Waiting...

Life threw me a little curveball this week- but I guess that's part of what happens in life isn't it? I was listening to my iTunes earlier today (Saturday) and this song came on- I have never seen this movie- and probably will someday but now is probably not the time- anyway, this song just really meant a lot to me while I was listening. I'm in a waiting place- I don't know what I am waiting for- but I am waiting and I know that through the waiting I can trust HIM!



ETA- interestingly enough I wrote this back on Dec. 10- this holds true even today- 20 days later.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

The Wizard of Oz

Tonight I was watching The Wizard of Oz on tv- not a movie I have watched all the way through (that I can remember) but I have watched bits and pieces in the past. Anyway, the part that struck me was the part where they (Dorothy, the tinman, and the scarecrow) meet up with the Cowardly Lion and they are talking about what they want to ask the wizard for. The tinman wants a heart, the scarecrow wants a brain, the cowardly lion wants courage and Dorothy just wants her home.

Isn't that what we all want- in all of us is a piece of each of those characters in what we want. The things is- if we are believers- we have all of that through our relationship with God (in this analogy- the wizard- but obviously I don't see God as a wizard).

The Tin Man (wants a heart): In Psalm 33:20-21 tells us how to have that heart

²⁰Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
²¹For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.

The Scarecrow (wants a brain-aka wisdom): Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.

The Cowardly Lion (wants courage): Joshua tells over and over (such as in Joshua 1:9)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Dorothy (wants to go home): Our earthly home is just temporary as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:1

"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Just a few thoughts from a classic movie and a classic Book which both have stood the test of time.

Broken Dreams...

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18

Years ago I heard the following poem:

Broken Dreams
By: Author Unknown

As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.

But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow"
"My child," He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go."

It made a huge impact on me then because so often I think I am leaving something in God's hands only to take it back because He is working too slow. Tonight my heart was broken- not in a shattered mess but enough that some of the pieces are there on the ground. 6 years ago I was wounded deeply- and I put up that wall around my heart- I have not let anyone in or even thought about letting anyone in until recently. I started letting part of the wall come down- slowly- but carefully- and then tonight- I remembered why that wall was there- so I wouldn't get hurt. But as I told this person- if I don't let the wall down then I could miss the blessing that God wants to place there. It's such a risk- one I am not sure I want to take anymore...

Your Secret Name...

I find it completely fascinating to watch God work throughout my life the last few weeks. I have been struggling with various things- one of them being the masks that I (and most people) tend to wear. I was having this conversation the other day with a friend that I don't want to wear a mask at church- or in life. Next thing I know- God is working through circumstances to show me that masks (aka labels) have often been controlling my life and affecting who I *think* I am.

Last weekend we had a Ladies Event at church and the lady who spoke shared with us the damage labels can do to a person and how when we truly come to accept Christ's love and mercy in our lives we gain new labels of who Christ says we are. Just very needed at the time.

Then, this weekend, while at my parents' house for Thanksgiving I spent some time reading a book that I ran across in the local Christian bookstore (Cedar Springs). The name of the book- Your Secret Name by Kary Oberbrunner. It dealt along the same vein- Names are powerful things- parents spend hours/days/weeks/months poring over names for their future children. Many times the name is picked by how it all sounds together but still other times names are chosen based on their meaning. We have given names- names that we have gained through our circumstances, through our choices. We also have Secret names- the names that God whispers to us that tell us who we REALLY are.

This book was very timely- and in fact, I actually dealt with this exact issue while I was reading the book. My given name was unloved, unworthy of love (not from my parents- I have always felt loved with them). This has been something that I have been struggling with quite some time- when I finished reading the book- I knew my secret name- and it goes back to my favorite verse- Zephaniah 3:17- I am "Delighted In". I know that I am loved, and am worthy of love.

I would encourage everyone to read this book and recognize your Given Name(s) and then rest in your Secret Names...

Am I Really Seeking HIM?

I had a friend today ask me a tough question. I was talking to her and mentioned that I was struggling with one thing in particular- not being single, not financial, not anything that I have struggled with in the past- no, I am struggling with the desire to be closer to home. The question she asked- have I prayed about it? And yes, I have but I think I have been praying as if God is not going to answer, as if God is going to say no- and why should I pray diligently about something I know is going to be a 'no'? I know that is "not right" thinking and I know that I can't go into prayer thinking I know God's mind. He has said in his Word that his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways. So, why, would I, be so presumptuous as to know God's answer if I don't spend time praying about it?

ETA: I actually started this post way back in October with the intention of adding to it- but I just decided to post as is...

Eyes on Him

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:25-31

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine regarding a book that I read years ago (and I still have in my possession). The author is John Ortberg- If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get out of the Boat. It's been a while since I looked at this book and after talking to my friend I pulled it out and flipped through it- I also decided to look up the above scripture and just focus on them for a few minutes tonight. The thing that really struck me was how much Peter's "failure" to focus is the thing that people zero in on and while I see that as an important fact and then the following verse 31- IMMEDIATELY after Peter asked for help, Jesus reached out his hand- what about the people in the boat? They didn't even attempt to step out in faith. Why? What fear held them back? What fear holds me back?

I posted the following questions on my FB tonight: Just some thoughts I have been thinking. Faith and what it means. How I am living that out- am I using both words and actions? Would people who don't know me be able to tell that I am a believer before being told? Am I being bold? Am I loving boldly? Am I using my past brokenness to reach others and have compassion toward others?

Part of this stemmed from this quote by C.S. Lewis: "

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will
certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of
keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an
animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your
selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."

and then a friend posted this: "And a broken heart can show compassion to others, be used for God and redeemed."

I also read this article today- which drove the point home for me!

and finally- I leave you with one of my favorite songs (and it's a female singer- sorry Dad)

Singleness- A Gift or a Curse?

This has been a topic of conversation in my singles ABF class the last few weeks. Our pastor just finished up a series called Homefront Alliance- and as the name suggests it was geared toward married couples/families. So, where did that leave us (the singles)? Well, as it turned out- there were so many lessons that were applicable to where we are in our current states.

I'll be honest, never, in all of my years did I think I would be 35 and still single- with no option of anything beyond that in sight. In my previous limited thinking- I KNEW that if I followed God, did what he asked me to do, and lived a life for Him then I would be married in a timely manner. Guess what, God's timing is obviously not my timing. So, through this singleness I have worked through several emotions/thoughts and now look at it through completely different eyes- hopefully God's eyes.

1.) The gift of singleness- one thing you hear over and over in the church is the gift of marriage. If marriage is a gift- so is singleness. We were told that the Greek word for gift is charisma- which literally translated means any special grace conferred by God on an individual. It's also been written this way: Charisma meaning "gift," "of/from/favored by God/divine.

So, what does that mean for me? That I have been given grace for the place where I am. In my case- in my singleness.

2.) Contentment- this is not an easy thing to come by and for me- contentment simply means resting in HIM and knowing that He is my rock. If I build my foundation on Him (the wise man building on the rock comes to mind) then I will stand strong and protected against the storm. If I build my foundation on the sand then I will crumble when the storms come.

3.)Blessings- so many blessings have come out of me being single. I have been able to travel when I want to, go on mission trips that were lengthy with no thought to family left behind (and by family I mean husband and kids as those I traveled with thought of), ability to work my schedule to help a friend in need, etc.

I'll end with a quote from a book I have been reading. It's called The Woman of Mystery by Hayley DiMarco

"When you are waiting for love to come your way, you have the opportunity to prepare yourself not only physically and mentally but also spiritually. Paul talks about how much easier it is to serve God when you're single than it is when you have the cares of a marriage to deal with (see 1 Corinthians 7:32-34). Your single years offer a world of spiritual opportunities, and what you do with that time will affect your future marriage. If you neglect your spiritual growth and instead obsess over finding love, you will end up squandering precious time that could have been invested into your spirit."

The Stand lyrics

We started singing this song several weeks ago in church and it just sticks with you. I listen to it, pretty much every morning, on my way to work and just reflect/meditate on his faithfulness, his love, his sacrifice. That last one gets me every time. With all he sacrificed how could I NOT stand with my arms high and heart abandoned!? With all of the "stuff" I was dealing with a few weeks ago- even though I felt like throwing the proverbial towel in- this was one of the songs that I kept coming back to over and over again. It was the encouragement that I needed. I pray that it blesses you like it has blessed me.

Hope

Discourages (discouragement) is defined as: to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten


There are many stories/events throughout the Bible and history where discouragement threatens to take over life.

• Abraham and Sarah and their failure to conceive
• Joseph, while in prison, waiting to be remembered
• Moses- leading the Israelites around the desert
• Peter when he denied Jesus three times
• Paul, as he sits in prison after prison and deals with people who were hard-hearted
• Jews in concentration camps as they waited...
• Families who wait for word from (or about) their loved ones in another country/city/state after a crisis
• Tami Grandi.. and I know that every single person can add your name and situation to this list as well.

Habakkuk certainly knew about discouragement. He put out two complaints to the Lord and had responses from the Lord. After the second response came a prayer and then--- a rejoicing in the Lord

Habakkuk 3:17-19-

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

So, even in the midst of realizing that life is falling apart- that he is living in his Plan B- he chose to rejoice- to find joy in God!

The flip-side of discouragement is hope. Merriam-Webster defines hope as: to expect with confidence (aka TRUST)

• Abraham and Sarah conceived Isaac and from that baby came a great legacy
• Joseph was eventually remembered and because of his great trust in the Lord he was given a gift that allowed him to save many people.
• Moses never led the Israelites to the Promised Land but he saw/experienced the Lord in amazing ways.
• Peter turned the grief he felt at his denial and became a follower of Christ who gave up EVERYTHING.
• Paul wrote letter to churches in the midst of his imprisonments that contain encouragement and truths we can live by today

To me, hope is the trusting that my expectations are going to happen. They may not happen the way I want them to happen BUT they will happen based on God's leading in my life and that is all I need.

Psalm 126:8- "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy."

Psalm 130:5-6 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord..."

Straight Roads or In a Ditch?

The past few weeks/months have been rough. I have hit a dry spell- my "wilderness" and I felt like I was like the Israelites just wandering aimlessly. The sad part- just like those desert wanderers from years ago- I was in denial that I wasn't going anywhere (except in circles). Last weekend I hit the breaking point- I "bailed" on all but one commitment and came thisclose to bailing on church last Sunday. I always feel a little guilty when I feel that way so I forced myself out the door and made my way there. Once there- well, we'll just say the Holy Spirit did his job. I diagnosed my problem (over commitment which was on the edges of burn out). I figured this out through conversations in our ABF as well as the sermon (which the topic was actually marriage but had other applications for a single person) and then through much prayer, conversation, and listening- I knew what I needed to do. I gave myself permission to say no, to have an agenda when reading the Word, and to actually figure out my routine so that my Bible was open more than just on Sundays.

Interestingly enough our small group study is on Abram and we looked at the beginning where God called Abram to leave and take that step of faith. One verse that came to mind through discussion was Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Most of the time we focus on v.5 but I really looked at v. 6 and the part that jumped out at me was "he will make straight your paths." I know that there have been times while driving that I have taken my eyes off the road/got distracted and found myself swerving/drifting into the next lane. The drifting is so subtle we don't often notice it until the honk of a horn or the rumble of the warning strips to get our attention. I realized that my burn-out "meltdown" was my warning strip for my current road. I was drifting and it was so subtle I almost didn't notice it until I was almost in the ditch. However, if I keep my eyes on the road in front of me I can navigate through the curves that life's road throws at me with ease and confidence- knowing that my eyes are focused where they should be.

"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure." Proverbs 4:25-26

One of those days....

Have you ever had one? I know as sure as I am sitting here typing this you have! You know the day I'm talking about- where you want to throw your hands up in exasperation, where you have to bite your tongue to keep from burning bridges, where you go into information overload and it starts to overwhelm you? Well, I haven't had just ONE of those days- that's been my past 2 weeks. I'm moving to this new PreK class and I have no furniture (well, I do but not the new stuff that's been ordered), no rug (again, I do but not the new one that's been ordered), and no "fun stuff" (wait, scratch that- at the time of this writing I have a car filled -literally as full as it can be- with things that were given to me today at training). So, physically I could be ready. Mentally- well, I am just not sure where I stand on that one. Seriously though- it's been a crazy last few weeks and I am so overwhelmed that I go into each day not sure where I am going to start. I can tell you that today's information helped... yet it also confused me more than I was before.

I have been so "consumed" by this preparation for the upcoming school year and the "getting ready". Tonight I started thinking about how that looks on the other side- as I make the preparations, as I make the phone calls, as I reach out the parents, as I collect the materials- I am doing the physical preparations. I have had several friends- both local and far away- who have recently lost loved ones (parents, grandparents, friends, etc). Several of them I know were believers- they made the necessary preparations. And, I am ashamed to say that I don't know about others. That's where my other thought comes in- I have had several people who have helped me on a daily basis with my prep. The question that came to mind was- Am I helping others with their eternal preparation?

Hard question- means a hard look at myself in the upcoming days. If not, then I need to figure out HOW I can best help others with those eternal preparations so they are ready!

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Set the World on Fire

I had a hard time titling this post and an even harder time writing this post. This post has been stewing inside of me since Saturday and is probably not going to be an easy "write" or an easy read. Saturday morning I was perusing Facebook before I headed out to yard sale/Zumba and I saw a post from a friend that she was waiting for news from the other side of the world. This particular friend went to the same college that I graduated from and so I knew that she, like me, had many friends who were missionaries across the world. When I got home I continued to see similar status updates from friends here in Knoxville so this time I went searching. The one thing that I found was that there was a story out of Afghanistan in which 10 aid workers had been killed. As time passed throughout the day I found out that they were waiting to find out the status of a young lady of 32, Cheryl Beckett. Cheryl's father is a minister at Woodlawn Christian Church here in Knoxville. WCC is where I went to church my last two years at Johnson (but he was not the minister at the church while I attended and I do not know him personally). Later that day I was reading in Psalms and found the following:

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." Psalm 39:4 (NIV)

It was a reality check for me- it showed me, once again, how fleeting life can be. How life can be cut short before anyone expects it to be. Her father gave a statement to the local media and can be found in full HERE (or in a four part video interview HERE) however I want to highlight what I think is one of the most inspiring points he makes (and by inspiring I mean it has caused me to ask myself a lot of questions in the the few minutes since I first read it).

"Years ago, Cheryl, 32, was offered a scholarship to continue post-graduate study at Johns Hopkins University. "She declined, because she felt called to do something else," Rev. Beckett explained, growing teary-eyed. One question drove her choice. "She tried to figure out, 'What is it that God wants to do with my life?'" Rev. Beckett explained. The answer eventually came -- Afghanistan and humanitarian aid.... The trip would involve a long journey to give medical aid in one of the country's most isolated communities, where a toothbrush is a luxury. "They were not ignorant, they were not naive of what they were facing," Rev. Beckett said. "What they were was compelled by the pleas of the Afghan people."

That question in orange has been pounding in my head since I read it. Cheryl got her answer and ultimately left this earth to enter the presence of her Savior doing what God had called her to do. I have been asking myself that same question over and over for most of my life and never has it resonated in my heart like it has tonight. I KNOW that I am called to go to ALL the world. That includes my classroom, my work, my church, and my neighborhood. It also includes my city, my state, and my nation. But, it doesn't stop there- I was once told that ALL means ALL- not some, not just a little sliver- ALL. 2 Corinthians 5:14 states that Christ's love compels us...and because He died for all (again there's that word ALL) then as a follower of Christ I should then live my life likewise- for HIM.

I guess my challenge is this- ask yourself the same question that drove Cheryl and then seek Him to find out the answer. Understand that it may not come today, it may not come tomorrow, but if you seek him you will find an answer. Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I have decided that these words are going in my classroom- no reference but when I see them I will know- three simple words- SEEK and FIND.

Before I leave this very lengthy post- there is a song by a young lady- Britt Nicole called Set the World on Fire- you can find the lyrics HERE (in the interest of saving space I am not putting them here) but I wanted to highlight this part- the first verse:

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

Can you?

Entangled

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

I have been thinking a lot about this lately. As I mentioned in my previous post I am attempting a "new beginning" with exercise and diet. In the past two weeks I have lost 9 lbs and I am beyond thrilled with that number. I started thinking yesterday about the weight and how, as I have gained it, it has hindered me from doing things and made things uncomfortable. If I were to fly right now, I would probably be downright uncomfortable in the seat. I went to an Atlanta Braves game a few weeks ago- the seats were a tad uncomfortable and tight. Having lost weight before it's amazing the difference in life's day to day living it makes. And yet, I continued to let myself eat and become lazy and gained all the weight back. I didn't run that race with perseverance. I didn't endure...

So, then I started thinking about the verse and what it means to me and I came across the above picture in my memory. This is a picture at Delphi where they used to run the races. One of the "stories" (aka history lessons) they gave us was that back in the biblical times- when they ran the races the Greeks often ran them naked (or very close to that point) in order to not have anything hindering them from running a race well.

In my personal journey I keep hearing over and over - it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. Simply put- it's not going to be quick and easy. It's going to be something that is going to tax me, use all that I have to complete the race, it's something to be trained for, to work toward, and to keep our eye on the goal. The Christian life is never going to be easy and I pray that I can identify those sins which weigh me down/burden me and lay them aside so I can run this race with perseverance.

A little something to leave you with-
Charles Spurgeon once commented on this passage:

"In those games, those who ran and wrestled wore very little clothing, or often nothing at all. A runner might lose the race through being entangled by his scarf, so he laid aside everything that might hinder or hamper him. Oh, for that blessed consecration to our heavenly calling, by which everything that would hinder us shall be put aside, that we may give ourselves, disentangled, to the great gospel to race!" (source)

New Beginnings...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

I am trying for a new beginning. I have "hired" a personal trainer to spend 4 weeks to help my get my focus on a healthy life and am taking the steps necessary (both in exercise and diet) to get there. After I finished exercising this morning I started thinking about new beginnings and how each day is a new beginning. What brought this to mind was the reminder that last Friday and Saturday I didn't do so well on the eating part- and the exercise on those two days was pretty much non-existent. The end result was that I felt horrible- like a blob. Then Sunday came and with it the chance to make new choices- and since then I have done okay- on the eating and exercising part. But what about the rest of my life- am I making the choices daily? Am I focusing on filling my hunger with the Word? Am I exercising my faith through prayer, sharing about HIM? Or, am I becoming sedentary like my "former" self? If I had to be honest- I would say no- not as often as I should- my goal for a "fit" lifestyle should not stop with just my diet and exercise habits.

I want to live as Jeremiah did:

"When your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
O LORD God Almighty"

-Jeremiah 15:16


Just some rambling thoughts for this Tuesday morning :)

Words

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." James 3:5-8

Today I learned a valuable lesson about the power of words. On my status on facebook I made a simple comment about the plans for the day. In response someone I trusted made a comment that affected my entire morning, most of my afternoon, and most of all allowed satan to attack me in a very vulnerable area. She later apologized and tried to explain that she wasn't trying to hurt me and while that apology was accepted- the damage was already done. The fire had raged and left a trail of a hurting heart.

So, that lesson I learned- to always keep a watch on my words. Even words said as an aside- or meant to "encourage" could actually do just the opposite.

On the flip side- Proverbs 12:18 says: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." I went to a trusted person requesting prayer for my heart and attitude (but I didn't provide her with details). That person figured out what happened and made the contact herself and through that plus the words she shared with me gave me great encouragement and provided the healing my heart needed.

In other "words" :) remember the power a word can have...

Reality

**This is also a repeat of a post from my card blog

Many of you may have read THIS post on Monday. Well, today a very dear friend of mine, who I had shared a little with on Sunday sent me THIS link. Very timely and much appreciated- so- I am asking for help- help in living here:

"And I’m sure if I were able to untangle all the emotion wrapped in and around these questions, somewhere deep inside I would find this girl doubting God’s love for her.

I did. I remember being single, the only one of my friends without a boyfriend, and wondering why. I would see these nice boys and think God could make one of them fall in love with me but He doesn’t. And that hurt.

But here’s the thing I wish I had known then… I must process this through the filter of God’s love not through the tangled places of my heart.

When I process things through the tangled places of my heart, often the outcome is, “If God loves me so much, why would He allow this happen?”

Instead when I process things through the filter of the absolute assurance of God’s love, the outcome is, “God loves me so much therefore I have to trust why He is allowing this to happen.”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, God’s love for us is fiercely tender and He will go to great lengths to protect us, provide for us, and put us in positions that allow us to grow. We may not understand it. We may not like it. But we can rest in the absolute assurance of His love.

I took the mom’s hand who was asking for advice and told her to help her daughter rewrite the way she is processing this. It is okay to feel hurt, lonely and sad. But these feelings shouldn’t be a trigger to doubt God’s love for her. They should be a trigger to look for God’s protection, provision and possible growth opportunities."

(this was excerpted from the blog entry that I linked up above). How can you help? By just encouraging/reminding me to rewrite my process! I don't generally post things like this on this blog (I actually have another one where i could so but am choosing to put it here because your comments the other night were so encouraging and uplifting)

Trust (and then WAIT)

*This is a repeat of a post over on my card blog

Many of you know that I grew as a PK (Pastor's Kid) and I don't regret ANY of that- I have GREAT parents who live their lives and their marriage as a model that I pray that I can emulate one day. However, for whatever reason, I hit walls and Saturday (and even Sunday- even at the point I am typing this up) I hit that wall. I spent most of both days in tears (and I'm not sure why I was even crying). Sometimes I think I try so hard that I feel like I have failed and let God down. It's kind of funny though- we hear the first part of this verse so many times but a lot of people leave off the second part and THAT is where the trust comes in. I don't necessarily have an issue with trust- it's the waiting that I struggle with. It's the giving thanks in the midst of the trusting. It's trusting with ALL (not just part but ALL) of my heart- not holding anything back (which I know that I do for a fear of getting hurt).

So, in light of that- this card came together easily and was very meaningful for today- I needed to reread and believe. If you have stuck with this long post- thank you and I'm sorry it was so long :)

Recipe:
Stamps- {ippity} Devoted
Ink- Chocolate Chip
Paper- Chocolate chip, baja breeze, white, unknown dp
Accessories- buttons, twine

Falling Facedown!

"I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking." Ezekiel 1:27-28 (NIV)

Over and over through scripture when men of God would come into his presence and experience HIM they would immediately fall facedown. The realization of whose presence they were in caused them show reverence to the holiness of God. Sometimes when I watch children as they defy a request from a parent, teacher, or an adult in "authority" I take a moment to observe their body language. So often they cross their arms and get a stance that says, "Don't mess with me" (I'm not saying they have to bow in authority- just trying to make it "real"). How many times do I take that same position with God when I am not obeying what I KNOW He has led me to do, when I outright defy what He has asked of me? When, what I really should be doing, is falling face down!

Praising in the Storm

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 (NIV)

No matter what is going on in my life- whether it's the calm before the storm or chaos in the midst of the storm- I know that I am to praise. To give thanks to HIM- to share what HE has done in my life. To look to HIM and to seek after HIM!

Praise

Praise- to glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Praise, it's something we all like to have as part of our daily living. When we do something right- we "expect" praise. The question is- do we give praise to the ONE who deserves all the praise?

as a teacher I see this on daily basis- when my students do something "good" and I praise them for it they in turn work harder and give me work. Aren't we the same way? And yet, there is one who just simply deserves our praise- without us expecting to "get more" from Him.

"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:1-21 (NIV)

Walk on the Water

"For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance." Psalm 66:10-12 (NIV)

This morning- I was reading this chapter and this verse jumped out at me. The chapter is all about giving praise to God in light of all that He has done. Then this verse is in there- God has tested us and through that testing we are refined. We have been cast into troubles (just in life) and carry heavy burdens. People may "walk" all over us-we WILL go through the trials BUT (and this is the good part)- on the other side- is a place of glory and abundance. But, to do that we have to step out of the boat- our comfort zone and live- even when we want to give up...

One of my favorite songs is Walk on the Water by Britt Nicole- here are the lyrics (and this has actually been played on a couple of episodes of Biggest Loser the last few weeks):

Walk On The Water lyrics

You look around and staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder
What if i'm overtaken
What if i never make it
What if no one's there
Will you hear my prayer?
When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that he won't let you go

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water too

So get out and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait
And don't you turn around, and miss out on
Everything you were made for
Gotta be, I know you're not sure, more
So you play it safe, you try to run away
If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water too

Step out, even when it's storming
Step out, even when you're broken
Step out, even when your heart is telling you,
telling you to give up
Step out, when your hope is stolen
Step out, you can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid
So what are waiting, what are you waiting for

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water,
walk on the water too

Beautiful You

Today's verses and song don't fit with the focus of the past week but this was a song that I felt led to share TODAY. Society tells us (all of us) that we should look, dress, and act a certain way- if we don't- well then we just don't fit in. But, I strive to live my life focused on things above-if I do that then I will know who I am but more importantly- WHOSE I am. If I do that-then the rest falls into place.

When thinking what verse I was going to use tonight I kept coming back to a song that I have been listening to over and over again for the last few months. A friend of mine posted this on his wall a couple of months ago and I immediately went and downloaded it. It's one of those songs that I have not tired of- the message is so important for young... See More people today. I encourage you- if you have a young person (especially a young lady) in your life- take a listen to this song and ponder the message.

Two passages today-

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the ... See Morewearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. " 1 Peter 3:3-5 (NIV)

Safe

The celebrations are over, things are back to normal- or are they? I struggle with getting in a rut. But this year, I want my life to be different- I want my life to have purpose- I want a life lived for HIM. I want courage yet fear holds me back- lack of trust causes me to doubt but if I really LISTEN to HIS word...- I find that I have no need to fear- I am SAFE- in HIS arms

I was reading Psalm 91 earlier and the passage just said so many of these things to me- in this time that Easter is over- I truly do not want to let my life become so routine that I miss HIM in the day to day living. I need to know that I am safe and this passage tells me that I am- I will choose to trust- that no matter what season of life I am in- that He holds me in his arms.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:1-4

"If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm 91:9-16

I LOVE this part: "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Because I love Him I can know- beyond the shadow of a doubt- that I am safe- that I am protected...

LOVE this song by Phil Wickham (have been singing it in my head - because that's the only place you all would want to hear it- all day)



Safe Lyrics

(Feat. Bart Millard)


Verse:
To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong and never let you go
oh you're not alone

Chorus:
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Verse 2:
Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

Bridge:
These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

God is There

In the midst of stress and anxiety God is there! I need to really remember this on a daily basis so when the following song came to my inbox today I knew exactly what verses I wanted to use- you can go here to read it (it's WAY too long for here): Psalm 77. The video a song by Tenth Avenue North.


After I read the lyrics I knew immediately what my verse for today would be. On those days when I am just struggling, ... See Morefeeling like all I have done is cry out to God and then at the end of I wonder if he has even heard me. I KNOW that He has but discouragement has a way of beating us down at times. But then a memory surfaces and I remember- I remember His promises, the fact that HE alone is faithful, that He has shown me WHO He is and I know that I can rest solely in that.

Be Still...

I have been posting some of these thoughts on FB but decided that since some of the are thoughts that I have I would post them here too so I don't "lose" them....

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

short and simple tonight- yet the truth rings through loud and clear... this morning I was listening to the radio on my way in to work and heard this song- my mind immediately went to this verse. Then, when I got home from church there was a message in my inbox with this song as the song for today. God has used this song and HIS word to sooth my tired and weary heart. I love this verse in the song:
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Through every fear
And every doubt...
And every tear I shed
Down every road
I’m not alone
No matter where I am

I am not alone- he knows EXACTLY what I am going through. He knows when my heart is hurting, when I doubt, when I cry and He is right there beside me every step of the way.

I would love for you to weigh in- our world is so crazy busy at times and to be still sometimes takes a strength that we can't possess on our own... tell me how you take time to be still- how do you know when it's time to be still?