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Archive for October, 2011

Staying the Course

Posted in intentional living, Let's Get Real, United in Christ, tagged , , , on October 29, 2011 | 2 Comments »

This has been a long week. Okay, a long year, with a lot of uphill climbs and mental and emotional stretching. As I’ve mentioned before, if left on my own, I’d choose the path of least resistance, but God’s called me to a higher standard. And as I look at my experiences over the past year–which quite honestly has been a total brain-saturation learning experience–I began to realize I’m in training. (This past month I think God’s training program hit overdrive!) I have no idea what God’s training me for, but that’s not my concern, is it? My concern is to continue forward in full-surrendered obedience, trusting His wisdom and His plan.

About a week ago, I received one of those “reply all” emails. The thrust of the email said thus: “Everything is falling into place for you, therefore you must be in God’s will.”

That could very well be true, because I firmly believe if God’s in it, God will do it. But in my experience, God normally puts me through a few high-knee drills to get there. Of course, He always leaves it up to me to stay the course or go running for the sidelines. So far, I’m staying the course, and I’m beginning to learn a lot about myself–and God.

Today I’d like you to join me at two places. First, stop by Friendship, Faith, and Frappes to talk about closed and open doors and what they might or might not mean in our faith walk. To expand on this further, on Words That Keep, I talk about what happens when we get stuck in the interim, halfway between where we were when God first called us and where He wants to take us. If you’re looking for your easy-breazy, red carpet, read and pray about these posts. Then, join me at Living by Grace as we talk about perseverance, struggle, commitment, and what it means to set your face as flint when you follow after God. For those of you with sweat dripping down your face, legs burning, as you continue that steep uphill climb wondering why God hasn’t lowered the ski lift … don’t give up yet. Struggle doesn’t mean you’re not in God’s will. In fact, quite likely, it means the opposite!

Join us at Living by Grace as we evaluate our lives like an athlete focused to win.

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Sweeping Away Heart Clutter by Patty Wysong

Posted in God's Authors, intentional living, Let's Get Real, tagged , , , on October 25, 2011 | 5 Comments »

Today fellow Living by Grace hostess, Patty Wysong, joins us to talk about heart-clutter. Patty is a home executive with over 20 years of experience who homeschools three of her five children, but don’t let that fool you. She spends much of her time working on what God has placed in her hand: her keyboard. From the corner of her living room she writes inspirational fiction, devotionals, blog posts, and teaches online blogging workshops. You’ll also find her drinking kool aid from her china cup, preparing for the ladies Bible study she leads, and helping at their church.

Patty learned about blogs and blogging the hard way and now delights in teaching and helping others, sparing them that frustration so they can focus on what God has called them to do. Through her writing, Patty has found the extraordinary God in her ordinary life.

My Two Brooms  by Patty Wysong

In my broom closet we have two brooms, a shop broom with a wide head and soft bristles, and a smaller, normal house broom.  The shop broom does a great job on 85% of our tile floor, but for the other 15% we need to use the smaller broom.

A lot of dirt gets tracked into our home and I often have one of the kids grab the big broom and do a quick sweep so we aren’t crunching with every step and tracking it onto the carpet.  But those quick sweeps with the big broom don’t eliminate the need for a thorough sweep, complete with using the smaller broom along the edges and under the kitchen cabinets.  When life gets real busy, I settle for quick sweeping jobs, but just as soon as we can, we get out the smaller broom.

My spiritual life is similar.  A lot of dirt is tracked into my life just simply by being human and living.  Many times I reach for the equivalent of my big broom–I’ll read a shorter Bible passage and pray as I go, but I leave the more detailed Bible study and in depth prayer for another time.

My goal for a quick sweep is to keep the grungies and crunchies away until we can do a more thorough sweep, and the same is true when I do a quick sweep spiritually.  It’s to keep the grungies and crunchies away.  But it doesn’t eliminate my need for that in-depth time of Bible study.  Time spent with my Bible and a pen–studying, not just reading.

The unfolding of Thy words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple.

~Psalm 119:130

 

When you walk about they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

and when you awake, they will talk to you.

For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching a light;

~Proverbs 6:22-23

Don’t just settle for a quick buzz through the Scriptures.  Make time—yes, make the time by rearranging things in your life if you have to, to study and linger in, and on, God’s Word.  It will sweep the grungies and crunchies out of the corners and from around the edges of your life, leaving you clean, refreshed, and full of light.

***

Visit Patty’s website, www.pattywysong.com to find out more about her and her writing and catch a nugget of truth at Jewels of Encouragement - www.jewelsofencouragement.com, a site she regularly contributes to.  Then, stop by the Barn Door - www.thebarndoor.net to experience life in the mid-west & the Book Loft www.barndoorbookloft.net to get to know some fab-tabulous authors.

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Releasing the Past to Live in the Now

Posted in intentional living, Let's Get Real, Praise, tagged , , , , on October 22, 2011 | 9 Comments »

In 2009, our family moved from the west coast to the mid-west (after a short stint in the south) and our first year felt like a culture shock. Especially in the church. In Southern California, where we lived for seven years and plunged our roots, you expect diversity, struggle, change, and quite honestly, authenticity. It’s like everyone’s messed up, or from a family that’s messed up, so we’d come to expect Christians with baggage and hang-ups. This wasn’t a judgmental stance but instead an understanding of the fallen condition of humanity.

Then we moved to the mid-west and everyone appeared to be a multi-generational Christian, apparently without baggage and hang-ups.

But now that we’ve been here a while, and gotten to know other Christians on a deeper level, I’ve come to realize we’ve all got issues, past sins, regrets. Some of us just hide them better and bury them deeper.

But our past isn’t meant to hold us in bondage or keep us in shame. In fact, it’s a glorious marker of how far we’ve come! It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the transforming grace of God.

When we’re hiding and angsting, clinging to padlocked suitcases, it’s not God who’s holding us back. This one’s all on us. I think we need to drop the self-righteous piety–the Pharacitical tendency to pretend like everything’s a bowl of holy water, and move toward authenticity. When we do that, we free others to do the same and send a message that it’s not about us–what we’ve done or haven’t done, but instead, about Christ and His death on the cross.

This morning as I read through 1 Timothy chapter 1, I thought about Paul’s testimony and what a man like Paul might look like today.

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

If you’ve read Acts, you know the story. Paul was a murderer who hated Christians with a homicidal rage.  He was the Timothy McVeigh and Hitler of his day.

Stop and think about this for a moment. How might you respond if one Sunday morning Timothy McVeigh walked into your sanctuary and sat  beside you.

That’d be tough! How could God save men embodying such evil? How could these men in turn live transformed lives?

Only it’s not about them, remember? It’s about a merciful, all-powerful, radically loving God who poured all that He was as a drink offering for you and I, bearing our sin and dying a sinner’s death (though He knew no sin) so that we could be transformed.

He did it with Paul and He longs to do it with us.

But we’ve got to grab hold of it. He’s already done the work. He’s paid our debt, set us free, and washed us clean. Our past is not an inciter of shame, but a reason to rejoice. May who we were serve as a continual reminder of the grace of the God who has made us who we are.

Love this verse:

Philippians 3:13 “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

I’ve heard it said, God’s not interested in where you came from so much as where you’re going.

Notice, Paul said he’s straining forward. Healing and growth is rarely easy, but it is possible for all things are possible with God.

What faulty thinking do you need to release, what wounds does God need to heal, what shame do you need God to wipe away, in order to fully embrace the abundant life God has for you?

Join us at Living by Grace as we talk about ways to unpack our suitcases, rejoice in our past, and in the God of our future.

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What I Can’t Do by Joanne Sher

Posted in God's Authors, intentional living, Let's Get Real, tagged , , , on October 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

I love today’s post by fellow Living By Grace hostess Joanne Sher because she does ALOT!  She maintains a personal blog at An Open Book, blogs daily at FaithWriters’ Blog, posts monthly at Jewels of Encouragement,  the Midwestern group blog The Barn Door, and Internet Cafe’ Devotions  and contributes to the Faithwriters’ Writing Challenge. She also does a great deal of editing and collaborates with me on a tween devotional project, and writes Christian fiction and non-fiction. Reading about her plethora of projects, one would think she’s a super-writer, capable of penning manuscripts in her sleep. So, when she talks about what she can’t do, I listen!

What I Can’t Do

By Joanne Sher

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Christ is the one who strengthens me for my tasks. It is His power that allows me to accomplish great things for Him. Without Him, I can do nothing.

Then why can’t I, for instance, fly? Heal my husband physically? Travel at warp speed? Find gas for less than $2 a gallon? Write an exceptional, bestselling book in 24 hours? (Or even one month?)

Because God has not strengthened me for those particular tasks.

If I go out on my own and decide what I will accomplish this year – or this month, or this day – I may or may not succeed. Because God does not strengthen me for what I want. He strengthens me for what He wants.

You see, “all things” can be a bit misleading. It is only through Christ that I will be empowered – and He will not strengthen me for any old task. It is only those things that are in His will where He will work in my life this way.

So, perhaps, if you are not achieving “all things,” it is because He has not strengthened you for the task.

And if He has not strengthened you, you probably need to re-examine your goals, and your direction. Perhaps you are reaching for the wrong things. Maybe you can’t do it (whatever “it” may be) because you aren’t supposed to; because Christ wants to put His strength in you for another, more God-honoring task.

And who wants to work without His strength?

Joanne Sher was raised in Southern California but now lives in West Michigan with her wonderful husband Marc, and their two kids – Andrew is 10 and Annika is 7. She was raised in the Jewish faith, but has since become a follower of Christ.

She’s had assorted stories published in a handful of magazines and a few Christian writing anthologies. She’s currently working on a non-fiction book about God’s workings through her husband’s health issues. Tentatively titled Ailing Body, Nourished Soul, the first chapter received honorable mention in Fathwriters.com’s Page Turner First Chapter contest. At the moment, it is being considered by a literary agent.Her other work in progress is Handmaiden To A Princess, a Biblical fiction book set during the time of King Saul and centered around twins, one Princess Michal’s handmaiden and the other a servant to Prince Jonathan. It’s still in the writing stage.
Visit her website to find out more about her and her writing.

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What’s Your Point???

Posted in intentional living, Let's Get Real, United in Christ, tagged , , , , , on October 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Have you ever had a conversation that started out great only to take an immediate nose-dive? Even worse, those that ended with division, distrust, and harsh feelings? Not productive, especially when we’re sharing our faith. And when we’re there, in the moment, armed with truth and righteousness, it’s easy to give in to pride and turn what should be a gentle act of love into a verbal arsenal. We may even tell ourselves we’re doing the right thing. We’re speaking truth, after all. Taking a stand for Christ, only somewhere in the mix, we lost our focus–to build a bridge, and we’ve begun to build a barrier instead.

About eight years ago, while gathered with a dozen or so women, I began to teach some basics of the Christian faith. The women were excited, and asked countless questions about creation, the fall, and the flood. But one woman in particular wasn’t so enthralled, and soon popped off with questions of her own. I started to answer her questions, but my answers only seemed to add fuel to her fire, and she soon dominated the conversation. It took me a moment to clue in, but I realized how counter-productive things were becoming. Although her questions on the surface appeared legitimate, they were smoke-screens and stood in the way of my initial purpose, to lovingly share the gospel with the other women.

I believe this may be the type of situation Paul talked about in 2 Timothy 1:3-8 (NLT)

3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

 5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

 8 We know that the law is good when used correctly.

People in Macedonia taught false doctrine, and sucked others in endless discussions, thus robbing the others of learning and teaching time. These discussions had zero value because they failed to help people live a life of faith in God. I can sense Paul’s frustration in the above passage.

The whole purpose of his instruction was to help believers be “filled with the love that comes from a pure heart, clear conscience, and genuine faith.” But some people missed the point and got so focused on the argument–the facts and details and being right–they’d forgotten their purpose, to bring glory to God, demonstrate Christ’s love, and be an instrument of grace.

And that, I believe, should be the deciding factor in all our discussions: Does this conversation, article, or blog post help my listener/reader live a life of faith in God?

We know all Scripture is beneficial for teaching, correcting, and rebuking (2 Timothy 3:16), so, when talking of Scripture, it’s not the “what” but the “how.” As 1 Timothy 1:8 says, “We know the law is good, when used correctly.”

This is where it gets tricky, for knowledge puffs up–feeds our pride–but love builds up, which means, whatever is not spoken in genuine love has the potential to create barriers instead of bridges. Therefore, when sharing our faith, we need to do so prayerfully, with a steady eye on our listener. Our goal must never be to win an argument or fill the head, but instead, to reach the heart.

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In the Storms of Your Life by Lynn Squire

Posted in God's Authors, intentional living, tagged , , on October 11, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Today’s post comes to us from Lynn Squire, author of Joab’s Fire. Lynn is an avid writer who artistically intertwines Biblical truth with colorful narrative. Her childhood farm life, coupled with her equestrian experiences, brings authenticity and heart to her stories. Lynn actively serves her church through her writing in and in other ministries and is currently the president of the American Christian Fiction Writers San Francisco Bay Area Chapter in California, where she resides with her husband and three children. You can find out more about her and her writing at the following websites:

http://www.PresentingBiblicalTruths.com
http://faithfictionfunandfanciful.blogspot.com/
http://www.lynnsquire.com

In the Storms of Your Life
By Lynn Squire

In the storms of your life, are you hoping for God’s mercy?

Psalm 33:18-19 says:

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.”

Are you seeking God as a treasure hunter seeks the greatest treasure? If you are, you’ll find Him.

Many seek comfort. Many seek favors. Many believe that if they decide to become a Christian they will find these. Those who come to Christ seeking comfort will find it.

However, many who think God can be manipulated to provide for their wants will be disappointed. These, like the wheat that sprang forth without root, will wither and die.

What do you fear more? The loss of your comforts? The loss of man’s praise? Or God?

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in His mercy;”

If you claim to be a Christian, are you placing your hope in His mercy? To do that you first have to acknowledge that you need His mercy. Do you? Do you understand your spiritual state?

A trial comes your way. You think, “God, Why are you doing this?”

You do not receive an answer.

Do you give up on Him? Or do you put your hope on His mercy and acknowledge that He promises to keep you alive, even in famine, for example. That doesn’t mean that He keeps you from being touched by it.

“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20

How we approach our troubles reflects our trust in the Lord. It reflects our faith. When we are faced with disaster, yet praise God and seek His provision—seeking for His hand in the storm—we will find it.

We can wait for Him. He will help us…are you willing to trust Him?

“For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.” Psalm 33:21
How do you rejoice in trials?

1. Pass the trials to Him. Tell God about it.

2. Ask Him to supply His comfort through the Comforter.

3. Remember the eternal salvation He brought you through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

4. Remember His great mercies. We see His mercy when we acknowledge we don’t get what we deserved.

5. Recall His many promises He’s given us in Scripture and meditate on them.

6. Sing to Him. Sing songs of praise. Sing songs that focus on what He has done for you, not what you do for Him or on how hard life is.

7. Rehearse to others every little blessing God has given you, from the food you’ve received to the miracles He’s performed.

“Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Psalm 33:22

 

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Are You Teaching Fear or Faith?

Posted in intentional living, Let's Get Real, parenting, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2011 | 3 Comments »

About a month ago, while prepping me for a root canal, the dental hygienist and I began talking about youth group mission trips. Our family had recently returned from El Salvador (you can read about our trip here) and were anxious to go back. After listening to me share all the things my daughter learned on our trip, things she couldn’t have learned any other way, the woman said, “I’d love for my daughter to go on a mission trip, but…” Then she went on to explain all the reasons she felt her child couldn’t go. Basically, she expanded on fears every parent feels before releasing their child into God’s hands.

While reading 2 Timothy, I reviewed our conversation and thought about my own parenting. Thinking of all the fears I have as a mom, of all the ways I try to shelter our daughter, I had to ask myself a difficult question: Am I teaching fear or faith? Because as I shared a while back in When is Helping Hurting, everything we do as parents forms attitudes and creates habits. We can tout the verses, verses like “offer your body as a living sacrifice…” and “carry your cross daily…” or “but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it…” But if our actions don’t mirror our words–if we create barriers instead of launching pads–they mean little.

In 2 Timothy chapter 1, Paul, Timothy’s spiritual father, demonstrated what it means to train faith, not fear. Writing from a prison cell, with scars, and perhaps even open wounds, marring his body, having been beaten again and again for his faith, he told Timothy to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave him. Not to hide out in fear and self-preservation, but to be bold and courageous, moving forward in the power, love, and self-discipline God provided.

Now take a moment to place yourself in Timothy’s position. You and Paul parted in tears, not knowing if Paul would be brutally murdered, beaten near death, or released. And now, during a time of extreme persecution, Christians are hiding in homes to avoid martyrdom and your leader, the man you’ve come to love as a dear father, sits in a dark, damp prison cell. And what does Paul tell you to do?

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8

Timothy, do not be ashamed. Don’t be afraid, but be prepared to suffer with me. Lay it all on the line, even your very life, for the sake of the gospel and the One who defeated death when He died on the cross.

And now I ask you, are you teaching fear or faith?

Join us at Living by Grace where we’re talking about tangible ways we can train faith, not fear, in our children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What Does Trust Look Like

Posted in intentional living, tagged , , , , , , on October 5, 2011 | 8 Comments »

The other day, while driving, my husband and I passed a blind woman led by a seeing eye dog. Cars zoomed by and horns honked, but the dog remained focused. His task? To bring the woman to her destination safely. The woman’s task? To follow, not veering to the left or right. As I watched her, I couldn’t help but think how incredibly frightening that must have been. She couldn’t see the path ahead, or what lay between her and her destination. All she could do was focus on her next step, then the next, and the next. Through practiced obedience, she’d become accustomed to her guides every move, and she responded accordingly. When the dog stopped, she stopped. When he veered, she veered. Her sensitivity to his movements, at times, may have meant the difference between life and death.

Our faith walk is a lot like that, isn’t it? In many ways, it’s like walking in the dark, not knowing what obstacles, hurdles, or detours lie ahead. It’s easy to get so caught up in the “what-ifs” that we loose our focus on the here and now–that next step. But like a seeing eye dog who guides his companion with unwavering focus, God has promised to lead us to our final destination.

All we need to do is focus on our guide and take that next step.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

God leads us, not always along the path of least resistance, but the path of inner peace. When you surrender everything to God, trusting Him to be who He says He is and do what He promises to do, you’ll find rest even amidst the greatest struggles because you’ll realize it’s not about you. It’s not about how great you are, how gifted, talented, strong, insightful. It’s about how obedient and pliable you are.

Our trust is not based on our present circumstances, but instead, in the unfailing goodness of God. I love how verse six puts it–God’s goodness and love will pursue us.

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The Lord is Near the Broken Hearted

Posted in Let's Get Real, United in Christ, tagged , on October 1, 2011 | 6 Comments »

The other day I received a particularly touching email from a family member. The writer recalled a difficult time in my life and through his words, I was reminded that during that struggle, although I felt alone, God remained by my side. That reminder brought me great comfort. It didn’t take the pain of the event away. It didn’t suddenly answer a thousand questions, like, “Why did you allow that to happen, Lord?” But it provided the only answer I needed–that God was there, with me, by my side.

Somehow that made all the difference.

Wednesday, after church, as I rode the bus with some children from local low-income areas, one of the girls crumpled in her seat, crying. I sat beside her. I didn’t know why she cried, but I knew she hurt. And I didn’t have the answers for her, nor could I fix whatever problems or trials she faced. But what I could do–what I did do, was sit beside her, rub her back, and let her know she was not alone.

I leaned close so she could hear me above the chatter of children’s voices as I spoke a promise, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” Psalm 34:18 (NLT).

Join us at Living by Grace where we’re talking about God’s faithfulness and holding tight to His promises during painful or difficult times. Come join us!

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