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!

When life circumstances are a burden too heavy to carry—pray!

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.—Luke 22:42-44

i read these verses the other day and i haven't been able to stop thinking about them since. The courage, heart, emotion, and strength of Jesus to be able to say these words—wow— i can't even begin to tell you how much they encourage me. Jesus submits completely to the Father. When Jesus is tired and overcome with emotion, God sends an angel to strengthen Him. And, even though the pain seemed too much to bear, making it easy to want to give up, He didn't stop praying. Scripture tells us that he prayed more earnestly, knowing deep down that God had a beautiful plan for His life. 

We can learn so much from Jesus in just these couple verses. 
• When we submit to God's will the outcome is always good, even though parts of our journey are difficult.
• God knows when the load we are carrying is too heavy to carry alone. He sends Jesus and angels to lighten the burden.
• Even though life gets difficult and it's easy to throw in the towel, God wants us to persevere, He helps us move through the dark valley. It may seem like prayers are not being answered, but now is not the time to stop praying. We must pray our way all the way through the valley. And every day we might need to pray a little harder than the day before. But, rest assured, the Lord answers prayers! We have to trust Him and wait patiently for Him.

Don't give up, don't ever give up. The Lord has so many beautiful plans for your life. Pray harder and rest in His arms—it's safe there.

Jesus, thank you for allowing us to read about one of your most vulnerable life moments. We find ourselves in these situations often, but it's hard to see a way out. You show us a way out, though. We can be encouraged by your courage, strength, and your heart to serve the Father.  This scripture is a reminder that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

Jesus Heals

i spent several years wondering why God allows people to suffer through years of sickness instead of healing them. We know Jesus can heal - there are many, many examples of this throughout the Bible. In the book of John, we get a glimpse, in the story of the man who was blind from birth, of why God allows some people to suffer.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. —John 9:1-3

For God's glory, that's why some people are selected to suffer. Years of pain, decades of a severe illness, all for the glory of God. 

Verse 6 says, ⁶ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.—John 9:6

Even if for the glory of God, it still doesn't make being sick easier. It doesn't make the job of a caregiver easier. But these verses do provide hope that one day Jesus will touch the sick and bring healing to a tired body - even if it means healing comes from being taken from this earth. 

What i learned from being a caregiver for several years is that God teaches us to be content and full of hope for healing as He uses our trials to reveal Himself. i learned that i can take a sick person to every doctor, clinic, healer known to mankind, but the sick do not get better until God's will is done. 

i think that the most important thing i learned was to rely on God for healing. There is none more powerful than God alone. 

If you or a loved one is like the man who was blind since birth, these scripture verses provide hope for healing. When you've been told that there's nothing that can be done to make you better, reach up to Jesus and hold on. His will for your life is perfect and true healing comes from the Lord.

Lord, i pray for healing for all those who are sick and see no hope. I pray they rest in sweetly in Your arms. Lord, reveal to them what would heal them, be it spiritual, emotional, or physical healing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

My First Motorcycle Ride (and what it taught me about faith)

All this beautiful weather we've been having has had people out and about doing lots of spring-like activities including gardening, spring cleaning, and getting out the motorcycle for warm-riding days. 

I had my first motorcycle ride about a month ago. Excited AND nervous, i got a few lessons before riding:

1. Do not get on the bike until driver confirms they are ready.

2. Wear a helmet. Anticipating an accident isn't necessary, but being prepared for one is good.

3. Don't mess with the driver while operating the bike. Doing so can distract the driver.

4. Relax and move with the bike during turns. Being too tense is not good for the rider or the driver.

5. TRUST the driver. You can't really see what's in front of you while sitting on the back of a bike, so holding on and trusting that you're in good hands is important for enjoying the ride.

Following ALL of these tips lead to the best and most enjoyable ride. When i thought about this a little more, i realized that my faith and my ride through life is much like my motorcycle ride.

A Call To Action

Exodus 12 tells us the specifics of the Passover.  The name of this Jewish celebration came from the fact that God promised that when he saw the blood, he would not allow the destroyer to come into their homes and take the lives of the firstborn, as occurred in the houses where the blood was not applied.

...When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus 12:12

The text says in the last verse that all of the Israelites did as they were instructed. It indicates that, not a single home in Egypt was unaffected, indicating that none of them were covered by the blood. Even to those held captive in the Egyptian dungeons.  To me the miracle of that night was not that the firstborn of the Israelite families escaped if God saw the blood, but that the Israelites came together as a nation of people to all do the same thing.  They were instructed to participate in a specific action, and they apparently did. They all believed.  They all placed the blood on their doors. (verse 50.)

I don’t think they were concerned about this being a picture of the Savoir of future generations dying on a cross. They were concerned that God would kill their firstborn.  Now it is sometimes forgotten that this would not only mean the children, but many of the adults were also the first born in their families.  My husband and I are both firstborn children, so I often think what an impact it would have on some families to lose not just one child, but possibly parents, and grandparents. 

The Egyptians were given 10 incentives to allow the people of Israel to go.  God is willing to give a number of opportunities for people to act on his direction. But there does come a time when there are no more opportunities.

The one thing the Lord wants me to share from these verses, today, is that there is a call to action in order to receive the blessings of the Lord.  It was possible to believe that the God of Israel was the one true God, and not place the blood on the door as specified, and reap the great losses of that decision to ignore the call to action.  There is also a time for action.  These things are true of God’s call to Salvation as well.

The blood applied leads to open doors.

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 

 

Hanging on to His promises

Behold the unpillared arch of heaven; see how it stretches its gigantic span; and yet it falleth not, though it is unpropped and unbuttressed. "He hangeth the world upon nothing." What chain is it that bindeth up the stars, and keepeth them from falling? A Christian should be a second exhibition of God's universe; his faith should be an unpillared confidence, resting on the past, and on the eternity to come, as the sure groundwork of its arch. His faith should be like the world, it should hang on nothing but the promise of God, needing nothing to uphold him but the right hand of his Father. —March 5, Daily Help, Charles Spurgeon

i read this and just sat in thought for a few minutes on that last sentence:

 His faith should be like the world, it should hang on nothing but the promise of God, needing nothing to uphold him but the right hand of his Father. 

i don't know about you, but i long for faith like that! Can you imagine what a joyful life we'd have  - hanging on nothing but the promises of God. The thing is, the Bible is so full of promises, but for some reason we doubt that God is faithful. But, He really, truly is! When we believe what He says in His Word, and we believe that He is faithful to keep His promises God moves in big ways. This is when miracles happen. Somewhere along the way, though, we stopped believing in promises. We stopped believing in miracles. Doubt and fear take over and instead of hanging on to His promises, we hold on to the world's promises - and they always fail us.

In order to hang on to His promises, we have to know them - that requires us to read His Word. Daily. i am guilty of some days being too busy, or too tired ... but i also know that i can't hold onto something that i don't know exists. On the flip-side, if i know His promises and claim them every day, i believe without a doubt that God will move in bigger ways than i could ever imagine. 

Dear Heavenly Father, please, please, give me more faith than just the size of a mustard seed. i truly desire to only hold onto your promises. i want faith just like what's described above!  In Jesus name.

Life Application: Forget About Fear!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6

Fear lurks around every corner waiting to take its hold ... of our faith, dreams, hope, peace and joy. It is a thief of all good blessings given to us. We have two choices:

1. We can let it be crippling, walking in fear of the unknown or

2. We can claim the scripture above believing with our whole heart that God goes before us and with us. He says, DO NOT be afraid because He will never leave us. How awesome that we can put one foot in front of the other without fear of anything! How abundant a life of faith, dreams, hope, peace and joy we could live daily if only we'd hold tight to His promise! All we have to do is focus completely on Him, walking heel to toe. 

Why do we fear? It's the enemy at work- He comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) - Oh but His purpose is to gives a rich and satisfying life. Walk in the light today, repeating this scripture often —His Word is the best defense against any attack!

Thank you Lord, my God, that you never leave me. I will not be afraid of anything today! In the mighty name of Jesus!

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.

Pursuing the Proverbs: Day 6

God wants to provide guidance for us that we might be able to get through life easier, safer, healthier, wiser, and having built good character. In the Proverb today, the phrase “reproofs of instruction are the way of life” refers to discipline.  Our minds sometimes jump to the emotional reactions that come with discipline and we withdraw and wince. But the whole verse conveys a more pleasant picture than painful discipline. 

Today's reflection: God prefers that we use the law and commandments as a means of lighting our way so we can easily stay on the path.  Ever thought about walking a path in darkness? We naturally are deterred from getting off the path if we can’t see what’s there. Instincts and experience tell us that getting off the path in the dark will get us lost.  This is the image God would have us visualize. He would have us fear to get off his path more than fear staying on his path.  We have it backwards when we are afraid of where the Lord would lead us.  Or fear that we might fall or fail to get there when he is lighting our way.

God’s plan will shed light on only a small section of the path at a time.  We seldom visually see to the destination, rather, just the section of the path where we must walk our next steps.  God wants us to not become overwhelmed on His path.   Take life a few steps at a time. Seek to know the destination, if he allows, but don’t stress about not being there yet. 

On our “birdcount” this weekend, my husband and I did some “owling,” (seeking out and counting owls,) in the dark.  We park along roads where the habitat is right, and we play a tape, which is a recording of a screech owl’s calls. This is a small owl, usually less than 12 " tall. Several kinds of owls will respond to the tape, hoping to warn the presumed "intruder" of territory bounderies.  When we hear them call in response to the tape, we can count them, because we know which owls have which calls. My husband and some of our birding friends cannot hear certain bird calls.  This weekend, the little screech owls needed to be very close for him to be able to hear their low, very soft, “bounce call.” To put them on his personal list, he needed to hear them if not see them.  So he was patient and listened for them to come in very close. Often, with a flashlight, we can also see them.  Sometimes, just after dawn, we get good looks at them.  And it’s a good thing, because they seldom call after dawn. In this instance, we stand still and let the birds come to us.  Sometimes, when God seems not to be shining his light on our path, his instruction is clear: stand still and listen for his still small voice. Or wait for the dawn, the point in time when he will enlighten the wonders along his path.

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I have wasted a lot of time in my life stressing over not seeing the path in minute detail.  I don’t know why it fractures me so, when I know you are in control, to not see all the way down the path to the destination. I know I fail miserably sometimes at taking life in smaller segments. I ask forgiveness for the wasted energy and time that I could have spent joyfully awaiting your light for my path. I could have embraced the silence in this noisy world while listening for your warnings that I am in someone else’s territory.  Maybe you called like the little owl, and I had a deaf ear, and didn’t wait for you to draw near, and intently listen. Forgive me, and come close, Lord, and call a little louder, please, like the little owls who heard our recorded call. Most of all, please help me not to be the broken record, like my tape just calling over and over, begging you to come near.  When I stop the "tape", help me paitiently listen. Open the eyes of my heart like the dawn, as I search your word, and let the commandments be my flashlight and your law be my morning sun. If all you desire me to have is a look where the tiny focus of the flashlight is aimed, then help me to rejoice in what you are letting me see. Glory to your name. AMEN

For more wisdom read Chapter 6 of Proverbs.

Life Application: Do Not Fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; 
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

Fear. It can be crippling. It prevents us from taking a step forward in trust and faith. It steals our joy and can make us physically sick. 

We are afraid to love without abandon.
Afraid to trust.
Afraid to forgive and be forgiven.
Afraid to enjoy life because we are always on the lookout for things to go wrong.
Afraid to let go of control.
Afraid to fully live. Afraid to die.

Fear disrupts our peace. Fear is a lie that the enemy uses to keep our focus off God. But it doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing because God tells us that He is always with us. He tells us not to be afraid or discouraged because He is our hope and present in our time of need. He goes before us, behind us, and walks with us. There isn't anything we should fear because God is near.

What is it in your life that you are afraid of? A new job? A career change? A new relationship? Following your heart? Giving your heart to Jesus? Forgiving and letting go of your past? Being obedient to the Lord? Afraid to give freely what's been freely given to you?

Don't be afraid. If He has called you to something, He won't let you walk through it alone. Press through your fears and trust that God knows best and that He will take care of you. If you're held prisoner by chains of fear, ask Jesus to set you free and put your trust in Him alone.

 

What i learned about being selfless

At the beginning of this year, God told my heart that He would reveal many things to me regarding my life, my marriage, and Luke's health. And He sure did—just not in the way that i thought or expected. And, while that saddens me, i see God's hand in all of this and i feel His presence and love more than ever.  

A few weeks ago, i got word that someone in Luke's family wrote that i was selfish on his facebook wall. While typically don't let things from people who don't know me or the truth get to me, this really hurt and i carried it like a chain around my neck for awhile. (i even wrote a blog post 2 years ago about being selfish). 

After a really hard 3 years, i had actually thanked God for teaching me to be selfless. And i don't think i'd ever expect anyone who didn't know me personally or my circumstances to really know what that means for me. i am not writing this post for anyone but myself—it's a way to document and close this chapter of my life in this place (my online journal), to let go of the frustrations of other's opinions and judgment and to move forward in the joy of the Lord as a promising new year awaits me.

to those who think i am selfish—you weren't there when: 

• Luke first had a seizure while awake, in front of the fireplace, when i rushed to break his fall.
• i had experienced Luke's 4 seizures within 24 hours due to a reaction to pharmaceuticals, just six months after being married.
•  i lie awake at night afraid and exhausted, praying for him. when i lie awake crying out to God for strength and grace.
• i would fall to my knees in prayer for all his needs to be met. 
• for three years, i never had more than a few nights of uninterrupted sleep.
• i managed our home, finances, cooked all homemade meals, cleaned, worked full time and took care of him.
• i was the encourager and spiritual leader in our home.
• i stayed up late to finish freelance work to help pay his portion of the bills and his premarital bills.
• i selflessly gave up things i wanted or needed to provide for his needs.
• i took him to the doctor 1-3 times per week ... in three years that's a total of about 312 doctor visits.
• i suffered hours of immense pain from ovarian cysts caused by the stress by body was under.
• my 5'4" frame  had to move his 6'4" body after a seizure or prevent him from falling.
• i felt so alone.
• i struggled to  stay awake at work from the stress, lack of sleep, and the constant moving.
• i would draw him warm baths to soothe his aching and tired body.
• asked you for help and you were too busy.
• i had to watch him suffer through a seizure, prayed him through it, and lovingly cared for him.
• Luke stopped responding to me as a wife and treated me like a mother.
• i found out i was pregnant at the beginning of this year and carried the worry of losing it because of stress. you weren't there when i lost it at 3 months due to stress and i suffered the loss alone so that Luke would never blame himself for the stress i carried. i sacrificed my health for his.
• he ran away from home and me and called his parents. when he denied my touch in the hospital. when he chose to go home with his parents and not me.
•  i tried to call him after he left home and he didn't respond to my texts or calls. when he didn't try to call me to tell me he missed me or loved me. 
• he told me he didn't want to be my husband.
• i was so deeply distressed that he didn't call me or want me after 3 years of taking care of him that i was down to 97 pounds, unable to eat much or sleep.
• i was up against a 20-year health battle and a family who didn't love me or believe that i tried to give him the best of everything i could.
• i tried to do the very best that i could do, surviving by the strength and grace of God and by the love of my friends and family.

i don't say these things to make myself look like a hero or like a deserve an award. i am not perfect. i have made mistakes. i want you to know that if all these things that i lovingly, without anger or bitterness, did for luke has made me appear selfish, i am so very, very sorry—i pray that you will forgive me. 

i want you to know i did the best that i could—my heart believes this and God has reassured me of this. i gave and gave and gave all i could—and i did it until Luke chose to walk away. i never masked my vulnerability and my weaknesses. i embraced them, letting the Lord fill me with grace and strength. i choose to move forward in love, peace, and in God's will for my life as i close this chapter. 

Choose Joy

In Nehemiah 8, Ezra the prophet, and the Levites who provided the music, read and explained the law of God to the people. It says: Vs 4: “ Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose.”  The people had gathered in the street, and the pulpit was high above them. When Ezra opened the book of the Law in the sight of all the people, they all stood up. He read to them from the “Bible” of their time. Afterwards, Nehemiah taught the people and helped them understand what was being read to them. Upon hearing and understanding it, they cried.

I don’t know about you, but that scene seems as familiar to me as if I were there. Like a good blessing church service. But for these people, this was extremely special, because they hadn't had access to their scriptures as we do today. There wasn’t a Bible or two for every person. I think I actually own 4 not counting the coffee table versions or the family bibles from my mom. I can’t imagine not being able to pick up one, open it and glean from its words whenever I pleased.  There have been centuries of people who have not had that easy access.  We sometimes don’t consider what a glorious opportunity we have in our age to choose any verse we desire to read. With a concordance by my side, or Bible Gateway open, I can actually choose to read only the verses that speak of my subject. It blesses me so much, that I can’t imagine not having that option.

When the people heard what Nehemiah taught, they cried.  Yet he admonished them to make a choice not to be sad:

Vs. 9. …This day is holy unto the Lord your God. Mourn not, nor weep.

Vs 10. Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared…Neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

When we are faced with the toils of the world, and sadness or worry stealthily seek to spoil our joy, God desires that we choose Joy, that we may have strength in those times. Ever notice how sorrow zaps your strength.  My husband and son often choose to joke in what seems like inappropriate times to me. If I am sad, my husband goes out of his way to make jokes so I will smile. Sometimes I don’t feel like smiling, and I don’t want him joking.  But his is actually the better attitude. I allow the sorrow to drain me. He finds joy and remains strong.

Vs. 12  says: And all the people went their way to eat and to drink, to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Nehemiah was helping the people to choose how they placed their focus. He wanted them not to dwell on the fact that they had not known the law, and hadn’t understood God’s desires for their lives; not to let their regret take the stand in their lives.  Rather, he wanted them to direct their focus on the fact that they now had understanding, and that was a reason to be glad.

I believe the Lord has led me this season, to find Joy for my strength.  I have been saying for a week how much stronger I felt this Christmas, and was well aware that I was choosing to have joy. But only when I asked the Lord what I should I write about this week, did I see the multitude of scriptures that indicated that choosing Joy is the reason for my renewed strength. The Spirit of God had led me to joy even before I read the admonitions of scripture. And he had demonstrated the results, so that I might have no doubt when I read the words.

Isaiah 61:3 says: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning.

The medicine for sadness around the holidays or any time, is to chose to have joy.

In Nehemiah 8, the Levites who were the praise and worship people, found themselves with a different task. It says in verse 11 that they stilled the people and said “hold your peace… neither be ye grieved.”  Many of the verses in my concordance, which speak of joy, note that God gives joy coupled with peace. So I have decided, in the words of the old pastors and ministers of the Word, to “HOLD MY PEACE” AND CHOOSE TO HAVE JOY…

When we get together at a funeral of one of my husband’s family, there is always laughing in the hallways.  And by the casket, for that matter.  There was a time when I wondered what other people who were in other rooms thought, but I finally realized, that since so many of Jimmy’s family are secure in their salvation, that the laughter was more than appropriate. They are a family who lives their joy. There is scripture to back the desire to rejoice when someone has died and gone to the presence of God.  But most of all, the Word clearly tells us to make being joyful the remedy for our sadness, and the means by which we return to a place of strength. His family most definitely finds their release and ability to  move on in their knack for laughter.

One of the “Opposites of God” basics is that we can turn from one thing and be renewed in its opposite.  This fits the principle, that we should release the one and seek the other.Let me challenge anyone who finds themselves weary and overwhelmed, to find Joy so that they may also find Strength.

An exercise in renewing your mind would be to write the word JOY and place it everywhere.  Hang it on the fridge, on the mirror, on the dash of your car.  If jokes aren’t your thing, then find pictures that make you smile, or wear colors that bring you joy. Look in the mirror and actually make yourself smile.  During the day, raise your eyebrows and follow it by relaxing your face, then smile.  Think of God and Smile. Think of your favorite food and smile. Think of something and close your eyes and spell out silently: J O Y. Visualize it. Hold your smile for as long as you can and time it. Ask your co-worker to tell their joke again, and this time smile! Renew your mind.

Much love to everyone this Holiday season. And for those who are really having a hard time finding joy this year, say this over and over: “Count It All Joy.”  It won’t feel like joy, but the mind will eventually obey God’s Word. For you I pray in a special way, cause I’ve been there…I know how hard it is to choose joy in pain. But the time will come…the time will come.

Lord, help the hurting, the weary, the sad and grieving, those with loss and those who just don’t know why they don’t have joy to choose selectively to find joy, that they may have the strength your Word promises.  Grant this is Jesus Name and for whom we celebrate. AMEN

How He Loves Me

A friend recommended this song to me yesterday and as i listened to it, i started to cry. For a moment, i couldn't figure out what emotion was driving the tears so i sat quietly and just waited on the Lord to speak to my heart.

Despite the ugly divorce, i have felt tremendously blessed in every area of my life lately. The Lord is truly showing me His glory through all of this—His faithfulness moved me to tears.

You see, i've been made to feel like i don't deserve anything good from people who have been very good at judging my life, by those who don't know me or who have never taken the time to know me or my heart. So to receive good, overwhelmingly abundant blessings has left me standing in awe before God with my hands raised high in praise.

God reminded me today, as i study Galatians, that i just need to keep focusing on Jesus and not what people think of me.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.—Galatians 1:10

 

How wide, O how wide Lord
How deep, O how deep Lord
How great, O how great
Is Your love for me

If you are in a similar place of thinking you don't deserve anything good—it is a LIE from the enemy. God wants you to know that you deserve:
• His undying love
• every good gift He has to offer
• peace
• true love
• pure joy
• to know and experience Truth
• rest

And it's not that we deserve it because of anything we have or haven't done, but because of what HE has done for us—thank you, Jesus, for the cross. His love for us is deeper, wider, greater than we could ever imagine. He rises the sun for us each morning, surrounds us with flowers in the spring, and is nearer than our next breath. He is an amazing God who is worthy of all our praise.

Who Will Recognize Him?

Have you ever looked out over a lake and thought what it must have been like to have Jesus come to where you were docked, and say, “ I will make you fishers of men.”   He was an adventurer who was willing to share the risks of the lifestyles and workloads of his disciples. It must have been more common to use a boat for transportation than we might imagine.  It appears that when he was physically tired, he retreated to the ships and cast off from the ever-present crowds for escape.  Tired enough to sleep through a storm that scared everyone into believing they were going to die. 

Did he go to the water’s edge looking for disciples, watching for the men who displayed tenacity and faith; or did he stumble upon them just teaching curious men, and recognized in their personality a flair for engaging family and friends in every exciting new thing in their lives Were their hearts already prepared, since the social and political environment of their time had men looking to God for a savoir of some sort.  Did they expect such a King to come to them as they worked by the sea? Were these successful men whose boats were decked with beautiful white sails?  Did they have vendors waiting by the shores to buy their harvests?  Was Jesus drawn to them because they looked successful?

You are probably screaming at me in your head. He was Jesus, he already knew everything about them.  Ah well, duh…but why these particular men? Were they so burned out on their present occupation that they just laid everything down and followed him?  Why did they just leave the life they obviously put enough into to own a boat? 

Have you ever seen where they are unearthing the antiquities and only in recent years understand the capacity of the rulers of Jesus’ day to build the most modern cities of the world, until that time.  Jesus didn’t live in a dumpy world of uneducated, struggling, poverty stricken populace.  Yes those people reached out to him.  But his world was one of fashionable cities, full of vigor, architecture, lovely landscapes and gardens, massive homes on hills surrounding a beautiful little sea.  Imagine Jesus showing up on the dock in Alaska and asking one of the skippers of “DEADLIEST CATCH” to drop everything and follow him.  Seriously??? But these were the sort of men He asked. Except for the freezing cold temps, it was just like that.

 Was there already a burning desire to do God’s will in the hearts of these men?  If we read the stories of the disciples on the dock when Jesus called them to follow him, the questions they asked among themselves indicated they were seeking someone who could do miracles.  They believed that the man who would come to lead them would show them things they never saw before.  They only knew the half of it, for after his death and resurrection he spent many days teaching them how he fulfilled the prophetic scriptures as the Messiah, and what he yet had to do to continue to fulfill the prophecies. But it didn’t require that they know everything about him to follow Him.  And that was what He wants us to know. If your heart is seeking… If he is standing at your dock saying “follow me,”… and your heart has been burning to have God in your life, do you respond, “I think I need to wait ‘til I know everything about you?”  They recognized him!  On that day their hearts were open, and they were full of expectancy that God was about to do something with their lives.

We recognize him too. We know when He has called us to follow Him.  God is willing that you are first at a place to want a Savoir before he asks you to follow him.  And Jesus comes to you where you are. He knows you have skills that will be useful to His glory.  And he only promises that if we follow him, our yield will be the hearts of men. The first thing these men knew of him was his poetic, curious way of giving us information. ” Follow me,” He said, and I will make you fishers of men.” He was saying I can use you, just as you are.   Out of thousands,  Jesus  picked only 12. And He set them on a mission to win the world.  

   Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Just a note: Every time you go fishing, you don’t always catch fish.  But, you seldom don’t get at least a nibble. LOL

Lord, all I intend to do is just a little fishing.  Use me, to say or do something that will help someone recognize you, to know you are the one they have been looking for. AMEN

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.”

 

Wordless Wednesday

Even when life is uncertain, God is not uncertain. He still has the whole world in His hands.

  

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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. 

Are WE God on a Pedastal?

Sometimes I just want to scream to the world around me, “Why do you think I am supposed to act like God, if I am not?”  Just because we are Christians with a perfect figure in the person of Jesus Christ to emulate, it doesn’t mean we can suddenly become God. It is Satan’s idea to try to become God. We are only to become “one with God.”  There’s a difference. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives us an edge in discernment, to help us make choices.  But His is a still small voice.  Not an over-riding one.  We don’t become God when we are born into His family. We don’t even become God-like. We become humans with the capacity to know when God is leading, teaching and molding us, to walk in his image. We can only aspire to some small part of His holiness.

God chooses to help us learn about ONE concept of living within His parameters for productive healthy life at a time.  No human gets the complete overhaul to perfection.   What is amazing to me is that God is OK with that, but people aren’t.  Why can’t our peers and critics be OK with that?

Why should I go about trying to please the whole world of people who think they know what is Christian life for me, when they can’t get it right themselves, --especially when God certainly doesn’t have expectations of me to become so God-like as to have it all right, all the time. Why do I?  Why do YOU?  Why Why Why????

Runners all enter the race knowing that there will be only one winner.  The focus of being in the race is often on winning the ultimate prize, being the best at crossing the finish line, first. It is just fine to try. Yet only one will attain. But, have all the others failed?   When hunters go to the hunt, do they always return with the kill?  The focus for sport is the trophy; for the person who seeks food on the table, the kill is the prize. And yet even the hungry often return without the expected prey. Those who hunt the devourers and feral destroyers, often return battered and wounded.  Are they all suddenly unworthy to be called “hunters?” Is there any thing in life which when we don’t attain the ultimate, we are suddenly less than when we began the journey?

I expressed discouragement to my husband once and his answer was, “Where’s your faith?”  Well my faith was exactly where it always was. In God. But my tired body and mind have to live in this world and answer to their humanity.  I don’t stop believing God is God, nor do I stop believing I am his child. But sometimes I don’t believe I can accomplish the hard things in life. People often ask: “So where is your faith now?”  You are never tired or discouraged because you lost your faith…you are just tired and discouraged, experiencing things even Christ experienced.  If it wasn’t sin for Jesus, then it isn’t sin for us.  The trick is in not allowing the expectations of others to cause me to place unnecessary expectations on myself.  The marvelous scripture: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” should come with a subheading of , “if it is what Christ wants me to do.”  So often when I feel like I am falling short, it is on what people expect of me, not what God has asked of me.  So why feel God is to blame for not giving the strength I need to meet people’s expectations. 

I have learned that not wishing others to have expectations of me, also means that I don’t have expectations of them.  If I need someone to come along side, the person God has in mind often is not the person I had in mind. Being hurt with persons whom I expected to support me, only causes me unnecessary pain.  Sometimes, God prefers that He and I go it alone, and that is not the same as being ALONE. Regardless of where my feelings are, whether or not my expected support is my actual support - I need to put those expectations aside, by choice, and see what God’s plans are for me. To take a second look at where God is.  I will find Him where He was when I began my Christian walk…indwelling me, waiting for me to get away from the din of what others think to hear His still small voice.

Humans tend to have it upside down.  If the circumstances of life have brought out the human in you, it does not mean God sees you as “not up to par.” He still sees you as saved by Grace. As his child.  As He always has seen you - through the shed blood of Jesus. As he created you - a human in need of a relationship with the creator.

Yes, we sometimes fail to meet expectations, ours or those of others.  But if we were pursuing the goal, we have not failed. We don’t cease to be born again, and we haven’t failed at being a Christian, 

or a child of God,

or at being faithful,

or even at being human.

We should rejoice when we allow God to take us off the pedestal of expectations.  Not exclusively dedicated to being first place in the race, or even being God-like, but being committed to living each day pursuing right relationships with God and man. 

Do you ever feel that good is never good enough? Are there people in your life laying in wait to shine the spotlight on areas in your life where they deem you have come up short? In the end, I am so glad that people won’t be the one to whom I will answer. Just as I do every day of my life, I will be counting on God’s Grace.                ************************

Parents – beware.  Take care to lead and direct your children, giving them the same Grace God has given us.  The whole world will be putting them on a pedestal of inspection.  Please emulate God, and take them down. Share with them that although you have a commitment to give them Godly direction, you never expect them to reach an unattainable goal of being as good as everyone else thinks they should be.  Be careful how you discipline.  Direct them to meet goals, not expectations.  And help them know that they can reject the burden of perfection from other people as well.  Help them to see everything they do as a goal, an attitude of heart, a way of getting things done.  Not as a becoming a more perfect person, who is always in a state of flux, having to become an even more perfect person…the unattainable, undesirable image of a god on a pedestal. 

When Jesus was reproached by the chief priests, scribes and elders of the temple, who thought He didn’t act much like a representative of God, He said:

“I will also ask you one thing, and answer me: The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men?”                   Luke 20: 3-4

LORD, how well you knew the hearts of men, even when you came in flesh as Jesus. You knew that men would misjudge even You as not being representative of Yourself! Jesus, whom the “Godly” men presumed to be unworthy to be their Messiah or King…some things never change. Will people ever see you as a God who walks along with us, not as a slave master who holds a big stick over us?  Help me to make Christ’s question the litmus test for my actions: “Is it of heaven or to please people?” Then, dear Lord, help me forgive myself for all the times I thought I failed.  AMEN

Turn About!

 

The word “repent” is illustrated in scripture, as having a boat whose very small rudder is able to make a very large boat turn about.  In the movie Titanic, we are told that the rudder was too small to turn the ship about fast enough to avoid the ice-burg, resulting in the infamous disaster.  Never the less, a very huge ship can be turned about with a very small rudder.  

 A second illustration of what repenting should be is travel.  With modern day GPS travel should be easy, (GPS - the tool that was supposed to revolutionize getting from point A to point B without stopping to look at the map, which is no doubt sending you back to the map, like it is me).  I will admit that for generally getting you there over a long distance, on major highways, I like the GPS, and for finding places when a map or computer are not handy, I like it.  But I turn it off when getting around in an unfamiliar city. I get very tired of being told to stay in the left lane, just moments before being told to make a right turn. What? Did no one tell them it’s illegal to make a right turn from the left lane? Both illustrations indicate to us that the Christian walk is a matter of navigation in God’s eyes.   Not a treadmill of choosing right from wrong, or trying to choose which religion is the best guide. (Spiritual GPS) Who ever actually gets it 100% right anyway?

Navigating the Christian walk is frustrating to seasoned, well-studied Christians, much less for newly saved individuals, who have way too many religions telling them what is the best way to go. Of all the Bible “dirty words,” as Lori calls them, “sin” has got to be the one that sends people away from the Christian concept more than any other word.  “Repenting of sin” sounds down right gut wrenching, to an adult who is contemplating Salvation, if it means a daily grind of self inspection, which includes trying to draw all the fine lines between RIGHT and WRONG.

Think about it.  If you take any subject, and you begin to use it to navigate according to it’s rightness or wrongness, you find yourself on a pendulum of swinging from one side of the issue to another, of “how far can I go without crossing God’s line?”  NOT that we are trying to sneak in a little sin, but that we are trying to not displease Him. (double negative intended.) Sometimes it seems even the Amish sin.  And by the way, they admit they do.  Do you get the point, that it is impossible to live by a right/wrong gage? The more you try to gage your sin, the farther you get into living under the law, and we are made free from the law by our salvation. It’s a ploy of Satan to keep us looking at ourselves, and take our eyes off Jesus.

To some people, this argument sounds like a total cop out to pretend we don’t sin. But properly labeling sin for what it is, and looking at repentance as God wants us to see it, makes the “repent” word down-right appealing. Sin is any thing we do that is taking us in a direction out of God’s perfect will for our lives. Sin is like driving to a destination and getting on the wrong road. It affects us in negative ways.  It adds frustration and stress to our circumstances. If it is the wrong road, it just won’t get us where we are going. The only way to resolve the situation is to turn around, or if traveling by boat, turn the helm by moving the rudder > to head in the right direction. Whether it is a total turn around, backtrack and start over, or is just a simple left or right turn -time is lost. But there is no getting around the fact that we won’t get to a northerly destination going south.

Living within God’s will is as simple as that.  It is not whether my pants are the right color, or if my tattoo is upside down.  Ridiculous? Well some of the things that people say are sin gages are ridiculous too.  If there is one thing I personally believe Christians need to repent of, it is falsely representing the Christian walk - as a list of rules God wants us to follow.  We have turned more people away from Christ by misrepresenting him and why he died. And that my friend is sin. 

Can we always avoid disaster when our ship is heading into sin even though we repent? Sometimes, we just don’t realize we are sailing headlong into the thing that will destroy us, until it’s too late. That is the sole reason for finding daily time to take a look at the map, turn off the religious GPS, and focus on the destination. And on hearing the still small voice of God. 

One last thing about repenting. For me it is most often an act of pulling up anchor.  I find my self anchored, going round in circles, as if dead in the water, unable to move forward.  Finding safe harbor, refueling, and restocking are all elements of the ship illustration of the Christian life. But the only time it is good to just sit idle in the water is for fishing, rest and relaxation, and research.  If your engine and equipment are sound, there always comes a time to pull up anchor and go! So repenting may not be a change in course, or a decision to stay on course, but a decision to set sail for a God given destination.  That too can require a change of mind or circumstances. Without making the change, sin will develop in your life.  Is God going to send you to Hell if you miss the boat? NOOO!  You just won’t receive the greater things God has in store that can be found at that destination. Why miss out?

See sin, from now on, as a going thing, not as a doing thing. See repentance as a change in course thing, not a sit down and cry cause I’m so bad thing.  Your self worth will rise, because you will begin seeing yourself as God sees you – as a friend with whom He can hardly wait to show how great things He can do in your life, which great places He wants you to go with Him to, and what marvelous things He wants to show you along the way. And why miss the gifts at the end of the journey. How simple to just realize you are sorry you're headed the wrong way, and turn about.

For Bible illustrative reading  - Paul talks of living strictly under the law and being converted to the Christian walk:

Acts 26 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+26&version=KJV

He then tells the story of being prisoner aboard a ship – as a free man held prisoner because he has determined to petition Caesar.  Paul is not in sin himself, but finds himself at the mercy of someone who choses to not heed Paul’s admonition from God for when and where to sail.  They sail into disaster, and yet God remains with them, and none is lost.

Acts 27 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+27&version=KJV

2 sets of verses: from this text I would leave with you:

Repentance in the hour of need - 

  ²²And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. ²³For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, ²⁴Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

 ²⁵Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27: 22 –25 &

⁴⁰And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. Acts 27: 40

All the repentance in the world will not save you from the disasters that come into your life, but when they come, they will give opportunity to encourage others to believe.

LORD, help us to be willing to turn about, even when it means heading into rough seas, especially when our circumstances have hindered our getting to your intended destination. AMEN

 

CONFIDENCE - when God Blesses faith

While under siege by the great nation of Assyria, Hezekiah stood firm as the king over Judah, a mere remnant of the tribes of Israel which had not been overtaken by the wars around them. And when pressed to appease the encroaching armies, he sent all the gold from the Temple, and from the coffers of the King’s house. When there was nothing monetary left to keep them from attacking, he continued to trust in the God of his forefather, David.  Hezekiah had made a great sacrifice in giving this gold to Assyria, for it was he who had overlaid the temple doors with gold; and it was he who cut it back off to give to the Assyrian representatives. The work of his life had been undone. Hezekiah didn’t put confidence in his life’s work; nor did he cling to it, and protect it at all costs assuming it was the source for his future.

The Assyrian King sent 3 men with a great host of troops out of Lachish to Jerusalem. And when they arrived, their leader, Rabshakeh, sent a message to Hezekiah asking him: “Thus saith the Great King, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?”(kjv)  They went on to assume it must be Egypt. They mocked that trusting Egypt was like leaning on a staff which was sharp on both ends. If Hezekiah’s people leaned on it, they would be stabbed by the end on which they leaned.  Placing doubt, the Assyrians hoped to destroy the confidence this little nation had, and hoped to take them without a fight. But Hezekiah did not trust in Egypt -a type of trusting in the people and things of this world.

 Rabshakeh continued to deride them, saying, don’t say you trust in your Lord, because Hezekiah has already given up the altars, and said this is what’s left in Jerusalem as an altar!  (As if the altar only had value if covered in gold.) Hezekiah didn’t place his confidence in his money, or the importance of his church. Hezekiah didn’t place his confidence in his church, nor in the place where he worshipped.

Rabshakeh also taunted – “you say, but they are vain words, ‘I have counsel and strength for war.’ On whom do you trust that you rebel against me?” He spoke with a false confidence believing nothing could stop the Assyrian armies, because nothing had so far. Hezekiah didn’t put his confidence in the circumstances that appeared to prove nothing could withstand the power of these great armies. But Rabshakeh had wisely asked, “On WHOM do you Trust.”  “What Confidence is this wherein you Trust?”  He expected them to boast that another army somewhere was forming against them, for the sake of job security. But Hezekiah was not seeking job security for his armies.

It was then that the Assyrian leader began to be diplomatic (or was it “deceitful.”) He offered 2000 horses if they would join him, seeking to know the numbers of men they expected to muster, but also hoping to turn them against their own king. He railed on Hezekiah’s men, in their own language, that they should not trust Hezekiah to protect them. He offered to take them to a land where there were great riches and plenty of food, if they would become his soldiers. He went on to say, "Don’t listen to Hezekiah when he says the Lord will deliver you, because the gods of all these other nations haven’t delivered them." He even went so far as to say, that he had come in the name of the Lord. That he was whom God was blessing, (and perhaps he believed it might be true in some twisted way.) But Hezekiah was not swayed by the deceiver who set lures for his men.

Hezekiah knew ON WHOM he believed!!!

When I taught children, I found it was important to give them Bible words to learn and understand.  A study of the word confidence, reveals that it doesn’t mean the same as faith. Confidence is a result of faith.  But also a result of trusting the promises of God. It has to do with knowing what you believe, with understanding.  Then acting on it - but only after praying to seek assurance God wants you to proceed.  Confidence isn’t something to boast of or give reasons for; it is an attitude of steadfastness. It is a jewel, a gift, and John told his followers to not give it up.  Confidence grows and strengthens as we read and understand God’s Word. Faith is as a grain of mustard seed, a tiny hope on which we place trust.  But confidence is when faith takes root and is watered and tended. Each new endeavor requires faith, a point in time when we first believe. But confidence is gained only when we have tested faith.  We fail to gain confidence when we misplace our faith. When we believe that money, jobs, church, friends, supporters, circumstances, politics or what appears to be truth in the eyes of the world are our reasons for feeling safe – we have misplaced our faith, and cannot grow confidence.  Faith in God’s promises, security, holiness, and truth alone is the fertile ground in which the seed of faith can grow. And when it has grown, let us prize it above all the things of this world that we might have confidence to leave the battles up to God.

Hezekiah didn’t gather an army against the Assyrians, but asked those about him to join him as he prayed.  Sometimes, it sounds like a broken record when we ask people to pray, but that is where acting on our confidence begins.  And funny thing…that action is often to wait on the Lord to take care of the matter. Why do we pray expecting God to give our battles back to us? Our confidence comes from allowing God to use His power to perform in our lives. Hezekiah knew this, and it is why he was called the greatest king that Judah ever had.

This story comes from II Kings 18. The verses concerning Rabshakeh asking in whom Hezekiah placed his trust are verses 19 and 20.  But this is the verse I want to leave with our readers, for Hezekiah warned his people not to respond to the deceiver:

But the people held their peace and answered him not a word, for the King’s commandment was, saying: “Anwer him not.” II Kings 18: 36 KJV

Who is calling on you today to defend your confidence? God says you don’t need to answer. Just know in whom, and understand what and why you believe.  So you can stand fast in confidence against all odds. Testimonies are for leading the lost to Christ. Not for defending God or ourselves. God can defend Himself and us.

Father, once again it is focus on you that remedies life’s hardest questions.  Help us to respond out of confidence, which allows us not to answer to the deceivers of the world.  All who rail against us, even those who say they come in Your name, who know they have everything all figured out, and have unparalleled resources and accusations with them. All those are no match for just focusing on You. And in our confidence, help us not to be quick to act, but let us wait upon your almighty power, and sometimes only upon your power. Though the world screams loudly about us, sometimes you just want us to do nothing except pray, leaving the results up to You. Instead of responding to the din of the world, help us not be “should, ought must Christians.”  Rather help us know the difference, to be Confident Christians. AMEN

(P.S. Sometimes the railing assailant really wants our testimony because they are seeking a Christ.  If we share Christ rather than defend Christ, our words become a path to Christ.)

 

Tempered Like Gold

 
I was watching a jewelry presentation on new technologies in tempering gold, which produced an effect on gold threads, which allowed the gold to stretch and return to it’s shape.  By weaving 20 to 35 strands of the thread, the jewelers had made necklaces and bracelets that were stretchy enough to not need clasps.  They could be stretched enough to go over one’s head or hand, and according to the maker, were stronger than any other kind of pattern used for jewelry because it didn’t kink, and dent; therefore, over time, it would not loose it’s value. It would not become unattractive or un-wearable, so he was willing to say that it was a lifetime investment. This jeweler also had gold threads wrapped over stretchy silicone, which made massive, more solid looking jewelry, which also stretched.  And the thing that struck me was that he was interested in frequently saying something about the process of how they achieved this remarkable trait, while the sales girl was only all about how beautiful it was.

I was intrigued, that a metal held the properties to be made stretchy.  I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, because I know that part of the process for tempering any metal, including steel is to make it stronger, by making it flexible.  The steel for sky-scrapers and bridges will break in the wind, if not tempered to a point where it withstands the wind and bends slightly. But of course, you would not want it so stretchy that it could not hold it’s shape.  The same was true for the bracelet, since the jeweler wanted it to return to wrist size after stretching it over the hand. 

They were gorgeous.  Each gold thread had been diamond cut into patterns along the entirety of the thread, and this added sparkle as well as aided in weaving the flexible shape.  The one thing the jeweler wanted people to know was that it was a heat process that set the memory into the metal, and made this possible.  He said that they could not do this with 24 carat gold, which actually had the malleable properties built in, because it would stretch out but not return to it’s original shape.  But by adding other metals which also gave the gold it’s various colors – platinum for white gold, and copper for rose gold – the gold content was reduced to 58%, which was exactly the right content to apply the heat process to and achieve the desired resiliency. This was the formula he said for 14 carat gold.  He said we should always be proud to wear 14 carat gold because of its ability to withstand abuse more than purer forms of gold.

I guess we all know something about this.  We’ve heard it all our lives, but this very moldable stretchy form to which this jeweler had taken the process, was refined to near perfection, in my mind.  I thought of how, when God puts us through the fires of life and adds himself to our very makeup, it makes us so bent out of shape that we don’t know what shape we are in. Hammered and beaten and cut all to pieces, I don’t think we see the bigger picture of coming out of our trials being all sparkly and beautiful. Then, He heats up the circumstances of life and holds us to the fire more than before. Only then do we have memory molded into our very make up.  We become flexible to withstand being stretched to extremes, but can bounce back, and return unscathed to beauty and form.  And that beauty remains etched for all time, to remain valuable in its maker’s eyes.  He is willing to guarantee his work for a lifetime of wear.  The jeweler, who was from Italy, was so proud of his creation, and confirmed that it took weeks to make each piece. The process could not be shortened, because each step was necessary.  There were no shortcuts to achieve the desired strength and beauty he purposed the piece to have.

God has included himself into the process of molding us.  Like pure gold we hold great value to him, but when we become less of ourselves, and one with Him, we take on a flexibility that helps us give with the ebb and flow of life.  We are no less gold, just gold plus that which makes us more than just something pretty to look at.  We take on God’s strength and character.   In a way, Jesus was like this jeweler, who took what was known about the properties of gold for thousands of years, and made it more useful than it had ever been before. As the sales girl, stretched the bracelet gently, the maker said,  “Oh, stretch it more than that, it will not fail.  It can stand much stretching and will always return to its perfect shape.”  So she stretched it twice as far and it returned beautifully to a perfect bracelet once again.

 Lord, I have been through some fires in life, that like the old saint, Job, I wanted to find you and bring my arguments. I wanted you to give me answers as to why must the fire be so hot! What value could my circumstances possibly have on becoming more like you, when, while going through the fire I was so bent out of shape that I didn’t even recognize myself, much less see you becoming one with my character?  I certainly didn’t act like you.  I knew you were there, I knew you allowed me to fall into my emotions and you didn’t mind at all. I knew you never accused me, saying, “How dare you ask me Why?” You let me groan from the pain, and cry out for help. You knew I thought it was more than I could bear.  But rather than leave me, as with Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo, you joined me in the fire.  In places where no one else could go with me, you were there. When the din of the intensity made it impossible for me to hear you, I could SCREAM to you, and it was OK.  You never cared that I acted like a human and not like God. You simply made yourself the element of strength that would be bound to my future.  And when I emerged exhausted from the process, you allowed me to simply spring back into shape, but now stronger, more beautiful, etched by your hand a permanent pattern of your design. Woven intricately into a new form, renewed in my mind, with a shiny new purpose.  More valuable in my Maker’s eyes.  Thank you for being the only one I have to answer to when I go through the fires of tempering.  And thank you for becoming one with me, even when some would wrongfully judge me as being far from your presence.  Because, Lord that is what people do.  As Jesus said, “Father forgive them, because they just don’t understand.”  And because that is just what You do. AMEN

 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  Job 23:10

 

Watch & Wait

My husband recently told me how he had been praying about certain things when I expressed concern about an area of personal financial issues. He said, “All I can say is, this is what I prayed, and this is what God did, so this is all I know about how to believe, Cynthia.” My concerns just melted away. If I had known how he was praying and how he felt about God’s response, I probably would have never worried in the first place. Yet in his humble thinking, he didn’t wish to boast about his prayers. He has never shared much about his personal relationship with God. I knew he sometimes obeyed God in sharing our worldly goods with people as God led him. His dad was remarkably generous and sometimes gave more than was wise for his family’s best interest, so I never minded my husband’s choices because he had learned to be reasonable. But lately, he has shared that he felt God wanted him to change how he approached some things. Although I was extremely glad to be brought in on this one area of his interaction with God, I am glad to step back and just watch God work out in his life whatever else God is doing. But I do love when he shares, because I am also edified.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for someone who is finding how to depend totally on God and what He is doing in their lives is to just watch and wait. If there is not a time in our children's lives when they begin to reach out to God for themselves, they are crippled for years in their spiritual walk. The watch and wait time can be for years. But God continues to be in control, and continues to speak softly, drawing those He loves to a closer walk with Him. He ususally isn't very pushy. And He never gives the whole plan dot for dot. If God choses my curcumstances ad chosses to resolve the things as He does, what reason should I have for trying to change that set of events or consequences? Unless He asks me to turn the helm.

One of the best things that I have benefitted from lately, is to let my husband use his skills, developed over the years, to plan our vacation. This year my input was simply that I would just like to anchor in one hotel, and not wander too far from that central point to make our daily excursions. By letting him take it and run, he planned sunrises, sunsets, shopping and all. But only God could have made them as incredible as they actually were!

It will probably often feel like I am only a passenger aboard the boat that my husband and God drive. While watching God tell him to turn the helm, I only wish to be told, that we aren't adrift in the Ocean of No Direction. I genuinely like that my husband has decided to go to great lengths lately to share with me as much as he knows of how God is guiding him to a "new port of call." And equally proud that he shares when he just isn't sure where God is going at all. Even then, I am content that God is gthe one who is drawing up the map. But, I think I'll stay aboard. And enjoy the ride. Well, kinda like Noah's wife aboard the Ark. LOL

Lord, I thank you that you have blessed my husband in such a way that he is confident enough to say, if God is in it, I don't know what else to believe. Thank you for security when you are in it...whatever it is. May someone be blessed today by simply standing by your door, listening, as they watch and wait. In Jesus' Name - Amen

Blessed is the man that listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. Proverbs 8:34

Looking Through God Glasses

What is your image of the disciples of Christ?  Do you see them all as fishermen?  Well they weren’t all fishermen.  Do you visualize them as all dressed in flowing robes of colorful cloths? Well they weren’t.  Have you ever envisioned even one of them with a sword hanging by his side?  Think about it….

In St. John 18:11 Jesus said to one of his disciples: “Put up thy sword into the sheath.”  You know this story well.  To whom was he speaking?  It was Peter of course.  Peter the bold, the strong, carried a sword which he used to cut off the ear of a temple servant in the Garden of Gethsemane, when they came to take Jesus away.  Now visualize the disciples again.  Can you visualize them with at least one carrying a sword? Have you ever?  I can’t think of a single painting that I have seen, which has disciples who look obviously different from one another, much less with one of them carrying a sword.

We do that when we visualize what a Christian should look like too.  One of my greatest pet peeves about the Christian faith, is that it frequently falls into a pattern of dictating what the followers of Christ should look, act, and behave like.  We have all known of whole churches that fell pray to “doctrines” of a bad leader, whom they trusted to their deaths. It is a lie of Satan that all Christians should fit some sort of mold. Or to follow one who claims to be called of God to an ever-tightening tiny image of who we ought to be. As a child, this little box image of what a Christian oughta be made me think I could never be good enough. In fact, my father once told me he decided not to be a Christian because he knew he could never be good enough.

Jesus consistently went to the person whom society had rejected and said: “ follow me.” How often was he rebuked for being somewhere the Scribes and Pharisees said men ought not to go? How many times was he eating with people in whose home pious Jews would never set foot?  He talked to women, of other than Jewish descent.  He talked to prostitutes. In fact, he talked to women, period. In some perversions of religion, it is and was forbidden to even talk to women. He let the children climb on his lap and rebuked any who tried to pull them away.  He fit no one’s mold, but His Father’s.

Now, as Paul said, all things may be permissible, but all things are not wise. I get that. But, Jesus had a definite reason for going to the unwanted of society in his day, because as he called them, they were “the lost.”  Any lost person you might encounter, will probably be seeking for direction, hoping to get to a place of knowing where they are in the world. Jesus had a short time to reach them.  He started off teaching in the conventional way, at age 12, in the temple. But in order to reach the lost he had to go where they were.  Jesus had nothing to fear of the people in the streets as it turned out.  It was the people in the temple who sought to kill him.  I can’t say as much for the situation today.  It is mostly out of fear that I would not approach just anyone on the streets today.  But equally, I would not trust just anyone in a pulpit.  So the question becomes how to reach individuals who are not accepted by the main stream, while we continue to portray the holiness of God. Jesus made it perfectly clear.  It is with our words - using His Word and rightly dividing the Word of truth, and by not creating molds that we ask others to fit into. 

One of my favorite ways to teach my 5 to 7 year old Children’s Church students in years gone by, was to tell them something I wanted them to challenge me on.  Now I had to teach them to dispute me, because society spends a lot of time teaching children to not rebuke their elders.  But that is actually dangerous if we don’t give them permission to use the brain God gave them as well.  My bright little students were willing to believe anything I told them. So I would say something, ridiculous and see how quickly they would call me on it.  For instance, I might say: “Today I am going to tell you the story of how Jesus told everyone that it was OK to beat people up.”  At first they were too shy to speak against me. But once they learned that I was expecting them to catch me lying, and I wanted them to say: “No that’s not right,” - they were quick and loud with their response.  I would say,  “I was just seeing if you were listening.”  So it became a game for them listen well enough to catch me telling them something that wasn’t true.

Three Things:

1.  We always made sure that we clarified when I had told them a deliberate lie, and that I wanted them to catch me in it and say with boldness, “Miss Cynthia, that isn’t true.” I told them not to believe everything they were told.  To find out for themselves what was true. I told them it was wise to listen and decide for themselves what they believed. I told them not to get in the habit of correcting their parents and other teachers, but to think about what people said, and if it didn’t seem right to ask questions.  I also told them if it didn’t seem right, to not believe it until they were sure whether it was right or wrong.  And sometimes, it would be OK to boldly say: “That isn’t right, I know it isn’t.” Or be firm when they say: “Don’t do that ‘cause it isn’t right!”
2. I made it clear that I wanted them to use their own brains. I told them they were never too young to know what they believed.  Jesus asked people to think about what they were being taught. To challenge it if necessary. To seek the truth.  To alter their vision, and break the mold of what they commonly believed to be truth. He asked them to challenge conventional truth, and test it with God’s truth. People argue at length about what that truth is, but they often do it like the Pharisees did. Satan can argue a good argument, by manipulating the truth. What is true in the whole scripture is what is true.  And sometimes the deepest truths are hidden in pictures and types, not out in the open, so we have to dig. They are jewels to be found, by exploring how God packages truth.
3. I challenged the children to boldly respond to me with “no, that is not right,” if I was wrong.  It was my intention to help them begin to make up their own minds what was right, and what was wrong, rather than depending on an adult for their morality.  Many adults have never done that for themselves. It amazes me sometimes how often leadership, especially in the church, directs its constituents to blindly follow their lead.  Wise leadership should be fashioned after Jesus’ example.  He challenged the acceptable, and sought the heart of the people, not as servants to a master, but as friends. (St.John 15: 14-15.)  He asked them to think, reason within themselves, and to make the subtle differences.

I could cite any of several scriptures, but I believe this one says it best:

(Jesus said:) Woe unto you lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in, ye hindered. St. Luke 11:52

Dear Jesus, you challenge us to take a second look at our mental image of who and what we expect a Christian to be. To think for ourselves, and question authority, and hold our leaders accountable. Help us Lord, to teach our children balance, not blind obedience. Knowing we can obey You without question gives great peace of mind, and it is marvelous to be able to teach this to our children.  Let us begin with them, teaching them to open their minds to seek to see things from God’s perspective. Not as skeptics, but as seeing all things through “God Glasses”.  In your precious name, AMEN.

 

Finding contenment in a time of change ...

 At the beginning of the year, i wrote a blog post on my New Year's Resolution for this year—simply being content.

The Oxford Dictionary defines content as:

adjective
• in a state of peaceful happiness
• satisfied with a certain level of achievement, good fortune, etc., and not wishing for more

verb
[with object]
• satisfy (someone)
• (content oneself with) accept as adequate despite wanting more or better

noun
• a state of satisfaction

In Philippians, Paul says this about contentment:
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.—Philippians 4:11-12

We know that we are really and honestly content when we can agree with what Paul says. i really believe that there cannot be true contentment apart from Jesus. He is the source of joy and contentment because we realize without Him we are nothing. When we have Jesus in our heart, on our mind and in our spirit—and we are filled with joy only He can give—we are content in any circumstance ... whether our cup is overflowing or we are walking in the darkest valley.

In the last three years, there are few things that have stayed the same: My family and my joy in Christ. Everything else has been changing in some way. In my state of constant change, God has proved Himself stable in my life and for that i am grateful.

Once again, i have found my life changing, interestingly at a time when the season is changing. The day after my birthday, about two weeks ago), Luke called to tell me that he is happy where he is, that he has no intention of coming home, and that he wants to be my friend. Honestly, after three years (three years tomorrow, in fact), it was hard to be content with what he wanted. But God has assured me that i would be OK. He has put peace on my heart as i have filed for a permanent dissolution of marriage, granting Luke his wishes. i am resting knowing that even if i lose one more thing, i will never be able to lose Him. i am content with Him—my source of life, joy, peace, and hope.

Some days, being content is harder than other days, but i reflect often on what Paul says in Philippians. i know what it's like to have much and i know what it's like to have much taken away. When i find my source of joy to be in Him, and not people, money, or possessions, being content comes naturally.

So, as i move forward in this new year and beginning of a new chapter in my life, i move forward joyfully, looking forward to God's blessings. i have much story left to write as God closes one door. i am confident He will open many, many more and bless me for being a faithful servant.

Promises of God

From the file box:

Prosperity = The Fulfillment of the Promises of God…

 In 1993, my husband had a surgical procedure done to clean a blocked artery and save his heart and life.  Seeking comfort, he ran across the verse: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Followed by: 37:14:  And shall put my spirit in you and ye shall live…. 

Now these verses were taken out of context, but when you are facing something that might mean your life, you don’t care how the Lord gives you peace of mind.  The whole Biblical text is written to the Israelites who needed restoration as a nation.  This is the text where the “Dry Bones Parable” is found.  A promise is given by God to raise up the floundering nation and give it new life. Even though it is presumed to be as dead as dry bones, God promises to “resurrect” it, and give it full life once again.  

Ezekiel was a colorful writer, but God used him to give strong mental pictures of how God was able to do whatever was necessary to keep his promises to His people.  In the depths of these verses, so much more can be gleaned.  The resurrection promise itself was a “type picture” of Christ.  Jesus’ disciples would come to understand that the real resurrection for the nation of Israel was through their Messiah. Israel became, not just a great nation, but the ancestral parent of a greater work - the birth of a church, to which any who believed might be born. Through them God gave life to a family that would affect the world. But this great work would come only when His followers thought all hope was lost.  It would only occur if this long awaited Messiah died. Never did they dream he would be resurrected.  Yet the picture was there, just as Jesus said, in the very verses they studied and believed.

Jesus did not remain dead long enough for his bones to dry.  But the prophecy was about an Israel, which came to a place where they feared all hope was lost. They lost their ability to believe that God was able to give continued life to their failing nation.  Mmmmm. Parallels all around this one, but I am not going there.  (Yes the people of our nation would do well to seek the truths in these chapters.)  God does wish to give continued life to the nations he has blessed, even to the point of bringing them back from dry bones.  But my actual point is - these verses give us a visualization of the lengths to which God is willing to go, to give the people he loves the promise of life.  Out of that life was the promise of a savoir, and if Israel failed, would there be no savoir?

In a discussion with my son, recently, I asked him to use the litmus test of basic Gospel truths, against which to test the doctrines of various religious faiths as he studied. We talked about why one of the most important of these is the fact that God wants us to choose life in every circumstance. Life and the regeneration of life are extremely important to God.  But when you are facing a circumstance or illness, which threatens life, death, not life, can be the reality.  I have often thought that if I were facing cancer, I would not have the desire to fight for life. Mainly, the reason is that death is the better than life, because of Christ.  I see the after-life as my resurrection to the best form of life. But, I am not seeking death. Yet God prefers that I choose to love life.

For my husband - where he was, wanting to live, and who was facing a life-threatening event - any promise from God that He cared about life, which could give an assurance that life was really important to Him, was timely.  My husband loves life. He loves living every day.  He has a God attitude about life. He holds each day precious. Even before he was threatened by his blocked artery, he treasured life.

So when God gave him these verses, they were not out of context for him.  The “ye shall live,” of Ezekiel 37:14 was as if it were written to him and for him, because God was comforting his heart and giving peace to his mind. God was saying to my beloved, I care about YOUR LIFE.  It was personal. 

It is a wonderful thing that our Bible is so multifaceted.  My mind is opened to the vastness of God’s ability to use His Word to bless and inspire us in so many ways.  Every story, and parable bears a witness to the truths He wants us to focus on and in fact, to bank our hopes in the vaults of their promises. 

So Jimmy claimed those verses, and went to surgery with a renewed confidence that God would use this scary time in his life to give him not just renewed physical life, but renewed spiritual hope for a greater, longer, fuller life.

I have a flip-calendar of scriptures, given to me by my daughter, from Heartland Samplers, Inc., which is one of a Series called “Bless Your Heart.”  It is appropriate for me because I often use the southern phrase “Bless your heart.”  And not as a derogatory remark, but in the sense of this calendar, that the Lord can bless your heart in a spiritual way through the Word and Prayer.  Anyway, on February 4 of this particular year’s calendar, it says:

“God can mend a broken heart, but we have to give him all the pieces.”

Followed by the verse:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18.”  

On this page I scribbled: the year, a note about the surgery, and the verses my husband had claimed, so I could remember the day the Lord resurrected us to new life, when we could share in the second half of  Ezekiel 37:14 which says: 

“then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.” 

Thank you, Lord for promises to claim. For scripture, that calms our minds and spirits when the days of comfort are needed. Give comfort today to those who need it and seek a word from you.  Help us all to appreciate that You are the champion of life in all aspects of life.  You have made life a precious thing. Help us to live like we cherish it too.  In Jesus’ precious name, AMEN.

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

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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!

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