Lose the Lies

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me" - Psalm 139:1

We women are good at lying, aren't we?

We lie to ourselves all the time.

"Oh, don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"No, I don't mind helping at all."

"I'm over it, really."

How many times have we repeated these (and so many other) lies to ourselves, just to keep ourselves moving? We quote cliche's to ourselves and others in order to get through a day, to survive, or to plain out avoid the issues that we need to confront in our lives.

I'm reminded of a movie I really enjoy where two knights are fighting each other. One knight cuts off the other knight's arm, but the knight keeps on fighting, convinced he can still win the battle. The knight then cuts off his opponent's other arm, but the obviously defeated knight still wants to fight. Easily the winner of the fight, the knight cut off the other knights legs until he is just a stump on the ground. The now limb-less knight finally gives in and calls the battle"a draw"...taunting the victorious knight as he rides off, calling him a chicken.

How many of us are like that knight?

We lie to ourselves that we're fine, or that we're only slightly injured, perfectly capable of winning the battle and moving forward with our mission to win?

Maybe your war is with your husband, your children, your parents, your best friend...and you are determined to win. Why?

Why do you feel the need to win this battle?

At what cost will you continue to fight?

At what point will you finally raise the white flag and say, "I surrender"?

Why haven't you surrendered already? When I say "surrender", I don't mean give in or let the "other side win", but I do mean fully surrender.

"Well who do you want me to surrender to?"



Scripture tells us that the battle is not ours, but God's, to win for us. He is that white knight ready to step in and take the hits, and make the attacks, for us. He is our champion, we are the Lady in Waiting, ready to swoon as our Hero wins the battle and saves the day for us. There's just one little problem with letting God win our battles - we are prideful people, set on doing things our way, unwilling to wait for results, and ready to either fight or hide...either way - we are hiding from a greater issue - our inability to fully surrender, and fully trust this battle to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Here is some food for thought as you sit in our cafe today...an appetizer...or light entree, if you will...

"The important thing is to stop lying to yourself. A man who lies to
himself and believes his lies becomes unable to recognize the truth either
becomes unable to recognize the truth, either in himself or anyone else, and he
ends up losing respect for himself as well as others. When he has no
respect for anyone, he can no longer love and, in order to divert himself,
having no love in him, to his impulses, indulges in the lowest forms of
pleasure, and behaves in the end like an animal, in satisfying his vices.
And it all comes from lying - lying to others and to yourself" - The
Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky.

When we continue to push God out of the picture of the battle we are fighting, we are lying to ourselves that we need God due to our selfish pride. Or, maybe you're thinking, "Well this battle is one that's so big (or so small) there's no use getting God involved. I'll handle it".

There is no battle to big or too small that God will go to war for you over so that you can live a victorious life through Him. We just need to raise the white flag, scream out "I surrender all God", and truly (and I mean truly ) surrender All to Christ so that He can (and He will!) step in and save the day!

I know that He has gone to battle for me on a daily basis - He has been my champion of both big and small things - major life events, and daily life happenings. He took on the world for me - the full weight of sin - so that I might have eternal life. If He is willing to voluntarily take on that punishment for me, then the least I can do is say, "I surrender! I need you!" so that our Hero can rush in and save the day; or, at the very least, pull us out of the situation we are in and point us in the right direction.

Please my friends as we find ourselves standing on the edge of a New Year, stop hiding, stop trying to be brave, stop trying to hide from your problems, thinking that God won't step in and help.

There is no battle too small, or too big, that our Hero can't champion for us. He is our Hero, our Warrior King, our White Knight...ready to blaze into battle for us - for all our battles, great and small, He will fight for His beloved children - and that includes you! You need to simply put away your pride, your disbelief, your lying and tendency to hide from the world when look bleak. Let Him win the battle for you...after all, it's what He does best!

Let's pray:

Lord, I'm sorry for being so prideful. I try to do things for myself when I know I need to trust that You will win this battle for me. Help me to not hide from the world when things get difficult, and help me to stop lying to myself and others that I can face these challenges all alone. Help me to stop pointing the finger at others, myself, or even You, when I'm faced with difficult circumstances. Instead help me to be brave enough to come to You in humble surrender, hands raised high, excited to see how You, my Hero, will win this battle for me. I trust You, Lord...I trust You, my Hero.

Thank You for the victorious life that I will lead because of the battles You have, are and will win for me - and because of the strength I will gain because of Your promise to fight for me, despite my prideful ways. I thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us - in an act of ultimate bravery...who rose again from the dead in complete victory over the battle that is death. I know, Lord, that if You can defeat death and take on the sins of the world, You can claim victory in this battle that I am fighting. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Home

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "When home is ruled according to God's Word, angels might be asked to stay with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element."

Recently, I spent a week back home. The house where I did most of my "growing-up" is about an hour's drive from here. Give or take. Depending on who's driving...and the traffic. Which, the closer you are to home, the more you might find your way slowed by a tractor or two.

Housesitting is a splendid way to get a mini-vacation--with the exception of going to work. My mother and stepdad (Grandbuddy), were on a week long missions trip to Central Florida to work on an orphanage with several folks from my home church. Normally, I would not have to housesit, but they recently aquired a very large dog and he won't let just anyone into the yard--but he has to be fed--so the neighbors can't do it. And, since he happens to like me--then I get the job! So this was really more dog-sitting than housesitting.

Okay, I am rambling. Sorry.

It felt so good to be home. It was quiet, and the feeling of family was like a warm blanket. There were memories on every wall, in every picture, even the scent seemed so familiar. It was the scent of prayer.

I've smelled it before. At my grandmother's house. It is the scent of offerings of thanksgiving, petitions of mercy for family members, and much praise that has washed the walls of the house. Permeating every room with the feeling that you are welcome, you are loved and that God reigns in that home.

I remember giving some clothes to a friend several years ago, she grabbed them up in her arms to carry them to her car and as she did, she exclaimed, "oh these smell good! They smell like your house!"

I hope my house today smells like an altar before the LORD.

Many years ago, I realized I had allowed the world to enter in my home. It slipped in innocently enough, so quietly I hardly recognized it for what it was. But when I did, I pulled out the garbage can!

When secular books out numbered the godly--uplifting ones, something had to change! Music was next. I had begun to listen to (almost constantly) a country radio station. I had even purchased a few CD's.

Now, don't get all twisted up---I am not saying country music is wrong---but for me it was. I needed to feed my soul Christ, not Tammy and George. Or in this case, Tim and Faith.

I was not feeding my soul the proper nourishment. My home suffered. My heart suffered. I was ill equipped to face the battles that were looming ahead. But the LORD stirred my soul and my senses. I began a spiritual house cleaning, as well as a physical house cleaning.

While in this house cleaning, both of the heart and the home, I began to reflect on my "time". How much I spent with Him, verses how much I spent involved in other things. The other things seemed to win out. Changes had to be made there as well.

This time at mother's gave me the opportunity to once again, slow down and reflect. At my heart-home. I had my morning devotions in the very spot where mother has hers each day. The LORD met me there each morning and bathed my day in His presence as I went before the throne in offerings of praise. It made a difference.

Titus 2:11-14 NIV

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

What does your heart-home look like?

Is it cluttered?

Is God reigning? Or is He squeezed out? Is there a mismatch of desires?

Seek His desire for your life---He will help you with the "housecleaning".

I'd love your visit at my place!

© Angie Knight 2009. All rights reserved.

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,

I'd love for you to visit my personal blog:

Cat Heaven

An innocent conversation in the back of the car had piqued my curiosity. My littlest girl was telling her older sister that our cat, Oreo, would go to heaven if he got hit by a car. She began to describe cat heaven as a place where cats would live in luxury and run about in freedom. The older, more "knowledgeable" sister started to put her straight in a hurry though.


"What makes you so sure he (the cat, that is) knows Jesus? When have you seen him reading His Bible? Have you ever seen his paws clasped in prayer?" she questioned with a bit of a giggle.


The pride in this mother's breast began to swell at her excellent knowledge of the gospel until I realized one small flaw. Yes, my daughter rightly understood that not everyone will go to heaven carte blanche because heaven is reserved for those who belong to the family of God. Yes, she was correct in assuming that only those who know Jesus as personal savior belong in that family. She even recognized that faith can be seen in the fruit of our actions and a relationship with Jesus is lived out in daily decisions.


So, where did she go wrong? Well, before I had a chance to say anything, she caught herself. From my seat up front, I peered into the rear view mirror to see her expression as I heard the conversation developing. She knotted her eyebrows together and then smiled in triumph as she repeated a well learned truth: "Everything in all of creation praises His name. Right Mom?"


Right, dear. So, the decision about the cat's eternal destiny was settled. I realized after the fact that we are often just like my sweet daughter. We know the truth and we know the way to heaven so we can be quick to point out when someone doesn't appear to belong to Christ. We sometimes think we can look around the room and point out those who will be in heaven one day, based upon their pious actions. But, the truth is, we don't know the heart of the person.


Only God knows our hearts and only He has the authority to judge. He will the One deciding the eternal fate of each individual on judgement day. And I, for one, am glad that He has that responsibility instead of me. I'd rather be the one telling people how great heaven is and how marvelous it is to know the Creator of that wonderful place.

Romans 14:4 "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he
stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

*Are you praying for someone to come to know Jesus? Keep praying!

*Are you unsure of where you'll be after you die? Check out this great site for some answers.

Can't wait to see you all there someday!

Great Expectations...

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

The past few days I have slowed down a little in my normal daily routine because either by old age I hurt my back or pulled something during my exercise routine!

Don't you love it when our Savior slows us down? This is what I have been pondering for the last few weeks. As I struggled with what to write about, God brought me back to my study in the book of Romans - just in time to share with you!

God beautifully and perfectly reminds each of us who know Him that all His adopted children suffer in this flesh – but it is temporary and not to be compared to our eternal perfect state!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

Great Expectations is the expectation of us seeing our Savior face to face, at which time we receive our glorified bodies too! Wow! I don't know about ya’ all but I am getting pumped and overly filled with uncontainable joy just pondering these things! I can't wait for all the physical pains and the signs of old age to disappear. I also am anxiously awaiting that day when there will b no more separation between brothers and sisters in Christ!

“But if we hope for what we do not see we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." II Corinthians 4:25

Our journey passing through in this world can get tedious, difficult and sometimes, pretty lonely too. I think of the Apostle Paul when he stated:

"At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them." II Timothy 4:16-17

Our apostle Paul’s life is an example of steadfastness. There is another example too, King David of ancient Israel. All of David’s closest friends abandoned him in his time of need. Above all we have is our Savior Jesus Christ - who also was left alone during the darkest hours leading up to his death on Calvary's tree. We women of God can find much comfort from these examples, even during our own times of disillusionment.

"Yet in All these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

Note: The operative word here is “ALL” – in every situation!

What if you have already reached the point where you just think it is no longer worth it? Our Savior understands this too!

“And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27

God is constantly reminding each of us that our hope is not in this "earthen vessel” but rather, points to our “Great Expectation!”

"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever Amen!" II Timothy 4:18

Recently, our family was faced with some heartache in ministry and a situation that did not make sense to us by human eyes. We knew without a shadow of a doubt though, that we have been called here to our current place of residence. Why would the Lord bring us 800 miles to “nowhere” and then, to proceed to stop us “dead on our tracks?""

“Jehovah is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.” Psalm 145:17

Great Expectations! That is it! Our Savior works in ways we don’t always see or understand – but, He is constantly opening new and awesome avenues we could have never understood or see before hand! That is why we don't lose heart and why we persevere.

Not everyone has a Christian woman’s “Great Expectations though. A very well known Hollywood actress, Playboy model and fitness guru, Susanne Sommers, recently declared her willingness to down 40 pills a day, take physical injections and submit to “going under the knife” in order to maintain her looks. She vows to do these things until she in 100. Sadly, this beautiful woman does not possess the “great expectations” of a Godly woman who possesses beauty inwardly. She could though…

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according the the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

Let’s make sure our mind is set on the truths of God’s eternal promises to all who love Him. For He alone is become our God of “great expectations!”

A song to share: Dc Talk “Heaven Bound”

It is a love from above not of this world Kinda profound, a trump will sound And all God's children are Heaven Bound

God has promised us a home in glory Trust in Him A trump will sound And all God's children are Heaven Bound.

Close and Personal:

1. Do you remember a time in your journey when things did not make sense at the beginning later found out that God had all things under His apt control all along?

2. Where do you find your Great Expectation?

“Dear Heavenly Father I want to thank you today for you being with me during times when no one else was. Thank you for your longsuffering. I also want to thank you Lord again teaching us that you have all things under your control and whether we understand when things happen we know that you allow everything in our lives for our very best! Thank you for loving us that much, my Savior and friend!”

In Him,

del.icio.us Tags: beauty,dc talk,heaven bound,regeneration,expectations,Elaine Barnes Bateman,glory,God,Savior,Jesus Christ

How To Control Your Man

It's something we don't necessarily talk about much, but the truth of the matter is God has given women the ability to have some control over men.

Before smoke comes out your ears, or you’re already warming up your clapping hands, hear me out. Just look at what happened to Adam and Eve. According to Genesis 3, Adam was right there with Eve when she took the bite of the forbidden fruit.

What was it about Eve that caused Adam to blunder through the smoke screen and go with it? Did she say something to him? Did she flash that perfect smile? Why didn't he stop her? How did she manipulate the fresh, incarnate heartbeat of God to disobey his maker?

I'm not saying she was being vindictive or hateful. No, I'm just saying she was powerful over her man. She could influence him. And, I'm not saying that Adam was a push-over either. She just had a way with her man and it caused him to sin.

Ladies, God has put in us the power of influence. What we do with it can either build a man up in Christ or tear him down. I thank my husband all the time for taking care of us financially, spiritually, emotionally and many other ways. I began doing this even before he really stepped up to the plate in some of those areas. I spoke over him a vision for what I knew he could be, and he rose to it.

• I would thank him for working so hard at work.



• I would thank him for being attentive to the girls.



• I would thank him for hearing me out when I had a bad day.



• I tell him often that I think he is such a man.

Warrior talk, if you will. I asked him what are the ways I make him feel like I man. Here's his responses:

• "When you build me up in front of other people and I can hear you."



• "When you tell me you feel safe with me."



• "When you compliment the way I look, you know, like a stud!"



• "When you have my back with the girls even if you disagree with me."

All of these have the ring of respect. Men crave respect just as we crave love. Respect your man.

If you have a struggle with this, find something that you do respect him for and tell him so. He might be a hard worker. Maybe he can balance a budget like no man's business. Maybe he can make a small cottage out of a 2x4 and nails.

Whatever you can find to show respect, find it and say it. They live off of respect. Don't steal it from them. Speak it into their lives. If you can't, start praying for ways that you can. Start being deliberate about finding something you can thank him for, rather than nag him for.

Now, we all know that nagging never works. You might get what you want, but it won't be how you want it. He'll do it because he's sick of hearing you nag.

Take a note from the Bible.

Proverbs 27:15-16 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

Are you someone prone to being quarrelsome? I know that this can come from not getting your needs met either. He doesn't meet your needs, you don't meet his, so he doesn't meet yours. Around and around it goes. But, we can be the one to decide to make a change. Stop the cycle. Be the one who speaks life into your husband.

Speak honor.

Speak respect.

You might just notice that your world is a lot more wonderful. Your words hold the power to drive your man into a cave or to raise your man into a Warrior. Speak wisely.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Prov. 16:24

In Him,
Natalie


and

Faith Conquers All...

I have been studying the Book of Romans for a while now. Each time time I read from this awesome book, I learn something new and incredible! This book is full of gold nuggets… that is, if we take time to take in what God is trying to teach us! I have been going over chapter five of Romans for two weeks now.

I believe the Lord is telling me through His word to encourage you:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith in this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

The peace mentioned in verse one is much more than the absence of conflict but rather, the unspeakable peace for those who have experienced that new relationship with Jesus Christ.

For those who have not this saving knowledge and a new relationship with Jesus – they remain awaiting the day of His impending wrath.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:18

Paul goes on to say:

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Our relationship lost by our all being born into sin, is restored through faith in Christ, which banishes all enmity between we and He. The result is the unexplainable peace we now have - especially during times of hardship and tribulations.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we don't have to go to a mediator to have total access to our Heavenly Father. In verse two it makes it clear that we stand in His presence and He is available and immediate to hear us when we speak to Him.

I don't know about you sisters but these truths brings even more joy and peace to me. He is indeed, a harbor and place of shelter against the storms of life and coming judgment. What about you?

As we respond to tribulations by rejoicing in them we gain eternal rewards too! It is the proper response to our tribulations that really matter to our daily Christian walk. Tribulations don't always mean tragedies but it can mean additional stresses or pressures as we journey the Christian walk day to day.

In verse 3, we are reminded to glory our trials. Why? Because these tribulations produce perseverance - meaning we don't give up but rather, pressing on to something greater with God’s power to help us to do! Paul is encouraging us to endure the hardships and life's difficulties because it produces character too. Character learning to walk with grace under pressure and is another part of our Christian experience. Through all these things, we are being purified through and through.

I remember when my kids were younger, I would read a character building book to them that helped their realizing just how God builds character in their lives. Thinking back of some of the different characters gleaned from the bible, individuals such as David, Samson, Zacheeaus, Deborah and more, became real-life examples. These wonderful saints still are there for our examples too!

When we finally grasp some of these basic truths found in the scriptures; coupled with the testing and trials each of us face day to day, we emerge victorious! We possess "hope" which is based on the eternal love and power of God. This same Hope is our one day, making to our eternal heavenly home with our sweet Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

I was so excited to grasp this as I have really been digging in these few verses. What an encouragement it is, to know that what we go through and how we handle each hardship is building in us character, perseverance, peace and hope!

He is working in us what we don't know we even need! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to endure and persevere though… so as we are building our character we look forward to the day we see our Savior face to face too. We wait to hear these words from our Jesus Christ:

"Well done thy good and faithful servant."

Romans chapter five and in fact, all of God’s Word is really helping me to understand and to handle the day to day crisis we might face as wives, mothers, and daughters.

If we decide to question our Savior, it should not be.”Why?”, but rather, “ What?”

This nugget you might want to carry with you as you walk this journey in life!

Close and Personal;

• How do you handle the day to day crisis?
• Do you make a point to remember through out the day where and what is our hope?
• Have you been thankful for "character building" techniques that our Savior has used in your life?

Dear Lord,

Thank you Father for your many blessings and love you have for us your children! Thank you Father for choosing us. Lord, I want to take this time to specifically thank you for using the tribulations we face in this world to build into us perseverance and endurance in our Christian walk. As we have experienced this in our lives we have a peace that reminds us of our eternal hope Father. I am here to tell you Thank you and I love you!

Join Elaine daily at her personal site.

Great Expectations

Every year, it seems we have expectations of Christmas. Our expectations frequently don't match up with our reality, do they? The turkey is dry; we didn't get the gift we dropped 100 hints about; our family is just as dysfunctional as it was last Christmas. Christmas can be, well, different from what we expected.

I've been thinking a lot about Mary, being that it is Christmas time and all. Actually since I first became pregnant six years ago with my son Shepherd, Mary has been constantly on my mind.

And I wonder: what would Mary have been expecting on that very first Christmas?

Consider this: the girl had had angels come to tell her she was pregnant. Now that is a long long way from tee-teeing on a stick. She knew she was chosen by God. Being that she was Mary and not Missy, she did not get arrogant about it, nor proud – she remained humble, as we see in her Magnificat.

The Gospels do not tell us what her pregnancy was like, which I think is a sure sign that they were written by men. Imagine if God had chosen a woman to write a Gospel – how many chapters would have outlined her morning sickness and labor? But I assume Mary threw up like the rest of us and woke up every hour to go to the bathroom and had sciatica and embarrassing gas moments (which makes me love her more.)

She knows she is carrying the Savior of the world in her womb. She knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the baby who has been kicking her all night long for months now is going to bring peace to all mankind. She knows this. That angel had told her. And being that she was human, I would imagine she had some...expectations.

As her contractions increased and she walked the long road to Bethlehem feeling, like most women at 9 months gestation, like a big fat cow, I doubt Mary was expecting a gilded room at the palace (I am sure the thought would have crossed my mind, but as I mentioned previously, I am no Mary). However I feel pretty sure that she was expecting God to provide her with at the very least, a room - a private, warm, reasonably clean room to deliver this precious child. Such a small request! She had earned at least as much – suffering through the societal stigma of an unplanned pregnancy, and almost losing Joseph – surely God would make it up to her in childbirth.

The one thing that I doubt Mary expected to be provided by God was a stable. I have birthed four babies myself; I just cannot imagine giving birth in a barn. Non-Mary I would have had some tacky things to say about this particular arrangement.

What must have gone through her and Joseph’s minds? The Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty One, is coming into the world in a barn? Surrounded by animals and manure? Imagine how protective we are of our brand new babies – and imagine lying one to rest in a manger that cows eat out of?? Hardly sterile.

Do you think they wondered if they had gotten the message wrong? Did they ask if this was some holy joke? While she was pushing our pure and stainless Lord into the world onto hay and dirt, did Mary keep waiting for someone to rescue her?

Mary had been obedient, she had prayed unceasingly, she was the ultimate woman of God, yet in her time of great need, doors were repeatedly slammed in her face, literally. I think she must have been very confused in that stable.

I know so many people who are in a stable right now.

Many of my dear friends are amazing women of God. They pray, they fast, they are so obedient. Some of them even do their quiet time every single morning. They are much, much godlier than I am. They are doing everything “right”.

Yet, we have cried together over this last year. Things are not going the way they planned. Several are exhausted with grief. Others' empty arms are aching to hold a baby. One's son was diagnosed with autism. Some are in unhappy marriages or going through divorce. And my heart is especially burdened for a few girlfriends who are in their 30s, strongly desiring marriage and children, but God has yet to call them to this.

This life is not the way it was supposed to go, not what they signed up for. It’s not what they thought they were promised. This life right now is definitely not what they expected. And they, perhaps like Mary was, are so confused.

We have the blessing of hindsight to know that the stable was representative of a very different kind of messiah. A humble messiah, with a message of peace, not the military hero the Jews were expecting (there is that word again.) A messiah who hung out not with kings but with the dregs of society, beginning with the shepherds who were his first visitors. “Not the righteous; sinners Jesus came to call.”

By ordaining such a humble birthplace, God sent a message from the very beginning that this baby was going to rock everyone’s expectations, and shake their world view, and cause them to question everything they thought they knew. God does nothing haphazardly. There was a purpose in the stable. There was something bigger going on than Mary or Joseph – righteous, yet mere humans - could see or grasp.

I submit that there are purposes in our stables as well.

Usually, we cannot see the reason for the stable while we are in it. Sometimes, God clues us in later, and when it happens that is a real treat. But we don’t always get the blessing of knowledge. In fact frequently God in his infinite wisdom does not clue us in. I don’t know why the desires of my sweet friends’ hearts are not being met. I don’t know why Christian marriages fail, I don’t know why babies die, and I don’t know why my friends who would make such wonderful mothers can’t get pregnant.

I don’t expect to find out this side of paradise, and there is no biblical promise that it will be revealed to me even in Heaven. I only know this – that God is sovereign and God is good.

There have been times in my life when “God is sovereign” has been a mantra I screamed repeatedly inside my brain. And there have been times when I just got depressed and wondered when I was ever going to get out of this dumb stable. But (praise him) our responses and our feelings and our confusion regarding these stables do not change the fact that God is sovereign, and God is good. And that he is up to more than we can see, that his grand design is greater than our own expectations, however noble they may be – which means, without a doubt, there is a purpose for the stable. God is intimately, unceasingly, invasively, personally involved in every aspect of our lives.

At some point, on earth or in Heaven, we will praise him for the stable, because he loves you and me as much as he loved Mary – take a moment and grasp that – and He has as much reason and purpose for putting us in our particular stable as he did Mary and baby Jesus. And this should give us hope – And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:5)

Merry Christmas.

Visit Missy at her blog,

Packing Lunches

Most mornings I drag myself out of bed, slow and grumpy, after hitting the snooze button at least two times.

I shuffle to the coffee pot, grab a Diet Coke from the frig., and swig it down for my temporary caffeine hit until my Starbucks House Blend is ready. In the meantime, I wake up our daughter, make her breakfast and stare at her lunch box.

After years of packing lunches, I've run out of ideas. We've gone through the PB and J phase, the Spaghetti O's season, and the very short-lived carrot sticks era.

Packing a lunch has become a mundane task, seeming so unimportant, especially when the lunch box returns home with half of the lunch still intact. Making a sandwich, heating soup, or slicing apples is part of my routine.

Moms go through routines like this every day. Changing diapers, wiping noses, buying groceries after clipping coupons, balancing a checkbook, sitting at a computer at work.

The little things we do each day seem so insignificant. Are they?

It was an ordinary day. Jesus had been speaking for hours to a large crowd. The people grew hungry and tired. The disciples were faced with the task of feeding them, wondering how they would find or pay for a meal for so many.

Then something remarkable happened. Andrew found a young boy who offered his lunch. Jesus took the lunch of fish and bread and blessed it. This little boy's lunch fed thousands of people and his disciples gathered the leftovers. (Reference John 6)

I think about that little boy's mom. She got up that morning and packed his lunch, just like any other morning. She had no idea what God would do with her efforts. She may not have been making a PB and J or packing Fruit Roll-Ups, but she was much like you and me, doing what God had called her to do.

Jesus took what she did that day and blessed it. The results were nothing less than miraculous.

God can use all things. Everyday things. Big things. Small things.

That lunch you pack may never feed thousands, but what you do today- no matter how small- has a big significance in God's Kingdom.

And God can and will take what you do and bless it.

Be encouraged in doing good for Him.

"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." 2 Thessalonians 3: 13

Something to ponder:

How have you seen God use the small things in your life?

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

Socks & My Savior

I've got cold feet. And I'm not talking about getting married, I took that plunge joyfully.

No, I literally have cold feet. Our kitten, Roloff, has stolen all of my socks. Unless his little body managed to pull a boa constrictor move and swallow my socks whole; I've no idea where they could be.

I've searched high and low. Behind couches and under cabinets. In closets and out on the patio. The laundry room and the living room.

My socks are gone.

The interesting thing is that each morning when I wake up, there in the middle of the living room floor is ONE pair of socks.

Little Roloff seems to know ahead of time what I am going to need for the day. And willingly offers what I will need to keep my feet warm.

The Lord has really been speaking to me through the actions of my feline friend.

Sometimes it seems my need outweighs my have.

In those moments I search high and low looking for what I know I will need tomorrow and am always humbled to find the Lord knows.

He knows.

And each morning, in plain sight, is His provision for what I will need today.

"And my God will supply all your needs

according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

What I need will be here. Waiting. Warming me through and calling me on to further pursuit of the One who is able to supply all of my needs in Christ Jesus.

It will be there for you too.

Roloff laughing at my cold feet!

You are welcome to visit Kristen at her blog Exemplify.

Happily Ever After - THE END

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

Still, In His Embrace

Where do the years go and why do they have to fly by so quickly? We encourage our children to take their first steps and before you know it they are running so quickly through life that we want to slow them down.

The toddler years brought the battle of restraint. Finding their footing made each child eager to get down and run, independent and free. But there were times when it wasn’t safe. Holding my arms tight, my children often squirmed trying to break free of my hold. A battle ensued testing the strength of my arms.

It was out of protection that I held them back. It wasn’t safe to run, or even walk. They had to be held and carried. After minutes of struggling against my hold, they would finally settle down and nestle into my chest, often falling asleep.

I had an active little boy. He loved being independent and on the run. I loved the moments when I held him close. Those were precious times with memories that I still hold dear. Now sixteen years old, I occasionally have to fight for hugs. Those years of holding my son in my arms, are still my favorite.

Once again a picture spills into my mind revealing more intimately this place of stillness with God. Aren’t many of us like my boy? Could it be that we enjoy life more when we are busy for Him, running free and independent, while He savors the moments of holding us close?

I believe He loves it when I linger in His arms, depending on Him to carry me where I need to go. Why do I fight to break free and run. Why do I fight against His restraint? He pulls me close to cuddle me and tell me how deeply I am loved. Yet, I wrestle to be busy and independent. The thing is, He didn’t create me to be independent of Him. I was made to be carried by Him.

For years I didn’t like stillness. I found it difficult to sit through a meal without moving some body part around. Energy coursed through me as a young child. I wanted to be moving all the time. To this day my husband still laughs when my foot starts to swing.

When God called me into stillness, at first I struggled against it wanting to be free to run. Tenderly he clasped His arms around me and held me tight. “Not yet, dear Jewel, it’s not safe.” “Stay with me a while.” “I have some things I want to tell you.” “Rest dear one, rest.” “I’ve got you.” “When it’s time I will set you free to run, but for now I need you here with me.” Eventually I settled down and nestled into Him.

It’s in the stillness as I cease from my efforts, that I truly hear His heartbeat. It’s there I become acquainted with the tenderness of His true nature. I am His beloved, the one who rests securely in His arms.

As the months and years have plodded by I have come to appreciate this place called stillness. His Spirit washes over me, as His words calm me. I discover in this place that He is becoming a verb in my life. No longer is the action up to me. He is the action in me. He invites me to rest in His work through me, allowing me to see things from His bird’s eye view.

There’s nothing like being in the rest of God’s embrace. It enfolds, soothes and nurtures you all at the same time. It’s in this tender place that I find Him as the one who delights in holding me close. As I’ve settled down in His hold I’ve come to see more of His heart.

Though I have loved watching my children grow and change, my favorite memories are the times I held them close. The gentle kisses, the sweet whispers of love were precious times. I tend to think God feels the same way about me. I think His favorite times with me are those endearing times that He gets to hold me close and whisper in my ear how desperately, deeply and intimately I am loved.

He is so safe, loving, personal and deep. I think I’ll linger here in this stillness for a while. For one day, I believe, He will set me back down on my feet to run.

How do you feel when there is stillness in your life? Do you see it as a time of hearing His heartbeat or do you try to fight your way down to run?

"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders."

Deut. 33:12

You can find Julie at her blog: Jewelz Sightings

I Could Almost Hear the Heavenly Choir

This summer our family took an amazing vacation to Family Camp, at Pine Cove.

And it's all I can talk about. I'm obsessive that way.

There were so many incredible activities, motivational sessions, and just good old fashioned fun that we have already booked our week for next summer!

But I must tell you about my favorite part out of the seven day, 168-hour trip: the first 5 minutes.

After a not-so-pleasant four hour drive with a toddler who wailed, you could say we were anxious to arrive at Family Camp. With deep relief, we sighed when we saw the sign.

As we turned onto the gravel road and traveled down the winding path, we heard something. My hubby turned the radio off and rolled down our windows. It sounded like voices. Excited voices.

We slowed our car down because there seemed to be an obstruction in the road:

and

The counselors were out in the blazing hot sun, cheering us into camp. They were jumping and yelling and chanting and screaming. And it was the single best welcome we've ever received in our whole lives.

And then they handed me a red rose, my hubby an ice-cold root beer and asked us to get out of the car and go on a tour of the grounds, while they parked it at our cabin and unloaded it.

Oh, yes, I could practically hear the Hallelujah chorus.

It was a reception like no other. We felt special. Honored. Welcome. Wanted.

Once we were in our cabin, my kids watched from the window as they hooped and hollered and yelled and bounced until every family arrived.

And do you know what I kept thinking about?

Heaven.

I think that's how we will feel at The Pearly Gates: Special. Honored. Welcome. Wanted.

And do you know who our tour-guide will be?

Jesus.

Sometimes in our busy lives filled with baseball games and grocery lists, I think we simply forget that HE is preparing a place for us. A home without maintenance or sorrow, where HE lights up the city with His Glory.

In that small moment, I felt God tug my heart and remind me to look forward to the homecoming that will be like no other and I thought of this Scripture in John 14:2 :

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

And when I get there, I won't just be imagining the Heavenly choir.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for preparing a place for me in Heaven. Thank you for Your Presence in my life here on earth, but help me to remember that this life here, with all of it's victories and defeats, is only temporal. Help me to long for my Heavenly home. Amen.

join Kristen daily at We are THAT family where she serves up a dose of humor daily and an occasional Hallelujah of her own!