Reflective Thoughts by Chandra Adams

Six years ago you saved my life. Two thousand years ago you rescued me. Today you continue to pursue my heart. These are the words that flowed so easily from pen to paper. Today, April 15th, is the anniversary of your sparing my life. But today is different. Something is new. My thoughts are just as reflective as last years, but the words don't come... something has changed. I pick up last year's journal to read... Daddy God,  Happy Anniversary... to you! It's the day you chose to spare my life ... not "me"  for I am nothing with out your purpose(s) to live for.  Thank you for the year I've experienced. I've slept in a car, on the floor, in hotels and on the mission field. I've spent time with family and friends over coffee or a meal. I've met strangers that became friends, and known friends that became strangers. What a blessing to get to serve you! I pick up my pen... Abba Father, On this our anniversary,  I thank you!  fo...

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious for anything ... Bring your prayer requests ... Prayer. Petition. Thanksgiving. How many times do I/we get stuck in petition — stressing over what's not mine to do — forgetting the beginning and end... aka "Alpha & Omega" A simple request made known to the one who can move heaven and hell — literally — paired with the acknowledgement of not only of His abilities, but His posture towards us — a receptive heart — is all that stands between anxiousness and answer. Yet, everything contrary to the truth of His nature — who He is, and what He longs to do for you and I — looms outside that open door to redemption — including fear — in the absence of anything , the right now, today, proof. While we wait for the answer, He waits for thanksgiving. Our right now proof awaits, our humble posture.

A butterfly fights against its cocoon,      its own confinement strengthens      instilling fortitude for the journey. Now released      spread your wings and fly      you'll make the distance. A ship fights against its lines      its own anchor protects      assuring safety for a time. Lines untied      set sail for uncharted waters      you've land to take and adventure awaits.

Don't have one? According to my calendar it's not too late! Getting a "word" for the year has become a highly popular year-end activity. Some treat the act similar to the old "name it and claim it" exercise. While others make it a heart matter, passionately pursuing the voice of God. I fall in the latter group. Pressing in to not only obtain direction for the year, but to hear His confirming voice on the completion of the last. This practice has landed two truths for me (actually several more, but for the purpose of this blog we'll stick to just two) First, I don't "hear" my new word until February. This is due in part to truth #2. You see, in spite of the wisdom I've gained from, and about, my word, I still get surprised by a "new" rhema (aka understanding) that comes as each year closes. Whether it's due to the practiced review process or the intentional desire to leave nothing on the table (unreceived), God faithfully...

Intimidation partnered with exhaustion will push you into a cave.  How could this be? How had I gone from living in the light of destiny to denying it's very attainability? I had seen the promised land, the place of outstretched tents, and yet I had chosen retreat. The voice of defeat, more specifically the invitation to quit, was overwhelming and all consuming. Hiding from mission, I was avoiding the push back required to stand firm in faith. I had reached a "crisis of Faith". It is in the darkness that the lies of your enemy blind you from the workings of God. It is this cave-like place where a whispered lie reverberates against the walls of wisdom to overtake your peace. But it is also a whisper that can echo liberty, setting you free. Tone deaf and lost, a spiritual vertigo had over taken me. The sensation of whirling and loss of balance confirmed insecurity. All I could see was defeat. But your people spoke up, raised a helping hand. Your people fed me th...

This morning it was a single word in my email subject line draws me to itself like a bee to honey. Trailblazer.  Over the last decade I've been referred to as a Trailblazer by many. I have even found solace in the ability to put words to my innate nature that is passionate about creating and facilitating change. Some say I'm a natural born leader. That description of me never seemed to fit or settle in as my truth. In fact, evidence seemed to confirm the opposite, I had no "followers" (Mary Kay, Young Living Oils, other MLM ventures I engaged in). Okay, I may have had one here and there. This truth is paramount... more on it later. I recently heard a Sunday morning message on the difference between a natural born leader, and a transitional leader. That principle resonated far more with my inner self. Transition. A period of time, a season. After all, I am a Chaplain. A person of faith who provides pastoral care to those who are in a place, or time, that doesn...

I recently relocated to Houston, and returned to the place of worship where much of my spiritual foundation was developed. I hadn't yet settled into being back, but I certainly was delighted to be in "the house".  It's a familiar place, filled with fond memories, growth rings, and good people. The atmosphere is sweet, filled with love and peace. My spiritual father no longer sits in that end seat on the front row, he's been raised up with Christ and and finds his seat with Jesus. There are new faces all around. There are friends whom I haven't seen in years. It seems I may have been the only one whose aged. But then my eyes catch the faces of the few. The ones who share the memory of the most grueling, yet amazing year of their life, at the feet of Dusty in the School of Ministry. These are those. The ones you'll never forget and those who wouldn't just go through the fiery furnace with you, they'd dust your feet off when you stepped out unscat...