my wings are made of faith

Chasing the Kingdom

In January, I was asked the question, “What would you do this year if you knew you couldn’t fail?”  As I began really praying about my answer, I knew clearly that I would go back to Lima, Peru where I have been once before to do mission work.  

Since January, the Lord has confirmed my dream many times over.  We have even had the pleasure of hosting in our home the Pastor and his dear family from Lima.  Long story short: my son and I are leaving on Friday to go back to Lima.  We are thrilled to see the child that we sponsor whom I met on the first trip.  We ask for your prayers from this Friday, May 25th to next Thursday, May 31.  

As I have sought the Lord over the details of this trip, I recognize that I have lived Matthew 6:33-34 which says,

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In closing, I challenge you to examine the question, “What would you do, dear friend, if you knew you couldn’t fail?” God opens huge doors when we seek His kingdom first. 

My Prayer:  God, thank you for the opportunity to go back to Lima.  I praise you for preparing my heart over the past few months.  We rejoice that we will see our friends and fellow Kingdom workers again.  Holy Spirit, I boldly ask you to show others how to impact the world with just a dream or vision without the possibility of failing.  In Jesus Name!

God Never Wastes The Bad Stuff

There have been many times in the last few years when i questioned God - WHY did He let me go through such difficult trials and pain. i could never fully understand His purpose when i could barely keep my head above water. It was easy to doubt God's plan when i struggled to hold onto Hope. But i have to tell you, when you get a glimpse of His ultimate plan, it is a beautiful thing. i see it so clearly now and i can look back at very specific trials and the way He was preparing me for the road ahead. 

i remember praying many times that God would not let all the heartache and struggles go to waste. i prayed for Him to mold me, teach me, allow me to help others - to make my life meaningful so that i can be a blessing. That prayer has been answered very specifically in the last few months. Just in the last week, i've had the pleasure of talking with two dear friends who are going through difficult seasons. 

All the bad stuff, the trials and the hurt, if only we could see at the time how God will use it for good ... gosh, we'd patiently endure all the junk for His glory. The stuff that was meant for evil, He promises to turn it into something good. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28

i love how God can take the messed up, shattered, ugly moments of our life and make them beautiful and have purpose. Beauty from ashes. 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.—Psalm 34:8

It is my prayer that you know that your life has purpose—far beyond what you will ever know or see. 

Lord, thank you that you never let a single moment of my life go to waste. You use ever part of it for your glory. 

Pure Joy

About five and a  half months ago, i wrote a post titled A Quest to Find Myself Again. That trip to away from home for awhile was a brand new start for me. It gave me a chance to breathe deeply - to breathe in a new life and breathe out all the things that were sucking the life out of me. Since that day, so much has changed in my life for the good. i've had a lot of time to spend with friends, family, and most importantly myself - all the ones i've unintentionally neglected in the past few years. A lot of things inside of me were lifeless, but God healed those things and He made me whole again.  

And, if you noticed, i'm still here, in Cincinnati ... in that post, i swore i wasn't meant to be here. i was wrong. i refused to hear God say that i was meant to stay because i wanted to run from everything here that was burdening my heart and run back to what i knew. But not too long after that trip, God showed me exactly why i was meant to stay (stay tuned for that post!).

Lately, i've been trying to put into words the immense joy that my heart feels, but i can't. It's the kind of joy that only a heart can fully know. And, if you know me personally, you've been able to see it - it's like a bright light that can't be hidden. The source of that light is my one true God. The One who held my hand through the 3-year valley, sometimes carrying me, and the One whose timing is perfect. Holding on to Hope (in Him) is the one thing that got me through every day to where i am now - a place where i can just be fully me again. i've so learned that all great changes are preceded by chaos. And even though i dislike chaos, it's made me a more compassionate, giving, faith-filled, appreciative and stronger woman. 

i started this blog in early October 2008, just 6 months before my life turned upside down and some of you have stuck with me the entire journey of pain, heartache, joys, and unknowns. But the greatest testimony i can give to show how amazing God is, is that i'm here and i survived the wicked storm. i walked by faith and God brought me through. This journey confirmed what i believed all along - He will never leave me nor forsake me just like He said in His Word (Hebrews 13:5). My prayers, my faith, and my love for the Lord carried me through. 

Oh, and it was because of YOU, too. Thank you for standing by me, encouraging me, and holding my hand. i really look forward to this new chapter of life that i get to share with you as we continue to encourage one another in God's love and grace. 

Love to you,
Christy 

 

Sin, Sins, or Sinful? It Grows on Ya!

I have been accused often of being too soft on sin.  And I have been told often that I am a pessimist.  But to me those are people who don’t recognize sin for the power it has on life, and fail to do the one simple thing that is required to resolve the issue.  An “ignorance is bliss” attitude will never give anyone the same optimism I have, that my sin has been dealt with.  I confidently trust the power of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to take care of my sin.  And I walk daily in that confidence.

 Sin is frequently dealt with in the extremes: from the extreme of denial to the extreme of constant fear - of not having confessed sin.  Christ wants us to be in neither place. Our place is also not a middle ground somewhere in between these two. Living in the middle ground is a push/pull life of trying to figure out where you stand on what constitutes sin – which things to do and which to not do, to stay in a right relationship with God. One church says this and another that. Sin is a job for God, and He freed us from that kind of life. It is not a life of choices of which sins, but what resolution, that I chose to live by. The point of scripture in its entirety is to reveal this truth. It is necessary to trust that God has done what it takes to meet his own standards for reconciliation, and come to him with complete and utter confidence that our sins are covered by the blood. 

I do not wish to undermine the effects of sin on our lives.  Or say that salvation takes away the consequences of sin.  Not so. Recognizing our sin, and desiring to avoid those consequences by avoiding the sin acts is a matter of mapping our life to seek God’s best. That too was what the cross was about. I did a research project of the words in the Greek and Hebrew that are generally translated “sin.”  I discovered that the whole gist of it fell into two major categories throughout the ages of scripture.  By far the most scripture words refer to “missing the mark.” Aiming for God’s best and hitting somewhere outside the bull’s-eye. The second is a concept that sin is an element of our inner character which leads to us acting out in a sinful way. It was not the individual sin actions that the scripture themes of redemption, salvation, etc. deal with, but rather, the sin nature.   That nature is the seed for the sinful acts, which grow into the sin condition.  There’s a long discussion of how dealing with sin as if it were individual acts of “dos and don’ts” is out of man’s thinking.  Suffice it to say, that I prefer to deal with allowing God to replace my sin nature with his divine nature, and then I don’t have to worry about how to deal with individual acts. Whether or not I am aware of individual acts, I try to focus frequently on the fact that my behavior should reflect that I am not governed by my sin nature when God is in control.

 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8: 3-4

Lord, I accept that my sin nature steers me outside the boundaries of your best for my life.  I confess a need for the divine nature to overrule my actions sometimes.  Please, Lord, don’t let sin take root in my life, but fill me with your power to live in a Christ-like way.  AMEN

Daily Blessings: The Basics

Some daily blessings are so constant that we don't think of them as being a gift. There are four things that i wake up with every day that remid me how very blessed i am. 

1. breath and a heartbeat

2. shelter

3. food to eat and clean water to drink

4. the grace of God

When i think of these things, i am humbled—there are lots of people who don't even have life's basic needs. Blessed beyond measure is the one who watches the sun rise having these four things. They are such simple, uncomplicated things and they are all good gifts from the Father. 

Today, i choose to pay attention to my breathing and heartbeat, to sit quietly and listen to the gift o life. i praise God for the food and clean water that meets my nutritional needs. And, my heart is full of gratitude for the grace of God that sustains me and gives me my tomorrows. 

Father God, thank you for these gifts—the gifts that i take advantage of often. i get so caught up in my daily routine that i fail to recognize that the life you give me every day is a huge blessing. 

Courage to Move Forward

I confess that I have difficulty sometimes with moving forward, having the confidence and a will to get finished, which I was really good at in my professional life. There are legitamate reasons, not the least of which is my husband's criticism early in every project I tackle.  I have to just do things when he isn't here, more than when he is.  In my old shop, my landlord was telling me a new reason everyday to be afraid to unlock the door and stay there all day. He told me once that there were some men who were robbing little shops along the very road mine was on, but several miles west.  If I had not just thought that I was where God wanted me to be, and said a little prayer for protection, I might not have gone into work in the morning until they caught the men.  Once there was a bear which was roaming our neighborhood and turning over people's trashcans.  If I had not just said, "God please protect my children." and believed He would, they would not have gone out of the house again until the bear was caught. Recently, my grandson took his first dirve alone with his new driver's license. His mother and I just looked at each other and when he got to the top of the drive, turned and blew us a kiss, we both almost hit the dirt. All she could say was, "How did you do this?"  We didn't have to say it..we both knew it was prayer.

I often encourage others to move forward and find myself crippled from moving forward, afraid of not having enough money, or of being crushed by my husband's broken record that resounds like my Mother saying, "You don't need to do that."  But oh yes I do!  I do because God gave me gifts to do certain things. I have been successful doing so many things for other people that I know God's calling on my life, in this stage of my life, is to find the courage to move forward in my own life.

So I have challenged myself over the last few years.  I haven't succeeded in quite the way I wanted to, and it is tempting to think, "Lord, did I misunderstand?" But I already know the answer. Part of cultivating the courage to move forward each day is just doing it.  Not with expectations of results necessarily. For me lists are a huge motivator.  Picturing the possible scenarios can backfire if I dwell on the possible things that can go wrong, so I admit the foibles but make myself not dwell there. But the biggest thing that moves me forward is prayer.  Just sharing all those things with God, admitting my fears, and tackling things.  Then the next thing is forgiveness. I have learned to forgive myself when I just don't  get done when others think I should. Thirdly, I have learned to use what I  have.   I often have almost everything I need to get a project going.  God is a provider. A forgiver. A motivator. An encourager. I am trying more and more to heed His voice and act upon the ideas He gives me.  Together, we can get a lot done. In the end, however, God doesn't want me to tarry too long in prayer, or sit a while forgiving myself in pity, or just keep taking inventory of all he has given me.....He wants me to ACT upon all that. To borrow the famous NIKE phrase: "JUST DO IT."

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  Now therefore perform the doing of it: that as there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. II Corinthians 8:10 - 12

Looks like I am not the only one who has needed help in moving forward. God is bigger than anything that holds me back. I need to trust that.

Lord, I never want to go back to driving myself to ridiculous scedules, but I don't want to fall into the quagmire of not giving myself the same value that I gave to everyone else.  When I set out to get things done, let me do it with purpose. I confess a need to value the tasks you direct me to in my own life the same way I do when doing something for others. Keep me grounded, but give me courage at every task to move forward. AMEN

 

Hope

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.—Hebrews 11:1

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.—Romans 15:13

Not too long ago i was having a conversation with a friend. We were talking about faith and hope and how we know God is present even though we cannot see Him. 

My friend explained it in a beautiful way. He said, it's kind of like the wind. You can't see the wind, but you feel it's presence. It's the same way with God—you can't see Him, but His presence is undeniable.

"Out with the old and in with the new"

As we begin thinking about our New Year’s resolutions, we often hear the phrase, “Out with the old, and in with the new.”  The beginning of a new year seems like a great time to form new habits like being healthier either physically or spiritually.  

The good news is that, as Christians, we can have a fresh start every single day with a simple prayer of confession and repentance.  

Lamentations 3:22-23 says,

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.”

Our challenge is to believe that God is in a good mood each day and loves us more than we can imagine.  We are covered under the blood of Christ.  He is our Daddy, shield, and defender.  

My Prayer:  Lord, thank you for your unending mercies.  We praise you that we don’t need a new year to start fresh with you.  Thank you for being in a good mood with us.  Holy Spirit, remind us to walk as confident, forgiven children of the God Most High.  In Jesus Name!

 

 

The Bent Branches of a Family Tree

Today as I was studying the lineage of Jesus, I believe that the Lord wanted me to share a message of encouragement to those wrestling with past failures and regrets.  As we look at the lineage of Christ in Matthew 1:1-18, we can examine several distinct women who may have struggled with God’s plan, judgement from others, self worth, fear, and past mistakes.

Tamar (Genesis 38:1-30, Matthew 1:3), tried to control and manipulate the Lord’s plan for her life by tricking her father in law to sleep with her so that she would have a child with the family’s birthright.  

Rahab (Joshua 6:17-25, Matthew 1:5), was known as a prostitute (Joshua 6:17) and hid Joshua’s spies.  The Lord ordered that her life and her family’s lives be spared because of her bravery in secretly harboring the men.

Ruth (Ruth 4:13-22, Matthew 1:5), a young widow honored her deceased husband by following her mother in law and gleaning food from Boaz until the Lord offered the opportunity for her to be remarried. 

Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 and 12, Matthew 1:7), a beautiful married woman and wife of Uriah, committed adultery with King David and became pregnant.  David sent Uriah out to the front lines of a battle where he perished.  They, then became married, and had King Solomon after the first child died.

Mary (Matthew 1:16, Luke Chapter 1 and 2:1-39), the precious, selfless mother of Jesus who committed herself to the Lord’s plan.  As a young engaged woman (probably 13 or 14) followed the directions of God even knowing that she could be disowned by her family, stoned to death, and denied marriage by her fiance, Joseph.

Each of these women of Jesus’s family tree probably represents a quality in us: brokenness, poor past choices, judged by others, trying to find self worth, fear, control issues, etc.  Just like these women, we are not condemned by our circumstances or decisions.  We, dear friends, are covered by the grace from being in the lineage of Christ under the new covenant.  

Our challenge today is to walk with the confidence and dignity that comes from being a daughter of the Most High King.

My Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the birth of your precious son, Jesus.  We praise you that through this child, our Savior came to live a sinless life.  God, thank you for showing us that even Jesus’s family tree has bent branches of people who, like us, just need a Savior.  Holy Spirit, remind us to take our positions in the kingdom as redeemed daughters.  Lift our heads high today as our hearts are reunited with your grace and mercy.  Jesus, thank you for the sacrifice of dying on the cross so that our all of our sins are covered.  In Jesus Name!

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; 

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

~Psalm 34:8

 

 

 

The significance of Jesus' birth

i've been studying the book of Galatians the last three weeks, chapter by chapter. As i read chapter 4 this morning, i found it fitting to come across this verse that relates to the birth of Jesus, but is not the birth story as found in the first few chapters of Matthew.

So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. ⁴But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, ⁵ so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. ⁶ Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.—Galatians 4:3-7

This verse really made me think about the importance of Jesus' birth. i think that sometimes this season focuses so much on gifts, decorating, holiday parties, etc., that it's easy to forget the birth of Jesus was a huge life-changer. His birth was an act of love from a God who's love knows no boundaries. This love, which was and is still today a selfless love, came to set us free from the bondage of this world. From the bondage of our sin and the sin of past generations. It's so hard to imagine that our great God would humble Himself and become man—a man who knew no sin—to save the world. He brought freedom into a world that He could have let be overcome by slavery to sin. 

This verse brought back memories of my life before giving my heart to Christ—i was a slave to things that kept me away from a true relationship with Him. Unforgiveness ...  anger ... meaningless relationships ... fear ... money ... oh, the list could go on. But the day that i truly realized that i could be free from the chains that prevented me from being the woman that God created me to be was the day that i recognized the importance of His birth. i was instantly free from all the worldly stuff that smothered the joy i was meant to have. There is a freedom in Jesus that cannot be found anywhere else but in Him. 

The pretty lights, the carols, and all the holiday festivities are fun, but let us not fail to recognize the signifigance of the birth of a baby boy who came to save you and me from a life of bondage. He came to set us free.

Have you accepted the freedom that Jesus' birth has to offer you?

Remind Me Who i Am

i heard a new song on the radio some time ago that has inspired my daily walk with Jesus. The lyrics contain the words remind me who i am—words that i have turned into a daily prayer. i realized how much i need to be reminded of His love and grace when i try to be the person He created me to be—He created me to be like Him. Philippians 2:1-5 says:

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

In my daily walk, i often fall short. i get stressed at work; tired of waiting in line; frustrated in traffic; disappointed when things don't go according to plan; hurt by other's words; regretful of my past; broken when i'm not as close to Jesus as i should be; Afraid of the unknown ... but it's in those moments that i desperately need Him to whisper softly a reminder that i belong to Him ... a reminder of all the things He has done in my life to shape me and bring me to a point of being one step closer to being like Him—Kind. Compassionate. Loving. Patient. Considerate. Selfless. Humble. Peaceful. Passionate. Strong. Honest. i never want to forget His grace and tender mercy.

Remind me who i am in you when i am:
Weak
Tired
Lonely
Afraid
Disappointed
Angry
Poor
Frustrated
Sad
Lost
Abandoned
Hurt
Broken
Full of regret
Stuck in my past
Addicted 
Stressed 

Dear Lord, when we are overwhelmed by circumstances or emotions, hold our hearts in Your mighty, yet gentle hands and sweetly remind us that we are a beloved child of God ... that your love is enough. Remind us how wide and how deep your love is for us. In our moments of weakness, remind us to be like You. In Jesus name. Amen.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.—Ephesians 3:18

  

The Comforter

This week, my small town was shaken by the abduction of a seven year old little girl that was later found brutally beaten to death after being sexually assaulted.  Our community cries out in anguish as we weep along with the family.  Yesterday after the police arrested a twenty year old man for this horrific crime, our hearts still break for the innocent loss of this precious girl.

I do not personally know this family, but this crime hits too close to home.  As I hug my children a little tighter, I pray fervently for God, our Comforter, to pour out His abundant grace and mercy on this grieving family.

As we wander through our lives, incidents like this remind us just how quickly a life altering tragedy can occur.  We know in our minds that God is in control, but do our hearts fully acknowledge that He is still on the throne even in the midst of heartbreaking loss?  Our challenge is to abide in the Lord knowing that His plans for us are good even in the deepest trials and tribulations.  

As you read this today, please take a moment to pray for the Rivera family as they lay their child to rest and begin the process of the seeking justice.

My prayer:  God, we ask that you pour out exceeding grace on the Rivera family during this season.  Reveal yourself to them mightily.  We know, Father, that you see all things and are in control of every situation, but our heart breaks for such an untimely, senseless death.  Remind us to lift this family up in prayer as the Holy Spirit reminds us.  In Jesus name!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."                                                                         ~Romans 8:28

The Lord's Business

My husband had the opportunity to have a very godly grandmother named Ruby.  She was an absolute treat and spoiled him rotten when he would stay at her house every weekend eating pizza, ice cream, and coke floats  and working puzzles.  Grandmother attended church every Sunday, without fail.  Her faith in God still remains a legacy.

When I was pregnant with our oldest son, Grandmother would call and check on me and when she was finished talking on the phone, she would just hang up.  She always said that she didn’t believe in saying good-bye.  The Lord called Grandmother home when I was about to give birth to my oldest child through a massive heart attack.

Over Thanksgiving, we visited Eric’s aunt and uncle who live in Grandmother’s former house.  As we drove down the street, we noticed that about a quarter of a mile from her house, the landscape was demolished in the recent North Georgia outbreak of tornadoes.  When I mentioned the destruction to Eric’s aunt, she replied, “Like Grandmother used to say, ‘The storm is the Lord’s business.’ We weren’t worried at all.”

I began to ponder this idea of the Lord’s business, God began to prick my heart about all of the things that I worry about that I can’t control or fix.  2 Peter 1:2-4 says,

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

You see, as children of God, we are given the grace and peace to live godly lives because we have a relationship with our Father.  Every detail of our lives is “The Lord’s business.”

Our challenge is to keep our focus on the Lord instead of the troubles and storms of life.  Paul said it wonderfully in 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 when he asked God for a thorn or painful ailment to be removed from his life, 

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  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.”

God’s strength is magnified in us when we are stripped down, out of ideas, fatigued, and totally dependent on Him.  His promise is that His grace is enough and that our storms of life are “The Lord’s business.”

My prayer:   Lord, I confess my sin of worrying over things that I cannot control nor change.  I thank you for the godly legacy and wisdom left by Grandmother Ruby and we know that you are fellowshipping with her in heaven right now.  Holy Spirit, remind me when I am trespassing on the Lord’s business with my ideas of solving God-size storms.  Thank you Jesus for being the perfect example of a man who relied on the Heavenly Father for every situation.  In Jesus name!

 

The Grateful Heart of a Believer

“Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom. 

He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.”

                                                        ~Isaiah 40: 28-31:

This week as I ponder the things in my life that I am truly thankful for I pause and admire the omnipotence of God.  It truly amazes me that our God spoke this world into existence by just simple words.

Our beloved earth sits pleasantly at a specific distance from the sun so that we are neither too hot or cold.  The planet rotates at a certain axis providing our days, nights, and seasons.  We live on a miraculous creation every moment by a God who loves us enough to create us and place us where we are on the earth.  

 “But God made the earth by his power;
He founded the world by His wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain 
and brings out the wind from His storehouses.”

                                                            ~Jeremiah 10:12-13

These verses reveal to us that God not only created the earth and everything in it, but He still sustains and reigns over His creations. 

As believers, when we recognize the power that God has displayed, we are more grateful for the ability to have a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.  After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

                                                            ~Hebrews 1:3

God doesn’t sit passively in heaven, He gave us road maps- the Holy Spirit and His holy word to guide us through life.  God gifted us a way to bridge the gap of sins and selfishness through Jesus.

So often, we struggle like toddlers wrestling free from watchful parents to do life our own way.  When all it takes is one health scare, one job loss, one soured relationship, one thing, to bring us running to the foot of the cross in prayer and petition.

Billy Graham said, “When thanksgiving is filled with true meaning and is not just the formality of a polite ‘thank you,’ it is the recognition of dependence.”

This year as we are naming the things we are most thankful for and treasure the most, let’s lift up a prayer to God revealing the heart of a grateful believer to an omnipotent Father and Creator.

My prayer:  God, I confess to you the sin of trying to live my life the way I see fit.  Thank you for creating this earth and every detail of it.  Thank you for taking such care in sustaining it.  I need you, Father, every minute of every day.  I want my life to be an example of a woman living completely dependent on you, the sustainer of my life.  Thank you Lord for sending us guides in the Holy Spirit and your word.  Thank you, Father, for Jesus who bridges the gap between our sinful nature and eternal life.  Thank you for hearing our prayers.  Let them be a sweet song to your ears.  In Jesus name.

 

 

Giving thanks to God—continually.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.— Hebrews 13:15

Continually. This word is so important in this verse. What does it mean to give thanks to God continually? It means to give thanks whether you are walking through the darkest valley or on cloud nine. 

There are seasons in life that are full of blessings and there are seasons that are cold, dry, and seemingly barren. Regardless of the season, true joy and heartfelt happiness come when you learn to be thankful continually. 

Being grateful can be challenging when the journey through the valley is long, hard, and lonely. But if we practice gratitude continually {daily} then the habit of praising God and being grateful for even the simplest and smallest of blessings carries through the difficult seasons of life. 

Too often, it's easy to only be thankful for the big blessings in life—a new house, new car, a baby, career change, etc.—and we forget that we are far more blessed than most with food on the table, clothes on our back, good health, laughter, and a warm place to call home. 

i love what Max Lucado says about gratitude:

Gratitude, more aware of what you have than what you don’t. Recognizing the treasure in the simple – a child’s hug, fertile soil, a golden sunset. Relishing in the comfort of the common – a warm bed, a hot meal, a clean shirt.—Max Lucado

Being continually thankful is counting daily blessings, big and small, and expressing our gratitude to God through praise and adoration. God just doesn't deserve our praise when things are going well. He deserves our praise as He guides us through our seasons in the valley, not because going through the valley is fun, but because praising Him regardless says that we trust Him during the challenging times in life. 

i truly believe that God's heart melts when He hears two simple words:

Thanks, God, for a warm bed. Thanks, God, for smooth traffic this morning. Thanks, God, for a hearty, healthy breakfast. Thanks, God, for my friends and family. Thanks, God, for listening to my prayers. Thanks, God, for believing in me. Thanks, God, for protecting me. Thanks, God, for shoes on my feet. Thanks, God, for your perfect will for my life. Thanks, God, for your grace and love. Thanks, God, for the simple gift of life today.

Dear God, i don't say thank you near enough .... so thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for all the little ways you bless me daily—may i never forget to be grateful every single day of my life.

Dogged Determination

As I write this blog post, I’ve been nursing a cold for two days in my sweatpants  and alternating between drinking hot tea and cold smoothies.  My voice is gone-I mean that it’s really gone and when I speak I sound like a goose honking which is not very conducive for teaching Kindergarten.  

Yesterday as I was having a bit of a pity party, I began talking to the Lord about my attitude and sickness and I said, “Why now?  Why me?  I really don’t have time for this.”  As I was reading a Christian article, I came across a statement that went something like this, “Christians cannot ask God, ‘Why?’ in hard times if they didn’t ask Him, ‘Why?’ in victorious times.”

You see, I’ve been just plugging away at my life for a long time feeling pretty good about things without giving acknowledging that God is the giver of all good things.  I am not saying that God made me sick; only that maybe He allowed this quiet time for me to reflect on bigger things.

Sometimes I get very complacent when things are going well, but Isaiah 50:7 reminds me of my posture of determination that I am to have, 

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,

I will not be disgraced.

Therefore I have set my face like flint,

and I know I will not be put to shame.”

 I love the image of setting my face like flint.  What a difference it would make if we decided to attack life fearlessly with our faces set like flint!

Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us with our health, jobs, or homes.  Our challenge is to claim the victories of God’s Word with the determination of a confident fighter until the victory becomes reality.  

My Prayer:  God, thank you for allowing me time to reflect on your truths.  I confess to you that complacency is the enemy of victory.  Holy Spirit, remind me to and help me become determined and set my face like flint against life’s challenges.  Jesus, thank you for the example of determination that you showed at the cross.  In Jesus name!

 

 

Directionally Challenged

i have always been directionally challenged for as long as i can remember. Direction is easy to tell first thing in the morn and at night because the sun rises in the East and sets in the west ... but if you ask me what direction i am facing during high noon you're more than likely going to get a blank stare. It's OK, you can poke fun, lol. i fully embrace it. 

Because i am directionally challenged, there's always been a small fear of driving to and from unfamiliar places. The first thing i always think about is what if i get lost. Then, what if i can't find my way home. There's fear in those two things .... enough fear to not take the risk in venturing outside of my comfort zone. Because, to me, there aren't many things worse than being in an unfamiliar place and not knowing how to get home. (Should have asked for a Garmin or something like for Christmas years ago, i know ...)

i recently got a new phone that has a navigation app on it. Oh.Em.Gee. Amazing (Hey, it's the little things in life)! Now that i have this (free) app, i have no fear about driving to unfamiliar places. Why? Because it tells me when and where to turn at exactly the right time—never to early and never too late. It helps me get right to my destination as quickly and safely as possibly. And, if i make a wrong turn or choose to take a different route, the navigation keeps up with me and helps me re-route. 

While thinking about how great is is to have such a useful tool on my phone, it made me think about how God desires to navigate me through the many winding roads of life. If i ask, He's willing and able to give us the quickest, shortest route to where we need to go while telling us each turn to make—if we pray and ask Him. 

And, i think the thing that i love most about God being the navigator of my life is that when i decide to take a different route than what He has mapped out, He gets me back on course. With Him, there's no chance of getting lost and there's no fear about traveling to unfamiliar places. 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.—Psalm 32:8

i've been places in my life where i have followed God's navigation near perfectly, and there have been times when i've turned off the navigation thinking that i knew better. i am pretty sure you can guess which of those two things left me lost and afraid and which left me arriving safely at my destination without many u-turns.  

God provides many tools to help us navigate through life as safely and joyfully as possible. He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us and He gives us His Word—a voice navigation and written directions. i don't know about you, but i don't utilize these free tools to the extent that i should. Who better to help us navigate life than the One who created us? We often choose to let others tell us what job to take, where to move, whether or not to have surgery, etc ... but only God knows where we've been and where we're going. He has a perfect plan for our lives—sometimes the road is lonely and bumpy, but it's beautiful. And i believe it has the least amount of bumps, winding roads, u-turns, stoplights, and road rage (lol). This is the path He longs to navigate us through.

Every morning we wake up, we essentially start down a path for the day. We can choose to say first thing: God, i don't know what today's path holds—how many turns i will have to make, how many stoplights will slow me down, how many angry drivers will cut me off, if i will run out of gas, or if i will follow signs that i know i shouldn't be following. But i choose Your path because you know the destination—and i know You know the best way to get there safely. Please be my navigator and when i take a turn based on my selfish desire or to try to get somewhere faster, help me to get back on track as quickly as possible and to be obedient to Your voice alone. i trust You will guide my every turn and make my path beautiful because You love me.

A Done Deal

This week my focus during prayer time has been on renewal of my spirit and the rejuvenation that comes from spending time with the Lord.  As a mom, wife, and teacher, I find myself stretched too thin with commitments and responsibilities.  I know that in order to keep my body healthy, I must eat fruits and vegetables along with exercise.  I also realize that in order to to keep my spirit healthy, it is crucial that I bathe in the peaceful river of the Holy Spirit.

During this time of reflection with God, I realize how often I try to win the affections of the Lord instead of receiving them because they already exist.  I strive to be a “perfect daughter” instead of gracefully donning the jewels of a princess of the Heavenly King.

You see, friends, when Jesus took our place on the cross, the deal was done-the victory secured.  The gap that existed between us and a Holy God vanished in one grace filled act of selflessness.  As I pondered this idea, I went back and read Matthew 27:50-55 which says,

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook and the rocks split.  The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.  They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God.’”

I heard a statement this weekend regarding this scene and it was similar to this, “God treated Christ as if he lived our lives and treats us as if we have lived the life of Christ.”  

What a profound statement as we seek to turn our thoughts around to be that of a forgiven, adored child instead of someone who must earn the riches of the kingdom and gain the love of the Father!  Our challenge is as simple as that-a reversal in our thoughts.  We are loved dearly by God and instead of striving to be perfect, we need to exude confidence in our positions in the kingdom.  The deal is done-death is overcome and the victory is secure!

My prayer for us is Hebrews 13:20-21:

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

 

Who's Driving?

The other day I saw a bumper sticker that said, “If God is your copilot, change seats!”  It made me laugh because it seems like more than ever, people need to feel like they have control over their lives.  The fact is that nobody has control over even the next breath they take, except the Lord.

Mark 4:21-22 says,

“He (Jesus) said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?  Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?  For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.”

In other words, Christians are supposed to live out our testimonies in our every day routines.  We are called to conduct our daily business in ways that reflect our Father.  We will never be perfect, but we will be known by our character and love which will reveal to others that we are not in control, but a Holy God is driving our lives.

One of my weaknesses is that I like to be in charge of everything.  I like to organize and direct every single area of my life.  Therefore my challenge is an attitude of daily surrender to Jesus recognizing His authority over every area of my heart.

As a teacher, I love to see that my students are growing spiritually and are academically successful.  As a mom, I desire to observe that my kids are making wise choices and maturing as Christians.  As a woman of God, I want to make an impact on people who I work with and live by.  

The fact remains that I can only be a lamp stand-a simple prop for the Holy Character of God.  I cannot “save” one person, only live a life that reflects my God.  My job as a Christian is to simply point others to Jesus.

My Prayer:  God, thank you for being in control of my life and caring for me so deeply.  I pray that I would honor you by revealing your sweet character to those around me.  The cry of my heart is surrender to you and your will for my life.  Holy Spirit, remind me that I am not in control, but that you are interceding on my behalf.  In Jesus Name!

 

"Surrendering to Christ is like signing your name to a blank check and letting the Lord put in the amount."

                                                                                                                ~Billy Graham 

 

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A quest to find myself again

Twelve days ago, I left Cincinnati to find rest and to unwind from the strict routine my life has been stuck in. In this quest, I secretly hoped to find myself again—the person that was found everywhere but in herself. What I slowly realized is that I didn’t know how much of myself I really lost until I left Cincinnati and really took some time to focus on what was going on inside my heart.

Stepping outside of my world and looking in at everything that has been happening has been both an eye-opener and a full emotional release. What I have found is that I’ve let too many people shape who I am and control who I am becoming. It is clear that I haven’t been true to myself and somewhere along the way I ended up here. A tad lost and bit afraid. Where is my life headed?

Even though I feel a bit displaced and so uncertain about things to come, I see opportunity for a new beginning and a chance to uncover my buried heart, preparing for the love and life that I am about to experience—and this is enough to power through the loose ends that need tied up here. I thank God for His grace, perfect will, and perfect timing.

God really spoke to my heart the last several days in so many ways. I left Cincinnati not really caring if I ever came back, but I left the South with a heartache that physically made my heart hurt. It was like a whisper from God that said, home is where you heart is, and you’re not there yet.

This time away from Cincinnati was just what God ordered. It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed so hard my belly hurt, spent time with old friends and made some new ones, made peace with some things in my past, and found a little bit of myself. Words cannot express the joy I felt in the last 12 days, but I am hanging on to every memory as I look forward to more days like these. 

Things are changing in my life so fast. The divorce should be final by the end of the year and I just don’t have the slightest clue of what lies ahead. I’m flooded with emotion as I try to keep up and keep my focus on God, the only One who can steer my life in the right direction. And while I feel every emotion under the sun, the thing I continue to seek wholeheartedly is hope. Hope for a fresh start. Hope for finding a purpose. Hope for dreams come true. Hope for being the woman God created me to be. Hope for living a life that fears nothing but the Lord my God. 

Emerging from the valley with a purpose

For a long while, i desperately attempted to find out how God would use the storm in my life for good. i was so knee deep in muck that good seemed lightyears away. But, Hope made it possible to believe that God would use this pain, heartache, and life struggle for good—even though i didn't understand how or when.

As i look to the sky these days, i see the clouds parting, revealing brilliant blue skies. i feel the warmth of the sun. The pounding rain has been reduced to a light refreshing rain. And, in the distance, i see a beautiful, vibrant rainbow and am reminded of God's promises. While this season brings many mixed emotions, i am finding balance, joy, and deep love in the Lord. This makes me realize that this is just one of the many reasons He allows us to travel through the darkest valleys—to draw us closer to Him as He molds us into the person He created us to be. 

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. —Isaiah 64:8

i am seeing how He has taken my life and molded it into something that He could use for the greater good. He took every tear and increased my compassion for others. He took all my pain and replaced it with empathy. He showered me with grace and mercy so that i could shower others with grace and mercy. He overpowered my weakness with His strength so that i could help others be strong. He allowed the core of me to be broken so that i could experience His healing hands. He took my passion and aligned it with His will. He did not waste any detail of my life—especially the details experienced in the valley.

During my journey, God revealed to me a great need for emotional healing in not only myself but in others. God has opened a door for me to help others through emotional healing that is based on biblical truths—to help people let go of the past and move forward in forgiveness, joy, peace, and love to live the life that God has called them to. This little side job allows me to play a small part in the way God heals the mind, body, spirit and i'm extremely excited and passionate about this new journey of being outwardly focused.

My very first client was one who shared a very similar story to mine—a simple reminder from God that this is what He is calling me to do and that He has equipped me for a purpose greater than what i can imagine.

i look back on all the things i had to go through for God to bring me to a place where i could help others. The potter had to do a lot of reworking of the clay. That reshaping was not fun for me, but i am loving the work that He is creating and i can see his artistry in it. i've still got cracks and chips, but i'm learning to find the beauty in not being perfect—and to appreciate the entire journey that caused those imperfections. Sometimes we don't see the beauty in our flaws, but God does.

If you're wondering what good can come of your pain, put your trust in the Lord alone. i guarantee He will turn it into something beautiful. 

Scripture to memorize: Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. —Isaiah 64:8

 

Are We There Yet?

When my family takes a road trip, my husband and I hear a question from our kids, “Are we there yet?”  I can relate to this question in reference to God’s will for my life.  “God, am I there yet?  Have I reached the center of your perfect plan for my life?”

This weekend, I heard a pastor preach about people searching for the will of God or God’s path for a person’s life.  He said that people often come to him and say, “I don’t even know what to pray about,” so he prays the scripture from Revelation 3:7 which says,

“What He (God) opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”

What an amazing way to look at God’s power!  When we diligently seek the Lord and his plan for our lives, we should be comfortable in asking for such a bold confirmation as this verse.

James 1:5 says,

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

This verse promises me that when I need help with my path, God stands ready to offer me wisdom and guidance.

God is in control, even in the midst of life’s storms.  Stormie O’Martian wrote in her book called, Praying God’s Will for your Life, “When you walk closely with God and live in obedience to His ways, you can trust that you are in the center of His will, no matter what the circumstances are around you.”  

O’Martian further writes, “The center of God’s will is not a destination; it’s the process itself.  God’s will is a place we choose to live every day as we seek intimate relationship with the Lord, lay a solid foundation in Him, and learn to walk in His way.”

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33-34 of how we should seek God’s plan for our lives when He says, 

“But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

As Christians, our challenge lies in trusting that when we seek the Father, we will find Him and we will know the paths He desires for us to take.  There will probably never be a moment when we are “there yet” until we get to heaven but we can be sure that finding God’s love and treasures along the way are part of our journey.

My Prayer:  God, remind me when I am anxious about your plan that you will reveal exactly what I need to know when I need to know it.  I choose to seek you first every day and trust your plan for me is good.  I lay my worries at the foot of the cross.  Holy Spirit, thank you for being my guide here on earth.  Thank you for the gentle reminder that your will is a journey, not a destination.  In Jesus Name!

Opening the Box of Blessings

There are times in my spiritual life that I fall into a routine with God: seasons where I read my devotions and pray small, regular, bland prayers.  It’s like I frequently put God in a box where my petitions are safe and my prayers are assuredly answered in my favor. 

However, lately, I sense that the Lord is calling me to pray bigger, bolder, more daring intercessions about His will for my life.  James 4:2 says,

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.” 

How often are we limiting ourselves because we simply don’t ask for the favor of our Heavenly Father?  

Being a mother of two children, I want to give good, healthy blessings to my children especially if they are asking for great choices in situations that I can control.  Our Heavenly Father loves us so much more than the depth of love a mother can feel for her own children!  God desires for us to sit at His feet in holy communion with Him and ask for the desires of our hearts.

Another important passage that demonstrates this principle is 2 Corinthians 9:6 which says,

“Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”  

This scripture is often used in reference to tithing, but let’s realign this idea into prayer and petitions.  According to this verse, if we sow fellowship with God generously, we are going to generously reap in blessings from a closer relationship with the Lord.  We will live each day assured that we have spoken with our God; we are filled with the Holy Spirit and seeking His perfect will for our lives.  Life just doesn’t get any better than that!

Our challenge lies in opening the lid to the box that we have idealized our God to live in.  Let’s choose to believe the Bible which tells us what a powerful and mighty God we serve.  Lastly, let’s pray brazenly while seeking God’s path for our lives.

My Prayer:  Oh God, I confess my sin in believing you for so little!  I choose to trust you with every area of my life.  Holy Spirit, remind me to pray for my dreams that fall into your perfect plan for me.  Thank you for pouring out blessings on your children.  

Scipture to memorize today:

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

                                                                                                ~James 5:16

wisdom

Lately, i have been a little (little maybe being an understatement) weighted down. But particularly, something someone said to me was bothering me.

Most people that i've shared my story with and who know all the details have been 100% behind me, because they know how to pray specifically and because all the pieces to the puzzle make sense when looked at as a whole picture. i was told by someone, who chose not to get all the information that because they had decades of theological training and experience that my story didn't make sense, that it didn't line up with biblical truth (remind you, that they don't know all the details), and that the Lord couldn't possible reveal things to me and not them.

i felt so small and unimportant and it made me question whether God did reveal things to me, as Luke's wife. i was made to feel that because i didn't study textbooks and lots of theological studies and go to school to learn about the Bible, and because i've not been a Christian for a really long time that God couldn't possibly speak wisdom to my heart.

i have to tell you that it took me months and quite possible a couple years to make my heart pure before God so that He would speak to me and reveal things to me. But, mostly, i had to humble myself before the Lord, telling Him that whatever He told me i would believe because it came from Him—whether i wanted to hear it or not.

So, when my story was unbelieved and when i offered to share the whole story (details and all), they chose not to hear it or meet with me. They chose to be in the dark. This troubled me because i wanted to share what the Lord told me—not for my sake, but for LUKE's healing.

i prayed last night for God to heal this hurt in my soul, to reveal to me that what He showed me is true through His Word. Often times i don't know where to turn in the Bible when so much is on my mind, so i just sat there quietly and waited upon the Lord to bring scripture to my mind. And, eventually God brought me to Job 28.

Job 28

Job Tells of Earth’s Treasures

 ¹ “Surely there is a ^[a]mine for silver
And a place ^[b]where they refine gold.
² “Iron is taken from the dust,
And copper is smelted from rock.
³ “Man puts an end to darkness,
And ^(A)to the farthest limit he searches out
The rock in gloom and deep shadow.
⁴ “He ^[c]sinks a shaft far from ^[d]habitation,
Forgotten by the foot;
They hang and swing to and fro far from men.
⁵ “The earth, from it comes food,
And underneath it is turned up as fire.
⁶ “Its rocks are the ^[e]source of sapphires,
And its dust contains gold.
⁷ “The path no bird of prey knows,
Nor has the falcon’s eye caught sight of it.
⁸ “The ^[f]proud beasts have not trodden it,
Nor has the fierce lion passed over it.
⁹ “He puts his hand on the flint;
He overturns the mountains at the ^[g]base.
¹⁰ “He hews out channels through the rocks,
And his eye sees anything precious.
¹¹ “He dams up the streams from ^[h]flowing,
And what is hidden he brings out to the light.

The Search for Wisdom Is Harder

 ¹² “But ^(B)where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
¹³ “^(C)Man does not know its value,
Nor is it found in the land of the living.
¹⁴ “The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
¹⁵ “^(D)Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it,
Nor can silver be weighed as its price.
¹⁶ “It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx, or sapphire.
¹⁷ “^(E)Gold or glass cannot equal it,
Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold.
¹⁸ “Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned;
And the acquisition of ^(F)wisdom is above that of pearls.
¹⁹ “The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
Nor can it be valued in ^(G)pure gold.
²⁰ “^(H)Where then does wisdom come from?
And where is the place of understanding?
²¹ “Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living
And concealed from the birds of the sky.
²² “^[i](I)Abaddon and Death say,
‘With our ears we have heard a report of it.’

 ²³ “^(J)God understands its way,
And He knows its place.
²⁴ “For He ^(K)looks to the ends of the earth
And sees everything under the heavens.
²⁵ “When He imparted ^(L)weight to the wind
And ^(M)meted out the waters by measure,
²⁶ When He set a ^(N)limit for the rain
And a course for the ^(O)thunderbolt,
²⁷ Then He saw it and declared it;
He established it and also searched it out.
²⁸ “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the ^(P)fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
And to depart from evil is understanding.’”

i tell you, i was so blessed by the Lord last night - that He would heal the hurt i felt. He led me to the exact Words i needed to hear. He reassured me that wisdom doesn't come from books and years of theological experience, it comes from knowing Him and seeking Him with a pure heart. i was so simply reminded that God does speak to those and give wisdom to those who ask.

i love what my study Bible says about these verses:
The wisdom of God is not gained by natural or theoretical knowledge. What God does not reveal, we can't know.

So, what He does reveal, we can know. Typically i just post an encouraging song on Wednesdays, but i felt this was so important to share because sometimes Christians put other Christians down because they don't know the Bible in and out or because they don't have years of theological studies under them, so they assume that God won't give us the type of wisdom and understanding that He might give those who study the Bible for years.

If you fear the Lord and seek Him with a pure heart and in TRUTH, He will reveal things to you and give you wisdom. God speaking to your heart trumps natural or theoretical knowledge.

Thank you Lord for comforting me and reassuring me that the wisdom you've given me is indeed true—i know i've sought it with passion and a pure heart.

On The Edge

 
After years of hearing preachers use the Old Testament example of being on the mountain top as being in a place where we are close to God, the Spirit reminds me that those men were honoring God the only way they knew how, by adhering to the law. They knew nothing of being able to spiritually leave that mountaintop and fly, to have freedom in Christ thru salvation. I am sure they wished they could. What happens when you get to the mountaintop, and like those men, have to go back down again? Returning to the spiritual Valley of Hardship every time was a frightening way to look at being a Christian to me. 

 The picture was one of going up to the mountain, to find God who just gave you a lot of laws about how to live, that you couldn’t live up to. Then with that burden, you return to all the pain and suffering in the valley, to try to do what you couldn’t before. No help from God on that trip.  Some of the greatest pastors I know have spoken of being on the edge with God. Yet never once did they admonish me to fly.  It was only when I discovered that, when I get to the mountain, and commune with God, what He really wants is to take me to the edge and become the “wind beneath my wings.”  It is often in our deepest darkest hours that the Spirit himself teaches us how he lifts us from the depths. Spread your wings, and mount up upon what you cannot see. Use the tool of FAITH . Make the decision to fly and do it. 

Ever felt like God had dragged you kicking and screaming to “the edge” where you knew you couldn’t face another step? You were certain that if you didn’t back away, God would push you over the edge? Next time, say: “OK God, teach me to fly.”  Fledgling birds start from up high and are drawn or pushed from the safety of the nest, sometimes off the edge of a cliff.  I have seen them tumble and hit rocks or other hard surfaces if they haven’t spread their wings properly.  Once I saw a falcon bounce his way down ‘til we were afraid it might have been fatally bruised and feared it would die. But three days later, he leapt from the perch where he had remained while he healed, possibly until hungry enough to try again. This time with wings spread WIDE it soared out over water, dropping all the while until with a tilt of one wing his angle changed and up he went back toward the safety of the ledge, where the father falcon dropped him food. He made fledgling flights for several days before it became difficult to find him, because he learned to fly and land anywhere he pleased.  Learning to fly with the Spirit is a dangerous act. You have to face your darkest fears, and you will often have experienced the greatest spiritual falls of your life just previous to and while going off the edge.  The sooner you spread your wings the better.

While the falcon was at lower heights one day, I was positioning my camera to film his activities, and became so amused that he was exchanging glances with pigeons sitting on the same perch, that I forgot to press the button to start filming.  A pigeon actually looked back over his shoulder at the falcon, sitting beside him, and did a double take before putting some space between himself and the predator. The falcon appeared to be more curious than hungry, and I fully believe he was unaware that he was sitting beside the very bird species that would soon become his regular source for dinner.  This one pigeon on the other hand was very aware what he was.  It was only when I reached to review my footage that I realized I hadn’t caught it on tape.  But it stays in my mind as a reminder, that when you can’t fly you are in a place where you find food and gain strength for the journey.  And possibly learn more about what your spiritual food source actually is. If we are sitting “smack dab” in the middle of our food and don’t know to eat it, we will remain spiritually hungry. LOL 

 Our Loving Father pushes us off the edge to depend on the Spirit, which gives freedom from the earthly bonds, and if we wait upon the Lord, we are renewed in our faith. We better be ready to spread our wings out flat and catch that wind. Then, we are able to mount up with wings as Eagles and by learning to trust in it, to walk and not faint…. 

I know I recently posted about flying like the eagle, but I think it is a two-part message. We so concentrate on the soaring part that we my not realize that it is from the edge that we learn to fly.  But while learning, there may be a tumble and a time for food and healing before we actually get to the heights. Or - that we must go to this place between flights.

I do so wish I had the video of that pigeon looking over his shoulder at that falcon ---looking back in my direction---- and then jerking his head back so fast to look at the falcon. He wanted to see if he really saw what he thought he saw, sitting right behind him!!!! You would soooo laugh.  Why there’s a whole story of how the devourer can show up and just sit on our perch, without us knowing, until he is ready to eat us up, in that story.  Well, maybe another day.  LOL

Why would God push us off the edge?  Why does He allow these excruciating experiences in our life that leave us feeling alone and isolated, bruised and afraid to attempt to ride on faith again? It is because when we learn to fly, we escape the bonds of earthly things, and learn that being free is to be a little closer to His world.  In His world, you have no attachments to this world. One day when we are totally free from this world we will "fly" to where He is. But it is about the ease of living in spiritual freedom. Not a world of being bound to things we have to do to please God. 

Lori recently reminded us that Christ said to take his yoke because it was easy and light.  That verse grounds the concept. There is a yoke, but not a bondage. There’s a difference. We are linked to and dependant upon God. Yes we can fly anywhere, but it is not in our best interest to go sit among the pigeons, nor is it wise to dive into the water if you are a falcon and not an eagle, nor should we think we can stay aloft with the clouds forever without coming closer to earth for food and shelter.  We must not fly in the storm. Freedom has its boundaries. Flying must be learned in tandem to God.

 Eagles gather when possible at night, to find shelter close to one another. They fly from the roosts at about 7:00 am to go hunting breakfast, but they usually fly off the roost one to three at a time and go separate directions. Raptors generally don’t fly to heights until well after dawn when the atmosphere warms and the thermals rise. If we fly where the Lord does not offer the support and guidance, without food, rest, fellowship, and support, we will just be flapping our wings.  We go it alone with His help every day, if we are well equipped for the journey. But, if I am acting like a vulture, smelling like a vulture, eating like a vulture, I can’t gather with the Eagles at night.  

“When I said: My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.”           Psalms 94:18

 Read carefully the full context of this verse in three versions.  Vss 11 – 22. Vs. 13 says God gives rest from adversity; vs. 22 says God is our rock of refuge.  These allude to being at a place of learning…a place where God is drawing the writer to the edge where he has not yet “learned to fly.” Or a place to which he returns for the wisdom and strength the Lord has waiting. Vs. 21 is a foreshadowing of Christ in his darkest hour. Can you see the writer of this Psalm longing for something, for escape from the vulture life?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2094:12%20-%2022&version=NKJV;NLT;TNIV 

Thank you, O' Lord for your merciful freedom, that once it is learned, one never wants to go back and live only under the law.  Yet thank you for the instruction and definition the law gives, to help me remember what kind of bird I am.  Thank you for the rock, the perch to which I return, never again afraid of my darkest hours, knowing that when the morning comes, I can fly. Thank you for its place of refuge, food and fellowship, from which to view the big picture. And thank you for always being my tandem partner. Give this blessing to someone who needs it Lord. Teach someone to fly. AMEN

 

Escaping the Slime

I remember watching a Nickelodeon show with my kids when they were younger where unsuspecting contestants had a bucket of green slime dropped on their heads.  They would duck but not be able to avoid the lime green pasty yuck that covered their bodies.  I really think life can be just like that sometimes.  We can be rolling along and get pummeled by the slime of life.  There are times when the slime just keeps pouring onto us for months or even years.

As I was pondering several slimy events going on in my life right now, the Lord led me to Psalm 40:1-3:

"I waited patiently for the Lord:

he turned to me and heard my cry.

 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

 out of the mud and mire;

 he set my feet on a rock

 and gave me a firm place to stand.

 He put a new song in my mouth,

 a hymn of praise to our God.

 Many will see and fear

 and put their trust in the Lord."

Beth Moore often says, “The way up in God’s economy, is down (on our faces before the Lord).”  There’s no better time to humble ourselves before God than when we are facing difficult circumstances.  I think that God uses our earthly trials to draw us to himself-a time of undivided attention.  

As we examine Psalm 40, let’s not miss the important promises there.  First, God hears our prayers.  He may answer them in His way and in His timing, but God hears His children.  Second, He provides rescue to His people.  In the midst of every trial, God offers a place of complete peace at the foot of the cross.  Third, the Lord renews our hearts and redeems our testimonies using every moment for His glory.  Billy Graham said, “The most remarkable thing about suffering is that God can use it for our good.”

My Prayer:  God, I thank you for providing a glimpse of victory through Psalm 40.  I choose to wait patiently for you until you lift me out of the slimy situations that life throws my way.  Change my heart, Lord, and give me a hymn of praise so that many others will know more of you from my testimony.  In Jesus name!

Scripture to tuck into your heart:

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

                                                                                ~James 4:10

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

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"Just Enough Light"

Stormie Omartian wrote a book called, Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On, and I have to admit that I bought it merely for the message in the title.  You see, I’m the type of person that likes to make an educated decision based on all the facts and research that I can come up with which is great unless we are talking about waiting on the Lord.  

Sometimes God doesn’t give us all the information during our journeys so that we will trust in His character, His will, His provisions, but most of all, His love for us.  Stormie says, “The path is not a punishment; it’s a privilege.  It’s not a restriction; it’s a reward.”

Stormie opens her book with this poem called, “Just Enough Light.”

“Sometimes only the step I’m on,

or the very next one ahead,

is all that is illuminated for me.

God gives just the amount of light I need

for the exact moment I need it.

At those times I walk in surrender to faith,

unable to see the future

and not fully comprehending the past.

And because it is God who has given me

what light I have,

I know I must reject the fear and 

doubt that threaten to overtake me.

I must determine to be content where

I am, and allow God to get me where I

need to go.

I walk forward,

one step at a time,

fully trusting that

the light God sheds

is absolutely sufficient."

Walking with God doesn’t mean that we have the answers to every situation in our life, it only means that we are praying our way through on a daily or even hourly basis while trusting that the Lord has our best interest in mind.  

Billy Graham said, “Pray for wisdom to deal with whatever is worrying you.  Pray that God will act to change the circumstances according to His will.  He doesn’t always do what we want Him to-but He knows what’s best for us, and He can be trusted.”

Our challenge today is to lay our circumstances at the foot of the cross and allow God to envelope us with His sweet love and peace.  Let’s allow this old hymn written by John Sammis in the late 1800’s be the cry of our hearts,

“When we walk with the Lord

in the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

 

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still

and with all who will trust and obey

 

Trust and obey for there’s no other way

to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey”

 

My Prayer:  Lord, thank you for being a loving Father and looking out for me.  Give me courage to continue when I don’t have all the pieces to my life’s puzzle.  Holy Spirit, remind me to trust and obey when I’m scared.  I choose to lay my worries at the foot of the cross.  Thank you Jesus for bearing the burden of my sins.  In Jesus name!

 

Scripture to memorize:

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul."

~Psalm 143:8

 

Watching the Clouds Roll By

Have you ever rested on a blanket on a beautiful day and watched the clouds roll by?  Today I was discussing some issues with a very wise person in my life.  I told her that I was frustrated with myself for getting anxious when life is too demanding.  She introduced me to a new way of viewing stress in our lives by knowing that, like clouds pass on by, seasons of anxiety will blow by and it’s our job to remain in the peace of the Spirit until they pass.

What an amazing idea!  Too often we allow ourselves to become blown around by the dark clouds instead of peacefully lying on the blankets of grace laid out by our Heavenly Father. If we rest in the God’s faithfulness when our lives become too much, the stressful season will pass according to the Lord’s will. 

Jesus explains this point in Matthew 11:28-30 when He says,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

 Romans 5:3-5 says,

“We also rejoice in our sufferings; because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hears by the Holy Spirit, who he has given us.”

Billy Graham said, “Only the Holy Spirit can give us peace in the midst of the storms of restlessness and despair.  We should not grieve our Guide by indulging in worry or paying undue attention to self.”

Certainly some storms are stronger and last longer than others, but if we focus on the grace that a relationship with God affords, we will endure these times with a peace that surpasses understanding.  It’s much easier said than done.  It takes perseverance in attitude and a constant renewing of the heart and mind, but this endurance in hardship secures our emotional victory.

My Prayer:  God, thank you for words that inspire me to look at things a new way.  I choose to rest in the comfort of your Holy Spirit today and ask you to pour your peace around me as I watch stressful seasons blow by like the clouds.  Remind me to pay attention during hard times so that I may minister to others later.  I praise you for providing the hope that comes from running the race with perseverance.  Thank you Jesus, for being the perfect example of finishing well.  In Jesus’ Name!

 

 

Under His Wings

Psalm 91

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." (NLT)

 

Christy has asked me to share this Psalm with you this morning. It has been her foundation verse for sometime now, and is the basis for the blog.  In her greatest times of need, it reminds her there is always a loving God who keeps us safely in his care.

She asked me to share with you that she is going through a difficult time right now and can use your supportive prayers. She shared with me that the trials of life only strengthen her resolve, because she knows from where her strength and guidance come.  Please lift her up, and continue to pray for Luke, and ask that as she follows the path God has them on, that she is protected in every way from doing anything but the will of our Savoir.

My Prayer for Christy and Luke is:

God Bless you both, and may He grant you, healing and strength, guidance and protection, love and joy.  Amen