Lights

My Christmas lights twinkle around me, and oh, how I love the lights this time of year. As I sit listening to Christmas music, admiring the lights, and reflecting on the hope offered to me through Jesus Christ, people all over the world are feeling like they do not matter. Protest are occurring, races are divided, children are being abused, women are violated, men and women who sacrifice everyday for the protection of others are under fire, families are sleeping outside on these cold nights because they don't have a place to call home, and orphans are spending yet another Christmas without a mom or dad. Look around, and it's not hard to see that people are hurting.

The Christmas season for Christians is a joyful time. A time of celebrating our Savior Jesus Christ- a time of hope and peace reflecting on the mercy and grace of God in providing a way of salvation for His people. But, there are so many in this world who do not have hope. So many people who do not know how special they are. Those who do not realize they were created by a loving God who made them in His own image.

I love Christmas lights. They shine through the darkness and bring beauty and joy. Isn't that what we as Christians are supposed to be? Matthew 5:14-16 says, "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." We are to be lights in this

world to those who feel like they don't matter. We can do this through love, because, yes, we are called to love one another also (John 15:17, "This is my command: Love one another.") 

I want to share something with you that I normally wouldn't because I feel like it should be between God, the person, and me, This had an impact on me, and I want to share it to encourage you to live as Christine Caine says spiritually wide awake- "It is walking through our lives wide awake. It is rising ready, where we are, with what we have. It is seeing people where they are and meeting their need."

A few weeks ago I was grocery shopping. For some reason, the lady in front of me grabbed my attention, and I felt the overwhelming sense that I needed to buy her groceries. Now she didn't have much, and I don't normally go around paying for other people groceries. So, I had this feeling and my 30 second conversation with God went something like this- "She and the cashier are going to think I am crazy." " What is my husband going to say" "This is crazy, and what if I offend this lady?" "Ok, God, I'll do it." So, I asked the lady if she would allow me to buy her groceries. By the look on her face, she was NOT offended but speechless for a minute. She then looked at me and said,"You mean you would do that for ME?" At that moment, I knew she needed this gesture. Her next words were, "There really are still good people in this world." I looked at her and said, "I just want you to know that God loves you." She opened her arms and gave me a huge hug and said, "Yes, Honey, He loves us all." There in the midst of checkout, two women, two different races embraced in the love of one God. "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious, in His sight." 

We are all different, but everyone wants to know that they matter and are loved. I really like this quote from Katie Davis, "I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian." 

I may not even be able to change the world for one person, but I can change a moment. This Christmas, will you, with me, change moments and shine light for those who are hurting around us. People everywhere desperately need to know that they are loved. 

You. Are. Loved!

I love springtime, but I also have fallen in love with fall! Cooler but pleasant temperatures. Leaves changing colors.  The time of year for apples and pumpkins. Hayrides, and fun activities with family and friends.

This year I have been blessed to enjoy several activities with my family and friends including a mountain trip with my family. During our mountain trip, I was doing a Bible study by Jen Hatmaker called The 7 Experiment. At that particular time she was focusing on waste and creation care. She had us read the verses of Job 38-41.

In the days that have followed, I have thought much about what God said in those passages and other passages that deal with creation. I have always known that all things were created for the glory of God. For me, I look at creation and thank God for His hand in creating such beauty and for His design. I look at creation and it points me to the Creator, which I know glorifies God. But, what I so often have failed to see is God's love and care for His creation. I know that God is sovereign and over all things. He is all powerful and all knowing. But, I fail to recognize His love and care over the intricate details in nature and how it impacts my life.

In reading the verses of Job 38-41 I was struck with the detail that God used in describing His control over creation and how intricately He is acquainted with every detail in the life of His creation. Job 38:39- 39:2 says, "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket? Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food? Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give birth?"There are such vivid descriptions throughout the whole passage- How God must love His creation and gain much pleasure in it!

And, if God loves His creation, how He must love man who was created in His own image (Gen. 2:26-27). As my thoughts went deeper, verses come to mind of God's love for us and how intricately He is acquainted with us. Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." The hairs of your head are numbered... And Matthew 6:28-30 says, "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of theses. If that is how God clothes the grass of the fields which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith." We are told that if God loves and cares for sparrows and grass/ lilies of the field, how much more He loves and cares for us who were made in the very likeness of Him.

It is quite amazing and humbling to think that the very God who created all that surrounds me, the mighty trees and mountains, vast oceans, galaxies, animals-

the leaves that change colors

apple trees that bear fruit, 

plants that produce gorgeous flower-

That God- loves and cares about me! Friends, yes, hard times come, life can be hard, but no matter what season of life you are in- You. Are. Loved. by a most gracious God who is concerned about YOU. A God who loved you so much He sent His Son to die so that you and I can live eternally with Him (John 3:16). 

I encourage you, that as you enjoy this beautiful fall, as you gaze at the beauty around you, remember that the God who is in control of every detail in nature is concerned with every detail in your life. 

"Oh, how He loves us" Yes, Oh, how He love us.

Friends, You. Are. Loved!

Perspective

The words and phrases swirl around in my mind- "perspective", "God is sovereign- trust Him", "give thanks always", This is for my good", "love", "in acceptance lieth peace"- these, just to name a few, have served as reminders for me. The past 3 months of my life have been a bit crazy, but maybe that's just how life is sometimes. We embark on this journey with its twist and turns, but as Christians, God is by our side leading and teaching us along the way. From a month of my husband trying to decide between 2 different jobs to that stupid "C" word that I hate so much rearing its head in my family( praise God it was only a minor skin cancer ordeal that my husband has healed from after 2 procedures) to stepping away from a church that I have loved for the past 10 years- faith in Jesus Christ has been vital.

One thing I have learned in life is that we don't always have the answers. We don't always know why things happen, but we do have promises made to us by God who is sovereign and who does know all things. And, I have learned that when life seems upside down, holding onto God's promises and giving thanks in the midst of trials gets us through.

One promise that serves as a life verse for me is Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This doesn't tell us that life will always be easy, but it does tell us that God is using the circumstances to grow us up in Him- to make us who He would have us be- to prepare us for what He has for us. My New Geneva Study Bible has a note for this verse that says, "God's providence rules in such a way as to ensure everything that happens to us is working for our ultimate good." For me, there is encouragement in that. 

There is also great hope in knowing that my God is always with me. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I am not alone.

How great it is to know that we are loved and cared for also! Loved with an everlasting love. Both Ephesians 2:4-5 and John 3:16 talk of God's love for us in sending His son to make us alive in Him. "How Great the Father's love for us!"

The promises found in God's Word have brought much encouragement in my life over the past couple of months. That doesn't mean that I always responded in the right way. Yes, I have struggled, I have questioned, I have been angry, and I have shed many, many tears. And yes, my blog has been silent for the past 2 months because emotions were too raw to write for public eyes. As I sought counsel from my mom recently, 2 things stuck out. One was perspective. God has blessed my life richly. Was I allowing hiccups in the road to challenge my perspective? Yes. Leaving my church has been huge for me and not feeling "a part" of one right now has been extremely difficult. BUT, I have a loving Heavenly Father, I have wonderful Christian friends, I have a wonderful family, I am NOT persecuted for my faith, my God WILL answer prayer and show us where He wants us to be IN HIS TIME. So, yes, perspective is key in viewing your circumstances. 

The other thing she said to me was a quote from a poem by Amy Carmichael, "For in acceptance lieth peace." How true I have found that over the past couple of weeks. In accepting where I am right now, there is peace in being able to move forward and not holding to the past.

So when challenges come, we have choices. We can be crippled by what is happening or we can hold to God's promises and as hard and imperfect as it may be, give thanks in the midst of trouble. As I closed my journal entry a few weeks ago in my imperfect but making progress kind of way- "I struggle, I question, I sin- but HE is greater and I will trust HIM."

But God!

This morning I sat and reflected over the past week. Last night I talked my hubbies ears off, and today as I have unpacked, washed clothes, and put away dishes, my mind has been replaying how God has answered prayer and moved in the past week. I constantly have to jot things down in my gratitude and prayer journals as reminders because my God is so big, so great, and so faithful; and I am so prone to forget.

My journal entry for Feb. 24, 2014 reflects that was a day I set aside for prayer. One prayer request was for ministry opportunities for my family to be involved in, and I specifically remember praying that God would just drop the right ministry in my lap to be a part of. God had been working in my heart through the words of Christine Caine in her book Undaunted, "Waking up spiritually is not just about participating in life-changing efforts of worldwide importance, such as stopping genocide. It is walking through our lives wide awake. It is rising ready where we are, with what we have. It is seeing people where they are and meeting their need."

Fast forward about a month. Announcements had been made at our church that Greg Pendarvis with Victory Sports Outreach would be coming to a men's supper to speak. I knew that he was a relative of mine, but I didn't really know him and didn't know much about his ministry. My husband Chris was able to attend the supper and speak with Greg. Chris called me as soon as he left the supper and told me I needed to make contact with my cousin because he thought it was a ministry I would like to be a part of. So, after connecting on facebook and phone calls and emails, this past Sunday the kids and I headed to St. George to meet my cousin Greg and his missions team for a week long sports camp and VBS for the children and teenagers of St. George.

Monday was the first day of camp. My kids were going to participate in the camp, and I was to help with first aid in the mornings during sports and with missions in the afternoons. My girl who gets very anxious in crowds was quite overwhelmed, BUT GOD provided the right people in the right places to encourage her. My boy was totally excited and dove right in.

Each morning the Gospel was presented in the opening. Then the children got to participate in their different sports with a break mid-morning for devotions. There was about a 2:1 camper to helper ratio which allowed opportunities for building relationships and provided opportunities for counseling. In the afternoons, the campers participated in VBS which provided more teaching and counseling opportunities as well as chances to build relationships. It was so encouraging to see relationships being built, God working in peoples lives, and people in the community coming together to support this ministry because of what God is doing in others lives because of it.

Last night, after we got home, I pulled each of my children to the side for their own time to share about their week. My girl was smiling as she shared what some of her highlights were from the week. When I asked her if she had been helped spiritually her response was that she had grown in Christ. We talked about how God had put people in the right places to help her with anxiety. She has made a new friend in her cousin Cody who was such a blessing to her this week and such a Godly example. As we talked through everything my girl looked up and smiled as she asked, "We are going back next year, right?" And my response with a heart full of joy, "Yes."

I am so grateful for what God has done in my life, my kids lives as well as in others this past week. I am so thankful for meeting my cousin and his family and for connecting with them this week. Not only did God drop this special ministry in my lap- He blessed me by placing me in my own cousins ministry in my hometown. So, as Cousin Greg would say, "But God!"

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:57

To My Children- "Remember who you are."

My Dear Children,
How I wish that I could tell you that we live in a perfect world. How I wish that I could tell you that you won't experience pain. Unfortunately, we live in a world that can be cruel and unfair. People say things that are untrue, friends can be mean, sickness is real, circumstances take you by surprise and don't seem fair, there are times of war, people live in poverty, and children live without parents who love them. We sat daydreaming about things the other day when we were reading through Genesis. What would the world be like without sin? My son, and it was your words, "It would be magical- like a fairy tale."

The truth is, dear children, that we do have hope of that fairy tale, but it may not come in this life. The key is resting in that hope.

You see, I read it in a book. These words, "Remember who you are." And those words have spurred your mom to much thought over the past weeks. There are many things that could define who I am. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a nurse, a homeschooler- to name a few. As much as I love you and your dad, and as much as all of this adds meaning to my life, these things are not going to get me my fairy tale. When we define ourselves by others and what we do, we are always left lacking and wanting something more.

BUT, and this is big, dear children, you were made in the image of God. Did you get that? Genesis 1:27 says, "God created man in His own image." It doesn't end there though. Yes, man sinned, and yes, sin and pain and hurt entered our fairy tale world. But God, yes! But God had a plan, a marvelous plan. You see, He loves us more than we can imagine, and He sent His son. His very own son to shed His blood to cover our sins and be the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have life. Yes, on this earth our lives may be speckled with pain and hurt, but we are promised life eternal when we are in Christ. Then there will be no more pain.

So, on this earth, little ones- when you experience pain or see others in pain, or when people talk and you don't have the right clothes or the right education or the right car or enough money or you do the unpopular but right thing- find your identity in Jesus Christ. Rest in His love because you are made in His image. He has a plan that sometimes doesn't make sense, but resting in His love and following Him brings meaning to your life. Your life really starts when you have a love relationship with Jesus Christ.

Lovingly,
Mom

Some Days Just Call for Thanks

Some days you wake up and this thing called life just seems to go rather smoothly. Other days- not so much. The kids have a day or days of constant arguing. Or, you realize that after you clean the bathroom and wash a load of laundry your water is orange again because your treatment system isn't working properly.  Or, it's a hundred degrees on a hot summer day and your car, yet again, decides you need the heater and not the A/C so it automatically starts blasting you with heat. And to top things off you spend 12 hours putting up over 300 ears of corn on a hot summer day, come home exhausted and ready to crash in the bed,  and realize when talking with you husband, you may have some pretty big decisions to make in the near future.

So after maybe pitching a fit over these inconveniences, you realize they are just that- inconveniences. Because so many around the world don't have water to drink or a car to get them from point A to point B, and life changes can be good.

And those days call for giving thanks in the midst of inconvenience and stress.

And singing hymns and praising God

And remembering God's promises

Because He is sovereign, and He knows what I have need of and what is best for me. "For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matt. 6:8

And it really isn't about me, it should all be about Him. 

And yes, it is hard, and I would rather pitch a fit and complain.

But, although seasons change, my God remains the same.

So with David in Psalm 69 verse 30, "I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with THANKSGIVING."

Challenge

 Yesterday morning, as I opened my inbox, I was met with a challenge. The physical challenge- no problem. I have been trying to fit back into my summer clothes anyway, so the extra motivation to get out and exercise was nice. 1 mile jog, 50 squats, 30 push-ups, 20 sit-ups- check!

The spiritual challenge took a little more thought and soul searching. The challenge- "Today we are going to continue memorizing Hebrews 12:1-2. We are going to look more personally into the verse and identify and share a sin (or weight) which we have struggled with a long time and it easily entangles us. Something that if it were not in our lives we would be better women, more profitable in our daily walk with God and happier in general."

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I quickly knew the sin/ weight that I struggle with- fear/ worry. For a new RN who got on an airplane at 20 years old to fly to another country and practice medicine with people she didn't know, struggling with fear may seem a bit odd. It's true though. I worry about many, many things: I'm really afraid of heights- like I mean can be strapped in a harness on a 1 story structure and have sweaty palms and heart racing and my kids out do me(working on that though), I worry that the tick on my child is carrying lyme disease, a snake may be in the yard where the kids are playing, about finances, my husbands safety while at work- you name it, I probably have worried about it. I drive my husband crazy with my fears. I constantly have to remind myself that I serve a sovereign God and to take my fears to Him. As I thought about my struggles with fear and worry, I was reminded of a quote from Ann Voskamp, "All worry dethrones God. All worrying says we need to be King because God is incompetent. When the King really rules your world, you don't need to worry." WOW! I remember reading that for the first time and being really convicted of how small my faith really is. As I thought about it, I was stuck with how great of a deal worry and fear are- they DETHRONE God. 

I strive to live a life that is glorifying to my Heavenly Father, but my worry and fear actually dethrone Him. Praise God for the blood of Jesus Christ that paid the price for my sins of worry, fear, and doubt. Yes, I constantly have to ask forgiveness, remind myself that God is sovereign, that He knows what is best, that He loves me more than I can imagine, and that He is capable of doing more than I can ask or think. So with the boy's father in Mark 9, I cry, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."