Christian Women Online Blog

Climbing to Companionship

2007-10-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:1
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.

Do you ever wonder why the activity of God can draw a crowd, but the call from Him to be committed, draws only a few? People are ready to get in on the blessings, the buzz that often surrounds His activity, but only a few follow Him on the uphill climb to companionship.
Companionship is defined as the state of being with someone. This communicates more than simply a mental knowledge or even fond feeling toward. One is not considered a companion if there is no consistent fellowship and time spent together. It is during this time of intimate fellowship that companions share their heart with one another.
It takes work to follow Christ. It is often times a steep hill and can feel like a hard and strenuous journey, but only those that make the climb with Him, are blessed with the quiet place where He sits with you, teaches you, and becomes your dearest companion. God desires to share His heart with us, but it takes commitment and work on our part to follow Him to that quiet place that is conducive for Him to do so.
Are you taking the time each day to climb to that quiet spot? Are you putting forth the effort and energy to get up early enough to sit with Him and hear what is on His heart? Are you a part of the crowd that is watching from the lower plains of life? If so, what is it that is keeping you from making the journey up the hillside to be with Him? Is it the lack of discipline to make the time? Or perhaps it is simply being unwilling to give up a little sleep and rise early enough to meet with Him before the rush of your day begins.
Whatever it takes, start today with that first uphill step towards that quiet place with Jesus. Find renewed strength through His companionship and enjoy the new perspective and joy that comes from being up on the hillside with the Lord.

Lord, give me the discipline necessary to make the climb today to meet with you. Draw me to the quiet place where you are waiting to share your heart with me. Give me ears to hear and the will to climb as high as you lead me today, no matter what the journey requires of me.

Tammy...

You can read more from Tammy by visiting Steps in our Journey

It's Not About Me

2007-10-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

I have gone through a thing or two in my life and have stood in awe at the fact that I am still sane. I have heard so many times from other people “You are such a strong woman.” This has always made me feel somewhat guilty and unworthy. I felt like I was taking credit for something I did not do and I never knew why until today.

This morning I once again heard the words that make me feel shameful. I began to meditate on this and asked God why I feel this way. I could hear myself thinking out loud, “God, I am not strong. Why do people think I am strong? By the world’s standards I should be labeled as a strong woman but I DON'T FEEL THAT WAY! Why?”

Then I felt that oh so gentle nudge tell me ever so sweetly, “You are right to feel that way. You aren’t as strong as others believe and you must tell them so.”

What? OK that little spirit of pride started to rise up and I began to sense some queasiness coming on. Then thoughts started to roll around and around my head, “What does He mean I am not strong?” “I went through this and this and survived.” “I should be crazy but I’m not.” “I don’t understand.” “What do they see then God?” “What do they see?!”

Then, God interrupts my thoughts. You know how he speaks to you over your own thoughts? Well that is what He did, somewhere between “I don’t understand.” and “What do they see then God?” He said, “They see me.”

….sigh.

My eyes widened, my heart started racing, I felt joy swell up in the pit of my stomach and I began to laugh! I knew He was right, after all He is God, but still I always ask Him to show me in His word. And show me He did. Right there in 2nd Corinthians.

And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I had felt this way because I am not strong. In fact, I am weak! God has many opportunities to show how strong He is because I have had so many weaknesses! It means I truly am dying to self and allowing myself to become more like Him. Wow! What a revelation! I do feel as though a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I certainly have a new perspective about things that I have gone through.

So, if you don't like hearing people talk about how strong you are, from now on you can accept those words with a wink and a smile and say, "Thanks, I'll tell God He is doing a wonderful job!"

Just know they see Christ in you. You are reflecting Him! We are being molded and shaped. We are on the potters wheel having our infirmities removed. God is so good! Now, we can gladly glory in our weaknesses so that Christ can be seen. Can I get an Amen?!

I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: In Pursuit of Proverbs 31

At the time appointed...

2007-10-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

"At the time appointed I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son" Genesis 18:14

That's another way of saying, "This is going to be a full-term baby." This means a little bit more waiting, doesn't it? And that's not the answer we're looking for! We don't want nine months of carrying a child...nine months of bearing a promise until it comes to the moment of delivery. We want to wake up in the tent one morning and have a crib in the corner with a baby crying in it. For that matter, we'd prefer that the baby be smiling and cooing. Or maybe standing up and walking and talking with a full vocabulary.

We don't want to wait! We want roses, but we don't want to weed or prune or water or wait until they bloom in all their fullness. Nor do we want to acknowledge that God might be maturing those roses and bringing fragrance into our lives through some dark, rainy, overcast days.

Can you remember the days when you actually had to dial a number with a rotary dial and stand within a few feet of the wall because you were attached to it? We need one-button, pre-programmed auto-dial. Speed! No Waiting! Immediate fulfillment! We are all schooled to instant gratification. We pray, "Lord, give me patience and I want it right now!"

Yet the Lord said to that dear elderly couple, "At the time appointed I will return to you, according to the time of life." It was going to be a regular baby on a regular schedule born in the regular way. There is an "appointed time" for me as well. God has been faithful to His word, and He will respond to the heart's desire of His children. What He delivers may not be the very thing I ask for, but it will be the very thing I need. There is much about my life that I did not ask or that I did not plan. But I can see that He has brought fruitfulness to that place where emptiness has reigned, and He has caused my desert to blossom like a rose.

Are you waiting for your "appointed time". It may not take as long as it did for Sarah, but however long it takes, it will be worth the waiting. In fact, while you go through the test of waiting, you will learn more about the Lord's miracle-working grace in your life than you would have learned if you had received a next-day delivery.

The Lord said to Abraham and Sarah. "The miracle for which you have waited will come. But it will be something that grows in your life and

comes forth in the fullness of time."

(this post was taken from personal notes and quotes written from a study on The Life of Abraham by Jack Hayford)

In Him...Chris

Chris can also be found at her personal blog Come to the Table

Perspective

2007-10-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

My husband, who is a minister, had the wonderful opportunity to go on a mission trip to Africa in August. Needless to say it was quite a powerful experience. My words cannot adequately describe his time there, the impact of the beautiful people and breathtaking landscape. He summed it up in the word "perspective." In our country of prosperity and privilege, we often forget what is important--our calling and purpose as followers of Christ to reach others for the kingdom.

I hope you enjoy these wonderful pictures my husband took. May they challenge you to pray for the many lost around the world and the amazing people who have dedicated their lives ministering to them. May we also be challenged to pursue God's calling on our own lives with abandon--may the good things not get in the way of the great things. Blessings!

In Him,
Kelly

God Sees Individuals in a Crowd

2007-10-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

I work in a large youth ministry. Last Sunday night, 433 students came through the doors. Before you write us off as “too into numbers” or as a holding bin for teenagers stuffed with free pizza, let me say that big numbers don’t necessarily mean anything. Or, they can mean a lot. Actually, numbers do matter because people matter, and in that crowd of 433, there were 433 unique individuals looking for acceptance and a safe place to have fun. Certainly, the Holy Spirit can and does move through large crowds as well as small crowds, orchestrating circumstances and drawing people’s minds and hearts to Him.

Case in point: a middle school student I’ll call “Bobby.” Sunday night, our youth pastor noticed Bobby at a video game. They had never met before, but our pastor engaged Bobby in conversation. It turns out that Bobby’s father had collapsed and died of a heart attack at 53 years old this week. The funeral was already over.

Our pastor was of course moved by Bobby’s circumstance. He was able to establish the beginning of a relationship with Bobby and speak hope and courage into Bobby’s life. But God didn’t stop working there.

Later that night, our guest speaker was Stephanie Arnold, a former Olympic archer who uses her skills to enhance her talks about her faith in various venues. This past year, Stephanie’s father was killed in a motorcycle accident. She told the crowd Sunday night that this was the first time she had been able to talk about her loss without breaking down. She talked about how God had helped her through this hard time in her life.

Do you think that one little 6th grade boy in the crowd was hanging on every word?

It took a lot of time, work and resources to make last Sunday night happen, and God receives the glory. It is by him, in him and for him that nights such as this happen. And yes, it was an elaborate event. Some might say over the top, too "worldy," too many bells and whistles, not deep enough, not churchy enough--but I know how the staff would respond; I feel sure that they would do it all again, even just for Bobby. Because he’s worth it. He matters to God, and he matters to us.

Do you recognize times in your life when God arranges moments and circumstances to meet you at your point of need? Do you realize that you matter so much to God that he always sees you in the crowd, even a crowd of 6 billion people?

May you feel his watchful, loving eye on you as you move throughout your day. Whatever trials touch you, they are only passing through by his permission, and he will give you grace to face them. And if you should happen to remember Bobby today, please pray for him. It’s been a tough week, but God’s eye is definitely on him. He’s a V.I.P..

Please come by and visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

Singin'

2007-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am shy.

I admit it. Freely. It’s better to just get that out in the open, for I struggle daily to move beyond my safe place and into that arena of mild discomfort, riddled with the pitfalls of drawing a blank and saying the wrong thing.

But God must have thought I needed a ~~giant shove~~ nudge. He has given me two sons who redefine the boundaries of my comfort zone minute by minute; one such moment occurred during dinner while we were on vacation last fall, visiting my husband's sister.

“So, what are you two going to sing?”

The waiter leaned over the booth and ruffled Micah’s hair.

“Sing?” my husband asked.

“Sure – they can stand up on the bar and sing a song, and we’ll give ‘em a card for free drinks-er-soda for the rest of their lives!”

Corban and Micah looked at us excitedly.

“Can we, Mama, can we, Daddy?” Corban begged. My husband smiled at him and said, “Of course!” I caved in on myself. Are you kidding? Stand up on that bar and sing a song in front of (gasp) people? I could never. Not now. Not ever.

For the rest of the meal at O’Dougherty’s Irish Pub in downtown Spokane, Corban and Micah whispered to each other. Visions of silly nonsense songs I’ve composed being sung to the entire restaurant flitted through my mind, but I fought the urge to offer suggestions of “suitable” material, and I even refrained from asking repeatedly, “Are you sure you want to do this? There are going to be people watching you, did you know that?”

When our fish and chips, Irish stew and soda bread were finished, we gathered up the stroller, jackets, toys and sippy cups, heading to the bar by the door. There were only about six people gathered around it, all eating quietly and not really looking up. Until…

“We’ve got a treat for you today, folks! Corban and Micah are going to sing you a song!” And the waiter swung first Micah, and then Corban up onto the wooden countertop.

I frantically grabbed for our camera, my heart pounding. My hands shook as I opened the lens, avoiding looking at anyone but my boys. I prayed silently, God, please don’t let them be humiliated!

There was a pause as they conferred in a whisper, and then, the sweetest sound fell on my anxious ears.

Oh God, you are my God,
And I will ever praise You!
Oh God, you are my God,
And I will ever praise You!

I will seek you in the morning,
And I will learn to walk in Your ways,
And step by step You’ll lead me,
And I will follow you all of my days!

And I will follow You all of my days,
And I will follow You all of my days,
And step by step, You’ll lead me,
And I will follow You all of my days!

From the top of that sticky wooden bar, surrounded by half a dozen people, praise to the God of creation flowed. A declaration of two little boys’ faith, seven and four; they knew no shame, and at the top of their lungs, off key, off meter, they belted out the words to their favorite worship song.

I looked at my husband out of the corner of my eye; yes, he was crying, too. He caught my eye and laughed through his tears.

See, Beloved? They sing when you cannot. But teach them. Lead them. And they will only grow in their boldness.

I know I don’t need to stand up on a bar to proclaim my love for Jesus. I don’t even need to sing. But I do need that nudge once in awhile. I freely admit it.

Pulling my boys down from the counter afterwards, I looked in their eyes to see what was there – but instead of relief, disappointment in their performance, or even pride, I simply saw… happiness.

We left the restaurant, and Corban grabbed his daddy’s hand as they walked ahead of me, but I could still hear their words.

“Corban, I am so proud of you! You just told those people about your love for God!”

And Corban said, “Really? I was just singin’!”

Whether we're talkin’, or singin’, or even just livin’, may our love for God and His love for all of us be as evident as if we were singing it from the mountaintops. Or a wooden countertop.

“O, Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.” (Psalm 51:15)

You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight

Where's the Asprin?

2007-10-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Once a year the school district where we live in Southwest California does something unusual. Every Wednesday in the last week of September they schedule a “non-student day.” The teachers work but the students stay home. This is a big deal around the Donovan home. It is the only day in the year, when we travel an hour to Disneyland. We spend the day enjoying the park minus the crows and long lines.

There are benefits to living in California. Never mind the earthquakes, the fruits and the nuts, and the over priced real estate. *grin*

Now let me remind you I was with my daughter, my twelve-year-old daughter. Do you think she wanted to ride the Teacups or leisurely sail through, It’s a Small World? Oh no, it was a fast-paced, head-jerking, bouncing, weaving, convulsing, scream your head off, dawn-to-dusk, thrill ride, marathon.

We rode every single ride, in both parks mind you, where you panick then grab the safety railings with white-knuckled fingers and hang on for dear life. Every ride enticed us at least twice and sometimes more…. Can you see me running around to get in line again? I did!

After arriving home that day with a ton of great memories, laughs and a small crick in my neck, my daughter and I collapsed into bed.

The next morning is when I realized my folly. I could barely move. I was stiff all over and suffering from a king-sized headache. My shoulders were permanently stiff and gathered up around my poor neck. I hurt from the top of my head all the way to my big toes.

I dragged myself to the coffee pot then shuffled to my daughter’s room to get her out of bed and ready for school. She moved slow as well, and then complained about her sore shoulders. That is when I had a V-8 minute. You know this. It’s where you smack yourself on the forehead and a distant memory dawns on you.

That miniute I remembered last year’s visit to Disneyland and how the next day was horrid. I recalled my pinch-in-the-neck, headache had lasted for three days. Why, oh, why do I not remember the price I paid last year? Sometimes those unpleasant experiences I endure just don’t stick.

Don’t get me wrong, spending the day with my daughter was a blast. But, why didn’t I think to bring along one of her 12-year-old friends?

I have thought about this V-8 moment many times this week as I gulped down asprin. Why didn’t I learn the lesson the first time? Then I started to remember all the revisits to the Lord’s classroom. Why, oh, why can’t I get it right the first time? How frustrated God must be.

For example, repeating Finances 101 is a recurring habit. God is always there to instruct me about trusting Him. He reminds me, “Lynn, remember when you were a single parent? You learned to live on $25 a week after I helped you pay the bills. Also let me remind you of the time I supplied the exact amount of money you needed to pay the mortgage and how it came from an unexpected source.”

Another “do-over” course I attend regularly covers the danger of pride. He also schedules repeaters with regard to James 1:19. I think I am finally getting that one down.

However, the Lord’s patient instruction over the years is priceless to me. A treasure I store in my heart. He never fails to show up even when I mess up for the third, fourth, fifth, etc. etc.…… His protection, wisdom, and love never fail.

1 Corinthians 13:4a (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind.

As for the most recent lesson learned, next year it is Dad’s turn!

Have a blessed and beautiful day! See you in the classroom.

I would love to visit with you over at my place: Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

I Fought the Soup and the Soup Won

2007-10-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Hello. My name is Lisa and I am Cooking-Challenged.

This realization is one that has actually been simmering - pardon the pun - since the first months of my married life. The Quiche Incident is one that will forever be remembered in McKay Family Lore. Let's just say it involved some very underdone eggs in a graham cracker crust. In my defense, when a recipe says 'pie crust', it should specify the particular flavor or lack thereof required to make the finished result edible. I'm just saying.

Clarity, recipe people. It is essential.

Now that you have a bit of back story I can now proceed with telling you about my Harry and David's Chicken Enchilada Soup ~~Fiesta~~ Fiasco.
Harry and David's has this signature Pepper and Onion Relish that makes the most wonderful cream cheese dip appetizer so anytime I am near the store, I generally buy a jar or seven. However, this time there was an extra treat on top of the jar - a recipe for Chicken Enchilada Soup. I read over the recipe and it sounded somewhat simple so, seeing as how I am already guilt-ridden over the lack of home cooking here lately, I decided I would WOW my family with a batch.

Here's where the trouble began. The recipe said I needed 'cream'. No other explanation, just cream. When I think cream, I think dairy so I went to the Dairy Dept. and bought cream - Heavy Whipping Cream.

I got home, started making the soup and hubs came in. I should have known disaster was brewing when the first thing he said when he hit the door was, "What smells like a skunk?" Retaining my Preacher Wife composure, I lovingly explained it was the garlic in the soup. He came in to the kitchen, saw my cream, and said, "That's not the kind of cream you use for cooking is it?" I not so lovingly told him to get out of the kitchen and that obviously he knew nothing about cooking. I then snuck to call his sister who confirmed I indeed had the wrong thing. Rats.

I was not about to let this little set back keep me from this great soup so, deciding I could get the right cream the next day, I put the beginnings in the fridge and took the kids to the burger joint for supper. The next day, I went to the store and bought Pet Milk like my SIL instructed. Note here: Nowhere on the can does it say 'cream'. How's a girl to know? Really, how??

To make a long story endless, I went home, pulled out the soup, and added the cream. My thought was, "Wow, this looks awfully milky. I read the recipe again and realized, oh the horror, I had misread the amount and instead of 1/2 a cup, I had added 1 1/2 cups times two for the doubled recipe. The result? 3 TIMES the amount of cream I needed. The only way to fix it at this point was to triple all the other ingredients which would require returning to the store and also using my last jar of relish which I knew I could get no more of for a few months. So I did what I had vowed I would never do - I quit.

Have you ever tried so incredibly hard to accomplish something, to resist temptation, to make amends and find no matter what you did, it still turned out badly? I'm reminded of Peter who experienced this very thing. Peter with the foot-shaped mouth. Peter who removed people from their ears. Peter who denied Christ when he swore that would never happen.

We can learn an important lesson from Peter's retreat to fish after Jesus' death - sometimes the best thing we can do after failure is back off and regroup before we try again. The benefits are a fresh perspective, fresh information, and fresh faith. Peter returned to pen 1st and 2nd Peter which in my estimation are some of the richest books of the New Testament. What a come back!

So back to my soup - petty compared to what some of you are experiencing but it is a great visual for me as to the importance of trying again! Next time, I'll remember what I've learned from my mistakes and work out all the kinks beforehand.

And hopefully my hubby will be none the wiser.

Please come visit my personal blog, The Preacher's Wife.

God's Sovereignty in the midst of pain...

2007-10-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

There is a part of me that does not want to be writing right now, even though that is what I love to do. Life has been emotional. This last week was a time of great joy and great pain.

The pain:

Abraham and Molly Piper (John Piper’s son and daughter in law) lost a full term baby.

Sweet Copeland went to her Heavenly Father after struggling to stay with her parents for one week. Copeland has had more of an impact in her one week of life than many of us do a lifetime.

A friend had to attend the funeral of a family who lost their college son to suicide.

And I still grieve for Amy’s husband and son.

The joy:

I celebrated 14 years of marriage this last week. This is a great blessing after many hard times in the past.

I received news of great joy from a loved one. An answer to prayer that has been prayed for, for years.

And my cousin who has worked so hard raising financial support for his life as a missionary is just 3% away from leaving October 9th. (updated: he reached 100% YEA!!)

Where is God in all of this? Do we not accept pain but only joy? But why Lord do you bless a family with a daughter who only lives one week? Why did Amy have to go through so much suffering? Why did this college son decide killing himself was the only answer to life’s problems?

Why….

should be a word that is erased from my vocabulary, unfortunately it is not. The Lord led me to read a passage from a John Piper book titled The Pleasures of God. John’s Mom was killed instantly in an accident when John was a young man, it shocked everyone who knew and loved her. Also there were many painful times he shared also, and now the loss of his granddaughter.

John said in his book: “As I knelt by my bed and wept….I never doubted that God was sovereign…and that God was good. I do not need to explain everything. That he reigns and that he loves is enough for now.”

We don’t have the answers, and no matter how much it hurts we may not understand this side of glory. But to stand on the foundation of God’s sovereignty and the tremendous love He has for each one of us….IS ENOUGH FOR RIGHT NOW. And enough to face this next week, and whatever may come.

I would love for you to visit me at Book Buzz here on CWO or my personal blog: Laurel Wreath

Change Takes Time

2007-09-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.” ~ Genesis 2:18-20 (ESV)

I am a little sore, scratched up and sun-burned today. My Sweetheart and I cleaned our backyard. What a task it was. During the hot summer months, there is not much we can do in our backyard—it is just way too hot. Normally my hubby does all the yard-work, but I thought it is about time I help him. I thought it would be easy to pick up the dead branches that were left from the last spring cleaning…oh was I wrong. My entire body aches.

As I was cleaning with my beloved, I thought about how much God has changed me over the past 25 years—especially the past 2 ½ yeas of our marriage. I realized how much I have been self-centered. It is hard to admit that I have not been always the helper God wanted me to be. The biggest hurdle for me was respecting my husband.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I always loved my husband, but respect is totally different. I used to moan or roll my eyes about certain things. God showed me through His Word that all my actions are disrespecting my husband – ouch.

You see, I always wanted to spend all our free-time together, but my husband needed some time to unwind. And when we did things, they were always what I wanted to do. Not thinking that my beloved wanted to do something else. Over the years we have developed some of the same interests, like photography. In other things we are still worlds apart, especially when it comes to movies.

I still don’t like horror movies…I used to leave the room with pouting and grumbling under my breath. Today I leave the room with a kiss, tell my Sweetheart that I love him but that I’d rather do something else. Just this little change has brought a little more harmony into our marriage…

Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for showing me what it means to be a helper to my husband. Lord, continue to guide me in our marriage that I will be wife my husband deserves. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.

You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart

Hand in Hand....

2007-09-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand."
~ Emily Kimbrough ~

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh," he whispered.
"yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw,
I just wanted to be sure of you."

I stumbled across this postcard years ago and it has made its way around the house from my bed stand, to the girls desk when they began to share a room. Now it sits in front of me on my desk where I type....When I read this quote, it reminded me that they both say the same thing. All any of us really want, from the day we are born, is to know that there is someone out there that we can be sure of...

We are so blessed as Christians to know that there is one hand that is always extended, waiting for us to reach out for it. We have the Lord's hand any time we stumble....and how amazing, wonderful and full of grace, our God is that HE so often will allow us to sidle up to someone on earth and as we stumble, they hold our hand. As we make our way through the challenges and struggles of this life, what a wonderful feeling to KNOW that God has so perfectly placed those people in our life who hold our hand at the exact time we need it, just to reassure us that we can be "sure."
God sends us those images of Himself in those people in our lives who hold our hand...He reminds us through those friends, the kind of friend HE is, always has been and always will be.

This week, I found myself struggling as another school year begins, with the questions we all ask ourselves, am I doing the best thing for my family, and as a home schooler, there are times when I find myself questioning what I know is right. A dear friend read my blog and sent an email that just lifted me up. It truly was as if the Lord Himself were speaking, and I believe HE was, through her. She allowed me to sidle up beside her, and as we stumble, and we all will....We need to be ever grateful that God places people in our lives to walk hand in hand with...they make the journey easier, they lighten our load and there is nothing more comforting than knowing that you have someone "you are sure of."

As we make our way through this maze of life, we need to remember that we all stumble, big and small, young and old...just as Our Father always has a hand extended for us, we must walk ready to extend our hand to others....He requires only that we "Love," and when we are the one that someone can be sure of, HE smiles.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow...a threefold cord is not easily broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12

In Him,

I would love it if you would visit me...

(originally posted aug 7, 2006 for CWO In Other Words)

Enter His Courts With Praise

2007-09-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Two summers ago, before our trip to Ghana, I was at our African partner church and a woman I'd never met before approached me. She began asking me, in her broken English, where we were going on our mission trip. I told her the region we would be visiting, and named the villages to which we would be going. Her face lit up! She exclaimed that one of the villages I had named was where her brother and his wife lived. She told me he was a pastor there, building a small church. She asked for my address, and a few days later I received a letter from her telling me her brother's name, and a picture of him standing next to the frame of the church they were building. I had no idea if I would be able to find him, and if I did, what exactly I was to do with this information, but I tucked the letter and picture into my journal and slid it into my backpack before we left.

My team worked in two main villages that week, and between the hectic pace, my son's sickness for part of the time, and the sheer volume of work we were trying to accomplish in such a short time, I didn't get to search out the man whose sister I had met weeks earlier. Our last day in the village, I pulled out that letter from my journal and prayed, "Lord, if you mean for me to meet this person, You will need to orchestrate it. I have no idea how to find him." I put the letter back in my journal and left for the day's work. Later that evening when we were back at the small hotel where we were staying, one of my kids came to me and said there was a woman there, looking for my husband. Thinking she was someone we had met earlier in the week, I went to find her, as he had not made it back to the hotel yet. A lovely woman approached me, with her warm Ghanaian smile, clutching an envelope with my husband's name on it, followed by the word, "missionary." That, in itself was enough to make me get tears in my eyes. It turns out, she was the wife of the man in the picture! She didn't know if we were still in the area, but she had walked about six miles from where they live to this small hotel, where she thought we might possibly be staying. She had no idea that this was our last day there! She had apparently gotten our name from her sister-in-law.

We sat under the shade of a hut-like structure and had a wonderful visit. She told of her husband's work trying to start a church in a nearby village. She described what God was doing in their lives, the miraculous provisions He had made, and the daunting work that lay ahead in this particular area dominated by tribal religions. She told me of their goal of starting an orphanage in the area, and told me wonderful stories of babies they had already received. It was an amazing time. She wanted to make contact with us in case we would ever be working in their area again and might be able to help or possible partner with them. I was thoroughly blessed by our conversation. But the blessing was about to be greater.

Before she left, I asked her if we might pray together. She exclaimed that yes, she would love that. Immediately she stood up, straightened her posture, and looked up. She paused, turned to me, and said in her wonderful accent, "I always eentah Heez cawts weeth praise!" at which time she began singing, loudly, a magificent song of praise in her own language. I praised right along with her, feeling very much like we were now officially, "in His courts!" We then prayed together, very much in the presence of the Heavenly Father. I don't know when I'd ever felt more "before the throne of grace." It was so, so powerful.

That moment changed the way I approach my personal prayer time. Like my Ghanaian sister, I always "enter His courts with praise." Now, that doesn't mean that I sing loudly before each prayer (that's a personal favor to anyone who might be near me at the time!) Our church has a separate bulletin each week with the worship lyrics printed, which I keep in the front of my Bible for my own "personal praise" time. Just looking at the lyrics jogs my memory and I can sing, either out loud or to myself as I begin my prayer time. I have my iPod nearby when I have my quiet times each morning, too. This morning, as I was making pancakes for my kids, I was still singing the wonderful strains of "O Worship the King" from "Hymns: Ancient and Modern" (Chris Tomlin and the Passion band.)

So often, after I have entered His courts with praise, I feel like I stay there long after I say "Amen." I encourage you to "enter His courts with praise" as you start your prayer times. That can take whatever form you want it to, from lingering in the psalms, to singing out loud. It will transform your time in prayer!

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4

"Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere;" Psalm 84:10

Cyndi blogs (and praises) at One Day More and Mater Magistra.

When The Snow Flies Again

2007-09-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

I wrote this at my blog the other day, and since it's chilly once again, I'm reminded of those days of beauty when I sup with the Lord--just He and I...

Yesterday was a cold morning, and I wondered if I'd ever see another deck day this year before the snow flies, but God heard my thoughts and brought sunshine.

He invited me out on the deck to sit for a spell, and we did. With feet up on the orange lounge chair I supped with my Lord, flipping through pages of Philippians, then 1 Peter, until finally ending our chat somewhere in the pages of Proverbs. He had much to say, while I listened intently. Finally with the warm sun on my face I began to nod off. It was time to pick up King James and head back in the house.

In my Father's house there are many mansions. Little corners, nooks, decks and stairwells, where for eternity we'll sit and sup with our Lord in the warmth of His light. Until then I'll wait Lord, perhaps You'll send some more deck days my way, or perhaps you'll return, before the snow flies again...

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." ~ John 14:1-4

His Throne is Still Intact

2007-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

“…And, yet God, You’re still sovereign, Your throne intact and eternal.”
Lamentations 5:20b

Have you ever had those moments when you just really felt like everything was going wrong, times when life just seems to be spinning out of control? Perhaps it is a health issue with you or a family member. Maybe it’s the loss of a job or just the stress of too many responsibilities. Whether it’s from our own poor choices, decisions made by those around us, or just circumstances beyond our control, we’ve all had times when we just felt like the bottom was falling out from underneath us.

That is exactly where we find the children of Israel in Lamentations chapter five. In this case, they were being disciplined by God, their loving Heavenly Father, for their sins. They had chosen to “buy into the pagan system” of their day (boy, does that sound familiar) and God was grieved and angry. The bottom had fallen out of their lives. They were dealing with famine, war, violence, and complete despair. The writer of Lamentations is drawing the desperate picture for us, and right in the middle of all the discouraging details, he penned these words in verse twenty. “…and yet God, You’re still sovereign, Your throne intact and eternal.” No matter how bad things were, he recognized Who was still in control.

This isn’t always easy, but this is an amazing truth that is often times our only hope. No matter how difficult life may get, God is still sovereign and His throne is still intact and eternal. We can trust Him with our health concerns. We can rest in His sufficiency, knowing that no matter how hard the storm rages, His Anchor holds. Corrie ten Boone said it so eloquently, when she said, “There is no pit too deep, that He is not deeper still”. We are never so far that His arm cannot save us. Our life is never so dark, that He cannot see exactly where we are.

When life seems to be spinning out of control, hang on, my friend, because God, the Creator and Sustainer of this universe, is still in complete control. He is still on His throne, where He will remain for all eternity, and He is working all things (the good, the bad, and the ugly) together for our good and for His glory!

Lord, thank you that you are God and you are in total control. Thank you that your reign is eternal and there is nothing, or no one, that can overthrow you. Thank you that you are, right now, working everything together for our good and we can trust you. Help us to remember when life is hard, whether it’s due to our own sin or circumstances out of our control, that nothing surprises You and nothing is too big for You.

In Him ~
Tammy…

You can read more from Tammy by visiting her personal blog at Steps In Our Journey

When Your Child Doesn't Die....

2007-09-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

The worst day of my life was in the year 2001.

My second born son, who was then only 3 years old, accidentally hung himself on the swing set. Some neighborhood kids had received a punching bag for Christmas and we had let them tie it to our swing set because they didn’t have one. Unbeknownst to us, when they took the punching bag down they left the string tied to the top. Jacob saw it and on this particular day he had climbed his way to it and somehow his head became caught in it. I heard my oldest son scream, “Mommy! Jacob stuck!”

I turned around to see my little boy twitching from the nearly invisible string hanging down. My heart fell to my knees. As I ran out I screamed for my former spouse who, thank God, was an EMT. I picked Jacob up out of the loop and laid him on the ground. He was blue, twitching and lifeless.

By then, his dad was over him doing CPR and I was running in the house to get the baby and the phone to call 911. All of this happened in less than 90 seconds. By the hand of God Jacob began breathing but he was still lethargic and seizing. The paramedics did not believe he would make it. God didn’t agree.

Jacob came through it with no damage except for a mark around his neck from the string and broken blood vessels. They were evident all over his face, in his eyes, ears, nose, and all over his scalp. All of his veins had burst from the pressure. When the doctor saw the string that had nearly taken his life he was shocked. It was waxed, deep-sea fishing string. The doctor said it should have severed Jacob’s head completely. He told us we were either the luckiest people he had ever met or somebody up there was looking out for us. Five minutes after I got the news that my son would live and that he should be dead, I broke.

I walked outside of the emergency room doors and with people watching from all over I screamed. I sobbed. I cried so hard I could barely breathe. My diaphragm began to pulsate, my eyes and throat swelled up and my head hurt so intensely yet, I couldn’t stop. I cried for three days thinking of the what-ifs.

Jacob had already been hospitalized three times. He had severe cases of RSV and Rotavirus back to back. The excessive use of the antibiotics caused the bad bacteria to mutate and made him so sick that he was hospitalized a third time for well over a week.

I almost lost my child too many times. I couldn’t take anymore. I rehearsed these scenes in my mind so much that emotionally, I felt as though I had accepted his death.

But, he didn’t die.

My Jacob became an emotional disaster. He was moody, irritable, and unpleasant to be around. He always had to be under my feet and in my face. There were times when I found myself trying to escape from his neediness. I couldn’t give him enough attention. It became such a chore to me. He always wanted more and if he didn’t get it he cried until he did. At 5 years old he was depressed. At 6 years old he was a train wreck. I didn’t know what to do with him. So, I fasted and prayed.

It was then, about two years ago, that God revealed to me that I was the problem. I had put up a wall between me and my son. I had become so afraid of losing him that I literally severed my emotional attachment to him. I could not let myself get close to him. What if he died? I couldn’t survive the pain. I loved him too much.

Jacob felt this.

Again I wept. What had I done?

I have seen numerous books written for people who have lost their children to accidents, illnesses and disasters. It tells them all about how to overcome the loss of their child, how to have victory over the pain and how to attempt to move on. God bless these people and thank heaven that there is some help out there for them but nowhere did I find a book that tells you what you can do in my situation. Was I the only one who has ever felt this way? There wasn’t a book to tell me how to repair my bond with my baby. So, I went back to the only thing I knew. I looked to God’s word.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love
does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of
when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever
the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is an action. In God’s Kingdom you don’t have to feel it to do it. You must do it to feel it. I had to act on love to feel the emotional bond of love. I am happy to say that God has more than restored my attachment to my son. He has given me a new, deep, ever progressing relationship with him. It is a gift.
God has enormous plans for Jacob’s life. He is a very talented artist, musician, writer and he is very smart for his age. He is still emotional at times but now I welcome it with a calm voice, smiles, hugs, and kisses.

Of my three children, Jacob is the only one that God specifically gave me a name for. While I was pregnant, a woman prophesied to me and said that I should not name him what we had chosen because He had already chosen a name for him. Not long after, God spoke to me and gave me the name Jacob. We had an ultrasound just a few days later and discovered that he was indeed a boy. I used this opportunity to throw out a few additional names to my former spouse just to see what he would say. In the middle of the list of names I added Jacob. After I finished listing the names he looked at me and said, “Let’s name him Jacob.”

This had comforted me years later when I looked his name up in a baby name meanings book while in the hospital with him for the pro-biotic treatment. The meaning for the name Jacob was: 1. holder of the heel and 2. protected by God. Ironic? I don’t think so.

I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: In Pursuit of Proverbs 31

I have posted lots of great pictures from our honeymoon in beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico. Come by and see!

This Is The Day

2007-09-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Have you forgotten how to greet the day? The knowledge is all but lost to many that a new day is sacred: a gift from God, a rare and precious gift. A new day brings with it a fresh start, to lift your head from the pillow with joy and to observe the clouds peeking through the dark sky and welcome a gift from the Lord.
As a mother of five children from toddler to teen, my days are very full. Often times I am overwhelmed with the list of things that need to be accomplished before the day even begins. If I am given the gift of awakening before one of my children, I quietly head to my place at the table with the glimmering light and my cup of warmth in great appreciation for the new day and an opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. I open up my bible and begin reading, studying, and praying. I ask God to speak to me, to change me from within, to wash me in His word. I pray for my husband, my children, and for others who I have committed to pray for. My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness for this time. Often times I don't want it to end.
But I am aware of something else. There have been many many seasons in which stopping and sitting at the feet of Jesus was NOT the first thing I did. I have had seasons in which it worked best for me to meet with my Savior later in the morning due to nursing a newborn or a baby who napped consistently at the same time. But I have also experienced seasons in which I allowed my busyness to prevent me from meeting with my Savior on a regular basis. I somehow had determined that it was "OK". I reasoned that my children were small and it would be easier when they were older. But my own experience has shown me that as my children have grown it does not become easier. Busyness doesn't go away, it just changes or looks different. So, no matter what season you are in, I encourage you to begin today sitting at the feet of Jesus and welcome each new day with great joy and anticipation. This is the Day!

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and
be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

In Him...Chris
Chris can also be found at her personal blog Come to the Table

Trials of the Flesh

2007-09-22T00:00:00.002-07:00

I “heart” chocolate. Virtually all day long, I battle a nagging inner voice whispering, “Get some chocolate. Now.”

Behold my unsuccessful strategies for taming my habit: Cold turkey. One ounce per day. Fake chocolate. Caffeine. Fruity water. Vitamins and minerals. Candy. Chocolate-scented candles. I can’t believe I’m revealing this, but I have even opened up a packet of Splenda—the sugar junkie’s methadone, and poured it directly on my tongue. Oh yeah, this habit is bad.

Yesterday I was jonesin’ for some no-bake chocolate oatmeal peanut butter cookies, my personal tipping point when it comes to chocolate bingeing. I can make these cookies in my sleep. And eat them in my sleep.

I worked my magic. Guess how many my husband and daughter ate? Zero. Guess how many I ate? Whatever you guessed, you’re wrong, because I ate more than you guessed.

The morning after a night like that isn’t pretty.

I promised myself that when I came home from work today, I would not eat the remaining three. Can I just say in my defense that if cookies could wink with a flirty come-on, these did. So I wolfed them down.

Obviously, I cannot have cocoa, peanut butter and oatmeal in my house simultaneously. So I pitched the cocoa into the trash and grieved over it like it was a grave.

In Romans 7, Paul expresses how remorseful I felt in that moment. In fact, he communicates the whole human condition precisely: “I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. What a miserable person I am!”

Although eating chocolate isn’t exactly a sin, my habit wields enough power over me to disrupt my life. God is concerned about our struggles because left unchecked, sin kills us, spirit and body. No loving father wants to see his children wither away or hit the wall at full speed.

Some people erroneously believe they must first clean up and straighten out their lives before God will be interested in them. But God is not stunned by our habits, weaknesses, and hang-ups. It’s all old news to him. First, he wants a relationship with us. Then, if destructive forces are compromising our lives, he will reveal them and help us say “no” to one thing in order to say “yes” to the ultimate good thing.

After his confession of moral impotence, Paul offers this hope, “Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me! If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be condemned. The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death.”

As long as I’m in this body, I will never be completely sinless. Sometimes I’m more successful than other times in battling my weaknesses. But when I find myself in yet another self-dug pit, knowing that a forgiving, compassionate Father wants to lift me up and dust me off gives me courage and hope for the next leg of my journey.

Please visit my personal blog at 2nd cup of coffee.

Bloom

2007-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Stretch, Beloved. Grow. Be malleable...

He whispers to me when my heart begins to beat faster in anger. Fear. Worry.

From our third floor apartment, the autumn breeze is blowing through the screen door on our deck. We sniff appreciatively and smile to ourselves; our favorite season is beginning.

But before too long, our noses wrinkle. My head begins to ache, and I realize that the cool breezes we were inhaling have been tainted with the smell of cigarette smoke, from the neighbor on his deck below. In irritation, I slam the sliding glass door against the smoke, and, unfortunately, against the beautiful crisp air we were enjoying.

Heads bowed over school books, the dining room is quiet. Eliana, for a moment, is also peaceful in the living room, poring over her board books from the library.

But in a moment, it is over. Through the thin walls, shouting can be heard, and the voices are not kind. I rub Corban's back as he tenses, and gently turn Micah's chin back to his work as he looks up in anxiety. Mama holds it together on the surface, but below the surface, emotion is roiling.

As I stand at the kitchen sink peeling carrots, my boys wrestle in the living room. I smile as they tumble over each other, shouting in laughter; from time to time, someone cries out in pain, but soon they are rolling again. They move out onto the deck to continue their wild play - a 4x8 space that can hold little else but our grill and my husband's bike, and yet they find enjoyment.

All too soon, I think of the home we left. The wide open country spaces, no fences; rivers, trees and tall grasses for little boys to explore. I begin to fret that my boys will be stifled in this small space. I regret that I cannot send them out to run for a fifteen minute break from their books. I feel guilt that I do not pack things up more often for a walk or a roam on the grass down below.

Beloved, I do not send the fear, nor the guilt. I send opportunity.

An opportunity. Yes, Lord. I understand.

An opportunity to smile as I pull the glass door closed quietly, instead of with a bang. As my children look on, I show them how to handle these moments with grace. Stepping lightly to the baked apple pie candle on the counter and lighting it, filling the rooms of our home with delicious, autumn scent.

An opportunity to speak words of truth to my little ones as the voices we hear through the walls bring fear.

When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

Let's pray and ask God to help them, shall we? Bowing our heads and offering up our neighbors to His care. Singing aloud the song of David. Remembering that perfect love drives out fear.

An opportunity for creativity in the face of what seems a stifling of that gift. Heading to our storage unit and pulling out a box of games we had packed away for lack of space, making room for these good things. Preparing a schedule that runs the day in a way that makes individual time with Mama a priority, and bringing me to my knees in the morning for inspiration.

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

I turn my face to the Son, unafraid to send roots down, even here. Bloom, Beloved.

I intend to.

You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight

The Rabbi and Me!

2007-09-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Exodus 35:1-3
Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, "These are the things the LORD has commanded you to do: 2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. 3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day."

Have you ever thought what life would be like if we still lived under the law? How would this scripture apply in the year 2007?

I hope the story I tell you today will intrigue you about the old ways as well as grow your gratitude for grace.

_____

I love my neighborhood. We are an eclectic group of people thrown together by God’s design to “do life.” We enjoy community BBQ’s and Christmas parties. We have our resident gossip, teenagers that drive too fast, and families that help each other out.

One of my favorite neighbors is a Jewish Rabbi. He lives a few streets over with his wife and six children. Their home is also the local Synagogue where the worshipers in his faith gather to observe Holy Days.

Several years ago my husband and I were invited over to the Rabbi’s home. It was one of the coolest experiences ever. Our particular visit was on a winter evening and on the Sabbath or Shabbat.

I remember entering the Rabbi’s home. The first thing I saw was the opulent and beautiful wooden cabinet sitting front and center in the living room. It was massive stretching from floor to ceiling. The cabinet held the Torah when not in use. That evening the Torah was lying open in front of the cabinet on a beautiful table. This particular Torah was a single scroll, perhaps the size of two overly-large rolls of paper towels put together. It was hand written in the original Hebrew language and beautifully ornate. The Rabbi told me he paid $50,000 for it. He handled it tentatively. You could see in his eyes how extremely valuable it was to him.

It made me wonder if I would pay $50,000 for my Bible.

Needless to say, I was Wowed!

As we sat down in the family area I observed many things about this family and their home which mirror Old Testament teachings. The Rabbi’s wife told me the food on the table was prepared from scratch according to the Levitical laws. I wish I could remember some of the names of the pastries. Delicious!

After visiting for an hour or so, I went into the garage to retrieve something the Rabbi’s wife needed for the kitchen. As I returned to the kitchen, I flipped the light switch off. --My mother always told me to turn out the lights when I leave a room.--

Before the door shut from the garage to the kitchen the Rabbi gently said to me, “I cannot ask you to turn that light on.” Now, I knew immediately what he was referencing. To light a fire, turn on electricity, is forbidden.

If I did not turn the light back on, it would remain off until dawn. Therefore, anyone needing to go into the garage would do so in complete darkness. Needless to say, I turned the light on. For a Christian this is not a sin remember we live under grace.

I will never forget this "light switch" encounter.

Since that evening I have visited with the Rabbi on several occasions. I love to pepper him with questions about Israel and the Old Testament. His responses are absorbing and his intelligence is obvious. His zeal for God is undeniable.

I do not hold any judgment in my heart over his beliefs but I see him as one of the many who are yet to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In this regard he is the the same as my unbelieving spouse. I have hope for them both.

I believe God allowed me to see the Old Testament laws lived out in our modern day society. He wanted me to understand grace in a whole new light.

I do. I am thankful.

Please visit me at: Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Cease Striving

2007-09-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

For those of you with multiple young children, you can probably relate with me on how difficult it is to bring the kids a treat of any kind without them coveting what the other received. What I find much easier is buying three of the exact same thing so as to prevent any kind of argument (I'm talking M&M's here, not Playstations). I always know when the bank teller gives me four green suckers that she understands this phenomena and is doing her best to keep peace in my Suburban. Oh, how I love my bank lady.

This week was the Book Fair at our kids' elementary school. You know the drill - your kids beg and plead to pay quadruple for a dollar store toy or book just so they can say they got something from the Book Fair. I could set my foot down and say no but then I'd have to deal with my own issues of looking like a horrible mom for not letting them get something like all the other kids. So, I caved, okay? Each boy was given a certain dollar amount and after school came hauling in their loot.

Even though each boy got to pick out what he wanted, the green-eyed monster got ahold of my Youngest when he saw his Eldest brother had gotten a calculator that looked like a flip cell phone. Let me first say this kid cares nothing about Math, but he loves to get attention so undoubtedly he believed this little prize would boost his cool factor.

The wheeling and dealing began. "Come on, brother! I'll trade you whatever you want! I'll give you a baseball card. I'll even clean your room!" Nothing was working until he said, "I'll give you FIVE DOLLARS for that calculator!"

Big brother perked up a bit. "Five dollars? I only paid two dollars for it...You are on!"

Here's where the trouble started. Youngest didn't have five dollars. He never does his chores and has no prospect of EVER having five dollars especially considering he is always willing to pay dearly today for what will be worthless to him tomorrow. He is already shaping up to be Citibank's best customer.

Or their worst.

What was his solution? He snuck in his dad's wallet and got five dollars and gave it to his older brother. The Eldest completed the transaction with a smile not knowing where the money had come from. All he saw were $$$$. When he told Dad about the profit he'd just made, warning bells went off in his head because he knew Youngest didn't have any money.

Long story short, Youngest 'fessed up to having taken the money. He immediately began crying his eyes out. Dad took pity on him and used it as a teachable moment to explain how bad sin made us feel but that God was gracious when we asked for forgiveness. He then tried to gather our son up to comfort him. However, instead of curling up in his dad's arms, he pouted up and refused to be hugged. It made no sense whatsoever! He'd done wrong, gotten busted, been shown way more mercy than he deserved, and yet he was angry!

How many times have I done that very thing?! Getting called out when we've made a mistake is painful, but what keeps us from accepting mercy when it is offered? Pride from having to admit we were wrong? Shame for having been so gullible? Fear for what others will think of our weakness? The Jewish nation responded to Jesus in this exact way prompting Him to lament,

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Luke 13:34

It took a while, but my son finally let me hold him as he cried and said he was sorry. It was a heartwrenching few moments for him, but wow, what a burden was lifted for both of us when it was all over. This scene with my own son made me understand just a bit more the love the Father wishes to pour out on us if we will simply cease striving and allow Him to gather us to Him in mercy. It will take humility and perhaps many tears, but O the comfort that awaits those who will allow themselves to be wrapped in His embrace!

Please visit my personal blog, The Preacher's Wife.

You have fear of what??

2007-09-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

Being a devotional writer guarantees two things in your life, one God is going to mess with you; teach you, stretch you, develop you. Secondly, you will go through things in your life so you can make applications. At least I hope that to be true because the story I tell you today I pray that someone will be blessed because I am still trying to figure things out. First off you have my permission to laugh with or at me, but what may come across as funny was not funny at the time.

Fear is not something I really have had to deal with on a daily basis. I know there are some sweet sisters that do deal with phobias, or fear due to failing health of a loved one, etc.. I don’t want to make light of any of that, fear comes in all shapes and sizes. I found in the last few weeks that I had to deal with some fear and God being God had to get my attention in a funny but very real way through two different circumstances. I have to say part of me is embarrassed to share this, but “Lord please let it bless someone else…”

I have had opportunities that have been coming my way. These opportunities are God blessing me, I know, but in reality they are having me step out of ALL my comfort zones. I have always known that the Lord wants to work through me in one way or another, but I am going to have to be willing to step in the water first before He takes over. I have to be willing to jump off the cliff so he can help me fly, so to speak. Well some of these “blessings” have caused me great anxiety. Fear of the unknown, fear of making a fool of myself, fear of failing. I am sad to admit a big part of me wanted to walk away from some of the blessings because they seem “too hard” and frankly I was just scared. How sad is that? It was a battle going through my mind constantly, and fear had been affecting my health and basically paralyzing me. To be honest I think it was God bringing to the surface things I have stuffed down. Like I said God being God had to drive the point home. (I can be so thick headed sometimes...ok ALL THE TIME)

I was doing laundry about a week ago (do you see that it has take me a WEEK to even breath a word of this), anyways I was doing laundry like I always do. My washer and dyer are located in my garage. As I was picking up some clothes to toss in the washer, there sitting on the washer was a spider of epic portions. I have lived in Arizona and now in Florida, but I have NEVER seen a spider this big outside of a glass. This spider was so big it would not even begin to fit through my vacuum hose if I wanted to suck it up, which we do to all the other little spiders we find along the way. I was paralyzed with fear. I dropped the laundry and walked in my house and locked the doors. Hubby went out later in the evening after he got home and could not find the spider, but there were still clothes in front of the washer piled up so I was sure the spider was still there.

That night I had nightmares about the spider. This had truly terrified me!! So what is a girl to do? I head to Target the next day and purchase a Raid Fogger that I set off in my garage to kill anything whatsoever living. You would think that would have given me comfort but it did not. I KNEW I had to do laundry again. So I opened the garage door (mind you this is a day after the spider was found, and AFTER I set the fogger off to kill everything), took a shovel and proceeded very carefully picking up the dirty clothes (with the shovel) because I was so scared the spider was in the clothes and/or under the lip of the washer. I shoved the clothes into the washer, knocked the washer shut and reached over very quickly with the extra hot water setting and washed the clothes. Ran back inside and locked the door. Once the washer was done, I got my tongs I use in the kitchen, laid a shirt over the lip of the washer in case the spider was under the lip of the lid, that way the shirt was blocking it. And I used the tongs to get the wet clothes out and into the dryer. The whole time my eyes were darting everywhere.

Yes it is funny, but I had real paralyzing fear. My poor boys have listened to my screeching about doors being opened for the past week for fear the spider will get back in. Somehow I knew the spider was not dead, I just knew it. But VERY S L O W L Y I have been doing my laundry again. I would be lying if I told you I can walk in to my garage today without a little bit of fear right now.

Well a few days ago, my oldest son come running in the house and yells for my middle son, “You have to come see something really quick. Come fast!!” I was only paying half attention, but middle son runs out of the house. Then a few minutes later he comes back and says, “Um Mom do you have any bug killer?” I said “why?” And oldest son is yelling, “don’t tell Mom she will freak!” See my kids knew about my fear. It turns out the HUGE spider was now in my front yard (think bigger than your hand, including fingers). I wish I could say I went out there to protect my sons, but I handed them the bug spray and as they said, “they sprayed the daylights out of the spider.” And hit the spider with the hose, etc…

God was trying to get through to me about fear. Do you want to know what I came across in my devotional? Sometimes when you want comfort and understanding, you get a quick kick in the butt. The verse said:

The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" Prov 22:13

God was telling me….. in fact I felt the admonishment of “GET OVER IT” there is fear whether it is in circumstances or in bugs!!! I don’t feel God was calling me a sluggard, but he was telling me to let go of my (fear, excuses, lack of faith) so he could move in my life. This has been a difficult two weeks, and the “getting over it” is a process that I am, with his strength, overcoming albeit slowly.

God said, “Girl I want to use you, but we need to get over the hurdle of paralyzing fear.” I love how God drives homes points in my life sometimes. How thick headed of me that it had to take a spider of epic portions to do it. Do I know where the spider is now? I think it is dead due to the destruction of three ambitious boys that love to protect their Momma. What about the blessings that are causing me fear? They are still there but because of the spider incident I know I can move forward knowing God is with me always….even in the laundry room.

Do you have a fear that is in the way of being all God wants you to be? Hit it head on girl, the Lord is going to walk you through it. Notice I did not say deliever you from it, but walk you THROUGH IT.

PS- I know you will all be happy to know I did do many loads of laundry this weekend, and yes I was very proud of myself. I know it just would not fly with hubby if I said, "but honey I have a phobia of doing laundry..." Like I said, yes this is a funny story but it has formed one big lesson on my heart. And I had to chuckle because after I wrote this devotional the song, "Dive" from Stephen Curtis Chapman was blaring....

My heart is racing and my knees are weak, As I walk to the edge, I know there is no turning back, Once my feet have left the ledge, And in the rush I hear a voice That's telling me it's time to take the leap of faith, So here I go......

I would love for you to visit me at Book Buzz here on CWO or my personal blog: Laurel Wreath

Simply Believe

2007-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
~ Psalm 103:2-4 (ESV)

Working with over 600 employees at the corporate office (300 in the accounting department), I come in contact with many different faiths. One of my coworker’s I work-side-by-side is Muslim—a devout Muslim. Since this is the month of Ramadan, he is fasting from sunrise to sundown. He is also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam as well as refraining from anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backbiting, and gossip.

Driving to work the other day, I though about my own faith. My co-worker’s faith is based on his own works to make it to heaven. Do you realize that Christianity is the only faith on this earth that is not based on works of an individual? All we have to do is to believe. Believe that the work has been done by one Man—Jesus Christ. He stretched out His arms to remove our sins – as far the east is from the west…

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
~ Psalm 103:10-12 (ESV)

It still amazes me every single day how gracious our Lord is. Even though I have sinned and continue to sin, He removes every single stain to make me white as snow. I don’t deserve His goodness—He continues to love me. His love brings me to tears every single day—I don’t know how to thank Him for that.

Although I am not required to do works, I still want to refrain from anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backbiting, and gossip. Not because it is my ‘ticket’ to heaven, but I want to thank Him for His sacrifice.

As for my co-worker, I pray for him. I pray that he will get curious about me own faith. That maybe one day he will ask me questions what Christianity is all about? I am ready for his questions…

Lord of Heaven and Earth. I want to thank You today for Your love. You don’t require works from me to spend eternity with You. You have accomplished it at the cross. Lord, I ask You today to open the hearts of the ones who do not know You yet. Give me the words to share, to point to the cross. In the precious name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen.

Do you know Him yet? Do you want to know more about Him and His saving grace? If you are ready to give Him your life, please visit our “Ready” page.

You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart

Scripture Memory

2007-09-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

In a "Taste and See" article found here in its entirety, John Piper says of Scripture memory:

"First, a few testimonies: I have it third hand, that Dr. Howard Hendricks of Dallas Seminary once made the statement (and I paraphrase) that if it were his decision, every student graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary would be required to learn one thousand verses word perfect before they graduated.

Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote, "Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization" ("Spiritual Formation in Christ for the Whole Life and Whole Person" in Vocatio, Vol. 12, no. 2, Spring, 2001, p. 7).

Chuck Swindoll wrote, "I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified" (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61)."

Doesn't that sound like a worthwhile endeavor? It does to me!

There are many, many ways to effectively memorize scripture. There are card systems, audio cd's with Scriptures set to music, and curriculum and programs for adults and children alike. All of those things are great, but if you simply have a Bible (something we often take for granted, for there are people in the world who do not have access to written copies of God's Word) you can get started today! Piper shares his own method in a short audio clip here. The keys, he says, are to pray for discipline and to set aside the time. I'll summarize his steps:

*Choose your passage of Scripture, choosing verses that will help your soul. This is not for mechanical memorization, this is to fight the devil, to minister to others when you don't have your Biblewith you... this is to help strengthen you at 3:00 in the afternoon. These are for you!

*Mark an "M" next to the passage in your Bible.

*Read the verse 10 times in your Bible.

*Say it 10 times with your Bible closed.

*Carry it with you on a piece of paper or notecard and review, review, review.

*The next day, add the next verse and repeat the steps.

*All in all, he says, 5-10 minutes a day is all it takes!

Is Scripture memory part of your day? If it is, please share in the comments effective techniques you've found or share which passages you're working on. This is something we should all be doing. Let's encourage each other to do this daily!

Have a blessed weekend!

Cyndi blogs at One Day More and Mater Magistra.