Jesus did not need a Press Release...

January has been a very exciting start to a new year. Personally it has been chock full of interviews and meeting new people. It has kept me pretty busy considering I am at the beginning of my reign as Mrs. Kentucky International 2010. During this time I have also pondered how much has gone into announcing who I am, not only to those in my local community and but to those living in my whole state of Kentucky.


In Matthew 9:35 - 36 it says,

"Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."

Jesus, did not need a Press Release!



The multitude knew where Jesus was and where he was going. If they did not find Him, the multitude would search for Him. Even times when He wanted some quiet time with His Father they would find Him. If they did not want Him for His healings, they would at least want to hear Him teach. It is more than obvious by His word that He was always about doing His Father's business.



To know, that our Savior was moved with compassion, shows me that people were attracted to Him for the love that made up who He was. Have you ever been weary and scattered? I have actually felt like that a few times these past few weeks. Making sure my small Public Relations team has my scheduling confirmed, speaking engagements, appointments, thank-you notes written. With all of the planning it can be pretty overwhelming, and on top of that I am running my household of 16!

No wonder our Savior had compassion on the multitudes!

Even now He has had compassion on me and I have known that! So why is it that you and I keep going 100 miles per hour to make sure we meet our goals? Why is it that we are so concerned that our timetable does not get out of whack? I was thinking also that to Him we must look like silly sheep without a shepherd. He must look down and smile at us with that sweet love that is so overwhelming just like He did the multitude in the book of Matthew.

His compassion attracted the multitudes! What is so attractive about us that people will come and try to find us? I want to so much to be like Jesus! Don't you? So, right now I have Press Releases that have to be written to tell a nation who I am, but what about those people who personally know me, do they see Jesus in me without the Press Release?

Close and Personal:

1. Do you need a Press Release to let people know who Jesus is in your life?


2. Have you ever felt that overwhelming compassion and love from Jesus that has made you stop in your tracks?


My dear Lord Jesus, help me be like You. Help me be loving and compassionate to this hurting world. Help to stop long enough to notice. I love you Jesus! Thank you for your gentle reminder of your consistent love and guidance in my life!

A New Day

Have you ever had one of those days where you wish you could just start over?

Sometimes it's because of mistakes made and the ensuing consequences, like when you gripe at your family on the way out the door in the morning. Or it might just be the result of living in a fallen world.

All I know is that some days I'm really glad when it's bedtime and I get to close the book on that "terrible horrible, very bad, no good day." And in the morning light, everything looks different.

Mostly it looks new. Each day we are given a fresh start, a new chance to make this day better than the one before.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions
never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is
good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait
quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:22- 36

When the robins are chirping outside of my window, the coffee is brewing and I'm easing into the day with a hot shower, I'm reminded of God's never ending forgiveness and mercy. He wipes the slate clean and welcomes me in a new day with new opportunities to seek Him and be filled with Him.

When I read this familiar verse in Lamentations this week, I realised that it comes right in the middle of a prophet mourning the suffering of Israel. The trials they were enduring were harsh and I'm sure that Jeremiah was wondering why God would allow such difficulties to come into his life. Right smack in the middle of his painful situation he saw that God was allowing trials, but would not allow him to be "consumed." Do you see how God is protecting you even in the middle of difficulties?

He didn't see God's salvation in the moment - instead he saw disappointment and the horrible consequences of disobedience. But, he knew that he could trust God to come through for him in the end. It is good to wait for God's salvation. Do you believe that God is planning a way to save you from your circumstances?

God's compassions never fail. He doesn't give up on us, even when we betray Him or disappoint Him. He remains always faithful and always loving, day by day looking for ways to turn our eyes in His direction. He just wants us to seek Him.

And each day is a new opportunity to trust in His goodness towards us, His faithfulness for us and His amazing compassion upon us.

Father, thank you for your amazing love and your mercies which refresh us each and every morning. Thank you for forgiveness and complete cleansing through Jesus. Thank you for a brand new day.

What is Your Body Language Saying?

My 21 year old son is home from New York this week. He is attending school in Manhattan for comedy, acting and improv. He always has some great stories to share from the Big Apple…those folks tend to be a bit different than us country living Mid-Westerners.

He was telling me about a book he’s reading on body language. He explained how we in America like our “personal space” to which a gave a hearty “AMEN!”

He said that he had been “testing” some of the theories in this book while at LaGuardia airport. He observed people getting on the escalator, one steps on and the next person waits then steps on to leave one step between the two.

Perfect opportunity for my budding comedian. He steps on in order but then takes another step up, and then puts his foot on the other persons step. He said the response was just as the book said it would be, the person stiffens and leans as far away as possible.

Of course he finds great humor in this, while I shudder at the thought!

Along the same thought, I think we have all experienced the etiquette for boarding an elevator. When someone is on the left side, you step in to the right. The next person steps into the middle and we all follow suite keeping a courteous distance from those around us. All the while keeping a safe distance from the forbidden spot in front of the buttons that need to be pushed.

But, have you ever met a close talker? Or someone who will walk into an empty waiting room and sit right next to you? They are what my husband calls “space invaders.”
We in America like our space. When someone gets too close, we respond by turning away or stepping back.

The opposite is true however of relationships that are loving and dependant.
Children want to be close to their parents, couples want to hold hands and lean
on one another. Thank God for the healthy relationships that unite us and bring
us close to one another. Which brings me to the most important relationship we
have, the one between us and our God.

Where do you stand with that one? Do you step back when the Lord closes in on you? What is your body language with the God who created and loves you? Do you turn your shoulder or cross your legs in the opposite direction so to speak?

When He whispers to your heart, do you lean in to capture every word or back off afraid that it just might be too personal?

Sometimes He thunders His words, other times it’s a still small voice that we need to be paying very close attention to.

He wants us to come in close to Him so that He can speak to us and protect us.

Psalms 91:4
4 He will cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings
you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
NIV

Look at the wording, ‘cover with His feathers’ and ‘under His wings.’ That’s some pretty close-intimate personal space we’re getting into there! That is how God wants it, that is where we are the safest, tucked under His wings.

Our refuge is not found in our independance, but we are protected when we press in close to Him and listen intently to His voice.

Personal space is fine with strangers, but make yourself right at home with the
Lord. Settle in tight! He loves it when you invade His space and then welcome His
love into your life.

Father, help those of us who through pain and fear have kept our distance from You. Heal the hurts that keep us from trusting You completely. Lord we invite you into our hearts and lives, and we choose to seek after the comfort that only You can bring.
Thank You for loving us so completely!
In Jesus Mighty Name we pray.

Challenge: Keeping in Step With the Spirit

In spite of being married 23 years, I’m not a good cook.

Recently I overheard my husband explain that living with me has been a life-long exercise in “faith-based eating.” Oh, that husband of mine, he’s so funny.

But he’s also so right. Once it was my turn to cook for a group of friends. I played it safe, preparing soup which mainly required opening lots of cans. Imagine my horror when one friend ladled up a deadly-sharp can lid!

My church recently announced a chili cook-off to benefit ALS. In spite of being culinarily challenged, I felt compelled to enter, a move not unlike a tone-deaf person auditioning for American Idol.

For weeks I tried recipe after recipe until I finally concocted a very special original one—which won the competition!

As Kelly Clarkson sang, “Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.” Or at least 23 years.

I’ve been so elated about the win that I’ve not wanted to take off my first-prize apron embroidered, “Grand Champion Chili Chef 2009.” So I’ve been wearing it to school functions, church services, meetings, gynecology appointments, etc.

Oh, I kid. But I just can’t get over the fact that I succeeded in something I never dreamed possible.

My husband and I recently began hosting a small Alpha group, where people come to wrestle with the big questions of life pertaining to faith.

Even though we wanted to participate in Alpha, for the first few weeks, we felt uncomfortable and a little incompetent.

As time passed, though, we forged friendships and shared moments of spiritual growth that we never would have if we hadn't said yes to the opportunity.

Last year, my husband began meeting weekly with a student at a local elementary as part of the Kids’ Hope Program. At first George felt awkward and insecure, but the student’s enthusiastic anticipation of their weekly meeting has affirmed George’s sense of purpose in Kids’ Hope.

So maybe old dogs can learn new tricks. Because we were willing to feel uncomfortable for a little while, we’re leading a group. George now has a precious new friend. And the world has a brand new chili recipe that totally rocks!

If we’re willing to find the places where God is at work and step into the game, we can shake off routine and make a difference. A little bit of discomfort can do a body and spirit good.

Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Is God calling you to take a step somewhere out of your comfort zone today? What will you miss if you don’t? What might you gain if you do?





Please visit Linda Crow at her personal blog:

Pass It On

Pass It On

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those

in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

With arms crossed and eyes narrowed, Judy (not her real name) glared at me and demanded, “Why do you do this? Why do you come here?” Judy, who’d come to Bible study every week since she’d moved into the homeless shelter, never joined us at the kitchen table. Instead, she retreated to the safety of a corner in the kitchen. Judy’s body language shouted the distrust born out of her life circumstances. Having only visited the shelter for a few weeks, I was taken aback by Judy’s questions. Stumbling through an answer, I tried to ease her fears.

Later, searching my heart for just why I had felt led to teach a Bible study at The Shepherd’s House, I remembered a day when I had dropped off a clothing donation at the shelter. I recalled seeing the women and children who were living there and the pain reflected in their eyes – pain that I understood. I then realized that God had been preparing my heart since childhood for this ministry. Circumstances in my life have led me to have a heart for hurting people. Those same circumstances have also taken away the tendency to be judgmental.

Several years ago while going through a very long and painful season, many people did so much to love and care for me. One friend in particular was always very loving and giving. After several months, I finally asked how I could ever repay her kindness. My friend replied, “You’re not to repay me - you’re to pass it on.”

Suddenly realizing the answers to Judy’s questions, I wrote a letter and shared my story with her. “Although I’ve never been homeless,” I told her, “there’s not a lot that any of the residents have experienced that hasn’t touched my life in one way or another. Thankfully, God has always placed special people in my life who have shown Christ’s love to me. And that has made all the difference. So, Judy, I do this, I come to the shelter because I’m passing it on.” The following week, Judy joined us at the kitchen table.

Now, whenever a new resident moves into the shelter, I take the time to tell them who I am and why I come. I encourage them that someday when they get to the other side of whatever trial they’re facing, they too will have the opportunity to minister to others. And when a resident asks how they can repay my kindness, I always reply, “Please, just pass it on.”

Are we able to encourage others who are walking through difficult days by sharing how God has been faithful to us?

Do we take the time to share our hearts as we reach out to minister to others?

Do we take the opportunity to pass it on?

Father, thank you for the comfort You bestow on us through Your Spirit, Your Word and Your people. Help us to pass it on. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen

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

Because He Said So

I was in traffic, the radio on, slowing down at the stoplight, when I saw something on the car in front of me. It was bumper sticker. I could just make out the words which read,

"God said it. That settles it. Whether you believe it or not."

This particular bumper sticker makes most of us think about God's view of sin and the true path to forgiveness. For believers, the message is clear. If He said so, that's all there is to it.

But is that really what we believe?

God said many things in His Word. He promises the consequences of sin. He promises the forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. He clearly expresses His Love for us in many ways. There is one promise He gave us that we often have trouble believing.

He promises us peace.

We often think that peace is the absence of trials. Peace is a day full of happiness. Peace can't be cancer or chemotherapy. Peace can't mean divorce. Peace isn't unemployment or foreclosure. Is it?

The time was near for Jesus to be crucified on the cross. He knew the hour was coming. In the last days before His death and resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples encouragement. He knew the time would come for Him to leave and The Comforter (The Holy Spirit) to come.

"Jesus asked, "Do you finally believe? But the time is coming- in fact, it is already here- when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16: 31-33

Notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say that he would give them peace and they would have no sorrow. He tells them the truth. Sorrow will come. The disciples had no earthly idea what was in store for them, the fear, the pain, the persecution they would endure. Jesus knew. Yet, He still promised them peace.

He promises us the same peace, dear friends! Peace can be experienced in chemotherapy or in the midst of a custody battle. You can know real peace while you struggle to pay the bills because you can know Jesus. Jesus is our peace!

He walks us through our suffering, holds us when we're weak, gently reminding us of his amazing love. We can have joy in tears and in laughter because Jesus, our solid rock, our salvation, is our only source of real peace.

Jesus offers us peace that the world could never give. It is true because He told us so. Now, we just have to believe it!

Reflections:

What area of your life do you struggle with true peace?

Ask God to give you peace.

If you do not know Jesus as your saviour, ask Him now. He wants to give you peace.



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

The Car

I smile even now as I remember her face as I opened the door and the new red car shone like a bright polished apple behind her. You could have lit an entire city from the brilliance of her eyes and smile! I looked in amazement. “Who’s car Wanda?”

“It’s mine!” came the thrilled reply.

I really hope that my amazement…and confusion didn’t register on my face. I have the unfortunate disease called “talking face syndrome”. My face usually tells it like it is, whether my mouth does or not. So when she said that, my mind instantly thought, “But you don’t have a driver’s license.”

However, the mouth said “Wow! It is beautiful!”

Wanda had been practicing and I knew this, but I had no idea she was “ownership ready” yet. She had always been nervous about driving. I never knew exactly “why” she didn’t pursue the license issue when we were younger, but as time went by, I didn’t really think about it much. I rationalized that if I didn’t ---then she didn’t either.

But the fact was she did.

She longed for a bit of normalcy in her life, such as driving her daughter to school, just like the other mommies. She drove a bit with our pastor’s wife, Kathy, and a few times with a dear woman from our church, Ms. Shirley. I think she may have even taken our sister, Aimee for a spin….did I say spin? She “talked” about driving to me---but I never was able to go with her anywhere. I regret that.

Sometime after my sister Wanda passed away, her husband, Mark, felt that he needed to sell her car. After all, he could only drive one. A co-worker of mine had expressed an interest a few times and when the time came, I relayed the interest to Mark. They made contact with one another about the information, price, car details, etc., and Mark told her that I would drive it to work on Tuesday for her and her husband to test drive it.

I knew would be hard.

I tried to put “hard things” out of my mind. My mentality was, “if I don’t think about it, I won’t have to deal with it, therefore, it won’t be hard.”

All lies of course. Whether dealt with or not…the hard things of life will not go away. It does not sleep---rather it will stir your heart and mind and keep you from sleep.

So the morning of the drive in the little red car came and I had this sort of nervous feeling of “What will I feel when I sit down? When I crank it up?” Mark had told me the night before that Wanda had a little “CD” case inside the armrest compartment. Interested and wanting some music to flood my soul, as I started down the highway, I opened the compartment and pulled out this cute little light blue case with the words “Women of Faith” stamped into it.

Just as I was wondering what music would soon be filling my heart, a message in music (one that I could almost hear Wanda herself saying to me) came from the speakers.

“Lord, I’m glad You didn’t let me look ahead
to see the trials that I would have to face.
I would have lived my life caught up in fear and dread
and missed a lot of joys along the way”…

Since this was a devotional CD with music in the mix, the song faded away with the first verse. I was a puddle of emotion and tears. My eyes so filled with tears, I began to wipe at my eyes and face to see the road in front of me. Why I didn’t wear waterproof mascara was beyond me!

I could hear those very words coming from Wanda’s mouth. I searched for the handkerchief I had stuffed in my bag that morning. Smearing black around my eyes I knew I should have just left off any makeup at this point.

After the scripture verses were read, more of the song came through;

"On this journey I have had my share of tears,
Lonely days when I could not understand,
But then I’d hear You whisper gently,
Child, I’m here
And I knew that You were holding to my hand,
Every step has brought me closer Lord, to You

Every step that I have taken, every valley I’ve walked thru,
I have seen that your grace cannot be shaken,
Every step brought me closer Lord, to You".

I can’t tell you much about that drive to work that morning. What I can tell you is the Lord was more near than I had felt Him in days. (My fault---not His.)

Tucked neatly in the armrest compartment with the CD case, was a 4x6-index card in Wanda's neat printing that read, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13". Her verse for driving. His words for His dear child---to comfort and strengthen her in the tests of life.

The driving test is not unlike many tests we face on a daily basis.

Surrounded by others going to and from their stations in life, not knowing if they will keep to their lane, but trusting Him to carry us on to the destination He plans for each one of us.

On that particular morning, driving that particular car, my heart ached for a talk with Wanda. For just a few minutes to spend at her table. She would have definitely told me,

“Sister, please slow down. Life is short. For some, shorter than others. Take each moment and relish it to the fullest. Love God. Love others. Love life".

That is my message to each of you darling sisters today.

Slow down.

Life is short.

Eat cake.

Share a cup of coffee and listen to a friend.

You may be the only one she has to talk to.

We build sweet relationships with friends in the internet world and sometimes, neglect the very friends the Lord has blessed our lives with. Lend a shoulder and lend a hand.

It's nearing Fall, a time when I love to clear out the house of things that I don't need. Suggest a shared cleaning with a friend. By that I mean, you go to her house and help her and then she in turn will come to your house! Fellowship and clean houses! What can be better?

Father, You alone know our days length. Fulfill Your divine purpose in each of our lives. Help us to be an encouragement and load lifter for our sisters in need. There are many. You love us all the same. I love You Lord! Use me. I'm Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ~Amen

God bless you all!

I'd love your visit at Knightly News!

Song: Every Step by Rebecca J. Peck
Thomas Peck Music (BMI)
Peck’s Corner Publishing (ASCAP)
Peck Publishing House (SESAC)

a visit to the neighborhood

Mr. Fred Rogers, ever heard of him? Well, teetering on the 'verge' of FORTY, I grew up with the man. A seemingly simple man with such a calming voice that became for me, a routine in the early afternoons of my childhood. Everyday I was invited to the neighborhood for a visit. I don't think I realized what I was taking away.

He never preached you know...but he lived out the advice of St. Francis daily.

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."

Everyday we were invited to the neighborhood where everyone was kind, respected and valued. What a great neighborhood. Without ever saying it, Mr. Rogers, was reminding me of Jesus' greatest command.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;
Love your neighbor as yourself"
Luke 10:27

When you arrived in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood you were welcomed! While reading this book I learned that Mr. Rogers theology was "loving your neighbor." He believed that everyone was made in the image of God AND for that reason alone, he or she was to be valued, "appreciated."

It was on page 85 of Amy Hollingsworth's book The Simple Faith of Fred Rogers, where I came upon these words.

(a reference taken from Madeline L'Engle's a Wind in the Door)
"If someone knows who he is, really knows" the cherubim explains, "then he doesn't need to hate." Fred would agree: feeling as good as possible about God's creation within us, he believed, caused us to look upon our neighbor with the same sense of wonder and worth. Then, once we are able to see the image of God in our neighbors, once we recognize their inherent value, we strive to help them become who they were meant to be. We "name" them."

They are all around us...."neighbors." Some of them, I'm sure you know...are HARD to love, and yet the lesson from THIS neighborhood today is that we MUST try. We MUST love them, hard as it may be. They are God's child and He commanded us to do it.

Loving our neighbors is no easy task, but it's in loving them that we will see transformations. Transformations in them and within ourselves.

Preaching the Gospel is what Mr. Rogers did simply....
"loving all the neighbors" who stopped by with the love of Christ...

What a wonderful neighborhood.

Come on...if you know it...and YOU KNOW YOU DO...
sing along...it just might be the reminder you need...
I know it was for me!!

"won't you please, won't you please... please won't you be....my neighbor."
In Him,

If you're ever looking for me, you'll find me in "my neighborhood." Stop by anytime...

Shore of Salvation

"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Me – the very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.”
Isaiah 30: 16-17

Have you ever seen a drowning person being rescued? I remember seeing a young girl flailing around in the water as my dad and a friend jumped in to save her. She fought at first, grabbing at them with all her might and fighting to stay afloat. With fear in her eyes, she wasn’t realizing that she was actually working against those who were there to help her. It wasn’t until she settled down and depended on them to help her, that they were able to pull her to safety.

The Bible says, in the same way, that our “salvation requires us to turn back to God and stop our silly efforts to save ourselves. Our strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Him.” So many times, we fight against all that Christ tells us, thinking that we are going to help ourselves, but this verse tells us this is simply “silly efforts”. We are only saved by “settling down and completely depending on Christ”.

What is tugging at you and trying to pull you under? Perhaps you are still searching and have yet to even find Christ as your Savior. He is waiting to rescue you from your sin and be everything you need. For those of us that have already experienced His salvation, is there something that is pulling us under the waters of life? Are we struggling to stay afloat financially? Is it taking all of our strength to tread the water in a strained relationship? Perhaps we are simply struggling in the undercurrent of our culture and finding ourselves being drug out further than we should go. No matter where we are, the rescue itself will look the same. We must “stop our silly efforts to save ourselves, settle down, and depend completely on Christ to save us. He is able and He is there waiting for us to turn to Him and trust Him to take us to safety.

Stop grapping at everything else around you and looking for another way out, and just surrender to Him. Allow Him to pull you from the water of worry, the sea of sin, and the rivers of regret, and take you to the incredible shore of Salvation.

Lord, thank you that you are my Savior. Thank you that you are always there to rescue me if I will only stop my own silly efforts to save myself, settle down, and depend on you. Thank you that no matter how deep I may find myself, You are always deeper still.

In Him~
Tammy…

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

He Sees Your Heart

“But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

Do you get intimidated by the talents and gifts of others? I have to admit – I do. I marvel at women who can do it all...Homemade crafts, home backed cookies, homemade clothing. I think it is so cool that women can do that. It seems that God gave me two left hands when it comes to home-made things; well maybe for cooking – I am half decent in that department...

I remember years back I wanted to make a banner for our church to hang in the sanctuary. It seemed easy enough. I checked with a couple of ladies from church, got my supplies and went at it...

Let me tell you: it looks much easier than it is. Of course, I didn't start with a small banner; no it had to be huge. My husband asked me what I was trying to do when I got home with all my supplies under the arm. With a huge smile on my face I explained my vision about a wonderful banner in purple. All he did was smile...

For the next three weeks I was at it. Cutting, sewing by hand (yeah – I don't even have a sewing machine), tears running down my face. I had promised a purple banner, so I was going to make a purple banner...

Sometimes I get so intimidated by others, that I forget that God might not has given me a certain talent. I might not be able to be crafty with my hands, but I have different talents and gifts. I am unique to Him. He equips me with the talents and gifts He sees fit for me. He handpicks us for certain tasks, just like He handpicked David to become Israel's king.

Did I finish the banner? Yes, by His grace I did. It was ready in time to be hung in the sanctuary. Will I ever again volunteer to make a banner...No Way!!! I will leave that to the women who are much more talented than I am and who have sewing machines.

My sweet sisters, God gives all of us talents and gifts to further His kingdom. He knows our hearts that we are willing to serve, so He will supply the gifts and talents that are needed. Follow His lead and don't get intimidated by the gifts and talents of others as I did...

Lord of Heaven and Earth. You know our hearts and willingness to serve You. Sometimes we get intimidated by the gifts and talents of others. Help us to see the ministries that are right for us. And thank You Lord for Your extra measure of grace when we need it. In the precious name of Jesus – Amen.



You can also read some of my thoughts on by personal blog "Sting my Heart"...

I Am His!

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3

This ancient promise from the book of Isaiah has carried me through some difficult seasons. I have literally hung on every word. Let's look at it together:

the Lord...who created you...who formed you...He knows you intricately. Every part of you!

Fear not... I do not need to fear! No matter what I am facing, no matter how difficult the trial or circumstance, no matter how painful, His word says, Fear not!

I have redeemed you...When I redeem a gift certificate it is with great joy! I have been given something that I do not deserve and have received something that I did not pay for.

I have called you by name; you are mine...At times of great loneliness and despair, I have held onto to the truth that He has called me by name and that I AM HIS!

I will be with you...they shall not overflow you...you shall not be burned...not even scorched... He never promised that his children would never suffer in this life. We will pass through difficult waters of broken relationships and betrayal. We will pass through the rivers of financial hardships and overwhelming circumstances that are beyond our control. We even will walk through the fire which is painful and refining but it will not leave any residue because...

I am the Lord your God...Think of it! The One who engineered this incredible universe - this God is my Lord. Can we imagine that God, who is concerned with so many stupendous things, can possibly be concerned about us? We do imagine it. That is why we turn to him in desperation and cry out, as I do, "O, Lord!" Where else can we possibly turn when we have come to the end of our resources?

He has created, formed, and called you by name. You are His! No matter what you are facing, He has promised to be with you. You will not be swept away or burned up. For He is the Lord your God! Karl Barth, a great theologian, was once asked if he could condense all the theology he had ever written into one simple sentence.

"Yes, " he said, "I can. 'Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.' "

I am praying for you today!


In Him...Chris

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

Cease Striving

For those of you with multiple young children, you can probably relate with me on how difficult it is to bring the kids a treat of any kind without them coveting what the other received. What I find much easier is buying three of the exact same thing so as to prevent any kind of argument (I'm talking M&M's here, not Playstations). I always know when the bank teller gives me four green suckers that she understands this phenomena and is doing her best to keep peace in my Suburban. Oh, how I love my bank lady.

This week was the Book Fair at our kids' elementary school. You know the drill - your kids beg and plead to pay quadruple for a dollar store toy or book just so they can say they got something from the Book Fair. I could set my foot down and say no but then I'd have to deal with my own issues of looking like a horrible mom for not letting them get something like all the other kids. So, I caved, okay? Each boy was given a certain dollar amount and after school came hauling in their loot.

Even though each boy got to pick out what he wanted, the green-eyed monster got ahold of my Youngest when he saw his Eldest brother had gotten a calculator that looked like a flip cell phone. Let me first say this kid cares nothing about Math, but he loves to get attention so undoubtedly he believed this little prize would boost his cool factor.

The wheeling and dealing began. "Come on, brother! I'll trade you whatever you want! I'll give you a baseball card. I'll even clean your room!" Nothing was working until he said, "I'll give you FIVE DOLLARS for that calculator!"

Big brother perked up a bit. "Five dollars? I only paid two dollars for it...You are on!"

Here's where the trouble started. Youngest didn't have five dollars. He never does his chores and has no prospect of EVER having five dollars especially considering he is always willing to pay dearly today for what will be worthless to him tomorrow. He is already shaping up to be Citibank's best customer.

Or their worst.

What was his solution? He snuck in his dad's wallet and got five dollars and gave it to his older brother. The Eldest completed the transaction with a smile not knowing where the money had come from. All he saw were $$$$. When he told Dad about the profit he'd just made, warning bells went off in his head because he knew Youngest didn't have any money.

Long story short, Youngest 'fessed up to having taken the money. He immediately began crying his eyes out. Dad took pity on him and used it as a teachable moment to explain how bad sin made us feel but that God was gracious when we asked for forgiveness. He then tried to gather our son up to comfort him. However, instead of curling up in his dad's arms, he pouted up and refused to be hugged. It made no sense whatsoever! He'd done wrong, gotten busted, been shown way more mercy than he deserved, and yet he was angry!

How many times have I done that very thing?! Getting called out when we've made a mistake is painful, but what keeps us from accepting mercy when it is offered? Pride from having to admit we were wrong? Shame for having been so gullible? Fear for what others will think of our weakness? The Jewish nation responded to Jesus in this exact way prompting Him to lament,

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Luke 13:34

It took a while, but my son finally let me hold him as he cried and said he was sorry. It was a heartwrenching few moments for him, but wow, what a burden was lifted for both of us when it was all over. This scene with my own son made me understand just a bit more the love the Father wishes to pour out on us if we will simply cease striving and allow Him to gather us to Him in mercy. It will take humility and perhaps many tears, but O the comfort that awaits those who will allow themselves to be wrapped in His embrace!




Please visit my personal blog, The Preacher's Wife.

In A Blink of An Eye

“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” ~ Matthew 25:42-43 (ESV)

When I worked at the church office, many people stopped by to request help. Help for food or for shelter. Some days it was really bad, especially during the summer months. Most of the time I felt compassion, but some days I was ‘bothered’. Before you get upset, let me explain where the ‘bother’ comes in…I didn’t know when people were lying to me. Did they really need the money/food voucher to buy baby-formula or were they looking to get the next bottle of gin. Yes it happened that those vouchers were ‘converted’ to alcohol or even drugs…

The other day I was thinking back to the days when I was short--I had no time to be ‘bothered’ with the needs of others. Did I ever take the time to truly listen to their stories? Why were they on the street? Why don’t they have a job to pay for food or rent? I have to admit that I only listen to the ones that had children. It broke my heart having a family standing in the church office begging for money.

But what about the transit that stopped in? Yes, he might have smelled bad, but I am sure he was not always a transit. I am certain at one point he had family—he had a house and job. To tell you the truth, I wish I would have asked him why he was living on the street. He might have been a veteran who never found his way back into society. He might have been really sick—couldn’t pay the medical bills. So now he has to leave on the streets because they took his home and family. I will never know since I never ask to hear his story.

How about the young woman who was a drug addict? Why was she so broken deep down inside? Why did I never ask her to tell me her story? I am certain that she experienced something terrible in her life—her way ‘out’ were drugs…

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” ~ Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)

Some days I forget how much my Lord has blessed me. I never had to go hungry, I never had to sleep under the stars (except by choice); I have always been healthy. I have to realize thought that all this can change in a blink of an eye…

“Lord of Heaven and Earth. I am asking You today to open my heart to the needy. Open my ears to hear their story. Help my to show compassion as You have shown me. Lord, I know that You have blessed me beyond words. Thank you, Lord…In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.



You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart

This devotion was in part inspired by the song “The Twenty-First Time” by Monk & Neagle

Cry Out to Jesus

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." ~ Matthew 14:28-30 (ESV)

I always loved the story of Peter trying to walk on water. Although Peter walked closely with our Lord, he still displayed fear. He even doubted that he could accomplish some unbelievable tasks.

I am sure that you had weeks that are totally discouraging to you—just like my past week. I was so full of energy after last weekend--I was ready to take on anything that came my way.

Little did I know that we would receive a call that someone in my husband’s family died a tragic death. That was Tuesday…My energy was gone within a few minutes. I didn’t know how to make it through the rest of my week. All I could do was cry out to the Lord.

Thursday I received a message that someone’s son was in trouble—big trouble. All I could do was to lift her and her family up in prayer.

Friday afternoon I read that one of my online friends lost two family members. All I could do was to send her a message that I was praying for her.

Saturday night I received an email from a dear friend that she had to go the emergency room. I immediately lifted her up in prayer.

Why am I telling you all about the pain and suffering today? And what does it have to do with Peter and him walking on water. My point is, if we don’t know what else to do, we can cry out to Jesus. He is always there to give us a hand and lift our head. He will always comfort, always heal the pain. That is how I got through my week. Reaching for His saving hand…

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O LORD.” ~ Psalm 34:5-6 (ESV)

Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for getting me through this week. Lord your steadfast love extends to the heavens. Thank You reminding me to cry out to Jesus to rescue me. When I don’t know where else to turn, I can be certain that You will sustain me through any storm that might hit my waters. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.



You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart

"Why?"

When he was four years old, he asked a lot of questions. Or, I should say, he asked the same question a lot of times. Wide-eyed, anticipating a sensible answer, he would look at me as though I held all knowledge, ready to serve it to him in response to his every, "Why?" And I did my best to answer his simple questions in terms he could understand. If he'd just sat still long enough.

That was back when his dad and I were nearly as smart as God in his big, brown eyes. Back when a kiss could make it better and sadness could be washed away with a sippy cup of juice. Back when the world could be conquered from atop training wheels and world peace was threatened only by inevitability of a good, soapy bath.

At age ten, his questions are now more sophisticated. "How do we know for certain if someone else is saved? When is God coming back? Didn't God tell Adam and Eve about Satan? Why do some people know how powerful God is, but still refuse to obey Him?" And I do my best to help him find answers in verses, sometimes failing and admitting, "I don't know."

Touched by three deaths and the debilitating illness of a child in the past week, my prayer list is long. Or, I should say, it's short since it includes only one question, "Why?" I look heavenward, wide-eyed, anticipating a sensible answer from the One who does hold all knowledge. He hands me His Word to answer me in terms I can understand. If I just sit still long enough.

He never says, "I don't know."

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13: 11-12


Carol's blog can be found here.

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.

The Shelter of the Most High

I sat at the edge of the lake while my children played happily in the water nearby. Suddenly a shadow fell across my face. I looked up just in time to see the sun disappearing behind a big dark cloud. High in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I had been told that often times a sudden down pour of rain could occur in the middle of a beautiful sunny afternoon. Before I could collect my three oldest children and run for shelter, the heavens opened and a down pour of rain came hard and very heavy. I was amazed how quickly the storm had gathered.
Thinking back to that day with all of us huddled together in the shelter wrapped in our wet towels with the clouds moving over us, my mind shouting the name, "Jesus!" always reminds me of another storm.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?" ( Mark 4:35-41 ESV)

Storms arise unexpectedly in our lives, too. A telephone call brings sudden jolting news. A letter brings disappointment. A child has an accident. A small pain develops into a serious illness. Or maybe the source of distress is just the everyday pressures and tensions that build and build until the dark cloud erupts into a storm.

I, too, have had my share of storms. Some have been brief afternoon showers. Others have been caused by tensions that have built up, threatening my serenity and peace. Still others have burst upon my life suddenly, hitting hard and leaving in their wake damage and debris. Like the disciples I have been afraid and have cried out, “Lord, don’t you care?” And later, when all is calm again, I hear Him say, “Chris, why do you have so little faith?”

He has never promised a life free from storms, but he has promised to be with us in the midst of them and to bring us safely to the other side. Psalm 91 is a triumphant song of faith. In it we learn that God is our dwelling place. It’s under His shelter that we are to abide. Join me now and read through Psalm 91. Read it again and again over the next several days. Your life and even the storm will not look the same.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91 :1 (you can continue reading here)

In Him...Chris

The Exhale of Heaven

"And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them,

'Receive the Holy Spirit'." John 20:22

The phone call was one I'll never forget. "Guess who is moving?" my husband asked. I was not prepared for his answer. I immediately hung up the phone and cried my eyes out when I found out he was referring to a senior couple in our congregation who are beloved to us as well as every single person in our church and community. These two have a vibrant, healthy marriage after 50 years. They are the life of the party everywhere they go, love my children as their own, and are faithful co-laborers in Christ. They still keep the nursery for Pete's sake! Though we have only known them two short years, I can not imagine my daily life without them in it. Their going will leave our church body with a limp much like the one Jacob had after wrestling with the angel. Jacob was able to function, but he never forgot. Neither will we.

Preparing to tell these dear ones goodbye has drawn my thoughts once again to the Cross and the devastation the Disciples and others who loved Jesus experienced when they had to part with their Beloved Savior. How do you let go of someone with whom you have shared so much? Who accepted you when no one else did? Forgave you when no one else would? Mary couldn't let go in the Garden after Jesus' resurrection which prompted His gentle rebuke, "Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father." (John 20:17) Do you blame her? Had it been me, I can just see Jesus trying to walk away, dragging me on His leg behind Him. What Mary did not understand at the time is that Jesus was not going to leave her or the Disciples. He had another kind of Presence in mind.

Since the Garden, God has longed for fellowship with His Creation. Even before sin caused the Great Separation, He had a plan in place for bridging that divide so that He could once again dwell among us. God first hovered above the Israelites in the desert in a pillar of cloud and fire. He then talked 'face to face' with Moses and His Presence filled the Tabernacle. He was getting closer, but not close enough for Him. He was aching to touch His creation again. To have them see Him and not die. To speak to them and not have them cover their ears or hide their faces. The joy of communion was destroyed in the Garden and He's been missing us ever since.

The next step in His drawing near is what captures my imagination. I think of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in Heaven just before Jesus came to Earth. I picture Jesus saying to the Father, "I'm going in". Just then, He inhales deeply of the Spirit before diving into the waters of humanity. With the breath of Heaven inside, Jesus plunged into our atmosphere in order to provide atonement and infuse us with the Spirit He possessed. And then, much like a swimmer just before he emerges out of the water, He exhaled. Jesus breathed the Spirit out. We breath the Spirit in. You can't get much closer than being indwelt.

Jesus never intended on leaving His creation alone yet there would be a new way of relating to Him after His ascension. John 16:7 says,

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."

The Helper is the agent of conviction of sin and remembrance of God's Word when times of testing come. He guides in all Truth and glorifies God by disclosing His will to His children. He comforts, He teaches, He exhorts. No, we are not alone. We are empowered and full of Christ Jesus in a way we never could have been if He remained in human form self-limited in His Presence. Though we would love to have Jesus in the flesh before us, we all have to agree it is to our benefit to have an equal measure of Him dwelling inside.

So my thoughts return to our friends who will be leaving soon. I will treasure every moment still remaining and while doing this, I will also ponder How God blesses us with the ability to experience this mystery of relationship with Him and one another. When they go, I will turn my face towards the sky as the wind of His Spirit breezes into my face. And I will breathe deeply of the Exhale of Heaven for the comfort I can find in no other Name.

I will miss you terribly, S. and L.