Thanks, God

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

Philippians 4:6

Some days you wake up feeling drained both mentally and physically. So much is on your mind, so many friends and family who are going through struggles and need prayer, and for some reason pain from 28 years ago runs deep today. You just want to pull the covers back up over your head, but children will be waking soon, animals need to be fed, and the to-do list is over a mile long. 

What do you do? How are you going to get through this day and get everything done in the midst of feeling like you just want to stay wrapped up in the covers?

For me, I have to look up. Focus on the positive and all that God is and what He has done and is doing in my life. Quite honestly, it can be a fight to change your focus to Christ, and sometimes I just don't have the energy. Ann Voskamp's mother-in-law told her the devil flees from hymns. So guess what, hymns are playing right now. Also, I have seen the impact that actively thanking God has on changing my perspective. So, a walk around the yard reveals much to be grateful for. 

       

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:7                                                                          

                                                   

The same God that created the beauty that I see around me everyday in the flowers and animals, in the clouds and the sky, the mighty trees and the vast galaxies- that same God loves and cares about me. And no matter how I feel or what I am anxious about, He is with me.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

 Colossians 2:6-7

Hope

My heart breaks this morning. The headlines tell of another mass shooting, another tragedy. This one in a church. It can be so overwhelming- so much evil, hurt, and pain in this fallen world that we call our home.

Many headlines lately have caused my mind to swirl. These tragedies are not new and have happened for centuries all over the world, but with social media, we hear about so much that happens. I'm not sure that our human minds were made to handle all of that.

 Respect for human life seems to be lacking. Our society is so consumed with self, hate, and broken identities. I think about it often, that verse in Genesis that talks about man being created in the image of God. How I wonder if people believed that, if life would be considered so much more sacred.

I don't have all the answers. I have questions myself. I do however believe in a sovereign God who does have all the answers. When sin entered the beautiful world that God created, what a tragedy that was! But as Sally Loyd- Jones writes in the Jesus Storybook Bible, "It will not always be so! I [God] will come to rescue you! And when I do, I'm going to do battle against the snake [Satan]. I'll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I'm coming back for you! And He would."So we do have hope in the midst of tragedy.

As I sit in my yard this morning reflecting in the quiet, I will choose to speak truth to myself from God's Word. I will choose to focus on the One who does offer hope of a better future and One who can bring meaning to life. And yes, I will choose to pray.

All over facebook there is #prayforcharleston. Are we actually praying? Are we believing that God can heal, protect, and change lives? Do we truly have faith that He can bring peace in the midst of this storm?

I challenge you today, Yes, PRAY; Yes, HAVE FAITH; Yes, BELIEVE; but don't stop there. ACT upon that faith. Touch someones life today, make someone feel special. We are created in the image of God. Make people feel like their lives matter. Our world is desperately in need of love and Christians stepping up and bringing the light in darkness and offering hope.

To My Girl

My Dear Girl,

Today we sat on the swing set watching the horses graze in the yard. Then, I hoisted you up, and you rode bare back while I led the horses around the yard. I sit now feeling thankful and blessed.

Yesterday I read an article by Ann Voskamp. Girls younger than you being sold and mistreated. Girls torn from their families and their poor hearts being ripped apart. I got up with a heavy heart, broken for these young ones.

I know that God loves you both. He has a plan for each of you, but why some have to endure such horror, I cannot say. I can only trust His promises, and He gives them the same promises that He gives you. I encourage you to read His promises, memorize His promises, keep them in your heart because those promises are what get you through this life.

My Dear Girl, I pray that you do not take this life that God has given you for granted. You have so many blessings in your life right now. I hope that you will always look at the big picture. In our society, it becomes easy to be near sighted and only look at the things that affect you right here and right now. As Christians, God calls us to love and serve others. That is not the norm for the American middle class. I pray that we don't become so inward that we neglect to see the needs of others around us. Don't get caught up in the petty squabbles that will distract you from focusing on Christ and His work through you. Remember Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

You have so much life, passion, and spunk. You have pushed me to do things that I thought were impossible. You have made me grow and become a better person. I see your smile when you do something for someone else. I love the "thank-yous" you leave for waiters and waitresses at restaurants. Keep doing for others. Keep your eyes open and be ready to share God's love with others. Keep trusting Him to help you grow and to mold you into the person He wants you to be. He has big plans for you, and I am so glad that I get to be your mom and see you grow in His love.

Love you bunches!
Mom

He Still Loves Me

Do you ever sit and ponder the vastness of God's love for you? Over the past few weeks the word love has come to mind many, many times. The words from a song have swirled around in my head and burst out through my lips-

"How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure."

Have you ever been hurt by someone you love? They wronged you, said hurtful things about you, didn't appreciate you, neglected you, used you. The pain is deep, and it cuts to the core. Or despite your love for your child, they turn from you, disobey you, smart off at you, disregard you and hurt you. Oh, how hard it can be to love someone who has done so much to hurt you!

"How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory."

As I've thought about the pain we endure from others, it has caused me to consider the pain I have caused Christ. Oh, the times I get wrapped up in my own selfishness and wants and forsake thanking God and spending time communing with Him.

"Behold the man upon the cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was MY sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished."

He loved me when there was nothing lovable about me. He chose me when any goodness in me was

like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). He extended His saving grace to me despite my unworthiness and uncleanness. 

"I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

"Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom."

- Stuart Christopher Townend 

Apart from Jesus Christ there is nothing good in me- yet,HE LOVES ME! 

Despite the suffering He endured on the cross for me- HE STILL LOVES ME!

Although I fail, fall away and still cause Him pain- HE LOVES ME!

Regardless of the fact that I do not deserve His grace and can never repay- HE STILL LOVES ME!

May you be encouraged in the love of Jesus Christ today- His free, deep, unconditional, vast, never- ending love.

"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!"- S. Trevor Francis 

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."