand in agreement with the lie that God is not for us that He has forsaken us, and has stopped speaking promises over us.

There are too many voices. Turn down the volume on the noise.

Now, press in to what might seem like a small whisper at first…..but once you’re in heart shot to receive the ONE voice that’s worth anything it will echo as thunderous praise over you and anoint your head with fresh oil……..HIS voice will pour over you with a fresh covering…..HIS voice will run over your heart as a fresh word of HOPE…..

Let’s lean in close……..I’m starting to hear what HE says…..

“For I KNOW the plans that I have for you, DECLARES THE LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NAS

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that THE MOUTH OF THE LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is In Her, and your land Married, for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bride groom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:1-5 ESV

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations make an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; HE RAISED HIS VOICE, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.” Psalm 46:1-7 NAS

Are you starting to hear the ONE VOICE we should be tuning in to?? I’m becoming convinced that the God of Psalm 103 is who is speaking over me…..are you?

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5

If you still need convincing cling to the words penned in Romans 8….

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is INTERCEEDING FOR US!” Romans 8:31-34

“For I AM CONVINCED that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Tune in to HIS VOICE and turn down the volume on the noise of the world…..let HIM speak a fresh word, a fresh covering and a fresh anointing over your life.

“I have been anointed with fresh oil.” Psalm 92:10

Megaphone Voice

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders,

The Lord, over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,

And Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth

And strips the forests bare

And in His temple cry ‘Glory!’

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29

As I read that this morning I was so empowered. I was reminded that with all the “voices” that swirl around my reality in a day – my Father has a voice….and His voice is stronger and more powerful than any other voice. It seems like about this time of year lots of great things start moving…it’s holiday season, which is so fun..but that increases activities, money talk, travel, busy, busy, busy, and all in the middle of your already busy ‘normal’ lives…..voices. Don’t forget whose voice is louder….and don’t lose heart, be encouraged because I was reminded of what it says in Isaiah 62 this morning regarding God’s voice. He’s not afraid to keep using it….and He will not stop speaking power over His princess….

“For Zion’s (I want you to put your name where it says ‘Zion’ – because ultimately He’s talking about YOU) sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s (put your name here too) sake I will not be quiet, until HER righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that THE MOUTH OF THE LORD WILL GIVE.” Isaiah 62:1-2

Tune in to the voice of the Father today. He’s speaking; we just need to listen - xoxo!

One....Two....Punch.

“And let US not grow weary of doing good, for in due season WE will reap, if WE do not give up.” Galatians 6:9


Hey sweet peeps. I don’t know about you, but I could use a good pep talk today, it’s Monday. Am I in good company? If I was face to face with ya I’d be looking for a good head nod, or maybe a decent sized AMEN! I’m not down in the dumps, or discouraged….just need a good ‘ol pep talk. Ya know what I’m talking about…just a good one two punch. Here’s what I got for ya today…..

Punch One – Galatians 6:9. Whoot! Whoot on not growing weary and that in due season we will reap. Sweet!

Punch Two – which in my opinion is greater than the first punch – WE. WE will reap.

I read that in that way for the first time yesterday. It says WE. That fills my heart with abundant power because some days ya just need to know you’re not alone in the fight. WE. I absolutely love that today. WE sounds a ton better than the simplicity of me. It keeps you reminded that this “life thing” we’re doing is bigger than just a whole bunch of separate “me’s”. It’s a WE.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

And if you read the chapter before this one (Hebrews 11) it talks for 40 verses of men and women of great faith. And the most awesome word in Hebrews 12 is THEREFORE. It implies we’re about to get a one two punch. So yada, yada, yada (you fill in the blanks of your own life yada yada)…THEREFORE….you’re not alone…..so pursue Jesus and just go for it!

That’s what I needed today. Whew. I love it when I am reminded that I’m ridiculously caught up in something that is so much bigger than the “me”. Yikes stripes when I’m tempted to get so bogged down by the “me” of my world that my view gets obstructed so much so that I can’t see or draw strength from the thought of “Therefore……surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses……let us run……do not grow weary…..WE WILL REAP!” Sister, praise the merciful love of a Great Father that PROMISES VICTORY!!!!!!!!

Today, don’t look down. Don’t even look across. Look up. When you start to look at Jesus, I promise you He’ll start to show you the great surrounding in your world of WE. It might come through a card in the mail, or a Spirit filled spoken word of Truth into your life, it might be through the powerful prayer of an amazing prayer warrior, it might be from a smile, a memory, a scripture, coffee with a friend or even in a still moment. There is a great surrounding of God’s PEOPLE that are filling the earth with praise. Today, I’m thankful for the one two punch of WE!

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s PEOPLE, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1Peter 9-10

Mind the Gap

When I was a junior in college I had the rich, and honestly unexpected, opportunity of traveling to Europe to visit two of my best friends that had decided to study abroad for a semester. It was one of those spring break trips that I still pinch myself when I think about taking. For several reasons it still seems like a dream…for starters it was the second flight I had ever taken – the first being a 45 minute one way flight from OKC to Dallas which I don’t know if you could really count as a flight….it’s basically an up down. Anyway, the second reason being that my parents let me go with just a group of my girlfriends…..and stay in random hostiles and not be able to call but like a handful of times. Major trust on my mom’s part because now that I’m a mom I would have totally freaked out!! The third reason was that my friend called one day and had found these crazy priced tickets online for college students and if you bought in 48 hours…the price tag was only $900 round trip!!! Can I get a witness?!! Amen! How it all worked out is still beyond me, but it was the trip of a lifetime and still almost 9 ½ years later connects my heart to those precious girlfriends that I was able to take that trip with.

So many amazing memories flood my mind when I get reminiscent about that trip. The overwhelming emotions we all had as we stepped out of the London Gatwick Airport into the streets of London. The powerful presence of those buildings etched with history. The great energy of Victoria Station, ambiance of romance in the museums, the cobbled streets, the clothes, the food, the richness of a culture that has stood for thousands of years that you are only just now seeing. It was awesome.

I remember funny moments too. Traveling to Scotland on a bus for 6 hours and based on my overwhelming good luck I got sick the ENTIRE time. Memorable to say the least. Getting to Scotland, finally feeling better but freezing our booties off and having to wear literally every piece of clothing from our suitcases to stay warm in our hostile that night. Great pics! The pink curtains and Scottish plaid decorations of that hostile were classic too, seriously considering doing our new baby room with that look in mind :). Lights out London is no joke. The refreshingly beautiful ride we took on the top of a double decker bus one evening through Piccadilly Circus. And then how could any of us forget the bus ride from the bus station to the airport in the middle of the night in the white wall rain with the bus driving literally going 100 mph and sitting next to a very hairy toed shoeless man eating curry food the entire ride. Memorable. Truly it’s a miracle we made it…never been more glad to get somewhere stationary in my life.

There are a million and one moments that aren’t included in that description because if I wrote everything it would look more like a chapter in a book than a blog post. It was the trip of a lifetime, and one of those trips that reminds your spirit and soul that you are alive and the world is really a beautiful place. But one of the happenings that stuck with me the most was a simple moment in our everyday during that trip as we took the rail, the sub system. As you waited the rail would come racing through the tunnel and make an abrupt stop, the doors would open and then all at once before you could take a step through the doors a man’s voice with a deeply British accent would come over the loud speaker a say, “Mind The Gap”. Without fail I would die laughing. Why you might ask? Because the “gap” he was talking about between the deck we were standing on and the rail doors was either totally massive or so slight the warning seemed ridiculous. It was so very obvious that you had to “mind the gap” and step across onto the rail. Obviously that was not the case and somewhere down the line someone forgot to mind and must have tumbled right into the gap. But it was, and still is as I catch myself chuckling, hilarious to me. We probably found a million reasons on that trip to reuse that phrase. I still do, and of course I always say it in my own version of a high pitched squeaky British accent voice seeing as “deep” really isn’t a part of my voice range. :)

Today I’d like to suggest that there are just as many gaps in our lives that if we aren’t careful to “mind the gaps” we could fall right in between the platform we’re standing on and the rail that has the capability to take us to our next “God sized promise”. Ladies, it’s no joke out there. Life is stinkin’ hard and if it isn’t, quite honestly you’re probably not breathing. I don’t mean everyone’s life has to be labor intensive…but what about emotionally, spiritually and mentally just tough.

I have a precious life with all sorts of beloved blessings….but if you think for a minute my life is worry or problem free you’re bubble is about to bust. It’s not. For starters my husband is a coach and our life in a literal sense is dictated by winning and losing, which has the potential to make us all sorts of emotionally high and low. In the last several years we’ve committed to becoming debt free….so of course there have been a number of things come up that have threatened that vision. At this point we’re taking risks that are challenging every part of our lives and God is asking us to step where there is little to no light to illuminate the path. We have times when we feel uninspired to start the day or share a thought. There have been several health issues we have had to overcome in the last year. We have relationship struggles that tear at our heart strings, we have worries, we have major doubts at times of God’s will and God’s purposes and if we don’t mind the gap we can throw off all sorts of Jesus and just fall right into the gap of despair…we can lose our vision. The temptation to recklessly throw off a life of faith and loose heart is all too present.

I’m reminded of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 10:5. I know I use it often when writing to you, but it really is so very crucial to living a gloriously full life as a daughter of the King. “We are DESTORYING speculations and EVERY lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking EVERY THOUGHT captive to the obedience to Christ.” That’s not going to come easy and if you read it close it is full of action verbs…that means it doesn’t conclude it is an on-going action. Even if you think, like I did about the gap between the platform and the rail, that there is no way we could miss seeing Jesus in every situation in our lives I think we make a huge mistake. I think if we live laughing at the warning of 2 Corinthians 10:5 we give way and opportunity to the enemy to blind us and shift our focus just enough to where all at once one day what was a small gap becomes a massive chasm between us and God and we fall right in. We still need to be reminded no matter how deep you get into your faith journey. No matter how spiritual you might have become – you have to have a warning. There is no arrival this side of Heaven. Someone, something, some circumstance, some perceived failure, some struggle, some message, some email, some unclear communication will try to create a gap between you and the Love of your Father if you leave it unsubmitted and uncaptivated. I’m not trying to create despair in your heart…..I’m trying to tell you the importance of 2 Corinthians is a for real thing. Taking someone or something captive takes strength you have to have a strategy to overcome the enemy. Keeping our focus intently on Jesus is our strategy to minding the gap.

Think of it like this…a deep loving Jesus voice coming over the intercom of your life every day and reminding you “Mind the gap, Cari”. Be looking for Jesus and take EVERY thought, project, situation, dream, job, relationship, emotion and role and make your heart obey His will. Mind the gap by pushing God’s love to come to the front of your marriage, of your job security, and of your financial mistakes. Mind the gap by pushing God’s love to come to the front of your uncertain future, of your health crisis, of your hopes and dreams. Mind the gap by pushing God’s love to the front of the lost affection you desire, your addictions, your hardened heart of sin, your fear, your worry, your regrets, your doubt, your church, your worship, your friends, your kids, your insecurity…..EVERYTHING.

Sweet sister it will take a determined faith to push God’s love to fill the gaps, but the overwhelming promise is that He died to take our place. He doesn’t care if your gap looks like a sliver or you’re staring down the Grand Canyon. Please don’t laugh at the warning signs…listen in, submit and receive what God is trying to tell you in Love. He is zealously anxious to mind the gaps of our lives, but it’s up to us to submit to His Love. I wish I could say that I was speaking this word from a mountain top of strength, and at times by God’s grace I have spoken to you out of Divine Strength, but if this is “real sister talk” today I’m just leaning in on God’s promise to fill in the gaps right alongside you. Today my prayers over you are from Psalm 28:7-9…

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; Be their shepherd also and carry them forever.” Psalm 28:7-9

And remember….Jesus is minding the gap (just imagine me saying it with a thick British accent :))

I love the next generation

Okay...so here's the deal....a most special heart friend encouraged me to listen to this message and I'm telling ya right now click on the phrase "I love the next generation" and open your ears and your heart to get a ridiculously amazing message in to your life.  I heard a phrase yesterday that is my new favorite phrase and it fits this message perfect...."it will be like a punch and a hug".  I know that's exactly what it was for me.  This message is seriously MY DEEPEST HEART PASSION!!!!!!!!  I am calling all Glorious Daughters to take this message in and make a decision to cross the line and pour into the next generation....please, please take it as a challenge.  With God all things are possible....let's roll up our sleeves and let Him do the work....but please don't let someone slip through the cracks because we didn't fully submit and allow God the opportunity to work through us as a Paul and be loved on as a Timothy!  I love you all dearly....like seriously....I'm so proud of you and I could not imagine my life without your faces and hearts in it.  You are my joy and I am honored to be taking this journey with you. 

xoxo!

Marginalized.....

Marginalized Women.  Just that phrase alone with no other words behind or before it breaks my heart.  Close your eyes for just a second and think of all the ways you don't fall in that category.  Think about the blessings of your family, friends, church, future, your passionate relationship with a loving God, your home, your protection, your provisions, your resources, your health, your abilities..........oh ladies will you please just entertain an overwhelming moment with me this morning.  Will you please not read this post looking for elegant words or passionate verbiage.....honestly I don't have it this morning.  All I have is this overwhelming burden in my heart for the phrase "marginalized women".......oh that the Lord would rip out all the selfishness that has resided in my heart and press each and every one of us to do more than just read those words, feel burden and then go on with life.  I have linked up the blog post from The Tapestry Project about the beloved women they serve.  Please take a second and read it, it's short......and when you do read it and imagine a face, a mom, a sister, a best friend - put someone dear that you love with your whole heart and imagine the label "marginalized" over her life.  Immediately I would be moved to action.  Let's do the exact same thing with those we don't know yet.

Glorious Daughters is not a church, we are not a service organization, we are not a charitable "box check".....we are an equipping ministry.  So with that being said, let's start equipping.  When I bring new projects God is in the midst of doing to your attention my intention is to give you an opportunity as a daughter of the King to USE your position, feel equipped to love and then be inspired to DO IT.  With The Tapestry Project your first opportunity will be Tuesday night at Glorious Daughters.  Please go through your closets and find gently used winter coats that you would be willing to donate and BRING THEM TO GOD SIBS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT!!!  We will have a team from Edmond that will be taking them back and dropping them off at Tapestry.  I will also be announcing other ways that we can be involved with this incredible ministry.  This is what becoming all glorious within is all about girls.  Yes, it's about study and growing closer in our knowledge of our Father...but it won't amount to a hill of beans if all we do is keep it to ourselves.  We, a generation of daughters are called to seek out the lost.......they are LOST which indicates we have to GO and FIND them.....then God has made it the easiest thing in the world because He does the healing.  Just giving someone a hug you mean has more healing power than "knowing" all the right stuff.

So pass on the info that this coming TUESDAY night go through your closets and bring a winter coat (any age) to donate!!!!!!  And remember to really READ the phrase "marginalized women" and let the Holy Spirit mess you up from the inside out so much so that you can't wait to GO, FIND and Lavishly Love with the Love of Jesus!

I love you and can't wait to see you Tuesday night at God Sibs,
Cari

What in the world is God Sibs you might be asking yourself?

For the last several months what is now known as God Sibs was known as Chick Chat. (With those familiar we are now the artist formally known as Chick Chats :)) But somewhere along the way the Holy Spirit started bugging my heart. He’s been known to do that in my life. As the Lord pressed my heart about what He wanted from this ministry I came across the definition of gossip. And even more important than the definition was the origin of the word gossip. The word as a noun came from Old English as something like godsib. In a literal sense godsib meant just that God-sibling. It was a relative in God, a friend, an encourager, a mentor and a spiritual supporter. Unfortunately as the years progressed the definition changed and a godsib transitioned into a gossip. The word godsib had begun a transformation from merely supporting spiritual growth to an individual that was usually sharing information that was none of their business and had become largely associated with women. That is no good ladies!! God wants to take that word back for His glory!


As the Holy Spirit revealed His heart for this ministry and the passion behind Glorious Daughters I think nothing suites us better than God Sibs. Just as Barnabas put his name and approval on the life of Paul as he began his ministry (Acts 9:26-28) we want to stand beside others that are pursuing the King. God Sibs is a time when we can come up alongside other sisters as multiple generations and allow the Lord to encourage and inspire us to be strong, brave, bold and beautiful daughters of God. (And yes I ended it just like the soap opera on purpose hoping you won’t forget the slogan! :)) In essence we are deciding to put our names on others lives in front of our peers no matter what their background or present story might be and saying “She’s with me!” It models what Christ did for us. HE put His Name on our lives in front of the world and says, “She’s with me, she is my daughter and a rightful heir to My Throne.” That we are growing not as gossips, but as God Sibs!!!

Come and join us on the first Tuesday of every month in Weatherford, OK at the Fairfield Inn at 7pm and find out all about God Sibs! We spend time with sweet friends chatting about life, laughing, singing, playing ridiculously fun games, eating something with chocolate in it, of course coffee and receiving fun gifts as well as gaining strength and encouragement from an in depth study of God’s Word. Mostly we celebrate being a daughter of the Most High King!