Vineyard Lioness

YOUR DEFINING MOMENT

Yesterday Tiger Woods announced that he would be calling a press conference on Friday. Of course, the press went into a frenzy. One reporter said that this press conference (which involves the reading of a statement before "selected" members of the press and no questions or answers) would be a "defining moment" for Mr. Woods. That reporter is wrong. The defining moment happened for Mr. Woods when he embarked on behavior in the dark that would eventually leave a permanent damaging mark on his family and associates.

We are not defined by what we do in the light, we are defined by what we do in the dark. And, the dark, which always comes to the light, will then bear fruit in the light from the seeds planted in the dark.

What seeds do you plant in the dark? When those seeds grow and bear fruit in the light, what will we see?

The cars, homes, titles, clothes, jewelry, jobs,  and all the other fixings do not define you. How did you get those things? What did you do in the dark? It matters. It matters whether you studied hard or slept with professors to get that degree. It matters for you, your family, your associates, your friends, your enemies, and your generations.

There are many people who have achieved greatness, fame and notoriety. We can learn something from their defining moments. Their defining moments rarely came from what they did in the light, they came from what the did (good or bad) in the dark.

President William Clinton’s defining moment is tied to an affair with Monica Lewinsky.

Magic Johnson’s defining moment is tied to admitting behavior which resulted in AIDS/HIV.

John Edwards’ defining moment is tied to a baby born to his mistress as his wife deals with terminal cancer.

John Ensign’s defining moment is tied to payoffs to his mistress and her husband.

Joe Wilson’s defining moment is tied to his hateful disrespect (shouting "You Lie") towards the President of the United States as he performed a his presidential duties to the American people.

Mark Sanford’s defining moment is tied to his desire to be with the love of his life (his mistress) to the point where he left his wife, children and the people of South Carolina for days so he can have sex with the mistress in Argentina.

Roger Ebert’s defining moment is tied to his decision to keep speaking (to more people than ever) now that he has no "voice" because of cancer and multiple surgeries.

Shamefully, the list of "men of God" who have engaged in destructive defining moments are too many to name here.

Defining moments leave permanent marks, whether negative or positive. Defining moments change the course of your life. The Bible is filled with defining moments of great men and women.

King David had his defining moment when God told him that because of his violence he would not build His sanctuary AND that God Himself would be a father to David’s son, Solomon. David had many instances of "check yourself" moments, but none as profound, I believe, as when God took away the one thing he wanted to do for God, and, in doing so, specifically said that He is changing the paternity of Solomon.

Jael had her defining moment when she killed Sisera in the darkness of her tent, ending years of war that great leaders could not resolve. She was called "blessed above".

Mary Magdalene had her defining moment in the darkness of dawn at the tomb of Jesus, where she waited in faith for the Man who had changed her life. She believed the words of Jesus, and for doing so, she became the first one that Jesus commanded to "GO" and "TELL".

Rahab, a prostitute, had her defining moment when she, in the dark, chose to help the men of God. She was openly rewarded with the sparing of the lives of her entire family from death and destruction.

Samson had his defining moment when he told Delilah the secret to his strength. He was destroyed openly as he died with his enemies.

When light is shined on your defining moment, what will be seen?

I find one of my favorite passages, written by King Solomon, appropriate:

Ecclesiastes 7 (The Message)

 

 

1. A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date.

2. You learn more at a funeral than at a feast— After all, that's where we'll end up. We might discover something from it.

3. Crying is better than laughing. It blotches the face but it scours the heart.

4. Sages invest themselves in hurt and grieving. Fools waste their lives in fun and games.

5. You'll get more from the rebuke of a sage than from the song and dance of fools.

6. The giggles of fools are like the crackling of twigs under the cooking pot. And like smoke.

7. Brutality stupefies even the wise and destroys the strongest heart.

8. Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out.

9. Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.

10. Don't always be asking, "Where are the good old days?" Wise folks don't ask questions like that.

11-12. Wisdom is better when it's paired with money, especially if you get both while you're still living. Double protection: wisdom and wealth! Plus this bonus: Wisdom energizes its owner.

13. Take a good look at God's work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation's curves and angles
To a plain straight line?

14. On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won't take anything for granted.

 

15-17. I've seen it all in my brief and pointless life—here a good person cut down in the middle of doing good, there a bad person living a long life of sheer evil. So don't knock yourself out being good, and don't go overboard being wise. Believe me, you won't get anything out of it. But don't press your luck by being bad, either. And don't be reckless. Why die needlessly?

 

18. It's best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it. 19. Wisdom puts more strength in one wise person than ten strong men give to a city.

20. There's not one totally good person on earth, not one who is truly pure and sinless.

21-22. Don't eavesdrop on the conversation of others. What if the gossip's about you and you'd rather not hear it? You've done that a few times, haven't you—said things behind someone's back you wouldn't say to his face?

　

23-25. I tested everything in my search for wisdom. I set out to be wise, but it was beyond me, far beyond me, and deep—oh so deep! Does anyone ever find it? I concentrated with all my might, studying and exploring and seeking wisdom—the meaning of life. I also wanted to identify evil and stupidity, foolishness and craziness.

 

26-29. One discovery: A woman can be a bitter pill to swallow, full of seductive scheming and grasping. The lucky escape her; the undiscerning get caught. At least this is my experience—what I, the Quester, have pieced together as I've tried to make sense of life. But the wisdom I've looked for I haven't found. I didn't find one man or woman in a thousand worth my while. Yet I did spot one ray of light in this murk: God made men and women true and upright; we're the ones who've made a mess of things.

ENGAGED TO DR. NO?

I don’t care who you are and what the state of your relationship is, DO NOT notify me of any betrothal or engagement to any person who is married.

Let us take a moment to be honest. Even a marriage with no children involve more than the husband and wife. In this world, where anything goes and the feelings and emotions of others don’t count, we all seem to have lost our freaking (what do you think I really wanted to say hear?) minds.

I am tired of gullible women gushing about their engagements to unfaithful louts. I refuse to put up with it! How the heck can you be THOROUGHLY PLEDGED (IN FAITHFULNESS & TRUTH) to one person and simultaneously give the same pledge to someone else?

Marriage is called tying the knot and wedLOCK for a reason. Do you really believe you’ll get faithfulness and truth from a liar? If you do, you deserve the hollow brass ring that lands on your finger. If you’re ready to be a side bride and a strife wife in deadlock wedlock, go right ahead and hook up with DR. NO. BEFORE YOU DO, HOWEVER, THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT IF HE’LL BE AN UNFAITHFUL LIAR TO BE WITH YOU, HE’LL BE AN UNFAITHFUL LIAR WHEN HE’S WITH YOU TOO. Go ahead and read the vows now (Yes, I’m serious, and think about all the people you’re entangling in your mess.

 

FULL TRADITIONAL WEDDING CEREMONY

Celebrant: We are gathered here today in the face of this company, to join together DR. NO and MONEY PENNEY in matrimony; which is an honorable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Parents: We do.

　

Then the bride is given away (CLINK! CLINK!).

　

Celebrant to Groom: DR. NO, do you take MONEY PENNEY for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?

Groom: I do.

Celebrant to Bride: MONEY PENNEY , do you take DR. NO for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?

Bride: I do.

 

At this point the couple may improvise by playing a favorite song and/or reading. (I SUGGEST "WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LUST"?)

 

Celebrant: addressing the groom who repeats the marriage vows: I, DR. NO take thee MONEY PENNEY to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, 'til death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.

Celebrant: then to the bride who repeats the marriage vows: I, MONEY PENNEY take thee DR. NO to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, 'til death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.

 

The Celebrant then asks for the brides ring from the best man.

 

Celebrant: (about brides ring): May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.

Groom: placing ring on bride's finger: With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.

Celebrant: (about groom's ring): May this ring be blessed so that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.

Bride: placing ring on groom's finger: With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.

 

You may want to play a song or some music here (I SUGGEST "IN TOO DEEP").

 

Celebrant: May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. DR. NO and MONEY PENNEY , are now beginning their married life together, we hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as DR. NO and MONEY PENNEY have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.

Celebrant: (to the couple): You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss.

Celebrant: Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the loving couple, Dr. and Mrs. NO.

You are now WedLOCKED.

WIN IN 2010?

Are you one of those who's been pumped with the "WIN IN 2010" slogan? Well, what if you heard "THAT'S A WRAP!" today? Are you ready to hear those words?

January is coming to a close. You came into 2010 with goals and resolutions…some of those made in drunken stupors on New Year’s Eve. Hopefully, you are now sober and of sound mind. Hopefully, you started 2010 on the right track. How do you know if you’re on the right track? Multi-tasking is a useful skill, but it becomes useless if you are off track. Let's see how you're doing, shall we?

ARE YOU RUNNING? – If you are frozen, you can’t run. If you are burdened, you can’t run. You can’t let fear and baggage keep you from running. You must let go of all those things, people and circumstances that entangle you. You can’t keep blaming others for delay. You must let go of harmful things and people. Submit all to God, so that you can run in truth and freedom. Every part of your race will require resistance and strength.  Stop consenting to hindrance and move forward.

You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? – Galatians 5:7

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

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11

WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING? – Some people have taken off with great speed, determination and strength, but they have a huge problem. They are not running THEIR race. You’re not running YOUR race if you’re on the wrong track (you end up at the wrong destination and miss all the designated stops) and you’re not running YOUR race if you’re running in the opposite direction. If you’re on the right track, but are running backwards, you have a “Jonah” problem and trouble is certain. You are not on the right track if you are not pursuing YOUR assignment for YOUR life’s journey. There will be trials and problems along the way, but, if you run the path that God has set before you, you can’t go wrong.

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. – Acts 20:24

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. – Romans 5:3

I will eagerly pursue your commandments because you continue to increase my understanding. – Psalm 119:32

HOW ARE YOU RUNNING? – Anyone who’s jogged, especially early in the morning when the air is clean and crisp, knows that feeling you get…almost as if you’re about to take flight. It’s a good feeling. In the race of life, you must always be ready to take flight. Your attitude matters. The way you run matters! Run strong, run purposefully, run patiently, run faithfully, and run as if your life depends on it, because it does. Complacency has no place in your race. Gawking at other runners has no place in your race.  Stopping to view train wrecks has no place in your race. Follow every marker on your track and stop to re-fuel and replenish, but DO NOT get off track. All the help you need to finish your race is already provided by God.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. – 1 Corinthians 9:26

With you I can attack a line of soldiers. With my God I can break through barricades. – Psalm 18:29

You don’t have to be perfect, you just need to get up, get on the right track and start running in the right direction.

If you understand nothing else, you MUST GET THIS: When you run YOUR race, you are not running TO WIN. Don’t let man pump you up about the “win” to the point that you forget the prize. Many runners win, and are then disqualified because they did not run well. You are running TO OBTAIN WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN WON for those who faithfully complete their course!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. – Philippians 3:12

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31

ALL POURED OUT

Can you remember the last time you engaged in any activity that left you empty? Not physically, mentally or emotionally drained or tired; just a deep feeling that you had given your ALL.

It pays to give your all. Many of us only go, do or say “just enough”. We haven’t had a breakout, a pouring out in so long we feel.....DEAD. That is not God’s desire for us. That is not His desire for our relationship with Him or with others. We often mistake busyness and noise and movement as a sign that we are giving our all, but often a breakout occurs in complete stillness.

About two weeks ago I was in a rush and dropped some really, really expensive Hermès perfume. When it fell and broke, every drop poured, and within seconds every part of my home was filled with the scent. I washed the rugs, wiped down the counter and mopped repeatedly, but there was no stopping the fragrance; it just spread more. It saturated everything. I’ve used this perfume before in very small amounts. Just a sniff seemed potent, and I didn’t want to aggravate any allergies.

This experience made me think about everything we hold back because we think we have done  enough. It made me wonder what would happen if I poured everything out to God, in my service to Him. In the last week, I’ve been doing much pouring out. When you think you’re at breaking point, it not the time to stop. That is the time to push, to break out, to pour out. In that process of pouring out, you will be refreshed, not frustrated. You will touch God, and those around you will experience the fragrance of His presence. Don’t shrink back; break forth! Arise out of stagnation! You were not born to be on shelf, you were born to break out!

Get up! Cry out at night, every hour on the hour. Pour your heart out like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him [in prayer] for the life of your little children who faint from hunger at every street corner. - Lamentations 2:19

Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:8

Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:2

As a soothing aroma I will accept you when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered; and I will prove Myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. - Exodus 20:41

 

But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air. - 2 Corinthians 2:14

THE FAIRY TALE

What is a Fairy Tale? It is enchantment (bewitching, charm or spell) of magic (art of influencing events and producing marvels) in the fates (determined course of life, one’s destiny).

Marriage is not a fairy tale. It is not a spell, it is revelation. It is not about influencing events or producing marvels, but about submission and substance. It is not a destination, it is another path through life. There is nothing fatalistic about it. Nothing fatalistic can truly be enjoyed because it takes away your choice, your will...GOD NEVER TAKES AWAY OUR WILL!

We work hard on our education, our appearance, our environment, and all other things, but we are willing to leave marriage, where our spirit joins with another, up to fate? Think about that.

Get me a pen and I’d list all the guys I would love to call husband: Lenny Kravitz, Bill Gates, Howard Schultz, Ben Kingsley, my first boyfriend, Prince, and the list goes on. You can probably see what my problem is....I would have to make a decision. I don’t have to list the "cute" guys because cute is easy, but cute will not hold my interest forever. You have got to have something more than a pimple-free face. I need a brain, good attitude, ability to laugh, ability to overcome and enjoy life, a prayer life, a relationship with God other than the ability to say "now I lay me down to sleep"....you get my drift?

In this life, you must CONTEND for all things from the moment you are created. This Hollywood ideal of all things just falling into place is magical, enchanting and charming, but not real. How many times will a prince of a guy, hire a hooker, then decide he wants to marry her? Rare, unless you count certain ballers, and those jokers are no princes. Richard Gere is not standing in an alley calling your name!

You not only will CONTEND before marriage, but you will have to CONTEND to keep your union. Once you have decided on a partner, then the two of you become CONTENDERS for each other; forsaking all else. Most of us don’t want to forsake anything before the marriage, much less once we are in it. Forsaking is tough! Jesus did it for us, and marriage must reflect the love of Jesus for His bride. Simply put, it is no joke. Purity is great, but it is not enough. A perfectly clean car is useless if it is not filled up with gas; it will stay looking pretty and clean until rust sets in.

Are you ready for marriage? How is your finances? Your attitude? Your outlook on life? Your professional life? Your social life? Your homemaking skills? Your relationship with God? Why does all those matter? They do. A household will be your charge to guard. Many couples have found that when they failed to be ready for marriage, they ended up hiring hurt. The spouses should be the handmaidens and overseer of the home. Your home should be a most sacred place; the less unnecessary intrusion into that environment, the better. Out of the ten virgins, all were pure and five were ready. Five were received by their Husband. Are you ready to receive and be received?

　

Ruth quietly followed; she lay down to signal her availability for marriage. - Ruth 3:7

"I hate the violent dismembering of the 'one flesh' of marriage." So watch yourselves. Don't let your guard down. Don't cheat. - Malachi 2:16

Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it." - Matthew 19:11

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage. - Ephesians 5:25

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. - 1 Corinthians 13:3-10

MIRROR MIRROR...

Will it be well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man? - Job 13:9

This morning I ALMOST deceived myself. I was standing looking into my mirror and thought, “not bad, chick.” Not long after that thought I realized that I was looking between my two side-by-side mirrors. I then looked straight into one mirror and thought, “keep working on it.”

I was amazed at how badly I wanted to rely on the image I knew was incorrect. In life, our mirror should always be Christ, The Word of God. Any shift from that image, even a slight move, can not only change our true self, but hide us completely. Our proper place in Christ should be HIDDEN IN HIM, NOT FROM HIM. There are many ways to deceive ourselves, and even more ways to deceive others, but we cannot deceive God.

When Job uttered those words about being examined by God and desiring to deceive Him as we have deceived ourselves and others, he was contending for his life. As we watch Job’s suffering, we are tempted to  give him a break, to let him live in deception for a little while to ease the pain of all the loss he was suffering; that would be a grave error. Deception distorts thinking; prevents us from having the mind of Christ. It prevents us from living in His image.

Make a decision today to live in His image. Look into the right mirror; His Word. If you see anything that does not line up with His image, don’t be discouraged. Make a decision to be encouraged in His Word, ask God to change your heart, receive His peace and the contentment of knowing that if you follow Him, His plan for your life will manifest.

So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. - Genesis 1:27

So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die. - Jeremiah 10:24

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. - 2 Timothy 3:16

Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. - Colossians 3:10

Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. - Ephesians 4:24

SHE RISES AT NIGHT AND GIVES

"She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong." Proverbs 31:15-17

GATHER WITH PURPOSE

"When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow." Deuteronomy 24:20-21

REAP WITH PURPOSE

"Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:9-10