Over Thinking--Hmm, Can We Do That?

I'm a thinker. It's how I'm wired. Oh, of course, I laugh and cry and what-not, but when it comes to processing anything, it goes through an extensive system of thought.

Pipes of pondering, I'd say. Thoughts about one concept, problem, or anything really, can travel down the pipes of my mind for days, if not weeks!

Nothing wrong with thinking through things. Nothing wrong with having an inquisitive mind. Nothing wrong with the way I'm wired by God....unless, I let it turn into what Joyce Meyer called "excessive reasoning."

You see, one of my greatest strengths is the fact that I'm a thinker. However, I'm realizing it can be one of my greatest weaknesses. I can become obsessed with an idea or problem, to the point that it can wreck my faith.


Joyce put it this way.

Reasoning occurs when we try to figure out the "why" or "how" behind something. When we reason excessively, our minds revolve around and around a problem as we try to understand it, which causes a whirlwind of worry and confusion.

This one really got me.

As soon as you become confused, you have left off pondering and gone into excessive reasoning.

Yep, that can most certainly be me. Here's what God says on the whole thing.

...a mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

That is a great measuring verse for us. If our minds are full of chaos and confusion, then we need to let God control them. It is work and requires us learning how to settle down and believe. I know this is something I'm going to have to work on for sure. I guess I should say, it's something I'm going to let the Spirit work on in me.

I'll try not to think about it too much. ;)

Natalie

Find me at my blog!

The World Didn't Stop For My Broken Heart

And I wondered why.

I wondered why everybody seemed to be able to go about their merry way, doing their normal activities, thinking their normal thoughts when I was just trying to get my bearings for a new season in life that would not include my father.

That was almost 20 years ago. And, just recently my husband had to walk the road of losing his father.

Death is part of life and is inevitable, just like taxes. So, why do we get surprised when someone departs from this earth especially after living on it for nearly 80 years?

Pain, I suppose. Change, probably. A new normal, absolutely.

Regardless of the sadness my husband, his mother, his five siblings and the rest of us are enduring, I can guarantee you this: We are not grieving as those who don't have hope.

We all know Whom we have believed in. We know Who holds the future in His very capable hands. We know that His Spirit will comfort us like no person or possession ever could.

Wherever you are, whatever you've been through, whatever you will walk through in the future...God loves you and wants the best for you.

Of this, I can promise.

The Search For Significance

"I'm fat,"

"I'm ugly,"

"I'm too old,"

"I'm too young,"

"I can't compare to her,"

"Why would he marry someone like me?"

"I'm a bad mother,"

"I'll never be good enough"...Shall I go on?

How many of us hear these words echo in our heads on any given day? Multiple times per day? Every moment?

I know this negative self talk is something I struggle with, thankfully, not as much as I used to. These are lies that we tell ourselves. Sadly, some of these lies have been instilled from the time we are very young.

For many women, we grow up thinking that our worth comes from how thin we are, how shiny our hair is, what parties we get invited to or how good our grades are. Later, as adults, we think (or are told) our worth comes from how well our children do in school, how clean our houses are, how much money is in our bank accounts or what brand purse we carry or what car we drive.

We strive to outdo our neighbors. Unfortunately, this behavior isn't limited to non-Christian women. How many of you strive to bring the best dish to the church's potluck, or sell the most cookies at the youth-group bake sale? How many of us triple check our children before leaving for church, making sure they look "just right"...and who among us clean our homes above and beyond our typical routine when we know the pastor's wife is coming over, or the ladies from church? (I know my husband gets excited when the ladies from our church come over because I go crazy with cleaning and the house becomes spotless and smells of fresh bread and cookies!) And don't get me started on how we really over do it at the holidays only to weep silently in the bathroom out of exhaustion - or because the turkey was dry?

Why do we do this to ourselves!?


Why is it that we constantly feel the need for reassurance that we are good enough?

Why do we feel that value needs to come from some outside source - mirrors, friends, family, children...etc. I struggled for so many years with the search for significance; looking to everyone and everything for validation of who I was - searching for someone or something to "define" me, to give me worth, to say, "Yes! You are needed! Yes! You have worth! Yes you are loved!"

Every path I walked down in search for answers lead to some form of destruction - alcoholism, depression, illness followed me as I wandered farther and father down the path which could have lead to what often stems from such an ego-centric journey...that is, self-destruction.


That was until I found the answer to my never-ending quest for significance - I learned that I was a child of God! I learned that I was made for a purpose - His purpose. I learned that I was loved - SO loved, in fact, that God Himself gave up His only Son so tht I might be forgiven for my sins (John 3:16). I learned that I didn't need to be "good enough" on my own merit - that I was already good enough because I am His daughter! (Ephesians 1:14) I learned that it didn't matter that I had done things that were so incredibly sinful because through Christ's selfless act of love, His death, His sacrifice, I was made new and that my sins were erased - a clean slate! (II Corinthians 5:17) By coming to faith in Jesus Christ, I was given a purpose - to be a servant, to do whatever it is that God Himself wants me to do - What greater purpose is there than that!

"The Bible tells us that, 'while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8). In fact, we 'were dead in trespasses and sins' (Ephesians 2:1). What worth is there in dead things? None. God imputed to us His own righteousness (II Corinthians 5:21) not because we were worth of it, but because we were unworthy, unlovable, and unable to make ourselves worthy in any way. But - and here's the miracle - He actually loved us in spite of our condition (John 3:16), and because He did, we now have infinite worth."

How awesome it is, and what a relief, to know that we do not have to be good enough on our own merrit!

Whew!

I, for one, am happy to know that my worth isn't determined by my husbands ironed (or not!) work shirts, or the dust bunnies on top of my ceiling fan, or the extra weight I need to lose or even my college degrees.


Instead, my worth comes from knowing that I am a child of God - chosen before the world began as His daughter, made worthy by His death on the cross - justified by faith, made whole by His love!


It is my prayer that while your children are running around the grocery store, or when your bread burns, or after the scale gives you news you don't want to see or during times when you feel less than lovable, that you remember that you are a child of God, made in His image (Genesis 1:25-27), fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:13-16).


Hold your head up high, woman of God!


Look each day in the face and say, "Today I will walk each step with confidence knowing that I have worth and that I have a purpose; to use the gifts God has given me to serve the best purpose there is, His purpose. I will keep my ears open to His voice, my eyes open for opportunities to serve and my heart open to love others, and be loved in return. My value is given to me through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - and no other." How awesome to know that our search for significance ended the moment we said, "Yes" to Christ! Now go out and celebrate who you are in Christ! Give praise to Him who delivered you from what could have been a never-ending and pain filled empty journey of self-hatred. Praise to the truth - the truth that set you free!

"Windshield Stalker"

Do you ever peek in people's windshields as they drive by?

Do you notice their faces as they hurry to get somewhere?

I have to admit, I am a "windshield stalker."

I am an avid people watcher. I wonder about their "stories." I notice when someone looks sad or stressed out.

So....I look in every window that passes me by.

Sometimes I pray for a person that looks sad or angry.

Sometimes I pray that I would have an attitude of person who is joyfully smiling through the windshield.

Sometimes I pray for protection of the person speeding by too quickly!

I have been so blessed by praying for these "strangers" God has placed in my path. Sometimes, though, it is tempting to feel frustrated that I didn't do "enough".......or say "enough."

But, I heard Joyce Meyer share a similar story recently. When she was shopping, a clerk said something to her and she regretted not "correcting" her with the Truth. She felt that she had missed an "opportunity." God reminded her, though, that she had the OPPORTUNITY to pray for that woman!

I sometimes regret not opening my mouth and saying more or doing more, but this was revelation that I AM! I have the opportunity to pray for that lonely person sitting on a bench...the grouchy salesclerk....the receptionist....the passerby in the next car.

I have the privilege to pray for people that may NEVER again have someone praying for them.

And then......

God DOES call us to DO things for those who are hurting.

The Holy Spirit has shown me lately how important it is to have open eyes, listening ears, and a willing heart. In one day, God laid on my heart several people to reach out and "touch."

"Email a friend to let her know how great her husband has been doing in youth ministry."

"Don't just delete that informational email. Take a few minutes to reply to the busy church leader, letting her know you appreciate all of the work she has been doing in women's ministry."

"Send a card to a friend who has been going through a tough time."

"Spend a few minutes talking to the clerk at the dry cleaners."

"Pray for this person that keeps coming to your mind."

God gives us this incredible opportunity to pray for others, even strangers. We don't always know what someone is going through, or dealing with. We may never know the eternal ramifications that a simple email, spiritually timed, may have.

I love the song, "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath.

Ponder some of the lyrics with me.

"Give me Your eyes for just one second. Give me Your eyes so I can see...everything that I keep missing. Give me Your eyes for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted...the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so that I can see. I want a second glance. So give me a second chance.....to see the way You've seen the people all along."

Oh, Lord, that is the cry of my heart! How I want to see people the way You see them! I don't want to be too busy that I pass by without noticing. I don't want to miss the lonely, the hurting, the overwhelmed, the broken...

....."Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." -Matthew 25:37-40

Father, help me to "see" people with Your eyes. Help me to listen better to people and really hear what they are saying. Help me to keep my mouth closed until Your Spirit prompts me to open it and then speak what YOU want me to say! Lord, help me to always remember to pray for those you place before me. I love You, Lord! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

To watch a response video of Brandon Heath's song, click HERE.

I would love for you to visit me at my personal blog,

Points to Ponder:

Who is God placing in YOUR life to minister to today?

How can you slow down to notice those who are hurting?

A Touch of the Flu?

We are thrilled to welcome Guest Barista Kristy Stachmus to the Cafe today!

Can you have just ‘a touch’ of the Flu?

I don’t know how it is where you live, but flu season is certainly upon us here in Texas. Schools are being closed and doctor’s offices are full. Our household was a most recent victim, when I was called to collect my eldest child from school. I called her doctor’s office straight away. She has gone there since she was three and they were kind enough to work us in for an afternoon appointment.

We arrive to be welcomed by a sign on the door stating, “If your child has any of these symptoms, please advise the office staff so we can provide them with a mask (followed by a list of flu symptoms).” I signed us in, collected a mask, and tried to convince my 11 year old, who is more concerned with fashion than with health, to cover her face by strapping on the mask around each ear. As I sit and wait I listen to all of the children as they sneeze, cough, and snort, all the while my instincts telling me that each and every one has some sort of the flu. I pull out a bottle of hand sanitizer and rub on a few squirts.

After a quick glance from the doctor and a very uncomfortable brain (well, at least really far into the nasal cavity) swab, my GG’s case of the flu is confirmed. A fact I could have diagnosed at home (without a hefty doctor’s bill), since she has each and every symptom presenting. The doctor explains that my child tested positive for type A influenza, which is seasonal flu or the H1N1 virus, and most likely, she has the later since seasonal flu usually shows up later in the winter. Poor baby, her skin is pale, eyes hollow, coughing, aching, stuffy head, vomiting, and fever, fever, fever! She can’t hide it – GG feels terrible and will for several more days.

Then, there’s my youngest child, Joy. She is diagnosed about 24 hours later in the after hours clinic. Yes, she also has the flu, but her lively little personality just shines thru anyway. When you meet her, you quickly learn that she operates on the extremes, even under normal circumstance. So, like her normal “Joy-ful” self she’s running around the house at full speed during her ‘feel good’ hours, then she just sleeps off the fever when it spikes by crashing wherever she lands. Like I said, she’s extreme.



And today, there’s me - maybe I have the flu? I don’t feel good that’s for sure. But, I don’t feel rotten either; Maybe, I just have ‘a touch’ of the flu? Can you have just a touch of the flu? I mean you either have it or you don't, right? And since the possibility of having it, and taking care of the two who definitely do have it, kept me home from church today, I use the time (when the girls are sleeping) to read what I know our bible study group will be reading today: 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV).


This passage was written by a man named Paul. He wrote many of the stories we find in the New Testament and here he writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Like my eldest child (with the full blown flu), Paul has a ‘full blown’ case of Christianity. Paul never had “just a touch” of Jesus. He was confidently filled with The Spirit of Jesus, prominently exhibiting every symptom of a changed life.

Though Paul was once a persecutor of Christians, when he allowed Christ to work in his life, he would never again show varying extremes. He was never one moment a believer in Christ, and the next moment in denial. No, this passage reminds us that Paul strived through out his life to keep his faith ever present and steady.

So I wonder, as I read this, which am I most like in my walk with God. Like my “touch” of the flu, do I have just a touch of faith in my life? Maybe I am more like Joy, exhibiting extremes (running around in full surrender one moment then falling away the next). I pray that my ‘case of faith’ presents more like GG’s case of the flu – that I present every symptom of a life changed by Christ. Like Paul, I want to finish the race strong, always keeping the faith.

Prayer: Oh God, please help me to confidently show every symptom of a life changed by knowing you. I want all of You – not just a touch of You– to show through my life. Please help my girls heal from the flu and keep the rest of our family well and strong so that we may be about Your business. In the name of Jesus I pray – Amen.



Kristy has been married to her sweetheart, Jeff, since 1993. She is mother to Gillian and Joy, and a caregiver to her mother who is disabled. Since 2001, Kristy has served in her local church as a teacher, stewardship coach, prayer leader, and worship director.

Once a journalism major, Kristy laid down her writing pen in 1989 to pursue other interest. In 2008, prompted by the Holy Spirit, Kristy began writing again and has recently started publishing some of her work on her blog, Taste the Smell which you can find at http://tastethesmell.wordpress.com.

Kristy obtained her Bachelors degree from the Department of Communication & Theatre at East Texas State University and a Masters degree from Lamar University. Her blog is available 24/7 as a primary outreach tool for her ministry, however she is also available for teaching and speaking engagements, as well as vocal and theatrical performances.

"Now that I am a (late) 30 something, it seems like I might finally have something to say about life that others might find useful. I am a native Texan (but did spend several years living/working in other parts of the country), a wife, a mother of two, a caregiver to a disabled mom, and an owner of "man's best friend" (or at least mine), Sunny. I am a servant of God and hope I can inspire the same in others."

Visit Kristy at her personal site, http://tastethesmell.wordpress.com/

Author own and retains the rights to the submitted works and intellectual material herein.

No-Thank-You-Bite

Have you ever eaten a “No-thank-you-bite”?

You are eating with a friend. She offers you food, but you really don’t want to taste it. However, she looks at you with an enthusiastic smile, nudging the spoon toward your mouth.

You are eating at her favorite sushi restaurant (raw fish makes your stomach churn, and you’re there just for the teriyaki chicken) or she just made her award-winning quiche (you really don’t like eggs because the texture is slimy, but the bacon sure smells good). She is over-the-top eager for you taste the food even though you confess that you dislike it.

I do not eat green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

You finally take the bite because you figure that her feelings are more important than your taste buds. You smile and tell her that it’s wonderfully made and admit that you can see why people would love it. . . .yet, (unlike the green eggs and ham) it is still not something you would eat again.

I’ve realized that God also gives us “No-thank-you bites."

I remember when I had just finished grocery shopping, and I drove past a local ministry. All of a sudden, I felt a passion to help this ministry. I knew the Holy Spirit was prompting me, but I had absolutely no idea how I would fit another thing onto my already bulging plate of to-dos.

I kept thinking to myself, “I’ve never been passionate about this type of ministry before.”

I shrugged my shoulders and said, “Okay, God. Just tell me what I need to do.”

I decided to make my spirit available for God to lead, and I went on about my day. That night I told my church home group that God prompted me to help out this ministry. After I finished telling my story, my friend’s eyes bulged out of their sockets. She told us a long narrative about how that ministry has been on her heart for years, but she has never taken the first step of faith to get involved.

The next morning, I picked up my friend, and we drove to the ministry to see if we could help out. My friend chatted away, got phone numbers and took charge of a particular need they had.

I just sat there realizing that God had just given me a “No-thank-you-bite.”

My friend went on to organize a beautiful giving campaign, and I tagged along offering encouragement. God used me to “taste” a ministry, so my friend could have an all-out dinner buffet. Isn’t God so cool!

Can you look back to a time that God gave you a “No-thank-you-bite”? What did it taste like?

“They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves” (Acts 27:36 NIV).

Godly Friends

A friend shows his friendship at all times - it is for adversity that [such] a brother is born. ~ Proverbs 17:17 (CJB)

Have you ever noticed that godly friends are like good bras?

As a mother of four breast-fed children...well, I will spare you the downer details! Seriously, godly friends provide much needed UPLIFT & SUPPORT when you are DOWN! And their encouragement makes us feel a whole lot better, doesn’t it?! They are a perfect fit and you can’t wait for them to be around you! SEE! Godly friends are most definitely like good bras! I rest my lace...

You know these friends I speak of.

They are there for you.

They will not judge you unrighteously and condemn you, no matter how much of a mess you have made. They understand (though may not be able to completely relate to) where you stand. They realize we all travel an Appointed Way and cheer you onward to persevere in HIS strength through your trials. They are able to see the other side of a given situation and speak the Truth of the Word of God into your ear. If you do get off track, they will lovingly guide you back in the right direction...God’s direction....provided that your spirit is teachable. For Proverbs 12:1 says,

‘Whoever loves instruction, loves knowledge; but he who hates correction is stupid.’ (NKJV)

She is the one you can count on.

You know that nothing will surprise her. You know that she will love you REGARDLESS of your actions (good, bad or indifferent) - because the essence of grace is undeserved favor. She is the woman free of critical thinking, generous with her love and holds within her spirit a depth of Kingdom understanding and divine revelation. She bares a striking family resemblance to her Heavenly Father. Her face shines with acceptance and is not darkened by condemnation and fault-finding.

She is a fruit inspector, but only of her own fruit!

She is the one you aspire to be like. She lives the WORD OF GOD. Her words (which are HIS WORDS) and walk are in perfect alignment. She has a godly and reverential fear that drive her to her knees in humility and holy adoration before HIS Throne. You feel the Kingdom at work within her because you perceive that only the Father is able to supernaturally reveal both humility and boldness in and through HIS servant simultaneously.

She is a Merea.

That is Hebrew for ‘trusted friend and companion’. Merea comes from the root word ra’ah which means ‘to feed, to provide nourishment, to tend a flock.’

And that she does for you! She does not stifle your spirit or quench HIS, but encourages you with Living Water that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD. She gives those she loves, serves and prays for the GRACE, SPACE and TIME to grow. HIS Name is not blasphemed because of her ways. Rather, her conduct gently whispers to all who heed, ‘Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty!’

Blessed Father, may we be like this woman because of Your Holy Breath within us. May all who read this realize THIS IS Your plan for each of us. May YOUR NAME be hallowed in us and may Christ be regarded as holy in our hearts in our ways (1 Peter 3:15). Give Your servants deep conviction that moves us to repentance. In HIS Name.

Christmas in Februrary

My day was all planned.

I got up as usual, drove my daughter to school, and rushed back home to shower and get ready, just in time to head back to school for a special event for my daughter's class.

If I had gone to bed earlier the night before, I would have been up early to shower and get ready before the drive to school. Instead, I was wearing old, stretchy pants, half-brushed hair, and a full-up grumpy disposition.

Without any coffee.

After the special class event, I was off to the craft store to purchase a few things for an unfinished project, then to the grocery store for milk, cat food, staple items and lots of Diet Coke to keep me going.


I put the milk in the refrigerator just in time to sit down for a bite of lunch, look over my Bible study, and then regroup and recharge myself to drive to the Bible study discussion.


Minutes after our study time was over, I drove (again) to school to pick up my daughter, head home and literally collapse.


But before I kicked off my shoes and crashed on the couch, I took a walk to the mailbox. In a stack of letters, I found a "Special Message From Our Sponsored Child."


I wonder if she will ever know how much I look forward to her letters.


The letter was written at Christmas. Due to the time delay in translation and mailing, I received it in February.


It was right on time.


The letter was filled with questions. A small drawing decorated the bottom. A photo of a children's Christmas party filled the top.


In a translated message, a little Haitian girl shared her heart. She said she will not stop praying for me and my family (for me and my family?) She thanked us for our letters. She thanked us for the Christmas gift.


Through the sponsorship ministry, we were given the opportunity to give a small, extra donation towards a Christmas gift for our sponsored child. We were thrilled. Every child deserves something special at Christmas.


I can remember receiving Christmas or birthday money as a child. Mama said not to "let it burn a hole in my pocket." She and Daddy encouraged me to save it or, at the very least, think carefully about how I spent it. Like most kids, I spent it on candy or a toy that was quickly forgotten.


As I read the letter, I learned just what our little sponsored child bought with her money.


She bought a goat.


Wrap your mind around that, if you can.


Tears began to stream down my face as I continued to read. I heard the joy in this little girl's voice. I know that the ministry gave this little girl a personal gift as well, but the image of a child buying a goat for her family with her Christmas money. No. Words. Describe.


I read the letter over and over as the tears fell. I looked closely at the faces of the children in the photo. All of their eyes were bright, full of hope, of wonder. I could almost hear the laughter.


Valentine's Day was just over a week away. Store shelves were stocked with heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate, plush animals of pinks and reds, endearing gifts, all carefully designed expressions of love.


On a day in February, I received a Christmas letter. Christmas- the ultimate expression of Love.


On an ordinary, crazy day I was humbled by a little girl in a place I cannot imagine.


I am grieved for her struggles. I am overwhelmed with sadness and with joy. I am puzzled by the remarkable workings of God. I am grateful to trust and know a God Who loves this little girl with perfect love.


I am struck with the mystery that the God Who loves these precious ones also loves me. He loves this sinful, prideful, incomplete person who falls short each and every day.


He loves us. He loves us enough to send a Saviour in a manager, even when we forget months later as stored shelves are emptied of the reminders.

I don't know what you are wishing for this Christmas. Healing in a marriage? A job? Help with the mortgage payment? Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? The empty nest of a child gone to college?

Let this be your Christmas letter. Let it be right on time.


Dear one, He loves you.


He loves us enough to give us the desires of our hearts. Letters with smiling faces, drawings from tiny hands, candy-filled boxes, pink bears and red roses.


And goats. Yes, even goats.


"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."
1 John 4: 9-10




Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."

5 Ways to Stay Sane!

Recently, I returned from a beautiful trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. Beauty, peace, strength, wonder. These are just a few words describing the awesome grandeur of those mountain regions. It is a breath taking as its counter-part, the desert…which is where I went spiritually that same trip.

I'm sure many factors played a part: lack of sleep, lack of oxygen, pregnant, travel, God, and even the Enemy of all of us who say we love Jesus, Satan. It was strange for me to find myself at the end of a week surrounded by the wonder of creation to be so far away from God. Random and strange thoughts blew through my mind. Sleep called out to me. Fear began knocking on my door and everyone's grass looked incredibly greener than mine.

I was feeling lost, alone, and a bit out of control. Thankfully, I had enough where-with-all to realize that if I didn't do these 5 things to stay sane, to stay connected, I could certainly go down the path of destruction further and further.

Talk
The first thing to do when you feel a "disturbance in the force" is to start talking!

The first person I went to was my husband. Second, I went to my girlfriends. The emails that were returned began to have an affect. The truth spoken to me by others came as a balm when I was unable to sort through the truth and lies for myself.

If we don't talk, we bottle-up and things become greater and bigger and worse. Our ability to diffuse the situation and discern from what is real and what is not is greatly dimished.

Listen
There are many-a-time when I'm driving that my kids will be talking to me and I simply do not hear them. Sometimes, I simply don't listen.

If you find yourself dealing with a time of darkness, loneliness, feeling unattached from God, or flat crazy, you must take opportunity to listen. Listen to your husband, or friends, or Pastor. Take time to ingest what they are saying because sometimes those words can speak louder than our deceiving heart.

Rest
In our microwave society, we find that we want all things to go at the speed of a button and a click. This is not always the case in the things of the heart and spirit and mind. Although the Spirit of God never goes into a state of inactivity, we would do well to find ourselves taking time to rest.

When I returned from our vacation, I had no option but to rest physically and spiritually. Meaning, I was okay with letting the Spirit do what He does even if I couldn’t see it or feel it. Just because we feel bad doesn't mean He throws His hands up and walks away for a bit. It just means He is faithful even when we aren't.

Calm down.
Slow down.
Sleep and little bit more.
Get to bed earlier.

Pray
In my time of separation, number 4 was the last thing I wanted to do: pray.

I found myself thinking a lot and pondering the things in my heart, but not really having active prayer with God. However, that does not mean He doesn't uphold who He is in me.

For instance: He's the author and perfecter of my faith. He is interceding on my behalf. He never stops praying for me. He is living and active. He holds me together by His powerful word...not mine.

Over a few days, His faithfulness to communicate with me in Spirit (even when I didn't know it) drew me back to faithful and active prayer.

However, if you find that you have the strength to stay in active, engaging prayer, well then, by all means, do it!

Wait
Up in the mountains I suffered a little bit from "How high are we?" tummy ache! I didn't have to endure waiting for Tylenol to kick in so I could go back into town. But, spiritually, it was a different story. I was getting sick and no earthly pill could snap me out of it.

I knew it.

God knew it.

By Sunday, JT knew it.

By Tuesday, my friends knew it.

I had done the first two things: talk and listen. I was in resting with sleeping better. I had a profound sense that my friends and husband were praying for me when I could not, and I was left with the final way to get back closer to my God: waiting.

That's it.

Not far from the art of resting is the art of waiting. Technology is quick and easy, but the things of the Spirit are to be experienced, tended to, and waited upon. Not in the sense of inactivity, but a humble awareness that God is working regardless of how we feel.

Allow yourself, and Him, time to restore your soul. Waiting is an art form. Practice it well.

The Five

These things were a life-line to reconnecting with the One who loves me most. I pray that in times of difficulty or in seasons of disconnection, you too will try using these five things.

Just so you'll have them:

1. Talk

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16.

2. Listen

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:113.

3. Rest

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone... Psalm 62:5 4.

4. Pray

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

We do not know what to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26, 27

Christ Jesus...is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34

5. Wait

I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm27:13, 14

Keep these five things active and you'll find your connectivity will be active as well. When you find you've lost track, kick these back into gear, and well, wait. :)

Serving you,

Natalie

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Happily Ever After

Predictable happy endings, walking off into the sunset, happily ever after etc., etc. That's what I like. Not so much the mushy emotional stuff (I'm a little left-brained) just the predictable, every-situation-gets-solved, no loose ends, explanations-all-around kind of scenario - ta da! THE END.

When I was introduced to Jesus and the "Christian Walk", I naturally believed that, "This, now, finally, will be the beginning of eternal bliss, predictability, no problems, sunsets, and happily ever afters - batteries included!" (Who knows that I needed just a little discipling?)
Yes, into every new believer's life some rain must fall, and all of the silver linings come equipped with dark clouds, and (quoting my friend Jeff,) "What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger!"

I remember, after trying to walk with Christ for a few months, I kind of started wishing I'd never heard about Him, salvation OR eternity. It was just hard. All these "trials" (as they were now called) popping up everywhere. . . "letting go and letting God" . . . trusting someone you can't see . . . putting your life in the hands of another. Giving up control of your life is NOT easy - especially if you're not yet certain about the motives of the Person to whom you are relinquishing control. And then, the icing on the cake - learn to be happy about the "trials!"

Consider it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials. (James 1:2)

Joy. Really.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. (1 Peter 1:6)

If necessary?

The sufferings of this present time. . . (Romans 8:18)

OK, OK, I get it! Suffering, trials, loose ends, and sometimes, not-so-happy endings with no explanations. Got it.


But, as with all things concerning our Creator, it is all for a purpose, as I finally discovered. Nothing is done without perfect wisdom, absolute justice, and unconditional love on His part. Not one situation, large or small, escapes Him. Every bit of the 'heat' He allows in our lives is for a purpose, and as His children, we're wise to learn to trust that. And though no ONE explanation can adequately "explain" the ways of the Lord of the Universe, today I read something that I think comes close. It's from the book, The Fire of God by Joy Dawson - she quotes an anonymous poet:

He sits by a furnace of sevenfold heat
As He watches by the precious ore.
Closer He bends with a searching gaze
As He heats it more and more.
For He knows He has ore that can stand the test
To mold as a crown for the King to wear
So He lays our gold in the burning fire,
Tho' we fain would say to Him "Nay"
And He watches the dross that we could not see,
As it melts and passes away.
The gold grows brighter and brighter it grows,
And our eyes grow dim with tears,
We see but the fire . . . not the Master's hand,
And question with anxious fears.
Yet our gold shines out with a richer glow
As it mirrors a form from above
That bends over the fire tho' unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.
Can we think it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment's pain?
Ah, no! but He sees through the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.
So He waits there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat
Than was needed to make it pure.

Yep, we can be quite whiny and complaining until we 'get it'. We can become completely absorbed in our own little world - trials AND treasures - until we grasp the fact that the God of all eternity has His ever watchful eye on us - always - and that " God (actually) causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) Everything He allows, every bit of heat, is meant to purify us, to cleanse us from what we cannot see, to prepare us for an eternity that we can scarcely comprehend, to form us into the image of His Son, Jesus.

Everything.

And then He gives the best promise of all:

"The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us!" (Romans 8:18)

Incredible! When the time comes, the sunset will never dim, every loose-end will be tied, every explanation given and every tear will be wiped away. Now that is a "happily ever after!"

THE END BEGINNING

Father, Your ways are high above our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. I ask you Lord to pour out Your grace and wisdom. Teach us to trust Your ways, Your timing, Your justice. Keep watch at the door of our lips and fill our mouths with Your praise. Give us strength to worship when we are afraid, and courage to trust You in all things. Above all else, fill our hearts with the reality of eternity in Your presence.

In Him,

Visit Darnelle at her personal blog:

All Things Work Together

Taking Care of the Temple

We sat at breakfast and I reminded everyone that I had a doctor's appointment.


"For what?" asked my 9 year old.


"I have to have a test done that detects breast cancer, a mammogram."


"Oh yeah, on Sunday Night Football the players were wearing pink shoes and hats because it's breast cancer month. It was cool."


He dumped his cereal milk in the sink and he was off.




The girls lingered.


"What exactly do they do at a mammogram?"

I described the procedure and they looked with twisted faces and giggled, "Have fun!"

I laughed at them and quipped, "Just taking care of the temple."

The older one smiled and they were off.

It was certainly NOT the way I'd choose to spend a glorious October afternoon. You KNOW what I mean! Truth was that insurance tempted me to just "skip" it this year. The hassle that I had gone through nearly had me throwing up my hands and saying, "I don't have time for this."

And then the subtle voice that recalls a verse at the right time....the Holy Spirit whispering.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

1 Corinthians 6:19

"I know, I know, blah, blah, blah... I do take care of my body. I eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, (usually)," I chatted back.

"Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Your grandmother had cancer and you need to do this"

I knew what I needed to do. I called, fought with insurance and made the appointment.

It REALLY isn't that bad. A bit awkward, comical really, but necessary. It is October and because of one woman's battle with breast cancer and a sister who would not let her death be in vain, we SEE the reminders everywhere this month. If you haven't made your appointment for your yearly exam, and you're over 40, and you know who you are, it's time.

If you haven't reached the big four ~ oh....then visit the Susan G. Komen site and get educated. As women we are in this together. As Christian women, we need to encourage each other on the journey.

It's all part of taking care of the Temple.

This month is you are a breast cancer survivor please leave a comment so that we can pray for you. Your stories of survival inspire us and encourage so many of us.







Join Lori daily at her personal website,all you have to give, where she is ever trying to take care of "her Temple."

Waiting Upon The Lord

"They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

- Isaiah 40:31

I don't know about you, but I'm not the most patient person in the world.

I typically need to know everything, right at that moment, in complete detail.

For example, when I first got saved, the very next day, I walked into a church and said to the pastor that greeted me at the door, "So, I got saved last night, I got this Bible, now what".

The look on his face was priceless! I was pretty convinced that there couldn't possibly be that much to know about this "whole being a Christian thing" and that if I was going to do it, I needed to know all the details, right there and then - all at once. I'm like that with anything that I have to "learn" - thus why I always did well in school.

Much to my chagrin, the pastor said, "Whoh, just relax. It's awesome that you got saved, and that's the first step into a real relationship with the Lord. But let's take it one step at a time".

Of course I was ready to run right there and then! What do you mean take it one step at a time! I need to know now!. I didn't have time to just wait it out and see how this whole relationship with Christ thing went, I had to get going with it!

For those of you that are mothers, I was like the child asking, "Why mommy?" questions every four seconds, and the anxious child pulling at your leg saying, "But mommy I need it noooowww!" Or better yet, your toddler that you take into the store and starts making a huge scene when they can't get the thing that they want. I was that child. I wonder how God viewed me at that point.

Was He annoyed by my "needy-ness?"

Did He appreciate my questioning?

Was He laughing at my stubbon I-need-to-know-it-all-right-now attitude?

Thankfully our heavenly Father is much more patient than our earthly parents, and, as His word promises, if we just wait, He'll reveal His truth to us - in His time.

Do you hate waiting?

We always feel like we're waiting for something don't we? Waiting for results of a medical test to come in, waiting for a child to arrive, waiting for our child to call when they've been out late, waiting to find out where our next meal is coming from.

We're always waiting for something.


Right now, I'm waiting to see how my wedding is going to pan out. There have been many bumps along the way and things to deal with, and I hate waiting to see how it is going to turn out! I want to know that everything is perfect and that I can relax. But, that's not reality; I just have to wait.

The Lord wants us to be patient in all things.

His word says, "Love is patient, love is kind". I love this reflection of God's heart because it is saying that love is revealed in a way that is both patient to the recipient and kind (rewarding) to them as well. Match that up with the promise made in Isaiah 40:31, and it sure gives us a lot of hope for being able to cope with the process of waiting for whatever it is that we are, well, waiting for.

Often times the process of waiting is so much harder than receiving the result. It's the not knowing that makes us nuts! Yet God promises that if we just wait in Him - in His timing, in His all-knowing, in His love...He'll come through for us in a way that we can't imagine. That's a pretty awesome promise - one that I pray will help you cope as you wait...and wait...and wait...because eventually, in His timing, all will be revealed, all will be made right by He who is in control. Maybe the results won't be what "we thought" they would be...but they will be exactly He knows is necessary to bring about His glory; and ladies, ultimately, that is what life is about - bringing about God's glory for the greater good.

So, let us take time this week to wait - wait in the promise of knowing that God is in control, that H ewill reveal all things in His time, and that for us, the reward will come in eternity, when all is set right and all is made clear to us. Amen?

Let's pray:

Father God, we know that we aren't always patient with you. We whine, we complain, we worry and beg. We ask that You grant us the patience that only You can provide to wait it out as You unveil Your glory to us. We ask that You continue to guide us through our waters of worry with a gentle but firm hand; helping us to be unafraid as we wait to reach the shoreline. We put our full trust in You Lord, and we ask Your forgiveness for those times when we do not. We believe in Your promise to keep us strong and to reveal and work all things together for Your glory. We say these things in Your Son Jesus's precious name. Amen.

us true happiness. It is in Your name that we pray, Amen.

- Allison is the blog author of Simple Christian Living. Stop by and say "hello"!

Great Cloud of Witnesses

This spring I developed a condition that someone I know recently called "adult onset athlete." I had to chuckle when she said it. It fit perfectly. You see, I've never been athletic. But the end of February I got it in my head that I was going to learn to run. Me, who hates to sweat and could never run very far without getting a stitch in my side. Me, who always came in last in elementary school races.

The local running club has a beginning running group called "Catch the Wave." For 10 weeks you meet once a week for an informational meeting and then a run. I heard about it a bit late. By the time I joined, people were running 6 minutes and walking 2 and then repeating the pattern. While I couldn't manage that, I made myself keep going.

The class culminated with the Lake Run. It's a 4.37 mile race. Having joined late and not being in the greatest shape, I was quickly left behind by the pack. But I kept going, sometimes running and sometimes walking. If you've never run 4.37 miles, it is longer than it sounds! At one point, a person on a bike whizzed by. I joked that he needed a wagon so he could give me a ride.

Races are interesting things. There were lots of people watching at the beginning. But as we headed into the loop, we only came across a few small groups of people.

While I wasn't at the very end, by the time I was going into the last half mile, I was discouraged. I was too slow to keep up with the fast people but a bit quicker than the handful of people behind me. So, I had done most of the race alone. My thoughts went something like this: "What are you doing? Are you crazy? You can't run." And my pace got slower.

About that time, I turned a corner and a crowd began to emerge. People were watching. I had been in a walking stint and then began to run again. As I ran up the hill, Marge (one of the Catch the Wave leaders) ran down to meet me. "You can do it! Just a bit farther." She ran beside me and then, with a sudden burst of energy, I sprinted to the finish line.

It has had me reflecting on the importance of that crowd. It was so much easier to stay motivated when people were there. As the author of Hebrews writes,

"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

We are all in a race. And that race is well over 4.37 miles. Like me in the places where the crowds were sparse, it is easy to get discouraged and want to walk or even just plain stop. It's at these times that we need to realize that all those who came before us are watching and cheering. We need to focus on the finish and not on the difficulties in getting there.

We all so need to look at those around us. Will we be like Marge and run with those who are struggling? Will we say, "Just a little farther. You are doing great!" Those words of encouragement can be the difference between someone continuing to move forward and someone dropping from the race.

What is the race like for you right now?

Are you continuing to run or have you dropped out?

Who can you encourage to continue to run in the Christian life?

I have continued to run. It's harder at times not having the Catch the Wave group, so I've joined the Lake Run Club. Every Thursday they meet back out at the Lake to run the 4.37 miles. Two weeks ago, I got discouraged again at the fact that I had been so promptly left behind. People who started after me were passing me. I turned around to go back. A group on the way out asked if I had finished. I said that I was calling it in for the day. They encouraged me to get back on the path and someone opted to run my pace. So, I finished the 4.37 miles and came back again this past week. Never underestimate the encouragement you can give another.

God's Work In Progress,

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