We are BACK with a second episode with my favorite person. He’s the love of my life, my husband, and the father to our sweet babies. I like to call this episode “A New Thing” because God has done a new thing for us. Not only in shay’s person life and health journey but in our marriage as well. In today’s episode, we go deeper into the things God has been working out (physically and spiritually) in us. I’m thankful to be able to share such vulnerable pieces of our lives with y’all today. And equally thankful to be married to a man willing to share even if it touches just one life. If you haven’t caught the first episode, definitely go check it out!

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Have you ever been presented an opportunity that feels big and amazing but also…kinda terrifying? I’m talkin…something that would be amazing to do (in theory), would be so far out of your comfort zone that you literally can’t even imagine it for yourself? Because that’s exactly where I find myself right now. 

As I pre-record this episode for Monday, I am simultaneously getting ready to go do something that is pretty intimidating to me. I’ve been asked to be the speaker at a conference. It is an honor, to be sure. But it is also something that opens me up to potential failure. Because the truth is, in my own strength, whatever I have to say won’t be enough. Whatever I say… it will have to be God-given and delivered by the Holy Spirit. And with that in mind.. I agreed. This podcast was quite the leap of faith for me to begin with, but I’ll be honest in sharing: I hadn’t thought of it leading to other…more public…opportunities. At least with the podcast, nobody can see me and I can read what I have studied and prepared with the security of knowing I can edit or correct as needed. Speaking live? And in front of hundreds of people? It’s a whole other thing. 

It all kind of reminded me of the story of Gideon.  

Now, this was also a time when the tribes of Israel were supposed to be taking the inheritance God had given them. The land was there, and God had promised it to them, but they still had to go to battle to take the land. The Israelites were terrified though. Judges 6:8 sets up the scene… “The lord sent a prophet to them. He said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I brought you out of Egypt from the power of Egypt and the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you: I am the Lord your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites whose land you live in. But you did not obey me.’”

I love this story. I always think of it when I hear stories of God using the most unexpected people. He said, “My clan is the weakest and I am the least in my family”. I mean, don’t we all feel that way sometimes? Like we are from the smallest place? Like we are the least qualified? And so, God loves to use us here. Because of it. God gets the glory when he uses the least of these. God gets the glory when it isn’t who or what people expect. I love, too, at the end how God tells him “if you are afraid to attack” go down and listen, and you will be encouraged. Just like I have been sitting in doubt and fear for days… I got up and went to this dinner. And I listened. And God gave me encouragement through a woman who was acting in her own obedience. I don’t know why, but He always always blows me away. His faithfulness is limitless. 

Today, I pray this will be an encouragement to all who hear. If you have something come up that feels big an intimidating… especially if this is something you KNOW is a God-given opportunity? Say yes. Be obedient. Don’t doubt that God would choose you. Because He did. Don’t be scared that God has called you…because if He calls you, He’ll equip you. And remember that 2 Corinthians 12 reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” See, sweet friends, He only asks for your obedience. He will do the rest. I pray you’ll be encouraged and emboldened today as you remember if He does it for other’s, He’ll do it for you, too.  

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Years ago, when I moved to Nashville, Shay and I bought our first house. It was in a sweet little subdivision. All of the houses were hugged pretty close together and our front yard was about the size of a postage stamp. But we were thrilled just to have some grass of our own. It was the kind of neighborhood that had little playgrounds sprinkled around every few streets and you’d see kids out playing all the time. 

Despite the excitement of having a place all our own, we were still in the stages of figuring out marriage and a baby and a pretty tough schedule. I talk often about this season because it was basically every major life transition wrapped up in a few months time. I had quit my job and moved cities. We were newly married and this homeowner thing was brand new, too. Shay was on the road touring heavily. Which meant I was home alone with our newborn. No help. No sleep. No family around.. I was recovering from a c-section and was in a deep state of postpartum depression. I dropped weight I didn’t really have to lose. I had no appetite. And I hardly had energy to carry the baby in his carseat to even get him in the car. I only went out if we needed groceries, anyway. Otherwise, I hardly left our house. I would lay in floor next to our tiny little guy with the curtains closed and the lights off. The days seemed to roll into each other. Shay would come home on Sunday afternoons or evenings and leave again on Tuesday nights. Monday’s were pretty much the only full days Shay was home and he often spent them sleeping in to catch up on rest. Road life is a hard life for anyone.. And while he was in survival mode on the road, I was left struggling on the home-front feeling incredibly isolated and alone. 

I’ve never forgotten how I felt in that season and how her words and actions impacted my heart. I know it sounds trivial..and in the grand scheme, it absolutely is. But…I’m a believer that there are lessons to be learned from all of life’s seasons. So today, I guess my encouragement isn’t anything too deep or profound. But simply a reminder. Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you..” Shay and I have recalled this story several times through the years and I always go back to the fact that she was likely facing battles we knew nothing about. But I didn’t want to repay the harsh words with words of my own. I also didn’t feel obligated to explain my depression or my sense of overwhelm and helplessness at the time. And truth be told, I’m not sure it would have mattered anyway. I remembered that quote about how everyone you meet has battles that you know nothing about. And so, today, I’ll leave you with that reminder too. It can be easy to get swept up in feelings and in self…but occasionally, if you look up, you’ll notice you aren’t alone. The world is a big broken place. Full of heartache, grief, loss, rejection, and pain. You just never know what season people are in. And you just never know how your words can either lift their hearts or deepen their hurt. Today, I pray you’ll give grace. Even if it isn’t what you feel like doing. Even if it isn’t deserved. There was man who gave His life to fill our gaps with grace. To cover our sins and to bring hope to this broken place we call home. So.. it’s the very least we can do. I love you, sweet friends. And I pray this reminder finds you right where you are… 

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Have you ever been to New York? I’ve only been three or four times. But one thing I’d always heard about was that NY was a place where you could knock-off bags on the street side! I’d never seen one, though, until a trip made around New Years one trip. I was pretty surprised, actually. Not just by the number of places up and down the street selling, but also surprised by the number of products available. And the craziest part of all to me was that they were selling these things in plain sight! Crowds gathered to look. I was no exception. I wanted to take a look at some of these treasures. There were bags and belts and duffels and totes. Mens and women’s. We walked around and observed. We never bought anything, but the draw of it had been exciting. Even I couldn’t deny that. But I still couldn’t help but wonder how in the world these illegal counterfeits could be on display for the whole world to see, though! 

The memory of this came back to me this week as I kept feeling God speak to me about the counterfeit things in life. In my spirit, I heard, “If you don’t know what’s genuine, you’ll buy any knock-off.” That’s a true statement if I’ve ever heard one. And the sad truth of it is.. sometimes people know what’s genuine and STILL buy the knock-off! 

And that is exactly what I felt like God was saying. If you aren’t familiar with God.. you’ll run to anything else or anyone else. Any idol. The Bible is full of these warnings and reminders. Many of the idols in Biblical times were carved from stone, shaved from wood, or molded from metal. Every culture introduced gods of their own for every little thing. Sounds silly to think of people offering up sacrifices and burning offerings to inanimate objects, doesn’t it? But then again… What those people were really doing was choosing to give their time, energy, and worship to something that wasn’t God. Once something replaces your dependency on God, that becomes an idol. And if we are being honest, that’s what most of culture looks like today isn’t it? 

I love this quote from John Bevere: He says, “A believer is drawn into idolatry when he allows his heart to be stirred with discontentment and looks for satisfaction outside of obedience to God. This satisfaction could be a person, possession, or activity.” 

So let this be our lesson to us today. The Price of obedience may be expensive. It may cost your time and your energy. It may even look like denying yourself every day..choosing God’s will over your own feelings. Dying to self. But it will always beat the cheap imitations of ‘happiness’ offered by the world. The convenience may be luring in the beginning, but the gratification will be short lived.. And last but not least, remember this:  Compromise can cancel the promises God has for you. Not just the promises, but the purposes He has for you, too. And to be honest, guys? It’s just not worth it. A genuine relationship with God is irreplaceable. And if you really know Him… you won’t buy all the knock-offs. If you have have Him in your heart and have really tasted His goodness in your life… You won’t even be tempted to search anywhere else. Today, I pray you’ll look at you’ll invest in the real deal. I pray the counterfeits of this world show themselves lacking. I pray you’ll recognize them for what they are. A shiny imitation of what God really has for you. The truth is, God has peace, purpose, and fulfillment waiting on the other side of a life invested in knowing Him.. 

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Holy Week

Jeff Simmons first felt a call to ministry at church camp in ninth grade, when he made a commitment to God to follow all his life. “I remember saying, ‘I’ll do whatever you call me to do. Whatever it is, I’m yours.’ Looking back, that was my call to ministry, that was complete surrender.” It’s this ability to surrender to God that has made him who he is today.

Jeff studied finance at Baylor University, and with multiple job offers in the business world, he made the decision to enter full-time ministry. His educational background gives him a unique sense for business and innovation. This, mixed with a passionate heart for missions and reaching God’s people abroad make Simmons the perfect fit for his role as Founder and Lead Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church and also, his other full-time job as the President of Justice & Mercy International.

As a pastor, nonprofit director, father and husband, the “How do you do it?” question certainly applies to Jeff Simmons. In reply, he points to Ephesians 4: “He gave the apostles and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Our job isn’t to do everything. It is to prepare God’s people for works of service.” Considering the fruit of his labor, the growth of the church, and the work that JMI has accomplished, it’s clear Jeff is surrounded by amazing people, and he serves an awesome God!