Random Musings

It's not often in life that we get to experience unconditional love. I think that's what leads to a special bond between a dog and her owner. And, when you find a dog who really knows what it is to love and be a loyal companion, you are doubly blessed. So has been the last 10 years of my life. When I was in college, on a night that was no different from any other, I went to a friend's house and came home with someone new to love. I didn't go there with the intention of bringing Gracie home, but when I saw her, I fell in love with her. She chose me that night. I knew it was irresponsible to bring her home when I lived in an apartment, but she just sat right in front of me and looked up at me with this face that just said, "Take me home and love me...I think you're my mom". And, so I did. I took her home and, as much as I loved her, I think I was more the blessed for having done it. For 10 years, she brought me joy, companionship, comfort and loyalt...

I've heard alot of talk lately about race. Many of the pundits are saying that this election wasn't about race, but I don't believe that to be true. In the weeks leading up to the election, my support for John McCain was sometimes sneered at as if it was a vote for racism. I heard black people say how it was time for a black president, listened to the Howard Stern interview of black people in Harlem who swore allegiance to Obama without knowing what he stood for, and even had some of my white friends say that it was time to "stick it to" the white people by electing a black man. Now, people are pointing to this election and saying that we've come so far in race relations in this country. I hope it's true, but I don't see it. I feel like we're more polarized than ever. Let me make it clear from the beginning - racism is WRONG. Hating or discriminating against someone for the color of their skin is ignorant and has no place in our country. U...

I've had a lot of things swirling around in my head and in my heart for the last few weeks. It's been an intense time for me, and as writing is therapeutic, I want to share some of what I'm thinking. So, it's time to start blogging again! A week ago, today, we elected a new President. The opinions could not be more divided on what this means for the future of our country. There is no doubt that it is an historic moment in America that we would elect a black man as President of the United States. For the millions of African-Americans in this country, it means a new door of opportunity and a brighter hope for their children's future. Now, when they tell their sons that they can be anything - even President of the United States - they can say so with confidence and point to a role model. (Perhaps the daughters will one day have such a role model as well). I wish that I could believe that this election means what so many think it means - that we've come so f...

Spiritual House Cleaning Lately, I've been doing a lot of reading on Spiritual Spring Cleaning. As one chapter in my life closes and another begins, I feel the need to have a time of reconsecration and rededication to the things of the Lord. Today, I ran across a great article about King Hezekiah and how he cleaned and reconsecrated the Temple to the Lord's purposes. Here's the link to that article: http://www.navpress.com/magazines/archives/article.aspx?id=1.107.9 In a side bar, there was a list of 10 Questions for Spiritual Spring Cleaning. I want to share that here. You can also access it by going to: http://www.navpress.com/magazines/archives/article.aspx?id=1.107.9.1 10 Questions for Spiritual Spring Cleaning 1. What am I grumbling about? "Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction". (Isaiah 29:24) "Do everything without complaining or arguing" (Philippians 2:14) 2. Do I have habits that irrit...

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak at my church. Below are my notes for that message. (Some people have asked for a recording, but it didn't actually get recorded due to sound difficulties. And, since I didn't really deviate from my notes, I decided to post them here). The notes are kind of long because I wrote out the passages of scripture I used. I encourage all of you to spend some time in Ephesians and the rest of Paul's epistles. They are chock full of pearls of wisdom. I showed these three videos before the service. Feel free to check them out. God of this city (Paris) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ocr8udIuQ Disneyland Paris - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tUJTIR0ECU Friends in France - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH-Y4WQdD8 France 2008 For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Christy Solly, and I am honored to have the opportunity to share with you today. On August 10th, I had the privilege of traveling to France with Alan and Heidi W...

Dear Family and Friends, In a couple of hours, I'll be headed to the airport and then to Paris, France! For those of you who don't know, I'm traveling with Alan and Heidi Winter of Frontline Missions. (I also traveled with them in April to Honduras). I'm hoping to get to work more and more with Alan and Heidi. This trip to France is a step in that direction. God put France in my heart when I was 17 years old and now, His plans for me are coming together and becoming very real. I'm very excited about the possibilities ahead and I can't wait to see what God is doing in France and what He will work in my heart for the next 10 days. I'll be gone from August 10th - August 20th. We'll be staying with some friends of the Winters and will be traveling around with them for the time we are there. Please pray for the following things (as well as whatever else God may put on your heart for this trip) - Pray that we will be sensitive to God's leading a...

This week, God gave me my own little miracle and I wanted to share the story. For many years, I have had chronic pain in my back, legs, and arms. I’ve had it for so long, it’s really become quite normal for me. In an effort to manage the pain, I’ve seen a number of chiropractors over the years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been introduced to a wonderful Christian chirpractor in Tyrone, Dr. Peggy Murray. Dr. Peggy has been more than a chiropractor for me. She has openly shared her heart and her faith. She told me on my first visit that she is a Christian chiropractor, not just a chiropractor who is a Christian. She prays over me as she adjusts me and uses her gift of healing as she works on my back. Last week, she told me (for about the millionth time) that I really needed a massage. My muscles were in such knots that she wasn’t having much luck adjusting me. She also told me she would pray for the person I went to see to be someone with the gift of healing…someone with a...

For the last several weeks, I have been very aware of the clouds. I have seen some of the most BEAUTIFUL skies I’ve seen in my lifetime. I’ve seen amazing sunsets as I’ve been driving down the interstate. I’ve seen full and beautiful cloud formations in the most unlikely of places and unremarkable of days. It’s as though the Lord has been drawing my eye to the sky and towards Him in a time when I’ve needed more and more to rest in His presence. I’m not sure what exactly He’s trying to teach me or speak to my heart, but this came across my email today and gave me something to chew on. I wanted to share it here. Today’s My Utmost for His Highest Entry: WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR CLOUDS? Behold, He cometh with clouds. Revelation 1:7 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=re+1:7&sr=1 In the Bible clouds are always connected with God. Clouds are those sorrows or sufferings or providences, within or without our personal lives, which seem to dispute the rule of God. ...

I just found out today, in the Sunday service, that our youth pastor has taken a job at another church. He and his family will be leaving us August 1st. I feel like my heart is breaking in my chest. Since coming to us last year, Tom and Jen have planted themselves in our hearts and it is sad to let them go. In some ways, it’s truly a blessing that the Lord has called them to another church. Tom and Jen came here a year ago with a strong conviction that the Lord was calling them to FCC. However, we’ve struggled financially for some time now and can no longer support 2 pastors. I believe it is God’s blessing on the faithfulness of Tom and Jen that has opened another position for them nearby. I pray that it will be a good thing for them and their family. I am sad, for many reasons, at the loss of this family. Tom has done an amazing job with our youth. In the time that he’s been here, we seen a number of students come to know the Lord and be baptized. He’s taken the staff under ...

Scripture: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” Ephesians 5:1-2 “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” – Ephesians 5:3-5 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” – Ephesians 5:6-8 “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful eve...

Scripture: “ This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” – Eph. 3:11-12 “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you , being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” – Eph. 3:17-21 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance or one another in love, being diligent to preserve the u...

A few weeks ago, I sent an email to some ladies with whom I am connected. It's prompted a number of conversations and has reaffirmed my belief that this topic is one that needs godly discussion. I'd like to post that email here now for a wider audience. I realize that some may see my views and unyielding, old fashioned, and too black and white. I'm ok with that. I realize that it may be one of those issues where we may need to "agree to disagree", but I welcome any comments and discussion. Here's the original email: Hello Ladies! I wanted to share with you something that's heavy on my heart right now. I've chosen to email each of you because you are a young person, have a young person in your home, or you may have an opportunity to minister to someone who has been touched by the following topic. I'd like to talk about pornography. This is a hot button issue for me and I have some strong opinions, but, today, I'd like to share with you ...

Dear Friends, I just found out this afternoon that I am going to France August 10th - 20th with Alan and Heidi Winter of Frontline Missions! (I went with them and the Landmark Team to Honduras in April). For those of you who haven't heard my stories lately, here's a brief recap of what's been going on: A little history... When I was 12, the Lord called me to full-time ministry. He didn't give me any real direction, and I just assumed it would be music ministry, so I began working in that direction. When I was 17, the Lord put France in my heart. (I remember, like it was yesterday, standing in Notre Dame and having my heart crushed for the people of France). A few weeks later, I went on my first mission trip with Frontline Missions to Belize. Since then, I've been learning to listen to the Lord and seek His direction for my life. I've had the opportunity to be stretched as a musician and as a worship leader. The Lord has shown me pieces of the future min...

Scripture (The Message Version): Ephesians 1:4-6: Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son. Ephesians 1:11-12: It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:17-19: But I do more than thank. I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity...

A dear friend emailed me the lyrics to a song today in relation to something we were discussing. I’ve read it several times today and listened to it as well. I’ve found myself within these words. I can see so much of me in the following lyrics. Martyrs and Theives By: Jennifer Knapp There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to It presses harsh hope against time In the absence of martyrs there's a presence of thieves Who only want to rob you blind They steal away any sense of peace Though I'm a king I'm a king on my knees And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong As the darkness covers me There are ghosts from my past who've owned more of my soul Than I thought I had given away They linger in closets and under my bed And in pictures less proudly displayed A great fool in my life I have been Have squandered till pallid and thin Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame For the darkness I know I've let win Can you hear me? Well I'v...