╰☆☆ 𝐻𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜, 2019 ☆☆╮

/
2019 Blog Post Christie Lukes.png
 

Well, here we are…2019!

 

It’s always so refreshing to start off a New Year by going over goals, dreams and passions. I like to look back and see all the amazing good (and yes, even the unfortunate bad) that has happened – and see how it will shape how I can grow in the new year to come.

– Focused on Having a Godly Perspective –

Something that’s even more vital that the external ambitions around us that deserves great attention is the internal. Something the Lord has been teaching me recently is priorities from His perspective. Do I truly put Him first in all I do? Am I allowing my “to-do” list to get in the way of relationship with the King? If we’re truly honest with ourselves, speaking from my own experience, I’m embarrassed to say that doesn’t always happen.

Thank God for His grace. Thank God that when I choose Him, He embraces my imperfections and sees me as I ought to be.

– True Peace –

A good way for me to know if my priorities are in line with a Godly perspective is this: I experience His peace. Human peace will change based on circumstance. Godly peace is fixed because of what Jesus did that allows me to walk in true freedom. If I become anxiety-driven over circumstances, I am forgetting who I am in Christ. How do I know who I am in Christ? Spending time in His Word. If I am experiencing Godly peace, I am quick to use His Word to confidently tackle the trials.

It’s quite simple, really. We’re the ones who complicate it.

– Looking Forward –

So, as I look at my goals for the year ahead, I commit to checking my heart’s motives: Allowing God to clean anything that isn’t beneficial to my relationship with Christ, and allowing grace to continuously cover me if I need correction.

Remember that God loves you very much and wants only the best for you. I encourage you to let Him to be your “priority planner” for this beautiful new year ahead. ❤

“…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14

No More Shame.

/

You might not even realize it is something you're putting up with. You might not even know it's taking up a room in your heart.

When you don't live up to your own expectations or definition you've created for yourself, you are probably dealing with shame.

Have you ever caught yourself saying negative things like, "I'm not smart enough to..." Or, "Wow, how stupid of me to..." And even the occasional, "I don't understand why I'm so ..." You fill in the blank however you please, but the bottom line is that you are creating a definition of yourself that was never meant to be your identity, and it's creating a mindset that is unhealthy to your health, wellness and overall life.

You could have even done something that you think is so shameful, upright dishonest, or downright wrong that guilt trips up in your mind, and again, leaving the door open for shame to not just stop in your heart, say hello and then step out; but spend the night over and over and over again.

Over time, this shame becomes a part of you. Hinders you. Keeps you captive and, to a point, you may not even think about it anymore. It just becomes who you are, and who you think you were meant to be.

The truth? That is never how we were meant to live.

Jesus Christ offers us a simple way to rid of this residue, create the TRUE identity of yourself, and will turn your shame into honor. The requirements? Surrender.

"Jesus, I have believed one too many lies about myself. I'm done with thinking thoughts of neglect, unimportance, stupidity and no worth: I'm sorry for believing lies of shame for too long. I give you my mind, my thoughts, my heart. Clean house, God. Show me who I am in Christ."

From Hebrews 12:2, the Holy Spirit gave me this revelation:

SHAME is only removed when one realized their true identity in the One who despised it, conquered it, and replaced its power through the bearing of a cross. He replaced our shame with His HONOR.

That simple.

This isn't a religious act. It's a relationship act.

Only through a relationship with Jesus Christ can this kind of freedom happen. No one else has ever or will ever love you enough to die for you the way He did. Put your total trust in Him. Dive into the Word and find out what God thinks of you. If you are 'in Christ,' it means that you have the character of God living on the inside of you through the Holy Spirit.

Now it's time to know your authority in Christ, and bring your dead bones of true honor back to life. Talk with Him, walk with Him, and discover His thoughts over your life. Once your definition is defined by who God says you are through His Word, the lies you once believed about yourself will have no more authority. 

Take Action

Here is an example from the Word to replace your old way of thinking:

Replace the lie of: "I am worthless."

With the truth of: "I am God's Masterpiece."

Proof: Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Remember, this new way of thinking is not something that'll take care of itself. Only through the finished work of Jesus Christ will this transformation take place, and you must renew your mind daily with the Word of God and His thoughts towards you. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you. He loves YOU and He is faithful!

-Christie

Here is some further reading that you may enjoy from writer Joyce Meyer's book, "Beauty for Ashes":

"One day as I was reading the Bible, I noticed this statement in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance” (AMP). The Holy Spirit stopped me and asked, “What do you believe, Joyce, about your relationship with God? Do you believe He loves you?” As I honestly began to search my heart and to study His Word on the subject, I concluded He did love me—but conditionally.

But the Bible teaches that God loves us perfectly or unconditionally. His perfect love is not based on our perfection or anything except Himself (see 1 John 4:8). He always loves us, but often we don’t receive His love because of guilt about our wrong behavior. We are supposed to be conscious and aware of God’s love and put faith in it. But I was unconscious and unaware of God’s love; therefore, I was not putting faith in His love for me. What a breakthrough! That was the beginning of my emotional healing. It has been a process, but today I can honestly say I am healed and content. I know in my heart that God loves me—and I also love myself.

Saturate your mind with the truth of God’s Word. It’s filled with reminders of His unconditional love for you. He says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He says that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:35). Don’t let the enemy steal your identity. You are God’s masterpiece. Believe it!"

Reflection: COC Production - Toy Scene 2013

/

What a season this has been! Starting in August 2013, I began working with three different groups as a scene producer/choreographer for the 35th Annual Celebration of Christmas production in Phoenix, AZ. It is something that I have been involved in for the past 20 years, and am so grateful for the opportunities it has given me as an actress, dancer, aerial artist, and choreographer. The program just completed last weekend, and I couldn't be more proud of the groups God allowed me to be a part of.

This year was incredibly special to me. To be able to work with a range of ages, personalities, and characters (both figuratively and true!) really excites me. Everyone came from different backgrounds, walks of life, and are on a different journey in their relationship with Christ. They all brought something very special and unique to the table, and I am so honored to have had each of them in my life.

I told them from the beginning that I was taught at a very young age: "This isn't a production, this is a ministry..." and it's true. Throughout the season, we had sicknesses try to attack us, family dramas and dilemmas, emotional breakdowns, multiple personal prayer requests, deaths in families, overwhelmed exhaustion, school troubles, politics, peer pressures, and overall new journeys in the faith of Jesus Christ. We had these attacks because of the reason why my groups do what the do: it's all about the ministry of Jesus. Whenever you are doing something for Christ, the enemy will try to attack you from every angle: emotionally, physically, and spiritually:

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
— 1 Peter 4:12-13

Each one of the cast members - whether they realized it or not - made an impact on our community by connecting to an audience of tens of thousands who are going through the same things. You may never know the impact, but it's not up to us to keep score. Our job is to love one another, and leave the judging up to the one true God.

So, as a special tribute to an amazing year, my friends at BigFish Photographers gave their time and talents to photograph these wonderful groups I had the pleasure of choreographing this year! A huge shout out to them for being so stinkin' wonderful...as well as sending me the photos on such a quick turn-around time to be able to edit them for the group! Not all photographers will do this, understandably, and I truly appreciate their flexibility to make an exception to the rule.

Thank you to everyone for their hard work throughout the season! If you would like to use any photos for your Facebook page, please credit the above photographer (FB page here). Parents, if you took an individual photo of your child(ren), please standby, and I will try to get those out to you before the new year. Please send a reminder email if you do not receive anything from me by January. Thank you!

Until next time,

<3 Christie

Work Hard. Rest Harder. – Part II

/

"One Thing Is Needed"

(Refer to previous post for Part I)

Jesus' answer to Martha brought revelation to my eyes:

“...And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41

What was that one thing needed?

Rest.

  • When the Lord made the earth, he worked for six days and rested for one.
  • When the Lord Jesus came to earth, He was working in His ministry and spent time away to rest.
  • When the Lord sent His Holy Spirit to the earth, He came as a mighty wind and interestingly rested upon each of the disciples.

Some of Webster's definitions for Rest:

  1. A bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities
  2. Freedom from activity or labor
  3. A state of motionlessness or inactivity
  4. Peace of mind or spirit
  5. Something used for support

I leave you with this: There’s freedom that comes when you actively rest. You will experience supernatural peace when this happens. Then, there’s someone you can use for support when you rest: Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...” - Matthew 11:28-29

 

Work hard. Rest harder.

/

In our culture today, I've noticed that we tend to see over and over again the importance of being busy, and resting should only be done if you get all other obligations done.

"It keeps you going," one might say. Or, "If I'm not busy, I'd be bored." And even, "God wants me busy...it means that I'm serving Him and love Him.”

I can say this, because it's phrases I have thought before.

Arizona Sunset - Roshau

Work vs. Busy

I’ve recently discovered a revelation, and even though I am still learning about this, I thought I’d share what I’ve experienced thus far: Busy vs. Working.

Some of Webster’s Definition of Busy:

1: Full of activity
2: Foolishly or intrusively active
3: Full of distracting detail

Some of Webster’s Definition of Work:

1: Activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something
2: Sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
3: The labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed means of livelihood

I highlight these specific words to show a contrast:

Busyness leads to distractions, intrusiveness, and foolishness

Working leads to strengthening, overcoming, and achievement.

I searched the Word of God for the difference between work and busyness...and found this story of Martha, the woman who spent all of her time cleaning and doing chores while her sister sat and listened tot he teachings of Jesus. We tend to look at Martha and judge her for being pre-occupied with other tasks instead of spending time with Jesus. I mean, she was WITH HIM...wouldn’t you stop everything if you knew Jesus was in your home?

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." - Luke 10:40

Let me rephrase it this way that's a little more relatable:

“Christie was busy with much serving: music, teaching, work, competitions, cleaning the house, doing errands...and she approached Jesus during her 15-minute breaks (aka, driving from one event to the other) and said, “Lord, I am exhausted...don’t You care that everyone else is laughing and enjoying life while I’m serving You all alone? Tell everyone else that they are wrong in all their ‘non-doing,’ and have them come help me!”

 

To Be Continued...