Christina Speaks

Let’s discuss the elephant in the room. All right, let’s keep it real. It was a tsunami trying to disguise itself as a political debate. Last night my husband decided to watch it. He usually does. I never do. Those things stress me out! I sat on the couch a little too long and the “show” began. My youngest daughter looked at me, noticing I was visibly uncomfortable, and said, “Mom you can do it! Sit and watch it with us.” Okay, I’ll sit with my family for a little bit, I thought. It started immediately. The bickering, the insults, the kind of behavior that is almost unbearable to watch. It’s like when you’re at a store and your kids start acting up, embarrassing you in front of everyone, and you threaten to throat punch them if they don’t stop! That’s how it felt. It took about seven minutes before I got up and left the room. I went upstairs to do some work. Then, I heard my husband and daughter laughing hysterically. I didn’t want to miss out, so I went to HULU, and began to watch aga

It’s been a while since I have spoken on the racial climate of our country. I’ve been watching and listening. I’m trying to organize my thoughts concerning so much of what’s going on. One thing I know is that we are not communicating well. People are angry. People are frustrated. People are confused. It is important to remember that anger is a secondary emotion. Generally, it’s physical or emotional pain that brings it on.   Have you ever been in pain? I think we all have. Have you ever been hurt by someone? Betrayed? Not believed? How did you respond? Did you ever react by punching or hitting something, or throwing something across the room? Screaming at or about it? Did that reaction help you? Did you stop to think about it before you reacted? Most of us don’t.   The way we act out of pain very often results in an action where we end up hurting ourselves.   Sometimes that pain is misunderstood as hate. Usually, when a person is hurt, they have a strong desire for that hurt to be unde

In the climate of our world today, so many of us feel like we need to stand up and fight for God. It is true we should stand up for what is right, and help others when they are wronged, but God doesn’t call us to fight.  We are engaged in spiritual warfare. It’s all around us. However, the strongest weapons I can think of in this war are prayer and love. There are many of us getting into social media wars, and losing friends, or simply losing our testimony over what we believe to be “fighting for God.” “Fighting for what’s right.” God doesn’t need you to fight for Him. What He commands each of us to do above all, is LOVE. Stop and think for a minute about the last time you fought over your opinions concerning politics, or religion, or just your opinion on anything. Did you get angry? Did you use the name of God to fuel your anger, believing it was righteous anger, and that someone and their opinions needed to be dealt with? Do people know you as someone who loves God, doing your best t

Last night at the end of my Facebook Live video, I had to hold back tears. I’m sure no one knew it, but I felt a great deal of emotion as I expressed my love for each one watching. I am looking around at our world right now, and I am grieved. Many of us are so caught up in our own lives and what we want for ourselves, that we are misplacing the value God has placed on the lives of all He has created, putting more value on things that have no relevance to eternity. Let’s remember, this place we live in is temporary. Why are we so attached? Why do we put masks and political parties and skin color above what truly matters? I’m not saying we should ever let others trample us, but c’mon, this has gotten out of hand. I’m having a hard time seeing the love, and it pains me. Can you even imagine how it makes God feel? We are allowing our biases, our rights, and our refusal to practice empathy, replace love and compassion for our fellow humans. Those things aren’t just for “hippies,” it’s the w

Humans fail us every single day, whether they intend to or not. That’s why it can be so hard to give everything we are to our Creator. Our hearts and minds have a difficult time not assigning human values and characteristics to God. When feeling bad about yourself and maybe even some of your failures, you can be sure God is still trying to draw you into His arms with an unfailing love. He is a loving Father. There are still natural consequences to our sin, but no matter how many times we leave Him, God will continue to bring us back into His fold over and over again. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Though we know there are always consequences, it gets difficult to continue without the “reward” of seeing someone who has harmed us, or a loved one, get what we think they deserve. It’s difficult to remember that God loves the person who did you wrong just as much as He loves you. Because He loves them, He will handle their consequences in the way only an all knowing

As I work to live out my calling, the evil one continues to whisper in my ear. “Who do you think you are?” “You’re not good enough or smart enough for anyone else to listen to.” “No one is going to help you.” All of the feelings of doubt flood my heart, but I continue to armor up and fight for the truth about who God created me to be. I know that I am nobody. I don’t think that I am special. However, I know that my God is everything, and He lives in me! That is enough. That is what makes me who I am. That is what qualifies me. I am living for the world to see Jesus. I am not perfect, and I’m sure there are and will be times that what I do or say may not represent Him, but my strong desire is to lead others to a place of peace, hope, and unspeakable joy! I know I am not the only one who struggles with standing confident in who God has called me to be. I have seen posts and had conversations with friends who struggle with this same kind of self-doubt. We hear the voices of the enemy, of

There are some things that are difficult to get past. We get stuck. We wallow. We justify where we are because of what happened to us. Maybe we even explain (or shout) to God, that because of what He did, or let happen, we can no longer trust Him. Have you ever been in that place? When my son Isaiah’s life changed on September 8, 2015, it would have been easy for him to look at his circumstances and decided he was done. It would have been easy to “curse God and die.” (Job 2:9) I myself wondered if all of the hopes and dreams I had for him would die along with his inability to do all he could do before. When Isaiah woke up after having emergency brain surgery, he could not talk, walk, eat, go to the bathroom, or anything he could do days before. Over the next several weeks he was able to gain some of what he lost, but it was all different. He was different. It has been 5 years now, and Isaiah refuses to allow his circumstances to define who he is. He is aware that he is different now, b

I knew he would do it. He comes through friends, he comes through family. He shows up where you least suspect. But you know what? I’ve been waiting for him with armor on. With all that is going on, I knew Satan was coming to knock me off balance, to take away my focus. There are so many things going on all at once, that it’s easy for him to sneak in when and where we least suspect. The enemy will tell lies on you, and people will believe them because he is a deceiver. The enemy will destroy relationships because that’s what he came to do. He is a murderer and will kill your confidence. Has it happened to you? Did you recognize the source? A dear sister-friend reminded me last night that Satan is forming weapons against me, but they will not prosper. Oh, how that brings me peace. Although I am armored up, my Creator is the one who will fight this battle for me. “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. T

I know God is working, but it’s soooo hard to wait isn’t it? I have been there. I am there! I want to encourage you today. If there is something you are waiting for, know that the Lord has not forgotten you. I know for some of us it’s been a few years. For some, decades. Maybe you feel like He has forgotten about you. God has not forgotten you friend. He loves you so much, He is rearranging the universe, and setting things up just right for you. Trust Him. Trust His timing. So many times I have tried to walk in front of God, not trusting that He will handle it. I believe many times I have prolonged receiving the promise because I messed things up and He had to clean up behind me to fix it. Can you identify with that? Let Him lead. It’s worth it. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways know Him, and He will make your paths straight.” “A person who is serious about fulfilling his purpose will learn to view all

“Procrastination is the arrogant assumption that God owes you another opportunity to do what you had time to do.” Some of you may have seen that on my timeline yesterday. When I first read that, it was like an arrow right between my eyes! Oh man! That hurt. I am the BIGGEST procrastinator ever! Reading that statement made me feel like all those times I don’t do what I’m supposed to do (what He has called me to do), is a slap in God’s face.  That hurts my heart. I am keenly aware during this season of life, that tomorrow is not guaranteed. We have no idea if we will get another chance to tell that person we love them, forgive or accept forgiveness, tell someone about Jesus, show that person kindness, give something of ourselves (that we probably won’t miss anyway), spend time with someone who needs a friend, make that phone call, etc. I have procrastinated on every level. I don’t know about you, but procrastination causes me a ton of stress...way more than it would have just doing it. “

“ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 Yesterday, I pondered that verse.    Really God? Whatever I ask? I’ve always struggled with this scripture because clearly I have not received “whatever” I’ve asked for in prayer. God is not a liar, so what did He mean by this? Well, when looking at the context of the scriptures around that verse, I came to this. . .  When our whole hearts are right with God (which means searching to find if there are any issues we are not dealing with), and we are living a life focused on glorifying Him, then what we desire will be in line with His will, and we will indeed receive what we ask for.  I can’t help but think about how many times many of us have asked God to save a loved one’s life, but they still died, or stayed sick,  lost a job, or didn’t come back home. . . The list goes on and on. I’ll tell you how I deal with those things, and you let me know if it makes sense

The other day, a friend of mine shared a post about the fact that taking God’s name in vain isn’t just about saying “Oh my God,” or other vulgar uses of his name in a sentence. I had never considered that before. How many times do we use God to push our own selfish agenda? When have we claimed His name to disguise the prejudicial treatment of people who are different than we are? Have we ever used His name as an excuse not to stand up and fight for someone we viewed as a sinner? Used His name to condemn? When I take time to really think about it, there are many of us walking around claiming the name of Jesus, claiming the name of The Creator, yet not representing who He has called us to be.  Friends. I believe that too, is taking God’s name in vain.  This unique time and experience God has given us over the last 6 months, is time to continue looking deep into the heart who we truly are.  “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.“

I wonder if you would be willing to join me in an activity… or really a non-activity. Today, lets press pause on the political and controversial posts, views, conversations, etc., and focus. I mean really focus and meditate on our Creator. Focus on Jesus and who He is. Give yourself permission to rest in Him today. Let Him take all your worries and bear them for you. He’s already nailed them to the cross. To help you begin, take time to read (out loud) this beautiful passage from Psalms. “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! T

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend about things going on in our country. She expressed strong feelings about various people that could be part of the problem. Although I tend to have strong feelings about people and situations as well, I do my best to look at the whole picture. However, I cannot see every piece of the puzzle as God can. There is so much He allows to happen, good and bad. Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. This means that even through bad situations, good can come. Sometimes we see it right away, sometimes things become obvious later, and sometimes we never know. I choose to trust that God is sovereign, and He can make all things work for good even if I don't get to see what that good is. Even through the racial and political unrest that is happening, I am grateful. Many of us have been apathetic for too long. What's happening is exceedingly difficult and has brought a lot of pain. However, I

F ive years ago today, my son Isaiah was very close to meeting his Heavenly Father in person. As I look back over the years and through his life, I can see God’s providence in every way. Around the time everything happened, people would apologize for the tragedy in our lives, but I never saw it as such. It was an opportunity to witness the way God works. HE was in every bit of it. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 I get it. I won’t tell you it was easy watching my only son wake up two days after brain surgery unable to walk, talk, eat, or anything else on his own, but I could see God in every moment of his changed life. He still has some difficulties that he may carry for the rest of his life, and that’s ok

We have reached another election year! Ugh! I’m not sure our country has ever felt more internal and external angst than it has in 2020. I am pretty sure we can thank the media and social media for that. I’ve done my best not to get caught up in the negativity, the hate disguised as “information,” and the smoke and mirrors so well used by the enemy. If you are feeling the stress of the season, I want to encourage you to reflect on the peace of the Lord. We all have convictions. That’s okay, but it’s important to contemplate the source of our convictions. Have you crossed the blurry line of what’s right and wanting to BE right?  There is certainly no need to fight your family or friends.  “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 This doesn’t mean sit and do nothing. It is important to vote. We do need to speak up at times, but let’s be real. . . many of the times we’ve opened our mouths, or viciously attacked our computer keyboard, were times where we shoul