Internet Cafe

Thursday, April 30, 2009

When Idealism Fades

The Internet Cafe Welcomes Joanna Shumaker today!

That you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects. Col 1:10 (NASB)


I really didn’t want to believe that I was in the time of life called your “mid-life”! I didn’t have the enthusiasm for life that I had in my youth, and frankly, didn’t have the body from my youth, either! As I took note of my life, I realized that I had not accomplished much of what I set out to do.

My career was not my main priority anymore. My life revolved around my children. I am in the phase of life called the “Everybody Else” phase. It is a rather empty place to be in life. What about this time of life is so unsatisfying? How do I find fulfillment during this time?These are the questions that we all face at some point in our life.

What I have found is that my focus needs to be on what God wants for me at this time – not what I thought He wanted in the past. I am to live my life to please God in all that I do. It doesn’t matter what the name of my “job” is: mother, housewife, secretary, administrator, president, nurse, etc. What matters is that I live my life worthy of His name.

The fulfillment comes in being for God what He wants, not doing for God. A friend of mine from college encourages me so much with this part of my spiritual walk. She has had rheumatoid arthritis since the age of eight. She had so many dreams to fulfill, but her disease has kept her from doing these things. However, she has never let her disease change who she is. Whether she is sitting at home in pain, or able to be out and about, she is the same gracious person all the time. She has not let the pain and frustration of her disease cripple her heart. She lives her life worthy of His name. She has found who God has made her to be and she is fulfilled.When what we are gets lost in the whirlwind of life going on around us, find out who you are in Christ and focus on being for God all that He wants.

He will take care of the doing part in your life.

“Father, help me not to be so caught up in what I do for you, that I lose sight of who you want me to be. Help me be a person who shows your love, kindness, and goodness. May I live a life worth of Your name.”

Who has God made you to be?

How have you found in him working in your life, molding you into a person who reflects Christ in all that you are, not all that you do?

In Him,
Joanna

After moving from coast to coast for much of her 19 years of marriage, Joanna and her husband Dave are now settled in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania where she is a busy mom, coach, writer, photographer and administrator (of the family schedule!) Between keeping up with her children’s schedules and coaching with her husband, she finds time to write devotionals and bible studies for women. She grew up in a Christian environment where her family’s faith in God prepared her for life. She came to know the Lord at a very young age which is the basis for continued growth and understanding of who God is and what He has done for her.

After experience her own disillusionment in life, Joanna has a desire for sharing hope and healing for other women who are experiencing the same. Her devotionals focus on the goodness of God in the midst of disillusionment, difficulty, and trials. She writes for two online magazines, Christian Devotions and Catapult Magazine. You can read her message of hope and healing on her blog at www.renewingyourspirit.wordpress.com

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Am I Missing Anything, God?

My blog friend, Lisa Whittle, wrote a while back about a conversation she had with God. Wanting to make sure that she wasn't off the path He was leading, she asked Him, "God, are we tracking"?



Since reading that post of hers, I have probably asked God that a handful of times. The most recent one was a couple of weeks ago.



It was a Thursday and my spirit was down. I started doubting what I'm doing, what I'm supposed to be doing, what I'm saying, if I'm saying the right things, if my life is making a difference, if I'm doing something out of His will. I wasn't depressed but I also wasn't my normal hey, God is good and life is sweet little self either.



I went to bed that night praying, begging, pleading with God to show me that we were still indeed...tracking. I have done things in my life that I thought were "from God" only to find that they were basically about me. The outcome isn't pleasant and oftentimes is followed by weeks, if not months of dealing with shame. And quite frankly, I am just not interested in that.



When I went in to check my email the next morning in my neat and tidy anal-retentive inbox that does not have a single, unread item in it, thankyousokindly, I found an email from a woman. We'll call her Barbara.



Barbara shared her heart with me and all that she'd been through. She opened up her life to me and told me that she had felt so alone. She told me how she wished that God would speak directly to her like He did when He chased Stacy all the way to Texas. She just wanted to hear from God.


A gal that Barbara met at the meeting that night started sharing her story and mentioned that God had ordained her steps and that they led directly to my front porch one evening this past August. Barbara began to shake and was absolutely beside herself. She could not believe that she was sitting with THE Stacy that she'd read about two months earlier on my blog.



And boy did they have themselves a conversation.



As tears were streaming down my face at the end of the email, God spoke as directly to my heart as I've ever heard him. All He said to me was, "Even if it's only one."



It doesn't matter if you write for thousands or only for the handful of gals you have in your Bible study. It doesn't matter if you speak to stadiums full of people or to the thirty-seven teenagers at your church. It doesn't matter if you reach a million people or ten people.


All that matters is that you reach.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Adversity and Destiny


To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NIV)

Have you been side swiped by adversity? I don't mean in a car. I mean in your heart---your life. Something that has stumped your toe--tripped you up.

A storm in your life that may have caused you to run for cover. Only maybe you didn't run for the right Cover.

Think about it for a minute.

What about Job? You know, Job in the Bible. The one who had it all and lost it all... but by the mercy and grace of God, had it all and then some---again!

And what about Joseph. Sold by his brothers into slavery. They thought they'd never see him again. Little did they know---Joseph had a destiny--and God used the adversity in Joseph's life to usher in the destiny-- for the well being of his family.

Okay, those are some men, what about Naomi? She lost her husband and her sons. What did she have. Adversity with a capital "A". But she also had a daughter-in-law that vowed to never leave her side. And God had a plan.

Okay, if those aren't enough, think about Esther. She's on my mind since we've been studying her life. She lost her mom and dad---maybe at the same time, maybe close together---the point is---she lost them both. And being raised by her uncle...well, I call that some adversity. But she also had a destiny. Designed by the Master Designer Himself!

We can go on and on here!

Have you ever considered that the very adversity surrounding you--- may be shaping your life for your destiny? Or, consider that it could be shaping someone else's destiny.

I know. It's hard to imagine that losing a job would play any part at all into shaping up your destiny. But I remember a time when Jeff lost his job. Many years ago when our daughters were very young, Jeff was "let go".

Sound familiar? Well, let's just say he had principles and the boss did not. He wanted Jeff to lie --deceive a fellow employee. He wanted Jeff to do some "dirty work" for him. And Jeff refused. In a nice way of course. But...that ended that. It also ended our income.

I remember distinctly going into the closet in April's room. She was the baby---and had the most space in her closet. I didn't need much space---for I only stood and pounded the wall ---and asked God "why"?

"Why now Lord? Don't you see? We'll have no food! What if we get sick? We won't be able to pay our bills!"

We were Christians. We believed God "could" meet the needs...we just never had to "depend" solely on Him for them. Little did we know that God had a plan.

Looking back at that time, I can't really tell you what we did next--besides pray. I know we prayed. God not only supplied one job, but He supplied two. Two part-time jobs and then soon, very soon, a full time job opened up and Jeff walked in.

As Jeff settled into the new job, he made some friends. One friend was very nice to Jeff and they began to talk daily about the difference in Jeff's life over some of the others that were there. It was not long before Jeff was leading this young man into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Not many months after that, we attended our first A.M.E. Church service as that very same young man preached his first sermon! How glad we were to be a part of that day! And it came about through our adversity. God brought about this man's destiny.

Care to give God what's troubling you? I assure you He can handle the adversity going on in your life right now. Rest in His care. He's assembling all the pieces into your destiny.

And might I say....what a picture it makes!


Photobucket

© The Knightly News 2009.

I'd love your visit at my place! The Knightly News~ Have a blessed day!

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Monday, April 27, 2009

Mama, is it free?

Arriving at the homeless shelter for Bible study, I was greeted with an invitation before even setting foot on the back porch.

"I’m being baptized next Sunday night. Will you come?" Jane* asked.


"How wonderful! I wouldn’t miss it for anything!" I replied.


Jane excitedly shared that she’d accepted Christ as her Savior during Sunday school the previous week at the shelter.


Mary*, another resident, then told the group that she was going to be baptized on the same night. Even though Mary had accepted Christ many years ago, she’d never been baptized.


Then 12-year-old Kristen* informed the group that she’d attended Bible School the previous summer and she’d learned all about Jesus. "And I want to be baptized too."


"Wow - what a night! This is so wonderful." I told the group. And it was. Everyone was excited. Everyone, I soon realized, except for Kristen’s mother.


"Mama, can I? Can I be baptized?"


"You don’t need to be baptized now," Mama responded.


A quiet fell over the group as the little girl’s face drooped with sadness.Kristen crossed her small arms, dropped her head and tried to hold back the tears that were welling up in her big blue eyes.


Even as my heart ached for Kristen, we began our lesson which interestingly enough was on the plan of salvation. We talked about how God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him could have eternal life. We talked about Jesus being the way, the truth and the life and the only way to the Father.


As we talked, the little girl continued to plead her case. "I know that. I learned that in Bible school. Mama, why can’t I be baptized?"


"Hush. We’ll talk about it some other time," Mama said.


Mama had attended Bible study every week since moving into the shelter. She clearly believed in God. But when we talked about the prodigal son returning home and his father not only forgiving him but welcoming him home with open arms, Mama’s head didn’t drop fast enough to conceal the fact that she couldn’t accept that forgiveness for herself.

"Mama, I need to do this. Please?" the little girl begged.


"I said ‘No’," came Mama’s reply.


Wanting to plead this little girl’s case, but knowing I couldn’t, we continued on and talked about the plan of salvation known as the Roman Road.



"There is no one righteous, not even one."


"For all have sinned and fall short

of the glory of God."


"For the wages of sin is death, but the
gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."


"But God demonstrates his love for us in
this:
While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us."


"That if you confess with your mouth,

‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."


"Everyone who calls on the name

of the Lord will be saved."

A simple prayer confessing we are sinners, but that we believe Jesus died for our sins and we want to accept His gift of eternal life is all it takes, I told them. And then the child who had been told "no" so many times because the things she wanted in life cost too much asked, "Well, Mama is it free?"


Silence once again fell over the group that was gathered around the table. Even Mama didn’t have a quick answer to that question. The little girl’s eyes then turned to me. And the answer that sprang from my heart was, "Yes, baby girl, it is free. It is God’s gift to us and it is free to all."


Mama eyes turned to me and I gently held her gaze.


"Mama, why don’t the two of you talk about this later? When the pastor comes by to talk with the ladies who are being baptized, I know he’d be happy to talk with you as well," I said.


"Okay," Mama replied and Kristen’s face broke out in a smile.


The following Sunday evening the baptism of those three was a glorious affair to behold. And even though Mama didn’t attend, a radiant-faced little girl stood in the baptismal waters as she announced that she had accepted the one thing in life that is truly free to us all, the gift of Jesus Christ as her Savior.
* Names changed


Father, thank you for the gift of eternal life that is free to all who call on your name.






I'd love to have you visit at http://www.inspirationfrommayberry.com/.




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Sunday, April 26, 2009

High Horses

I can’t stand high horses, so why do I consistently climb up on mine? Maybe I just like the view? Who knows.


My latest high horse adventure was just the other day when a dear girlfriend mentioned she’d run into a mutual friend – we’ll call him J. And J’s not just any mutual friend, but one who’d been at the center of a church scandal. I won’t go into details, but J left the ministry over the scandal.


When my girlfriend told me about running into J and how they’d talked, I huffed (as you can only do when you’re up on that high horse) and reminded her of all his failures. She went on to tell me about what was happening in J’s life and I huffed again and said “can’t believe you’re so gracious after everything that happened.” And then she said “well, I’m not one to judge after all we’ve been through.”


WHAMO! that hit me right between the eyes. My girlfriend was quick to say “not that you’re being judgmental.” But I was being judgmental, she was just being kind. I was right up on top of my high horse thinking because J’s sin was on display for all to see, hear and talk about that made him worse than me. It doesn’t. It just makes him a better target.


I don’t know J’s heart, but I sure know mine. I was acting proud and arrogant. I was thinking that deadly thought “Lord, at least I’m not as bad as J (or K or L or whatever letter your person is.)” I was full of pride; I was minimizing my sins and maximizing the sins of others. Sin is sin. And I’m definitely not one to judge anyone – kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.


All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23


All have sinned – that includes me why up here on my high horse. The Lord used the humble heart of my girlfriend to speak volumes to my spirit. I've prayed for a humble spirit and I've asked the Lord to make me realize when I'm being proud. He did.


Over the last many months, I’ve claimed several verses and worked to apply them to my life. One is:

Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up. James 4:10


This past year has been a blast – it’s been a roller coaster of an adventure from incredibly wonderful and fun to confusing and sad. It’s been one amazing adventure with the Lord and it comes on the heels of one of the most difficult times I’ve experienced in my Christian life. I’m just humbled that the Lord has blessed me in so very many ways and He just continues to do so while I’m acting all self –righteous up on that high horse.


Why is it so very easy to see the sins of others and not the ones that I commit? Believe me, it’s a full time job just asking for forgiveness from all of my sins– I have plenty to keep me busy.


Remember those verses I’ve claimed. Here is another:


But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6


More grace to the humble. I need more grace. I need all the grace I can get my hands on. It is grace that saved my soul (Eph 2:10) and grace that set me free from the chains of sin (Romans 6:14). This is the grace I live under and it’s the grace that J lives under, too. This is the grace that covers our sins whether they’re known all over town or a secret only known by you.


Just because my name isn’t on everyone’s lips and my transgressions aren’t the topic of the day, doesn’t mean I don’t need that same grace. I do. I, too, fall short of the glory of God. Daily.

So for now, I’ll stay off the high horse and work on humbling myself before the Lord. He’s my joy and my strength. And when J comes to mind again (or up in conversation), I’ll remember to pray for him. Maybe he will do the same for me.


And I hope to put that high horse out to pasture -- for good.


In Him,





Come by and visit my blog, Joy Filled Living

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

Café Chat April 25, 2009


Today we will look at the other spiritual discipline I wrote about in last week’s Café Chat question. Last week I wrote, “There are several spiritual disciplines that help us grow closer to Jesus, but I think the two most important disciplines in our spiritual walks are prayer and reading and studying God’s Holy Word. We can grow spiritually through other spiritual disciplines, but without the two disciplines above we will only grow just a little. As Christians we want to bear much fruit for Christ, and grow stronger in our love for Him daily.”

I asked questions about prayer last week, and today I want to ask the same questions about reading God’s Word (Bible). Although I suppose that some of our answers might be similar to last week’s answers, I think there may be some differences with this spiritual discipline.
On a scale of 1-10, with a 10 representing the strongest, rate how you do with reading and studying the Bible. Why did you rate yourself as you did?

If you are struggling with reading God’s Word, make a list of possible stumbling blocks.

Make a list of how we can grow closer to Jesus through the reading and studying of God’s Word.

I am hoping that we will encourage each other again this week through answering this question. Thank you so much for your answers last week; I need to go back and read them again.

Your sister in Christ, Kim



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Access to the Excess

Deuteronomy 30:6 (New International Version)
“The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.”


I’m the kind of girl who gets a paper cut and is sure gangrene is setting in. Perhaps it has to do with all of the war games I was subject to as a little child with two younger brothers. Or perhaps it has to do with the fact that when you have two younger yet much stronger brothers you live life thinking, “This could be my last day.” I haven’t quite figured it out yet.

What I have figured out is rather simple: I don’t like pain.

The problem with my deep dislike for pain is my supreme stubbornness. This presented quite a dilemma for my brothers during most sibling activities growing up. To this day, if one of my brothers bends my hands back in an effort to make me say “uncle” I would rather my fingers break off one by one than forfeit and whisper that dreaded word. I don’t like pain but I disdain losing more.

Hence my puzzling relationship with the Lord. You see, for years, it was my belief that if one loves Christ that one not only lives pain-free but also lives in constant scoreboard brilliance.

You can imagine my horror when sickness came knocking on my door and I seemed to experience loss after loss. Now picture my sincere confusion when I felt the Lord telling me it was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn His decrees! (Psalm 119:71)

Deuteronomy 30:6 tells us, “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants…” The Message Bible says, “GOD, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts…”

A few years ago this verse was the motto of my life. I’d wake up in the morning and it would be running through my mind. I just knew something was being ‘cut out’ and let me tell you, the process was anything but enjoyable. So, I’d walk around with this knowing that something was being cut out but without the understanding of why I felt so uncomfortable!

It wasn’t until a friend of mine boldly spoke, “Kristen, circumcision hurts!” that everything began to click! How could I have missed that? Circumcision of the heart just like circumcision of the flesh hurts! Seriously intrigued I spoke this to the Lord and I felt Him nodding in approval. The process was going to hurt a bit.

The Israel of Deuteronomy had a stubborn issue just like me. Actually, again and again in Scripture there are accounts of God telling the people their hearts needed to be circumcised. Acts 7:51 pinpoints the excess issue: “You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]!”

Do not forget Christ is about activity. Any time we get complacent and stagnant He is sure to swoop in with the breath of His Spirit and begin actively torching house. I love this Acts 7 treasure, it’s almost as if Christ is speaking, “You stubborn girl! Stop actively resisting me!”

Which brings me to my next questions: What would happen if we actively allowed Christ access to the excess areas of our hearts? What if we dropped our notions of pain-free/touchdown dance Christianity and embraced Christ’s scalpel-like precision work?

I cannot beg you more to check out Deuteronomy 30:6 for yourself. The next piece of the verse answers our questions of why. Why, Jesus, are you cutting away the excess? Why are you allowing circumstances of pain to remove my stubbornness? Why is this lesson necessary?

“So that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” The Message version, again, speaks with such awesome accuracy, “freeing you to love GOD, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live.”

I challenge us to lay down our pre-conceived impressions of who Christ should be and stop resisting the work of the Spirit. Let us with unveiled faces approach Him and in humility welcome His open heart surgery.

Speaking from experience, there is no life I would rather live than this life of devoted love in whole heart and soul. This is real life…not some distant idea of what it should be. Only Christ could cut the excess of my heart away and somehow manage to make more room for Himself.

I pray He will operate on you as well.



Kristen writes daily at {dancing} in the margins and also at Exemplify Online. She welcomes you to stop by!

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Friday, April 24, 2009

It Was Worth Shoutin' About

I recently had the privilege of attending the Extraordinary Women's Conference here in Baton Rouge (thank you, Susan) and sit under the teachings of Thelma Wells - she said we can call her Mama T. ;)

Mama T was without a doubt the one who spoke to my heart the most. She walked on stage, joy permeating from her very being, and she was sporting an ensemble from Wally World (you know the place). The theme of the conference was "Free To Be Real" and let's just say God provided lots of examples for the speakers with the experiences they had just 48 hours prior to the conference. Don't you just love it when He does that? You see, the airport had lost her luggage and everything she brought along for the trip was gone for the moment. She also had a loooonnnngggg layover from Dallas to New Orleans. In fact, she was rerouted to another state before she could get to LA and even then she had to fly into Lafayette. So when she finally arrived at 2 AM the night before she was scheduled to speak, she set off to go shopping at the 24 hour discount store.

Did she seem on edge? Strangely, not a bit.

She said she started to get into a tizzy but then she decided to just rest in God's peace. She said she had every reason to exhaust herself with negative emotions but she just wasn't going to give the devil that foothold.

"Every decision you make goes through a filter. We call that filter the Holy Spirit."
Mama T
That is some words of wisdom y'all.

I admit that I have made some pretty rotten decisions even after hearing the Holy Spirit instructing me to do otherwise. Emotions, flesh, peer pressure, and judgment were all allowed in to sway me. I got a breakthrough as Mama T spoke.

Jesus says,

"But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."
John 4:14

"If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."
John 7:38
As she spoke I recalled these scriptures and I envisioned myself cooking my favorite soup. Full of lots of flavorful components but having to be drained for those who need healing from illness. I had just done this weeks ago when we all shared our strep throat so the memory was vivid in my mind. As I poured the soup through the strainer all of the particles and chunky things that seemed so appealing were held back. Only the shimmery liquid passed through. With it went all of the vitamins, minerals, and probiotics - the healing components.

Sometimes life is like that. Plans don't go our way. Obstacles come and we must choose how we will react. We can either chew on those seemingly appealing bits of chicken and celery (emotions, flesh, peer pressure, and judgment) or sip on what brings life.

When you use the Holy Spirit as a filter for all of your decisions, you receive life. Thanks, Mama T and praise you, Jesus!



I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: Amy Bayliss.com

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Thursday, April 23, 2009

My Savior

Elaine Bateman and her

Did you know that almost half a year has gone by already? Recently, as I was taking a very small break during my ever so very busy schedule in the Bateman household, I came to realize that the older I get the faster time goes by!

As memories of my life were flashing back and forth, the thought of my Savior Jesus Christ consistent love for me overcame me with so much emotion and gratitude!

This has been a long journey with Him. One thing has always remained the same and that is Him! The Rock!

Don't get me wrong, He has had to deal with this stubborn and unwilling vessel many times yet He never gave up on me, ever! He is forever faithful, kind, loving. He is my shelter and my best friend.

All along that highway of up's and down's, persecutions, criticisms, murder of my dear father, rape of a daughter, death of children, divorce, loss of closeness of family, loss of home, loss of best friends, remarriage, step-parenting, death threats, adoption, time of refreshing, and right now a time of loveliness in Christ, He has never moved and remains the same!

What a friend! What a Savior!

2 Samuel 22:32-35

For Who is God, except the Lord? And Who is a Rock except our God? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places."

You see my Savior knew I was that vessel that needed a lot of breaking and pruning for me to lay everything down at His feet in order to focus on Him and Him alone. He loved me that much! He sought after me! The awesomeness of this truth overwhelms me at times as it did a few days back during my break!

2 Samuel 22:47-50

The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! It is God who avenges me, And subdues the people under me. He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your Name.

"My Savior Loves my Savior Lives"

...I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned. I only know at His right hand, stands One Who is my Savior. I take Him at His Word and deed. Christ died to save me this I read. And in my heart I find a need. For one who is my Savior. My Savior loves! My Savior lives! My Savior is always there for me! My God He was! My God He is! My God is always going to be! Yes live and die and let me breathe ....

Close and Personal:

1. Is He your Savior? Your best friend?

2. Have you taken time to sit and ponder on all that He has brought you through?

3. Have you shared it with others as an encouragement?

My dearest Savior, I want to take time today to exalt you your Holy name! Thank you Lord for knowing me forever! Knowing that I would have to be a broken vessel before realizing how much you wanted my total attention and devotion, my Lord! I love you, my Savior!

In Him,

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

...But NOW I see!





Then the two told what had happened on the road and how He had become known to them in the breaking of the matzah. ~ Luke 24:35

before we go further?Imagine now, walking along life's road. Unbelieving. Downcast. Without understanding. Confused. Despondent.Imagine now the Resurrected Yeshua is walking alongside you. Unrecognized, but there nonetheless.Does this describe you today? Have you grown uncertain of your place in life? Have you lost your purpose?



Friend, it no longer has to be the case, for the Risen Mashiach has Bread that will open your eyes to your place and purpose.Two traveled the road to Amma'us after being dealt a hard blow. Their Savior had perished three days prior. Their hopes of being freed from Roman bondage were now dashed at the finality of their Redeemer's death. How could they go on? What purpose was there now for their lives?


Their Mashiach was no longer part of their escape plan. Or was He?


We simply do not see things in our life the way our Lord does. And unless we put ourselves in the position of dining and reclining with Him in fellowship, we cannot see as He sees.The truth is that we have the things of this world constantly set before our eyes contending for our every attention. And unless we make the time and deliberate effort to come apart, close our eyes (even briefly) to the world and gaze upon El Elyon, we shall remain blinded by the present world's system.



Unless we choose life, we will not have life. Unless we quiet the clanging cymbals of the world and close our eyes to the worthless worldly images that have set themselves up against HaSHEM, we will have chosen death. Consequentially, our hearts grow dull. However, isn't it completely glorious that the two who walked with Yeshua AFTER HIS RESURRECTION on the road to Amma'us did not even recognize who He was until they reclined with Him? Yeshua then took the Bread, broke It, gave It to them and they ate. Behold, their eyes were opened!They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn inside us as He spoke to us on the road, opening up the Tanakh to us?" ~ Luke 24:32




The two could not let this Man get away just moments before, even though He had called them 'foolish people'! They knew there was something about His Presence. They invited Him into their home to stay 'for it's almost evening, and it's getting dark', they said.



After their eyes had been opened, they realized that their hearts had burned as He had spoken opening up the Tanakh to them along the road. The road was Amma'us. The Hebrew word meaning is 'Hot Spring'.



Yes, indeed! The Hot Springs of Living Water had begun to bubble up within them for sure!



To choose LIFE, then, is to choose to SIT before Him. HE has already prepared the Matzah (Word) and has already made the B'rakhah (Blessing).



Yeshua the Guest had become Yeshua the Host! He does that.



It was to the lukewarm fellowship of Laodicea (not unbelievers) that He said...


Here, I'm standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with Me. ~ Revelation 3:20


This lukewarm fellowship were as blind (Revelation 3:18) as the Two on the Road to Amma'us.



He is knocking. Invite Him in! But by all means, do not forget to recline at His Table after He has entered!



Sit down. Fellowship. Recline. Receive the Bread He gives. Then, and only then, shall we worship in Spirit and Truth with eyes open wide!


'And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the words spoken to her from the Lord.' ~ Luke 1:45


Carmen would love your company at Women Of the WORD.


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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Friendship: Longevity vs. Habitual


The Internet Cafe Welcomes Bo Park today!

As we get older, the topic of friendship becomes much more complex. When we were younger, friends were made based on various "cool" factors, status quo, and basically anyone who was willing to hang out with us in our tender years of physical insecurities. In our mid 20's, friendship becomes more about longevity, rather habitual friendship-making due to mutual friends. It's about our friendship becoming the bedrock in our times of calamities. Friends we can lean on and trust in.

I think it's vital as strong spiritual women that we begin the process of connecting with people we believe we will live a long life with. A local pastor once referenced friendship much like a bank account. We must deposit into the friendship, but the problem is a lot of us withdraw before we begin to deposit.

God tell us to choose our friends wisely; that the righteous should be cautious and intentionally choose his friends. Almost every friend we have is due to circumstance, not by purposeful intent. But I think at this time in our lives, we should be more particular about who we're friends with because we're all aware of the impact our friends have in our lives. They help us grow, and we mold one another. With foolish friends, you become foolish; with wise friends, you become wise. Proverbs 13:20 tells us exactly that.

He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.

God also says, "Swear to your own herd and change not." Another reason why we should choose our friends is because once we do, we communicate a commitment that we have established a friendship with them. It holds great meaning to become friends with someone. You hold responsibility. So once that non-verbal commitment is made, it's yours to uphold and up-keep. A friendship should be honest and deliberate; it shouldn't be there because it feels nice, because in the end, it serves no real purpose.

As much time and effort it takes into building a friendship that will last, it also takes just as much effort to break a friendship that has no real purpose in edifying your life. Are there certain people in your life that bring discouragement more than encouragement? Are you able to hold hands with your closest girl friends and say, "hey, let's pray about that"? If you're weighing the pros and cons, seek God's words for peace; and if you must, seek discernment and courage to say, "I don't think this is going to work out."

God, we thank you that you are the author of all relationships. We glorify you for being our rock in our times of calamities and hardship. Give us the courage to step out and cut off the arm that causes us to sin. Help us to be bold in choosing the men and women you want us to be involved with to find encouragement from. You are perfect relationships; help us to perfect ours.


In Him,

Bo S. Park

After many years of rejecting God, I finally answered His consistent knocking after hitting rock bottom—literally—at the bottom of a beer bottle. I abused alcohol for majority of my high school and college life. I had no one to guide me, encourage me, and have a positive impression on me in my years of adolescence. I had enough—I ran from my problems straight into His arms. For many years after my last drink, I sought His love on my own and have been renewed, restored, and redeemed. Life is—by no means—grand, but I have the love of my Savior and I couldn’t be any more at peace. I seek Him daily; I renew myself in His word daily, and I am determined to help women of all ages find their ‘secret place’ with God, our Prince of Peace.

http://bosulie.wordpress.com/

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Monday, April 20, 2009

Separate and Together

"THEY" predicted they wouldn't make it.

In fact they insisted on it.

The folks at the nursery urged us not to buy the trees. When we insisted, they urged us to "save the receipt," because of the certainty that we would be bringing back the dead trees for a refund.

They were right.

Sort of.

One of the trees did succumb to the cold, but the other one has a mind of her own.

At the end of the driveway sits an unassuming little tree, but for one GLORIOUS week that tree fills the air with what I consider to be one of God's greatest smells. (that and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies)

Just the other day, I smiled to see those teeny tiny purple blooms ready to break open and each day I walked over to see, rather smell, and then when I least expected it, it happened,

They BURST OPEN!

As God tends to do, He revealed so much to me in those tiny, fragrant blooms.

That is really what they are....little tiny blooms, which on their own, smell nice.

I know because I pulled one off to smell it on its own. Apparently, so did most of the members of my family, for I've found little lilac flowers lying in unlikely places around my house.

I cut off a bouquet of the lilac branches and brought them inside, filled a glass jar and placed them beside the kitchen sink. Everyone who walked into the kitchen this week has commented on the "amazing" scent. The scent of those lilacs was unbelievable and for 7 glorious days, I was given a marvelous gift.

Then it occurred to me. The lilac flower on it's own was simply nice. It was the lilac flowers all together, resting on the branch that made the greatest impact. And thus the lightbulb went off!

This IS how Christ wants HIS church to be. He even tells us so!




"All of you TOGETHER are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27 (TLB)



Each of us comes to the body as a flower, with a scent of our own, but when we unite TOGETHER, those separate individuals become ONE in that body of Christ.

I smiled.

God is so gracious to surround us with messages that we need to reinforce right where we are. It just so happens that we are a part of a plant church right now, and this message was not only timely, but profound for me.

A teeny tiny flower that would go unnoticed, if not for it's scent. The impact of those teeny tiny flowers when united and connected.... were so much MORE than they could ever be on their own!

My only wish is that I could somehow insert a "scratch and sniff" pod onto my screen and you could "smell" for yourself! The message is for each of us who are part of the Body of Christ, alone we are beautiful and perfect, but together we can impact that goes farther than we could EVER imagine.

Now that is a scent that is pleasing to God!

"Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God...a life giving perfume."
2Corinthians 2:15

We ARE one body, and we do not stand alone.











Join Lori daily at her personal blogspot, where at the very least, she tries daily to see or smell the messages God has placed so graciously in her path.

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Sunday, April 19, 2009

A Masterpiece In His Hands



A few weeks ago some friends invited us to see a powerful husband and wife ministry called “The Potter's Field”. This couple travels all over the US and abroad to share their amazing testimony of how God broke them and remade them into what they are today. What makes their story so unique is the fact that the husband, Micheal, had been a skilled potter long before he was saved. He now uses those skills to illustrate and teach biblical lessons, making them come alive right on stage!

My first thought was this should be a really interesting presentation. I've never sat and watched a potter make pottery in person. But little did I know it was going to be so much more. We got to hear the story of Jeremiah taught in such a powerful way as Micheal designed that vase right in front of our eyes.

When he started to make the pot it was only a lump of clay in the center of the wheel. It was so interesting to watch the techniques he used as he poured water on the clay and constantly pushed and pulled both inside and out with all his strength. I was amazing as I watched how many times he wrapped his hands and arms around that clay. Spin after spin it began to change and transform before our very eyes. In the end, it hardly took any pressure at all to shape it because it had become so soft and pliable.

Isn't it wonderful that God teaches us so many lessons by using the familiar, common, and ordinary things that are all around us? When God called Jeremiah down to the Potter's house that day, I'm sure he was wondering, "What is God trying to teach me now?"

I was thinking the same thing as I sat there in the service that night watching and listening. Yes, God revealed some deep things to me that night, and I would like to share some of them with you today.

The first thing that got my attention was how plain and ordinary that lump of clay was when he started. I could not begin to envision the beautiful pot that it was destined to become in the end. I felt so grateful that God is able to see way beyond our present sinful and fallen nature. His plan is to mold us into the image of His beautiful Son. We must ask God to help us to see ourselves as He sees us, not the way we are right now. God sees the finished work! Can you?

The next thing that struck me was the way he wrapped his arms and even pressed the clay against his body. He was intimately involved in the process of making that pot. Gosh, he got so dirty and there was clay all over him by the time he finished. He continually rubbed, shaped and formed the clay as the wheel spun around and around. As I watched, I felt a little ashamed when I remembered all the times I've walked through difficulties and trials, and thought that God was so distant. Yet all the while, He was right there with His arms around me holding me so close. Truly He is so faithful and has promised never to leave or forsake us.

And then there was the water. As the pot kept spinning on the wheel, he was constantly pouring water over it as he molded the clay. He shared how like the water on the clay God’s Word washes us, and how it is used to soften and transform our hearts. It exposes the hard lumps, which can then be easily removed. Without the Water of the Word we will become


dry,

hard

and unpliable.


But as we surrender to the Potter’s hand and allow Him to pour the Water over our lives, He is able to shape us into a beautiful vessel of honor. One made in the very image of His precious son, Jesus.
Something to ponder:

Are you willing to yield to God’s powerful touch in your life today?

Will you allow Him to take charge of your life, make you and mold you into the image He sees fit?

The choice is yours.






Join Susan daily at her personal blog,










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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Café Chat April 18, 2009


So many of the questions I write weekly are inspired by my life circumstances, and today’s question will follow suit. This week’s question will require you to “judge” yourself in a particular spiritual discipline, and then offer the community suggestions and encouragement about how we can grow stronger with this discipline.

There are several spiritual disciplines that help us grow closer to Jesus, but I think the two most important disciplines in our spiritual walks are prayer and reading and studying God’s Holy Word. We can grow spiritually through other spiritual disciplines, but without the two disciplines above we will only grow just a little. As Christians we want to bear much fruit for Christ, and grow stronger in our love for Him daily.
On a scale of 1-10, with a 10 representing the strongest, rate your current prayer life. Why did you rate yourself as you did?

If you are struggling with your prayer life, make a list of possible stumbling blocks to a more intimate prayer life with Jesus.

Make a list of how we can grow closer to Jesus in our prayer life as well.

I am hoping that we will encourage each other this week through answering this question. I cannot wait to read your answers, and have a wonderful week with the Lord.

Your sister in Christ, Kim



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Whisperer, Gossip, Blabbermouth....Not So Pretty!


Please Welcome Estermay Bentley-Goossen back to the Cafe!!

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of a life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men [and women], who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers [and sisters], this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
- James 3:6-11 (NIV)

For a long as I can remember I have avoided deep relationships with other women. Women can be the cruelest of creatures. Really I think it dates back to Genesis Chapter 3. There is something in us that broke that day. Something we continually have to struggle against. It seems to be in the very core of our being to pit one another against each other. And what is so very sad is that we see it in churches as readily as the secular workplace.



Women have always been the most deadly critics of other women. They know how to wound with precision. They know how to judge. They know how to look another woman over from head to toe, inside and out, and then make a diagnosis of all the ills they have found. Why do we do that? Is it so that we don’t have to look at ourselves? Is it because we are jealous creatures? Is it because we have not learned how to love one another?

Proverbs 18:8 (NIV) says that

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”

In essence this means that it’s just part of our sinful nature to have an appetite for gossip. In a lot of ways gossip can be the single most destructive force in the Body of Christ. It is the most uncomplicated way Satan can use people already in the church to destroy the Church.

Why is it that women so often spearhead this type of slander? Men don’t seem to have the same capacity for gossip as women. Without even meaning to sometimes it seems we start talking innocently enough, and then we notice a look or a raised eyebrow and we find ourselves discussing someone that we simply shouldn’t be. So often it is done with a cloak of concern. “Did you hear about so-and-so, isn’t it a shame.” And the sad thing is that we often fool ourselves into believing that we are simply talking out of concern, not gossip! But, gossip masquerading as “concern” can and does turn into a far more decisive tool. . . a tool that Satan very much enjoys to see used in God’s Church.

We are all guilty to some degree. I am ashamed to admit I like to know what is going on. I tend to cloak my concern under the “so I can pray for it” attitude instead of leaving well enough alone! But,

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a [wo]man who talks too much.”

~ Proverbs 20:19 NIV

I like how the Message depicts it:

“Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths.”

Wow! The scorn in that illustration: “blabbermouths!” The images that come to mind are so not pretty. Are you picturing anyone in particular?

. . . Are you picturing yourself?

One of the hardest things to do as women is to not to listen to gossip. Really. When someone starts talking about someone else we really need to simply shut our ears and tell that person to change the subject. But how hard is that?! In doing so, we are opening ourselves up to ridicule from the gossiper. After all, we already know that person is more than willing to discuss other people with whomever!

People want desperately for others to think the same way they do…to have the same opinions about people and situations. And as the relational creatures we are, it is so easy to simply listen, telling ourselves that we won’t pass along the information, therefore what harm is it doing? But like it or not we are letting the dirt into our minds and hearts and allowing someone else’s opinions to shape what we are thinking. As women we are susceptible to this sin. As Christians, we must guard our hearts in this matter.

One of the areas I’ve never really been sure how to handle is gossip among a group of unbelievers. With a group of Christian women, they at least know this is something they should not be doing and you have the inerrancy of Scripture as a foundation.
But, non-Christians are not guided by the same principles. Gossip in the secular world is common and it’s acceptable. Is it enough in these situations to lead by example, not participating, not gossiping and changing the subject quickly? Or should we be bolder?

And what do you do if you sense that unbelievers are among a group of believers and that their chit-chat is more malicious than it appears? Do you simply remove yourself or do you do more? (You answer.)

Here’s a call to all women hurt by and affected by gossip:

Find your joy in Christ, not other women.

Female companionship is certainly a blessing. Imagine your life without it for an instant. (Okay, time’s up.)

We’d go loopy!

But we will fail one another. Believe me. We will say hurtful things. We will be thoughtless and inconsiderate and selfish and tactless and unkind. We will make judgments; and we will be neglectful. We will not love and cherish one another as we should.

But we are – and will always be -- loved and cherished nevertheless. By Another. Jesus, our Savior!

I’ve been in church my entire life. I’ve served in some capacity of ministry for over 40 years.
I grew up a preacher’s kid. Today, I am the preacher’s wife. I can say with absolute certainly -- and alongside many others I am sure – that Christians will be the people who will most let you down in this world.

As Christians, we expect more from each other. We expect better. We should – however -- know better.

It is Christ alone that we must look to for affirmation. Only HE can fulfill us.

Jesus: I confess that -- by my very nature -- I have been gripped by gossip. I pray that Your Spirit would convict me of this and teach me when to keep my mouth quiet. I pray that Your Spirit would nudge me when I need to stop listening to chit-chat. And help me to understand -- in a way more overpowering than ever before – that only YOUR companionship can truly satisfy the deepest needs of my heart.

Amen.


Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

The Heart of a Pastor’s Wife

http://theheartofapastorswife.blogspot.com

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