my wings are made of faith

We Need To Talk

"We need to talk."

Usually these words preceed a conversation neither party is looking forward to having.According to my husband, it usally means that the bed of roses we were walking on is about to turn to a crown of thorns.

I recently came across a scripture in the bible that had a providencial "We need to talk" stamped all over it. I found it a couple of weeks ago and tried to forget it ever since. But it wouldn't be ignored. So what's the scripture that had me running like Jonah to Ninevah?

1 Corinthians 6:7. The context for chapter 6 verses 1-8 is Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. They have been having a hard time settling disputes amongst themselves. So they started taking each other to court. 

Vs. 1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers. (NLT)

Paul's reasoning for why this is a bad idea is found in verse 4. 

Vs. 4  If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?

He is saying that the church of believers, which wasn't recognized or respected by the governing authorities at the time, should not go to those who don't share their beliefs to settle matters. Instead, he urged the believers to take their matters before wise men of the church to settle a dispute. 

Here is the verse that I have been struggling with:

vs. 7 Even to have such law suits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? (NLT)

Ummmm excuse me?!

Why not just accept the injustice and let myself be cheated?!??!?!?!

Well Paul, author of 13 of the 27 books in the new testatment, here is my answer....

"Because it is not FAIR!" If we are all believers, then someone else should show a little wisdom or humility and not cheat me or do injustice against me in the first place, right?

If it isn't apparent, the reason I ran away from this scripture was because it touched a sore spot in my heart. It reminded me of the hurts that my fellow Christians bestowed on me. I remember thinking, "if they loved God so much, they should see why they are wrong and I am right."

Like Jonah, I ran away from this scripture because I heard God saying "We need to talk" but I, dreading what that conversation would entail, decided it would be safer to run away for a while instead of listening.

And just like with Jonah, God has a way of getting your attention. So was I swallowed by a ginormous fish?

No! I  heard a sermon by Karen Vaughn. I had never heard of Karen and Linus Vaughn before, but I went to a church this past weekend to support a friend, God showed up again saying "we need to talk".

The reason I didn't want to have "a little talk with Jesus" about this verse was I didn't want to be told my hurt was not valid or that it was immature.

We fear the "we need to talk" conversations because we assume the ending from the beginning. But we forget that at the end of the "we need to talk" conversations comes restoration and deeper connection.

God Asks Us to Find the Moderate Choices; Come Back From the Extremes

Let your moderation be known unto all men.The Lord is at hand. Phillipians 4:5

A few months ago, a digestive issue that had plagued my husband for years became so bad as to interrupt our daily lives to the extreme. In fact, because I was beginning to experience his symptoms, I suspected it had to do with our diet foods. It really began for me when the sweeteners used in our foods changed to a certain brand that everything on the market decided to use. Generally used in drinks, it began to appear in everything, even foods that we used to not expect to need a sweetener.  Even as most processed foods began to add sugar to non diet foods, diet foods began to add the sweeteners. In an honest attemp to eat in a way the nutritionists were directing him to eat that would eliminate sugar, Jimmy concientiously checked every package of every food he purchased. His doctors treated only his symptoms, as they most ususally do, and no one was interested in getting to the cause. That is, until the elevation of his symptoms sent him to a specialist, because his doctor presumed, of course, that something serious in Jimmy's body was causing the interruption in life.

The specialist was a wise young lady.  They did the expected tests to rule out cancer, etc. and then she sat down with us to really listen to the answers to her questions.  What he ate and drank certainly came up, and he admitted that he had cut back on diet drinks at my insistance to only 5 a day. She said with some firmness and amazement, "YOU CUT BACK TO 5 A DAY!? 2 is the maximum number of diet sodas your body can possibly handle!"  A revelation to even me, although I knew they were toxic somehow. " (He was drinking 10 or 12.)

 She explained that the sweeteners were not digestible, and the body could not process them.  She pulled up information on her computer that indicated the chemical makeup of a lot of things, and explained simply that the build up of these products in our systems was toxic to the walls of the intestine.  We surprised her, when we explained how many of the foods we had available had begun to add them. Even cold cuts, and sliced meats. She ckecked her computer and she was surprised to realized that her diabetic patients were so much in jeopardy.  She told us that so many of her clients lately were undergoing tests to determine why they were having to take so many medications to treat digestive issues. She said that many were diagnosed with things like irritable bowel syndrome, when in reality it was that they drank too many of the wide variety of drinks, including sports drinks and flavored waters that claim to be zero calorie for the sake of hydration and weight control. Or just because they thought that as long as they were getting water, and vitamins they were drinking something safe. When in reality, more than two, the body simply stored the unusable sweetener in the bowels and they became irritated and sore. The breakdown in the body's system to be able to process our necessary food was eventually lost once the effects of those drinks took their tole over several months or years.  She suspected that the documented rise in the number of bowel and digestive disease prognosese was actually due to people taking in too much of these chemicals.

 After 2 weeks of not eating anything with these sweeteners in them, mine and Jimmy's symptoms had begun to resolve themselves. It was enlightening to Jimmy. Enough to help him change his habits drastically.

When I speak of these issues, I am not playing doctor or trying to be "holier than thou."  I am simply relating to you areas where I have personally discovered that not everything that is processed as food is worth eating or drinking. Any food that is eaten out of balance can become toxic to us. Breads and rice would be my husbands greatest culprits.  Real food, but dangerous if he isn't providing the balance from proper amounts of proteins and low carb veggies and berres etc. I noticed years ago, that too many carbs affected even my emotional well being.

What has this to do with scripture at all? We are told to do all things in moderation. That's what. To avoid the extremes in everything we do, and to moderate every action. Food is no exception. My dear mother, died in part due to her fear of everything. She was on the opposite extreme. That too was sin.  Finding middle ground is how scripture directs us to make all of our decisions.

What else in life might you apply this guide to which would greatly improve how you live?  I have found that it works on almost everything.

Lord, help us to recognize the middle ground in everything from politics to foods we eat. From how often we go to our technical devices, to how often we watch a sports on TV.  How many pairs of shoes are too many, and what kinds of food we eat.  Help us live a life of moderation in all things.  Give us wisdom to see it, the ablility to make the wise decision, and to see when whatever we do that is not in moderation might affect our family, and daily activities. It is about living life more abundantly.  And it is about being blessed by everything you give us to make life healthy and happy. In Jesus precious name, AMEN

The Saga continues

"Surely you ain't weak. You just can't accept yourself as a strong person"

~Toba Beta

When I saw this quote it reminded me of the latest in my house sale saga. In my last post, our third buyer just backed out. Two days after that post, we got our 4th offer on the house. By this time we know what we will or will not accept. The 4th buyers came in significantly lower than previous offers. So we play the negotiations game.

Over 2 days of countering our realtor is pressuring us to take their 206k with 3k offer. "Think about being able to get rid of the house and not carry the payment, utility, and up keep costs anymore.", she says. "I don't think you are going to get a better offer". "We are so close. I don't think they are going to come up anymore." "Could you borrow some money from a friends or family to make up the difference?"

Don't get me wrong, our realtor is fabulous and we know she was just doing her job. She wasn't being mean but she was turning on the pressure.

While we are hearing that from her, our home warranty came up for renewal. Our relocation company's incentive deadline is fast approaching. We would lose it if we didn't agree on a price soon. What do we do? If we take their offer, we will lose money on the house. Remember our first house sold at a 50k loss. 

We have spent the last 3 and half months believeing God that we would not only sell our house but not sell it at a lost. When it is down to the wire the temptation to accept less than what we have been believing is right in our face. 

Roman 8:38 No despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us

I know this scripture in context takes about what can seperate us from the love of Christ. But the part about overwhelming victory really spoke to me. Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ. Does overwhelming victory mean we sell our house for a 10 or 20k profit? No.

Victory for us is being able to say we stood on what we were believing God for in the face of pressure. We decidied what overwhelming victory looked like firm faith and other worldy P-E-A-C-E. 

Overwhelming victory for my husband and I was to be able to say that no matter how many offers fall through. No matter how many incnetives we lose. No matter how much we have to spend on up keep. No matter how long we keep the house on the market, we have resolved not to be moved. We haven't gone through three offers above 206k falling through only to settle for a low amount now.

We countered back at at a higher price and added if  they can't accept this, then thank you for your interest and may God bless you in searching for your new home.

A whole day went by before we heard anything back. Did we fret in those 24hrs about whether we made the right decision. No! We slept great. We weren't anxious. We enjoyed our 4th of July. We were walking in our overwhelming victory and it had NOTHING to do with their acceptance or not.

Sometimes your faith will test to you to see if you can "accept yourself as a strong person"--the person who is strong because of being fortified through God's Word. Can you see yourself strong?  

Don't give up on the edge of your victory!

God thank you for your strength. We can't do anything on our own. We need you. Give us the strength to stand and keep on standing and keep on standing and keep on standing until we see the overwhelming victory in Christ. We release our preconceived notions of what that victory looks like and open ourselves to the blessings you have for us. Amen

 

 

DITTO

 

Casting Crown has a song called Praise You in The Storm. 

I was sure by now.

You would have reached and wiped our tears away.

Stepped in and save the day.

But once again, I say "amen" and its still raining.

In my last post, I spoke about the faith walk I am on with selling my house.

It was a challenge to all of us to face the facts of our problems and stilll remain in faith. So it would have been like totally awesome if after my profession of faith to remain steadfast in the hands of God, someone came along and bought our house right? 

In the black church, that would have been "good shouting" right there. In the charismatic circles, that testimony would make some run laps in the church. LOL

BUT NO!

Instead, just this past week we had a offer on the house that we negotiated to a nice price and what happened....the buyers backed out! That makes the 3rd time!

I was tempted with negative self talk. I was reminded of decisions we made. And the accusations came flying. Then I asked myself a simple question.

WHAT HAS CHANGED????

Has God somehow lost his power?

Has God somehow slipped off His throne in heaven?

Will God now take a back seat to my feelings of disappointment?

Nothing has changed.

So I titled this post "Ditto"because the same thing I wrote last week STILL applies. I will face the facts and still have faith.

Admittedly, there could be some of you reading this thinking, "Big deal chick! You can't sell your house. My problems are a LOT bigger than that."

Some of you might be right. But let me ask you. Does that change God? Are His promises somehow void?

You still need to face the facts and have faith no matter what you are dealing with. Be strong. Dare to believe that God can and will do it for YOU! Focus not on the problems but how you can lean into God to find the strength you need.

God I pray for fruit that remains! Strengthen those who are in storms that have been lasting a while and those whose end is not in sight. Fortify them with the belt of truth. Let their faith just like Abraham. Rise!

 

How to Speak the Truth in Love

After 20 years of marriage all I could see we had accomplished was 3 incredible kids and building a giant wall between us, my husband and I.  How could two people who honestly loved each other be so hard on each other that we needed that wall? I was genuinely afraid to pull it down too. There had been so much dynamic painful issues in our marriage, that I just could not bear being hurt even one more time. I was very much aware of my proverbial wall. It was as real as the fact that I had to do something about that wall or die.

...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— Ephesians 4:15

My husband was not really aware how much he was hurting me.  How empty I felt, helpless, hopeless, EMPTY.

I had spent that 20 years trying to please him, saying, "If I just do this or that, maybe he will be happy. If I , If I, If I..." Changing, Changing Changing. The result was I became more and more the person he required me to become, and I hated her.  She was so far from the real me that I didn't know myself.  I hated constantly playing the role. And the worst part was, this woman my husband created out of me, wasn't even someone he liked. I still wasn't good enough. And the moment I couldn't play the role, Jimmy exploded.   

Jimmy was a rage-aholic.  And beleive me, that is as bad as any other addiction. He had an addictive personality. Although he finally stopped smoking, he still drank colas like they were a drug. He went from being nice one instant to being off the charts angry in a split second. It made no sense. Always, when we had what I considered a good day, of romance or fun, or accomplishment, I let my guard down, and BANG! Something I said, or did sent him into an in your face screaming rage, full of threats and hurt.  And I often didn't know what I had done. I found myself actually hiding from him, or emotionally hiding from him.  I would cry for days sometimes and wonder what on earth God expected of me.  I honestly didn't believe God truly expected me to continue to be submissive to this kind of behavoir. Surely, he had some responsibility to God, but I was to the point, I didn't care what God thought.  I WAS DONE.

I faced God with my confusion, and found that He was asking me to take down the wall, and let him work on my marriage. In addition, he was going to let me have some say in what it meant to  take down that wall.

BEST THING EVER FOR MY MARRIAGE!!!!

For years the "wall" had made me feel safe, had been the place I ran to survive. I lived in survival mode so much with my father, that I hadn't learned how not to live in survival mode. So now I was going to have to learn. To GROW UP. Here's how.

1. Commit your safety to God. Decide the wall is coming down, and you are willing to let God test your faith.

2. Tell your partner about the wall, your decision to pull it down, how unsafe you feel, and exactly what things  scare you about your relationship.

3.  Set boundaries.  Explain that you will no longer accept that behavoir any longer. Draw specific lines, no beating around the bush. Say: "You will no longer do ..." whatever it is that causes you fear, or anxiety, or like you are being forced to change for your partner.  

4. Set an unmistakable, un-negotiable consequence. For me, I explained that our marriage was over, if things didn't change. Final. I laid out things I would no longer accept in our marriage, PERIOD. EVER AGAIN. 

5. Set a time frame. 3 months as a trial to see if your partner is willing to take the challenge to work on the marriage. 6 months for final decision. 2 weeks question/ answer to lay ground work.  Zero opportunity to be a rage-aholic for instance.  In an abusive situation the one thing that must be a final is the abuse. Verbal or physical. Neither is allowed.  Not under any circumstance. It ends or the break in relationship is final. Absolutely no "I'm sorry," and taking them back. 

Envy: You're outta here!

 

In February I posted for the first time about my struggle with envy. It was a painful embarrassing open admission of a life long internal struggle. The curse of an internal struggle is that to the outside eye it is invisible, which lulls the owner of said struggle into thinking it doesn't exist or that it isn't serious. Don't believe that. Internal struggles will ALWAYS show up extermally some how.

Among the many things I love about God is that when He is correcting you, purging you, or pruning you; there is always grace available get you through the process without guilt and condemnation!

Recently, I shared the following to my facebook friends on my deliverance from envy. I literally wept as I wrote it because unlike my post on envy--a post that admitted my issue, talked abour my frustration with it, and served to rally others to fight the faith to resist its temptation--this writing was spoken by a woman who has laid hold of the victory and won't look back.

"....Envy has been so much a part of my life that my body has a physical reaction to it. It is like my body is on auto pilot. The temptation to be envious comes and my heart sinks, my countenance falls, my eyebrows furrow. It has been so second nature that even when my spirit resists it, my body still reactions.

I have to retrain my body against these actions. 

Understand something, this is break through for me! I was previously oblivious to the hold envy had on me until I started resisting it. It is like detoxing. You no longer have the stimulus but you still have the craving and when it isn't filled, there is a physical manifestation.

In this, I realize I am truly free. I can handle the detox process. Detox means I am getting rid of the junk. My spirit is telling my physical man it can't have it and my body will have to line up.

I don't need envy. Envy is for someone who doesn't think God loves them. Or doesn't know that God has a unique calling for them. I don't have to want what others have. I just need to know that God has good things in store for me when it is my time. I don't have to wonder if the time is now. I don't need to know that anymore. I don't need an itinerary from God telling me what is next on the list.

Why? Because I have God. Having HIM is better than having his itinerary don't you think? Having HIM is better than having his explanation. Having HIM is better than having his reasons for letting storms come in my life. 

I am truly overwhelmed right now at the deliverance! I am so grateful. So yes, God bless people around me with the stuff I want. Give it them in your infinite wisdom. That doesn't change a thing for me. I won't be bitter. I won't hate. I won't backbite. I won't wallow in self pity. I won't ask what about me. 

I won't because I don't need to feed that anymore. I have GOD--the giver of every good and perfect gift. He and He ALONE is better than anything I can ask, think, or imagine.

So yes, I sense I change in my spirit. I sense my freedom! Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! Liberty, freedom, and security." 

 

Does this mean I will never be tempted with this again? Of course not! This does means I am free to enjoy my life, my family, friends, and associates without struggle!

Which is why is vital at this point that I fill the space that envy used to occupy with the godly fruit of thanksgiving and praise. So when it returns, not ir, to gain re-entry, there will be a big NO VACANCY sign over the door post of my heart.

I am so unbelieveably grateful for the journey it took to get to this point. Thank you long suffering father for your power. Help me remember the freedom I have in you. I am completely full in you! Amen

 

The Healing of God is Newness of Life

I mentioned once before that I grew up with an abusive father.  My childhood was genuinely good when he was not abusive, but it was nightmarish when he was. It is difficult to talk about, and I have found that most people don't really want to hear about it. It makes them more uncomfortable than me.  But for the sake of illustrating the truth found in Christy's subject this week (week 18) I want to share something specific from that past.

Many years have past since I was in my early 20's and my husband and his family were the outside influence which finally brought a stop to Daddy's ability to continue his abuse in the night hours, so that it remained a secret to all who knew him. They intervened and put a stop to it, to the point that my father had to move away, into another state. The years of fear were finally over. Since he took most of his things with him, I didn't have occasion to be reminded daily of how bad it had been. Let me quickly say that he never molested any of us children that I am aware of. But as we grew older and sought to defend our mother from the very physical and mental/verbal abuse she endured, he often beat my brothers and myself physically, and did odd things, like burning my face with his cigarettes. Please be aware, that I am not going down memory lane....I was healed of that. Thankfully, God gave me complete healing and I no longer have dreams or sad memories of all those scarey times. Praise His Name. Time however, did not heal the wounds, God did.

In later years, when my children were still young, we moved to the same state as my dad, and we had opportunity to visit with him for a number of years before he died, without my children ever knowing much about what happened in my youth. I wanted them to know the man I loved as a child, not the one I feared. He took them fishing, and spent time with them, and that is how I want them to remember him.

When he passed away, we went to clean out his home, which was on land that had belonged to his brother while he was alive, but had passed to my cousin upon the brother's death. My cousin had kindly allowed that Daddy continue to live there until his death. But once both dad's wife and Daddy had died, my cousin feared there might be things, which his children would find in the house, that might harm them, if they found their way in. So he searched through the house and discovered the medicines left behind, some fireworks, matches and Dad's 22 rifle. My heart skips a beat just saying the words.  His 22 rifle.

When my cousin met us at the house so we could enter and clean it out, he asked me to come into the bedroom and get rid of something for him, because he didn't want his children finding it and getting hurt. I said certainly and followed him to the closet, and when he pulled down the gun, I was unable to see it until he turned around. The instant I saw it, my legs buckled underneath me, and I scarcely breathed as I said: I want nothing to do with that gun. That is the gun Daddy held us hostage with when I was seven. A strange look came over his face, becauses he didn't know that side of Dad. I told him to see if one of my brother's wanted it, but I hoped to never see it again..EVER. Except for the bed being directly behind me, I would have hit the floor.

My counsin said that, judging from my reaction, what I said must be true, but that just was not the man he knew. I told him I was totally glad it was not, or his children would have not been safe. I certainly had not been safe most of my childhood with him. But I didn't intend to stand there and start bashing him to someone who never knew his dark side.

Now, my point is this. Objects absolutely do hold attatchement in our brain, that will steal away the preciousness of life if you let them. I am a strong believer that you cannot simply do away with things and expect the very deeply ingrained memories a thing might evoke to be healed. Sometimes, if your attitude is one of hiding from the thing that causes you hurt, you are only putting on another worse problem, which is denial. As you eliminate items that remind you of pain, you must actively put on new life, and fill the void left with God's healing.  As time goes on, it is easier and easier to forget the details of our years of fear. But it isn't because I am in denial of it's pain. I dealt with the pain.

The Healing of God is Newness of Life

I mentioned once before that I grew up with an abusive father.  My childhood was genuinely good when he was not abusive, but it was nightmarish when he was. It is difficult to talk about, and I have found that most people don't really want to hear about it. It makes them more uncomfortable than me.  But for the sake of illustrating the truth found in Christy's subject this week (week 18) I want to share something specific from that past.

Many years have past since I was in my early 20's and my husband and his family were the outside influence which finally brought a stop to Daddy's ability to continue his abuse in the night hours, so that it remained a secret to all who knew him. They intervened and put a stop to it, to the point that my father had to move away, into another state. The years of fear were finally over. Since he took most of his things with him, I didn't have occasion to be reminded daily of how bad it had been. Let me quickly say that he never molested any of us children that I am aware of. But as we grew older and sought to defend our mother from the very physical and mental/verbal abuse she endured, he often beat my brothers and myself physically, and did odd things, like burning my face with his cigarettes. Please be aware, that I am not going down memory lane....I was healed of that. Thankfully, God gave me complete healing and I no longer have dreams or sad memories of all those scarey times. Praise His Name. Time however, did not heal the wounds, God did.

In later years, when my children were still young, we moved to the same state as my dad, and we had opportunity to visit with him for a number of years before he died, without my children ever knowing much about what happened in my youth. I wanted them to know the man I loved as a child, not the one I feared. He took them fishing, and spent time with them, and that is how I want them to remember him.

When he passed away, we went to clean out his home, which was on land that had belonged to his brother while he was alive, but had passed to my cousin upon the brother's death. My cousin had kindly allowed that Daddy continue to live there until his death. But once both dad's wife and Daddy had died, my cousin feared there might be things, which his children would find in the house, that might harm them, if they found their way in. So he searched through the house and discovered the medicines left behind, some fireworks, matches and Dad's 22 rifle. My heart skips a beat just saying the words.  His 22 rifle.

When my cousin met us at the house so we could enter and clean it out, he asked me to come into the bedroom and get rid of something for him, because he didn't want his children finding it and getting hurt. I said certainly and followed him to the closet, and when he pulled down the gun, I was unable to see it until he turned around. The instant I saw it, my legs buckled underneath me, and I scarcely breathed as I said: I want nothing to do with that gun. That is the gun Daddy held us hostage with when I was seven. A strange look came over his face, becauses he didn't know that side of Dad. I told him to see if one of my brother's wanted it, but I hoped to never see it again..EVER. Except for the bed being directly behind me, I would have hit the floor.

My counsin said that, judging from my reaction, what I said must be true, but that just was not the man he knew. I told him I was totally glad it was not, or his children would have not been safe. I certainly had not been safe most of my childhood with him. But I didn't intend to stand there and start bashing him to someone who never knew his dark side.

Now, my point is this. Objects absolutely do hold attatchement in our brain, that will steal away the preciousness of life if you let them. I am a strong believer that you cannot simply do away with things and expect the very deeply ingrained memories a thing might evoke to be healed. Sometimes, if your attitude is one of hiding from the thing that causes you hurt, you are only putting on another worse problem, which is denial. As you eliminate items that remind you of pain, you must actively put on new life, and fill the void left with God's healing.  As time goes on, it is easier and easier to forget the details of our years of fear. But it isn't because I am in denial of it's pain. I dealt with the pain.

Finding a Good Balance When Faced With Fight Or Flight

Being a slave to our feelings is being in the palm of Satan's hand.  He is in control of how the world does things.

 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. I John 5:19 NIV

By manipulating circumstances, he can rule us, if he knows what will bring out our anxiety, our fear, our weakness, frustration, or whatever sends us to a 10 on the emotional scale. One of the things we then try to do is to take control of those circumstances. We will do one of two things: Flight or Fight

    1. Avoid the circumstances and make for ourselves a life of survival codes. Do this, don't do that... It's called Flight.

    2. Confront the circumstances head on, usually with all the emotion we can muster.  Ever had a day you just flew at the circumstances with cussing on the mind...ever knew anyone who attacked all their circumstances with cussing on more than their mind? LOL Sure. It's called Fight.

Now, I don't wish to address that much except to say that either stage you might be in would be dangerous and unproductive if ruled by your emotions.  I most often fall into the Flight one, because I have a hard time forgiving myself for falling into the Fight mode.  So do I seek God's control in my life to avoid being in one of these escape modes?  Sometimes its a habit we all fall into. Let Satan take us to Fight or Flight before we seek God in our circumstances. Bad reason to call out to God, but better than staying in Satan's trap.

 But when I stop and think that I am still under Satan's thumb when I am letting him manipulate me to fall into either category... I realize that what I really need is to seek God to take control before I react.  That isn't easy to do when emotions get in our way.  Satan is tricky, and he knows when to push our buttons.  But Satan is not the only one.  People closest to us, or bosses, or any number of people will push our buttons just to see us react.  Manipulation is a powerful tool. 

The balance word for letting God take control is Self-control.  Now hold on before your react...Scripture is composed of verses that say we should teach self-control.  So what is self-control? It is the act of asking ourselves where our actions will take us, and deciding to act in a way that defeats Satan.  At first it takes some practice.  But eventually you can almost hear the Spirit say, "this is leading up to making a choice." The choice we are admonishing you and asking ourselves to make is the one that chooses to give God full control of our circumstances and maintain self-control in the process.  Neither I nor scripture presume that it is possible to have self-control without the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I Peter1:3-8

Self -control is a means of giving God full control.

You might say, I can control myself.  Well, think about it. What gives you self-control. The ability to put a pause before acting out of emotions.  That doesn't happen over night or by itself.  It takes a kind of wisdom, a self talk kind of attitude. Under stress, we often desert that mentality, and what I want in my life is for the Holy Spirit to make the pause.  I want HIM to be the one screaming in my head, not me screaming at my circumstances.  I totally love when the HOLY SPIRIT screams. He does it so well. He screams out scripture, or a thought like: "God can take care of this!"  And the louder he is in my head, the more I love it. Sometimes, he uses someone else to say it to me. A facebook note, a friend who says sweetly, "are you sure?" Or a pastor's daily devotion.

Being wrapped in the wisdom of God, and finding that the best kind of self-control is being able to hear God's voice before reacting out of emotions requires commitment. Now on the cusp of it, it sounds just like another form of controling things. Just another excuse to tuck things in life safely into a box.  Once again, it is one of the opposites of God's unique perspectives, over that of the world.  And shouldn't it be? Remember where we started? Satan is in control of the world's perspectives. Giving our circumstances, our issues, our emotions and all of lifes burdens and joys into the hands of God for him to control brings us in line with creation and has benefits:

    1. Satan loses control.

    2. Our emotions do not control us.

    3. The manipulations of others can not truly control us. (Though Satan goes out of his way to make it seem that way sometimes.)

    4. We gain self-control.

God is able, but even if he doesn't...

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us
from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve
your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Daniel 3:17-18

Our God is able but even if he doesn’t….

What a powerful statement made by young believers in the face of certain death. Picture it. You are young, you love God and doing everything seemingly RIGHT and because you are doing the right thing, you get in trouble
with the highest authority in the land. I can’t imagine being sentenced to death for following
Christ.

And yet, those guys boldly declared a truth that highlights two lesson for me:

1. Just because He doesn’t, doesn’t mean he can’t
2. My faith isn’t predicated on things going my way
   for me to believe. 

We have all had situations where we prayed in faith for something and didn’t get it. The “accuser of the brethren” likes to take those instances and try to convince us that is was too hard for God. The devil will suggest it enough times that we subconsciously begin to believe it. We show this belief by not praying for the “little” things anymore. We justify that God is too busy or that we can cover the small stuff ourselves. These actions say, we might not believe he is able. He is able. He can. You many never see me do 25 push ups, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do it.

If you want to see if you are mature in your faith, take a look at how you respond when you pray and you don’t get your way. Do you question yourself? God? What is the point of having faith if you can see how everything is going to work out?!?!

Here is where I am challenged. I think, well if he is able, they he should do things the way I want them. Right? NO! He is able but I have to show my maturity in faith by accepting that things won’t always go my way.

I am not moved. I am thrown of course. My faith is based in love and acceptance. God is holy and just and can’t stand sin. Sin has to be punished and can’t be overlooked. So God punished his son Jesus so that it could
be possible for sinful me to have relationship with Holy God. By accepting this sacrifice that Christ made, I am no longer viewed as sinful but forgiven. As a forgiven, I can  have an abundant life. There are many rights to being forgiven but there are responsibilities to. We have to grow up! We have move past the “God-is-a-genie-who-fixes-all-my-problems” mentality. We have to grow into the “God-I trust-you-regardless-of-outcome” maturity.

Prayer: Lord, help us to grow up! Mature us to say that you are not only able but even if you don’t we refuse to be doubt our relationship with you.

 

 

 

The King's Food

Images courtesy of my son, Chris Wilkerson. My thanks.

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: and so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Daniel 1:5

Sounds like an excellent idea, right? Who wouldn't like to be fed like a king? So why did Daniel ask to be exempted...?

When I read this verse, my mind went straight to thinking that the verse was going to be a picture type for how God would have us come daily to his table of spiritual blessings and be fed. *But when I read the story, (read the verse in context,) I recognized it immediately. In this story, Daniel risked a great deal not to risk his health.

• Know the source of your provision:

This is the story of the four children of Judah who, when brought into captivity, were chosen to be served the best the king had to offer, so they would be capable of serving this king. As it turnied out, Daniel chose not to take the King's bountiful food, which might include pigs and exotic meats that were against the Jewish law, and chose instead to eat only a porridge made of veggies. After a 10 day test, they were allowed to continue their chosen diet. Also they drank water, for 3 years! All while they were being groomed to serve the king. (Almost like going to college for an official job.) The result was they were clear minded and healthier looking (which by the way was FATTER) than the others who ate the meat. These 4 men, were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. You might remember the childhood Bible stories of Daniel in the Lion's Den and The 3 Men Who Wouldn't Burn.

The king, who only wanted them to look like they were being well fed, since they would appear in his court on his behalf, was none the wiser.  They were not trusting in the food, but in God for their health. In any exercise to find healthy boundaries, don't fall into trusting the food. Remember the source of your health is faith in God and in choosing to live by his word. Choosing what and how you eat is a commitment to live in your faith, standing on your faith. It's a choice to do whatever, even if sacrificial in nature, to give God reigns in your life.

 

• Imagine yourself....

Note that these young men, having been taken into captivity, were probably too thin, just as we see of people, possessed by other countries on the news today -starving or hungry. Living a Godly life doesn't guarantee  you will have the food you would choose to eat. If they became captive as young men, what occurred in their lives was an incredible shake up of their expectations of life. Perhaps all their dreams had come crashing down. Perhaps, they had gone through a trauma unlike many of us will ever experience - taken from their homes into a foreign environment against their will. If so, asking permission to take control of their eating habits was a small battle Daniel hoped he could win. It was a step in a direction to their own healing process, and step one to finding a new way of life. But understand that there could have been a period of time in their lives that they could not make a healthy choice, and could not eat what they would have chosen to eat due to their captivity. They were at the mercy of their circumstances, as many budget conscious persons are today. But when given opportunity, they were faithful to prepare themselves for the task presented them. There are times in our lives that we will be in the "could not" stage. It is then that our faith will be all that can sustain us.

Your 2 callings in life!

A dear friend of mine gave me a copy of Susie Larson's book Your Beautiful Purpose for my birthday. I wasn't sure what to expect but the first chapter has already got me messed up..in a good way of course.

Larson talked about what it means to be called. (Ok, simple enough. not messed up with this). Technically a calling is simply a vocation; an assignment. (Got that). Then she suggested that God have not one but TWO callings in our lives. (Hold up, wait a minute!) The first she calls a "kingdom call". It is the assignment God has for us in this life. This is the purpose we look for. It is the big picture purpose we spend years trying to discover. (Yup, with you so far).

Then she talks about the 2nd calling. She calls it a "daily call". (Hmm. Wonder what she means by this). It is the daily practice of listening to God's voice and doing what He says. (ok, that makes sense).

Image by Marissa Bowers

Larson warns that if we only focus on the big overarching "kingdom call" we will tend toward self righteousness. (Slow your roll there chica. what?) You see, the "kingdom call" is unique to us. No one will have a passion for it like we will. So we will get frustrated with other people because they "aren't on our same level spiritually" or "don't have the faith as we do". As if we have a monopoly on the voice of God. Forgetting that is took us years and experience to get to the level of faith we currently have.

The "daily call" requires us to focus on how to live out the 24hrs set before us in a way that draws us closer to God. Larson reassures us that the if we heed the "daily call", "...He'll get us where ne need to go so that we can live out the big picture, divinely appointed call over our lives (p32)".

The suggestion that "daily call" puts in the position for "kingdom call" and that neglecting to focus on the "daily" will lead us to self-righteous--or worse, a premature abandonment of our calling--convicted me!

Philippians 1:6 says  he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

I had to repent! I sought God for YEARS on my "kingdom call". Begging God to show me what I was suppose to do. I knew that once I discovered my purpose/my passion/my call then all the decision I made moving forwarrd would line up, support, and flow out of that call. So I was thrilled once I realized my call (See my bio).

Now God is reminding me that he started a work in me and will use the "daily call" to help bring it to completion. I complained about the ordinary days of diapers, laundry, and cooking because it didn't line up to the big picture...because it wasn't what I was "called" to do...or so I thought. In the 24hrs I have before me I can practice discerning the voice of the Lord, do what He tells me, tackle the what ifs, and develop depth of character and faith. You and I have 2 callings we need to equally pursue.

Father, Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psm 119:105). You said you would lead us in the path of righteousness for you name sake (Psm 23:3). This includes the little mundane every day thngs we do. Lead us in how we live daily lives. Open our hearts to see the great call you have given us for the kingdom and for  today!

  

Life Without Sugar

When I was just a child, they introduced sugar coated cereals.  I remember my mother's fascination with them.  But I soon discovered that when I ate them for breakfast I felt sick and hungry at school. As early as that I began to love a higher protein breakfast.  As a preteen, I noticed that I could no longer run and ride my bike with the same energy as when I was an elementary student.  When we were taken out to the track to run laps, I would begin to have blurred vision, and from the second lap til the last I ran blind.  Everything went dark, and I listened to the sounds of those around me to determine if I was still on the track.  Once, I was the last person back to the gym, and someone was waiting there to be sure I made it in.  Too tired to go around the wall to the girl's locker room door, I jumped down the 3 feet to the concrete walkway. My legs collapsed under me, and it took all I could muster to get back on my feet with their help. I continued to try with all my heart to stay in sports. I played intra-mural soccer and basketball.  But always, when I ran for long, the same black haze came over me and I couldn't see, and sometimes could barely hear. Over time, this progressed to passing out completely.

In high school, I joined the basketball team. We didn't do the high exersion sprints that my chldren did, and I am sure they do now. And I wasn't always first in the line up. But after a time or two of the coach letting me go in when someone was tired, my scores earned me a position as backup player and I often played the last quarter to completion. Once I scored the winning goal, and was content to keep my status.  But the other players began to get the ball to me more often.  One day I was put in early in the game, because someone was sick.  I was so excited and played my heart out, running to the goal and doing the layup shot that always went in the basket for me.  But just before halftime, that black pall came over me again, and I was so glad to hear the buzzer.  In the 3rd quarter the other team racked up points and the regular players kept trying to put up points for our team. No one was getting me the ball and I continued to run up and down court until I could hardly breath. Then I found myself free under the rim and I called out to a team member who wisely threw me the ball while I was in the clear.  I dribbled around for position and jumped as high as I could and hit my invisible mark on the backboard perfectly. The ball was through the hoop before my feet hit the floor! But when my feet hit the floor so did my rear. Once again, my legs had collapsed under me,  I got up and played as much of the remainder of the game as I could, until my coach noticed the size of my ankles. They were swelling, and I was out!  I never got to play again. 

Life went on, with me coming to accept that when I was tired, I would go blind and my legs would collapse under me, and no one understood why.Years went by as I learned more and more about my situation. I learned how I had to eat, and was delighted to say to those who didn't understand: "Sugar is like poison to me, even when it is foods that just turn into it quickly once I eat it." I have lived without sugar, except for when my body dumps insulin, for almost 95% of the time for decades; and if I have situations where I have to eat it, I know to expect the consequences.

 By not eating it, you taste it in foods, and at a restaurant I asked the waitress to find out for me how many of their foods they added sugar to when cooking, so I could decide what to order. Her response: "Our manager says you will have to go somewhere else to eat, bacause they add a couple of tablespoons of sugar to everything they fix because it is a preservative!" The most difficult thing about living this way in recent years has been that foods I once ate confidently, have now added sugar. Some meat products I used to purchase for lunches went from 0 Carbs (sugars) to 4 or 5 per slice in added sugar!  I have been a label reader for at least 35 years. And it is so dissapointing to not be able to find or afford my standby foods.  The price of nuts has tripled just this year, and several foods I depend on have been recalled. My father-in-law used to be my source for free pecans, but he has passed. I am truly sorry that finding great foods to eat at affordable prices has become so difficult. Why is that true? As a whole, shoppers don't realize how much sugar they consume, and they don't realize that to get the products back that are fresh, and to roll back to REAL food, we have to not eat the lousy stuff.  Consumer demand is still the driving force for sales, and we need to demand a return to REAL food.

And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them. Genesis 6:21

I once asked my grandmother, "Don't you ever go to the grocery store?" She sent me down to the basement to pull out a pint of peaches from her freezer, and a jar of beans from the fully stocked shelves of canned veggies. She sent me to the spring to fill the water jug I guzzled to empty every day,cold from the fridge. And next morning she sent me out searching for the tiny eggs the banty hens laid in the flowers. We went to the grocery at the end of the week. In her buggy was a gallon of milk because the milk man wouldn't be back until Monday, a loaf of bread, a small box with two cloves of garlic in it, for making my pickles from the baby cukes in the garden, a bag of dried peas, and a carton of tiny Pepsi bottles, because my grandfather liked one each night.  We made slaw from the cabbage my Aunt Shirley brought from her garden. And day after day, I ate from their home store. When I arrived back home from the two weeks of visiting my grandmother, my mother looked hard at me, and said,"What on earth has made your hair so shiney? And your skin is so bright and clear! "I dunno," I said, "we just ate what Grandmother had on hand. They use the same shampoo we do". I will never forget how much I enjoyed the food, and the visible difference just 2 weeks of eating it had made.  Grandmother mowed her grass on the mountainside til age 89.  She died at 95. Have you joined our Wholly Healing journey? Join us on Facebook and look for a new challenge every Monday!

Lord, help us return to the wonderful things you have us to eat. Make us aware what is detrimental to us, and help us not obsess, but find ways to make living this ways a regular part of life. AMEN

BTW ~ A Great Big WELCOME to Julia, our newest Blogger. Can't wait to see how the Spirit will use her to bless us! 

Obedience Always Brings Blessing

What does it mean to be obedient? This story, of Abraham taking his only son, Isaac, to sacrifice him, is a perfect example ...

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about ....

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the skyand as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” —Genesis 22:1-3, 12-18 

i can't even begin to tell you how many times i've questioned, over-thought, pretended i didn't hear, dragged my feet on ... what God has asked me to do. i've been disobedient many, many times and i think it's mostly been out of fear. i didn't trust that God's plan was safe, good, or would bring blessing because a lot of the things He asks of me are not easy. i can come up with a million and one reasons as to why i shouldn't be obedient immediately. 

But, oh how i want to be blessed like Abraham was for being obedient. Abraham didn't wait to do what God told him to do. He went the next morning and did just as the Lord said. Abraham didn't understand God's plan, but he also didn't question it or hesitate. He trusted God completely. 

This story reminds us that obedience always brings blessing. If only we had the courage, faith, and trust to push aside our fears and do what the Lord asks of us as soon as He asks. 

Lord, i ask your forgiveness for not being obedient when you have asked things of me. i'm sorry i let my insecurities and fears stand in the way of Your will. Sometimes the things you ask of me are so big, that i am overwhelmed and some so small that i dismiss them because i don't think i can make a difference. i really want to reap the blessings of being obedient, Lord. Please help me to find the quiet time i need to clearly hear from you so that i know Your will ... i truly want Your will, not mine. Thank you for your patience with me as i continue to navigate through this journey of faith and i come to trust you more and more every day. In Jesus name!

For Our Own Good

I just read a news tag which said ATM's belonging to JP Morgan Chase were loaded with some kind of artificial cash. They didn't use the word counterfeit, but the cash was unusable nevertheless. When you can't trust your bank to give you real money, what are you to do? Well, of course there is a resolution, but not without causing a lot of heart ache for the people who trusted their banking system. 

There are a lot of things, situations, people whom we have trusted in life, only to discover that evil is present just about everywhere. People decieve,  contracts fail, theives break locks, employers use us, fellow associates implicate us falsely, husbands lie about the simplest silly things, children swear they didn't do it...and sorting through life's dillusions can affect us. And, if you are like me, it is the people we trust who hurt us that affects us most.

Sometimes it is easy to walk away from the situation, and find wholeness, newness on a new path.  But often, we are in a place where we can't just walk away.  A job, a marriage, a child in need, a commitment made...these take some time to make some challenging choices. Sometimes the answers don't seem as clear as if a stranger invades our routine with random evil. Just like it will take time for the people who used the ATM money above to prove themselves not to be dishonest, for example, and get their bills etc resolved. it takes time to for God to work out the resolution to our being hurt by others.

But, step one, for us to take, is clear according to Jesus:

You have heard that it has been said, you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Matthew 5: 43-44.

Believe it or not, our Heavenly Father gave this directive to protect us. It is easy to be drawn into the evil someone perpetuates against us. And it is much more difficult, initially, to do the thing that will distance us from the evil. We need practice thinking of it this way.  For example: if the police show up to a fight between two men, it is very difficult for them to know immediately which is the person who initiated an evil act against the other, and who is actually only defending himself.  Defending oneself might be required for self preservation, so as soon as possible, put distance between you and the evil. Christ's directive doesn't mean to  stay and let someone continue to injure, accuse, or manipulate you while you continue to "love them."  It isn't a passive excuse to let someone continue to walk all over you. Likewise, you can't always just turn away and immediately do something that differentiates you from the enemy. You may not know what will be the act of love that separates you from evil  as easily as Christ might.

To honor God according to Mt. 5:44, it takes:

     1.finding appropriate distance  and

     2. thinking about how best to do the loving thing God wants you to do. 

My mind is full of times in my life where people deliberately hurt me in some way.  From freinds to family to work associates and neighbors. I discovered a long time ago that people often think that becasue you are a Christian who doesn't follow retribution, you are naive.  So many times I knew someone lied to me, cheated me, accused me, lied about me, or set me up because they thought I just was too naive to know it.  I am sure they based their actions on my lack of response.  But if I stop and ask Jesus, he always says to let him handle it.

I have known times when doing good to someone who injured me, actually brought them to salvation. I have known times when it actually gave them an excuse to escalate the pain. I have known times when it took years for God to make me feel good about backing down.  There are several persons who still think it is OK to just lie to me, to cover  actions that would make me unhappy. A childish action to say the least, and it grows old. I can't change all of that. So the real reason God tells me to do the loving act, is so that at least my memories of a bad situation aren't directed at myself.  I can't blame me for what someone else does that is evil, if I know in my heart I did something that was not evil in response. God is protecting his children by asking them to do the loving thing.

People who do evil things, sometimes lack the courage to admit thier shortcomings.Their actions are to cover feeling less than good about themselves.  They are subject to their fear of being made vulnerable. Oddly, the exact opposite occurs.  Choosing to be made vulnerable, is to choose to live without fear.  I am not sure why people are so afraid of being wrong, so much so that they will lie or accuse someone else falsely.  Or they will desire to bring hurt to someone to release their own shame.  But it's true more often than it is not. How people think is often upside down.  So, that is why what God asks us to do, often seems backwards.  It is the opposite of what we have been programed to do, and also what our feeling response wants us to do.  So, why someone would rather choose to do something evil to cover their mistakes, confuses me. We are drawn into the confusion and fear if we respond in retribution.  I am not "holier" for doing what was a directive from God. Rather. I am situating myself to be free from fear, and shame, regret, etc...that long list of things that may follow if we do something that is merely more evil for evil.

Thank you Father, for each time you drew me back from making a quick and evil response to evil.  I know that many times my humanness stepped in, or my hormones. But, when I have followed your directive to find a way to love and not hate someone who acted more like my enemy, I have watched you do great things for them and for me.  It never fails that I become aware of how you protected me.  And though it has taken time sometimes to know the whole of it, it is always the same.  Love and prayer are always the best track. Help me obey in weakness as well as in strength, and do the more loving thing, even to those who would do me harm.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Obsession or Service?

Being Godly is not an obsession.  One of the traps of living a legalistic godliness is that it becomes an obsession. The more you believe you must adhere to a divine set of rules, the more you believe you fail.  This is a cruel cyclic truth that can destroy the lives of many well intended servants of God.  In an effort to not fail God, one, who is afraid of failing, works ever harder not to. The result is a servitude to a set of rules, or a way of life, not a
living God. The person may even be falsely sustained by believing they are becoming better in God’s eyes the harder they try.

And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 1 Corinthians 7:35

Yes, we make ourselves available for service to him, but in the way a mother would serve her child.  Not like a slave would fear the whipping post.  In I Timothy the obsessed individual is in a war of words which stirs up discord:

…he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 1 Timothy 6:4

Paul was so obsessed with doing God’s will, and making people adhere to the law of the Jews that he hunted down Christians before he was saved. In his own words:

Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. Acts 26:11

His salvation is the greatest representation of the fact that we are not to be obsessed in serving our savoir. He did the proverbial 180.

We have all become enamored with a new hobby or game, discovery or ability and have spent far too much time with it.  Sometimes, getting to know the “hows and what ifs” of performing within our endeavor can be time  consuming.  It may require intense instruction or research. It may require defining the details. We commit ourselves to the time involved.  It can seem obsessive to others who may not support our endeavor.  There is a point in everything we do, however, when we know if it is consuming real life,  we need to organize our time to realign with a more balanced involvement. We can decide to include or exclude what we’ve learned.  If we are wise, that is.  I have a propensity to obsession.  Being aware of it, makes me sometimes back away from achieving a level which would actually benefit me sometimes.  I back away too soon, that is. I am also slow, so I spend more time learning than most.  One thing I have learned about knowing the difference between being obsessive and being successful at something, is, (rather than pursuing it alone,)

1. to have balanced individuals as companions on the journey, and

2. to see it as a journey, with a goal, not a commandment with a sense of failure if I back off.  

We become obsessed when what we are doing becomes who we are; when what we are doing becomes more important than who we are doing it for, or why we began it in the first place.

 If God is genuinely leading us along a path that will take some time and effort to get there, he will send help along the way if we ask. My problem is that I often forget to ask.  

Lord, today, help us to be able to behave as if saved, not obsessed.  May our service embrace the seeking soul, not build a trap to capture. And free us from anything that turns our service into an obsession. Help us to remember, that we shouldn’t go it alone. Help us not to get bogged down.  Help us not to give up on things you would have us spend time in doing. Help us, when our inadequacy slows us to an obsessive pace. We need people to help define us, encourage us, and sometimes redirect us. Problem is, Lord, sometimes the people I chose tend to lead me into obsession, not away from it. Or the opposite – they have so little patience that they convince me my time is wasted. Send balanced individuals into my life, who will guide me into a more balanced service in everything I do, especially if it is done in your name. I ask this in your precious name, AMEN

***************************************

I wish to thank Christy and Lori, for allowing me to walk this journey by their side.  Both of these ladies use God driven words to help me along the way.  We expose our own hearts to anyone who will read, so that someone else may benefit as we benefit from what God is showing us.  I am uplifted when I know that each of them seeks what Jesus would have them say each time they write.  We may not all struggle the same way, or with the same things, but our struggle is resolved in Jesus by the same Word.  I love that this is one journey where just sharing Jesus is our ultimate blessing and a joy.

Lessons learned from Job

This was supposed to be yesterday's post, but when i was done writing and went to save the post, it wouldn't save. As a graphic designer, i know better than to not save my work often, lol. So ... i'm going to type my same thoughts tonight and save often. 

And even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I’m not sure he would listen to me.
 For he attacks me with a storm
    and repeatedly wounds me without cause.
He will not let me catch my breath,
    but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.—Job 9:16-18

Ever thought that way about God?

i'm reading the book of Job right now and Job's story reminds me so much of past difficult times in my life. You know, Job was wealthy and healthy—according to God (Job 1:8), Job was the finest man on earth, blameless and he fears the Lord and stays away from evil.

Satan didn't like that Job was blessed by the Lord, so that naturally made Job a target. Satan tells God (Job 1:9-10) that of course Job has good reason to fear the Lorf. Job has been rich and prosperous and the Lord has always protected Job. So Satan tells God that He should allow things to be taken away from Job and swears that Job will curse God. So God give satan permission  to take away his children, farmhands, and livestock. Job still praised the Lord (Job 1:21-22). Then God allows satan to take away Job's health, but Job still did not curse the Lord (Job 2:10). But then Job's suffering became too great and as we read in chapters 3-13, Job's misery increases and he begins to despise his life and question God.

Can you relate to Job? It's easy to get discouraged sometimes isn't it? When the troubles seem like they never end and you can't seem to catch your breath. Life gets really hard and it becomes challenging to praise God because we don't see a purpose. Yeah, we've all been there at some point in our life. It's hard to imagine that God could allow one more hardship into our life, especially when it feels like we are already drowning. And on top of that, we start to lose things ... a job, a family member, money, control over events, health .... and hopelessness starts to set in if we don't keep our focus on God. So what's the solution when our world seems to be falling apart?

Praise God anyway. For each thing that is taken away, we need to praise Him more. Keep trusting in Him, not the circumstances. When we do this, two things happen. One, we say, God, you are enough for me, the source of my joy. Two, satan cannot get a foothold or piggyback on our trials. Satan cannot be in the same room as God, He cannot stand to hear the praise and He cannot stand to feel the presence of God's holy light. So when you praise Him all the time, evil cannot win. 

The bottom line is that keeping your eyes on Jesus and not on your circumstances is your ticket to getting thorugh the valley. Job started to focus on what he lost and his pain and he couldn's see past them, which led to questioning God. Praise and pray—don't stop. There's contant peace through the struggle when you are focused. 

Thank you, God, for your living Word. What a blessing it is that we can read Job's story and relate to his emotions. Help us to keep our eyes on you, God, not our circumstances. We claim victory over our troubles in Jesus mighty name!

 

Wholly Surrendered

i was having a conversation with a friend, who's going through a difficult time, a few days ago. She mentioned that she felt God was giving her more than she could handle, that the burden she was carrying was much too heavy. i gently reminded her of something that took me a very long time to learn—the burden is not ours to carry and being wholly surrendered to God means we don't have to carry the weight of troubled times. She said she had surrendered it all, but i knew she hadn't because her heart was so heavy an joy seemed like lightyears away.

So how do you know if you've truly given the battle to the Lord? James 1:2-4 says:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

You know you have fully surrendered your circumstances to God when you can look past them and find joy. Not joy because of your circumstances, but joy because you know Who is in control—the Lord your God! i don't know many people who can find joy when times are tough, but i do know people who can find joy in the Lord during those tough times.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength—Nehemiah 8:10

Fully surrendering to the Lord won't make your troubles disappear, but i've found that it sure speeds things up. You see, when we try to keep control—believing our way is best— we don't need a Savior and we believe that we can do things on our own. But, when we surrender, we are recognizing that we need to have more faith ... that we need to trust God ... that we need to loosen our grip on control so that God's perfect will can be brought to life. God knows how things will play out, He sees the whole picture .... we cannot see into the future and we will never be able to see the whole picture. This surrendering stuff is a life lesson in learning to trust God. 

Father God, i'll just be honest, i really don't like giving up control. It makes me feel like i've lost the battle, like i am giving up. But that is a lie from the enemy! Surrendering all my circumstances to you reveals my faith in you to come to my rescue. You have never failed me, Lord, and i know that there is no problem you can't fix. Help me to not be afraid when i take a back seat to a circumstance that has spiraled out of control — i want You to drive and to steer my life in the direction that will bring you glory and that will result in blessings on my life. In Jesus mighty name!

 

Clear Guidance

I have only once been in a fog so thick I couldn't see where I was going and was terrified to move forward.  Knowing fogs, you go through them fully expecting to pass through them to a place where the view is clearer. But on this night, it was an unwise decision to drive into it.  My children were young, and there was an important event at their school.  We lived a distance from the school, in the country, where even at about 55 miles an hour, it took 20 minutes to get there.  In that distance, I was just sure we would break through the fog and find clear or at least cloudy skies. So we got into the car and off we went.  However, I couldn't see the side of the road looking straight down from my seat in the car.  We felt our way down the back road on which we lived, and I began to pray.  Lord, keep us safe. Please, keep us safe.

When, after going about three miles out the the main highway, the fog was no less dense, I truly considered going back home. But in my mind it had to be safer a mile or two down the highway than trying to creep back to the house through that soup.  So I rolled down the windows and listened for cars approaching on the highway, and cautiouslly entered the road and increased my speed to about 45 mph.  Surely no one could come up on us and overtake us at that speed.  My fog lights and the fact that a few cars had punched a hole through the fog earlier, made it a little easier to see the road sides and I progressed along. Anxious, never the less, and growing more so, as the fog simply was not getting any better as we traveled toward town, I grew concerned that I had made a mistake to not have gone home.  Once we arrived at the school, now about 15 minutes late, I was surprised to find NO ONE ELSE WAS THERE!

I didn't want to believe I was the only one who had supposed that the fog would not be covering "the whole world." This was obviously a cancelation of the event, and if anyone else had come anyway, they had left by now.  I felt alone and foolish. And now I faced driving that nightmare back all those miles in the dark, because the winter night had fallen early.  Oh how I wished there was somewhere else to go besides back to where I started. So many miles of fear, and facing all those miles of risking my children's lives was not my idea of being a good parent at this point.

How, with 3 children, and so many neighbors with children in this same school, did I miss out on the cancelation message? Well, it was a time when there were no computers or cell phones. In fact it may have been a time when we didn't even have a phone. I am not sure. What's more I was not big on watching TV news or listening to local radio. It was also a place where we didn't live close to one another. I am sure families all called one another, but my only close family wasn't home.  So we just missed recieving the word. What's more, I totally missed the report that we were going to be hit by a dense slow moving snow storm, arriving about dark. 

As we returned home, creeping along, often unable to see the edge of the pavement, and nothing of the houses and businesses to give me an indication of how far we had traveled, I watched carefully for intersections.  I finally was able to read a road sign which allowed me to know we had traveled about half the way. My fog lights made something about the fog to glisten with tiny sparkles.  It was so pretty, I had to concentrate on driving. The hour long trip had made me a little weary of straining into nothingness looking for indications of where I was on the road. But then, there was a little openess in the fog, and it was merely very low clouds. What a relief, I thought until my lights came glaring back at me to blind me from reflecting off this huge white wall.  My first thought was that I had left the road and was headed straight into a white concrete block wall. I had only seconds to recover from the adrenaline rush and blink twice to refocus on what I was driving right into.  "What is that?" I startled the kids. I heard gasps and echos of my question from the back seat as my children became excited, and I slowed the car to a near crawl. Then out of the fog emerged a pure white wall of the biggest densest snowflakes I ever saw.

Know when you look out over a landscape in summer and see the wall of rain falling from the front of a stormcloud, and you are glad it is out there, not where you are driving?  That is what this was - a wall of snow announcing the storm behind it. Just as dense rain would hamper your driving, dense snow is totally a wipeout.  Imagine going from believing you were colliding with a block wall just seconds before, to colliding with a wall of snow instead. Even now it gives me a surreal feeling. That feeling of having left reality and being in a dream - where things are never what they seem and change as quickly as thought. We immediately changed everything about our environment. Although driving in the snow was challenging, possibly as dangerous as being in the fog, I suddenly could look out past the edges of the road to the houses and see porchlights.  I believed we could make it home alive. It felt like something from a movie, where the characters jump through the mirror or black hole into the unknown, only we were living it.

The thing that I learned from that night, was that God is always with us, even when we make some really big errors in judgement and move forward without his guidance. When we are facing decisions in life that are important destinations but we are moving through as if in a fog - without clear guidance, sometimes, it is better to move forward slowly until God gives us a clear word of instruction. Often, it is far better to go nowhere until God clears the fog.  I hope it is obvious I mean this metaphorically in reference to understanding his perfect will.  If however, we have already moved forward, then realize God has closed the doors, sending us back to start again,  we may face some pretty scarey situations. We may kick ourselves for not "going home" when we first understood how foggy our path really was.Sometimes we get mad at God. It is imperative to not make the destination of so great importance that we deny our circumstances and move forward, unless God tells us to. In other words, sometimes God tells us to enter the storm. If so, we can count on Him to be present every step of the way.  But sometimes, he says to go another day; wait upon him to clear the fog. 

I truly love morning fogs that lift off rivers and lakes. It evokes a calmness that driving in a night fog did not. Because I have assurance that as the sun warms the air, the fog dissipates. But until it does, it is a magic world, especially  behind the lense of a camera. It is an everchanging world that moves forward at a rapid speed. Each moment may feel like, "I wish I could capture and hang on to this image forever." Every moment is new but fleeting. When life is moving like that, it really helps to remember that the Son of God is burning away the fog. If we are unclear on where life is going, and we remain calm in the peace of knowing who is in control,  we can actually enjoy the foggy times in life.  It is often said that what we don't know is what scares us most. It becomes an act of will to acknowlege that life is going to have some fog. It is therefore wise to turn on the "God radio" often enough to hear the weather forecasts on life frequently, and then let God tell us when it's safe or imperative to move forward. Waiting on the Lord to burn away the fog, can be a beautiful experience if we stop to watch the magic. I believe God enjoys painting the picture of our future stroke by stroke.  We should enjoy watching him do it!

Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But all we, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord ...But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord: and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowlege of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the powe rmay be of God and not of us. II Corinthians 3:17, 18 & 4:3-7.

Lord I need to see your plan before I enter the fog, but if you take me into the fog and the storm and darkness, I am so thankful that you are there.  If I stumble there unexpectedly, harness my fear and turn the fog into beautiful snow every time! I praise your name for the times you have sent angels to direct me through the fog.  And for every time you allowed me to go to a place where I cannot clearly see with my thinking eyes, but that you gave me new understanding in that unsure place, I stand amazed that you cared for me.  Do as much for my family and friends, bless them with your leadership each and every day.  In Jesus Name, AMEN

When you need it, say it over and over~

I read somewhere years ago that to be able to replace bad or traumatic thoughts it takes 7 good thoughts or repetitive good experiences, in order for the mind to block out the bad.  Scripture instructs us to dwell on peace, joy and hope to give our brains the boost needed to overcome the bad with good.  Giving our brains a new outlook is a theme repeated through out scripture. The simplest references to the theme are those scriptures with refer to renewing our mind.  It is something we sometimes must actively do.  The mind doesn't choose to renew itself which is sort of ironic, because of course you must think about it in order to make an active choice to do what it takes to renew the mind.  In other words, it is not in the set of things the mind does automatically, like keeping the heart running at a regular pace, or reminding the lungs to pump air into and out of them.  Instead it is part of free will to choose certain things. To certain personalities it seems to be inbred to choose the more positive things in life to dwell on.  To others it is a battle everyday to find happiness. But to all, trauma can change our basic foundations for joy and peace.  It becomes a matter of choice therefore to be joyful or have peace.  God does direct us to strive to attain joy and peace which in turn bolster our hope.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

A simple thing therefore to do if you chose to have certain thoughts foremost in you mental attitudes is to repeat them over and over.  Or read them, type them, write them, or share them over and over. I sometimes post a notecard on the mirror or put a bit of paper in my wallet that reminds me to think on the things of God.  It is more than the power of positive thinking however.  It is meditating on the word of God.   Find a word in scripture that God says we can hang our hat on, and meditate on it.  That can be something as simple as repreating it to yourself several times.

Sometimes is helps to be very practical and do the childlike thing: like saying a phrase over and over until we are inclined to believe it.   For example - "Reject the fear, reject the fear, reject the fear...etc." telling the mind exactly what you want it to do. Another would be - "Remember to smile, remember to smile...etc."

Satan is well aware of this prinicple, for it is at the base of terrorism, brainwashing, bullying, and all forms of manipulation.  Constant repetitive attacks on our thinking, however they come about, erode our faith in what we know to be true. Satan often takes the truths of God's word and turns them around, to make an untruth.  We find that he makes near copies of the things of God often, to decieve us. If it works for him, it must be pretty powerful.

Yet, God would not have us sit on a mat and say it until our body aches.  Because the result would be that our mind would relate the word with pain.  So an easy remedy and one that has balance, for our spiritual growth, is to remember the reference to the science which seemed to indicate that 7 goods replace 1 bad.  There is no scripture that I am aware of that would tell us to  repeat something 7 times, but the number 7 is the number of completion, in scriptural references.  So to adopt it as a boundary number to give us a stopping point, is healthy.  Don't obsess over trying to overcome whatever holds your mind captive. But use a simple formula.  Occasionally repeat an uplifting word or phrase about 7 times. And do it again whenever the pain, fear, sadness, or other negative thoughts slip into your thinking and won't go away.  We all need a mental exercise every now and then.  And this is a good and practical one.

Whatever mental exercise is healthy for you, use it casually, as a tool.  No pressure, just an exercise in renewing your mind! In obedience to God to make the healthy choices and refocus where God says it does us the most good. Unlike memorization which of course is good for recalling verses, meditation should accompany an attitude of relaxation, that rewards your mind and your body, and helps it to be drawn to more of the same.

Lord, help us to direct our thoughts to the blessings in life that you so bountifully give us.  Thank you for giving us a means to reorder our thoughts, and remember that you have given us ways that the hard things in life don't overwhelm us. Focus our minds and hearts on the peace, joy and hope you have promised to give if we choose to receive. AMEN

CALLED, CHOSEN, FAITHFUL

My son posted last night in hours of insomnia that he was mulling over the “thus far” of his life, and wondering if he had wasted his life, and was speculating how to make a mark in life and be able to die in due time, believing he had done what the Lord would have him do.  I can say I have been there, have you?  One of my neighbor’s grandchildren expressed to me this morning the issues of her making decisions that would affect her life’s future.  She is only about to be nine. She is mulling over her salvation and that she would like to be baptized. I never brought the subject up, nor even hinted at it.  She is hearing the Holy Spirit. Each and every time we face this point in life, our emotions may vary, from the extreme of silently invigorating to the other extreme of powerfully debilitating, or anywhere in between. Some will know exactly to what God is calling them, and others will struggle with how to know why the Spirit stirs their soul.  Regardless of the circumstances, I am certain of one thing.  God doesn’t call us all to be missionaries, in the “go to the ends of the world” sense.  Instead, if we are called to serve him, but not chosen to be preacher, teacher or missionary…we still have a place in his great plan if we come with the right attitude.

There are 6 verses that come up in a Bible Gateway search when you type in “called, chosen” in the King James version. I was searching only one particular verse, but was impacted by the six verses that came up. All six speak of exactly this situation in life.  I want to share what I saw in each one:

1.When Samuel was seeking the new King, he followed the command of the Spirit to go to Jesse to select this king from among Jesse’s sons. Jesse brought the sons whom he felt would make the best king. However, after going through Jesse’s sons, Jesse’s chosen were not God’s chosen. David, his youngest, was.  Seven (the number of completion) of Jesse’s sons were called to pass before Samuel, but only one, the eighth, (number of new beginning) was chosen. And he was the least expected to be God’s chosen. What’s more, David was in the fields keeping sheep one minute and was the King of Israel the same day. God’s call can be a sudden and unexpected new beginning.

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. I Samuel 16:8.

2.Isaiah relates the story of God’s conversation with Jacob, whose name he changed to Israel, and whom he chose in spite of his past and in spite of his fear. It was his servant’s attitude that determined that choice.

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:8- 10.

3. Matthew retells a story that Jesus told about a man who needed laborers. He hired men in the morning who agreed to work for a penny. Later as he saw they needed help, to get done for the day, he hired more men whom he also paid a penny. He paid the men, the last first. When he got to the first men, they expected to receive greater pay. They, just as we might, believed that if they worked longer, they should receive more pay. The late day workers were actually a gift to the tired men, but they never saw this. The last were chosen exactly the same as the first and agreed to exactly the same pay. Jesus is saying to us, that no matter the time of life we are called to the labor, we are equal to any who serve him for a lifetime. God does not look on the length of service, just that we be willing.

 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew 20:16.

Fret Not Thyself

In Psalm 37 the first phrase in the chapter is, "Fret not thyself."  Before verse 10, it appears in the text twice more.  Now the translation would obviously be: Don't be anxious," but there is a curious thing about the way it is spoken in the old form.  It seems to say that anxiousness and worry are something we do to ourselves.  As a worrier myself, I have been trying to apply these verses, with the recognition of that fact.  If I worry, I may be bringing a state of FRET on myself.  So since I know I have a need to do SOMETHING, what can I do in response to what causes me to worry that would be the right response?

These are the words God gives us to replace being fretful.They are given in an almost " if we, then God" format -

If we:

• vs. 3 ~ Trust (in the Lord) & Do Good - then God will provide that we will dwell in our land and be fed.
• vs. 4 ~ Delight ourselves (find pleasure in the Lord) - then expect Him to give you the desires of your heart.
• vs. 5 ~ Commit our way (to the Lord) &  believe He will "bring it to pass," - then He will make our right choices perfectly clear in time, bright as the noonday sun.
• vs. 7 ~ Rest and wait patiently (on the Lord) staying  focused, without looking at what's happening with others, (for in time wicked people get their justice,) then we can hear God laughing at them, because he sees their day is coming.
• vs. 8 ~ Cease (from anger, leaving wrath behind), turning our thoughts from doing evil..or retribution - then He will take care of those who do evil things in our pathway, and take that burden from us.

I especially like the light-heartedness of God telling us to imagine Him laughing at people who try to devise thier own way out of their troubles. Can't you just see Him shakin' His head? But wait, he calls them wicked.  Oh yes, when we are trying to spend all that time figuring a way out, and worrying ourselves with the devices, it is sin.  Sin is anything going in the opposite direction of how God is trying to take us.  So I guess, any devisive thinking, is really sin, because God says "don't fret yourself with it."  SO...

What will you do when you are alone and adrift?

I watched as my daughter disciplined her toddler son one day.  And I thought how Godly the process was. He was kicking and screaming, resisting what his Mom wanted him to do. She got his attention, put him in time out, and when the time had come that he understood he had done wrong, and ceased crying and feeling sorry for himself, she brought him back to herself, having fulfilled the resolution for his behavior. She made him understand she still loved him.

Sometimes we want to go our own way.  God made us with a sense of independence.  It is what motivates us to get up in the morning and get things done. But independence without the balance of unity, someone to love us, and boundaries can take us to places of loneliness and ineffectiveness.  Sin is when we ignore the need we have as humans for our creator to provide that balance.  We become heavily weighted on self-indulgence and things get out of kilter. 

Think of an astronaut in space.  He is a daring independent kind of guy.  Extremely so sometimes.  Intelligent and capable of flying his craft. If he weren’t, he might not get home. Apollo 13 was a great example.  But without his team on earth - helping him find the boundaries, sort the difficult calculations and extremes of detail - he would fail, and the results could be disastrous. I heard an astronaut say yesterday that if you are off just a little in the beginning and don’t adjust early, you could miss your target altogether. Without the altering of the cross on the sin issue, we would miss our eternal target all together, but we will miss the daily blessings of God as well.

God wants our independent character to get us where we are going.  He desires his best for us.  But we need a mission control!  Personally, I don’t like thinking of being alone in this great big universe like a pilot alone in outer space with no contact to what grounds him.  I want God’s universe-capable power to reel me in. 

Pursuing the Proverbs: Day 23

Proverbs 23:13-14 says,

"Do not withhold discipline from a child;

if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Punish him with the erode

and save his soul from death."

Now that my children are older, I appreciate the fact that my husband and I were consistent in discipline when they were young.  People often notice that my kids are respectful to those in authority over them.  Setting proper boundaries for children is crucial since it establishes expected behaviors for authority figures for their entire lives.

Since we are God's children, Scripture clearly teaches us that God, our Father, also disciplines us in Hebrews 12:5-6,

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Today's reflection:  Our challenge is to accept times when consequences or the discipline occurs and instead of being angry or becoming bitter, acknowledge that experience one of a child who is loved by God.

Today's Prayer:  Lord, help me to see when you are making a course correction in my heart and life.  Guard my heart from becoming bitter and help me to grow in your love and wisdom.  In Jesus name!

For more wisdom, read Proverbs chapter 23.

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.

Pursuing the Proverbs: Day 4

As a Sunday school teacher, I often sought ways to make a principle stick with kids. It isn’t only the scripture, but the principle, which bears learning.  And the fun thing I discovered early on, was that the first letter of words – alliterations, helped the children remember “The Principle.”  What was even better, the letter that kept coming up in all the principle words was “P”. So if I asked, “Can you guess which letter the principle this week begins with,” they would all chime, “P”, because they knew from experience, it always began with the letter “P”. 

I am loving our theme this month, because, guess what?  Proverbs begins with “P”. And it is all about adventures in principles, and the first of my selected scriptures also begins with the letter “P”.  Are you feeling like we are on Sesame Street and the letter of the day is “P”, yet? LOL

So what is this Perfectly Principled word?  It is Plan.

Today's Reflection: Proverbs 4:26 says: Ponder the Path of thy feet. 

Oh, yaayy! More “P” words!   Say it three times fast. I mean it. 3 times beginning - now. That will help it stick. OK. You are not 6.  So why do most of us act like 6 years olds, living day in and out without sitting down and pondering what steps we should take for the day? Then share that with God? 

If for a few minutes each day we do four things:

1. Ponder our path – give the day a little thought.  Rather than striking out into it blindly doing what we did the day before. 
2. Like most of you I need lists.  So as part of your Plan try to:

        Pray the list – if you have a list of things to do, pray for –

• guidance – let God point the way.
• presence of mind -  defined as “existence in a certain place” in the mind
• peaceful and prosperous productivity
• and passion for the purpose

   3.  Purpose to Prove God’s Power – Claim that power by filtering our plan through his word. Then prove him, put God to the test. On Purpose… have purpose.

 A reason to do what is on the list makes certain things Priority.  So –

   4.  Prioritize the plans.

Then: 

• We might get everyone in the family on the same page.
• We might see God in our day.
• We won’t walk alone.
• We might realize some things were not as important as we thought.

Result? Things will go wrong anyway, the plans won’t always pan out, and you will feel like a pitiful failure at the end of the day - IF you forget that the plan was a guide, not the perfect will of God.  Please put a little fun in and plan to laugh and make changes to the plan. Proverbs are Character builders, not the “LAW OF GOD.”  Use them as tools to fashion a little more perfect YOU.

 Then above all – refer to Acts 2: 21 often, at the end of your day: and remember the old joke which quotes only half the verse but reeks with wisdom: “it shall come to pass”.  Tomorrow’s another day. Think about it! And Ponder a new Plan.

Today's Prayer: Lord Jesus, your word helps us know that everything about you is one big plan. There is purpose in every element of your creation. Help me be a part of that plan, but also help me to include you in my daily plan.  But most of all, help me to emulate you and have a plan. Lovin’ having fun as part of the plan. I think I see you smiling.  AMEN

For more wisdom, read Chapter 4 of Proverbs.

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

He makes me strong.

With everything changing around me (the season, job location, divorce, etc), i really felt encouragement from the Lord to attend a new church as i start a new journey. Traveling the whole month of October and taking a break from church (the physical building, not the act of worship) has been a good way to transition to a new place for fellowship. 

It felt so good and refreshing this morn to be at this new church. i was able to tune out the crowd and soak in His presence. The title of the series they were in was Stronger—i felt like i was exactly where i needed to be and it felt so good.

In the time of worship He really spoke to me:

I have made you strong. When i thought about what that meant, i realized that it didn't mean He created me strong, but that He made me strong through all the trials in my life. And at a time when i feel a bit weak and vulnerable He reminded me of the strength that i have through Him. Every heartache, pain, disappointment, and setback that i've experienced has not made me weak. It has made me strong. And ...

He promises in scripture to make us strong.

He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.—Isaiah 40:29

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’—Isaiah 41:10

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; 
This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.—Exodus 15:2

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.—Philippians 4:13

The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? 
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places. 
He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.—Psalm 18:32-34

I want you to be desperate for me. We were singing this song and the words i am desperate for you, i'm lost without you seemed to be the only words i could hear. As if God was saying seek Me first ... not second or third, but first. Be desperate for Me alone and I will direct your path. With all the change happening, i don't know what to seek first. There are so many things pulling me in different directions and i am easily distracted. My heart and head are on overload. But i got the sense that God was telling me to simplify. To trust in Him and get rid of the stuff that is weighing me down so He can show me exactly where i need to be. 

Today's experience was a good reminder to continually put myself in a quiet and safe place where God can speak to me. He longs to encourage us in that way, but He won't shout over the noise, busy schedule, or be last on the mile-long to-do list.. We have to want and need to be desperate for Him. We have to be willing to simplify our lives to make time for Him. We can't expect God to move in our life if we don't make a place for Him to move. 

i am challenging myself (and you) to simplify the busy schedule to make time for Him and His Word. Pray and ask God what you can give up or rearrange in your schedule to spend more time with Him. Simplifying our schedules for Him will not only lower stress levels, but bring calm, clarity, focus, and a way for God to truly give you direction and a purpose. 

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

 

Plowing in the Snow

The other day I was speaking with a wise friend who was sharing a story about someone who was working a job in her field in hopes that it eventually brought in more clients and expanded her business.  She said it’s like “plowing in the snow.”  I had never heard this phrase before, but am amazed at what God has revealed this week in praying about the meaning.  

In preparation for a new season of growing, farmers often plow their fields and mend tools and machines during the winter.  These simple acts alone do not grow their crops and yield a harvest, but are crucial to a good crop.  Plowing the fields during the colder weather is hard work and doesn’t produce any immediate results.  Repairing farm machinery, in the same regard, seems pointless at the time.  However, when the spring arrives, the farmer diligently plants his crops in prepared fields with maintained machines.  The farmer has to look down the road quite a few months during those cold winter months to dream of what the future could look like.

I can relate to this principle so much as a Christian.  There are times when I’m doing the “right” things:  reading my Bible, spending time with the Lord, going to church, worshipping God, but I am not seeing the results of my efforts.  I am dreaming of my future plans, but they seems so distant.  This is an example of “plowing in the snow.”  

As Christians, I believe God wants us to dream and pray for those things within His perfect will, but we can’t give up when life gets difficult.  The challenge is to fix our eyes on Jesus each day-knowing that our Heavenly Father adores us and has great plans for us-both in heaven and on earth.  Sometimes the winter seasons are longer than others, but when our focus is on the Lord, He will give us the grace we need to endure.

My Prayer:  God, I confess to you that I sometimes feel like giving up during those cold seasons of my life.  Thank you for giving me strength when I’m looking ahead.  Holy Spirit, remind me to focus on you.  Thank you, Jesus, for modeling the ultimate example of perseverance on the cross.  Lord, I claim that your grace is sufficient for me.  In Jesus Name!