The Real of Duck Dynasty

The Real Men of Duck Dynasty

If you keep up with me on Twitter or Facebook you have seen a lot of posts about Duck Dynasty.  It's a reality TV show about a rags to riches family who have made it big in the duck hunting industry with a patented duck call.  I like this show for now.


It's not because they are rich or that they have, as Brent McCoy would say, awesome beards.  It's not because they are entrepreneurs and benevolent.  It's because they are real.  And they are living out their Christian life in public.  I know they are getting paid for it.  But have you seen how Miss Kay loves from her kitchen?  Phil, the drake of the family, is very traditional and holds relationships high.  This family is the real deal.    


God has really been speaking to me in this area of my life and I feel like it's time to get real with you.


No...I am not going to grow an awesome beard.  That would be inappropriate and ungodly as a lady.  Confession:  I don't like to expose my fragility to you.  That is an awkward place for me.


My inadequacies remind me that I don't have it all together.  That I am not perfect, even though I strive to be.  I have realized that I can't be.   It's impossible.  Too often as Christians we like to have all the answers.  Let me tell you...I don't.  I have tucked my pristine red super hero cape away in it's clean white box for now.  I don't need to know all the answers nor will I ever know them.    


My honesty exposes some ugly things in my heart and that is something I  don't want you to see.  I care about God's opinion the most, and guess what...He already knows about the ugliness.  I understand that he can handle our honest prayers.  He knows our thoughts before we think them.  He knows the dusty places in our hearts and the cobwebs in our brains.  He knows the evil things we think when we fly off the handle and react inappropriately.  He knows.


So in my being real, in my gut-level honesty, please don't step on my heart.  that is what I fear from you.  My purpose is not to say that I am better than you or have figured all this faith stuff out.  No, I just want to take you along on this movement of God in my life.  I am trusting God as He has already called me in spite of my created weaknesses. He made my heart broken.  He knows it breaks easily so I can trust Him for each and every piece, for all of them, as they fall.  And I now understand that in my brokenness, that is where He shines the most.  This is His Grace in my best.    

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ~ Corinthians 12:9

Dangerous Prayers

Surprise Me God

Some think this is a dangerous way to pray.  

There are times when I pray something and God returns His answers in ways I would have never expected.  It doesn't look the way I thought it would.  

I prayed for humility. I got a lesson where I learned it the harsh way.  

I pray for contentment in Christ. I am overwhelmed with earthly temptations. 

I prayed for the ability to love unconditionally. God puts me in the middle of chaos that would require me to use it over and over.  

I pray for God to be enough. I am put in the "desert" where He has to be.  

I pray for deeper and increased faith. I found myself in situations that required it.

I prayed for hope.  He gave me circumstances that built blind trust.  

Realizing God's answers are not my answers tempts me to stop praying for surprises.    

What I have gained in the chaotic-filled desert journeys have taught me more than I could ever learn if I had lived on easy street.  

Now...I crave those "But God" moments so that He would be revealed in my life.  

I pray dangerously because I find God's faithfulness something I can hope in.  

I find myself with a deep heart faith that may not always see Him working His best in my life, but I will be always looking.  And in whatever happens, I know He has answered with His best for my best.

Dangerous prayers help me become the person God wants.  

My best prayers are often the ones that the Holy Spirit interprets, filters, and presents to God.  He asks exactly what I need even if it’s not exactly what I want (Romans 8:27). It's more than what I could have imagined. 

God’s answers to our prayers should revive and surprise us.    

After all, He is the One who knows all and knows what he is doing.  

He’s been at this business of answering prayers for a long time.  

I challenge you to pray dangerously too.  Surprise us God.  Keep praying and trust that what you receive is exactly what you need, exactly what you ask for, exactly God's best.  

My knowing His answers isn't the point.  

My knowing Him is.  

I am reading a book currently called The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.  It's all about prayer...it's changing some things....

Do you dare to pray dangerously?

Desert Days

We all have specific seasons that we journey through. Mine seems to be one of dryness... like a desert.  Have you ever felt that way?  


From my prayer journal...


"I yearn for your answers God.  You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable.  God your will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."


Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate.  You wait. You pray. You wait some more.


The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?


There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in.  While waiting I am learning more about who God is.  


Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."


One day in frustration I actually cried out loud to God..."I am out of prayers!"  What I really meant was I am out of words.  I have prayed circles around some of my concerns. I know that God has heard me, and as I dried my tears, my course of action was clear.  

I must have blind faith in His time.  

My need to wait overrides my need to understand.

My need to control takes a back seat to His omnipotence.  

My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.

My next step is illuminated as I surrender to full trust.

My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.    

As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through. 

Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.  

Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer?  What did you learn in your waiting?