Thinking...

Yesterday at work I was working near by as a couple of my Catholic co-workers were talking. One of them was trying to remember what the mass would be that evening and she was getting confused. They were giggling like little girls as they worked together to remember which service was on what day of this "Holy Week." I admit it made me smile as I heard them talk and the thought even went through my head that it was a bit sad that they didn't know as they were both adult women and one of them stated clearly that she went to Catholic school as a child. This morning however, it strikes me that although I am not Catholic I am in much of the "same boat."  I have had the privilege of growing up with Christ in my life. I accepted Him as my Savior at the ripe old age of 6 and have never looked back. The church I grew up in did not really make a "big deal" of Christmas and Easter but always told the story and explained it's meaning in our life today. However in my adult life I have participated in many a "production" for these holidays. I have to admit it has at times been more of a time of doing something for someone else than a time of reflection and appreciation for myself. Today will be a bit different. We have a new experience going on in our life. I'll explain it all at some other time, but it means we are going to a different church this year. Tonight we will attend their Good Friday Service which we had no part in arranging. I'm believing I will be more attentive and will very likely "see things" in a fresh way.

That thought was already going through my head when I read from a book that I've been using in my quiet times lately. The book is not written around the theme of Easter but today my reading time took me to John 13 where the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet is. The author made this comment, "Jesus is about to let flesh be broken with nail, heart be broken with rejection,  the chains be broken with bleeding love. And in His last hours before His earthly end, He doesn't run out to buy something or catch a flight to go see something, but He wraps a towel around his waist and kneels low to take the feet of His forsakers gently in hand and wash away the grime between their toes." -Ann Voskamp, "One Thousand Gifts" He breaks bread with His disciples. He serves them by washing their feet. He doesn't ask for them to serve him, give him his favorite food or a massage or even play his favorite music. He is very present with them. He loves them and tells them what is going to happen, for their sake.

Isn't it amazing? The God of the universe became man. He lived on earth and he died on earth. As he prepared to die he served man. He did take quiet prayer time following that act of service. Why? To talk to his Father, God. To ask his Father if this was for sure the right thing to do. He was very deliberate in every action saying "not my will, but thine be done."  It encourages me to be intentional. To serve and to take time to confirm that I am "on the right path." To pray to my Father God, being honest, telling Him what I think I would like but asking that His will be done. That means I have to trust Him enough to be willing to do His will and the truth is I have no reason not to trust Him. So today my goal is to be more aware of God's sacrifice through His son Jesus. To dwell on the fact that He served man until his very last breath and to ask the Lord to help me be a good servant in my life. What about you? What does this make you think about?

Finding Your Way Through Unthinkable Circumstances

Unthinkable circumstances…they can be either those of joy or great sorrow. Odds are, you have experienced both at one time or another in life. My greatest sorrow was nearly 22 years ago.

After navigating through a seamless first pregnancy, our son Joseph was born on February 28, 1990. At 7 lbs., 5 oz. and 21 ½ inches long, he looked perfect and whole. But he wasn’t. At five days old, Joseph died from heart defects that were not detected before his arrival and these defects could not be fixed after his arrival. I found myself in an unthinkable circumstance…

My confusion, hurt, and misunderstanding was immense. I had come to know Christ as my Savior at the age of 13. I believed that God had a reason and purpose for ALL things that happened in our lives. I understood, even then, that the God that I loved and trusted throughout my youth was the same God that I must continue to loved and trust as I navigated through this unthinkable circumstance.

I did question why. I did question what I might have done to cause this to happen. I did feel anger and misunderstanding toward God. But I never doubted my faith. I knew I could not make sense of this through my own power. I had tried that for some time, and couldn’t. In the beginning, I felt some feelings of abandonment but as time went on, I began to know with certainty that was the enemy trying to use this unthinkable circumstance to shake my faith and cause me to turn away from my personal relationship with Christ.

Then my unthinkable circumstance shifted…living the rest of my life with anger toward God and a part from Him was something I could not and did not want to imagine. My relationship with Him and His love gave me great comfort. The assurance of His promises was something I could not abandon. Never.

 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine of nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35 – 39 NIV

That covers it definitively! NOTHING can separate us from God’s love and blessings. Not even this great sorrow I had suffered. I knew I could be more than a conqueror in not just this circumstance, but in EVERY circumstance I find myself in as I walk through life. I am so grateful that I did not allow this unthinkable circumstance to become a stumbling block in my relationship with Christ.  If that had been what I chose, what a sad waste of how this circumstance would have been used in my life and those around me.

I now have the advantage and experiences of 20+ years.  Since that time, I have come to understand the meaning and true-life application of James 1:2-4 where it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”

Unthinkable circumstances…joys, sorrows, testing, blessings…all are intended to push us on and up and closer to what God intends us to ultimately become—more like Him. I agree with C.S. Lewis when he says we won’t get there in this life, but He means to get us as close as possible until then!

Jan Rosales

Beavercreek, Ohio

Author of, “Given In Love But Not Mine to Keep: Finding Strength In The Loss Of A Newborn 

 Child.”

Jan Rosales is a friend from my teenage years. I witnessed her family (including parents and siblings) grieve the death of Joseph and I've witnessed their lives with Christ over the years. If you are interested in getting her book it is available on Amazon.com or you can let me know in the comment section and I will connect you with Jan's book.

Unthinkable Circumstances

"To walk faithfully with God will always bring a person to experience God's laying His Heart over his." Henry Blackaby. If there is one thing this study of "unthinkable circumstances" is reminding of it's that everyone has some. Yes, some, often more than one "unthinkable" thing in their life and it's surprising how many people have multiple things all surfacing at the same time like my family did.

This week we were an extremely small group meeting Wednesday night but as God would have it, it was exactly the right setting for two gals to share some of their personal unthinkable situation.  One gal shared carefully stating that there were just too many people around the first few weeks, some of them associated with her place of work and she just couldn't share. But now, she wanted to and she did.  Her honesty and open-ness led the gal sitting next to her to share a tragic event in her life from when she was 13 years old and this wonderful woman is older than me! (Which means she has been hiding these thoughts for a looong time.)  She told us she had never told anyone except her husband.  She had so much hurt stored away in her heart. One of the points of being open about your circumstance is to "clean out the wound."  When you are honest and open you don't have to hide anymore.  You don't have to carefully select your words or decide if to even speak.  You don't have to remember what you have and haven't told someone. You don't have to "put your happy face on" if you don't feel like it. You can be real.  That said, it is not necessary to tell every detail to every person.  One sweet gal in our group keeps reminding us that her counselor tells her not to "ruminate" on the past. He means of course that we do not have to rehash all the details every day. Learn the truth, deal with it and move on! Today is a new day.  That does not mean to live pretending "it" never happened. It does mean to learn from it. Live wiser but free from "it" controlling your every thought and decision.

Years into the healing of our circumstances my husband was asked to share his story with a group of men at our church.  He did so with great abandonment. He was so happy to share the victory from secrets and shame in his life.  Afterwards a young man came up to him asking with unbelief in his voice, "why would you publicly share all of that crud in your life?" My husband was smiling big as he told me his response, "only be to please the Lord. Because the Lord asked me to and because you no longer have any power over me. I'm not hiding anything."  That is HUGE.  My husband is living experiencing freedom in Christ due to his faith that God can handle his life, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Everyone of us in that small group meeting in a preschool room in our church Wednesday night could honestly say, "I believe in a God who can handle me and my life circumstances even when things look really lousy."  That faith has and is carrying us through each day of our life. Jim Cymbala said, "People with faith develop a second kind of sight. They see more than just the circumstances; they see God right beside them."  Amen!  Like Elijah praying for his servant, today my prayer for myself and for you is that God would open your eyes to see Him all around you no matter what you life circumstances look like today.

Can you "see"?

I've been thinking about the story in II Kings 6: 8-23. In it the prophet Elisha warns the King of Israel multiple times when enemies are lurking about ready to attack. Eventually someone tells the King of Aram (a bad guy) that it's Elisha that is causing him all this difficulty.  He orders his people to find out where Elisha is so he can "send someone and capture him."  It' s pretty clear plan. Send a spy, report the intel and implement a capture. We've seen it in movies and TV shows a hundred times.  So will Gibbs (NCIS) and his gang save the day?  The story moves on. The report comes back. "He's in Dotham." It says the King dispatched horses and chariots, "an impressive fighting force." (The Message) They came in at night and surrounded the city. Early that morning the "man of God" who assisted Elisha got up and saw their plight. They were completely surrounded. For two non-soldier types this could be really bad. "O Master, what shall we do?" the man cried.  I love Elisha's reply.  He didn't hesitate. He knew who was really in charge, who always had and who would continue taking care of them. He says, "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  Then Elisha does something amazing to me. He prays "Lord open his eyes so he may see."  He doesn't pray "hell fire and brimstone" as the saying goes. He doesn't rally the local guards and/or army. He doesn't send a messenger to the King of Israel.  He prays for his partner to see what he already knows is there.  Then the Lord opens the man's eyes and he sees that "hills are full of horses and chariots around Elisha."  As the enemy came closer Elisha prays again, this time for blindness of the enemy. They become blind and he (Elisha) leads them into the city to be captured.

Elisha knew that God was protecting him. I mean he really knew it. When a threatening time came he did not panic or melt into a puddle of tears to become the sacrificial lamb. He stood on what he knew to be true. God would handle it. He even believed God could do it in an unconventional way.

How many times (maybe daily) have I allowed my thoughts to scare me right into a corner?  "O Lord, I'm surrounded. There is no way out." and then I give up in defeat or allow myself to "think" myself right into some sort of defensive action. After all I need to stand up for myself, right? I'm in charge of me. I shouldn't let others control me...you know the lingo. However as children of God we don't have to defend ourselves. That's a reaction that Satan likes to take and use against us because it seems so "right" in many cases. Our God is our best defense. He has our back - really. We are surrounded by God's "horses and chariots". Today someone I care about deeply believes she is in a corner with only one way out, to defend herself. In that mentality her choices seem limited. She can't imagine any other way.  I'm praying to our Lord that He might "open her eyes to see." I believe that when she "sees" the truth that God "has her back" she will allow God to do what He does, take care of us.  Are you feeling cornered today? Remember God has you surrounded. He loves you. Ask Him to show you His defense for you. I believe He will do it.

Please read this post and the story in it's entirety.  I'm not telling anyone to ly down like a rug and get walked on. I'm saying ask God to show you His defense. Then do what He asks you to do, if He asks you to do something.  Elisha led the enemy into the city and eventually they were sent on their way. He didn't just throw up his arms and surrender. What I'm saying is God knows your situation and has a plan. Allow God to work His plan in your life for you.

Control - A Simple Word

"Control" - It's such a simple word. It's not hard to pronounce or even to spell. But it IS so deceiving. We all think we want it, even need it. I often justify my need for control.  I love my family Lord, just let me help them, I think to myself. After all, I know what they need.

This weeks less on "relinquishment" goes far beyond "unthinkable circumstances". It deals with every day life for most if not all of us.  As I sit here this morning I can think of at least 3 situations in my life I'd love to "take care of"...however, (deep sigh) I know that I am not in charge. Nor do I need to be. God loves those I'm thinking of more than I do. He knows the number of the hairs on their heads. He created them and he'll take care of them. I need to "relinquish" them and their situations. I need to "give up my rights to control the person, dream, expectation, or preferred outcome of the object of my concern."  As a mother (yes, even of adult children) I sometimes think I could save my children so much heartache if they would just listen to me. I could tell them what they should be doing. Then they should do it and life would be great, less hurt, more joy.  However, if you have lived life at all we all know that they lessons we learn ourselves, decisions we make ourselves sink deeper into our souls then lessons we were "served on a silver platter."

When Mark and I were training to be marriage mentors two of the best lessons I learned were:
1.  It's ALWAYS better if you wait and allow the mentorees to say the answer themselves. Even when you know it and it seems so obvious but they aren't coming up with it. Let them think. Ask lots of questions but let them answer.
2. It's their marriage (life).  We can present the truth. We can offer to support them. We can pray. BUT it is their life.  It is their choice. It is not mine.

These lessons apply to all of life. As I said earlier there are at least 3 situations in the lives of people I love that I would like to "fix." I can't. But I can "relinquish" them to God who loves them more than I do. I can pray for them, for their protection in the process, for their ability to see and choose truth. After that, it's all up to God!  Will you join me? Take a minute to pray right now and give God the people,dream, expectation, or preferred outcome you are holding on to.

Waving My Banner

Jehovah-Nissi

I love studying the names of God.  Why? Who knows except that the first time a wonderful friend led a group of women through a study of some names of God my life was changed.  I mean really changed. It definitely took my relationship with God to a new level. Now it's very common for me to think about what "name" or "part" of God I just read about or experienced.  I'm telling you that because this morning I was thinking about Jehovah-Nissi. (pronounced juh-HO-vah NEE-see) 

Ancient armies carried standard or banners that were their identification and symboled their ideals.  It was like a flag, something that could be seen from far away, serving as a rallying point for the troops before a battle.

This weekend I began waving my banner of God around some friends.  My friends baby had some tests done that require them to have further tests done.  She may have a life-altering/threatening illness. The blood test they did on her did not come back 100% ok. There is a 10% chance she may have this illness.  Now as if that is not enough to scare parents, this family already has a wonderful special needs child so they are very aware of all that special needs children bring to life.  ENTER MY BANNER - JEHOVAH-NISSI   See I can wave my banner.  My banner reminds me and all who see it that God wins.  He loves us and takes care of us through the battles of life. I know because I've lived through a few.  I called my friend and verbally waved my banner where she could see it.  I reminded her of some of my family's story and how God has protected, prepared, supplied and cared for us through our battles. She was a part of our protection and care so she is knows our story to be true.  We prayed to ask God to continue to care for her family, for His will to be done in His way.  That's what waving our banner of Jehovah-Nissi is all about, a rallying point. A declaration of who we are, what we believe and a reminder of what God has already done in our lives. 

You know the story where this was first exhibited in the Bible. It comes from Exodus 17 (read it!)

The Lord told Moses that they needed to fight the Amalakites (the bad guys).  Moses tells Joshua who gathered some men to fight. Moses, Arron and Hur went to the mountain top and Moses raised his arms - his banner.  As long as his arms were up, his team was winning. When he got tired and his arms started to come down they began losing.  HOWEVER, HIS FRIENDS helped him by getting him a rock to lean on and physically helping him to hold his arms up until the battle was won.  Then they built an altar there, a reminder of what God did, and named it, Jehovah-Nissi.

This is a great story reminding us that is it necessary for us to remember what God has done and declare it to encourage others. Who do you need to remind of what the Lord has done in your life? Yourself? A friend or family member?  Wave your banner high!

The Glory of God in the Gift of Disability

The Glory of God in the Gift of Disability
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-glory-of-god-in-the-gift-of-disability

If you have known me for very long you know that I have never felt that anyone should have to "re-invent the wheel." I believe that God designed us for relationships and that we are to learn from each other. Out of God's grace He has enabled me access to wonderful people and written or recorded words. It is my desire to share them to all those in my world.

The above attached link is one such thing I came across while actually researching something entirely different. We know several families with family members with physical or mental disabilities. We have learned much from all of them. Pastor John Piper spoke to this tough issue. Sometimes people struggle with understanding a God who loves us but doesn't "fix" everything the way we believe it ought to be "fixed." From the first day of our son-in-law's diagnosis of untreatable cancer we all knew our God could heal him. He (our son-in-law) was the first to say, "I will be healed either here on earth or in heaven". God was glorified in Mark's life and in his death as he died fully trusting that God's will was being done.

I've not read this couple's book therefore I can't endorse it personally but their video and this blog post spoke volumes.

Glorious Riches

The sun is shining and temperatures are going up and it reminds me SPRING IS COMING! I really like the change of seasons, all of them. I'm almost always ready for the next season when it gets here. It is a physical reminder of those "new mercies" God shares with us each and every day. I love it!

I'm working on memorizing my favorite (okay, in reality I have lots of favorite verses and songs) passages of scripture. Ephesians 3:16-21  Verse 16 starts I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you...(emphasis mine).  There is just so much there. But to me the first challenge is do I pray realizing that it is out of God's glorious riches the answers will come? Or do I pray like I have to figure out the answer, do the work and then get the answer? It's not me. I don't have the strength, the patience, the wisdom or the ability to figure out anything. BUT, my God does and I'm really trying to remember that and live like that.

And did you notice that the riches are not only his, but they are "glorious". Pay attention to all the adjectives in scripture. God's riches are not skimpy or bland. They are GLORIOUS.

We have some new challenges in our life, but then don't we all? So this time, I'm praying from the start, believing that the God who sent His son to save me can handle our day to day lives too.

Why write? Fully persuaded.

As I begin to write this post, I think what do I have to share that might be worth someone else reading? I just read a couple of great posts by people that I consider to be much better "writers" than me. But I learned from each of them. My friend Sara from http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/ shares snippets of daily life, reminding us that life is about family and friends, keep it simple. She has a gift of rejoicing in life, much like her mother who happens to be one of my great friends. Their family has encouraged our family for many years to enjoy one another often by spontaneously doing something, always accompanied by a lot of laughter and sometimes tears.

The other post I read this morning is from http://janellrardon.wordpress.com  Janelle is a friend of one of my best friends. We have talked over the phone and exchange e-mails is years past. I've never met her face-to-face but I like her. She is a wife and mom like me. She loves her family and she loves God. She loves to learn about God and encourages others to do so too. But, like me, she doesn't just want to learn about God. She wants to know Him and live day to day with Him. So she shares her life. If you check out her most recent post you will see that she recently has had some really serious situations going on in her family's life, brain surgery for her daughter. 

My recent situation, shoulder surgery for my husband pales in comparison, but it's "my" situation. The faith and trust factor is just as pertinent for me as it is for Janelle. The circumstances are just different.  My daughter and I have often remarked of ourselves that we seem to have more faith/trust in the "big" things than we do in the day to day. Well, I have a chance to take a step of faith in the day to day right now.  My husbands shoulder surgery went from the 80% prediction of no big deal to the 20% okay he has a rotator cuff tear and a bone spur. Both of which are now fixed, thank you Jesus (& Dr. G). Currently he's resting (thank you Jesus) in his recliner with a machine hooked up to him that provides compression to the area and icing automatically. Hmm, not what I expected as we now have months of recovery/rehab with some restrictions vs 3-4 weeks with no restrictions.  But you know what?  We prayed for God to protect and guide the surgeon. We prayed for complete healing and this is the outcome we received. So I'm believing that God is in control. This is what is needed.  I am "fully persuaded that God is able to do that which He promised." (Romans 4:21 NIV)  Am I disappointed? Yep, ask anybody who talked with me yesterday. Do I believe? Yep, ask me. I'll tell you.

So again, why am I writing? Because I believe that we all  have disappointments and joys and that we can still believe through them. Especially when we are willing to be honest about it. Learning and growing in each situation we experience. It's easier when you have someone to walk through it with you. You realize you are not alone. You are not stupid for experiencing disappointment, doubt, frustration. You are a child of God growing up.  So feel free to join me in learning through life. Because I am "fully persuaded that God is able to keep His promises."

Relationships are ours for the Making

My friend posted this on her family's blog this past week.

….until one morning in Bethlehem.
As a group of lowly shepherds, misplaced in the city, came bursting through the disrupted streets claiming something about angels and a baby and a….barn?  They must have had a rough night out on the fields!  Surely they had no idea what they were talking about!  And who is Mary?  Joseph?  These are nobodies!  Somebody please, send them back where they came from!  Enough of this nonsense!
And yet, something about the urgency of their message and the glow in their eyes may have caught my attention.  The spring in their step seemed a bit too giddy to have come from no where.  What would I have thought?  Would I have wondered enough to pursue my curiosity or simply rolled my eyes and gone on with my day to day tasks?  Could I have missed it?  Could I actually have slept through it?
I’d like to think not.  But the fact is, Jesus entered this world quietly.  Simply.  Ordinary.  In the most humble of places.  Dependent on the very people He had made. Only a few shepherds got to hear the mighty angelic proclamation of His arrival, and the rest of the world went on unaware.
Now, 2000 years later, we’re about to celebrate Christmas.  It’s one of the biggest holiday celebrations of the year.  Christmas itself is hard to miss—the lights, trees, decorations and ornaments, music, mall displays and Santa visits make it pretty clear that something is going on.  There is hardly a moment to spare in the hustle and bustle of the season with parties to attend, gifts to find, boxes to wrap, cookies to decorate, and families to please.  We are the epitome of Dr. Seuss’s little Who’s down in Whoville, all blissfully going about our duties…..
….while Jesus quietly waits for us to show up at the manger.
This Christmas, I want to show up at the manger! I want to adore Him from the core of my heart!  I want to still myself in the midst of the busy activity and be fascinated with the mystery of His birth….the simple, humble entrance of Yahweh God into this broken, fallen world.  He has come to fill me with HOPE and JOY everlasting!  I think I would prance all giddy and wide-eyed through the streets of Bethlehem for that!
Oh come let us adore Him!  Oh come let us adore Him! Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the LORD!
This is a song by Casting Crowns called “While You Were Sleeping”.  It’s one of my favorites and really inspired me to write this post.

Emily, like all of us have a choice. Christmas, the birth of Jesus can be an interruption, a hassle, a fairy tale. Or we can choose to look for Jesus who came quietly. He came for us, but He does not force Himself into our lives. He presents Himself and we can choose what kind of a relationship we want to have with Him. How great is that? We can choose to have a relationship with the God of the universe!

Life with Faith?

I LOVE THIS QUESTION! What are you doing in your life right now that requires faith?  I'd really love to hear your answers. seemingly little, big it makes no difference. Just think about it, what are you doing that requires faith?

When I was in school I remember my choir teacher throwing me in with a bunch of Seniors to sing for state contest. I quivered in my shoes every time we practiced. They were so intimidating but they needed a sixth person - She chose me. So I showed up. I just had to believe she knew what she was doing and that she wouldn't let them kill me. I'm still alive. My faith in Miss Fields was rewarded.

Today I can say I have faith that even though it looks like I'm returning to some regular nursing hours that the Lord will enable me to have the time and strength to be healthy, enjoy the life He's given me and do the things He asks me to do.  It's a bit scary for me as I've been "over done" many times in the past by my own poor choices. Today I can say I'm trusting the Lord is working it all out and that HE will enable me.

So what about you? What are you doing that requires faith?

"Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  Hebrews 11:6

Following with Glad Anticipation, really?

So in a season of many questions/decisions I open up a little devotional book, Jesus Calling, that I am currently using to start my thoughts toward God yesterday and it says, "Be willing to follow wherever I lead. (Okay, I tell God that I'm willing to follow His lead pretty often) Follow Me wholeheartedly, (ALL of my heart) with glad anticipation (really? glad anticipation? I'm supposed to be glad?) quickening your pace. (because I'm excited to follow the Lord. Anticipating what/where He is taking me) Though you don't know what lies ahead, I know; and that is enough! (inserts mine)

So I must admit I'm wrestling with this between my head and my heart.  I know, that I know, that I know, that God is in charge. He has a plan. He is a good God, a loving God, a creative God. I know that I cannot control everything, that I make plans, and that I have a limited viewpoint as well as capacity for creativity. I know that all in my head. Now it's my heart that needs to learn to live with that knowledge.
I do know that I am learning. I'm learning to stop that crazy, going in circles thinking by asking God to take it over. God is surprising me daily by the people and stories He brings into my everyday that remind me of our need for Him. Yesterday I read a newsletter from an single young woman who has moved to China. She saw some "Ugg" type boots in a window. Went in to check it out and found that they had her size, which she says is unusual. She didn't have enough money with her to buy them at that time so she headed out with her friend thinking she would come back another time and get them. However, she wasn't far out of the store and felt the Holy Spirit urging her to go back and get them. "Really? Borrow money from a new friend? Surely not." But after a short time she did ask her friend to borrow the money, turned around and went back to get them. In doing so she met 4 new people and had significant conversations with each one of them.  Point being, if God can use boot shopping to arrange significant meetings, He can use our most daily, ordinary activities. Hmmm, it's my daily activities that I currently have so many pending decisions.

"Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait for Him to act." Psalm 37:7  Also note, 2 Cor. 5:7,
Psalm 96:6, John 8:12, and Psalm 36:9 if you need reinforcement.

Are you listening? What do you hear? Share a time you heard God.

I'm still asking, what do you do with what you know?

So what do you do with what you know? My observation is that a lot of us just keep collecting knowledge and/or waiting for _______(you fill in the blank) to happen and then I'll __________.(again, you fill in the blank)  If you don't believe that, look around your home. I bet you are like me and you'll see several projects that aren't done, some not even started. Why? Because you are waiting for something. Is that really how you want to live?

I've had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Phil Vischer's family a bit. The following is a quote from his web site. www.philvischer.com

"This morning in my devotions I was rereading the notes I had taken from Henry Blackaby's study on the book of Samuel, and I came across this quote from Mr. Blackaby:

"To tell the people that He is with us in all of His power when there is no evidence of it in our lives is a betrayal to God's people."

This convicted me when I first read it 7 years ago, and it convicted me again this morning.  It's so easy for us as leaders to stand up in front and proclaim God's awesome power.  They hear it in our messages and our praise choruses.  But do they see it in our lives?  I mean, really?  Is God's power visible in our lives?  Or is it just lip service?

But… this will only reach its potential if God shows up in it.  If His power is manifest in this work, and, more importantly, in my life.  Am I just giving God lip service?  Just repeating things I've heard in a million praise choruses?  Or am I bearing witness to a God who has made Himself present in my life?  Am I focusing on the work, or on God?
How about you guys?  The world doesn't need to see how clever we are.  The world needs to see the manifest presence of God in our lives.  The power of God.  On the canvas of humanity. (emphasis mine) It doesn't matter what comes out of my mouth, if it isn't coming out in my life.
Thanks for the reminder, Henry."

Besides the fact that he is reviewing notes from Henry Blackaby one of my favorite author/teachers, he is asking the same question I am asking. Do you know God? If you do, how does that relationship make a difference in your life, your daily life? What do others see?

P.S. Check out Phil's web site and see his newest project "What's In the Bible"DVD's.

Let God Surprise You Today!

So since to this point I have not blogged daily and I'm wondering if you have forgotten what we are in the middle of. We are spending a month asking God to surprise us on a daily basis.  Those of you who are reading this are welcome to join in right now, whether you've been doing it or not.  The thing is a couple of you have admitted to me you've stuck your toe in the water to test the temperature. (meaning you've prayed this prayer a time or two) But, you've not shared what happened. Speak up! The point of this blog is to "do life together" reminding each other that we are all "treasures" in God's sight. He loves us all equally and He gave us each other to support, encourage, challenge and yes, even reprimand each other. So join in, share, ask questions...there are no wrong answers or too stupid of questions.

As you probably have noticed by now, I don't always share original thoughts. Often I'm processing something I've read. Today is one of those days. Often I use devotional books to start my thinking process in the morning. Today's entry was just too good.  God is currently surprising me by allowing me to trust Him in a season of change like I've never trusted before. I'm surprising myself! :)  Anyway, what do you think about this:
" I am perpetually with you, taking care of you....I am not limited by time or space; My Presence with you is a forever-promise. You need not fear the future, for I am already there. (Bold added) Your future is in My hands; I release it to you day by day, moment by moment. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow.
 I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do, Don't be distracted by future concerns. Leave them to Me! Each day of life is a glorious gift, but so few people know how to live within the confines of today. Much of their energy for abudnant livign spills over the timeline into tomorrow's worries or past regrets. Their remaining energy is sufficient only for limping through the day, not for living it to the full. I am training you to keep your focus on My Presence in the present. This is how to receive abundant Life, which flows freely from My throne of grace."
Matthew 6:34 (read vs. 19-34); John 10:10;James 4:13-15
Quoted from September 30, Jesus Calling,  by Sarah Young Thomas Nelson Publishing

Contentment

Content = "A state of heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than He already has." Love Focused

That statement has really made me think. What I've concluded is that if you are not always focused on the "outcome" of what you are doing it's way easier to be content. For example, we live in a home with 3 stories, basement, main floor and 2nd floor. The bedrooms are on the 2nd floor, the laundry and office are in the basement. My husband has two bad knees. Not a great combination. So for several years I've been praying about a ranch style home. We've even looked into a couple. Nothing has worked out. It used to really bother me, but today I realized it doesn't bother me anymore. We have a home and the living expenses are reasonable. When we actually "need" something different I'm sure the Lord will provide it. He always has.

Now the challenge is to take that contentment to the rest of my life. This can be really challenging in relationships. What about you? Tell me about contentment in your life.

Umbrellas

I'm always reading something. Honestly usually more than one something. I read the Bible everyday in my quite time in the morning and I'm often reading a devotional type book, usually another book too. Right now I've got 2 or 3 things going and more waiting!  Anyway, yesterday I was struck by a comment a author friend of mine, Terry Esau said.  This is keep it simple time is inspired by his "Surprise Me God" experiment and book of the same name. (You should really check it out).  He said something like, you know maybe this experiment isn't so much about what God can/will do but about how much I will absorb. He compares it to rain falling and our willingness to "soak it up."  It rained here yesterday. We rushed around finishing our outdoor work so we WOULDN'T get wet.  Great analogy.  Spiritually speaking God rains on us constantly - love, care, grace, forgiveness, the list could go on and on. The question is will we take away our own protective, self-imposed umbrellas and receive it? How come so often we think it's all for "the other guy, not me."

Well it's time for me to go outside. Don't think I'll take my umbrella today. I'll just see what happens. How about you?

Not So Hard

You know, I'm discovering that it's not so hard to "let God" handle my life. Really! I just keep finding scripture that reminds me that He's "got my back." He's looking out for me and that He has a plan that includes the whole world. It's not all about me.  Truthfully, I love that. It totally takes the pressure off of "me needing to do it right."

The verse that caught my heart today is "he is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:27b-28a  He's not far away. He's involved with me. IN HIM we live and move and have our being. He's right here. I love it!

Day 5-Trust?

Okay, so now the rubber meets the road.  I am only in control of me and sometimes that's questionable! :)
I'm in the middle of a circumstance that I did not directly choose but I agreed to and now I seriously doubt the validity of the situation. However, I have no concrete reason except my own "gut".  So as I prayed last night and this morning, "Lord, help me love this person and trust you with the outcome." I realized that the problem is I don't want to be taken advantage of or hurt. So it's time. Time for me to live what I believe.  I believe God is in charge. He will not abandon me. He will protect me. He loves me. Deuteronomy 4:29, Hebrews 10:23
Keeping it simple. I am to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind and love my neighbor as myself. HE will take care of the rest.
So here I go, "for this I have Jesus."

Keeping it Simple - Day 4

Okay, no huge revelations, just a whole lot less mental stress.  When I start down that mental path of mind boggling trying to figure out the future, including just the next 1/2 day I'm reminding myself to stop. I think about the fact that "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 God loves me. He loved me long before I loved Him. If He truly loves me like that and He does, then what do I have have to worry about. He's in charge. He has a plan for me (and you).  My job is to love Him with all I've got. Then I'm to love those around me.

So when I start to spin around all the "what if's" in my mind I remember He loves me, really LOVES me. God will be with me whatever the circumstances. That is enough. A pastor/author I like said, "for this I have Jesus" as different situations presented themselves in his day. I like that. So as I head off to work today I'm thinking "for this day I have Jesus." What more could I need?

How many empty jars?

The question of today is how much of God will I allow in my life? This morning I read the story of the widow who was about to lose her sons to the creditors. She cried out to Elisha the prophet. He said, "How can I help? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" Isn't that great? He asked her what she had! He didn't tell her to do a long list of things, hard costly things. FIRST, he asked what she had. Well it turns out she only had a bit of oil. She was really down to the bare minimums at home. Elisha heard what she said and then he told her to go to her neighbors and ask for empty jars and don't just ask for a few.... Hmm, she was instructed to go to her neighbors and ask for help. What a novel idea. Why is it we don't ask for help when we need it? Pride, fear or lack of knowing the people around us? So once she got the empty jars she was to take them home and pour oil from her jar into the empty jars. It doesn't say she argued with him or even asked him how she was supposed to fill more jars with only a little left in her jar. It just says she and her boys did it. The Bible then says when there was not a jar left the oil stopped flowing. At that point she went back to Elisha who told her to sell the oil, pay off her debt and live on the rest. The oil did not run out until ALL the jars were full. How many jars did she get? We don't know. All we know is that she asked for help, received instructions, followed instructions and lived with her boys!

This makes me think, how many jars would I get if the Lord told me to do that? When would I decide I had gathered enough? The flow of oil only stopped when she couldn't receive anymore. God invites us to grow our trust in him. To do that we need to gather empty jars for him to fill. Matthew 13:58 says, "He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." WE limit God. Check out the story of the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7. In what areas of your life does God want to grow your faith? Go get some empty jars!