http://sandalfeet.com Erin Olson knows what it is like to be separated from God. She never gave up hope that there were possibilities. Fortunately for her, God was patient, merciful and gracious. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, she was reconciled to Him and she was made new again! She wants to help others live a life on the right path. Her hope for all Christians is for our paths to be worn by our feet and ache and long to be washed by our Lord and Savior. Never forget who created each one of us. Honor Him and glorify Him in everything you do. Sun, 13 May 2012 11:21:17 +0000 http://snappages.com en http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/13/pray-for-the-motherless-on-mothers-day http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/13/pray-for-the-motherless-on-mothers-day Sun, 13 May 2012 11:21:17 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/13/pray-for-the-motherless-on-mothers-day












]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/11/heroines-of-the-faith http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/11/heroines-of-the-faith Fri, 11 May 2012 14:26:06 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/11/heroines-of-the-faith








]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/04/hoarding-it-is-not-always-just-about-stuff http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/04/hoarding-it-is-not-always-just-about-stuff Fri, 04 May 2012 14:34:22 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/05/04/hoarding-it-is-not-always-just-about-stuff














]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/26/building-out-the-attic http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/26/building-out-the-attic Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:34:14 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/26/building-out-the-attic












]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/23/spiritual-power-source http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/23/spiritual-power-source Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:28:13 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/23/spiritual-power-source














]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/13/this-wasnt-your-mommas-shower http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/13/this-wasnt-your-mommas-shower Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:29:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/13/this-wasnt-your-mommas-shower
















]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/06/thoughts-for-good-friday http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/06/thoughts-for-good-friday Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:34:07 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/04/06/thoughts-for-good-friday






]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/29/mothers-and-sons http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/29/mothers-and-sons Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:15:19 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/29/mothers-and-sons








]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/22/there-are-spiritual-special-needs-within-the-church http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/22/there-are-spiritual-special-needs-within-the-church Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:29:12 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/22/there-are-spiritual-special-needs-within-the-church




]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/12/we-are-sheep-among-wolves http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/12/we-are-sheep-among-wolves Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:54:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/12/we-are-sheep-among-wolves
My prayer, however, was slightly different. I didn’t ask to be silenced because I doubted, rather I asked to be silenced because sometimes being a messenger of the Word is a messy, messy business and I need, rather I wanted, a break.

John warned believers in 1 John 3:13, “Don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” Even though we have warnings like this, it hurts when fellow Christians, friends and family are aghast at what you might say or believe.

For example, Christians and non-Christians raked Kirk Cameron over the coals this past week for his comments about gay marriage. He was asked what he believed and he answered, very matter-of-factly. Not once, did he say that he hated the gay community. No, instead, he said, “I think that….” Big difference.

However, our twisted world takes those comments and turns him into a homophobic, bigoted, radical Christian…all in the name of tolerance. The same groups who tout tolerance and freedom are basically telling Kirk (and anyone else who believes the way he does) that they can’t say those kinds of things. And if they do, they are haters and not loving people. Really? Who then is slinging the intolerance now?

The great thing about freedom is one has the right to say what they believe. So, that actually means that BOTH sides will get to say what they believe. Not just one side and not just the other side, but BOTH. I’ll write that again in case you missed it….BOTH.

This is only one example, but there are many. And, I get that people will want to respond to whatever was said, and then someone will want to respond to that and so on. It’s a vicious cycle that the devil loves to dance in. And, his legs never get tired.

Somehow in today’s world we have forgotten what “love” means in biblical terms. The “love” in love one another is not phileo (an affection for; a fondness in the heart), it is agape (a self-sacrificing type of love; purposely seeking the best for one another). Jesus epitomized a life of love (agape) – he sacrificed himself for us on the Cross. However, he didn’t shy away from controversial things or people. Jesus wasn’t sent to save the righteous, but to save the lost sheep of Israel. It is true that he hung around sinners, but he didn’t do it so he could be life-long friends with them at an arms distance. No, Jesus did it because he knew they needed him and he needed to offer them the chance to repent and seek forgiveness once and for all.

Take for instance the woman at the well in John 4:1-42. In a matter of minutes, Jesus had exposed this woman’s past and present sin. He didn’t sit back and say, “Hey, this woman looks lonely. I am going to meet her at the well everyday for a year and just be friends with her. Maybe then, she’ll see how nice I am and want to hear about My Father.” No, it was mere minutes that she experienced the life-changing words given to her by Jesus. And in her boldness, she ran back to her village and exclaimed to everyone what had happened to her and whose presence they were in. She didn’t hide this secret from the people in her village and hope that people saw the change in her. Why should believers today be any less bold than either Jesus or the woman at the well?





















Take another example in Matthew 21:12-13. Jesus entered the Temple and was none too pleased. The New Living Translation reads as follows:

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the moneychangers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer.’, but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

Can you imagine this scene today? Can you imagine the press coverage that would take place if an evangelical walked into someplace and did something like this today? In the context of Jesus’ time, this was radical.

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1-4:

Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.

However, let us not lull ourselves into a false belief that by loving someone we mean condoning or agreeing with their lifestyle. Jesus did not come to this earth to be friends with people or blindly accept what they were doing. No, he came so that the chosen people of Israel would know who he was, repent of their sins and be blessed with salvation through him.

Matthew 10:34 reads, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” The peace that is referred to here is not social or political peace, but it is the peace that is only found in Jesus Christ and a decision about him. Peace in this context is not tolerance, but a radical decision to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus has called each believer to a radical, drop everything decision…just as He called each handpicked disciple. Just as Jesus chose those twelve, He chooses each one of us to be His disciple. It is not a “let me count to five and then make a decision option.” No, instead it is a “if someone has a gun to your head what are you going to decide decision.”

Jesus didn’t go chasing after the rich young man who was sad and didn’t want to sell his possessions (Matthew 19:16-22). He didn’t say, “Oh wait, I am sorry. Did I hurt your feelings? I didn’t mean to tell you that you had to change everything, sell everything, leave everything….I was just kidding. What do you want to give up in order to follow me?” Nope. He let him go away.

Jesus sent out his twelve disciples with these words, “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and as harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Jesus had compassion on the masses that he spoke to not because they were people, but because they “were confused and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Jesus didn’t seek out the massive crowds, they sought him ought, begging to cling to him, begging him to heal. These were God’s chosen people who had lost their way, who now wanted to get back in the game…at least for that moment in time. They had faith.

But, it wasn’t just the chosen ones who had gone astray that clinged to Jesus. We saw the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, but we also saw the story of a Gentile woman. Even after Jesus told her that he was sent only to help God’s lost sheep – the people of Israel, he healed her daughter because of her “great” faith. (Matthew 15:21-28)

The Bible doesn’t belong to a secret club, but it does take wisdom to learn the ways of God. However, it doesn’t take wisdom to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior – only a willingness to repent, ask forgiveness and surrender.

Believers will have hiccups along the way, no doubt about it. We will say things we shouldn’t for sure. But one of the differences between a believer and a non-believer is that we will repent and seek forgivenes. We have to remember that each one of us has a totally different story. Some will preach with such an evangelical zeal because they have been on the ledge of the fiery furnace of hell. They know what that personally feels like. Others, preach from a life of nothing but blessing. Their lives have been so blessed because they have walked the straight and narrow path forever and know nothing else.

We should, no matter what our stories are, have faith. A faith that God can do anything and will do anything. If the disciples, who actually walked with Jesus, waivered and had little faith many times, you can bet that we will too. Life is hard. People will mock us. People will hate us. Satan will plant seeds of doubt in our brain (if we let him). It is ugly. But be reminded, we live in this world, but we are not of this world. Stand firm on your rock. Love others with love (agape) and love them enough to sacrifice your own sense of comfort and possible backlash because you know that if they don’t hear God’s Word (His Word, not a version you made up), repent, confess and surrender, their life will not inherit the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven.






Choose NOT to live in a Jesus free zone today!

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/02/spiritual-battles http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/02/spiritual-battles Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:59:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/03/02/spiritual-battles
A man, whom I had just met, who is the same height as me, who has the most beautiful, crystal clear eyes stared directly at me and spoke those three words “Jesus Loves You” to me. Outside of the song, Jesus Loves Me This I [...]]]>
A man, whom I had just met, who is the same height as me, who has the most beautiful, crystal clear eyes stared directly at me and spoke those three words “Jesus Loves You” to me. Outside of the song, Jesus Loves Me This I Know, I had never heard those words uttered to me nor had I ever said them to myself.

When he said those words, I was both intrigued and annoyed and many things ran through my body and my mind. Honestly, my first thought was that he was a little crazy. I wholeheartedly wanted to believe those things, but something in my body was resisting. There was no way that Jesus could love me. How could He love me for all of the things I had done, the things I had said, the things I had wished and hoped for or the countless years I wandered farther and farther away from God…absolutely, there was no way. My heart wanted to run to this man and say, “Yes, I want that. I want Jesus to forgive me and love me.” But, there was another whisper, “You aren’t good enough for Jesus. The people in this room would never accept you for what you have done. Are you really going to believe what this man says – you don’t even know him?” There was definitely an internal battle going on.

Since we were staying with these folks, there was no way of getting around going further with this conversation. As the night went on, there was about ten or so of us sitting in the living room. We were talking about the Bible, talking about things going on with the business and things that people were going through.

Then, out of nowhere, this same man looked directly at me and said those three words again, “Jesus Loves You.” But this time, there was more. The next words made my heart stop and from that minute on, my life has never been the same. He said, “What happened to you when you were three years old?” Every eye turned to me. I desperately looked at my husband and without speaking I gave him a look of How does he know that? Did you tell him anything? However, my husband’s response, since I was still shell-shocked, answered my thoughts. “Wow, she has been struggling with this for the past few months. It has been hard for her,” he said.

You see, the few months prior to this meeting, I had been having nightmares. Actually, the nightmares started almost seven years prior while I was pregnant with my first child. They say that dreams are heightened during pregnancy because of our sleep patterns. For sure, that applied to me.

With my first pregnancy, I started receiving visits from a dark spirit. They usually happened when my husband was away traveling (he did that quite a bit during my first two pregnancies). In my sleep, I would sense someone standing next to my bed. It was so real; I would actually wake up and expect to see someone standing there. These visits usually subsided or became less regular when I wasn’t pregnant. Clearly, they bothered me, but I usually just chalked them up to being nervous about being home alone or sometimes I worried that something had happened to my husband when he was out of town and he was stopping by before going to Heaven. Crazy, I know.

The nightmares leading up to the encounter with this man were much more intense and much more frequent. Several of them actually became physical. One of the worst episodes happened when my husband was home. We were sleeping and I felt an overwhelming dark presence. The spirit was literally on top of me choking me around my neck. I was screaming and as the pressure was applied tighter, I was gasping for air. My heart was racing and there were tears running down my face. All of this commotion awoke my husband and he then began to shake me to wake me up. It took several minutes to get my heart rate down and I felt as though I could have had a heart attack because of it. My husband told me that if we had owned a gun, he would have fired it. He actually thought there was someone in the house harming me because it was so intense.

Even as I write these words, I can remember that night several years ago.

That nightmare got me on a path searching. I was trying to figure out what in the world was going on. Why was I having these dreams. What did it all mean? I had become increasingly fearful around this time as well. I felt trapped in my home and felt as though there was a spirit of darkness over our house. I kept my doors locked all day and had my alarm system armed even during the day. All of my thoughts were geared toward this fear. It was crippling, both physically and emotionally, not only for me, but for my family. I was a wreck.

Then came this meeting. Because it was in another state, we had to make many arrangements to be there. However, I had felt a sense of urgency that I needed to be there and was going to let nothing stand in my way.

Once those words were spoken to me, I couldn’t deny that God had His hand in all of it. I was then asked whether or not I wanted to be free. “Yes,” I whispered. I prayed the sinner’s prayer and was saved at that moment. Even as the conversation continued for hours, I sat there wondering about what in the world had just happened. All of a sudden, my heart started racing and I blurted out, “I have something to say about grace and faith and being saved by grace through faith.” Some chuckled. This man’s sweet wife said, “That’s called quickening. God is speaking to you and He will continue to do so from now on. That is a verse in the Bible – Ephesians 2:8.” Let me remind you, I had gone to church since I was a child, but never read the Bible outside of what was taught (the Bible I had received for my junior high confirmation was tucked away somewhere in a box in the attic) or the Sunday School curriculum I was given to teach (Note: however, our church at that time didn’t teach this message to the children).

And here I was quoting Scripture.

Anyway, I went to bed that night still struggling. I didn’t have the emotional salvation experience with that group. I didn’t really cry (totally abnormal for me), start shaking, freak out, fall down or any of that. But, when I went to bed that night, I lay there talking to God. I was pleading to Him for a couple of hours struggling with whether or not all of what I heard was true. There was still an internal battle going on. It was at that moment, when I told God that I completely give it up to Him, no matter the costs, that I was baptized in the Holy Spirit (never having heard of anything like this before I had no idea to even pray about this or ask for it). A tingling, electric sensation went from my head to my toes. I had previously been having severe hip pain and it felt as though it had been removed. To verify this, I got up out of bed and started walking in circles next to the bed. I went into the bathroom and kept walking around. I couldn’t believe it. When I came out of the bedroom, my husband asked what in the world I was doing. I told him that he wouldn’t believe it if I told him.

A few months back, I read Charles G. Finney’s, known as one of America’s greatest evangelists, biography. In it, he described his salvation experience. It was so eerily similar to mine that I knew that what both of us experienced had to be from God.

Returning back home, I continued to search and dig. I started reading the Bible every day. I plowed through the book that this man gave me about spiritual strongholds. I was devouring everything in sight.

One night, a couple months after this trip, I had another dream. In the dream, my husband and I were having a conversation with someone – a spirit-like someone – who was tickling my youngest son’s tummy (eery) while we were talking. My husband was doing the talking and he said something to the effect of Why do you have such a stronghold on my family? Does this mean my businesses will fail? Just as this was occurring, there was a ton of commotion outside of my window. I looked out the side windows and there were dark people blowing leaf blowers making a ton of noise. I looked out the front windows and there were dark people backing a tow truck up into our driveway. On the flat bed was a junked up car. They were trying to deposit that thing in my driveway. No way! I screamed. The next thing I know, we were down in the closet and I was trying to put my clothes on to go and tell these people they had the wrong address. My husband was sputtering on about what he thought sin was. And I said to him, Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I know now that is Scripture, but didn’t know it then. As I went to exit the room, there were crazy looking people there with electric drills with a disturbed look on their face.

Clearly, I was in battle against these forces. They didn’t believe that I was serious about being on God’s side now. Not only was I dealing with stuff during the day (although, upon my return home, I no longer had any fear), I was still being attacked and tormented at night in my sleep.

I had a pythonic spirit that had invaded me and had no idea. This spirit probably had been with me since I was three years old – the exact time in my life that had been questioned. What is a pythonic spirit? It is one of the worst kinds of demonic spirits. Why? What is a python known for? It is known for its size and strength and it constricts the air out of its prey in order for it to die and then it swallows it...whole. This spirit tries to squeeze the life out of what God is doing.

This spirit had tried to choke the life out of me literally when I started seeking God. It had figured out that I was looking at changing teams and it was not happy about it. This spirit knew that it might lose me and no longer be able to control me. It wanted to destroy me. It had gotten pretty close, but praise God that God, once again, triumphed in victory.

Prior to my conversion experience, my life didn’t seem very demonic or twisted to the common eye. I was a community volunteer and Sunday School teacher for goodness sakes! But, the spirit caused me to be completely unsupportive of my husband as he tried to get back into his Christian walk. I called him a “Bible-thumper” and would get angry when he tried to talk to me about the Bible. Little everyday things like that. And of course big things like making me completely fearful of everything and trying to knock me off the path that was leading me back to God.

There are many references to these demonic or pythonic spirits in the Bible. In Acts 16:16-18, Paul dealt with a woman who was demon-possessed (some translations actually say that she had a pythonic spirit and some say she had a demonic spirit) that had been following him around for a few days while he was preaching. This demon spirit even had the nerve to say, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” (verse 17b) However, finally Paul got sick of it and he turned to this girl and said, “’I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And instantly it left her.” (verse 18b) This slave girl was a fortune-teller for her masters and now that the demon had left, she had no ability to make them money anymore or allow this spirit to be leeched onto unsuspecting people.

Another example comes in Matthew 16: 21-22. After Jesus started telling his disciples about all of the terrible things that would soon happen to him, Peter said to Jesus, “Heaven forbid, Lord, this will never happen to you.” (verse 22 – NLT) But verse 23 illustrates Jesus’ response. He said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Imagine what would have happened if this pythonic spirit had not been rebuked from Peter and the other disciples had this spirit laid upon them through Peter? What would have happened to Jesus’ destiny on the Cross?

This spirit is sneaky. He prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He looks for every opportunity to get a foothold into our lives. Sometimes we don’t even know the extent of what our sins do to our soul. These spirits attack our soul. They will do anything and at any cost. They are on a one-track mission – utter destruction. I hesitated to include this gruesome picture, but I think it highlights this point so well.

This 4 meter long python decided to take on a 2 meter long alligator. The python consumed him alive and whole. However, sometime during the swallowing of the alligator, the python’s belly ruptured and both animals died. The python’s greed, hunger, and carelessness caused his death. In our case, these pythonic spirits are already dead – they have no chance at eternal life – so they are willing to do anything and everything to constrict us and lead us to death.

Back to my story. In the case of the slave girl, her demonic spirit left her immediately. Mine did not. No one cast that demonic spirit out of me the night I was saved, although I am convinced that this man knew it was there. He hadn’t received those orders from God. I believe he only received orders to make it known.

God could have removed that pythonic spirit at any time or that night, but he only removed the spirit of fear. He needed me to gain knowledge and press into Him in order to perfect His will in me. He also wanted me to be equipped to handle these spirits as I matured in my faith. These spirits will come and go throughout our lives “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) We need to know how to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13)

The battle had only begun, but God was with me.

My battle with this pythonic spirit lasted for almost two and half years. I received a book about spiritual strongholds when I was first saved (clearly a sign that this man knew something more than he was telling me), but I never once thought that I possessed any spirits. I knew there were probably some spiritual forces circling that lingered from my past that I needed to unload, but nothing else. However, one night, after a particularly rough day, I was literally pulling my hair out. Things were going horribly. Everything seemed to be going wrong. I thought How could this be? I have given my life to God and things are worse than ever. I am so unhappy. Ahhhhhh…….

And then I pleaded, God, help me! I can’t stand this anymore. I am going crazy and out of my mind. Help me, God! I want to serve only you. No matter what. Just you. No one else. Please, whatever is stopping me from serving you, get rid of it. Now!!!

And then it happened, my jaw opened wide and locked and a loud hissing noise arose from me. The noise lasted for several seconds. Then after that, as my body shook slightly, my jaw released and my breathing resumed. I felt as though I had been in my body, but out of my body if you know what I mean. From that point on, things changed.

I still pray over my children because this spirit can be passed to our offspring and we bear the sins of our fathers (Lamentations 5:7). I pray my prayers are answered for I do not want them to suffer.

We must learn to distinguish between the demonic spirits, especially the pythonic spirit, and the Holy Spirit. Discernment and wisdom only comes from spending time with God every day. We must keep our defenses up. Seek God. Pay attention to the things that we allow to enter into our souls. Be aware of our sins and repent often. We need to be in control of our souls and minds, under God’s direction, so these pythonic spirits know they have no power of Him.

I prayed about this blog this week because I really needed to be sure that the Holy Spirit was leading me to write this. This pythonic spirit is real and it will constrict the life out of you and anyone you influence if they cannot defeat it. If you have questions, turn to God. Seek Him. I knew nothing about pythonic spirits while this was happening to me, but oddly, a sweet lady in my Bible study this week confirmed that I wasn’t crazy after all….at least not about this!

I am fully aware that this post may send me into a new battle. I sort of felt it lurking around last night as I was preparing this and praying about it. But, I am prepared and I am armed with the power and Word of God on my side.

“But if I [Jesus] am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe – until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.” (Luke 11: 20-22)

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/24/are-you-tuned-in http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/24/are-you-tuned-in Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:07:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/24/are-you-tuned-in
God creates us all for His glory and to praise Him (See Isaiah 43:7). However, we often go days in between praising and worshipping Him. Why? We are too [...]]]>
God creates us all for His glory and to praise Him (See Isaiah 43:7). However, we often go days in between praising and worshipping Him. Why? We are too busy. Our praise and worship is relegated to the twenty minutes or so that takes place during church on Sundays. Sadly, many of us don’t even praise and worship Him then.

The Bible is pretty serious about singing and music. In the King James Version, the various forms of the word “sing” appear as follows:

As the word singing – 29 times
As the activity sing – 119 times
As the word song – 47 times
As the word songs – 20 times
As the word singers – 38 times

There is even a whole book of the Bible, Psalms, dedicated to songs, singing, praise and hymns. As individuals, we are an instrument of praise to our Creator.

I am not musically schooled nor do I have an ear for superior music, but what I do love is music. I like the kind of music that speaks to you – music that I can relate to. I was the crazy first-time mom who hooked up headphones to my pregnant belly so my child in the womb could hear music. My children had music in their nurseries from day one. They slept with music on all the time – on repeat – night, after night, nap, after nap. It is no wonder that they love music today. Their life exists around music. I believe that I could exist without television, but I could not exist without music.





(This is a picture of me and the children with Mandisa. Mandisa was a contestant on American Idol. She has now returned to her roots and is a contemporary Christian singer.)

Perhaps, this is because we were created to praise and sing songs of worship to the Lord. From the beginning, music has always been important. It had its place in the Temple and throughout biblical history. The Bible tells us that the angels rejoice in song. Many who have died and come back to life proclaim that the level of worship in Heaven was deafening. No one will be out of tune or off key in Heaven!

I started thinking about music this week as I was listening to a song playing on the radio. My ten year old and I were standing in the kitchen while the song Praise You in This Storm by the Casting Crowns was playing. I said to him, “Did you know that the lyrics

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord maker of Heaven and Earth.

are from a book in the Bible?” “No,” he said. “Well, they are from Psalm 121. There are lots of songs that we listen to that have Scripture in them.” “Wow, really?” he said.

Music is an escape for me. Literally, when things get crazy, I crank up the music. If I am in my car, it gets loud, then louder. If I am at home and no one is home, I turn it up. If I am at home and others are watching TV, I slap on my headphones.

But what I have recently figured out is that the music isn’t an escape from something, it is an escape to someone. When I am listening to my music, I take the focus off of myself and turn it to God. Why? I listen to Christian music 95% of the time. I enjoy the more contemporary praise and worship music. This music can be found on Sirius/XM if you have access to it or perhaps your city has a local Christian music station. Otherwise, the artists and their songs are all available for purchase through iTunes and CD’s (I hope I have taken the excuse out of not being able to listen to it.) I am not just listening to music, I am standing in the very presence of God worshipping Him.

Yes, people may think you are crazy at first if you are not currently saturating yourself with praise and worship music outside of Sunday. I know I persecuted someone when I wasn’t a believer because she had The Message radio on in her car. Boy, did my friends and I laugh. This was two years before my salvation experience. God had been pursuing me I know now.

I chuckle at that now and sometimes when I have the opportunity to valet my car, I wonder if the valet thinks the same thing of me!

Don’t have time to read the Bible and spend time with God before you leave for work? Crank on the music in the car and sing your heart out to Him. Not only will you be fed with the Word, you will also be praising and worshipping Him at the same time. Road rage can’t exist if Jesus is in the car with you.

Sit in an office by yourself all day? Stay-at-home with children all day? Crank on the music and sing along and soak it in. Carpool time and drive-home time? Crank it up! Children love to sing along to music. There is nothing sweeter than hearing them praise and worship God through music in the car. I assure you that they cannot be arguing and annoying each other all the time if they are singing and worshipping. These little nuggets of Truth are planted in their hearts. The root will take hold and grow. The same goes for adults.

“Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise His holy name.” (Psalm 30:4 – NLT)

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/15/severe-weather-warning http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/15/severe-weather-warning Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:25:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/15/severe-weather-warning
It is just God and I.

Recently, during one of my lengthy showers (my excuse is my alone time), I felt God preparing me for a storm. This wasn’t going to be a quick thunderstorm. No, it was going to be a hurricane type storm. I could see the storm system in the steam as clear as it would look on the CNN radar. It was a monster category 5. “Great,” I mumbled. “Isn’t my whole life a storm lately? What else could there be?”














Anyone who has been in or watched a hurricane knows that it isn’t a quick event. There are agonizing days of waiting, watching and preparing. And then, it hits. Slowly at first, then as it builds and comes on shore, the force is something to be reckoned with. It often feels like it may never stop. Then just as slowly as it started, the wind and the rain lighten up. Then gloriously, the sun shines again. Some survive the storm, others have damage and sadly, some perish.

So, God warned me of the coming storm. Not sure I was thankful for the warning, or perhaps it was the trial I was not thankful for, but nevertheless, I had been warned. Every day I checked in to see where the storm was headed. Was it still headed for me? What was its verocity? Was there anything I could do to prepare? Days lingered and I could still see the storm in the steam. There was nothing life changing happening, just a sense that all was not well.

Then, wham!

One day, God whispered, “You are in the eye of the storm and I promise you, my child, Jesus is on the other side.”

Of course, that set my heart in a slight panic. "What does that mean?" Death certainly wasn't imminent, I hoped. I love Jesus, but I wasn't sure I was prepared to meet Him just yet. “Could you at least tell me what the storm is?” “How can I be in the middle of the storm if I don’t even understand what is going on?” I cried out.

Radio silence.

Anxiety crept in. Fear crept in. Anger crept in. It was like walking on egg shells that day. I kept thinking that any minute, the hammer would drop.

Nothing.

Whew, I survived day one. Then the next day. And then the next.

By the fourth or fifth day, I was convinced that perhaps I should try and take cooler showers.

And then one day it hit me. All of my anxiety, fear and frustration about this storm were gone – but nothing had happened either way – things hadn’t gotten any better or any worse. However, what I noticed was my responses to the things that were going on were changing. I was clearly convinced that no matter what, God was in this storm with me and He had me here for a reason. He had even warned me of the coming storm – how awesome is He?

You see, I had been telling God for quite some time that I was sure all of my problems and trials had nothing to do with me. I mean, hadn’t I already worked everything out with God? For sure, everything going on had something to do with someone else in my life.

The neon sign was flashing, “Reality check – reality check!”

Our trials are training grounds. So many lessons can be learned during these times of adversity. How we respond really says a lot about us - our pride, our control, our emotions and our neediness. They also highlight how important God really is, or isn't, in our lives.

I am in the middle of doing a Bible study by James MacDonald, When Life is Hard. In one of the lessons, it asked the question, “How did this test strengthen your faith and prepare you for further testing?” My response was, “It is bringing me closer to the Lord. It has strengthened my foundation (the cracks I have mismanaged).” This trial turned it back on me.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus instructs us to be like the wise man who builds his house upon a solid rock (foundation) and to not be like the foolish man who builds his house on the sand. What happens when our foundation is solid, but we neglect our house? What happens when we allow the cracks to occur, when we fail to water and nurture it, when we fail to have it inspected? What happens when weather happens that is out of our control or when tree roots (whether ours or a neighbor’s) grow into the foundation? Even if our foundation is solid, it will not exist without blemish indefinitely.



A foundation is much like us. We can be firmly planted, but things will affect us. And much different than a foundation, we are living, created beings who must grow. And the only way to grow is to learn and experience.

I am still in the eye of the storm and some days are much worse than others. Yet, I can see Jesus on the other side. I do not know when the storm will pass and when the sun will shine, but I do know that it will end. I don’t know what the damage will be once the storm is over, but I do know that Jesus will be waiting there for me and He will help me pick up the pieces. I truly am joyful in the midst of the storm.

Isn’t this what God wants for all of us? He wants to be our Comforter and our Helper. If we could do everything on our own, there would have been no need for the Cross. If God didn’t love us, He wouldn’t take the time train us or teach us – just like if you didn’t love your child(ren) you wouldn’t take the time to train them or teach them. God loves us through all of it.

Are you in the middle of a storm? Are you heading into a storm? Have you just come through a storm? How is your foundation? Are there any repairs that need to be made? Prepare yourself.

“But He knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (Job 23:10)

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/14/what-is-your-visionmission http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/14/what-is-your-visionmission Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:43:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/14/what-is-your-visionmission
Or so I thought.

Our house adheres to a patriarchal leadership style. I am completely okay with that. My husband is technically the CEO. My husband leads us by his example of working hard, making ethical choices, being available when we need him to listen and is accountable to all the employees and the shareholders. On the other hand, my role as a mother is equally as important. I also need to work hard, make ethical choices, be available and I am definitely accountable to not only the shareholders, but also to the CEO. There are many days when it feels like complete mayhem and often times it feels as though our shareholders are plotting a hostile takeover. It is grueling in the trenches, yet very rewarding.

One day as I was talking out loud to myself about the chaos of the day, my oh-so-wise 3 year old pointed out, “Momma, if we don’t know the rules, how do we know what to do?” Straight to the heart. Doesn’t it seem that conviction is often handed to us out of the mouth of babes?

I acknowledged his point and my mind started spinning. Haven’t I said what was expected of them and what is and isn’t acceptable like a million times? I felt like I had, but perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. Writing things down wasn’t always an option because only one of them could read at the time. I thought I had been doing it right by verbalizing the rules. What I quickly realized that even if they couldn’t read, they needed something to go to, something tangible to keep them on track.

The rules of the house are but just one piece of the puzzle. The biggest piece is why those rules even matter. During this life lesson, I started to examine myself. Isn’t this what God likes to do in these types of moments? He likes to mold us during our weakness and seeking. In order for me to lead my children, I first needed to be able to lead myself. What was needed of me in order to do this?

What did I envision for my marriage, my family, and myself? Were we working toward the same common goal? How was I able to evaluate this?

Running a household isn’t much different from the business world. Without a clear focus, things can go astray. Ken Blanchard in Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge states, “If leaders want people to give their all and put their hearts into their work, leaders must make sure people know where they are going.” As parents, we are leaders. As Christians, we are leaders. It is therefore imperative that we lay the foundation for our families as to where they are going and the importance of that goal.












Get creative with your vision/mission statement.



This led my family and I to put together a family mission/vision statement, along with a set of household rules. These weren’t meant to oppress my children or limit their God given creativity, but rather to help them see the path ahead more clearly. At the center of our vision/mission is God – “We are a family of Jesus followers who are committed to doing all that we do to the glory and excellence of God and to serve others as lights unto the world.”

This statement is written down and displayed so that we can see it and be reminded about it at all times. This statement allows us to measure our results all the time and encourage our strengths and weaknesses. Once we are able to understand that these aren’t just a human set of rules and goals, but rather a divine goal, it helps to build not only performance driven results, but it also encourages personal growth.

The world is a busy place and we can often lose sight of our ultimate goal. But if we take the time to lay the groundwork for our children, for our families and for ourselves, it will be rewarded. For “where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)

What is your vision/mission?



]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/11/correction-to-2912-post http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/11/correction-to-2912-post Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:15:34 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/11/correction-to-2912-post
Perhaps I shouldn't write while I am sick with fever....?!?!?!

Blessings! [...]]]>
Perhaps I shouldn't write while I am sick with fever....?!?!?!

Blessings!

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/09/my-conversion-from-pro-choice-to-pro-life http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/09/my-conversion-from-pro-choice-to-pro-life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:53:33 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/09/my-conversion-from-pro-choice-to-pro-life
Recently after a heated discussion about abortion, I retreated to the solitude of my prayer closet. I cried out to God about why in the world was I a part of that conversation and how was I to handle the outcome of that conversation. I was frustrated, sad and felt completely alone. It was at that moment that a scripture was dropped on my heart – Ezekiel 2:7. Admittedly, I cannot quote the book of Ezekiel. I grabbed my Bible and flipped it open and read it, “You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious.” (NLT) It was as if God himself was there wiping my tears from my face, holding my hand and gently assuring me that what I was doing was what He has called me to do. I couldn’t stop reading at just that passage so I continued on. In Chapter 3, God tells Ezekiel that he isn’t sending him into a land that doesn’t know his language so they, and he, can’t use that as an excuse for understanding. He also assures Ezekiel that He made Ezekiel with the same hard-heart and forehead as the rest of them so don’t be afraid. Then, this next verse stopped me in my tracks, “If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die for their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.” (Ezekiel 3:18-19)

Now, I don’t know about you, but that is heavy anyway you look at it. And, I learned early on in my Christian walk that fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I have a very real respect and fear of God. When He speaks, I better listen, not just for my own sake, but for the sake of others as well. So here goes.

I haven’t always been pro-life. In fact, a higher percentage of my life has been pro-choice and/or indifferent. However, I want to share a glimpse of my journey with you about my conversion from pro-choice to pro-life.

I have never personally faced the choice of aborting a baby nor do I (at least not to my knowledge) personally know anyone that has made that choice. But what I have faced is the sorrow of miscarriage. The complete disappointment and sadness that comes from losing a baby, not of my own will, that is growing inside of my body. That baby, no matter the gestational period, was very real to me and I have a sincere, hopeful anticipation of a reunion in heaven someday. I have also had the blessing of birthing three beautiful and healthy babies. I have gotten to see them take their first breath, cry for the first time, sleep on my chest, nurse for the first time, snuggle, grow, laugh, crawl, walk, cry some more, speak and love. Losing them now would be tough because I have had the opportunity to know them, but losing a fetus never affords a person of that opportunity.





Clay models made available by 180 The Documentary....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI - as posted on their Facebook page.

God is gracious in that He gives each one of us free will – the ability to choose right or wrong. However, each choice results in a consequence whether we like to think it does or not. But ultimately, God always wants us to choose life. He gave us His son so that we may each have the opportunity to have life. God always chooses life not death. We, on the other hand, quite often choose death over life because of our stubbornness and rebelliousness.

In 2011 alone, many sources report that there were 20-40 million abortions conducted worldwide. Can you imagine? The number is hard to exact because it is hard to track legal versus illegal abortions and obviously some countries report data more than others. If God is the Creator of all things, then what does that make the person who chooses to de-create God’s creation that was made in His image? Once the fetus is aborted, God cannot recreate that exact image – there has been only one immaculate conception, Jesus – unless He chooses to do so for a point.

Many will argue that abortion, and the right to choose, is just a symptom of a much larger problem. And I say, “Yes, it is.” It goes back to the choice thing. If we continually go about our business making our own choices without affirming God’s hand in this world, then yes, our symptoms will only get worse. A couple days ago, the book of Amos was laid on my heart – Chapter 2 to be exact - “Three Messages of Judgment Against Israel.” These were serious prophetic warnings from God to the Israelites who were too wrapped up in their own world to listen. Sounds a lot like the world today.

What does this all mean? Well, for one dear Christians, we cannot stand around spouting hate and condemnation. Instead, we need to be available to pick up the pieces. We need to be available to cover the uncovered and love the unloved. Think there are too many “unwanted” children in foster care or orphanages? Then become one who wants them. Don’t think that it is someone else’s job, worry or calling. We are all called to care for orphans – “caring for orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). We don’t know why God creates a life, but we do know that He has a purpose for all life. Find a way to serve women who are facing this difficult decision. Better yet, serve where the pregnancy rates are highest to share the Gospel with them so they too may experience the value of life and God’s purpose for each one of them. Help them understand what good and bad choices look like - read the Bible with them.



I am pro-life because I value life. I value the innocent life of a child waiting to be born. They are not created the minute they are birthed from the womb or by a certain gestation period determined by man. They are created and grown in the safety of a mother’s womb just like a caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon and comes out a beautiful butterfly. This is God’s design not ours.

I am pro-life because I value the life I get to live everyday here on Earth and the eternal life that I have been graciously offered through the sacrifice of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am pro-life because I am absolutely overwhelmed with grief when I read obituaries and hear of people losing loved ones and the question of where that person will spend eternity is on my heart. It really isn’t always the case that their loved one is watching over them in heaven. They never knew or accepted God here on this Earth so why would He prepare a place for them in heaven?

There is only one way to receive life – and the Way is Christ (John 14:6). As your heart begins to soften, your eyes will see new light.

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/02/oh-no-she-didnt http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/02/oh-no-she-didnt Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:27:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/02/02/oh-no-she-didnt
Because of God's grace, my immature, naive and arrogant (these are all words I am using to describe myself) behavior was tolerated at that moment (at least that is what I thought anyway) [...]]]>
Because of God's grace, my immature, naive and arrogant (these are all words I am using to describe myself) behavior was tolerated at that moment (at least that is what I thought anyway) and wasn't completely brought to light for almost five years.

Almost a year ago, I was in the middle of recruiting friends to join my small group project for one of my seminary classes. I sent out a whole bunch of requests, but one response stood out the most. It said, "I would love to join you, but I don't have time because of work. Hopefully when I retire, I'll have more time for this kind of thing." This was one of many "no" responses that day so I was feeling a little glum and this email completely rubbed me the wrong way.



"What kind of "thing" is she talking about," I mumbled to myself. "Is she saying she doesn't have time for God? How ridiculous is that?"

And right then, there it was. That still, small voice in my head. It said, "Hmmmm...I think I've heard something like that before. Do you have any idea who I could be talking about?" "Yes," I said, "All the other people who have told me "no" today."

"Uh, no, not exactly," that still, small voice said. And then, as clear as day, an image popped into my head. It was me with a toddler on my hip spouting on about how God would have to be patient with me since my children flat out refused to go into the church nursery. "God will just have to be patient and wait for us," I said. Snap! Snap!

Maybe it should have been SLAP! SLAP!

Who in the world did I think I was and what in the world was I thinking? Me, little 'ol me, telling God, the creator of all the universe, controller of everything, to be patient. Did I think I was the boss of him? Clearly, I did.

God really is a patient and loving God, but I can almost see his hand raising to his head saying, "I am fed up to here with her nonsense." And most often, he should be.

God waits for us to come to Him. He tells us to knock, seek and find - the perfect picture of patience. I do not know whether I will have tomorrow or the next day, or even the next five minutes for that matter. God is patient and loving, but there is no indication anywhere that he will wait for us indefinitely.

Have you asked Him to wait lately?

"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/30/workplace-ministry http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/30/workplace-ministry Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:07:00 +0000 Erin Olson http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/30/workplace-ministry
Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has chimed in on this topic. She wrote a letter to Tilden and Ayer and said, "Please remain strong and courageous in the face of a cultural trend that wants to wage war on any positive thing that a few may construe as offensive." She complimented the airline on its exemplary customer service and the blessing of this small gesture to its passengers. Perhaps this small gesture is part of a bigger picture within the company that promotes servant leadership and servant workers.

How many other companies are not specifically Christian companies but are led by Christians who are committed to taking the Gospel to all nations? While anti-discrimination laws prohibit companies from discriminating against a person based on their religion, what impact does the servant model make on the company, its employees and ultimately its customers?

Most of us are well aware that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays so that its employees are free on Sundays. Hobby Lobby is also closed on Sundays and spends money to take out full-page ads in local newspapers promoting the Bible. However, how many of you know that In N Out Burger and Forever 21 have owners who are Christians? Did you know that each company promotes Bible references on their bags and packaging? How about Toms? Did you know that the owner of Toms contemplated giving up his company to pursue a pastoral position? While in seminary, a professor advised him instead to utilize his company as a ministry.

While not every company posts scripture on their packaging or are closed on Sundays, they can still instill a servant principle in their company atmosphere. Companies such as Service Masters (think Terminix and American Home Shield) are guided by Christian principles, such as treating others as you would like to be treated and everyone being created uniquely. Perhaps the customer service on Alaska Airlines is so good because the cultural attitude within the company is to treat employees as being special. If employees feel good about themselves and their company, they will be happier doing their job.



Many of us may or may not be in a position of owning a high profile company, but there are small things each one of us can do to conduct a “workplace ministry.” For instance, my email signature line always has a scripture in it. This is a way in which I can reach the people I deal with on a daily basis. I have even had people take offense to it. A few years ago, I was volunteering for a large non-profit. Although I was using my personal email address, a Board member came to me about the scripture reference in my email. She asked that I remove it. I told her that I would not since it was coming from my personal email address. Why? One day I got an email from someone who received an email from me. My scripture reference at the time was Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” She was at an anxious point in her life because of the economy and her job. She wrote me that this scripture helped put things in perspective for her that day. What a blessing.

While it is not possible for everyone to put a scripture reference in their email because of company policy (I do not advocate doing this without getting permission from your superiors – always wise to respect authority over you), there are many ways in which we can model our Christian walk in the workplace. Be helpful, be on time, work hard, be kind and encouraging to fellow workers and superiors, treat customers with respect and of course, make ethical decisions. Be a servant to all.

I applaud people who are so bold in their faith that they are not afraid of losing a customer or a friend - people who choose Jesus over business.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)


]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/27/are-you-modeling http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/27/are-you-modeling Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:45:00 +0000 Erin http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/27/are-you-modeling
Whether you are a parent or not, encourage children to pray. Sure, they can pray the scripted, “Now I lay me down to sleep,” or as Jesus directed, “Our father who art in Heaven,” but also challenge them to be even more intentional in their praying. Let them hear your prayers. Children learn from modeled behavior. Even as babies, they model behavior – smile at them, and they will smile back at you.

As they grow, no longer does the “do as I say, not as I do” model work. In the movie The Way directed/acted in by the Sheens, there’s a scene where a father is really ticked off at his son for stealing. The father, while talking to some people, says, “Our children are the best and worst of us.” Ouch! Isn’t that so true? I know it is for me. I see my worst when my children lack patience (wonder where they learned that from), act selfish (hmmmm….again, I am wondering) and fearful (ok, I am getting the picture). Is best and worst innate or learned? Maybe a little bit of both. We can’t always improve the innate, but we can improve the environment around them.

We can’t expect our children to be comfortable praying if they don’t see us praying out loud as well. We are told to “Train up a child in the way he should go.” (Proverbs 22:6a) Why? We need to lay the foundation for righteous living early on so that “when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6b) There is so much coming at children today. They need to learn early on where they can turn to for help. They need to know how to “call upon” God just like they ask for help from their earthly parents, caretakers, teachers and friends.

During one of my grandfather’s recent visits, he went to church with us. Let’s just say that our worship service is a lot different than his. At the end of the service, I asked him what he thought.

Me: So, Grandpa, what did you think?

Grandpa: It was good. I just didn’t know any of the prayers the preacher was saying.

Me: (giggle, giggle) Well, Grandpa, that’s because he was praying from the heart.

Grandpa: Hmmm…..

We are never too old, or too young, to learn from or model to. Never.

Praying is the way in which we communicate to God. Praying is a time when we lay it all out for God. He wants us to bring him the good, the bad and the ugly. He already knows what we are going to ask for even before we ask it. He sees our heart all the time. There is no hiding from Him. It’s not just about what we want or what we need, instead, it should be an ongoing dialogue with Him. Seek Him. Talk to Him. Praise Him. Thank Him.

“Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT))


]]> http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/23/so-here-it-goes http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/23/so-here-it-goes Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:04:00 +0000 Erin http://sandalfeet.com/blog/2012/01/23/so-here-it-goes Jesus Freak is playing in my head. Love that song. Anyway, my heart [...]]]> Jesus Freak is playing in my head. Love that song. Anyway, my heart is skipping for joy as I sense a stirring in this nation and in the world. Christians are positioning to take back what is theirs....Jesus....completely. Man has done a great job of putting Jesus everywhere but where he belongs and like the daddy said in Dirty Dancing, "Nobody puts Baby (Jesus) in the corner!"

Jesus is the source. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In 1 Peter 2:21 we are told that, "We must follow in His steps." Be like Jesus. Serve like Jesus. Love like Jesus. Believe in Jesus.

The Spirit has me here. I do not know why. All I know is that I have committed myself to being obedient to the prompting of the Spirit...doing things a lot differently than I ever have before. I am all in and I know without a doubt that it is going to be a very interesting ride. Buckle up!

]]>