Home Wrecker

“The best and worst thing you can do for someone is to pray for them.”  

The vicious battle surges on and it doesn’t look like there’s going to be a winner. Neither side is giving an inch.   They rage on, bashing their bloodied heads together, continuing relentlessly in the fight for the victory.   One final blow is all that is needed to achieve the win.  The loser? Lying face down, paralyzed in the mud…

NO, I’m not talking about the UFC on Spike. I’m talking about Sunday Night Home Wreckers… Haven’t you heard of this new spin on an old show?  Can you relate?  Is it playing over and over in your home?

So if this is you, what are you going to do about it?  Are you looking forward to the next battle, or are you searching for a white flag?  The Lord has given us clear understanding in Matthew 12:25, when he states that every city or house divided against itself will not stand.  Simply put, when we are not united, everything falls to pieces.  How do we find unity?  A four letter word:  PRAY

Ok, I hear you…you’re not even talking to your other half right now…so how are you gonna pray together?  Prayer brings unity, even if you aren’t doing it together.  Pray ALONE.

You don’t even like him; the last thing you want to do is pray for him…If God commanded us to pray for our enemies, then don’t you think He expects us to pray for someone we are supposed to love?  Be honest with God.  Confess your anger.  Confess your unforgiving nature.  Ask God to heal your heart and renew your love.  It starts with YOU.

Consider this, many of the terrible things that happen in marriage relationships are devices of the enemy.  He searches out weaknesses and then attacks like a starving lion, seeking to devour all that God has ordained.  We have been given power over the enemy and can do great amounts of damage to his plans when we pray.  The only way to bind evil is to submit your marriage and your family to God in prayer, asking for His protection and provision.  Make it a HABIT.

Really?  That’s it?  Pray?  Some of you are thinking, “That’s too simple.”  Others may be saying, “That’s way too overwhelming.”  The answer is YES.  It is simple and it can be overwhelming.  Just DO IT.

Prayer takes time and patience.  Persevere and wait for God to answer and heal.  He has to work with two imperfect people, who are stubborn and selfish.  Yes, I’m talking about you…Don’t worry about when or how God will answer.  He who has begun this work in you (and your spouse), will be faithful to complete it.

Let God do His JOB.  PRAY and then leave it in His HANDS.

Prayer for today:  God, please help me avoid letting your truth, forgiveness and love become drowned out by the storm I’m in.  Hold onto me and help me find your strength and forgiveness.  Help me to pray for my mate and be patient as you work in our marriage and family.  

Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 7:7-8; Philippians 4:19; Philippians 2:4; Psalm 55:22

A Greater Purpose

Sometimes I ask…”why am I here?” I know I get bogged down in the daily struggles and feel many times that I’m not accomplishing enough. Last week, God taught me a lesson.

The week was long and trying. Between home, work and my ministry, I felt as if nothing was getting done. Friday morning came much too quickly. I drove the kids to school, looking over my “to do” list with a bad attitude. After dropping them off, I decided that I needed coffee…so I hurried over to Starbucks. The drive through line was enormous and so, impatiently, I drove on towards downtown Savannah. There’s another store close to where I work. There’s no drive through but luckily, there was a parking spot right in front. I hopped out and headed into the store, when I heard this voice call to me, “Hey lady!” I wheeled around and saw an old man, sitting in a wheelchair on the sidewalk. I’ve seen him many times before, but never had he called to me. I walked over and he made his proposition…”Are you going into Starbucks? I’ve got a little money, would you get me an orange juice and a piece of lemon cake?” The minute he asked, the Spirit reminded me…”If you love me…” So I told the man that I’d bring it right out.

I must have stood in line for 20 minutes, but as I was waiting, this time patiently, the Lord kept reminding me…”I put you here. I needed you to do this for ME. There is a greater purpose, serving ME by serving others.” My heart burned to get back outside to the old man…to show God’s love and speak His words. I hurried back with the orange juice and cake, only to find the old fella sleeping. I touched him on the shoulder and he slowly looked up to me. “I am back sir…may I ask you a question? If you had died just then while you were sleeping, where would you have gone?” He hesitated for a minute as if he couldn’t believe I was asking this question; then he smiled and said, “Well, to heaven of course!” I continued, “OH? And how to do know that for sure sir?” His face lit up and he replied, “Because I asked Jesus into my heart to save me.” Tears filled my eyes as the fullness filled my heart, I handed him the orange juice and the cake. I told him that it was a gift and to keep his money. I told him that Jesus loved him and so did I…

Driving to work, I thought about the song, “My Own Little World.” Boy, don’t we get caught up in it? It’s funny how the Lord gently redirects us.

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25

Random Things

Ok, I’ve received a ton of these requests to write 25 random things about me…and I’ll have to say, I don’t really have time to write 25 things…so I’ve SHORTENED my list to 10…

1. I’m an original Jesus Freak…and DC Talk fan, plus I like other Christian Rock groups like Switchfoot, Sanctus Real, Relient K, Need to Breathe.. OH yes, TOBY MAC too. Really I like all kinds of music, from Mozart to Mayer.
2. I love COFFEE and CHOCOLATE, but I’ve given up the Chocolate to loose weight.
3. I have a lot of experience in many different fields…speech therapy, church music, accounting, teaching, advertising, marketing, TV, radio and newspaper, video and audio production, sales, public relations, communications, writing, and real estate. (currently licensed in GA)
4. I’ve known my husband most of my life, in fact, we went to school together. I used to bully him in the halls…
5. If I could live anywhere but here, I’d have to choose between San Diego and Nashville.
6. I’m a internet geek and I love new gadgets…current gadgets are Google 2 Phone, Ipad, & Macbook Pro
7. I can’t decide between Twitter and Facebook…heck I have a hard time with any decision making!
8. I don’t really like to eat out…I like to cook and I’m very good at it.
9. I like to run, bike and take Karate…but I don’t do it enough.
10. Goal: Walk with God, do Music full time, raise fabulous children and enjoy my life with Chris.

OK, your turn. If you dare…

A Call A Day 31

After a month of calling, this is my last day…What a journey and blessing!

Who would you ask to pray for you?

Your spouse?  Best Friend?  Pastor?

Would you let a total stranger pray for you?

Why or why not?

The lady I talked with on today’s call did not want to share her prayer requests with a total stranger.  She assured me that she had plenty of close people to pray for her…her pastor, her family, her friends.  I wonder…do we share our petitions honestly with people that we know so well?  There are very few people in my life who I trust enough to share the tiniest details of my spiritual needs.  Why do we guard ourselves so well when it comes to these things?  What are we afraid of?

For me, it’s easier to share with a stranger.  They have no preconceived notions or expectations.  They don’t know my past or present.  I may never see or speak to them again this side of heaven.  For me, this makes it less threatening.

I’m interested in what you (the reader) think about this…please leave a comment below.

~belindajane
www.belindajaneministries.com

A Call A Day 30

Ministry Milestone! 30 days of A CALL A DAY!
30 CALLS = 7 prayers + 21 messages + 2 slams

Here’s what the month looked like:

 

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Today’s post is in honor of my father, CECIL E. MILLIGAN, a WWII Veteran, who went to live with Jesus on November 11, 1982.  May his memory always live in the hearts of those he blessed with his music and ministry.

A Call A Day 29

Today’s call broke my heart.  The lady who answered the phone was hurting and really needed someone to talk to.  I asked her how I could pray for her and then listened to her story.  For privacy’s sake, I’ll call her LINDA.

One of Linda’s sons has moved away from home into a very insecure area of town.  She is worried for his safety.  She says he’s a good boy, but not very street smart.  She is praying that God will protect him.  Another son has left his wife and moved back in with Linda and her husband.  She asks that God will put the family back together again.  A third son is having some serious domestic trouble with his fiance.  She prays for her son’s patience and the fiance’s bi-polar mental condition.  Linda has two daughters that she believes are doing well.  One of them is in the Air Force.  She prays that God will continue to bless their lives.  Linda has been looking desperately for a job but had not been able to find employment.  Finally, a few weeks ago, Linda’s niece was caught in some cross fire and shot in the chest.  She is still recovering in the hospital.

We prayed together.  She thanked me over and over again for calling.  She was so happy that someone had given me her number for A CALL A DAY.  She startled me by asking a question, “Will you call me back next week?”  Of course, I said yes.  So I plugged her back into the calendar for next Friday.  Check back to see how God is answering her prayers!

Peace in Christ
~belindajane
www.belindajaneministries.com

 

A Call A Day 28

Monday, Monday…

It’s good to be home!  I enjoy traveling and meeting new people, but it’s always good to be under the same roof with my family.   The hardest part about being away from home is coming back, unpacking and cleaning up.  It takes a couple of days to get life back to normal.

I made the CALL OF THE DAY…and left yet another message.  As I look over my database, I realize that I need more phone numbers.  Please send your anonymous numbers to belindajanemusic@comcast.net.

Back to work!

~belindajane

A Call A Day 27

Wow, I can’t believe that it’s almost been a month since I started this CALL A DAY Campaign. I think that it has truly taken this ministry beyond the confines of the ordinary and called us to a higher mission. I’ve certainly had to step out of my comfort zone.

Today is another travel day. After a church service at Forest Park Community Church, we will drive back to Nashville and jump on a plane for Savannah this afternoon. I want to thank Chris Carder and Forest Park for being such a gracious host! We were very blessed to be able to serve in the church and community!

I guess I made today’s call a little early. Hopefully the person getting the message was at church with their family instead of sleeping in on a beautiful Sunday morning. I need your anonymous phone numbers! Please send them to belindajanemusic@comcast.net. Remember, no names please!

~belindajane
www.belindajaneministries.com

A Call A Day 26

Today we traveled from Nashville to Louisville, Kentucky.  There was a lot of construction on the roads, so it took about 3 1/2 hours.  I worked on a video for one of my songs as we traveled.  When we arrived there wasn’t much time for rest.  We drove straight to the church for sound check.  The concert started about 7:30 with Chris Carder and his band.  They were awesome!  I went on about 8 and finished up about 9:30.

You never know what is going to happen when you are following God’s direction.  I’ve been wondering what is really happening with the calls where I have to leave a message.  Like today, leaving a message always leaves me with a big question mark.  After the concert, I  met a lady that actually received one of these messages.  She told me how great she felt after listening to the message of hope and encouragement.  It was one of the reasons that she attended the concert!

Remember, as I have said before, you never know what God is going to do with your effort.  All His children are called to do is be faithful and obedient.   He will, in His time, handle everything else.

~belindajane
www.belindajaneministries.com

A Call A Day 25

The show at the Bluebird was incredible!  There were some really great acts there, including yours truly…We really had a great time and the people were so gracious.  If you missed it, well…you missed it!

When your cell phone rings, what is your immediate response?  My response is to look at the caller id.  If you don’t recognize the incoming number, how do you feel?  Do you send the caller directly to voice mail?  Do you answer with apprehension?  Do you just let it ring?  Think about how it makes you feel.  I think that when the phone rings, people automatically throw up a wall.  They are apprehensive about the nature of the incoming call, no matter who is calling.  Think about it…if you know the caller, don’t you start guessing at what they want?  If you don’t know the caller, isn’t the feeling the same but magnified?

“Good morning.  I know you probably get a lot of calls from people who want something from you.  This is not one of them.  All I want to do is pray for you and let you know that God loves you.”

What would you think?

The person I called today thought I was trying to sell him something.  “No, really, tell me what you want, so I can get back to what I’m doing.”

“All I want to do is to pray for you.”

He chuckles.  “REALLY?” Silence.

I go on to tell him all about the call campaign.  He’s laughing.  He cannot believe that’s the only reason I’m calling.  He goes on to tell me that he is the in doctor’s office this very second. “Can you pray for my appointment to go well?”

The last thing he said to me was, “You really made my day.  Thanks.”

~belindajane