Laced With Grace

Our Lord loves balloons. Big shinny, Mylar balloons. He loves them so much that one day He just might send one just to you.

Many of you know that I am married to an unbeliever. I never stop praying for his salvation. I know one day he will cross the line and meet Jesus. So, I wait and I watch as the Lord does amazing things in our home and marriage.

One of the most amazing things I remember is the day my husband received a Mylar balloon from the Lord. My husband discovered the balloon placed carefully against our back door. It was inscribed with a single word – Baptism.

I about fell over in hysterics to think God would send a balloon to my man inviting him to baptism. You can read the entire story over at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. So why does the Lord like balloons? Listen in:

I happened to be in our church office this week, talking with the Staff Director and I mentioned the balloon that Jesus sent to my husband a few years ago. My friend looked up at me from her desk and tears sparkled on her lashes.

“Lynn, the same thing happened to some people I know.”

“You have got to be kidding…. Tell me… Tell me what happened.”

“Our neighbors lost their daughter several years ago. They of course were devastated. They grieved for a long time. In fact, the father who was an avid gardener couldn’t even work in his yard for two years because it held so many memories. The yard died. It was so sad and terrible.

Well, slowly the Dad began to work in the yard after two years of slow recovery. In fact, on one particular day he decided to go out back and prune the trees to get them back into shape. It was an early morning and as he poked around the yard he spotted something shinny.”

“The balloon?” I replied.

“Yes, he slowly went over to see the balloon that was gently floating just above the ground. He approached and then froze in his tracks. On the balloon was a cute picture of a bug. A cute little ladybug. And below the picture was written, ‘Happy Birthday.’

“He started trembling. You see, his daughter’s nick name was bug and on this very day it was her birthday.”

I gulped back tears as I watched the Director tell the story. She went on to say, “He picked up the balloon and took it in to show his wife. They were both overwhelmed. Lynn, they came over to ask me about it. They asked, ‘Don’t you believe God is intimately involved in the details of our lives.’ I answered, ‘You know that I do.’”

I swallowed hard.

“Lynn, they received so much comfort from that balloon. They are convinced the Lord sent it to them.”

I whispered, “Another tiny love note from our Father.”

Our Lord loves us so much. He hurts when we hurt. He laughs when we laugh and He knows when we need a hug or a love note. So today, I ask you to be on the lookout this week and see if you find a balloon, or hear the chirping of the birds, or witness something breathtaking. It is your tiny love note from our Father.

Be blessed, Lynn
Find me daily at

This past month I had the opportunity to chat with Carol Moxley, bass-player of the Texas-based worship band “Church Chix”. Carol was one of the first bloggers I met when I started blogging almost 5 years ago – so there is a special bond . Find out at the end of the interview how you can get a copy of the CD (not available for sale (yet) at regular retail locations)…

1. Carol, I know you have been playing bass for a very long time. How long have you been playing together as a group known as “Church Chix“?

Iris, we’re humbled by your interest in Church Chix and we thank you for this opportunity to share our ministry with your readers here at Laced With Grace.

About six years ago, Toni and I played our guitars for our church’s women’s retreat. At that time we shared a common dream of a ladies’ praise/worship band that would be available to women’s ministries in need of music for retreats and other events. We didn’t know it at the time, but two other women musicians at our church also shared a similar dream with each other. We later found out a singer at our church also had the same calling on her heart and her college roommate (a violinist from another church) was looking for a praise team with which to use her musicianship. Later, we came across a female drummer from a nearby town with the same calling. The story of how it all came together is one of those things that is so bizarre and unexpected you know only God could have managed to make it happen. And he did! Rebecca and I are the only original members remaining – Toni joined a little later, the others after that – but looking back, we see how and why he lead the various members in and out of the group along the way. He is sovereign!

(more…)

Whenever I read Isaiah 6:1-8 I am deeply moved.

I’m there, it’s me, it’s not Isaiah. I can see the train of His robe filling the temple. It flows on for what looks like forever for the temple is large in size. I see the angels attending to Him. I can hear voices crying out, “Holy! Holy! Holy! I can hear the rush of the angel’s wings as he flies swiftly towards me carrying the hot coal. I can feel the floor trembling beneath me and I’m in fear being in His very presence. I can feel the heat coming off the burning coal as it is placed upon my lips. My heart is overwhelmed by the pronouncement that my iniquities have been taken away and my sins are forgiven.

And then the unthinkable happens. The Lord God Almighty Himself speaks. Looking directly into my eyes with blazing light emanating from His eyes into mine, He asks “Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?” Without hesitation I reply, “Here am I. Send me!”

His power transfers into me, fills my very being and I’m forever filled with His passion for the world He has created. He sends me out, filled with His Spirit. I’m merely His willing vessel to accomplish His will.

He desires to send more workers out to share His passion.  Are you willing to R.S.V.P. to His Holy Calling?

Responsibility ~ Are you willing to take ownership and act on what you know to be right? Are you willing to confess your sin and live a righteous life before the Lord so He can use you?

Sacrifice ~ Giving up what you love for something you love even more. Do you love Him more than anything or anyone else? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Vision ~ Are you communicating with passion what you see, feel, and hear? Are you focused? Do you see the vision He has set before you? He has called you, therefore He has given you a vision, a mission.

Partner ~ You can’t always go yourself, but you can partner with those of us who are there on the front lines every day. You can pray. We need your prayers. It’s the protection and the under girding we desperately need. You can give. Even the smallest of gifts is powerful when it is given out of obedience and in Jesus name. Choose a missionary and stand in the gap with/for them.  It’s your choice.

How will you R.S.V.P. to God?

Father, I am undone, a woman of unclean lips. Please cleanse me and make me a worthy messenger. I desire to answer your call.  Yes, Lord!  Here am I, send me!

Marsha’s Musings