A Big Shy-Girl Fail

In 2009, as a student at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, I tried out for the school worship teams. Now, this was a big deal.

I was scared to death, but I felt God wanted me to try out. I was one of about a hundred students who came that rainy night in Redding. No one knew what songs we would have to sing. We were on the big Bethel stage and worship leader Stephanie Gretzinger handed me sheet music to a song I had never heard. The music started and I gasped nothing into the mic. I was overwhelmingly embarrassed; felt old; felt dumb; felt small; felt uncool. I stepped off the stage past the judges and so many young, talented witnesses.

I still can’t believe I did that.

But here's the rest of the story. Since that failure, I've had to brave many new things. As a result of that and other trials and errors, I've come to know who I am and what I'm called to. I dream more dreams and embrace opportunities. I fear less. I create!

I changed that night I trusted God. My big fail had purpose.

So, I challenge you. What crazy risk are you afraid to take? Is it too big a price to pay to see your destiny unfold? (I pray right now this is speaking to someone.)

My book, Tapestry - The Divine Design For Your Life is available on Amazon. 

The Holes in My Heart

I've had several holes in my heart. They appear when loved ones pass; when my children have been hurt; when I feel fear, or lose a sense of what I was created for. 

Holes have been repaired, filled, and stitched back together when there has been resolution, joy, peace, and solutions...when time has passed and healing has prevailed.

Today, even with the tumultuous year we have all had, I don't feel any holes or any stitches torn. It may be because I keep tuning into and praying for the truth of my being so that I can walk in that truth. I'm not there yet, but my focus is in the right place. I'm so thankful for the One who brings healing and strength; purpose and solitude; grace and forgiveness; purpose and identity.

I am not flailing in the abyss of virus or politics. But I do see the need for extra peace right now that can only come from the presence of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. 

The enemy would have us believe his lies and deception as we revel in controversy so that we become ineffective to fix what is broken. I don't want to go there. I want to rise above and stay connected heart to beating heart to the One - the only one - that is able to overcome.

I love you, my readers. I pray you, too, have a whole heart - free of confusion. I pray you are able to repel deception, walk in love and kindness, and trust in your Father in Heaven. I pray you are able to overcome and see clearly as I pray the same for myself.

www.christinetracy.com

Find my book, "Tapestry - The Divine Design for Your Life,"on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iavMYH

Momentum

Life doesn't wait till pandemics are over, the election is decided, or the crisis of the moment is solved. It just keeps going. The good thing about this season is, I have slowed enough to feel the wind of progress blowing softy against my face. I am taking the time to seek wisdom, counsel, and to make good decisions. There is a clarity in the atmosphere despite the smoke and fear and anxiety that seems to be trying to take us out at any moment.

I keep hearing the words "think higher." "Think outside the box." "See from the perspective of the Throne Room of God." "Say yes and see what happens." "New opportunities are here." "Step in, step forward, trust God."

When I turn off the news and tune into God, I hear a different story. It may not be clear. He hasn't shown me what's ahead. But there is an assurance of promises kept because that is who He is! He has great things ahead for this nation if we will only watch for Him in anticipation and trust.

This is an exciting time if we position our hearts to see it.

"Keep looking up...that's the secret of life." Snoopy

Chris Tracy is author of Tapestry: The Divine Design for Your Life; and The Art of Writing - An Intimate Devotional for Writers.

Find my books and more at www.christinetracy.com and Amazon

A 4 a.m. Conversation

In the middle of the night, I felt like the Lord was wanting to talk about fear, hate, and sickness.

So many right now are full of fear - for good reason.

So many right now are full of hatred - because they are full of fear.

God's question to me was "What are fear and hatred?"

Knowing He would give me the answer, I said "you know, God."

"Fear is dis-ease of spirit.

"Hatred is dis-ease of soul.

"Our humanity is body, soul, and spirit. Could two affect the one? Might dis-ease of soul and spirit invite dis-ease of body?"

I pondered...if the answer is yes, then, could joy, hope, and love generate physical wellness? And, if so...how do we release that?

Nehemiah 8:10 Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Isaiah 60:1 - Arise and shine for your light has come.

The Far Side of the Moon?

Do you feel like we're about to go around the dark side of the moon?

Remember when we used to send astronauts to orbit the moon? There was a time on the back side where we couldn't communicate with the ship. We had to wait hours before we knew the astronauts were safe; when they could again communicate with Mission Control.

That's how this pandemic seems right now. No one knows for sure what might happen.

Well, I'm going to break that sense of fear in my home and on my blog.

I declare by God's mighty hand of protection we will be alright - physically and economically - and as a people we'll be ready to rebuild and reconnect.

I declare this time in isolation is more about inspiration - for creativity; for strategic ideas; for improved relationships; for being thankful; and for appreciating what we have, realizing what is most important.

I declare this buffoon of a pandemic will quickly blow itself out and that history will show our fears were unwarranted. 

I pray and I declare we will be a nation of celebrators as we rejoice together that we missed a bullet and we learned a lot.

Does this sound crazy? Honestly, I would rather live in expectation of good than dread of bad. It's healthier. It works. Join me?

A word from Bethel Church senior leader Bill Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNydBTwgoys

Prayer - Not Fear - Will Overcome!

When my brother and I were about ages three and five in the early 1950s, a polio epidemic struck terror in our mom, who would not let us go out in public. What really saddened me was our beloved Wisconsin beach was off limits to us due to the uncertainty and lack of knowledge of how the disease was spreading. People stayed home. In those days, there was no vaccine. We all knew people who became infected with the paralyzing disease. The fear in my mother's face and her strict actions to keep us safe are what I remember most about this enemy that was attacking mostly children. In later years, I would lose a good friend to polio in spite of the large strides in medicine that were made to treat and prevent it.

In this time, when we face a worldwide pandemic, we are wise to take precautions, wait it out, and be diligent as we learn more. We are also wise to not get caught up in frenzy and fear. Media is not the fear generator. It is our response to it that is causing unrest.

I would like to post portions of Psalm 91 that we can be praying over ourselves and our world right now. There is a light and power much greater than this present darkness. Prayer - not fear - will overcome.

When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai,

you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.

He's the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me,

the only God for me, and my great confidence.

He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy,

and he will protect you from false accusation

and the deadly curse.

His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.

You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.

His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.

Don't fear a thing!

When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High,

our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm.

How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?

Psalm 91:1-4; 6; 9-10 (The Passion Translation)

March 24 - Forget These 3 Words!

I was thinking today about how I think. Wrong thoughts tend to creep in when I lose my focus of who I am and what my purpose is. Take these three words, for example. Today I want to strike them from my thinking and vocabulary!

Impossible - Because I know that with God - all things are possible.

Stress - Because God's promise to me is "be anxious for nothing but in all things, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

Afraid - Because I know that perfect love casts out fear. I live in and under perfect love. Therefore I do not and cannot fear.

So there - You have my permission to call me out on these any time!

See Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:6 and Ephesians 3:20; and 1 John 4:18.

"My Peace I Give to You"

Today I am feeling un-peaceful. It is all I can do to settle my spirit. I clean my living room, play with Duke, listen to some soft music, talk to a friend...but still...

Then I remember a special verse. One that has life in it. One that speaks truth to me. One that says "I am real; I am truth; I know..."

"My peace I give to you," it says. It comes from the only one strong enough and able enough to grant that peace. 

I will take it. I will take it. Thank you.

John 14:27 - "I leave the gift of peace with you - my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don't yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts - instead - be courageous!" (The Passion Translation)

"I'm no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God. Full of faith. I am a child of God." (From song No Longer Slaves" by Jonathan David and Melissa Helzer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k