Lord, give me an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE!

Please join me today at Laced with Grace to chat about gratitude as we prepare our hearts for THANKSGIVING! Simply click here to read this devotion....

Fall Pictures

Abby and I recently went on a nature walk to admire the beautiful fall foliage. I am so glad we brought the camera! It is amazing, though, two weeks later, most of the trees are bare. Seasons are getting ready to change again.....

Word-Filled Wedneday....What's in a NAME?

Have you heard of "Willis Tower"? You may have or not.... But, I bet you have heard of the Sears Tower- the tallest skyscraper in the world! Well, the Sears Tower was recently bought by the Willis Insurance Co. and promptly changed its name. Now, for some people, this magnificent building will ALWAYS be "the Sears Tower"- no matter what the "official" name may be.

What's in a name?

Names can be very important.

Mother. Grandmother. Wife. Teacher. Doctor.

Names can be hurtful.

Dummy. Failure. Slob. Ugly.

No matter what the WORLD may have named you, God has a special name for you....daughter...beloved....chosen...precious. Isaiah tells us that we have nothing to fear- God has redeemed us. He has called us by name. We are His.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Have a BLESSED Word-Filled Wednesday and please link here for more inspiration!

By the way- I am DESPERATELY trying to learn this new graphics program- Jasc Paint Shop Pro. The only trouble is....I'm NOT a "pro"! It is hard! Anyone familiar with it?????

Lost in Las Vegas

Brian and I are again on our way to Vegas for another work convention. This time, I will know what to expect! Please be praying for me. Pray that God would provide an opportunity for me to reach out in Jesus' Name. Pray that I would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that He would fill my mouth with His words everywhere I go and whenever I speak. Here is the post from 3 years ago after my first trip there.


We are home from Las Vegas, and it is always so wonderful to get away together as a couple, without the kids! Although it was wonderful spending time with Brian, and socializing with people at the convention, Las Vegas was truly a hard city for me to visit. Brian's brother called us on the cell phone while we were there, not knowing that we were in Vegas. When he learned that I was there, too, his reaction was, "Tracy will have to go to church for a week!" Funny.

But, he knew what we were experiencing because he had just been there. Gone is the "family theme" and Vegas revels in its new theme, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Las Vegas truly lives up to its nickname as "sin city"- sex, drugs, materialism. When you think of Vegas, the first thing that comes to mind is the lure of gambling. And, of course, watching people in the casinos, you could see people caught in the bondage of gambling, as they plugged away (what looked like) their last nickels in the slot the machines. But, what stood out more than anything was the sexual sin. From the first moment entering Vegas, visitors are bombarded with sexual images once we step off of the airplane. Beginning at the airport and all down the strip and in front of every casino and hotel, there are large screen TVs looping commercials over and over, promoting everything from Cirque du Soleil's new "Zumanity," a show of acrobats appearing naked simulating sex in every imaginable "fantasy," to a choral review with women "dripping rhinestones barely covering anything," to the Chippendale's dancers to Tangerine nightclub, with a view of the "strip" both inside and outside (a strip club located in our hotel!). Walking down the street, there are flyers and booklets promoting prostitutes. Even at the "mall," stores openly displayed nipple jewelry and sex toys (next to "normal" stores like the Gap and Children's Place!).

But, as "yucky" as it all sounds, the overwhelming emotion I felt the most was grief. I looked around at my beautiful surroundings and watched people having fun in the glamorous environment, oblivious to everything else. I believe as we walk closer to the Lord, we grow more sensitive to His Spirit, and the more we begin to know His heart. I could feel the grief of the Father's heart as I walked around Vegas. There were times I could barely hold back the tears. He so opened my eyes, truly seeing these lost women, women without a hope or future. I had such a sense of His grief for them. They were beautiful women, and they looked satisfied, glamorous. They probably would tell you they are happy in their lifestyles, having no idea they are ruining their lives. Watching an interview with a woman on TV, she told how she was more comfortable without clothes than with clothes. She even "bragged" about having sex with five men at the same time. My heart broke. How they need Jesus!

It gave me such a sense of how we are failing as a Church, how we are NOT reaching the lost, who so desperately need Jesus. The world is looking for "something," not knowing exactly what it is. The enemy is right there, deceiving the lost into thinking this lifestyle is it! The attention, the money, the "power," the glamour they receive from it. You may be thinking, "But, Tracy, I can not pick up and move to Las Vegas to minister to the lost there." But, I wondered, as I thought about all of this, how many of those girls were once living in small town America (maybe even Cedar Rapids!), searching and seeking and no one reached out to them. No one told them about Jesus. No one told them there was freedom in the Light! Oh, Father, may we all be a Light shining for You! Help us to get out of our bubbles, out of our comfort zones and reach the world for You! Give us words to share Your love to everyone we meet! Lord, give us eyes to see the lost You directly place in our paths!

Father, I lift up the Lost to You, especially those in Las Vegas. Father, Your Word says Jesus came to set the captives free. I pray these women will be set free! I bind the enemy, in the name of Jesus, to the deception of their hearts and minds. He has darkened their minds with His deception. Satan, you are a defeated foe, and I declare you have no power over these women! I pray for a release from their chains! I pray for release from deception, the seduction, the lure this life has over them. Jesus paid too high a price for them to live and die and not ever find You! This is a question of heaven and hell, where will they spend eternity. Lord, it sad that they are caught up in this lifestyle now, but the thought that they would never know You is heartbreaking. Lord, help us Christians to get out of our comfort zones, out of our own self-centered lifestyles and tell people about Jesus! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Jesus, I am again reminded of how thankful I am for You- that I have You in my life! I love You, Jesus!!!!!!!

Blessings to all of you!

Hospitality....At the Well

Today at the well, we are talking about hospitality.......A subject I LOVE! Although some of us DO have "the gift" of hospitality, we all are commanded in scripture to practice hospitality. Chelsey wrote a wonderful post about it here...

I have been thinking about this topic recently because I have been teaching my daughters about friendship and how to be a Biblical friend. I was pondering hospitality in this context and thought about how the girls have opportunity everyday to practice hospitality- even at school!

Someone who is "hospitable" is welcoming. She is inviting. She tries to make someone else feel comfortable....accepted. When a group of girls are playing on the playground, and there is someone who is left out or alone, it is hospitable to GO TO THAT person and invite her into the group....welcome her in.

How often, as adults, do we face similar situations? Do we invite an outsider "in" to our circle of friends? Do we make the effort to welcome newcomers? Do we GO TO THAT person (pick up the phone) and invite her?

I watched a perfect example of exactly that same kind of hospitality in my home. I host an annual cookie exchange every Christmas. By the way, this IS a perfect opportunity to practice hospitality. Instead of just inviting my close personal friends, I try to go out of my way and invite new people.....people who may need a friend....unchurched. I pray every year and ask God to show me more people who would benefit from my hospitality. There usually is a big group of women who come- sometimes as many as thirty or more. My family room and kitchen are busy with chatter and laughter. One year, as I was surveying the crowd, checking drinks for refills, chatting with different groups of ladies, I noticed one lady sitting by herself on the couch. As I was approaching to talk to her, another one of my friends sat next to her and began a conversation. As I watched, they laughed and talked for most of the evening. After the party, I asked my friend who sat with the lone lady how she knew her. I will never forget my friend's response. She said that she didn't know the lady, but noticed that she was alone. So, she sought her out and spent the evening with her.

To me, that is the perfect example of hospitality......to seek out the lost....to extend a hand of friendship.....to welcome and make the person feel at home...at ease....comfortable....and accepted.

Lord, may I always welcome others in Your Name. Make my home a place where the doors are always open to strangers and those who need a refuge. Give me a HEART willing to share my home and my comfort with others. Help me to develop the SKILLS of hospitality. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Don't forget to stop by the Well to read more great inspiration. And, please join in the conversation! I would love to read your thoughts on hospitality! Link here.