Nothing Else

 

1/31/2021

1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

The things we concentrate on as human beings are oftentimes very superficial. We are taught, even sometimes programmed, to believe that beauty and wealth are to be admired and exalted. We respect and hold in high esteem powerful or famous individuals. We give people with these traits public platforms from which to lure or convince others to their way of thinking about political or social areas. For some reason, we let them hold sway over us and we trust them. How is that working out for us so far? 

We know, as believers, that our focus should be on Jesus and not the things of this world, yet we too can be enticed by these individuals. We listen to the talking heads on the news, and let them sway us into negativity and judgement through righteous indignation. Many of us fall into these traps, I am sad to say, very easily. What does that do to our witness for Christ? If I am being vocal or impassioned about a topic on social media by parroting what I am consuming from any source other than God's Word, I run a very strong risk of being hurtful and sounding hateful. This may not be my intention at all, but it is certainly something the evil one can use to further the negative narrative about Christianity. 

God absolutely calls us to be discerning and stand up against sin and oppression, but we must do so in the light of His mercy, grace, and love. We must show those around us that Satan is the deceiver and sin is a destroyer, but we must do so with the same compassion that Jesus used with those around Him. We must be heard in this broken and sinful world, always remembering to not be sucked into the falsehood of smug sanctimony. We must be ready to decrease ourselves and have Christ increase in us, so that we can be led by Him alone. We must become last and make Him first in our lives. We must act in love and truth, seeking to become humble servants of Jesus to make a lasting difference in this world. There is nothing else.

 

Imagine

1/30/2021

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

This morning, my husband and I read the Sermon on the Mount in its entirety after having read portions of it over the past several weeks. We had many wonderful discussions and were extremely inspired by these words of Jesus. I must admit, the part about being "poor in spirit" has always confused me. I had read about the meaning, but never really made a connection to the depth of it until today. My husband read a commentary (which is in his Bible) about this powerful section of scripture, and it all just unfolded in my spirit. The writer said that being poor in spirit is the beginning, and all the other Beatitudes build from this yielding of self to Christ; it is about coming to the end of oneself. After that revelation, I experienced those verses as I never had before. It was so clear to me now that dying to self is critical to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Self-centeredness and self-interests cannot reside with Christ-centeredness and Christ-interestedness in my life. 

This is SO counterintuitive to who we are as human beings, both in the natural way - self-preservation - and in the societal way - self-assertiveness and self-reliance. We are, by nature, self-absorbed creatures, but when Christ enters our lives, He should take the place of prominence. He should be first. In John 3:30, these words of profound truth are spoken: "He must increase, but I must decrease. (ESV)" If this is not true in my life, I am bound to get in the way of what Jesus can do through me. My focus on myself and not Him does not diminish His power, of course, but I can certainly be more easily swayed to not listen. If my focus is off of the One Who enables me to do all things through Him; I am more apt to feel incapable of accomplishing His will, or fearful of possible judgement from others. Once I stop looking inward, and concentrate on looking to my Savior, He will make me able and give me strength to accomplish anything for Him. These are things I do not have to do, no should I try to do, by myself. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (KJV)" 

Can you even imagine what could happen if every believer's fervent prayer was to be decreased and have Christ increase in us? Can you imagine being so unconcerned with the trappings of this world that they became an insignificant part of the past? Can you just see the power of God's Word being shared like never before with love, mercy, and grace all over the world because of our global connectedness through the might and provision of the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine how the evil one would lose his power over so many that do not know the peace and saving grace of Jesus? Can you imagine if we all acted with the love of Jesus toward others, and allowed the Holy Spirit to crush any form of judgement out of our souls? I can only imagine.

Important Reminder

1/29/2021

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

*Ten years ago, this became my life verse.

I have had a few weeks of struggle with the OCD monster. Over the past couple of days it became worse than it has been in years and years. This ongoing Covid-19 world is the culprit for sure, and I, like many of you, am just plain weary. 

I have had OCD all of my life, but was not diagnosed until 10 years ago. That was when it got became so ill, that I could no longer maneuver the world around me. With the help of a wonderful psychiatrist, anti-anxiety medicine, and - most importantly - a strong and abiding faith in God, I was able to begin living a mostly normal life again. I fully understand what a miraculous thing this is, as many people who reach the point I did sadly find it impossible to recover. I have read many accounts of people so locked in their rituals that they cannot actually focus on anything else. It has certainly been a learning experience for me, and has made me understand how complex and mysterious the human brain is.  

 At the height of my illness, I had so many rituals in place that it took most of my day to accomplish them all, and every day they just kept increasing. I actually was good for nothing other than trying to calm my fear mind through these repetitive acts. You see, this kind of illness holds you captive in a prison that no one can enter. I cannot express how exhausting this extreme mental concentration is, and I have likened it to running a marathon. Unfortunately, I would only feel the physical and mental fatigue without the elated achievement. The worst part about that period of time was knowing my husband and son were watching the person they always knew disappear right before their eyes. It pained me further seeing the grief and sadness had become a constant companion for them both. 

Again, I feel like a walking miracle, and I am sure they would both agree. Thankfully, during my recovery, I was able to develop - through divine intervention - a practice of releasing my struggles to God. It was a long and arduous process. I would release one small part of my many, many rituals every day to Jesus, and I would ask for Him to take that thing from me and help me to never do it again. This process was EXCRUCIATING, and I felt like I wanted to rip my skin off every time, but God was so faithful. Little by little, Jesus began to free me. One shackle fell and then another. He alone could enter my self-imposed dungeon, and it is only through His grace that I could see a shard of light begin to glimmer. My soul was saved many years before through yielding to His call on my life, and He saved me again from the evil deceptive monster in my mind. I truly felt, and still feel, His mighty love and amazing grace. 

So what happens when I lose my baseline and that lying monster tries to imprison me again? Unfortunately, that has been happening, very subtly mind you, over the past few weeks. Well, I would love to be able to proclaim that my first action is always release, and it certainly has been over most of the past ten years. Alas, however, that is not always the case. Sometimes, especially when I am distracted by more pressing life issues, the evil one slowly turns up the heat until I only notice when the boiling water is rapidly scalding me. This is where God acted through another. 

Yesterday, my sweet husband was a powerhouse of prayer, comfort, and support which brought me back into myself more than I had been in weeks. He prayed with me, texted me, held me, let me sleep, and took care of my every need. I felt so safe and loved. I began, slowly, to regain a bit of strength. Then, this morning, as we were having our devotion time together, he was inspired to share a powerful insight from the Lord. He spoke of how cared for and safe I I felt as he looked after me day before, and then reminded me, as well, that God is always there holding me, loving  me, caring for me, and giving me rest. It is from God, he said, that I have gained, and will gain again, my true lasting strength. I was speechless as tears began to flow. Of course, turning to God is always the answer, always. Sometimes we all need a reminder of that powerful truth, and I am so grateful that God used my sweet husband to relay that all important message to me once again. 

Casting Cares

 

                            (My sweet hubby had one of these plants                             waiting or me after work today as a pick-me-up)

1/28/2021

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

There is a newer contemporary Christian song called "Truth Be Told" by Matthew West. It is about how we, as believers, often say "I'm fine" when we are struggling. Ones of the lines is, "I don't know why it's so hard to admit it, when being honest is the only way to fix it." These words ring so true to me, because bringing issues out into the light is so vital to healing. I know letting others into my battle is important, but I never want my witness to suffer because of my weakness and frailty. I fear that it will come across like having a difficult time means I am not fully trusting God. This is a lie of the evil one to create confusion and turn me more inward instead of God-ward. My truth has always been that God carries me through every trial and always gets me to the other side. This can happen in many ways, but sometimes it happens through the support and love of others.

What I struggle with most, the dreaded cocktail of anxiety and OCD, is difficult for many people to understand. Two of the people closest to me, my husband and son, do not truly understand this illness that plagues me. Thankfully, they don't really need to in order to support me and love me through my struggles. When I am hiding my battle, and become so weary that I can no longer put on my armor, that is when I usually turn to them for help. Alas, by that time I am so worn down they practically have to carry me. 

Living in a Covid world, as I have said before, is my perfect storm. I am grateful that God gives me the strength to still be able still to go to work. He has given me grace to be out and about, to maneuver this uncertain world where others can see a true smile through my eyes. He has kept me on my feet through all the storms of the past ten months. I have only gotten to the point of exhaustion a couple of times, which is nothing less than a miracle. Right now I am experiencing a period of weariness and exhaustion, but because I have let those around me in and shared my struggle, I am also feeling loved and supported. I know God will get me through this as He always does. I just need to remember, or honestly to be reminded sometimes, to cast all my cares on Him and lean into and on my Savior. 

Truth Be Told - Matthew West

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4wYkS8Z3Io

Experience

1/27/2021

Acts 9:17-18 "And Ananis went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately there fell for his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized"

I was watching the recent remake of Little Women - which, incidentally, is very good - and I was struck by the final scene. Jo March, who is such a passionate writer that she often stays up all night as the words come tumbling out of her, finally is watching her book come to life. She stands there smiling as the words are pressed, the paper is slowly stitched, a red leather cover is attached, then finally the title is pressed into it and finished with fine gold leaf. After following her and the rest of the characters through a journey filled with laughter and tears, I was transported to that place of triumph with her as a look of quietly reserved joy crossed her face. If you know anything of the character, you understand how beautifully understated this scene is. As Jo gently hugs the small red-bound tome and the screen turns to black, I am moved to tears. What must it be like to see your ideas come to life in such a tangible way? Back then, when Alcott herself was writing, the process was arduous for both the author and the printer alike. What a magnificent sense of accomplishment it must have been. 

My son, who is also a published author, knows what it is like to bring a story into the world. He understands, like all authors, that from a small seed of an idea, something amazing can grow. He also understands how it feels to hold a printed book of the words he put together in his hands for the first time. I must say, even after his third book, this moment has not lost its blessing and magic. I have been so proud and honored in these moments of triumph for him, and thankful he has chosen to use the gifts God has given him to create wonderfully imaginative stories. 

As I sat in tears at the end of the movie, I wondered what that moment would feel like for me. I wondered how I would experience such a moment. Would I be like Jo March and my son, who both have understated but nonetheless powerful reactions? Or would I jump about and lose my mind while holding my own book in my hands?

In that moment, I got to thinking about how none of us can truly experience anything totally through another person. How any of us would feel or react is intensely personal. I may be able to imagine what it feels like to jump out of a plane, but unless I have experienced it myself, I will truly never know. That is just a fact. Even when a father is in the delivery room, he cannot possibly know what the mother's reality is through the birthing process; all he can do is be as supportive as he can, and experience what is happening through his own lens. This is true for faith as well. I can see how others walk in faith, but unless I have given my life to Christ, I cannot possibly understand what that means. I can experience the blessing from and the change in another, but I must take the road of yielding to Christ alone; there is no other way. As a believer, I can do my best to witness to others and love them as Jesus would want me to, but I cannot bring them to the foot of the cross. I cannot make that choice for anyone else. However, I know every believer would if we could. So starting today, I want to live my life so full of the joy of the Lord that those around me feel the way I did at the end of Little Women, moved to tears and wanting to have that same experience. I want others to desire and experience the joy, mercy, and power of Christ in their lives because they can clearly see the joy, mercy, and power that comes from a relationship with Jesus so evidently in mine.  

What to do?

1/26/2021

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you."

Decisions are difficult for many of us to make. I was actually talking to my niece about this recently. Two goals she has this year are to be less hard on herself and to be more decisive. If you knew how capable, caring, and smart she is (she is truly an amazing human), it would surprise you that she would be anything but confident. This got me thinking that confidence is one of the key factors - I believe, anyway - of being a decisive person. During our discussion, I could easily identify with both those areas of struggle, as I too have these qualities, although I am better than I used to be. Thankfully, she did not have to learn the importance of these goals when she was in her mid-forties like I did. I will, of course, be holding her up in prayer for this new mindset. I know she can do it!!!

It is interesting when you think about how many decisions we need to make over the course of our lives. Some of these choices are minor ones, like what kind of fries do I want with my burger or what  I should wear. Some decisions, however, can change the course of your life, like who you choose to develop friendships with, whether to attend college or learn a trade, who you are going to marry, if you have children, where to live, what house to buy, and I could go on and on. Oftentimes we base our decision making on how we were raised or others' expectations of us. This is not necessarily a bad way to go, especially if you have been raised with good principles and you have people in your life that love and support you.

Today, after a long time of waiting and silence, my husband and I find ourselves at another major decision crossroads. We went from no real choices to several possibilities in the span of a week. To say this now feels a bit overwhelming would be an understatement, but we also know it is a blessing. So, how do we approach this decision dilemma? Well, after discussing the possible options and not having a clear idea of the best way to go, we will steep it all in prayer and seek clarity form God. This seeking will not only be for what is most beneficial to our family, but more importantly, where God wants us to be. Where can we be most effective for Him in this next part of our journey? We are willing to go down whatever path He leads us down, and we are both confident that He will make this crystal clear to us, we just need to get out of the way. 

Decisions can be stress inducing or exciting, but as long as you are following the will of the Father, you cannot possibly go wrong. 

God or the World?

 

1/24/2021

1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

The world, and what it offers, is fickle. Over the course of history, different things are put forth as necessities that are not. There are practical needs like food, water, shelter, and clothing, and psychological and emotional needs like safety, freedom, respect, connection, and love. These are all valuable, and those that have them are truly blessed. Then there are those things that society makes us believe we need, like wealth, power, fame, physical strength, beauty, continuing education (even at the sake of astronomical costs), an impressive home, designer clothes and shoes, lavish vacations, the very latest technology, and a host of other things. Many people go into massive debt to acquire these things that the worlds makes us believe we need. These desires that are so attractive, of course, are the way Satan keeps us self-centered and not God-centered. 

The only thing that any of us should truly desire is a relationship with God, for all else is fleeting and temporal. God is the only one who offers eternal connection and life. There is NOTHING this world can offer that can save my soul. No good work I can do, no amount of talent or fame, or nothing that I can buy that will connect me to Jesus; this is done only through submission and yielding to Him as the Lord of my life. The "world" would look upon this truth of submission as weakness, but it is only though this act that I can gain the strength that only can come from God. 

So I must ask myself: Is my connection to this world and the desires it creates in me drawing me away from my focus on God? Am I giving too much attention to the things that will pass away, or am I sharing with others the only thing that is abiding and eternal? 

Almost Thwarted

 

1/24/2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Some days it feels like Satan does his level best to thwart me, keeping me in a state of battle or confusion. I am sure y'all have had days like that too. Well, today was one of those days where he just would not let me say or do anything for God without giving me push back or making me feel that I could not possibly do what I am being called to do. The day was not a bad one. On the contrary, I had a lovely relaxing time with my sweet husband, yet I fell flat with my attention towards God and what I felt He was calling me to do. 

I tried sharing something inspirational and that fell flat. I tried blogging and that fell flat as well. I was peaceful, but feeling disconnected to my purpose. When I got feedback on my writing, which I get daily from my husband and son, I could not make any edits or changes that they advised because I was blank...just totally blank. It was almost like they were speaking a different language. Was my first attempt at blogging forced? I didn't think so, but as I was folding laundry before dinner my spirit cleared, thank the Lord, and I knew it was Satan and his schemes clouding my mind. The last thing he wants, after all, is for me - or any of us - to be a powerful witness for the kingdom of God. 

So, I felt led back into writing, and into battling the evil one. I have learned NOT to let the destroyer win with his discouragement and lies. He will never want me to feel able, but God is the one that enables me to do what He calls me to do. As long as I do not turn inward, and focus on my own feelings of unworthiness or shortcomings, God will see me through anything and everything. I just need to trust Him always and in all ways. 

Whatever You Do

 

1/23/2021

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..."

This was the verse that hung next to my husband's desk at his last job. It is also the verse on the business cards for his own company. It says a lot about how he approaches his work and what his work ethic is based on. He never looked to others for validation, but with integrity and faith, he carried out his work to honor God. He knew this was important for his testimony. 

This morning, as we were discussing many ideas and inspirations about moving forward on the path that God has laid out before us, I remembered this verse. I have been meditating on it most of the day, and reflecting on if I go about all the work I do with this same intention. Sadly, I am embarrassed to admit that my answer is no. There are a lot of tasks that I do not do with all of my heart for the Lord. Many of them are things that would be considered more drudgery-related duties: laundry, dusting, dishes, and general cleaning. Not that I frequently complain about these chores, but I often do not do them, like Snow White, with a song on my lips and joy in my heart. This is something I am feeling challenged by today. If I am truly grateful to God for my home, my clothes, my food, and my family, shouldn't I carry that gratitude into maintaining and caring for what God has so richly blessed me with? 

I will share something that helps me keep joy present even when doing the dirtiest of jobs. It helps me a lot when I put on K-Love while I work. Listening to contemporary Christian music and praise songs keeps me focused and joyful. This may be cheating in a way, but it works for me. It also helps me when my husband and I work together, because no matter what we are doing, we always find the fun in it. I am praying that one day, I will be mature enough in my faith to be in the state of doing all I do with a grateful heart as I work for God.

Time

 

1/22/2021

Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

I am really cherishing time at this stage of my life. Maybe I have become more focused on the precious gift time actually is because of all the horrible loss that occurred during the past year. Every day there are new tragic numbers that are reported about people who have succumbed to Covid, and it is just heartbreaking. This has made me focus on how precious time with those we love really is, and I am trying not to take that gift for granted. 

As I have shared before, my family has had our fair share of struggles over the past six months, but we have remained healthy. The most extraordinary gift we have been given during this period, however, is the gift of time. This has been the single biggest blessing in my life over the past six months, My sweet husband has been able to decompress from the stress that was invading his life. He has been able to focus on faith and his true purpose, opening himself up to be led by God in every area of his life. This has been a wonderful example to me and others around him. He has truly been able to walk with God and stay a man of integrity through it all. 

Every morning we start our day together in God's Word, conversation, and prayer. We have devoted time to this most important part of our day, and it has made a tremendous difference in all areas of our lives. God has inspired and challenged us; He has given us direction and clarity; He has placed joy and peace firmly in our souls. God has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined, even through all of the turmoil and strife, and we will be forever grateful. 

Precious Time and Precious Freedom

 1/21/21

Mark 16:15-16 "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned"

I have been thinking about how blessed I am to be living in a nation where I can worship freely without persecution. Speaking freely here about my faith now, however, is becoming more and more difficult. This is largely due to the shifting in our culture towards censorship, and how Christianity has been weaponized by some people. These things are certainly concerning, and yet I remain full of peace. The time may be coming that we are truly silenced and persecuted for our belief in Christ, but that time has not yet come.

So, how am I using the freedoms that are still currently in place? Am I doing all I can do to share the good news of the Gospel with others? How can I effectively do this important command during this time of global pandemic? It is true that we are all limited in our interaction capabilities, so we must get creative about how to reach out to others. Am I checking in on my neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family? I could be doing better. Am I living in a state of fear during this time, or a place of peace and faith? What am I showing others during this difficult time in our world? Can I be a beacons of light and faith in the face of all this strife and turmoil? Can I offer the hope and peace that is only found through a relationship with Jesus by sharing His love with others? Am I using the precious time God has given me for the purpose we are all called to? 

Joy

 

1/20/2021

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

There is a six-part documentary series on TBN called Inexplicable. It is about the spread of Christianity across the globe and throughout the ages, despite religious persecution and the rising and falling of civilizations. I would highly recommend it.

Yesterday, during one of the episodes, the experts were discussing what drew people to the early church. The one thing that was said that hit me like an arrow straight into my heart was that the disciples of Jesus exhibited true joy. That was a compelling thing to many people, and they sought to find the source of such glorious joy. So, the early believers drew others into the fold because of the joy they had in their relationship with Jesus. This truly struck me and made me ask myself, "Do others see the joy that can only come from God in me?" 

I would imagine, especially in these troubled times, many feel that joy is difficult to come by. We seek joy in temporal and tangible ways, but that is not where the source of our joy should come from. We, as believers, should find our source of joy in having a relationship with Jesus. We should find joy in the fact that we can come before Almighty God in prayer because of what our Savior did for us on the cross. We should find joy in His mercy and eternal love. If I am only focused externally, then I will only see what this world has to offer and am bound to be disheartened. However, if I am focused on things of the Spirit and my relationship with Jesus, actually being grateful for the magnitude of His love for me, than I will find true joy. 

We can all agree that people need Jesus. So can we leave the trappings of this world behind and, like believers over 2,000 years ago, draw the lost of this world in with our joy in the Lord? 

John 15:11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Mercy and Love

1/19/2021

Mark 12:30-31 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

James 2:13 "...Mercy triumphs over judgement."

As we prepare for the transition of power in our country tomorrow, we are still experiencing a lot of division. In my humble opinion, both parties contributed to this erosion of our country. Recently, an article was brought to my attention about a priest who had a crisis of conscience. He struggled when it came to speaking to his congregation about the issues that have been taking place in our government. He finally decided to do so. I am sure that he gave much thought and prayer towards what he was going to say beforehand. I was saddened to read that so many of his parishioners, who took offense to his words, walked out of mass instead of staying to start a dialogue with him afterwards. This is why we have so much division in our country: we have stopped listening to those who feel differently than we do, and have resorted to fear-mongering and shouting instead of listening with respect. This, of course, is exactly what the evil one wants: nothing but our total destruction will do. 

I have seen many priests and ministers in the media speaking out who align themselves with either party, and they are free to do so and not be judged for it. However, my question is this: as believers, how do we lead and become part of the solution? Shouldn't we do our best to resemble, reflect, and reveal Christ in our lives in all we do? He always led with love, mercy, and grace even unto His death at Calvary. If He could forgive those who mocked, tortured, and crucified Him, shouldn't I be able to respect and forgive those who do not think or act like me? If we all put our Christianity above our politics, wouldn't we become part of the healing? What if we devoted ourselves to praying for our leaders to become more humble, seek wisdom, and either gain or deepen their faith? Isn't this a better use of our precious time then living in anger, division, or offense? We are told in God's word to love our neighbors as ourselves, and this is not a conditional command. We are to show Christ's love to everyone, without exception. Maybe it is time to turn our focus back to faith, secure our armor, love in truth, and seek God's word in times of turmoil. Let us extend mercy and love to everyone, just like God extends those things to us. 

Doors

 

1/18/21

Isaiah 58:11 "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Today, a few things happened that made me and my husband smile and just think that God must have a sense of humor. Sometimes, a situation comes about that is so out of the blue that, even in times of hardship, you cannot help but laugh. The only answer for such a happening is God, as you can only see His hand in the connections. All of a sudden, you know the direction you desired is not the right way to go at all, and a different path you never even conceived of is placed before you. Only Almighty God can bring about such things. 

You all have heard the expression, "When God closes a door, He opens a window," correct? Well, sometimes when God closes a door, he opens another larger door. You can bet, however, that the one that  God has opened is the right one if you have placed your trust and faith in Him. The hard part is waiting on God's perfect timing, even though it truly is always perfect. I know I happen to be slightly inpatient during such times. God, however, always shows me grace and mercy despite this frailty. 

So take heart, those of you who are still in the time of silence and waiting, hanging onto God in faith. Keep your eyes, soul, and mind focused on Him and do not lose heart. You will see His hand as well, even if it is not in the way you thought it would be seen. I guess He likes to keep us on our toes and actively listening. 

We do not fully know where this new direction will lead us, but with God as our guide, we cannot fail. We will raise our banners to Him in praise today and always. To God be the glory!

Appointment with God

1/17/21

Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." (NAS)

There is nothing in this world like experiencing an appointment with God. Usually, as it has been with me anyway, these times happen in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning. Of course God is not limited by our confines of time, so this could happen at any time He sees fit. I think for me, it happens when my spirit is open to hearing what He has to say to me. They can also be times when God lays someone on your heart so strongly that you are drawn into mighty prayer for that person. These times are anointed ones that usually result in tears or some other overwhelming emotion. There is no other way to receive these amazingly blessed times other than with humility and awe. 

Last night, my sweet husband had an appointment with God at 2:30 am. He bounded out of bed, and when I asked if he was okay, he just told me he needed to go pray. I fell peacefully back to sleep and he kept his appointment. This morning, he was so full of the Holy Spirit, it was palpable. After weeks of silence and confusion about which direction God wants him to take, he was full of ideas and inspiration. During this appointment, God gave him such clarity that he wrote pages of information that just flowed out of him. Nothing was jumbled or muddled, it was all crystal clear. He prayed, and wrote, and cried, and prayed over and over for several hours. When he finally climbed back into bed, all had been revealed and poured out. To God be the glory. 

In my experience, sometimes God's invitation comes when we are seeking His will and direction for our lives. and are open to His leading; they happen when we stay faithful no matter the circumstances that surround us. Sometimes, it is when we are beaten down by life and weary, but still staying faithful, believing that He hears our every prayer. Sometimes it happens when we are having a time of tremendous blessing, having praises for Him in our hearts, minds, and souls. God can invite us at any time, and, at least for me, those are appointments I never want to miss.  

So when God is tugging on your heart and inviting you to be with Him, keep that appointment. You will not believe the overwhelming blessing that will occur. The verse above says it all. 

Salt and Light

1/16/2021

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

 I like to think of myself as a sensitive person, although there have been many times when I spoke without really thinking and had to insert my foot into my mouth. Thankfully, those times are rare. In today's world, however, it seems people have lost their filtration. It probably started on the relative safety and anonymity of social media. A place had been created for people to say whatever they want without any real consequence. People could give any counter argument or personal opinion and it did not have to be done face-to-face. Did this new form of communication cause pain? Yes, and that has only gotten worse as our country divides further.

Sometimes the pain that is caused by a lack of sensitivity and mindfulness about a situation is done in person without malicious intent. It is, however, still very painful for those on the receiving end. If you have experienced this, you understand what I mean. 

So as believers, how are we supposed to conduct ourselves when communicating with others? Well, if we let love, compassion, understanding, and respect lead our interactions, we are apt to do a better job at non-judgement or unintended injury toward others. Jesus is our example, after all, and He treated everyone this way. 

Another way we can improve in this area is to stop being so self-absorbed. We are called to serve others, not to push others around with our opinions or cause injury with thoughtless words. When we are only concerned with our own lives, we cease to love our neighbor. Sometimes all that neighbor needs is a little compassion. 

We need to become better listeners as well. Seems like there is a lot of chatter nowadays with very little active listening going on. We need to really look at each other and try to (as my family calls it) read the room. If you are having a time of joy and success, try to be sensitive about where and when to share that good news with those who are struggling. We have all made missteps in this area, but when we really move into a posture of living with empathy, we will be more able to give those around us the support they need. Sometimes that takes as little as a call to check in, a card, a listening ear, a kind word, or even a smile. I know I would love to live in a world where all people put others before themselves. Maybe that should start with God's people. We are, after all, meant to be salt and light to the world. 

Battles to Blessings

 

1/15/2021

Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes and to turn from the darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me." (KJV)

Today God took a day that started in battle and turned it to blessing. As I have shared over the past several months, our family is going through a time of great uncertainty. We truly do not know where we will even be living in the next few months, and we are seeking God every day for answers. We have gotten a lot of no's, and we are still waiting for the yes. We are trusting and have faith that He will lead us exactly to where we should be, but the time of waiting is becoming excruciating. 

My husband and I each had a down-and-weary day this week. These were not days of difficult spiritual battle per se, we were just spiritually weary. Well, this morning the evil one struck in our weakness, and every moment felt like a battle. Even our son, who had woken up in a good mood and excited for the day, was quickly attacked and thrown off balance as well. The battle began to rage. 

Usually we join together in prayer when this happens, but this morning I felt God leading us to come individually before Him. We each needed to get our spiritual armor back on and secure. This happened over a period of time, but for me, it happened immediately. I began warfare praying out loud. I claimed our lives, our family, and our home for God and bound Satan in Jesus' name. I went from room to room and prayed. I went to every door and window and prayed. I claimed victory over evil as a child of the Most High through the blood of Christ. 

If you have never prayed boldly in this way, I can tell you there is truly power in it. It took me a couple of times before I didn't feel oddly self-conscious doing it, but now I feel it is my most powerful spiritual weapon. A couple of years ago, my husband even bought a book called Prayers that Rout Demons by John Eckhardt. (I love that my husband who was raised in a very conservative Baptist bought it.) It is a book full prayers directly from verses that are about fighting the schemes of the evil one, so when you read them aloud it is with the power of God's Word behind them. Well, that is exactly what I did today. I read those prayers with power and full faith and boldness. Shortly after doing that, our day began to change. 

Now, do we have any of the answers that we have been waiting for? Nope, that did not change. What did happen was that peace entered our home, the peace that can only come from God. When our focus was off of Him, things did not go well; it is kind of like spiritual self-infliction. When we all entered into prayer and recognized it was the enemy that was harming us, he fled. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! 

So, tonight we are not only celebrating God's mercy, protection, and grace, but we are also celebrating the successful publishing of our son's third book. To God be the glory

 

Weak Spot

 

1/14/2021

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (ESV)

I am terrible at reaching out and asking for help or support. I know that this is not a great quality, and it is very self-isolating. I don't even really ask for prayer when it comes to something personal. However, I can very willingly ask others to pray for those I love. I also can offer prayers, support, and encouragement to anyone and everyone around me. Unfortunately, my husband and my son suffer from the same affliction. We have many people in our lives who love us and would be there for us whenever we needed them, but we have become fiercely insulary. I will admit that our world of Covid has not helped that much.

I think I get this from my parents; they were very private people. I remember growing up with the saying, "You should never air your dirty laundry in front of others." This unconsciously translated into, "Take care of your own issues," I guess. Even at the very depth of my illness, it was just the three of us. My sisters knew some of what was going on, and did their best to keep in touch with us regularly, but we really had no care from anyone around us. It was a very lonely and difficult time. 

We are currently going through another time of difficulty like so many other people right now. My husband is really taking the brunt of this personal crisis, and it is very difficult to witness as he is usually a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He loves to joke and laugh, and is a very positive person, so we are not used to him struggling. We are reading our Bibles together and praying, seeking answers and direction from God. We turn to Him always for everything. Sadly my husband, like I was recently, is feeling very weary. We have to remember, though, that God can speak to us through the care and concern of others.

My son and I have done our best to support and cheer him up, but we are a little too close to the situation. Tonight during dinner, we both encouraged him to call some of the trusted Christian men in his life. At first he resisted because this is far out of his comfort zone, but, as I sit here writing, I can quietly hear him on the phone talking. I am so grateful that he was able to hear the call of the Holy Spirit telling him to release his discomfort. I am sure that he is currently being blessed. 

Be Ready

 

1/13/2021

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Today started differently than yesterday. I awoke with a prayer on my mind and in my heart, and I knew the day was going to be full of faith and promise. Have any of the circumstances that I have been concerned about changed? No, not yet. I do, however, once again feel that anchored hope that is found in my relationship with Jesus. I was able to pray boldly and powerfully in full voice this morning, and it felt wonderful. I was also able to share this spiritual uptick with my sweet husband. Our morning devotion time felt extended, as if God had slowed down time for us to be in His word and pray with each other. 

If you have never prayed to bind the evil one's schemes and flaming arrows, I would recommend entering into that kind of warfare prayer. We even own a book entitled Prayers that Route Demons. Some of you may think this seems a little too supernatural for you, but that is true for the entire spirit world. Their is a war waging that we cannot see, but we certainly can feel. The evil one wants to steal our joy by lying to us and causing fear and doubt. This is how he wins in our lives. 

Yesterday, I admittedly was not strong. My armor was slipping and I felt I needed to lay down my sword and shield because of the weight of it all. The truth is, I was trying to carry them and hold them up on my own. This is true every time I get that weary feeling. Instead of going directly to God and asking Him to help me and to hold them for me while I gained much needed strength from Him, I went into retreat mode. I am so thankful for His never ending forgiveness and mercy. 

There is a line in a quirky movie that I like called Galaxy Quest. The main character's catchphrase is, "Never give up, never surrender." It is a great battle cry, and one that I need to adopt when it comes to spiritual warfare. I can never give up and let the evil one win. I must stand firm in faith and never ever give up. We, all of us, must always be battle ready with the Word of God as our weapon. 

Blue

1/12/2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)

This is a place of honesty. Actually, your hostess knows no other way to be. So, I will tell you all that I am feeling weary today. Often times when I feel this way, it is because a combination of things out of my control are looming large overhead. I am aware enough to understand that I cannot change the circumstances that surround the people I love. I pray fervently and try to offer words of support and encouragement as best as I can, but sometimes it all just dries up. It has also been an extended time of waiting for answers and God's direction. The Lord is sharpening and forging so many of us into steel, and today is one of the heat days where His hammer is pounding me into shape. I long for the cold water bath that brings relief.  

Recently, we have all had to find ways of staying focused and balanced both mentally and spiritually. In this time of global pandemic, we certainly need to be creative with the ways we are getting our spiritual nourishment. Virtual church services have been a huge blessing, but they are not the same as being in place of worship with fellow believers. My church is a special place full of people who love God and each other. There are no lines drawn between leadership and the congregation, we are all family, and I miss my family.

This time has kept many of us away from blood family as well. Again, technology has been a blessing, but I miss being able to see those I hold dear. Even though we all live far apart, at least we had the option of visiting one another. The thing I miss most about all of these relationships is the warmth of togetherness...and hugs, I miss hugs. 

I would say, during this unusual period in life, I have had times when I have felt anxious, but today it is more of a blue kind of day. I know my God understands these times of sadness, for He understands absolutely everything I could ever go through or feel. I also know that He is listening to the silent cry of my heart, even when the words don't come. So today, as always, I will find a place of rest in His arms knowing that this feeling will pass, and joy will soon return. 

Stronghold

 

1/11/21

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (NIV)

Satan uses a certain area of my life as a stronghold, and I have become a prisoner within. I have been taken captive in this place of weakness. Just as I think the chains around me are finally breaking, they tighten once again. Of course, each emotional and spiritual defeat only serves to multiply the chains that bind and drag me further away from freedom. This is exactly where he wants me, because if I am imprisoned, I cannot be an active and powerful witness for God. 

So, why do I continue battling in this one area of my life alone? I have overcome such incredible obstacles through prayer and releasing other struggles to my Savior, so why does this one area continue to incarcerate me? Why can't I once and for all lean into God and have the stronghold walls of the evil one come crashing down? 

I know, as the verse above states, that I do not fight with weapons of this world. This area, however, seems to always be fought with worldly weapons. Is this my unconscious undoing? Have I yet to truly wage war and instead have I become complacent toward my own bondage? 

The only hope I have to overcome any attack of the evil one is through God's divine weaponry. So instead of an eventual daily surrender, I must continue to bind Satan in the name of Jesus and not grow faint or weary. I must battle, because I want to finally give the very best of me to my Heavenly Father. 

Get thee behind me Satan!!!!

 

I WIll

 

1/10/2021

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

During these turbulent times, what is my role as a believer? This morning I have been inspired to do all things with a servant's attitude; for this is my calling. I will also offer that this is the calling of every follower of Jesus. I will wrap all I do in mercy and love, and I will fight the spirit of judgement that so easily invades the soul. I will share the truth of the Gospel with others through word and deed. I will strive every day to die more to self and be filled with the Holy Spirit. I will pray and be still, while submitting to God's will for my life, I will pray for strength for myself and all of God's people to withstand and battle the evil that so pervades this world. I will read my Bible, and filter my thoughts and the thoughts of others through the truth that lies within. I will focus on my Savior, and not on ideologies that conflict with His teachings. I will love others in tangible and practical ways. And when I fail, which I am bound to do, I will pray for forgiveness and mercy as I continually strive to submit to my Savior. I will pray for more of Christ and less of me. 

I will live my life to glorify my God. 

On Pause

1/9/2021

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Waiting is hard. There, I said it. Whether we are 1 or 101, when we are waiting for something to happen, it sometimes feels like forever. It doesn't matter if we are waiting to be sat at a crowded restaurant, taken care of at the DMV, counting down the hours until we see our loved ones again, biding our time at an airport, etc., waiting is not fun. Some people use the in-between times to do constructive things, and there are others of us that are clock watchers and foot tappers. I'm sure the former method is a lot better. For most of us, waiting is a test of patience. The question is, can we discern when a waiting period that comes from God?

My husband and I, like so many other people currently in our world, are in a time of extended waiting. Every time we think an answer has come and a change is going to occur, the wait begins again. It is exhausting and emotionally draining. It's like a cruel psychological experiment where the thing you desire or need the most is put right within your reach, only to be snatched away so your reaction can be monitored and read. 

Yes, waiting is hard, but in God's word there are so many instances where His people had to wait. Abraham waited to have a son and to reach the Promised Land. He waited a long time, and only saw one of those things come to pass. The Hebrew people waited to be led out of slavery under the Egyptians. David waited for the throne, and although he was anointed by God, he waited without taking matters into his own hands. Zachariah and Elizabeth waited to have a child, and that did not happen until they were old. The Apostles waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. In all of these instances and many others, the people waited on God for their answer. 

That is what we are called to do as well. When we force something that is not of God, we can certainly feel it, and things usually do not go well. However, when we wait for something to come about in His perfect timing, we can feel that too through the blessings that follow. We need to battle the fear and doubt that can creep in, and we do that through faith that God is with us always. The trick is to keep going vertical. The more we enter into conversation with God, and pour out our hearts to Him, the more strength we will receive to carry on as we wait. It is, after all, only an intermission before the next chapter in our story. With God as our author, we can trust it will turn out exactly as He has planned. 

Fear & Doubt

1/8/2021

Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God." (ESV)

As I have mentioned before, the phrase "do not fear" is mentioned in the Bible 365 times, or so multiple sources say. Clearly this is something God wants us to understand. There is also a saying that fear and faith cannot reside in the same place. As a person who struggles with fear-based anxiety, I can tell you that when I am not focused on God or walking powerfully in faith, fear always creeps in. So, because I have this propensity to worry, I tend to recognize it and fight it through prayer and the Bible. I have total faith that God will give me peace, and He always does. 

Today I heard a sermon about doubt also being something outside of faith. Of course I know this is true, but when doubt creeps in, do I fight it through faith as well? Am I able to release my doubt to God? Everyone has doubts in life, but should we?

Some doubts are personal ones about your own abilities. Sometimes we doubt other people. Sometimes we doubt a situation in our lives will ever improve or change. Sometimes, especially in times of turmoil, we even doubt if God hears our prayers. 

Both doubt and fear are tools of the evil one to hold me back from becoming who God would have me be. These two things can clog up my mind and spirit so much that I will not be able to hear God. However, if I am truly walking with Him and trusting Him in all things, then why would I ever fear or doubt anything? Am I limiting myself through fear and doubt? God has no limits, so if He gives me a vision or a clear purpose, why should I worry? My Savior will equip me for anything and everything He calls me to do. "I can do anything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Divided

 

1/7/2021

Matthew 12: 25 "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."

A house divided cannot stand. Lincoln quoted this from the Bible in a speech he gave after being chosen as a senate candidate for the state of Illinois on June 16, 1858. It was a bold move, but quoting scripture always is. It obviously is about division, but division of those that are supposed to be in the same camp, as it were. 

In our society today, we are facing division on so many fronts. Political, racial, and health related areas being the top of that list. The one area that concerns me the most is the area of faith. We have become more divided and polarized in this area as well, but why? Why are we allowing this? It is exactly what Satan wants, and, by infighting, we are giving him just that. 

How did we get here? Why do those items that are on the top of the list divide people of faith? Could it be because we have lost our focus? Could it be because we are looking horizontally and not vertically? Has our focus on worldly issues replaced our focus on God? If so, than how do we recalibrate ourselves? 

There is only one answer to that question for me. Start in God's word and with prayer, and end there as well. I will not put my faith in others, because others will disappoint or injure, but my Savior is always there for me. He will always love and guide me if I submit my will to Him. The more I yield to Jesus and release all to Him, the more love I can show others, and the bolder I can be in speaking the truth that comes from the Word of God. "In essentials unity, in all else grace." Pastor Reg Dunlap

*http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/house.htm

Sad Day

 

1/6/2021

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous God who goes with you. He will not leave you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

What a sad day in our country. Evil certainly begets evil. I cannot believe we are experiencing such extreme events. I have been concerned during these days of unrest about God's people. Where are we? Why are we allowing faith in Him to be politicized? This should not be. Extreme ideology in any way is destructive.

Some people would argue that I, as an evangelical Christian, have an extreme ideology because I try to live my life by the Word of God. My faith, however, is only extreme in the areas of love and forgiveness. Therefore, I will claim it. My "extreme ideology" teaches me to edify others, build them up, help people around me, love and give glory to God. I hurt no one with these beliefs. Sadly, I can also claim that the concept of faith has been weaponized to support personal or political agendas or propagate greed. This truly breaks my heart. What must God think of us?

We must not stay quiet and let Satan have control of our world, but we must use the sword and shield that the Word of God provides. We must follow Jesus, and strive to reflect Him in all that we do. We must speak the Word of Truth out loud for all to hear. We must love with all our hearts, forgive others, and show compassion to those who are not like us. We must listen and seek Holy Spirit wisdom. 

I do not want those that use the Bible for division and judgement to speak for my faith, and if I do not speak myself, that is exactly what will happen. So today, I pray God gives me the strength that can only come from Him, so that I will be a warrior of prayer and that my weapon will always be sharing the truth of His love with others. There is nothing else. 

Quandary

1/5/2021

Isaiah 26:3-4 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Decisions. Never a fun thing for me. Whether it is a question of what should we have for dinner or what house should we buy, I am mostly indecisive. I'm pretty sure it is because I overthink everything. If you do as well, you know how exhausting that can be. 

Even when I am trusting God in all things, I still tend to even overthink that. Sometimes "trust" moves over into trying to decipher what God wants in a certain situation. This is easy to do when it comes to matters of behavior. I know He wants me to love and care for others. As for which path to take in life...well, that is an entirely different thing. 

I am clear on my purpose, because that is given to me in God's word, but something like what house to buy or job to take is where I get fuzzy. Then anxiety starts to creep in, sinister thing that it is, and it bats me around even more. 

These very times are when I need to walk away from a situation, even a looming decision, and become quiet and still before my Savior. I cannot reach a place of peace on my own, but the Prince of Peace can always bring me there. 

Time for me to go and be still. 

Unspoken

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

1/4/2021

Romans 8: 26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

God hears the unspoken prayer at the depths of our hearts, and knows our most profound dreams even when we do not fully realize them ourselves. Today, I had a moment of such clarity and blessing about this truth that I could not stop crying all day. The Holy Spirit was so present and God's timing so perfect, that as I sit here hours and hours later, I am still flooded with emotion. I was not shedding tears of sorrow, but of gratitude and joy. It was not over anything other than the clarity that God knows me better than I know myself, and reveals things to me in ways that I never expect. Was this uncovered dream realized? Well, not yet, but He showed me a very concrete way that it could be, and this happened directly after I prayed about our upcoming life transition. Instead of it being overwhelming, which it certainly could be, He showed me that it could instead bring a joy I had never dared to dream was possible, and He wrapped it in the warm loving comfort that only He can. 

I know times are very difficult right now, and there is so much to worry about, but if we are still before the Lord, He will hear the unspoken prayer of our hearts.