The Christmas Story is filled with "suddenlys". I've spent the month of December pondering the word suddenly and reading and rereading the first 2 chapters of Luke. In the New Living Translation of the Bible, the are only 2 places in those first 2 chapters of Luke where the word suddenly is actually written, but there are numerous sudden "God interruptions" of life.
Mary was a young woman engaged to Joseph, who was waiting for the Messiah who had been promised hundreds of years before, just as her ancestors had. She had no inkling that she would be the one who would give birth to the Promise until the sudden appearance of the angel, Gabriel. Her life, her hopes, her dreams, really everything, changed in an instant. God had plans for her that were bigger than any that she had ever imagined. No wonder that Gabriel said, "Don't be afraid, Mary." (If an archangel appeared to me, I would need to hear that too!) Gabriel shared God's plan with her, and Mary responded just as suddenly, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true."
An angel appeared to Joseph suddenly while he was sleeping. (See Matthew 1:18-25.) And again, the angel's first words are, "Do not be afraid...". Joseph's life changed just as suddenly. He took Mary as his wife, even though she was already inexplicably pregnant. God asked him to raise Jesus, who was not his biological son, as though He was. This baby, who was God and man and the fulfillment of a promise made hundreds of years before, was now Joseph's son to teach and train. The Bible does not speak of any hesitation on Joseph's part. Joseph did what the Lord asked of him.
I am certain that the actual birth of Jesus was not sudden for Mary. She had been carrying a growing baby inside of her for months. She had been preparing physically, emotionally, and mentally for His birth.
But, the birth of Jesus did come suddenly for the shepherds, and the Bible uses the word "suddenly" twice in Luke 2:8-20...That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. SUDDENLY, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." SUDDENLY, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
The shepherds also responded suddenly. They hustled off to Bethlehem to see the amazing thing that the angel told them about. The Bible says that after they saw the Baby, they told everyone that they saw about the angels and the Baby Jesus. Their lives must have been changed forever, even though they are never mentioned again in the Bible.
How does "suddenly" apply to us today? Our world is influenced by an enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy, and those things can happen just as suddenly. But, Romans 8:28 promises that God works in ALL things for the good of those who love Him. Those times of sudden loss are not from God, but He will work suddenly in them for our good. Our lives can be "suddenly" interrupted by God. In an instant, He can change everything, even when we are unaware that we need His intervention! And, when God shows up, we should respond to Him in the same way that Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds did...SUDDENLY!
Merry Christmas, my friends! I pray that your lives will be suddenly impacted by God Himself!
Monday, December 24, 2018
Saturday, December 8, 2018
be your part
Each one of us has something AMAZING to give to the people around us! God purposely created each one of us to live in this time and place. He has strategically placed us right where we are to change our corners of the world. He has given us each unique and precious talents and skills. Every one of us is needed, and we are all necessary parts of the body of Christ. I return to the verses in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 often to remind me.
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:4-8
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14-21
I teach human anatomy and physiology to high school students. One of my primary goals is to help them appreciate and be grateful for every cell, every tissue type, and every organ that makes up each of our body systems. I am amazed by the intricate interactions among our body parts and systems, and I express that to my students daily. I often point out the parts that are hidden or the parts that function behind the scenes. There are many of them and without them, life would be impossible!
I am surrounded by amazing and talented people, and I often find myself feeling insignificant in comparison. I read somewhere that "comparison is the thief of joy" and I can attest to that. I need those amazing and talented people, and they need me (even if they don't realize it!). We need to stop trying to be parts that we weren't created to be. That would make a crazy, messed up human body, and it makes a crazy, messed up world too! The key is to find out who we are, and then be our part. Simple!
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:4-8
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14-21
I teach human anatomy and physiology to high school students. One of my primary goals is to help them appreciate and be grateful for every cell, every tissue type, and every organ that makes up each of our body systems. I am amazed by the intricate interactions among our body parts and systems, and I express that to my students daily. I often point out the parts that are hidden or the parts that function behind the scenes. There are many of them and without them, life would be impossible!
I am surrounded by amazing and talented people, and I often find myself feeling insignificant in comparison. I read somewhere that "comparison is the thief of joy" and I can attest to that. I need those amazing and talented people, and they need me (even if they don't realize it!). We need to stop trying to be parts that we weren't created to be. That would make a crazy, messed up human body, and it makes a crazy, messed up world too! The key is to find out who we are, and then be our part. Simple!
Friday, November 23, 2018
the moment
I was enthralled as my colleague, an art teacher, described a photograph taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Cartier-Bresson believed that photography was capturing a decisive moment, the most meaningful moment in an event. Something inside me came alive as I pondered the decisive moment, and questions began to fill my brain. How long did he sit and wait for the decisive moment? How did he recognize it when it arrived? Did he miss out on other moments waiting for the perfect one? Is there really ever a "most meaningful moment"? Do we set ourselves up for huge disappointments waiting for the decisive moment that never comes?
Life is made of moments. Some joyful, some hard, some life changing. But most of life is made of ordinary moments. Moments that aren't worthy of photography or social media documentation. How do we handle these moments? Do we treat them as a waste of time? Do we rush through them hoping to get to more exciting moments? These moment are just as important to the journey of life as the defining moments are, and yet, we often brush them aside without taking note of them or allowing ourselves to feel the contentment of the routine.
I've had my share of life-defining moments, but some of my favorite moments might seem ordinary to an observer. These are the memories that I return to when I question who I am and whether my life is making a difference. I take them from their hiding place deep in my heart when I need reassurance and reminders that I am loved and valued and accepted. Quiet moments, deep emotions, meaningful connections that would not be significant to anyone else.
As I have been thinking about moments this past week, God asked me a question that completely changed my perspective. Where was Jesus in all of those moments? He was there, because He is always with me. I pictured Him in the room on the day I got my cancer diagnosis. I saw Him in our first family picture the night that Christopher was born. I saw Him in our wedding pictures. I saw Him sitting in moments of conversation with family and friends. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and even the mundane, Jesus has been in my moments.
Somehow, we've been programmed to crave moments of excitement and adventure and accomplishment. We want moments that will bring approval and admiration to fill our life stories. We long for the "decisive moments" to fill our days. I am as guilty as anyone of thinking that way.
I'm determined now to see Jesus in my moments. His presence brings significance. His presence brings meaning. His presence makes each moment the decisive moment!
Life is made of moments. Some joyful, some hard, some life changing. But most of life is made of ordinary moments. Moments that aren't worthy of photography or social media documentation. How do we handle these moments? Do we treat them as a waste of time? Do we rush through them hoping to get to more exciting moments? These moment are just as important to the journey of life as the defining moments are, and yet, we often brush them aside without taking note of them or allowing ourselves to feel the contentment of the routine.
I've had my share of life-defining moments, but some of my favorite moments might seem ordinary to an observer. These are the memories that I return to when I question who I am and whether my life is making a difference. I take them from their hiding place deep in my heart when I need reassurance and reminders that I am loved and valued and accepted. Quiet moments, deep emotions, meaningful connections that would not be significant to anyone else.
As I have been thinking about moments this past week, God asked me a question that completely changed my perspective. Where was Jesus in all of those moments? He was there, because He is always with me. I pictured Him in the room on the day I got my cancer diagnosis. I saw Him in our first family picture the night that Christopher was born. I saw Him in our wedding pictures. I saw Him sitting in moments of conversation with family and friends. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and even the mundane, Jesus has been in my moments.
Somehow, we've been programmed to crave moments of excitement and adventure and accomplishment. We want moments that will bring approval and admiration to fill our life stories. We long for the "decisive moments" to fill our days. I am as guilty as anyone of thinking that way.
I'm determined now to see Jesus in my moments. His presence brings significance. His presence brings meaning. His presence makes each moment the decisive moment!
Saturday, November 10, 2018
fight the good fight
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (The Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7)
I've been thinking about the life of the Apostle Paul. Life after his miraculous encounter with Christ and his conversion was not easy. In fact, it was filled with shipwrecks, persecution, and imprisonment right up to his execution. Paul wrote Philippians (a letter of joy) from prison and he wrote his second letter to Timothy while he was awaiting his own death in prison. Second Thessalonians was written to a church whose people were being persecuted. Life was not easy for the early church, and it isn't easy for Christians today.
Christians who are seeking God and seeking to do His will are ALWAYS going to face opposition. We have a spiritual enemy and he wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy us. (Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10) Jesus even told His disciples. "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) It comes as no surprise to Him that the devil comes at us any way he can, trying to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life that is already ours through the resurrection of Jesus. The victory of every battle we face has already been won by Jesus, but the enemy certainly tries to convince us otherwise. The devil "wins" when we give up the fight for what God wants for us.
We must keep fighting, my friends! I know that it's hard. I've been discouraged in my own battles lately and it has affected every part of my life...and especially fulfilling my God-given purpose. It's the little things that get to me. One thing leads to another, and before I know it, I'm ready to give up the fight. James 1:2-4 was written for such a time. "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing more."
Ephesians 6:10-18 gives Christians their fighting instructions. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Truth, God's righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God are our defense, along with prayer. And once we have every piece of armor in place and our weapons in hand, then we stand, firmly rooted in God's love and confident because we are His children. No where in Ephesians 6 does it mention any of our typical human solutions. Our enemy is NOT human, and his attacks are in the form of lies, deception, anxiety, insecurity, and hate, to name just a few. Nothing good comes from our enemy. Fight his lies with God's truth about who you are and who God is. Put on the righteousness that Jesus died to give us. Walk in peace. Hold up your faith in God like a shield. Put salvation on your head to guard your thoughts. Know the word of God and use it like a sword to cut through lies and deception. Pray in the Spirit every moment of every day. Be alert to the schemes of the devil and STAND.
It is okay to grow weary from battle. Hide in the presence of God and be refreshed and restored. Find other believers who will stand and encourage. Fill your mind with God's truth and pray. Keep fighting the good fight...I'm in it with you!!!
I've been thinking about the life of the Apostle Paul. Life after his miraculous encounter with Christ and his conversion was not easy. In fact, it was filled with shipwrecks, persecution, and imprisonment right up to his execution. Paul wrote Philippians (a letter of joy) from prison and he wrote his second letter to Timothy while he was awaiting his own death in prison. Second Thessalonians was written to a church whose people were being persecuted. Life was not easy for the early church, and it isn't easy for Christians today.
Christians who are seeking God and seeking to do His will are ALWAYS going to face opposition. We have a spiritual enemy and he wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy us. (Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10) Jesus even told His disciples. "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) It comes as no surprise to Him that the devil comes at us any way he can, trying to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life that is already ours through the resurrection of Jesus. The victory of every battle we face has already been won by Jesus, but the enemy certainly tries to convince us otherwise. The devil "wins" when we give up the fight for what God wants for us.
We must keep fighting, my friends! I know that it's hard. I've been discouraged in my own battles lately and it has affected every part of my life...and especially fulfilling my God-given purpose. It's the little things that get to me. One thing leads to another, and before I know it, I'm ready to give up the fight. James 1:2-4 was written for such a time. "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing more."
Ephesians 6:10-18 gives Christians their fighting instructions. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Truth, God's righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God are our defense, along with prayer. And once we have every piece of armor in place and our weapons in hand, then we stand, firmly rooted in God's love and confident because we are His children. No where in Ephesians 6 does it mention any of our typical human solutions. Our enemy is NOT human, and his attacks are in the form of lies, deception, anxiety, insecurity, and hate, to name just a few. Nothing good comes from our enemy. Fight his lies with God's truth about who you are and who God is. Put on the righteousness that Jesus died to give us. Walk in peace. Hold up your faith in God like a shield. Put salvation on your head to guard your thoughts. Know the word of God and use it like a sword to cut through lies and deception. Pray in the Spirit every moment of every day. Be alert to the schemes of the devil and STAND.
It is okay to grow weary from battle. Hide in the presence of God and be refreshed and restored. Find other believers who will stand and encourage. Fill your mind with God's truth and pray. Keep fighting the good fight...I'm in it with you!!!
Saturday, November 3, 2018
exposing frustration and discouragement
It all started with a nightmare on Sunday night. I was standing in the midst of a large group of people from school and I was very frustrated. Apparently, the best solution that I could come up with was to scream, not words, just high pitched screaming. Not one person in my dream heard me screaming or responded.
Sadly, I allowed the feelings from my dream to set the tone for my week. Frustration and discouragement seemed to be around every corner. I allowed people to fuel the fire of my emotions. Deep sigh. Bad choices abounding.
This morning, I looked up the words frustration and discouragement in a thesaurus. I really wanted to know the antonyms. I found these words: hopeful, cheerful, joy, faith, trust, confident, encouragement, delight, peace, calm. And it was then that it hit me.
The antonyms of frustration and discouragement sounded like the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Frustration and discouragement can only come from the devil and I don't have to live with them! I can throw them far from me and turn my back and walk away! The devil sent them my way to steal from me, kill me, and destroy me, but Jesus came so that I could have abundant life. Abundant life does not include frustration, discouragement, or any of the other junk the devil brings to me!
What have I learned from this week? There isn't any room for frustration and discouragement when I am full of Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit! That requires spending more time with Jesus and filling my brain up with truth from the Bible. I need people on "my team" during the week who will encourage me and point me to Jesus! I am grateful that there is Hope and that Jesus never gives up on me!
Sadly, I allowed the feelings from my dream to set the tone for my week. Frustration and discouragement seemed to be around every corner. I allowed people to fuel the fire of my emotions. Deep sigh. Bad choices abounding.
This morning, I looked up the words frustration and discouragement in a thesaurus. I really wanted to know the antonyms. I found these words: hopeful, cheerful, joy, faith, trust, confident, encouragement, delight, peace, calm. And it was then that it hit me.
The antonyms of frustration and discouragement sounded like the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Frustration and discouragement can only come from the devil and I don't have to live with them! I can throw them far from me and turn my back and walk away! The devil sent them my way to steal from me, kill me, and destroy me, but Jesus came so that I could have abundant life. Abundant life does not include frustration, discouragement, or any of the other junk the devil brings to me!
What have I learned from this week? There isn't any room for frustration and discouragement when I am full of Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit! That requires spending more time with Jesus and filling my brain up with truth from the Bible. I need people on "my team" during the week who will encourage me and point me to Jesus! I am grateful that there is Hope and that Jesus never gives up on me!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
loosen your grip
We all have something here on this earth that we cling to, something that is so valuable to us that we are deeply afraid of losing it. For some, it might be money or material possessions. For others, it might be a position or a job. For me, that thing is relationships.
I reread Matthew 19:16-26 this morning. I have it marked in my Bible, and I go back to it often. This is the passage that recounts Jesus' interaction with the rich, young man who wanted to know how to obtain eternal life in heaven. Jesus' answer (paraphrased by me) was sell your possessions, give away your money, put your treasure in heaven, and come follow Me. The young man sadly walked away, because he wasn't willing to loosen his grip on his possessions.
This morning, I found new meaning in this passage. I know that Jesus is the only way to heaven, so why did Jesus tell the young man he had to give everything away? Jesus wanted to be the man's #1 priority. And He wants to be my #1 priority and He wants to be yours.
I use the words "let it go" frequently. In my mind, letting something go, means not only loosening my grip on it, but flinging it far away from me. (I don't do anything half way!) I've wrestled for a long time with the importance of human relationships in my life. I tend to put more energy into my relationships with other humans than I do into my relationship with God. There are many reasons, but none of them are valid. My question to God has been, "How do I let go of human relationships when you have called me to be in relationship?"
Several weeks ago, God gave me an answer, and He reminded me this morning. His answer was "loosen your grip". NOT let go and fling them far away. Our #1 priority in this life should be relationship with Jesus and following Him. Our time, energy, and effort should be directed toward that one goal. Possessions, positions, and relationships are not bad things, but they should never distract us from our #1 priority! If they do, we need to loosen our grips!
Sunday, October 14, 2018
nothing can separate us
I woke up this morning in a grumpy mood. That isn't the usual for me, and I blamed it on the sudden winter weather. As I got ready for church, the grumpy in me grew. Yikes! But, I went to church with a half smile on my face, knowing that my heart wasn't in it. The minute I walked in the door, Pastor Stephanie called me up to the front. Church hadn't yet started, but the worship team was on the stage. She said something like, "Today is a good day to play your tambourine in the front. You need to be up here." I responded with something like, "I'm sure you are right. I've been grumpy all morning." So I grabbed my tambourine from my usual spot in the back and went to the front for worship. I am well aware that the sound of the tambourine PUTS some people in a grumpy mood, and I usually try to move away from people when I play. But, for me, playing my tambourine breaks spiritual strongholds. It is a declaration of freedom...a declaration that I desperately needed this morning. I'm so grateful that my pastors understand that!
I've been thinking and praying all day about what it was that I needed to be free from this morning. I needed to be free from ME! I've been battling with bronchitis. I'm tired. My to-do lists are so long. And I allowed all of that plus some to distract me from my relationship with God. I felt disconnected from Him and it is my own doing.
Romans 8 reassures us that nothing can separate us from God's love. Verses 35 and 37 say, "Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or are persecuted or hungry or destitute or in danger or threatened with death? No! Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." That list is far worse than mine, so I'm certain that nothing in my life can separate me from God!
The Apostle Paul goes on to say, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (verses 38 and 39)
God isn't human. Even if we pull away from Him, He never stops loving us and He longs for us to return. God extends grace and forgiveness to us EVERY SINGLE TIME that we need it. God reminded me today that the devil's prime objective is to convince us that we are separated from God. He can wreak havoc in our lives and shut down our callings and purposes if we believe that lie. And how he would love to do that, because if the devil can shut us down, He can keep other people from knowing God. Bottom line, friends. There it is. The devil wants to convince us that we are separated from God so that he can KEEP others separated from God.
Not on my watch, devil. Not while there is still life in my body. While there is breath in me, I will bring my friend Jesus to every person I am around. Nothing can separate me from God's love and nothing can keep me from sharing it with the world!
I've been thinking and praying all day about what it was that I needed to be free from this morning. I needed to be free from ME! I've been battling with bronchitis. I'm tired. My to-do lists are so long. And I allowed all of that plus some to distract me from my relationship with God. I felt disconnected from Him and it is my own doing.
Romans 8 reassures us that nothing can separate us from God's love. Verses 35 and 37 say, "Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or are persecuted or hungry or destitute or in danger or threatened with death? No! Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." That list is far worse than mine, so I'm certain that nothing in my life can separate me from God!
The Apostle Paul goes on to say, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (verses 38 and 39)
God isn't human. Even if we pull away from Him, He never stops loving us and He longs for us to return. God extends grace and forgiveness to us EVERY SINGLE TIME that we need it. God reminded me today that the devil's prime objective is to convince us that we are separated from God. He can wreak havoc in our lives and shut down our callings and purposes if we believe that lie. And how he would love to do that, because if the devil can shut us down, He can keep other people from knowing God. Bottom line, friends. There it is. The devil wants to convince us that we are separated from God so that he can KEEP others separated from God.
Not on my watch, devil. Not while there is still life in my body. While there is breath in me, I will bring my friend Jesus to every person I am around. Nothing can separate me from God's love and nothing can keep me from sharing it with the world!
Sunday, September 16, 2018
changing colors
It's happening! My favorite event of autumn is beginning! As I drive through town, I see the leaves just beginning to change. Hints of the golds and oranges and reds that thrill my soul are starting to appear. If I were an artist, every painting that came from my brushes would be filled with those colors. But since I am a biologist, my thoughts turn toward what I know, the amazing biochemistry that is happening.
During the spring and summer, plant leaves are dominated by the pigment chlorophyll, a beautiful, green pigment which absorbs the energy of sunlight and stores that energy in sugars. Photosynthesis, a miraculous process that is absolutely necessary for us to continue living here on the Earth, is made possible by chlorophyll. But as the hours of daylight diminish and the temperatures begin to drop, the leaves stop making food and the trees prepare for a time of dormancy. Chlorophyll breaks down revealing carotene, xanthophyll, and anthocyanin in all their glorious shades.
This is the season for my true colors to be revealed too. For so long, fear has kept my colorful personality dimmed. My enthusiastic love of life and the people around me has been muted by the fears of failure and rejection. The power of fear is broken and the darkness is gone! It is time for changing colors!
My friend Penny, who is part of our worship team at church, saw it this morning. After church, she gave me a big hug and with a smile on her face said, "I love seeing your smiling face in the auditorium during worship!" My response was, "You noticed! There is a difference! God has done great things for me...and you can see it!" She smiled and nodded. And I walked away from our conversation encouraged, knowing that the glorious colors that God placed inside of me are showing!
During the spring and summer, plant leaves are dominated by the pigment chlorophyll, a beautiful, green pigment which absorbs the energy of sunlight and stores that energy in sugars. Photosynthesis, a miraculous process that is absolutely necessary for us to continue living here on the Earth, is made possible by chlorophyll. But as the hours of daylight diminish and the temperatures begin to drop, the leaves stop making food and the trees prepare for a time of dormancy. Chlorophyll breaks down revealing carotene, xanthophyll, and anthocyanin in all their glorious shades.
This is the season for my true colors to be revealed too. For so long, fear has kept my colorful personality dimmed. My enthusiastic love of life and the people around me has been muted by the fears of failure and rejection. The power of fear is broken and the darkness is gone! It is time for changing colors!
My friend Penny, who is part of our worship team at church, saw it this morning. After church, she gave me a big hug and with a smile on her face said, "I love seeing your smiling face in the auditorium during worship!" My response was, "You noticed! There is a difference! God has done great things for me...and you can see it!" She smiled and nodded. And I walked away from our conversation encouraged, knowing that the glorious colors that God placed inside of me are showing!
Sunday, September 9, 2018
the power of love
We are born with a need for love. It's been scientifically proven. God created us that way, because after all, God IS love. (1 John 4:16) God wants us to crave relationship with Him, and a relationship with Him is overflowing with love.
The devil is well aware of our need for love. He does everything he can to separate us from God and His love, and from each other. Sin, disobedience, guilt, deception, lies, and fear (and many others) are all part of the devil's plan to separate us from love. So many of us keep God and other people at arms length, afraid to be hurt and disappointed once again.
It's a hard and horrible thing to be deceived into believing that God's love isn't for you. IT'S A LIE! When we believe that lie, it cripples our ability and willingness to receive love from God and people. God will ALWAYS pour out His love in abundance, but we have to be willing to receive it.
I've lived there. I was so deceived. I had a choice to make...believe the Truth or believe the lies. It seems like a clear choice, but deception makes it so hard to discern what is truth and what is not. So how do we know what the truth is? We fill our minds with the Truth from the Bible and think on it. (Philippians 4:8) And finally, we become convinced in our minds and in our hearts of the love of God for us!
God created us for relationship with Himself and with each other. (Look back at the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis if you don't believe it!) Once I became convinced of the love of God for me, I couldn't keep it to myself. I had to share it with the people around me.
My life has always been about relationships and loving people...that is who God made me to be. Knowing in the depth of my being that I am loved by God gives me confidence. Confidence to stand in the face of fear. Confidence to love the people in my life openly and honestly. Confidence to be fearlessly authentic.
Oh my friends, love is so powerful! The book of John is filled with Jesus telling us how much God loves us, and then commanding us to love God and each other. God's love is perfect and it casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) Our human love is not perfect, but God can use it just as powerfully in the lives of the people around us.
I've been asked which superpower I would choose to have. I finally have an answer...I choose the power of love!
The devil is well aware of our need for love. He does everything he can to separate us from God and His love, and from each other. Sin, disobedience, guilt, deception, lies, and fear (and many others) are all part of the devil's plan to separate us from love. So many of us keep God and other people at arms length, afraid to be hurt and disappointed once again.
It's a hard and horrible thing to be deceived into believing that God's love isn't for you. IT'S A LIE! When we believe that lie, it cripples our ability and willingness to receive love from God and people. God will ALWAYS pour out His love in abundance, but we have to be willing to receive it.
I've lived there. I was so deceived. I had a choice to make...believe the Truth or believe the lies. It seems like a clear choice, but deception makes it so hard to discern what is truth and what is not. So how do we know what the truth is? We fill our minds with the Truth from the Bible and think on it. (Philippians 4:8) And finally, we become convinced in our minds and in our hearts of the love of God for us!
God created us for relationship with Himself and with each other. (Look back at the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis if you don't believe it!) Once I became convinced of the love of God for me, I couldn't keep it to myself. I had to share it with the people around me.
My life has always been about relationships and loving people...that is who God made me to be. Knowing in the depth of my being that I am loved by God gives me confidence. Confidence to stand in the face of fear. Confidence to love the people in my life openly and honestly. Confidence to be fearlessly authentic.
Oh my friends, love is so powerful! The book of John is filled with Jesus telling us how much God loves us, and then commanding us to love God and each other. God's love is perfect and it casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) Our human love is not perfect, but God can use it just as powerfully in the lives of the people around us.
I've been asked which superpower I would choose to have. I finally have an answer...I choose the power of love!
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
scars and choices
I noticed my 7 inch colon cancer scar this morning. It has faded significantly over the last 7 years, but it is still definitely visible. I guess I've gotten used to it, because it doesn't usually stand out to me the way it did today. I looked at it closely, trying to remember how it first looked when the staples had been removed. So much healing happened between then and now, some without my notice. But, I will always have my 7 inch scar, my survivor mark, as a reminder of a battle fought and won.
We all have scars. Some physical, some emotional. Some visible, and some deeply buried. Some are from old wounds, and some are freshly made. Some from sticks and stones, and some from careless words. We live in a world that is filled with hurting people, and hurting people hurt people. There is no escaping being hurt, but there is healing!
We have choices. Victim or victor? Bitter or better? Struggler or survivor? Fear or forgiveness? Will we be identified by our wounds or will we become stronger because of them? It is a daily choice for me, and I admit that there have been plenty of days when I have chosen poorly.
The scar on my abdomen reminds me to be grateful for the works of restoration that God has done (and is doing) in my life as I choose to let Him work in me. As I surrender the hurts of the past and allow divine forgiveness to flow in and through me. As I let go of the future and trust the God who knows my heart to make a way for me. As I stand in the face of fear and receive great love and joy instead. As I choose obedience to God rather than my own way.
Over and over, God restores the wounds and the scars when I choose His way. And I promise that He will do the same for you!
We all have scars. Some physical, some emotional. Some visible, and some deeply buried. Some are from old wounds, and some are freshly made. Some from sticks and stones, and some from careless words. We live in a world that is filled with hurting people, and hurting people hurt people. There is no escaping being hurt, but there is healing!
We have choices. Victim or victor? Bitter or better? Struggler or survivor? Fear or forgiveness? Will we be identified by our wounds or will we become stronger because of them? It is a daily choice for me, and I admit that there have been plenty of days when I have chosen poorly.
The scar on my abdomen reminds me to be grateful for the works of restoration that God has done (and is doing) in my life as I choose to let Him work in me. As I surrender the hurts of the past and allow divine forgiveness to flow in and through me. As I let go of the future and trust the God who knows my heart to make a way for me. As I stand in the face of fear and receive great love and joy instead. As I choose obedience to God rather than my own way.
Over and over, God restores the wounds and the scars when I choose His way. And I promise that He will do the same for you!
Saturday, September 1, 2018
freedom
I am free! This might be the first time in my life that I can declare it and be fully convinced that I truly am free! I want to jump and dance and sing and shout and tell everyone I know that God kept His promise to me. I.AM.FREE!
Fear and anxiety no longer hold me captive! And I have to say that I feel amazing! Freedom is God's plan for us. In John 8, Jesus is speaking about the children of God and He makes two statements about freedom. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free! (verse 32) If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! (verse 36) I have longed for freedom, and I am so grateful that God is showing me how to walk in it!
It's been a process for me. I have prayed for freedom from fear and anxiety many times, but I was never willing to let loose of the grasp of control. Fear said, "If you completely surrender your life to God, He will will take away everything and everyone that you love." Fear (the devil) is a liar! I immersed myself in Bible verses about God's love and His plan for me. The best way to combat the lies is with the Truth! As I became convinced that God loves me unconditionally, my grip on the things of life began to loosen. I reached a place of surrender. Praise God!
It had become a habit for me to respond to certain "triggers" with fear and anxiety. When I felt fear and anxiety rising inside me, I would run or hide from whatever I thought was causing them. One day this summer, God said to me, "Stand in the face of fear," and I saw myself standing like a warrior as fear came toward me like a black cloud. I didn't run, or hide, or even flinch. I simply stood and when that cloud of fear reached me, it dissipated instantly. Yes, yes, yes!!! God is so good!
God doesn't play favorites. If He will set me free, He will do the same for you! He loves you with an everlasting love, my friend! Fill your mind and your heart and your spirit with the Truth of His love for you. (If you need a Bible, please let me know and I will get one to you!) He wants us to be free from the snares of the devil! He wants us to be free to be the amazing people that He Himself created us to be! I'm praying the same prayer for you that I pray for myself...that you will know the truth, and the Truth will set you free!
The lies of fear and anxiety are exposed! Now I am free to be restored by God. Restored to be the Dawn He made me to be. Free to be myself in relationships. Free from fear and anxiety once and for all! Chris Tomlin's song Resurrection Power speaks the song in my heart, "Freedom, You have given us freedom. You have given us freedom. My chains are gone!"
Fear and anxiety no longer hold me captive! And I have to say that I feel amazing! Freedom is God's plan for us. In John 8, Jesus is speaking about the children of God and He makes two statements about freedom. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free! (verse 32) If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! (verse 36) I have longed for freedom, and I am so grateful that God is showing me how to walk in it!
It's been a process for me. I have prayed for freedom from fear and anxiety many times, but I was never willing to let loose of the grasp of control. Fear said, "If you completely surrender your life to God, He will will take away everything and everyone that you love." Fear (the devil) is a liar! I immersed myself in Bible verses about God's love and His plan for me. The best way to combat the lies is with the Truth! As I became convinced that God loves me unconditionally, my grip on the things of life began to loosen. I reached a place of surrender. Praise God!
It had become a habit for me to respond to certain "triggers" with fear and anxiety. When I felt fear and anxiety rising inside me, I would run or hide from whatever I thought was causing them. One day this summer, God said to me, "Stand in the face of fear," and I saw myself standing like a warrior as fear came toward me like a black cloud. I didn't run, or hide, or even flinch. I simply stood and when that cloud of fear reached me, it dissipated instantly. Yes, yes, yes!!! God is so good!
God doesn't play favorites. If He will set me free, He will do the same for you! He loves you with an everlasting love, my friend! Fill your mind and your heart and your spirit with the Truth of His love for you. (If you need a Bible, please let me know and I will get one to you!) He wants us to be free from the snares of the devil! He wants us to be free to be the amazing people that He Himself created us to be! I'm praying the same prayer for you that I pray for myself...that you will know the truth, and the Truth will set you free!
The lies of fear and anxiety are exposed! Now I am free to be restored by God. Restored to be the Dawn He made me to be. Free to be myself in relationships. Free from fear and anxiety once and for all! Chris Tomlin's song Resurrection Power speaks the song in my heart, "Freedom, You have given us freedom. You have given us freedom. My chains are gone!"
Saturday, July 28, 2018
God of the impossible
Life is filled with impossible situations. Health, finances, relationships, family, jobs, and many others can be overwhelming to our human thinking. Solutions can be hard to imagine and even harder to implement. Many times, I limit my thinking and my doing to ideas that have "worked" in the past.
At the end of the last school year, I started praying that God would teach me to "think outside the box". Since then, I've become more and more aware that I am not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. In short, I am NOT GOD! But, the more important revelation has been that God is not human. He has NO LIMITATIONS! He can see from the beginning to the end of time. He is all powerful and all knowing! He is everywhere at any given moment.
I've been dwelling on these truths from the Bible...
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." Isaiah 55:8
Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matthew 19:26
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
I realized that I have been putting God in a "human box", thinking that He has the same limitations that I have. WRONG! I've been seeking God more and getting lost in my own thoughts less. He has answers to my impossible situations that I cannot even fathom! If I would just listen to Him and be obedient, He will make possible what seems to be impossible!
I am so grateful that God's ways are beyond anything that I can imagine! And I am learning to live knowing that with God everything is possible!
At the end of the last school year, I started praying that God would teach me to "think outside the box". Since then, I've become more and more aware that I am not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. In short, I am NOT GOD! But, the more important revelation has been that God is not human. He has NO LIMITATIONS! He can see from the beginning to the end of time. He is all powerful and all knowing! He is everywhere at any given moment.
I've been dwelling on these truths from the Bible...
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." Isaiah 55:8
Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matthew 19:26
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
I realized that I have been putting God in a "human box", thinking that He has the same limitations that I have. WRONG! I've been seeking God more and getting lost in my own thoughts less. He has answers to my impossible situations that I cannot even fathom! If I would just listen to Him and be obedient, He will make possible what seems to be impossible!
I am so grateful that God's ways are beyond anything that I can imagine! And I am learning to live knowing that with God everything is possible!
Thursday, July 19, 2018
a letter to my friends
My dear friends,
As you know, relationships are my thing. Nothing brings more joy to my heart than spending quality time connecting with people. God built that into the core of my being, and the devil hates it and tries to destroy my relationships by lying to me about myself. I've been praying that I would know the truth and the truth would set me free. (John 8:32) One by one, God has been revealing lies that I have believed about myself, showing me the truth, and setting me free.
For most of my life, I've believed the lie that I am not good enough, especially in relationships. Isn't that ridiculous?! I've spent a lot of time trying to prove to people, but really myself, that I am worthy of their friendship. There has been so much fear...of abandonment, loneliness, isolation, rejection. And in an effort to avoid those things, I have isolated myself when I think I don't measure up. Anything to avoid someone else confirming my fears.
I'm writing to you all to ask for your forgiveness. Please forgive me for all of the ways that my insecurities and fears have adversely affected our relationships. Please forgive me for isolating myself when I need you the most. Please forgive me for being demanding and needy. Please forgive me if I have hurt you. Please forgive me if I wasn't there when you needed me.
My wise friend, Miranda, put things into perspective for me this week. My paraphrase of her words...God created us with the need for relationship with Him and with each other. If our focus is on Him and following Him, the relationships will fall into place.
I know the truth and the Truth has set me free! I pray that our friendships will be what God wants them to be...better than ever before!!!
Thank you for walking the road of life with me! I am forever grateful!
Dawn
As you know, relationships are my thing. Nothing brings more joy to my heart than spending quality time connecting with people. God built that into the core of my being, and the devil hates it and tries to destroy my relationships by lying to me about myself. I've been praying that I would know the truth and the truth would set me free. (John 8:32) One by one, God has been revealing lies that I have believed about myself, showing me the truth, and setting me free.
For most of my life, I've believed the lie that I am not good enough, especially in relationships. Isn't that ridiculous?! I've spent a lot of time trying to prove to people, but really myself, that I am worthy of their friendship. There has been so much fear...of abandonment, loneliness, isolation, rejection. And in an effort to avoid those things, I have isolated myself when I think I don't measure up. Anything to avoid someone else confirming my fears.
I'm writing to you all to ask for your forgiveness. Please forgive me for all of the ways that my insecurities and fears have adversely affected our relationships. Please forgive me for isolating myself when I need you the most. Please forgive me for being demanding and needy. Please forgive me if I have hurt you. Please forgive me if I wasn't there when you needed me.
My wise friend, Miranda, put things into perspective for me this week. My paraphrase of her words...God created us with the need for relationship with Him and with each other. If our focus is on Him and following Him, the relationships will fall into place.
I know the truth and the Truth has set me free! I pray that our friendships will be what God wants them to be...better than ever before!!!
Thank you for walking the road of life with me! I am forever grateful!
Dawn
Thursday, July 12, 2018
be alert!
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9
I am tired. My emotions and my thoughts run amuck when I am tired, and the devil takes advantage of me. He knows that I am an easy target right now. I am not alert to his deceptive schemes. I have no self-control and no energy to take captive the crazy lies in my head that overwhelm me. I can feel fear and anxiety rising inside, trying to shut me down. The devil is doing his best to devour me while I appear to be defenseless.
I AM able to resist him and stand firm in the faith! Romans 8:11 says, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." I can do everything through Him who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:13) I cannot stand firm in the faith on my own. I need Jesus! I need the Holy Spirit! I need to fill my mind with The Truth so there is no room in my head for lies! And I need people around me who will love me, encourage me, and speak The Truth to me!
None of us can resist the devil and stand firm in our faith on our own. We need each other. And most of all, we need Jesus! Be alert, my friends! The devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy us. Let's stand together and resist him!
I am tired. My emotions and my thoughts run amuck when I am tired, and the devil takes advantage of me. He knows that I am an easy target right now. I am not alert to his deceptive schemes. I have no self-control and no energy to take captive the crazy lies in my head that overwhelm me. I can feel fear and anxiety rising inside, trying to shut me down. The devil is doing his best to devour me while I appear to be defenseless.
I AM able to resist him and stand firm in the faith! Romans 8:11 says, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." I can do everything through Him who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:13) I cannot stand firm in the faith on my own. I need Jesus! I need the Holy Spirit! I need to fill my mind with The Truth so there is no room in my head for lies! And I need people around me who will love me, encourage me, and speak The Truth to me!
None of us can resist the devil and stand firm in our faith on our own. We need each other. And most of all, we need Jesus! Be alert, my friends! The devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy us. Let's stand together and resist him!
Friday, June 29, 2018
relentless pursuit of the Truth
I took my puppy for a long walk this morning, knowing that the bunnies would be out. It was still cool, and our neighborhood is filled with bunnies. The puppy has an eye for them and he is always on the lookout. One of our neighbors has a section of landscaping that is filled with bunny-looking rocks...perfect size, shape, and color. As we neared their yard, Buddy started tugging on his leash. I looked to the rock area, but I only saw rocks until I stopped and looked closer. Smack dab in the middle was a bunny sitting perfectly still and pretending to be a rock. Buddy saw it immediately, but I had to take a second look.
God often uses situations like this one to teach me and this morning was no exception. I've been praying John 8:32 for myself..."And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." I've believed a myriad of lies about myself that were whispered to me by the father of lies (see John 8:44)...the enemy, the devil...throughout my life. As I thought about the bunny in the rocks, I saw the strategy of the devil. He hides the truth with his lies. He makes his lies look just enough like the truth, that God's children believe them, and then he uses the lies to kill, steal, and destroy us. The devil convinces us that when a thought is in our heads, it must be true! (My brain is no more reliable than the internet!) I'll be the first to admit that I've fallen for the devil's deception...over and over again. NO MORE!
My prayer has been that God would shine a spotlight on the truth so I simply cannot miss it. God's truth brings with it love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) The devil's lies bring the opposite...fear, anxiety, worry, anger, impatience, etc. It's my job to decide which thoughts take up residence in my brain...the truth or the lies. Philippians 4:8 says, "And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is TRUE, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
We have responsibilities in the relentless pursuit of the Truth. #1 Identify what is true and hold on to it. #2 Identify what is false and get rid of it! #3 Think on the things that are true. A brain occupied with truth has no room for lies!
The devil whispers his subtle lies to me all the time. At this very moment, he has planted the thought in my mind, "Don't publish this. Don't share it. No one will read it and you will feel rejected. Why bother?" The truth is that writing this solidified the truth for me, and maybe no one else will get anything out of it, but I am okay with that. Or maybe, one other person will grab hold of this life changing truth...and that would be even better! Regardless, I am in relentless pursuit of the Truth! Will you join me?
God often uses situations like this one to teach me and this morning was no exception. I've been praying John 8:32 for myself..."And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." I've believed a myriad of lies about myself that were whispered to me by the father of lies (see John 8:44)...the enemy, the devil...throughout my life. As I thought about the bunny in the rocks, I saw the strategy of the devil. He hides the truth with his lies. He makes his lies look just enough like the truth, that God's children believe them, and then he uses the lies to kill, steal, and destroy us. The devil convinces us that when a thought is in our heads, it must be true! (My brain is no more reliable than the internet!) I'll be the first to admit that I've fallen for the devil's deception...over and over again. NO MORE!
My prayer has been that God would shine a spotlight on the truth so I simply cannot miss it. God's truth brings with it love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) The devil's lies bring the opposite...fear, anxiety, worry, anger, impatience, etc. It's my job to decide which thoughts take up residence in my brain...the truth or the lies. Philippians 4:8 says, "And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is TRUE, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
We have responsibilities in the relentless pursuit of the Truth. #1 Identify what is true and hold on to it. #2 Identify what is false and get rid of it! #3 Think on the things that are true. A brain occupied with truth has no room for lies!
The devil whispers his subtle lies to me all the time. At this very moment, he has planted the thought in my mind, "Don't publish this. Don't share it. No one will read it and you will feel rejected. Why bother?" The truth is that writing this solidified the truth for me, and maybe no one else will get anything out of it, but I am okay with that. Or maybe, one other person will grab hold of this life changing truth...and that would be even better! Regardless, I am in relentless pursuit of the Truth! Will you join me?
Thursday, June 21, 2018
temporary
The word temporary has been bouncing around in my head and my heart this week. What a relief to see the challenges in my life as temporary! Our human perspectives tend to make us believe that our struggles will never end and there is no relief in sight. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with fear and hurt and disappointment, and it appears to many people that there is only one way to make the pain stop. I'm here to tell you that suicide is NOT the answer, Jesus is! There is hope in Jesus!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says...For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
There are two big things that I hold onto in those verses. #1 My present struggles are small and they won't last long from the perspective of eternity. #2 If my gaze (and my thoughts) are set on my problems, the problems are going to seem to grow. My gaze (and my thoughts) should be fixed on Jesus!
As I pondered the word temporary and the verses in 2 Corinthians, I began to contemplate the things that are eternal. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Heaven and earth will disappear, but my (Jesus) words will never disappear. (Matthew 24:35)
If you are looking for hope, open a Bible. The Word of God is eternal, and even though it was written thousands of years ago, it is truth for us today! Our first response when we feel fear, anxiety, rejection, hopelessness, or anything else that is NOT from God, should be to open our Bibles and read the eternal words of God to us. (By the way, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are from God. Anything else is from the devil!)
There is hope! Our difficulties are temporary! We should fix our eyes on Jesus and He will guide us through this life on earth!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says...For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
There are two big things that I hold onto in those verses. #1 My present struggles are small and they won't last long from the perspective of eternity. #2 If my gaze (and my thoughts) are set on my problems, the problems are going to seem to grow. My gaze (and my thoughts) should be fixed on Jesus!
As I pondered the word temporary and the verses in 2 Corinthians, I began to contemplate the things that are eternal. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Heaven and earth will disappear, but my (Jesus) words will never disappear. (Matthew 24:35)
If you are looking for hope, open a Bible. The Word of God is eternal, and even though it was written thousands of years ago, it is truth for us today! Our first response when we feel fear, anxiety, rejection, hopelessness, or anything else that is NOT from God, should be to open our Bibles and read the eternal words of God to us. (By the way, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are from God. Anything else is from the devil!)
There is hope! Our difficulties are temporary! We should fix our eyes on Jesus and He will guide us through this life on earth!
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
grace and blessing
At first glance, grace and blessing don't seem like hard words to live by. That's right where I want to be, especially when the grace and blessing come from God. But, somewhere along the path of my life, I got the idea that I didn't deserve God's blessing. I bought into a lie that I had to earn it by meeting a mysterious and unattainable set of criteria that would somehow make me worthy and deserving of everything that God wanted to give me. I tried and I tried, but I still fall short of perfection. The Old Testament Israelites did too. There was no way that they could keep every single one of the Old Testament laws all the time. Did God set them up to fail? No way! He wanted them to realize how much they needed a Savior...Jesus, the final sacrifice for ALL sin for eternity.
I need that very same Savior Jesus! I am far from perfect and far from deserving! I am so grateful that Jesus made a way for my sins to be forgiven and to restore my relationship with God! He did it for you too! Just ask Him...Jesus, please forgive my sins and restore my relationship with God. Simple, but life changing!
I never thought I had to earn forgiveness...that was obviously impossible...but I believed that I had to earn the blessings that came with it. I had to do enough for God that He would want to spend time with me and bless me. It sounds crazy to me now, but I believed that was the truth, even though the Bible NEVER says it.
The Bible is filled with verses that talk about the grace and blessings of God. These are just a few of them.
So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:20-21
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3
God is a good Father. He wants to give us everything He has and everything we need. But, it is hard to bless someone who is convinced that she needs to earn it. How that must break God's heart when I have that attitude. God forgive me! I want to be open to receive the abundance of grace and blessing that God has for me, and then pass it on to the people around me!
I need that very same Savior Jesus! I am far from perfect and far from deserving! I am so grateful that Jesus made a way for my sins to be forgiven and to restore my relationship with God! He did it for you too! Just ask Him...Jesus, please forgive my sins and restore my relationship with God. Simple, but life changing!
I never thought I had to earn forgiveness...that was obviously impossible...but I believed that I had to earn the blessings that came with it. I had to do enough for God that He would want to spend time with me and bless me. It sounds crazy to me now, but I believed that was the truth, even though the Bible NEVER says it.
The Bible is filled with verses that talk about the grace and blessings of God. These are just a few of them.
So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:20-21
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3
God is a good Father. He wants to give us everything He has and everything we need. But, it is hard to bless someone who is convinced that she needs to earn it. How that must break God's heart when I have that attitude. God forgive me! I want to be open to receive the abundance of grace and blessing that God has for me, and then pass it on to the people around me!
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
forgiveness
We humans give each other many opportunities to practice forgiveness. Since sin entered the world with Adam and Eve, forgiveness has been a necessary part of life. We were created by God for relationship and therefore, forgiveness is needed to reconcile us to God and to each other.
I have longed for "thick skin" my entire life. My feelings are easily hurt, many times unintentionally. I often find myself in a position of choice...hold on to hurt and live in the past or forgive and walk into the future. The Bible is very clear about which choice is the right one.
Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13
If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too. Mark 11:25
Some of us have deep wounds and ugly scars from circumstances and situations in the past that we carry with us every day. It is time for forgiveness! It is time for healing! It is time to let go and walk into the future. It might not be easy. Carrying those hurts around becomes habit, and in a strange way, familiar and comforting. But that isn't God's best for us. He wants us to be whole, healed, and complete so that we can love Him and other people with full hearts. He sent His Only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins; to offer us forgiveness and reconciliation. We certainly don't deserve it, but God gives us forgiveness in spite of ourselves and tells us to do the same with each other.
Be quick to ask for forgiveness. And be quick to give forgiveness. Life is too short to waste time with grudges and severed relationships. I am choosing forgiveness. Will you?
I have longed for "thick skin" my entire life. My feelings are easily hurt, many times unintentionally. I often find myself in a position of choice...hold on to hurt and live in the past or forgive and walk into the future. The Bible is very clear about which choice is the right one.
Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13
If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too. Mark 11:25
Some of us have deep wounds and ugly scars from circumstances and situations in the past that we carry with us every day. It is time for forgiveness! It is time for healing! It is time to let go and walk into the future. It might not be easy. Carrying those hurts around becomes habit, and in a strange way, familiar and comforting. But that isn't God's best for us. He wants us to be whole, healed, and complete so that we can love Him and other people with full hearts. He sent His Only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins; to offer us forgiveness and reconciliation. We certainly don't deserve it, but God gives us forgiveness in spite of ourselves and tells us to do the same with each other.
Be quick to ask for forgiveness. And be quick to give forgiveness. Life is too short to waste time with grudges and severed relationships. I am choosing forgiveness. Will you?
seen
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up, you know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night-but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. Psalm 139:1-12
I doubt that I am the only person who feels invisible sometimes. I wonder if anyone would notice if I disappeared. I wonder if anything I do makes any difference.
That's a horrible place for my brain to sit. Before long, I have convinced myself that my life has no purpose. And I know that isn't true! Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans that he has for me and they are plans for good to give me a future and a hope! So I obviously have purpose!
Psalm 139 is filled with evidence that I am NOT invisible! Even if no one else notices, God sees everything I do. He knows my heart and my thoughts. He knows exactly where I am and exactly what I am going to say. His hand is ALWAYS on me! That's where I choose to let my brain sit. I am SEEN by God...and that is all that matters!
I doubt that I am the only person who feels invisible sometimes. I wonder if anyone would notice if I disappeared. I wonder if anything I do makes any difference.
That's a horrible place for my brain to sit. Before long, I have convinced myself that my life has no purpose. And I know that isn't true! Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans that he has for me and they are plans for good to give me a future and a hope! So I obviously have purpose!
Psalm 139 is filled with evidence that I am NOT invisible! Even if no one else notices, God sees everything I do. He knows my heart and my thoughts. He knows exactly where I am and exactly what I am going to say. His hand is ALWAYS on me! That's where I choose to let my brain sit. I am SEEN by God...and that is all that matters!
Monday, May 7, 2018
Mom
Being a mom is one of the greatest blessings in my life. It is also one of the most heart-wrenching challenges. "Mom" is a huge part of who I am (if you ask my students, some of them would say I'm their "school mom"), but it is also my biggest insecurity. I have the footsteps of amazing role models to follow...my mom and both of my grandmas, but not one of them is perfect. (Sorry Mom!) I don't know why I expect myself to have it all figured out!
I see myself as fiercely loving, protecting, and encouraging. (That's the view from the inside out, your perspective might be different!) That part comes naturally to me most of the time...it's part of the person God made when He made me. My goal as a mom is Proverbs 31:25-26. "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness."
The Bible speaks of God as our loving Father, and I am grateful that earthly parents are tangible expressions of His love. Moms are part of God's plan to love, teach, correct, guide, and care for us. It is a hard job to be a mom. I struggle to balance the need to correct and guide and teach my son with my deep desire to love him and make sure that he knows that I will ALWAYS love him. I (and every other mom on this planet) am human, and I make mistakes every single day. I need grace and I ask for forgiveness daily. And I try to give grace and forgiveness freely.
I have a lot to learn about being the mom God created me to be. I'm grateful that I have a lifetime to keep working on it!
I see myself as fiercely loving, protecting, and encouraging. (That's the view from the inside out, your perspective might be different!) That part comes naturally to me most of the time...it's part of the person God made when He made me. My goal as a mom is Proverbs 31:25-26. "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness."
The Bible speaks of God as our loving Father, and I am grateful that earthly parents are tangible expressions of His love. Moms are part of God's plan to love, teach, correct, guide, and care for us. It is a hard job to be a mom. I struggle to balance the need to correct and guide and teach my son with my deep desire to love him and make sure that he knows that I will ALWAYS love him. I (and every other mom on this planet) am human, and I make mistakes every single day. I need grace and I ask for forgiveness daily. And I try to give grace and forgiveness freely.
I have a lot to learn about being the mom God created me to be. I'm grateful that I have a lifetime to keep working on it!
Saturday, May 5, 2018
QUALITY (not quantity)
I am obsessed with numbers. I'm a scientist and I grew up in a family of scientists. In science, we use numbers to evaluate EVERYTHING...quantitative data is reliable data. As a scientist and a woman, I am programmed to compare values. But, I find myself assigning value to my own life with numbers and then comparing those numbers to the people around me. IT'S A TRAP! NUMBERS DO NOT DEFINE ME! OR YOU! It's time to expose the lies and believe the truth about who we are in Jesus!
Here's a list of just a few of the numbers that I have allowed to define me...
Here's a list of just a few of the numbers that I have allowed to define me...
- the numbers on the scale
- the numbers on my Garmin watch (running distance and time)
- the numbers on my paycheck and in the bank and retirement accounts
- the numbers of "friends" and "followers" and "likes" on social media
- the numbers on my clothes
- the number of stamps in my passport
- the numbers in the test scores of my students
- the numbers of minutes that I spend praying and reading my Bible each day
- the number of child(ren) that I have
This list could go on and on...but you get the point. I've allowed those numbers to lie to me...You are worthless. You are not loved. You are fat. You are a failure. You are boring. If anyone knew those numbers, they would reject you. Ridiculous, right? I'm looking at that list and wondering why I allow it to communicate those feelings to me. That's what lies are...ridiculous and the OPPOSITE of the truth.
It's time to pursue QUALITY. I am choosing that for myself, and I hope you will choose that too. Healthy living...not for the numbers on the scale or my clothes, but for long and quality life. Running for health...not for time and distance. Using money wisely...not frivolously or hoarding. Using social media to encourage and stay in touch with friends and family...not to define my worth. Teaching the study of life and life lessons to my students to impact their lives...not for their test scores. Making time with family and friends quality connection time...amount of time is irrelevant. Being a quality mom to my #1 (and only) son...and knowing that he is already an amazing person! Any time invested in my relationship with God is a wise investment!
It is time to end the obsession and the comparison! It is going to be a process to change my stinking thinking. Today is step one on a QUALITY journey!
Saturday, April 14, 2018
made for relationship
My heart is sad today. Feeling the loss of precious family members. Preparing for impending goodbyes with a dear friend who is moving and my seniors who are graduating. Feeling hurts from being human. If I had my way right now, I would take my family and move to the middle of the desert. Isolated, seeming to escape the hurt and loss that loving people deeply brings, but not really. I would never survive in isolation, even though my heart longs for it sometimes.
We humans were created from the very beginning for relationship. Read Genesis chapters 1-3. God made Adam for relationship with Himself. And then God saw that Adam needed another human for relationship, so He created Eve. There is no denying it. Woven into the fabric of our beings is the need for relationship. That was and still is God's plan.
Jesus came to earth to restore our relationships with God. Since the fall of Adam, humans had been separated from God by sin. Jesus was was the One and Only sacrifice that could restore us for eternity. The devil failed in separating us forever from God, but he keeps meddling in our human relationships in an effort to thwart God's plans for us.
Mark 12:30-31 (NLT) says, "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second [command] is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these." There you have it! We are made for relationship. Even when it is hard. Even when our hearts break. Even when goodbyes are imminent.
Jesus knew the very same pain...He was betrayed by His closest friends. And yet, He died to restore relationships. That is the bottom line. I am not feeling confident, but I choose to pursue relationships...with God and with people...because the truth is that I was (and you are too!) made for relationship!
We humans were created from the very beginning for relationship. Read Genesis chapters 1-3. God made Adam for relationship with Himself. And then God saw that Adam needed another human for relationship, so He created Eve. There is no denying it. Woven into the fabric of our beings is the need for relationship. That was and still is God's plan.
Jesus came to earth to restore our relationships with God. Since the fall of Adam, humans had been separated from God by sin. Jesus was was the One and Only sacrifice that could restore us for eternity. The devil failed in separating us forever from God, but he keeps meddling in our human relationships in an effort to thwart God's plans for us.
Mark 12:30-31 (NLT) says, "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second [command] is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these." There you have it! We are made for relationship. Even when it is hard. Even when our hearts break. Even when goodbyes are imminent.
Jesus knew the very same pain...He was betrayed by His closest friends. And yet, He died to restore relationships. That is the bottom line. I am not feeling confident, but I choose to pursue relationships...with God and with people...because the truth is that I was (and you are too!) made for relationship!
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
reflections of a survivor
7 years ago tomorrow I was diagnosed with colon cancer. My battle was mercifully swift (God's grace and surgery 4 days later made me a survivor) and victorious, but it was enough to adjust my perspective on life and living. As I approach the anniversary of my survivor day, I've been reflecting on the past 7 years. What have I learned? How have I grown? Am I thriving or just surviving?
I have watched many others fight harder and longer battles with cancer in these past 7 years. Always, I ask myself, "Why me? Why did I get to survive?" Each time I ask, God gently reminds me that I haven't yet fulfilled His purpose for me. He alone knows the plans that He has for me...good plans to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Survivor guilt is real, but I have to trust God. I am so very grateful to be alive!
Life is a precious gift and it is worth fighting for! I will ALWAYS choose life. I will ALWAYS fight for life. It is woven into the very fabric of my being. John 10:10 (NLT) says, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." We have an enemy who wants to end the lives of God's children. The devil wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy our lives any way he can. I am going to fight for life...and not only life, but abundant life...until I take my last God-ordained breath.
I want to thrive in the life God made just for me! And thriving is a result of obedience to God. 7 years after cancer, I find myself pursuing God and His plans for me with new zeal. I am more convinced than ever that He has purpose for me, and all I have to do is listen to Him and be obedient. His plan is for me to thrive in this life and the next. His way is the best, and a life of surrender to Him is what I choose!
I will continue to learn and grow and change until my last day! I am a survivor and a thriver!
I have watched many others fight harder and longer battles with cancer in these past 7 years. Always, I ask myself, "Why me? Why did I get to survive?" Each time I ask, God gently reminds me that I haven't yet fulfilled His purpose for me. He alone knows the plans that He has for me...good plans to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Survivor guilt is real, but I have to trust God. I am so very grateful to be alive!
Life is a precious gift and it is worth fighting for! I will ALWAYS choose life. I will ALWAYS fight for life. It is woven into the very fabric of my being. John 10:10 (NLT) says, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." We have an enemy who wants to end the lives of God's children. The devil wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy our lives any way he can. I am going to fight for life...and not only life, but abundant life...until I take my last God-ordained breath.
I want to thrive in the life God made just for me! And thriving is a result of obedience to God. 7 years after cancer, I find myself pursuing God and His plans for me with new zeal. I am more convinced than ever that He has purpose for me, and all I have to do is listen to Him and be obedient. His plan is for me to thrive in this life and the next. His way is the best, and a life of surrender to Him is what I choose!
I will continue to learn and grow and change until my last day! I am a survivor and a thriver!
Sunday, March 25, 2018
the greatest love
This morning at church I prayed, "Lord, I want to be convinced of Your great love for me. Overwhelm me with Your love!" He instantly reminded me of the events of this coming Holy Week. Jesus was betrayed by His closest friends, rejected by society, publicly insulted, tortured to the point of death, and then finally and excruciatingly crucified. Look back to a blog I wrote last year titled "greater love", in which I wrote about the events of that week.
What gets to me is that HE KNEW. He knew from the beginning that His last week of life would be one of unimaginable pain and grief. Jesus, the One and Only beloved Son of God, came to earth to live a human life that would end in a seemingly tragic way. His entire life on Earth, from start to finish, was an act of LOVE! John 3:16 says...For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Every moment of Jesus' life was motivated by love...right to the end. When I think about how He suffered for us, I am truly convinced of His love. There could have been no other motivation strong enough.
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) all recount Holy Week and the Resurrection. I encourage you to spend some time reading them and meditating on Jesus great love for you! The GREATEST LOVE!
Spoiler alert: Each of the 4 accounts ends in the same way...victorious Resurrection! Jesus knew that was coming too! His death and His resurrection restore our relationships with God. Jesus was the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins. He shed His blood so that we can be forgiven...and all we have to do is ask Him. No question...Jesus IS the greatest love!
What gets to me is that HE KNEW. He knew from the beginning that His last week of life would be one of unimaginable pain and grief. Jesus, the One and Only beloved Son of God, came to earth to live a human life that would end in a seemingly tragic way. His entire life on Earth, from start to finish, was an act of LOVE! John 3:16 says...For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Every moment of Jesus' life was motivated by love...right to the end. When I think about how He suffered for us, I am truly convinced of His love. There could have been no other motivation strong enough.
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) all recount Holy Week and the Resurrection. I encourage you to spend some time reading them and meditating on Jesus great love for you! The GREATEST LOVE!
Spoiler alert: Each of the 4 accounts ends in the same way...victorious Resurrection! Jesus knew that was coming too! His death and His resurrection restore our relationships with God. Jesus was the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins. He shed His blood so that we can be forgiven...and all we have to do is ask Him. No question...Jesus IS the greatest love!
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
irreplaceable
You are unique, and valuable, and irreplaceable! Even when you don't feel it. Even when people treat you as expendable. What you bring to this world is special and uniquely you! In your family, in your job/school, in your relationships...only you can fill the role that was created especially for you!
We have believed the lies that we are replaceable and someone else could easily fill our shoes. THAT IS A LIE! (It is one thing to be humble, but believing the lie is an entirely different issue!) Here is The TRUTH...that we ARE irreplaceable...straight from the Bible...
Psalm 139:13-17
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
Jeremiah 1:5
I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart...
Jeremiah 29:11-14
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord.
Galatians 1:15
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Are you convinced? Let these truths sink into your spirit. Read and reread them. Think about the truth until it becomes part of you. (I'm writing to myself too!) Believe The TRUTH! You are irreplaceable!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
my Friend
It's been on my heart to share with you how I met my Friend, Jesus. We moved to Colorado from Iowa during the summer that I turned 9. I was a very lonely kid. I had left behind my extended family and the only friends I had ever known. I was shy and awkward, but even then, relationships were my priority. I remember walking on the playground at school during recess by myself and wondering if I would ever have friends again.
My parents were already Christians, and they found a non-denominational Bible teaching church for us to attend. I am eternally grateful for the Sunday school teachers that I had during that year of 4th grade. Each week, they would give us the opportunity to ask Jesus into our hearts. I was hungry for love and acceptance and relationship, and one Sunday, I responded. Best decision of my life!
I don't remember exactly the words that I prayed. Probably something like, "Jesus, please forgive my sin and come to live in my heart." Simple, but that is all it takes. God knew the true cry of my heart was "Jesus, I need a friend. Will you be that friend forever?"
I'm still a relationship person. God wove that into the fabric of me from the beginning of time. Even now, almost 40 years later, I find myself feeling insecure in relationships. Those times especially are the times that I need to turn my eyes to Jesus, my Forever Friend. The Friend who loves me unconditionally and never lets me down. The Friend who gave His human life out of love for me (and you)!
If you are looking for a friend like Jesus, just ask Him. I promise He will be there. And He will be your friend forever too!
My parents were already Christians, and they found a non-denominational Bible teaching church for us to attend. I am eternally grateful for the Sunday school teachers that I had during that year of 4th grade. Each week, they would give us the opportunity to ask Jesus into our hearts. I was hungry for love and acceptance and relationship, and one Sunday, I responded. Best decision of my life!
I don't remember exactly the words that I prayed. Probably something like, "Jesus, please forgive my sin and come to live in my heart." Simple, but that is all it takes. God knew the true cry of my heart was "Jesus, I need a friend. Will you be that friend forever?"
I'm still a relationship person. God wove that into the fabric of me from the beginning of time. Even now, almost 40 years later, I find myself feeling insecure in relationships. Those times especially are the times that I need to turn my eyes to Jesus, my Forever Friend. The Friend who loves me unconditionally and never lets me down. The Friend who gave His human life out of love for me (and you)!
If you are looking for a friend like Jesus, just ask Him. I promise He will be there. And He will be your friend forever too!
Sunday, February 25, 2018
never give up!
When God set me free from from fear and anxiety and intimidation and insecurity 10 months ago, I was so excited! I mistakenly thought that I was done with them forever. I was wrong! They rear their ugly heads regularly and the battle is on again. Some days I just want to give up and give in to the old way of life. It seems that it would be easier to cower in a corner paralyzed than to stand on THE Truth and fight. The Truth is that I AM FREE! Fear and anxiety and intimidation and insecurity have NO POWER over me, but they sure keep trying to get me to give up and give in!
Feeling discouraged, I looked at the life of my favorite faith hero...Joshua. We think of him as a valiant warrior; the man who led the nation of Israel into the promised land. I grew up singing, "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho...and the walls came tumbling down!" And he was that man, but he must have also fought a battle like I do. In Deuteronomy 31, Moses says to Joshua and the people, "Be strong and courageous!" not once, but 4 TIMES! In Joshua 1, God reminds Joshua to "be strong and courageous!" 3 MORE TIMES! And there were even more times throughout the book of Joshua when God said, "Don't be afraid. Don't be discouraged." Years and years of battle followed the crossing of the Jordan River, and it took the remainder of Joshua's life for the nation of Israel to possess the land that God had promised them.
Chapter 7 of the book of Joshua stood out to me today. The Israelites disobeyed God which resulted in their death and destruction at the hands of Ai. Joshua laid on the ground and said, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?" Sounds familiar...like words that have come out of my own mouth.
I love God's response to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?" and then, to paraphrase...Deal with the sin and move forward. The sin of Achan never comes up again once Joshua dealt with it. He never reminds God of his "failure" as a leader. He never questions God's call on his life. He simply leads the people forward to the next battle and the next and the next, until finally the promised land is theirs. Joshua fulfilled his God given destiny, but he had to fight for it his entire life!
In my imaginary perfect world, I would be done fighting fear and anxiety. In the real world, I have been set free! Jesus won the victory for me! But, I still have to stand on THE Truth and fight for my freedom every day! It's up to me to keep moving forward and never give up!
Thursday, February 22, 2018
eternal perspective
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When I heard that Reverend Billy Graham had joined the saints in heaven yesterday, my first thought was how many people were already there waiting for him as a result of his life and ministry. Every part of his public life was about introducing people to Jesus. What a glorious calling! And it's a calling that each of us who already knows Jesus has on our lives.
Oh, my friends, if we could live with an eternal perspective. Focusing on the unseen and eternal glory that awaits. Single-minded in our purpose and not distracted by the light and momentary troubles of this life. I'll be the first to admit that I can be stalled out by the struggles of my life and as they gain my attention, they seem bigger and bigger. And before I know it, I lose heart. I give up and God's plan for me is temporarily thwarted.
My prayer today is for a new perspective...an eternal perspective. I will probably never stand on a stage in front of thousands of people and invite them to know my Friend, Jesus. But, I can love the people in my life with the love of Jesus every day in a way that is specifically suited to me. God can use me (and you!) to accomplish the same purpose that was so big in Rev. Graham's heart. We are part of the very same plan! Are you ready for a change in perspective?
When I heard that Reverend Billy Graham had joined the saints in heaven yesterday, my first thought was how many people were already there waiting for him as a result of his life and ministry. Every part of his public life was about introducing people to Jesus. What a glorious calling! And it's a calling that each of us who already knows Jesus has on our lives.
Oh, my friends, if we could live with an eternal perspective. Focusing on the unseen and eternal glory that awaits. Single-minded in our purpose and not distracted by the light and momentary troubles of this life. I'll be the first to admit that I can be stalled out by the struggles of my life and as they gain my attention, they seem bigger and bigger. And before I know it, I lose heart. I give up and God's plan for me is temporarily thwarted.
My prayer today is for a new perspective...an eternal perspective. I will probably never stand on a stage in front of thousands of people and invite them to know my Friend, Jesus. But, I can love the people in my life with the love of Jesus every day in a way that is specifically suited to me. God can use me (and you!) to accomplish the same purpose that was so big in Rev. Graham's heart. We are part of the very same plan! Are you ready for a change in perspective?
Sunday, January 28, 2018
The Truth is the truth
The Truth is the truth. It doesn't matter who knows it or believes it; it is still The Truth.
Wise words spoken by my husband on a day when my heart was overwhelmed by lies. Over and over that day, the actions and words of people said to me...you are rejected, you are forgotten, you are a failure. Lies, lies, lies! The devil knows my wounded places...the places where I used to believe that his lies were truth. It hurts when I get hit in those spots, but no longer to the point of desperation.
People may not know or believe or speak the truth, but I know and believe GOD's Truth about me! I am loved! I am His precious daughter! I am chosen by Him! He has a plan and a purpose for my life! I am God's workmanship! I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I am a friend of God! And much, much more!
Even when the storm of lies threatens to overwhelm me, I believe God's Truth about me and I am convinced it is THE TRUTH! And that is where I am going to dwell.
Wise words spoken by my husband on a day when my heart was overwhelmed by lies. Over and over that day, the actions and words of people said to me...you are rejected, you are forgotten, you are a failure. Lies, lies, lies! The devil knows my wounded places...the places where I used to believe that his lies were truth. It hurts when I get hit in those spots, but no longer to the point of desperation.
People may not know or believe or speak the truth, but I know and believe GOD's Truth about me! I am loved! I am His precious daughter! I am chosen by Him! He has a plan and a purpose for my life! I am God's workmanship! I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I am a friend of God! And much, much more!
Even when the storm of lies threatens to overwhelm me, I believe God's Truth about me and I am convinced it is THE TRUTH! And that is where I am going to dwell.
peace, be still
That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, Just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:35-39
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Have you ever felt like you were in that boat with Jesus and the disciples? In the midst of a furious squall with waves battering the boat and wondering, "Jesus, don't you care if I drown?" I was there one day this week. The storm was raging around me and wave after wave of lies from the enemy knocked me off my feet. With everything in me, I was trying not to be pulled under into a place of despair where the lies become truth in my heart.
When I arrived home that evening, my husband said, "Go for a walk." He knows that my ears are more attuned to God when my feet are moving. It wasn't long before I heard THE quiet whisper in my spirit saying, "Peace, be still!" The lies were silenced and my heart and my mind and my spirit were still. Peace is a glorious thing and a gift from God!
I believe that God has given us the ability to speak "peace, be still" to the storms in our lives. Romans 8:11 says that the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living in us who are Christians and will give life to our mortal bodies. In that case, our words have life and power in them. Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and the Bible is filled with verses about peace, including my favorite in Philippians 4. It is obviously a gift that God has given to us and He wants us to receive it.
We can speak the words of Jesus, peace, be still, to ourselves and the circumstances around us before the waves overtake us. That's a habit I want to develop!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Have you ever felt like you were in that boat with Jesus and the disciples? In the midst of a furious squall with waves battering the boat and wondering, "Jesus, don't you care if I drown?" I was there one day this week. The storm was raging around me and wave after wave of lies from the enemy knocked me off my feet. With everything in me, I was trying not to be pulled under into a place of despair where the lies become truth in my heart.
When I arrived home that evening, my husband said, "Go for a walk." He knows that my ears are more attuned to God when my feet are moving. It wasn't long before I heard THE quiet whisper in my spirit saying, "Peace, be still!" The lies were silenced and my heart and my mind and my spirit were still. Peace is a glorious thing and a gift from God!
I believe that God has given us the ability to speak "peace, be still" to the storms in our lives. Romans 8:11 says that the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living in us who are Christians and will give life to our mortal bodies. In that case, our words have life and power in them. Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and the Bible is filled with verses about peace, including my favorite in Philippians 4. It is obviously a gift that God has given to us and He wants us to receive it.
We can speak the words of Jesus, peace, be still, to ourselves and the circumstances around us before the waves overtake us. That's a habit I want to develop!
Monday, January 15, 2018
take a step back
For the majority of my 48 years, I have allowed my emotions to rule my life. God gave humans emotions because He wanted us to experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23). But way back in the Garden of Eden, our enemy, the devil, saw the perfect opportunity to take advantage of our weaknesses. If he could convince us that our emotions were truth, then he could use them to manipulate us and separate us from God. The devil has been using our feelings against us since the beginning of time. Why should he come up with a new tactic when the old one still works just as well?
I admit, that my natural tendency (and habit!) is to react immediately, especially when my feelings are hurt or if I feel threatened. The devil convinced me long ago that feelings of rejection, failure, exclusion, and fear were my reality and I did everything in my own power to avoid feeling them. At the same time, I perceived the world through the filters of rejection, failure, exclusion, and fear and I expected them. What a tangled web of deception the devil had spun in my brain! Thank God, He has shown me THE truth and set me free!!!
Years ago, a friend said to me...take a step back. Look at the situation from a different perspective. Step out of the middle of your emotions so you can see clearly. Take a deep breath before you react to something that probably isn't reality. My feelings are not the truth...especially when I am tired! God is teaching me to take a step back when I feel emotions that are not from Him. Stepping back gives me time to ask God to give me His perspective and speak TRUTH to my spirit. Stepping back keeps me from reacting. I'm not an expert. I'm learning this new skill. I will continue to practice and take a step back!
I admit, that my natural tendency (and habit!) is to react immediately, especially when my feelings are hurt or if I feel threatened. The devil convinced me long ago that feelings of rejection, failure, exclusion, and fear were my reality and I did everything in my own power to avoid feeling them. At the same time, I perceived the world through the filters of rejection, failure, exclusion, and fear and I expected them. What a tangled web of deception the devil had spun in my brain! Thank God, He has shown me THE truth and set me free!!!
Years ago, a friend said to me...take a step back. Look at the situation from a different perspective. Step out of the middle of your emotions so you can see clearly. Take a deep breath before you react to something that probably isn't reality. My feelings are not the truth...especially when I am tired! God is teaching me to take a step back when I feel emotions that are not from Him. Stepping back gives me time to ask God to give me His perspective and speak TRUTH to my spirit. Stepping back keeps me from reacting. I'm not an expert. I'm learning this new skill. I will continue to practice and take a step back!
Thursday, January 4, 2018
the power of names
I recently read a book (Shine by Allison Allen...I highly recommend it!) that reminded me how powerful names are. Names give us purpose and identity, even when they are negative. Names stick to us, like a name tag announcing to the world, "Hello, my name is..." We may not even realize the name tags that we wear, and often we have taken on names that were never meant for us.
For many years, I wore the names fearful, rejected, and failure. Somewhere in my childhood and teenage years and young adulthood, I took hold of lies handed to me by the devil and I believed that those names were my truth. I held on to them and made them a part of me.
Praise God, He put people in my life who shine a light on my true identity! My parents named me Dawn. The literal meaning of my name is sunrise or break of day, but the spiritual meaning is even better. Dawn means beginning anew or joy and praise. Every time someone calls me by my given name, they are speaking that into my life! (If you don't know the spiritual meaning of your name, there are lots of books and websites that have them. I recommend finding out!) God has given me family, and pastors, and friends who speak the truth and remind me who God made me to be.
The Bible is filled with God's names for us. (Neil T. Anderson's book Victory Over the Darkness is an awesome compilation of Bible verses filled with God's truth about us.) He calls us chosen, friends, children of God, new creations, heirs of Christ, righteous and holy, God's workmanship, strong and courageous, and many more. My favorite is LOVED! God loves me and you! (See John 3:16)
My emotions lie to me every day. They try to tell me that my name is fearful or rejected or failure. But I know the truth! My name is Dawn...beginning anew, joy and praise! My name is LOVED, friend, chosen, strong and courageous! When I'm feeling fear or rejection or failure, I open my Bible and remind myself of my true names.
If you have held onto false names, let go of them! Open the Bible and fill your heart and your mind and your spirit with God's true names for you! Those names carry life and identity and purpose, and they are powerful!
For many years, I wore the names fearful, rejected, and failure. Somewhere in my childhood and teenage years and young adulthood, I took hold of lies handed to me by the devil and I believed that those names were my truth. I held on to them and made them a part of me.
Praise God, He put people in my life who shine a light on my true identity! My parents named me Dawn. The literal meaning of my name is sunrise or break of day, but the spiritual meaning is even better. Dawn means beginning anew or joy and praise. Every time someone calls me by my given name, they are speaking that into my life! (If you don't know the spiritual meaning of your name, there are lots of books and websites that have them. I recommend finding out!) God has given me family, and pastors, and friends who speak the truth and remind me who God made me to be.
The Bible is filled with God's names for us. (Neil T. Anderson's book Victory Over the Darkness is an awesome compilation of Bible verses filled with God's truth about us.) He calls us chosen, friends, children of God, new creations, heirs of Christ, righteous and holy, God's workmanship, strong and courageous, and many more. My favorite is LOVED! God loves me and you! (See John 3:16)
My emotions lie to me every day. They try to tell me that my name is fearful or rejected or failure. But I know the truth! My name is Dawn...beginning anew, joy and praise! My name is LOVED, friend, chosen, strong and courageous! When I'm feeling fear or rejection or failure, I open my Bible and remind myself of my true names.
If you have held onto false names, let go of them! Open the Bible and fill your heart and your mind and your spirit with God's true names for you! Those names carry life and identity and purpose, and they are powerful!
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