For Such a Time as This

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

2012-01-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

“We’re sorry, but that particular VIN number is not included in the extended warranty.” The words pierced me and the reality of a repair that would be several thousand dollars in the making started to sink in.

My head started to race around, trying to figure out how we were going to come up with that much money while I am still unemployed and what little reserves we had are nearly gone. On a whim, I checked out the website for the car maker. There was nothing on it about exclusions for the extended warranty program on what was a new transmission when I bought my car years ago. Calling the number, I didn’t really know what to expect. My information was taken, I was given a case number and instructions about how to proceed with the dealership.

Before I took the car in, I prayed. And, I asked my prayer warriors to join me. Many did. Seriously, I needed a miracle and there was only one person to ask.

You hear a lot about how God loves to just love on His kids. Friends tell me this all the time, and I do see many instances where I know it HAS to be Him working. But this time, I wasn’t really sure. Yes, He’s big enough. But, really, the odds were stacked.

But still, I prayed. And when I prayed, I was peaceful. Unexplained peace, but peace nonetheless. Nearly two days after taking the car in, I got a call from the dealership. Seems the issue WAS something covered by the warranty and they were in error to tell me otherwise. They would be replacing my transmission with a new one, at NO EXPENSE TO ME. Oh my word!

Prayer answered! Praise God!

Truly, nothing is impossible with God. After reporting the incredible news to my praying friends, two of them responded with nearly the same words. They prayed for a cost-free repair and both felt God leading them to that expectation. Amazing.

My wise friend noted that this instance reminds her that if God can and will fix matters of a car, imagine what He can do with matters of our hearts!?

He can and will do wonders with our hearts. Ask. Receive. Believe.

Yes, NOTHING is impossible with God. Nothing.

“…because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven” Luke 1:78

2011-12-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

The sight about caused me to throw up. The gunk that came out of the drain in the shower was unidentifiable and disgusting. A slow drain during my shower that morning was the last straw and I had to tackle the project of cleaning it out.

As I was finishing up, I was thinking about how we go into the shower with the grime and mess of the day on us, and walk out clean and fresh. It’s a chance to start over and face the day with clean skin and a new attitude.

Isn’t that true about our walk with Christ? Every day, we awake with fresh mercy and a new start. We awake with a chance to walk hand-in-hand with Him and allow Him to lead us through our day. We are fresh and pure as we begin the day.

Some days are better than others, walking closely with Him, sensing His leading.

Other days are a struggle, when I slip and slop my way along, forgetting to lean on Him and feeling miserable as a result. Sin creeps in and I have to stop and ask forgiveness.

At the end of what has been a roller coaster of a year, I look ahead with hope and expectancy. Early in 2011, the “believe” surfaced as my word of the year. I have been challenged to stay focused on believing God – through the good and the bad. Things happened this year that I cannot explain, wouldn’t have planned and never would have asked for.

And yet, those very things have drawn me closer to God, caused me to rely even more on Him and shown me His hand in everything that has happened.

He cares. He loves us. He wants the best for us.

As I look toward a new year, I know wherever it is I am headed, it is with God. I may not know the details, but He does. I just have to “believe.”

What is it that you are believing Him for in 2012?

Happy new year and blessings!

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2: 6-7

2011-12-23T06:30:00.004-07:00

Sometimes the best gifts come in unexpected packages.

I’m not much of a “splurger,” especially when it comes to makeup. My products tend to come from the same stores I buy groceries, dog food and laundry supplies. So, when my daughter and I spent time one day playing on one of those try-it-on beauty stores, we had a blast. I discovered the perfect shade of eye shadow, but decided to hold off – it was a little pricey.

After thinking about it for quite a while, I decided it was worth the money and went back to the mall to get it. I raced in, late for an appointment. I looked for the name on the display, grabbed it, paid the clerk and left. When I got it home, I realized the colors had been mixed up in the display and I got a couple shades lighter than my preferred one.

Making the trek back to the mall was out of the question. I ended up trying the shadow a few times. Guess what? I decided the color was great. My disappointment turned to happiness, even in the unexpected.

I wonder what people thought when, after 400 years of silence, the greatest gift of all came in the form of a baby in a lowly manger in Bethlehem. I would imagine the expectation was that God would come to save the world in a way that was powerful, visible and hard to miss. Because that was the way of the world. Leaders tended to come to power through strength and their ability to defeat their enemies. I suspect in people’s minds, the Savior would have to compete in that arena.

But God.

God, who could have commanded armies of angels to announce his presence, instead chose a quiet night, in a stable surrounded by animals, to enter humanity. It was humble, average and not what anyone would choose or expect. Anyone, that is, but our Heavenly Father who knew the perfect plan.

That silent night was momentous for history. Nothing would be the same after Jesus became human. He was willing to submit to live among His creation. He would submit to the lowest of lows for his chosen people. His gift of salvation included bearing the burden of all our sins, in order that we might be forgiven.

It is a gift that can never be repaid. Unexpected, yet perfect in every way.

Merry Christmas! Praise God!

Guest posting!

2011-12-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Friends,
I am honored to have a post running today over on my friend, Shannon Milholland's blog, Jesus and my Orange Juice. Shannon challenged her bloggy friends to write a post from the perspective of one of the characters in the Nativity Story. I was given Joseph's mom. Honestly, I had never really thought about the story beyond Joseph, Mary the baby Jesus and the shepherds. While challenging, it helped me wrap my mind more around the fact everyone involved in the story had to come to grips with the very real need to trust God's plan fully, no matter how unbelievable it sounded. Hop over to join the conversation and I pray you are blessed!
http://www.shannonmilholland.com/

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11

2011-12-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

All year I’ve been pondering about this big elephant that moved in with us. You see, in early 2011, I lost my job. It wasn’t a death sentence or an awful illness, it was a job. Nevertheless, it has been difficult for our family.

However, it has also been an opportunity. A chance to get to know my family again. A chance to engage more in the everyday stuff that captivates my kids. A chance to remember to slow down and live every day to the fullest, breathing in the moments as they come, not fly by them in anticipation of the next deadline to meet.

That has been a huge blessing. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. Like the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11, being content in whatever the circumstances is key. As time goes on, we have the benefit of hindsight to see how God is working all things together for us. That is the viewpoint I’m seeing this from now.

And last night, I saw the culmination of this revelation in a span of 90 minutes with my 8-year-old daughter. We had finished up dinner and the dishes. She decided to pull out about a dozen photo albums, pictures mostly of when she was a baby and toddler.

“Mommy, let’s look at pictures,” she declared! And, because I’ve been able to slow down and recognize those opportunities to do something unplanned, we did. And it was memorable! We laughed, told stories, cried, and laughed some more. Somewhere in the middle of it all, my son, 11, came upstairs to see what was going on. Sure enough, HE joined in and we spent more time looking back through the precious books together.

Later, when they were going to bed, my daughter said, “that was fun.” I knew it meant something to her. It definitely meant something to me.

Years from now, when they are off at college and I’m doing whatever it is I will be doing, I’ll be able to look back on this time and remember the nights like that one. When we made memories because we had the time, and took the time, to do so. You know what? They will remember them, too.

That’s what makes family a family. Not a house, not a job, not some other “thing” you can name. It’s time, love, attentiveness, laughter, tears and togetherness.

This year may not have been anything like I would have planned it to be. But it was truly a blessing. And, with that, I am very content.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

2011-11-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

The ringing of the phone was a jolt out of a dead sleep. Heart pounding, I raced to the kitchen to answer it. It’s never good news when the call is in the wee hours.

False alarm. Wrong number.

Whew. Breathe.

Heart still pounding, I tried to go back to sleep, but couldn’t.Doesn’t that happen sometimes when life hands us false alarms?

· Unjust accusation

· Undeserved criticism

· Unmerited suffering

Dealing with it can be so difficult. Especially when the situation doesn’t change fast enough for our liking. When issues continue to drag on, even though they were never deserved or warranted. When the end doesn’t seem to be in sight. When we can’t seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have a tendency to be strong initially. I can even maintain it for a while. But after an extended period, I want to retreat. Crawl into a corner and have a pity party for myself. Ask God, why? Sounding like a toddler, I cry out, “it’s not fair!”

No, it isn’t. But, Jesus never promised us fair. In fact, we are to expect troubles (see John 16:33).

This morning I woke up with the words to a popular song in my head. “You put the light in me,” was playing in the iPod of my brain. Brandon Heath’s words were running around in my mind as I clicked on the radio and made a pot of coffee. Sure enough, the song came on the station I had tuned in to. I went to my Bible.

In Matthew 5, Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the Mount. In verses 11-12, He tells us we are blessed when we are persecuted in His name. Blessed! There are rewards we will not see until we reach Heaven and this is one of those times.

In verses 15-16 , Jesus goes on to talk about light. We are to be the light for Him in this world. The light that shines “before men, (v. 16)” pointing others to Him. Even when persecuted. Especially when persecuted. The only way that is possible is through His light in us.

Just like the song said.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

2011-11-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

Winter has arrived. Well, sort of, anyway. We got our first big snow storm and it was a doozie. After raining much of the evening, it turned to snow overnight, greeting us with about six inches of wet, sloppy white stuff the next morning. After spending nearly an hour shoveling and knocking the snow off the trees, I thought I was done. But, the snow kept falling and those spots where I spent all that time and energy shoveling quickly covered back up again with snow.

· It makes me crazy.
· I don’t want to deal with it more than once.
· A quick fix and then move on to the next thing, that’s my M.O.

It got me thinking. Do I sometimes approach my “stuff” that way? You bet, I do.

I want God to fix me, tidy me up and send me on my merry way. But that isn’t how it works. Some things just take time and impatient little me doesn’t like it.

Those things we continue to struggle with, making progress one day and slipping the next:

· Bad attitude
· Impatience
· Lack of self-control
· Envy
· Doubt
· Anger

What I’m learning – the hard way, I might add – is that I cannot overcome these struggles on my own. If it were possible in my own strength, I wouldn’t need God. And, boy, do I need Him! I’m praying new words these days. Instead of “help me handle these temptations in my life,” I’m asking Him to step in and be what I can’t. I need to surrender and let the Holy Spirit lead.

Trust me, it isn’t easy. But, it is possible. The Bible says with Christ, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). I may not be where I want to be with respect to my “list,” but I am nowhere near where I was when I started this journey with my Savior. I am thankful and grateful for the progress He’s made in me and I anxiously wait to see where He leads.

When I look at the snowy driveway, what He’s showing me is that the initial cleanup is the hardest part. Surrendering it to Him means letting go of me. The subsequent cleanings during the storm are far less painful because He’s holding the broom.

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Proverbs 27:9

2011-11-03T06:53:00.000-06:00

We met online. Okay, I know that may sound funny or odd, but we did. She is part of a team of ladies in ministry. A ministry that has become kind of like a family. Encouraging, supportive and affirming in so many ways.

I didn’t know her all that well – just tweets and some Facebook comments. But, when my flight to a conference we were both attending was delayed, she was the first to respond to my cry for help. After offering to drive nearly 40 minutes each way very late at night to pick me up, I knew she was special! When I did arrive, she was waiting in the hotel lobby, ready to give me a big bear hug to say “welcome!”

After that weekend, we were friends. We kept in touch, sharing a few more tidbits about life. Then, one day, she emailed. We had both signed up for an online Bible study. She was being obedient. The Holy Spirit had prompted her to reach out and partner with me for the study. Of course, I said yes!

We have had deep, meaningful conversations about things we both have carried far too long. Our time in the study has helped us take steps of faith in order to walk further ahead in our journey with Christ. We have had to release strongholds that have been burdens on each of our hearts. And, we’ve prayed for each other, keeping a promise we made early on.

What she may not know is that while I jumped on the offer to partner, there was some trepidation in my heart. Because, when you commit to partnering one-on-one with someone, you can’t sugar-coat the impact a study may have on you, and you are going to have to share. I can be a mile wide and an inch deep when it comes to things that I struggle with, glossing over wounds so the truth doesn’t surface. But, that wasn’t going to work with this partner!

She has counseled me wisely. She’s been there to talk through things she may not even realize she’s helping me with. She has forced me out of my comfort zone on more than one occasion. And, she has helped me grow.

The Bible says in Proverbs 27:9 – “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Truer words could not be written about my precious friend.

Do you have someone like her? If you don’t, I urge you to pray and ask God to bring someone into your life like her. And if you do, pray for that person and tell them how grateful you are for the gift of their wise counsel!

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7 NLT

2011-10-31T16:36:00.000-06:00

Coming home one evening, we were behind a van as we approached the 4-way stop near our house. The van driver stopped, heading east. There was no one else stopped, so he could have easily started on through the intersection. A semi-truck was approaching from the south. He never even slowed down, blowing through the stop sign. For whatever reason, the van’s driver paused long enough to avoid being t-boned by the truck.

Watching all this from behind the van, I first thanked God for making the van driver hesitate enough to prevent what would have been a devastating accident. Then, I thought, would I have done the same thing?

Probably not.

I have a tendency to slow, but not stop, at the intersections of life.

When I’m sick, I want to get better so I can get on with my list.
When I’m hurt or upset, I want to move past it quickly so the pain goes away.
When the rug is pulled out, I want to jump back up and steady my feet so no one sees me falter.
When I have barely enough to get through today, I want to win the lottery, so I won’t have to worry about money ever again.

But just as fast as that semi was rumbling through the stop sign and missing the intersection, I wonder, how much of life do I miss by not stopping? How much of what God is trying to show me is missed because I want to quickly slide through that intersection?

God uses those intersections in life to change us, mold us, teach us, use us. There are people and places in each of those intersections that God intends for us to encounter. If we are too focused on getting through it, we miss much of His teaching and treasure for our lives.

We don’t know what God has planned in those times, but surely, He does. Trusting the intersections of our lives to Him could dramatically impact our lives, if we let them.

I received a text from my church with these words: “Maybe God is intending for you to arrive at an intersection the same time another person is arriving who might need exactly what you can do.”

Will you join me? Will you be like the driver of the van, pausing at the intersection instead of the semi-truck driver, who couldn’t stop long enough to avoid disaster?

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

2011-10-18T12:26:00.000-06:00

“You’ll never move forward if you keep looking back.” The words pressed on my heart in such a way that I knew it had to be the Holy Spirit revealing a truth to me.

On a warm fall day, I was part of a team helping a realtor friend deliver pumpkins to the neighborhood she covers. Her marketing technique has been very successful and extremely well-received. A team of us drove around in a rented truck, with some walking door-to-door delivering pumpkins to doorsteps, and some applying stickers and moving the 500-plus pumpkins to the edge of the truck. It was quite a system.

I was inside the truck, applying stickers and moving pumpkins – and looking at the neighborhood as we passed houses and streets. A neighborhood that is very familiar – when I am looking forward. We jokingly noted that we couldn’t really tell where we were going because we could only see where we had been, looking out the back of the truck.

That’s when it hit me. That while looking back on life and trying to work through things is fine if it’s needed, perhaps there is unconfessed sin, or forgiveness that needs to happen or some other thing that needs to be dealt with. But dwelling on the past and reliving old hurts – for nothing other than the sake of rehashing them is absolutely not fine. In fact, it’s really against what the Bible teaches us to do.

When we confess our sins and truly repent, they are cast off – forgiven, forgotten and never to be thought of again. Psalm 103:12 says he has removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. East and west can never meet – never. That means our sins are gone. Stop dwelling on them and move forward.

I don’t know if you needed to hear this, but I obviously did! Are you looking in front of you or are you stuck looking out the back of the truck?

“You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Psalm 90:8

2011-10-06T06:00:00.004-06:00

It’s fall in Colorado, which means these days, there is a chill in the early morning air. The only source of warmth is coming from the rising sun as it crests over the horizon. As it touches my face, I can’t help but close my eyes and pause.

Like when a door is opened into a dark room, the light floods my heart. It seeks out the dark corners, looking to relinquish them to the daylight – hiding no more in the shadows.

I don’t know when you came to know Christ, but as someone who accepted Him as her savior at a later age, I have a lot of old sins that seem to want to weigh me down. Those sins “from before I was saved.”

Logically and even spiritually, I know they are wiped clean – long forgotten by the God of grace. So why then, do I have such a time forgiving myself? Do I not believe that He really did forgive me? Do I think they are beyond forgiveness? Is accepting that forgiveness going to move me to a place I’m scared about going to – a place unfamiliar because I’ve lived with the baggage for so long?

Honestly, I’m tired.

Tired of beating myself up over poor decisions of the past. Tired of the enemy using my old default feeling of guilt against me. Tired of not accepting what I know is already mine.

I’m working through a couple of Bible studies that have really challenged me to step off the ledge and dive in to the freedom of accepting forgiveness. I believe I am there. In the past couple of weeks I’ve had the opportunity to really be in prayer about this subject. At Women of Faith last week, the words of one of the speakers washed over me and sunk down into my core. “Forgiveness is not letting our history control our destiny,” Andy Andrews.

Oh, how I needed to hear that statement!

As I have processed and begun letting go, it has helped to write things down that were once hidden in the dark corners of my heart. Somehow, putting them “out in the open” has helped me by releasing the grip they have had in my life. It’s also helped to have a close friend to talk things out with. Friend, if you’re walking this path, I pray you will do these things also.

Further in Psalm 90 is this verse: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (v. 14)”

Like the sun, that is the source of light and warmth in the cool fall Colorado mornings, I am looking to my source of light for healing, joy and unfailing love.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2

2011-10-03T18:30:00.000-06:00

“Thank you for your interest in _________ (fill-in-the-blank Company name). We are writing to inform you that you are no longer being considered for the position of __________ (fill-in-the-blank title). We wish you the best in your future career endeavors.”

Sigh.

Reading the words again, I closed my eyes and slowly let my breath out. There have been so many over these past 8 months I’ve honestly lost count.

However, this time, when I read them, my response was different. Instead of hearing those internal doubting voices and start to wonder aloud “what’s wrong with me,” I prayed. The exhale of breath calmed me and I prayed because although I am standing on the edge of great uncertainty, God isn’t. He knows exactly where I am and guess what? He’s standing here with me.

Sometimes that’s easy to forget.

Webster’s Dictionary defines devote like this: give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause. I’m getting better at it. Devoting myself to prayer. Colossians 4:2 popped into my text messages the morning I received the latest “thanks but no thanks” email. It was fresh on my heart because truly, I long to be devoted to prayer. I want my mind alert and heart thankful. I want my prayer life to be worthwhile, not just those short prayers I’ve said before meals and when I’m too tired to think at night.

So, when I’ve been praying lately, I’m working more on being focused and purposeful – and thankful and still. All components of a prayer life that I strive for. God wants to meet us when we pray and I desperately want to meet Him there, also. Frankly, I need it so much more than He does.

And guess what happened?

That day, when I prayed instead of strayed, He answered. He calmed me in the moment and led me to the next step later.

That, my friends, is incredible. That tells me that He cares about me more than I can imagine. That tells me that no circumstance is worth the angst or stress I was allowing it to have in my heart.

Lord, I want to pray with a thankful, grateful heart and an alert, focused mind. Guide my thoughts and actions to be in line with Your will as we process life together. I’m not in this alone – help me to keep that in the front of my mind. When life is hard, lead me gently back to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

2011-09-29T14:32:00.000-06:00

We watched a family say goodbye to their loved one. Tremendously sad – he had a short, but fierce, battle with a rare cancer. There was barely enough time to process the diagnosis and he was gone.
A mysterious medical issue suddenly took the life of a young teacher at the kids’ school. The shock of it rippled through the building, causing confusion and profound sadness for the staff, students and family.
A family member, who had many years ago beaten that nasty c-word, cancer, was informed that it was back. Aggressive and growing, the doctors are scrambling to treat it before it gets any worse.

Oh, the sorrow. Life is very hard sometimes. Sometimes, answers are hard to come by. When my kids ask me why and I don’t know myself, all I can say is, “we don’t know why, but God is in control of it all and He knows. We have to trust Him because His way is better than our way, even when it seems hard to understand.” The message is not just for the kids. It’s a bit of self-preaching.

Because when those troubles come, and they most certainly will, our response will either confirm or deny what is truly the belief of our hearts. The enemy will try and use difficult times in an attempt to chip away at our faith, tossing thoughts of disbelief and questioning our way, waiting to see if anything sticks.

My daughter has a favorite verse posted on her bedroom door. Psalm 56:3 states, “when I am afraid, I will trust in you.” There you have it. No questions asked. Not a wavering thought around. And, she states it often when faced with troubling circumstances. As I sat in the funeral for our friend after his valiant fight with cancer, I felt the tears welling up as I thought about his children, left without him for the rest of their lives. As I closed my eyes to pray, the words of my daughter’s favorite verse came to mind. I whispered them over and over and calmness came over me.

Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we would have trouble. But he offers peace amid the trouble because nothing in this world can shake the eternal destination of a believer. This world is temporary, as we are reminded every day when some new trouble comes along. But, as Jesus said, He has overcome. There is nothing that we can face that will change that truth.

Guest post!

2011-09-23T07:10:00.000-06:00

Hi friends!
Today, I have the honor of guest-blogging on Let's Get Real, the site of my friend, Carey Scott. She is a great inspiration and I hope you'll hop over to her site and check it out. You will be blessed!
While you're there, check out my post - I hope you will read it and realize just how much Jesus LOVES you!

http://careyscotttalks.wordpress.com/

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought...

2011-09-21T14:10:00.000-06:00

...Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17: 7-8

We trust Him, or we don’t. The words cut me to the core. Simple words, but so much truth in them. They require action. They demand it. There is no room to waiver here.

Life has been challenging for a while now. At first, my normally positive personality skipped into “this is meant to be” mode. Honestly, it is. But, just because things are meant to be, it doesn’t mean they will be easy, short-lived or comfortable.

As the months have rolled by, life has dramatically changed. It’s much quieter. There isn’t as much chaos walking out the door in the mornings because Mom isn’t trying to get to work. We aren’t spending nearly as much money, and those “extras” we used to think nothing about are becoming increasingly sparse.

God is working on us. He is working on me. That’s for sure. He is speaking through the words of Scripture, friends and circumstances.

When my friend wrote those six words in response to a cry out from me as yet another blow came our way, she was telling me like it is. Truthful words that I needed to hear. Words I needed to process for the last couple days. A reminder that I needed to seek first His will above my own.

The words from the prophet Jeremiah are testing my resolve. Life is testing me to see how strong my faith really is. God is standing there with me, watching and waiting for my response.

My hope and confidence ARE in the Lord. And though the season of drought is upon me, I will not falter as I continue to dig my roots deeper and more firmly into His riverbank.

I may not have a job. Our family may lose some of the comforts we have gotten used to. We may see life change even more dramatically than it has thus far. But one thing is sure. We will not lose faith in our God. Because in all the trials we have faced, He has been there with us, guiding us and giving comfort.

I pray for the strength to keep walking in faith. Because I know when I do, He will give it.

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”’ Matthew 17:20

2011-09-13T12:39:00.000-06:00

Jesus’ words are so clear they almost sting as I read them. Sting because I’ve been trying to move mountains by myself. I’ve been focusing on the mountains themselves rather than the maker of those mountains.

While well-intentioned, I am not God. And even though I am motivated out of love, the work is not for me to do. This is a hard lesson to learn. Apparently, it is one I need to learn over and over.

Can you relate?

My well-meaning heart wants to:

• Fix the problems I see.
• Push ahead and find answers to what I see are my challenges.
• Step out ahead of God and His plan for my life.
• Rescue those who are making bad choices.
• Confront and try to save the lost because they are my loved ones.

Yet, when I read the words of our Savior, I am gently reminded that only He can move mountains. My role in the equation is simple, but difficult. I am to have faith.

• Faith requires no outward action on my part, it is an internal choice.
• Faith means that I choose to believe and trust that He is more than capable.
• Faith tells me to release that person, circumstance, issue, challenge or choice to Him.
• Faith asks me to pray.
• Faith says be still.

Friends, it is not easy to choose faith. But, Jesus tells us that when we do, He can and will move mountains. And when He does, what will that do for our faith?

Never Forget

2011-09-11T19:27:00.000-06:00

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the LORD has done,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease

to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the shields[d] with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

As we reflect on the events of 9/11, let us never forget that God is above all the chaos, confusion and pain of this world. Yes, evil exists and bad things happen in our world. But, God has overcome and is with us in the middle of everything. He is our refuge and strength when we don’t know where to turn. He waits for us to invite Him into our circumstances.

In our church service today, we spent time reflecting and remembering. But we also spent time recognizing that out of sadness and trouble, God prevails and God brings new life. He can restore from the ashes of ruin. He can fill the hole in our hearts that nothing else we try to fill it with will.

Life will go on. What will you do to continue to honor their memories? What will you let God do in your heart?

“But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14

2011-09-08T10:35:00.000-06:00

Battles are tough. Sometimes, the hardest part of a battle is understanding who your enemy truly is. Often, I forget where the real battle is happening. You know what I mean? Those times when:

I’m angry at my spouse
My kids are bickering with one another and me
I hear the whispers – you’re not qualified, you’ll never have a strong ministry, you’ll never convince that person to believe in Jesus

Oh yes, those are real battles. But, I have to step back and remember who the real enemy is. It isn’t my kids or my spouse. It’s not silence or rejection in ministry. It’s not an unreceptive heart.

It’s Satan. The enemy of all. Especially the enemy of those in Christ. His greatest accomplishment would be to render us useless. He can’t take away our salvation, but he can sure try to muck up our time here on Earth.

Every time he traps me in a pit or causes me to respond harshly, he wins. When I wallow in pity, fear or a lack of confidence, he wins again. Those are battles I must fully be aware of and learn to fight back.

How?

With the truth of God’s Word. The only true and proven way to defeat the enemy is through the power of Christ. His death and resurrection defeated Satan once and for all and we must claim and cling to that power every single day.

In a raging battle, we need to open God’s Word and seek out truth statements to speak out loud. When we do that, the enemy slinks back, defeated and demoted.

I am in a battle now that seems to be coming from all sides. The attacks are subtle, but effective, because the enemy knows more about me than I do myself. He knows my weaknesses and plays on them to try and trip me up.

I have written this passage from the Psalms on a piece of paper that I am keeping nearby all the time. By speaking it out loud, I unleash the power of Christ in me to fend off the attacks of the day. The Message version of the passage has a great interpretation.

Desperate, I throw myself on you:

you are my God!

Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,

safe from the hands out to get me.

Warm me, your servant, with a smile;

save me because you love me.

Don't embarrass me by not showing up;

I've given you plenty of notice.

Embarrass the wicked, stand them up,

leave them stupidly shaking their heads

as they drift down to hell.

Gag those loudmouthed liars

who heckle me, your follower,

with jeers and catcalls.

Psalm 31:14-18, The Message

Yes, Lord, gag that loudmouthed liar. I love how he says, “hour by hour I place my days in your hand.” We desperately need Christ every hour, every minute. The battles are too big to face alone.

Revisiting a past post - Believe

2011-09-05T06:00:00.002-06:00

Friends, I wanted to share with you this post. I wrote it a few months ago, but took it down because I wasn’t sure about it. This week, I found myself stumbling a little bit, thinking of ways to “settle” in my hunt for employment. Sure enough, God spoke in a way I knew had to be him. Just after having a conversation in which I started thinking about settling just so I could find something, the bracelet I talked about in this blog simply fell off my wrist. As I picked it up off the floor, I realized God was saying no, do not settle. I have this. Your job is to believe. Read on.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Oh what truth in those words! For the past couple of weeks, this verse has melted into every fiber of my being and, praise God, has taken hold in a way that is difficult to express.

If you happened to read my last post, I wrote about my daughter and how her life has run parallel with my faith journey. Eight years ago, I returned to work from maternity leave to find my position eliminated. At the time, it nearly devastated me. Looking back on it, I could see God’s hand in it all along, I just didn’t have the faith or trust in Him to know that it was all part of His plan for my life.

In perfect timing, right after writing that post and thinking about that time in my life for the first time in a long while, my latest position was eliminated, and again, I find myself in a time of what could be called turmoil.

But, this time was different. Unlike eight years ago, I KNOW He has a plan for my life and that it is not only good, it is His perfect plan. Come with me on a little journey.

The last business trip I took was to Phoenix for a meeting. On the flight, a lady sat in the middle seat, saw my Bible study materials and asked me how I liked it. I’m not typically a talker on a flight and, at first, I tried to be just cordial enough to get to where I could dig into my study as I was behind. But, she was so sweet and something nudged me to keep talking, so we did. We chatted about my kids, her grandkids, our mothers, the Bible study and her recommendations about what study I should pursue next. When we landed, she asked for my card, saying she wanted to send me something. After arriving in Arizona, I learned my meeting was canceled. I began to wonder if meeting her was the true purpose for the trip.

One morning, I checked my mailbox when I got to the office. A box was in it. It was from my flight friend! Inside was a note saying what a blessing our conversation on the plane was and that if I was going to do the Bible study we talked about, I was going to need “this.” “This” was a beautiful handmade bracelet with a bead that read “believe.” I was stunned, in tears and overflowing with love. Later, at lunch, I was praying and said, “whatever the next step is, God, I’m in. No matter what it is, where you want me to go, I’m yours.”

An hour later, I got the phone call about my job being eliminated. As I hung up the phone, I prayed again. Asking for peace and wisdom, I felt completely calm. I KNEW this was God’s way of taking me off a path that wasn’t right for me anymore.

In the time since, I’ve had affirmation after affirmation that I am right in the middle of the road that He wants me to be on. That the plans he has for me are good and that His peace is the peace I can wrap my mind around.

My study Bible says of this passage that although we will have strife and trouble in this life, we can be a steady and stable force when we remain in Him (paraphrased). My thoughts and trust are with the One who knows everything, created everything and has nothing but my best interest at heart. So, though I walk through a period of uncertainty, I know that it is nothing that I am facing alone. He is holding me by the hand, guiding every step and working in the middle of my circumstances for His glory.

What about you? Are you in perfect peace in the midst of your circumstances?

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

2011-09-01T20:36:00.000-06:00

Just looking down at the water was enough to scare me off. As I stood on the teeny diving board suspended far too high above the water, I knew I couldn’t do it. Trying as hard as I could not to throw up, I gingerly made my way back to the steps and climbed down.

Have you ever been so scared you were frozen? That’s how I was that day. I was probably 12 or so and we had gone to a pool with a “high dive.” The idea of plunging into the water from that height sent shivers down my spine.

Thinking about that time in my life, I wonder how many other things I’ve avoided because I was too frozen or scared to plunge in?

When it comes to faith, don’t we all sometimes climb back down the steps of the ladder because the fear of the unknown of jumping in with all our might is too scary?

But that’s just what Jesus challenges us to do.

He doesn’t want my toe-in-the-water faith. He wants me all in – over my head and completely depending on Him, following where He leads.

I have to admit, I have a tendency to start strong and trail off, distracted by other things. Or, worse, I tend to back off when it gets hard.

When I study this passage in Luke, and the entire section (Luke 9:51-62), I get really uncomfortable. Because I, like the people in the passage, say I really want to follow Christ, but I can let other things take my focus off him. So, I’m praying.

Father, I pray that following you becomes the sole desire of my heart. I pray you will fill me with your Holy Spirit and the discernment to know where you are leading every day. I choose to follow you today, tomorrow and every day you give. Give me the strength to keep my eyes on you and trust that no matter where You lead, I will follow. Even if that means jumping off the high dive.

“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 The Message

2011-08-30T06:59:00.000-06:00

Rejection seems to be a theme these days – at least in the circles I travel. Many friends and I have received very nice thank-you-but-no-thank-you notifications from publishers we recently submitted book proposals to for consideration.

I am also in the throes of professional rejection. Hitting the 6-month mark for unemployment just feels weird. Thinking about how my other former co-workers and I are coping/trying to cope has been on my mind a lot lately. There are multiple layers here. There’s the initial rejection of our former employer coupled with being looked over for positions we are more than qualified to take on as a next job.

Am I the only one who struggles with this? I don’t think so. For me, these past months have forced me to look a little deeper at my heart. Why is it that rejection hurts me so much? Why do I let the opinions of other humans impact who I am when there is only one opinion that truly matters?

As I wrestle this battle, I read The Message interpretation of 1Peter 2:9-10 and just go, wow! Think about it. Jesus was rejected by nearly everyone. His rejection was necessary for Him to complete the task for which He came to Earth in the first place. He willingly accepted that rejection with a grace that none of us could ever muster. In the midst of it all, He still loved and asked His Father to forgive those whose rejection brought about His death.

• So, what if I need the process of rejection to refine me?
• How about looking at those doing the rejecting with fresh eyes and pray for them instead of feeling hurt or personally attacked by them?
• What if this is truly a process to mold us into the person God wants us to be?
• What if He uses these times in our lives to bring about a bigger result down the road?

Makes it a little easier to take when you shift perspective just a bit. What do you think?

Guest posting!

2011-08-26T09:11:00.000-06:00

Hi bloggy friends! I'm guest posting today over at the amazing site Jesus & My Orange Juice! My friend, Shannon Milholland, is an incredible encourager, and just a downright awesome lady with a huge heart for Jesus! Please check it out, and while you're there, wish Shannon a happy birthday! I have the honor of posting on her special day! What a privilege.
Be blessed!
http://shannonmilholland.blogspot.com/

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

2011-08-24T06:30:00.008-06:00

We had the opportunity to steal away for a weekend at a cabin in the mountains. The respite was much-needed and tremendously restful.

The Lord used that time to speak into my heart by visually demonstrating Scripture. Jesus tells us in this passage that, like the wind, we cannot control how the Holy Spirit will work in us. The gift of the Spirit is from our Heavenly Father and we can only accept it. I’ve thought about how the Spirit changes us, but sometimes, it’s a hard concept to grasp.

As I sat on the deck during that mountain retreat, I was greeted with a spectacle as the wind created a dance on the hills for me to see. And, wouldn’t you know, the Lord used that picture to open my eyes to the Scripture I was studying:

Like a competing symphony, the wind blows from one side of the mountain to the other. Mere yards from each other, the trees to the left dance and bow, then settle while the trees to the right begin to shudder.

You hear the sound as it makes its way down the hill, mimicking the noise of a roaring river as it flows downstream. Its power unknown as it rumbles beneath the surface. Only the tumbling waves are visible as the undercurrent powers it from below.

Thus it can be with the Holy Spirit. If we ask, pray and surrender to be led by it, our lives will take the turn of a mighty river, flowing and lining up with His will and purpose. The undercurrent turning, shaping, molding and changing as we transform from beneath the surface, from our depths – resulting in a new person with a new purpose. As He told us, only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we change.

“9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

2011-08-22T06:30:00.000-06:00

In the middle of a storm, what do you do? Do you stress and worry or are you at peace?

A few years ago, I found myself in the most difficult professional environment I had ever encountered. There was tension at every angle. Internally, the company executives were angry and wanted a battle. Externally, a foe was waging war against us. And among the little team I was part of, we were struggling to balance it all on a very public stage.

After convincing our internal audience to support our plans, we stepped out to wage a public relations and outreach endeavor unlike any I, or anyone on our team, had ever ventured into.

During this tumultuous time, I spent a lot of time traveling. I was in hotel rooms, public meetings, community events and presentations. Being away from my family a lot, I had a great deal of silence. Which gave God a lot to work with.

In the middle of all that stress, a beautiful thing was happening in my heart. My spirit was open and I was listening. God began to work on me, giving me words, encouragement and peace. The biggest thing he taught me was to verbalize the name “Jesus.” Saying His name out loud immediately calmed me. Praying out loud when I wasn’t sure what was coming next reassured me that I didn’t have to worry – Jesus was there and in control.

I vividly remember sitting in city council meetings, wondering what battle we were going to have to face next. When this happened, I began to take deep breaths and whispered His name, Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. I could feel my pulse slow down, my breathing relax and my center of peace refocus on what truly mattered.

Getting through that time taught me a great deal. The most important thing I learned, however, was that there is nothing I will ever encounter that cannot be conquered by the power of His name.

Guest posting today!

2011-08-19T09:21:00.000-06:00

Friends,
I have a guest post running today over at my friend Heatherly's amazing blog, A Pinkdaisy Life. Please check it out and while you're there, read on for more blessed encouragement from this gifted writer!

http://www.pinkdaisyjane.com/2011/08/guest-post-for-such-time-as-this.html