What God Has Done

Just over a year ago, my family moved clear across the country to a small town out west, very different from any place I'd ever lived.

Let's just say this Southern girl wasn't exactly thrilled.

The following is an excerpt of a post I wrote on my personal blog not long after that move.

What does God do when your life is going along smoothly, happily, without a real care in the world, (compared to a mother whose child is hungry and she has nothing to feed her or a father who is struck down with cancer and can no longer work?)

What does God do when you think you've been through it all, an ongoing battle with depression, the stuff of life that happens, but what sometimes feels like it happens all at once?

What does God do when your child loves her school, her friends, is doing well academically, and you feel so blessed in the opportunity that (you think) you know is rare?

What does God do when you fall in love with your church, your home, your neighbors and you are so grateful (but never grateful enough,) savoring in the moment in life when everything is going along smoothly, happily, without a real care in the world?

I'll tell you.

God moves you.

He challenges you.

He plucks your family from their cozy nest and plops them in what seems to be the middle of nowhere.

He lets tiny battles of sadness and anxiety rise up in what was once a Cease Fire Agreement.

He leads you to a new school that makes you a little unsure, but thankful nonetheless.

He allows a moving company to make such a mess, such an inept attempt at packing, storing and moving household goods that even the cynical you is still in disbelief.

What does God do?

He knows all, sees all, is in control over all and all the while He never takes His eyes off of you and your little family still shaking off the goose down you left behind in your cozy nest.

Without explanation. Without excuse. But not without purpose.

What do you do?

You wait. You pray. You cry.

You laugh at the absurdity,the disbelief, and the frustrations.

You settle in the new cozy nest that you've found once again called faith.

You lean not unto your own understanding but rely on His Will, His Love, His Sovereignty.

In your own humanness and shortcomings, you try to fluff this faith nest for your little family, nuzzle them and find shelter from the cold.

You give thanks that your living God, the one true God has created this nest called faith.

And you wait to see what He will do next.

Over a year later, what has God done?

I'll tell you.

God has stretched me more than I thought I could ever be stretched. I've been tested in areas of my faith, places I never knew needed testing. (But He did.)

Sometimes I failed those tests, but I've learned to rest in His Grace and Forgiveness and that there are things and Someone greater than myself. His Love and His Son.

My family has grown closer.

Changes and challenges were thrown our way. Because of them, I now home school our daughter. It has been a blessing that I may have never experienced without this move.

What else has God done?

He has watched and listened to my kicking and screaming, put my tears in a bottle and wiped them away.

He understands that I miss my friends and my family, my magnolia trees and fresh peaches. He understands that I long to dip my toes in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

My Savior, who was both man and God, has experienced being torn from His own home and placed in a dry place. I take great comfort in that.

As He understands my pain and sadness, He also has a purpose for me. I accept that (even on mornings when I wish I could still watch the blue herons swoop down over our old pond.)

I do not know what else God will do. I have to take things day by day. I am thankful for new friends I have made and for being reunited with old ones. I am grateful for a new bond I have with my husband and for the daily science and grammar lessons with my daughter.

I'm anxiously waiting (and sometimes still kicking and screaming a little) for what God will do.

I still miss boiled peanuts and sweet tea, but I know His Plan is always greater than my own.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD."For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9

Has God moved you to a dry place (literally or figuratively?) What has He done in your life?

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

Life in the back yard

I read a book recently entitled "Straight from Hell" by Donna Frank. The book tells her story of being born into Godlessness and despair and abuse and confusion and fear. It tells of her maturing into a lifestyle that would guarantee her more of the same.

Then . . . God showed up.

The rest of the story describes her deliverance, one painful step at a time, at the hand of God, into truth, freedom and life in Christ.

It's a gripping story because I know that it's true - I've met her. It's also gripping because I know she's not the only one who has struggled with following the flesh. Most of us do at times. We all deal with things in life that God calls sin - things like unforgiveness, bitterness, anger and lust. (yeah, my drooling over the house down the street is lust.)

There are days when my own struggles are "obvious" to everyone within the same zip code as me. Then, there are days when I kind of look like Jesus. On my Jesus days, I feel deserving of God's attention and of my role in the body of Christ. "Oh yeah. I can see it . . . God using me in some fashion to advance the Kingdom, spread some truth, make someone's burden a little lighter. It could happen!"

But, on those "other" days, things can take an ugly turn. On those days I sometimes decide that I have a right to do a little blaming, nurse a few hurts, sling a little attitude in all directions, and exercise a little lust (I'm telling you, if you could just SEE this house. . . ).

And, if it begins to look like I'm not gonna straighten up and fly right - on my own - God will almost always throw me "the look". (If you have parents, you know "the look"). After 2o-something years of walking with God, I am proud to say that "the look" stops me in my tracks. I instantly realize that I've been playing in the devil's back yard and it's time to go home.

The problem is, when I get home, I can't look God in the eye.

I hang around in the back yard hoping He doesn't come looking for me. Because I've sinned - and knew better - I don't feel that I deserve His attention anymore and I'm sure that He's given my assignment in the kingdom to someone else who's nicer, more forgiving and less a pain in the neck. I would have.

Enter, Donna's book. She describes the moment that she prayed and asked Christ to be her Savior. While making Himself very real to her, He spoke to her, saying:

"You are going to build My Church."

Here's the incredible part. She was YEARS away from total deliverance. She would spend several more years dealing with a lifetime of anger, abuse, dysfunction, sexual identity issues, fear, confusion, etc. She was years away from actually being what some might call "useful" to God. But God didn't say, "Listen Honey, if you get yourself cleaned up and stop embarrassing Me, I'll consider looking into whether I might have a little something for you to do behind the scenes somewhere. Maybe." He simply said, "You will build My Church."

"You, who are, at this present time, a mess."
"You, who don't yet know Me very well."
"You, who even while you're hearing My words, think that I'm talking about building literal church buildings."
"You, who have never experienced peace or freedom, will bring both to many."

(You, hiding in the backyard. You who won't look Me in the eye. You, who think that I've given up on you because of your mistakes, which are many. You. I have called you.)

God called Donna as a 'church builder' before the foundation of the world. He saw her ministering to prostitutes, homeless folks, strippers and run-a-ways long before He even created the universe. God never saw her as the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wreck that she was. He saw her as His "Church Builder".

He saw the end before He created the beginning.

That's why He is able to "call things that are not as though they are." (Romans 4:17)
That's why He called Abraham "the father of many nations" while he was childless.
That's why He can call us (yes, us) "kings and priests , a royal race" (Rev. 5:10) though we struggle with everyday life and on the surface, bear little resemblance to anything royal OR holy!

While we walk around on this planet bungling our responsibilities, ministering to our flesh and living lives of ------- distraction, He is calling us to leave the back yard and enter His house. He is calling us to come by the kitchen table and pick up our assignments and believe that He has called us and gifted us to minister. While we sit in shame, believing the devil's lie that - because of our mistakes - we are no longer of any real use to God's Kingdom, part of the Kingdom remains un-manned.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10)

Our struggles don't disqualify us. They simply identify us as human --- and our 'human-ness' doesn't surprise God. Donna took God at His word when, after He healed her and set her free, He asked her to ''Pass it forward!" She believed that she was, indeed, a new creature filled with the power and love of the God of the universe - despite the fact that she spent a lifetime in the devil's back yard. And I'll just bet that the people she ministers to in the streets and back alleys and strip clubs are very grateful that somebody took God at His word and isn't afraid to jump the fence and come after them and explain to them just whose back yard they've been playin' in.




Visit Darnelle at her personal blog:
All Things Work Together. . .

He Loves Me! He Loves Me!

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name. You’re Mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end – Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you:…That’s how much you mean to Me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. Isaiah 43:2-4

Have you ever sat thinking about the one you love and, perhaps while you were dating, wondering if they really loved you? We’ve all seen it before. The young girl holding the beautiful flower, plucking one petal at a time, saying, “he loves me, he loves me not”.

As I read these verses in Isaiah chapter forty-three, I found myself reflecting on the reality of God’s love for me. Besides John 3:16, which clearly tells us how much Jesus loves us, these verses are screaming of His deep love for us. Word after word, it says to my heart, “He loves me, He loves me, He loves me”. Read over it again. It says, “He is our personal God, our Savior”. He paid a huge price for us. Why would He do that, we might ask. His word unmistakably replies, “that’s how much we mean to Him”. “That’s how much He loves us!”

Do you remember the song Jesus, Loves Me? Most of us probably learned this as a child and could still sing it today. For most of us, it’s probably been a long time since we found ourselves singing this sweet melody, but I am grateful for the reality that we can never outgrow the love of Jesus. If anything, this precious song that we learned as a child should be even more meaningful to our hearts as adults, as we grow in the understanding of the incredible depth of His love for us. Take a moment to sing this song, and allow God to whisper to your heart through each phrase, “I love you, I love you, I love you”!

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
For the Bible tells me so!

Lord, thank you that you love us. Thank you that you not only tell us in your Word, but you have shown us with your life that you deeply love us. Help me to be mindful of your love and may I experience the breadth, test its length, plumb the depths, and rise to the heights of your love for me (Eph. 3:19). Thank you that nothing can separate me from your love.

In Him


You can read more from Tammy by visiting her at Steps In Our Journey

I am "somebody" to Him

I have this quote by Carol Kent neatly tucked away along with scriptures that speak to me about my significance in Christ and His unconditional love for me.

Our deepest passion for significance is finally satisfied when we realize He is all we need and we are "somebody" to Him.

I have struggled with feeling significant most of my life. I know that in part it stems from growing up in a home that unknowingly teased me as the only girl and sent me a subtle message that boys had more value. I was the oldest and not the biological daughter of my father, which only solidified my thoughts even more. It took many years as a Christian to know beyond any doubt that I was personally important to God, and that He loved me unconditionally, and that my life could bring glory to Him.

Psalm 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are reminded that God created our inmost being and knit us together in our mother’s womb. We’re told that our frame was not hidden from God when we were formed in the secret place and that His eyes saw our unformed body. The psalmist also states that all of the days that God ordained for us were written in His book before we were even born. I don’t know how one could say “SIGNIFICANT!” any better than this?


So why do I question my worth? Why do feelings of insignificance sometime cloud everything the Bible says about me? Why do I sometimes let one person destroy my sense of belonging? Why do I struggle with what other people think of me? Why is all this so important? Because what we believe about ourselves often determines how we will live. (And also can completely distort our view of God, but that is a post for another day)

If we believe and live out lies, we will end up in bondage. It doesn't matter how much affirmation we receive from others, one negative criticism or just a little dose of rejection and we are devastated because we have let others determine our worth.


The need to feel accepted began in the Garden. God created man to have fellowship with Himself. From the beginning relationships were to bring us joy, completeness, acceptance, and significance. But Satan is a great liar! Not only was Adam and Eve’s relationship with God ruined by his lies, every one of us face the same doubts as a result of sin.


The list of those who doubted their own significance in scripture would include names like Moses, Joshua (Joshua 1:9), and David (2 Samuel 7:18-19). Moses responded to the Lord in Exodus 3:11 with the words, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

The enemy is still a liar today. And if I believe those lies and allow the disappointment from others, failures, unfulfilled expectations, thoughts of worthlessness and inadequacy determine my significance, than I become incapable of seeing who God is and how valuable I am to Him. The TRUTH is I am valuable to God. (I suggest reading through and meditating on Psalms 139:1-18) No bells and whistles, No need to try and impress Him, No need to show Him my list of accomplishments, No need to try and look good. God Himself finds me significant and has demonstrated His love through the cross. It is God who loved me first. When God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for your sins and mine, our worth was determined once and for all.



“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

Father, Thank you for loving me with an unconditional love that is not based on anything that I could do or who I am, but solely on who you are. Thank you for giving Your Son to be the propitiation for my sins.
Help me to renew my mind with the Word of God and replace the lies with the truth, God loves me and I have significance in Him. Amen.

In Him...Chris



Chris can also be found at her personal blog Come to the Table

O Come, let us Adore Him

"I was not born to be free.
I was born to adore and to obey"
C.S. Lewis

This morning as I sat quietly in my favorite chair with only the light from a lamp on the table and a little bit of sunrise peering in through the window, I read Luke Chapter One from beginning to end and as usual I always have to stop at verse 38 and think about Mary's amazing response to the angel of the Lord, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." The angel of the Lord had just told Mary that even though she had never known a man, she was going to have a baby and His name shall be called Jesus. Mary's response was one of faithful obedience and pure adoration.

John Macarthur in his book Twelve Extraordinary Women writes:

"There's no evidence that Mary ever brooded over the effect her pregnancy would have on her reputation. She instantly, humbly, and joyfully submitted to God's will without further doubt or question. She could hardly have had a more godly response to the announcement of Jesus' birth. It demonstrated that she was a young woman of mature faith and one who was a worshiper of the true God. Her great joy over the Lord's plan for her would soon be very evident."

It shouldn't surprise us that Mary would sing her praise to God at such a time. The Book of Job says that God created the whole world while the angels sang praises. The Psalms tell us over and over to sing praises to the Lord. It also tells us that praise makes us beautiful! Nehemiah says that praise makes us strong! And Isaiah says to sing to the Lord when He has done excellent things.

46 And Mary said: “ My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

As I sit here in the early morning hour, my own heart is full and I am ready to sing forth his praises, but as I get up from my chair to warm my cup of coffee, I think about my own responses to the Lord at different times and seasons of my life. As I carefully sit back down placing my coffee cup next to me and picking up my journal, I can't help but think that I all too often have been more concerned about my reputation and what others would think, than obeying God's word, His voice, or His message to me. I sit back and with a deep sigh, I think on those things that God has allowed in my own life that others might be tempted to whisper or wonder what I have done or haven't done in order for this to be happening. And yet the desire to be obedient and trust God, just as Mary had seems to give me new strength. I begin jotting my thoughts down about this verse. I no longer want to ask questions like, "why" and "what if", but rather, "Here is your maidservant Lord, let it be to me according to your word."

What is the "let it be" in your life? Have you put stipulations on what you are willing to do only accepting of those things that will make you look good or desiring only that which comes in a certain package? Do you worry more about what others think, than walking in obedience and adoration of our Savior?

Lord, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus! Lord, "let it be" in my life according to your word and plan. I put my faith and trust in you. I no longer want to be concerned about what others may think, but I want to walk in obedience and sing praises to God my Savior! O Come, let us Adore Him!

In Him,
Chris

You are always welcome to stop by my personal blog Come to the Table

Climbing to Companionship

Matthew 5:1
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.

Do you ever wonder why the activity of God can draw a crowd, but the call from Him to be committed, draws only a few? People are ready to get in on the blessings, the buzz that often surrounds His activity, but only a few follow Him on the uphill climb to companionship.
Companionship is defined as the state of being with someone. This communicates more than simply a mental knowledge or even fond feeling toward. One is not considered a companion if there is no consistent fellowship and time spent together. It is during this time of intimate fellowship that companions share their heart with one another.
It takes work to follow Christ. It is often times a steep hill and can feel like a hard and strenuous journey, but only those that make the climb with Him, are blessed with the quiet place where He sits with you, teaches you, and becomes your dearest companion. God desires to share His heart with us, but it takes commitment and work on our part to follow Him to that quiet place that is conducive for Him to do so.
Are you taking the time each day to climb to that quiet spot? Are you putting forth the effort and energy to get up early enough to sit with Him and hear what is on His heart? Are you a part of the crowd that is watching from the lower plains of life? If so, what is it that is keeping you from making the journey up the hillside to be with Him? Is it the lack of discipline to make the time? Or perhaps it is simply being unwilling to give up a little sleep and rise early enough to meet with Him before the rush of your day begins.
Whatever it takes, start today with that first uphill step towards that quiet place with Jesus. Find renewed strength through His companionship and enjoy the new perspective and joy that comes from being up on the hillside with the Lord.

Lord, give me the discipline necessary to make the climb today to meet with you. Draw me to the quiet place where you are waiting to share your heart with me. Give me ears to hear and the will to climb as high as you lead me today, no matter what the journey requires of me.

Tammy...

You can read more from Tammy by visiting Steps in our Journey

Open House

O God, I have no way of telling at the day's beginning
Who will come to my door on an errand of business or friendship;
Who will arrive to be my guest in my home or to sit at my table.

Let me show loving care this day in the cleaning of my house, the buying of my stores, the cooking of my meals.
Let me show loving care this day in the tending of my linen, the tidying of my cupboards, the doing of my flowers.
Let me show loving care in the freshness of my person and the neatness and niceness of my clothes.

From the beginning of homemaking in modest tents on the sand, women have served their families, and their guests.
From the beginning of homemaking in simple homes of baked mud, women have whitewashed and scrubbed, and set out their pretty things.
From the beginning of more comfortable houses, with handwoven carpets and furniture of cunnng craftsmanship, women have kept open house.

May Christ be my guest this day.

Rita Snowden - A Woman's Book of Prayers

Oh, Father, please know that I intend to make my home open to You today. I don't have any balloons to announce it, and the sign blew over in the wind, but my home is open nonetheless.

I'm purposing to raise my head from my work today, to keep watch. When You step around the corner, I will be ready, a baby on my hip, a dripping wooden spoon in my hand, a mind fatigued from school lessons. Not the royal welcome you deserve, with the fragrance of flowers on the breeze, but with an open heart for sure.

Whatever form you take; a parishioner, a wanderer, a neighbor, a lonely child who longs to play with my own, I promise to welcome You.

Not all of my home is lovely, but all of it is loved. May I share it with You?

The pots bubbling merrily on the stove? I am filling the refrigerator to feed my men while I'm away. May I fix You something?

The washing machine rocking loudly on its uneven feet? It's full of dirty clothes, coming clean. May I wash Your feet?

That strange smell? Well, please don't ask.

Oh, let me not fall too deeply into my work; I pray to invest myself in the important things going on around me. My children. My husband. My faith. I pray to be ever-mindful of Your arrival; to dive deeper into this day than simply beautifying it in preparation; again, I purpose to raise my head from my work, and take in the gifts that surround me.

Beloved, I am coming. How I long for the greeting of your smiling face! Forget about the mess - it's you I came to see.

Oh, I knew You would come.

Welcome. To my open home.

Won't you prepare for Him today with me?



You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight

Regarding Trash and Treasure

As my boys walked down the hallway, their towheads inclined conspiratorially towards each other, I leaned closer from my position behind them to hear what they were saying.

Corban looped his arm around Micah's neck and pulled him closer.

"Micah," he whispered. "If you have anything really special that Mama thinks is trash, you might want to hide it in your dresser."

I smothered a laugh as we rounded the corner into their bedroom. So they weren't buying the claim that I wanted to rearrange their room just to make the most of their space! Yes, this Mama purges her house frequently. Clutter doesn't stand a chance.

And I'm continually amazed that it still finds its way in! No matter how often I clear my desk, papers and baby books and school books and cd's still manage to fill the space nearly the moment I've finished. Drawers in my kitchen collect odd twist ties and clothespins and toothpicks, seemingly by magic!

And that leads us to my sons' room.

Oh, it is a purging Mama's nightmare!
Little boys = legos.
Little boys = tinker toys.
Little boys = Playmobil knights.
Little boys = Lincoln Logs = Cowboys and Indians.

In other words, little boys = clutter.

I am getting better at accepting this fact. Really, I am! But I am definitely not content to let it get out of hand, so once every two months or so, you will find me as general of the troops, kneeling by bins of soldiers and matchbox cars, dumping and tossing and categorizing. The boys get excited with the process, exclaiming how nice the room is looking before we've hardly begun.

This month, we had a whole box of trash to pitch and a couple of larger toys to give away. Toys that only last purge-fest were held in the tight grip of a little boy's hand, his eyes begging me to reconsider. Somehow I knew he would be able to let it go at the next session, and so he was.

After we gazed in satisfaction at the room, sharing high-fives, I released them to play outside while I vacuumed. And curiosity got the better of me.

Would you like to hear what I found in their dresser drawers?

1 broken camera.
7 "gold" treasure coins.
1 handmade treasure map. Of Mexico.
2 knights, housed in a dirty, holey sock.
5 rocks
1 empty Carcassonne expansion box, now holding pictures of Daddy from high school.

Treasures. That my little boys thought I would view as trash. (I probably would have - at the very least, I would have given the knights a more merciful death - trapped in dirty socks? Ew!)

Now lost in thought, I quietly replaced their treasures in the drawer.

Purging is good for the home, and so good for the heart as well. Our Savior's home. It is wise to examine the contents regularly, and to decipher between what is trash and what is treasure; to take the time to ask, what is taking up vauable space that could better house a more noble characteristic? Better yet - What is disguising the good in my life?

[Jesus said,] "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

In my haste to release those things that are deemed trash in my life, I pray for the wisdom to distinguish it from the treasure.

Let go of laziness, but don't forget to hold onto the part of me that will drop what I'm doing to lay on the floor and read a book with my children.

Let go of the irritation that arises when I'm feeling moody, but don't forget to share with my husband how I'm feeling.

Let go of the obsessive part of my nature regarding housecleaning, but don't forget that order and schedule play a key role in my family's well-being.

Let go of my worry when I think about the near future, but don't forget to meet my Father in prayer over the situation.

The treasures in the midst of the trash are worth holding on to, even though they may not look it - I think I will keep them when next I purge my heart.

And now a distinguished place to store my treasure is in order - perhaps the place of honor in a little boy's underwear drawer, alongside some stinky knights and a map?

Yes, I think that will do very nicely.

You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” ~ John 15:1-5 (ESV)

Before I share with you my thoughts on the above passages today, I have a confession to make. I have ‘black thumbs’—honestly, I cannot grow plants; indoor or outdoor. This makes me really sad, because I love plants and flowers.

My three little indoor plants looked very sick. Although I had watered them, they were dying. I told my husband that I wanted to try to ‘rescue’ them. We bought some organic soil and some clay pots at the home-improvement store across the way.

I grabbed my poor little plants, took them out of the plastic container, added my organic soil to the clay-pots, trimmed off the dead parts and set the plants into the new soil…

As I was going about trying to ‘rescue’ the plants, the above passages came to mind. Sometimes our Lord needs to cut some dead branches off of us. Sometimes He even needs to replant us into a better soil in order for us to bear more fruit.

I am not sure if my plant felt anything when I moved them into the new soil and cut their dead branches. When our Lord replants and cuts away dead branches from us, it is always hurtful. Well, it is true for me.

Over the years I have learned that through replanting, losses, sickness and cutting away my dead branches, I have grown in my faith. I know that God, even though it might hurt, has my well-being in mind.

Next time He plans to up-root you and plant you into new soil, don’t be afraid. It might hurt, but it will be for your benefit. To grow you in your faith so you might be able to share with others in their sufferings.

As for my three houseplants? Only time will tell if I was able to ‘rescue’ them. I pray that I replanted them just in time to be beautiful again…

Lord of Heaven and Earth. I know that You have to prune and cut away dead branches in order for me to bear more fruit. Lord, I want to stay close to your vine. I know that I am just a branch and cannot produce fruit on my own. I trust that what ever happens in my life will be a process to grow in my faith and my trust in You. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.

As you are celebrating Memorial Day in the US today, please remember the fallen and currently serving soldiers in your prayers…



Visit me at my personal blog: Sting My Heart

Created to Be a Helper...

In just over two weeks my husband and I will celebrate twenty one years of marriage. With each passing year I become more and more grateful for God’s redeeming work not only in my life but in my marriage. Let me explain.

In June of 1986 a young bride-to-be prepared for her special day like many young women her age. She put forth all her dreams into the wedding making sure every detail was exactly as she had hoped. The day came and her prayer was “If the flowers are dead, the cake rotten, the music bad, and if no one shows up, but if the Lord is there, it will be the perfect day.” It was a great day and the Lord’s presence was there in the midst of it all. This young bride with her new groom at her side set off on this new journey of marriage and service to the Lord. But, little did she know beneath the beauty of new love, hopes, and dreams crept a huge crack in her foundation and understanding of a biblical marriage. No one had ever explained the biblical role she just took as a wife. She viewed marriage as a partnership, one in which they would love each other, take care of each other, and share life together. It all sounded good. Her needs and desires were equally as important as his. If she chose or needed to continue working after their children were born, they would equally share in the duties of the home and children. And it all seemed right in the eyes of this young Christian woman who had a strong desire to please God.

When there is a crack in the foundation of a home it would take enormous skill and effort to repair. Walls and flooring would have to be ripped up in order to repair the damage. This would prove to be very difficult if a family had to continue living in the house while the work was being done. This is exactly what had to take place in my life. I can’t say that at one given moment I realized that my thinking was wrong, but rather God in his gracious and loving way slowly began to do the work in my heart and thoughts in the midst of living life with my husband and a growing family.

When you remove the beautiful flooring that you have laid, remove any padding, get down to the foundation and finally uncover what is wrong, it is liberating. I was completely liberated in my thinking when I could see for the first time how my view of the marriage relationship was somewhat flawed. I am so thankful to God today for doing His great work in my life and heart while although not perfect and without rough spots along the way, keeping my marriage and home in tact. It was one simple verse that spoke to me so deeply, Genesis 2:18 says, Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (ESV version)

As I studied this verse my eyes were opened and I began to gain a clear picture of God's purpose in creating woman. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, "For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man." For too long like so many others I had accepted Satan's lies that I needed to stand my ground for position against my husband. No, it was blatant but very subtle. Lies had seeped into my thinking out of ignorance and let's face it what do we hear constantly from every direction but the ultimate lie being that my own worth would be determined if I could do everything he could do and still be a wife and mom.

When I accepted God's truth that I was created to be his helper and I began to live my life with this understanding and slowly function completely in my God created role, my life and thinking was slowly transformed. It didn't mean I couldn't have a job or a career or that he wouldn't help with cleaning, cooking, laundry, diaper changing and so on. So why does our blood pressure rise at the mention of the word HELPER? If you went about your life and told others you were here to be a helper to your husband, most people (including some Christians) would look at you as weak. Eve, created a “helper”, was to assist Adam in caring out God’s order to rule and subdue the earth. The role has not changed. We are to assist our husbands in fulfilling God’s will for their lives. The more I walk in this role, even with an imperfect man, the more God has fulfilled me as a woman. I am viewed by God with the same dignity and value as my husband, but my role and design is distinctly different.

Men and women, though equal in essence, were designed for different roles. Women are in no sense intellectually or spiritually inferior to men, but they were quite clearly created for a distinctive purpose. (excerpt from “Twelve Extraordinary Women” by John MacArthur pg. 8)


In sharing this type of post I am fully aware that for many women the role they have taken on in their marriage has resulted from years and years of doing things a certain way and the thought of viewing it any different seems next to impossible. Or their relationship with their husband at this time is not where they would hope it to be and so viewing themselves as a "helper" to a man who may not be fully committed to the Lord himself does not seem possible or even realistic. Yet I know the Holy Spirit can work in hearts and change lives if we will allow His word to transform us. Invite Him today to begin a new work in your own heart and thoughts towards a biblical understanding of a woman's role as "helper".


In Him...Chris



Visit my personal blog at www.cometothetable.blogspot.com

Note: previous comments were lost for this post ~ sorry.

Four Words

I recently heard four words that have changed how I view everything. These words are so profound to me, yet so simple. Before I share those words with you, I thought I’d share some instances in which those words can be used. See if you can relate:

You have to work with a difficult co-worker. (A backstabber, perhaps?)

Someone totally misunderstood what you had to say at Bible Study (or on your blog!) and became offended.

Your ob-gyn calls you with questionable test results. You need to come in for a biopsy.

You and your husband are in total disagreement regarding how a certain situation should be handled.

The bills are mounting, and there's not enough money to pay them.

Your toddler just decorated the couch with ketchup.

The car made a pitiful noise when you started it this morning.

Your child's teacher has some "concerns" and has requested a conference with you.

You've prayed for years for a certain situation in your life to change, and it has changed alright… for the worse.

Your teenager is deeply hurt over a friendship, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

A loved one is continually making poor choices.

And on, and on, and on.

These scenarios (and more!) are what we face each and every day as plod this earth. There are moments and seasons of deep and abiding joy, punctuated by times of hurt, angst, and bewilderment. Here are the four words I heard a few weeks ago:

God is using this.

What if:

Beth Moore (or insert the name your favorite Bible study teacher) was in town doing a conference, needed to make some last-minute changes in what she was going to say, and called you from the hotel to see if she could use one of your Bible study resources?

Rachel Ray wanted to use one of your family recipes for her show?

Laura Bush wanted to use one of your children’s books in a talk she was giving at your local library?

Your favorite singer was sitting near you on an airplane wanted to use your iPod?

I know these examples are somewhat far-fetched, but would you let them use what's yours? I would, in a heartbeat! It would be an honor for someone of their renown to want anything I have. I would offer it up gladly! What if the God of the universe, the Creator of all time, events, and people wanted to use the time, events and people in your life for His purposes? This one's not far-fetched at all. He does. God uses finite circumstances to accomplish eternal works. What a privilege it is to think that He would use what concerns me to fulfill His plans! And He does it every day.

Oh, I think I've always been conscious of that on some level, and I’ve certainly repeated Romans 8:28 to myself plenty of times over the years, "God works all things together for good to those who love God, to those are called according to His purpose." (NASB) But lately, it has helped me so much to look situations square in the face and say out loud, "God is using this." These are the raw materials with which He will work as He "works all things together" in my life for my good and for His glory. He will use the big and small events in my life to mold me into the image of His Son, to draw me and others to Himself, to reveal more of His character, to further His Kingdom on this earth, and to bless me in this life as well as eternally. How that knowledge counsels my heart as I get a real sense that it is all in His hands. All of it- the good and the bad- must bow to His perfect will for my life and for this world.

What are you facing today? Disappointment? Joy? Confusion? An area of bondage? Health issues?

Remember, God is using this.

Martha, Martha...

I want to be a Martha...

Now hold on, I know what you're thinking! Let me finish.

I want to be a Martha who has been lovingly reprimanded by the Savior.

She is not the same woman she was before! She now seeks the joy she was lacking before Yeshua spoke those sweet, painful, truthful words; "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)
The story doesn't end here!

He knows she loves Him, but that in her rush to serve Him with the best she has to offer, she has lost the true meaning behind His definition of the word servant... sacrifice. Yet, when He looks at her, she knows He does not ask her to stop her work; only to be aware of what is most important about her work.

She is feeding a roomful of people who desperately want to soak in everything He has to say, knowing that there may be a time He will not be with them. Her error is not in overseeing the meal, or preparing the guest rooms for the numerous people that will be staying with them because of the presence of the Master; her only error is in demanding the help of her sister, who has chosen to join the dinner and listen with rapt attention. Certainly the absence of Mary in the kitchen cannot have made such a difference in the presentation of the meal; but I can see Martha's heart in my own.

"Why should I do all the work? She's just sitting there! She's as much a part of this household as I am - how dare she leave it all to me!" But Martha loves her position in her household as much as I love mine! Does it make that much difference? No. And there's the rub.

She slips into a corner of the hallway and dashes tears from her eyes. The words are piercing, and angering, and truthful. Deep breath.

Shall I stop what I'm doing and join the group in the dining room? No. I will finish preparing and serving the meal. But I will do it with a servant's heart this time. And when I enter the room to serve the Master, I will listen to His words and smile at my sister, and soak in what I can. I will use my position as the overseer of this household to make this time with His friends peaceful, and good. And instead of seeing my position and the resulting work as my due, I will find joy in my days, instead of obligation.

How do I know that the story doesn't end with verse forty-two? Because Martha goes on to give one of the most complete definitions of who Jesus is and Who sent Him in the book of John; ""Lord," she told Him, "I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God."" (John 11:27)

She no longer finds herself so wrapped up in what she does that she cannot see what is important. She knows.

Oh, He speaks to me in these passages - I don't stop! I fret over needless things. I throw my hands in the air in amazement at how busy I am, yet I don't take a good look at what my busy-ness is costing me. My joy. He has given me the sweet role of mama, wife, caretaker. There will be moments where I fail in my duties. But He needs me to do what I do - and He needs me to do it with a servant's heart. To make things better for others. To make things easier for them, welcoming for them, comforting to them. To be His hands.

We need Martha's. Without them, there might not be a meal to laugh and discuss over. Without them, there might not be inviting guest rooms to relax in on our journeys. Without them, the household wouldn't flow as smoothly.

Are you a Martha?

So am I.

Praise God. Let's find our joy.

God's Best China

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work”. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

My mother-in-law can cook like nobody’s business and one of her specialties is good ‘ole southern potato salad. She has this special Strawberry Bowl that the potato salad goes in. Always.

Point being, special occasions warrant special dishes and spiritually speaking, you are God’s best china. The thing we always don’t understand is why God seems to overlook us for periods of time while someone else is being “used” on a regular basis. The same way we pull out a round cakestand for a carrot cake or a platter for the turkey, God will use us when we are the perfect fit. We all have our set of issues God has used to shape the women we have become. It is not enough, girls, to keep all that grace to ourselves. When He chooses to pull us out, we have to be prepared.

The same concept can be found in the life of Moses. Consider Stephen's testimony in Acts 7:20, "At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child." The time Moses was referring to was the fulfillment of the 400 years of Israelite bondage in Egypt God had revealed to Abraham. The Greek word for 'time' used here signifies a set time in which a specific task must be accomplished. Moses was not just one of a generation that happened to suit God's purpose. He was placed on purpose to be God's chosen deliverer however reluctant Moses may have initially been.

See another fascinating example. The Hebrew equivalent of this same 'time' word gives the definition of "the appropriate time for an unrecurring incident." The Hebrew word is "Eth". Do you see whose name you can make out of that word? Esther. "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Both of these examples show people who experienced waiting and questioned why they were placed in the positions they were in. Be sure to notice that in both these instances, just as in our own, there are unrecurring events that will be placed before us that will require a resolved 'yes'. Yes, Lord, I'll obey you even if the future is uncertain. Yes, Lord, You can trust me with your Name. It is when we are willing to disappear into Him that He is made all the more visible to the world around us.

Our God given tasks may begin as something which appears small. God knows when our faith has been built enough to trust us with opportunities for greater impact. He is always able, but just like Moses and Esther, there is a period of preparation He graciously gives us before we are led into the Red Sea or the King's Court. Be found faithful in looking for those opportunities to be the china He pulls out of the cabinet.

In response, how is God using you lately? Are you in a preparation period? If you don’t feel God is at work in you, will you commit to look for the opportunity? Will you ask Him to reveal how your circumstances are shaping you for His fame? If you will, I can promise He will not leave you on the shelf.