Made For Another World

Hey Friend,

There are many things that I do not comprehend...an innocent child being diagnosed with cancer, people close to me having their marriages torn apart by selfishness and infidelity, a town of hard-working people whose homes are destroyed by tornadoes, a classmate losing her battle with depression...these do not make sense to me

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.  (John 15:19)

So, if I am In Christ, the world will hate me.  Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, so if I am His disciple, this pertains to me too.  Maybe that explains why I have this homesick feeling?!  Don't get me wrong, there are many things in my life that I love:  my fiancé's loving arms around me, my children's smiles and laughter, a jaw-dropping sunset, the roar of the ocean, the breathtaking majesty of God's complex creation.  But, there is always an itch that I cannot scratch, a longing that nothing earthly will fulfill.  

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probably explanation is...that we were made for another world." (C.S. Lewis)

I kind of have to laugh at the bumper stickers and line of clothing that says "Life is Good".  One day, I am going to make one that says, "Life is Hard But God is Good". Do you think that would sell?

God lovingly gives us glimpses of Heaven.  Postcards from Heaven, I call them.

The book of Ephesians talks a lot about our life in the "heavenly realms".  Christians have already been made beneficiaries of every spiritual blessing that belongs to and comes from the heavenly realm. Grace, redemption, peace, forgiveness, love, to name a few.  God has already bestowed upon us a piece of Heaven.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the trials and tribulations of this world that I lose my eternal perspective.

Erma Bombeck was famous for saying, "If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing here in the pits."  Somewhere along the way we get the notion that life should be a bowl of cherries.  Then when life throws something at us, a real curve ball, we are surprised and taken back.  The Bible tells us, up front, that we will experience trouble.

In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

God is a spoiler...He gives us the end of the story.  Read it again, but take heart I have overcome the world!  What a praise!  We know, without a doubt, who wins in the end.

It's been a long time since I have been behind the lens of a camera, but one of my favorite shots was to make the forefront of the picture somewhat blurry and focus in sharply on my object of interest in the background.  I was focused in on what was ahead instead of what was immediately under my nose.

In a similar way, God wants our eyes focused on the future joy that He has in store for us.  In that day we will know for the first time, unpolluted joy! 

So what can we take from our earthly trials and tribulations?  How do we endure?  We hold on tightly to God's righteous right hand and we profess:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  (2 Corinthians 4:17)

What this says to me is not that God is making light of our very difficult struggles, but that in comparison to the glory that awaits us, they will then appear light and momentary.

Our tiny minds cannot even begin to grasp what our Loving Father has in store for us.  I know Him just well enough to be certain that He will blow our socks off!  He loves you so much and is with you in your troubles.  He promises to never leave nor forsake you during your brief earthly journey and He will lovingly lead you into the place that He has prepared for you and scoop you up in His strong arms. He dearly loves you. That you can rely on. 

I'll end this post with the lyrics of a song by the contemporary Christian group, Building 429:

"All I know is I'm not home yet

This is not where I belong

Take this world and give me Jesus

This is not where I belong."

 

God IS good!  He has just made me, made you, for another world...

 

In His love,

 

Bev

 

ps.  Don't forget that any comments and/or subscriptions to my blog will enter you into a prize drawing at the end of this month.  Great prizes...don't miss out.





Keeping Christmas Simple

Hey Friend,

The pots, pans and mountain of dishes had been washed and were drying in the sink.  My fiancé and my daughter's boyfriend were already heavy into football.  The turkey's l- tryptophans had settled in and so my son and the two dogs were peacefully dozing with full stomachs.  I had my feet, finally, propped up and was taking in my satisfied brood.  Ahhh, yes, this was Thanksgiving!

About then, my daughter's question cut into the peaceful calm.  "So, are you going to decorate for Christmas tomorrow?" she queried.  Everyone else remained still and calm, but I felt my heart start to flutter.  I could feel the anxiety begin to creep throughout my body.  I'm certain my blood pressure took a sudden leap. "Uhh...well...I don't know...I guess so," I managed.

I was looking for a lifesaver to hold onto my sanity.  Silence.  And then it came to me, "You know, I'm really busy planning my wedding in January," I said as the words started to flow, "and I have various contractors coming to work on the house in December, and your brother is moving back in, and Christmas is just going to have to be really simple this year."  There I said it.  I had my excuse.  Christmas was going to be really simple this year!

Why did I feel like I needed an excuse to keep Christmas simple?  Maybe, because in boxes in my attic, I have the ability to do christmas...or I have the potential to do CHRISTMAS!!!  Though my heart yearns to keep Christmas simple, the world screams for bigger, better, bolder CHRISTMAS!

In reality, I don't need an excuse to lower my blood pressure and keep Christmas simple, if I take my cues from the Christmas story in the Bible.  In Luke 2:1-20, Luke, the wordiest of the disciples, tells the entire Christmas story in twenty verses.  An event that was foretold for centuries, is relayed simply in one portion of one chapter in the whole Bible.

I encourage you to read this passage as we begin the Advent season, as we begin preparing our hearts for Christ's coming.  Take in the simplicity of the setting.  Mary and Joseph were doing the ordinary things of life.  They were going to register for taxes.  Along the way they found refuge in the only place that was not full that night - a cave-like shelter where the animals were kept.  The only warmth was offered by the animals bodies and their breath.  This tiny babe was wrapped in simple cloths and laid to rest on hay in a feeding trough.
The angels first announced His birth to the simplest of men - the shepherds and they offered "Peace". 

Perhaps my favorite line is found in Luke 2: 19, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Mary's response to birthing this God-child, was simple and sincere...she treasured and she pondered.

This Christmas I want to keep Christmas simple, not because I have a ready made excuse, but because I want to take my cues from scripture and like Mary, I want to take time for reflection and to treasure up all these things and ponder them in my heart.

To do this, I will have to be like the salmon swimming upstream against the CHRISTMAS the world wants me to get sucked into.  I will have to be purposeful in making time to treasure and ponder.  I will have to let the simple be good enough...

After all, simple was good enough for Christ...

What are you purposefully doing, or not doing in order to keep Christmas simple?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

In His love,

Bev

ps.  All subscribers in November and December will be entered to win prizes as I prepare to celebrate my one year blogging anniversary.  Leave a thought or idea on keeping Christmas simple in the "Comments" section and I will enter your name as well. 

Approaching God

Hey Friend,

In tackling this subject, I logically came up with the Who, the How and the What when approaching God.  I have struggled and prayed about being vulnerable enough to share the "What" when I get to that part of my post.  So I ask you gently, in advance, to hold it carefully in your hands.

When I was little I had a love-hate relationship with the movie "The Wizard of Oz".  I hated the wicked witch and the flying monkeys.  I recall burying my face in my mother's shoulder when it came to that part.  I also wondered about the great and powerful Oz.  If he was the giver of good gifts, why was he so intimidating to approach?

I admit that often I have approached God as if he were Oz...I was afraid of God.  Was my God just a bunch of smoke and mirrors like Oz?  I would hear people speak about the God of the Old Testament - the God of fire, floods and plagues.  I gravitated more toward Jesus.  I liked the pictures of Him in my Sunday school stories with little children sitting on His lap.  He was usually smiling or had a peaceful look on His face.  I could relate to Him.

However, Jesus clearly states in John 14:9, "Whoever has seen me has seen the father."  The more I purposefully and intentionally dug into this truth, the more of God I began to see.  The God of the Old Testament was also the God of the parting of the Red Sea, the Passover and countless times He showed mercy to His people Israel.

I am especially drawn to the verses that speak of God as compassionate and filled with loving-kindness.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."  (Jeremiah 31:3)

"For your loving-kindness is before my eyes: and I have walked in your truth."  (Psalm 26:3)

"Every path He guides us on is fragrant with His loving-kindness."  (Psalm 23:10)

God is quick to lavish his mercy, grace and loving-kindness upon us.  These words are a cool drink of water to my parched soul.

How then, do I approach my loving and kind God? 

I am the queen of namby-pamby prayers.  I tend to sheepishly go before God and then I cover all my bases...uh, well God, if it's your will and if you see fit, then well maybe you will answer my prayer.  Pffftt!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

In him (Christ) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  (Ephesians 3:12)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory.  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

"Ask and it will be given to you..." (Matthew 7:7).  Sometimes we simply do not ask.

I can just hear God urging me on, "Come on girl...you can do it...come boldly before me and bring your prayers with you!" 

So What do I bring before the throne of grace?  Hold this gently.  Of all my prayers, I believe my most earnest plea would be for my son...that God would soften his hardened heart.  I have always said that my greatest desire, as a mother, would be for my children to have a close and personal relationship with their Lord and Savior and that they would walk in His ways. 

I won't go into all the details of how his impressionable heart was hardened, but I come with confidence before God and pray that He would give my son a heart of flesh in place of a heart of stone and that When not If my son returns that he would be greeted by my loving arms and the compassionate arms of the Lord.

As I pray for you every morning and every evening, will you pray this for me?

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3)

Will you wait in expectation with me? What prayers do you need to bring boldly before His throne of grace?

In His love,

Bev

ps.  Don't forget about the drawing at the end of December for Ann Voskamp's best selling book and the DaySpring mug and coffee for all those who subscribe to my blog.  Be sure to look for the verification email once you subscribe.  No spam; no lists that are sold...promise!

When Others Let You Down

Hey Friend,

My twenty five year old daughter is my maid of honor in my upcoming wedding in January.  She is very creative and has a good eye for details, so early on in the planning process I wanted her to come with me to the venue where we are having the ceremony and the reception in order to get her input and ideas.

I had visions of a wonderful bonding experience between mother and daughter.  I had expectations of her oohing and aahing over how beautiful, cozy and inviting it would be.  I wanted her eager ideas and suggestions on how best to create the perfect setting.

What I got was about the complete opposite.  She harshly critiqued everything.  If there was something wrong to be found, she found it.  There was no laughing and smiling and hugging...it was, in short, a great disappointment.  She had let me down. 

I stewed on this for about two months until I finally had the courage to confront her with my disappointment.  Stewing...bad idea!  Wounds left untreated always tend to fester.  What I had was a major infection.  When I did finally talk with her, she apologized profusely and then shared what I had overlooked...here she was, twenty five, and dreaming as every girl does of her perfect wedding.  And here I was, her middle-aged mother getting to plan two of my own weddings before she even got to plan one of her own.  She owned up to her problem - it was jealousy with a capital "J"!!  After our talking it out there was forgiveness and reconciliation. I also found out that she had been hard at work arranging a lovely bridal shower for me. I didn't know the whole story.

Another thing wrong with this story were my expectations.  How often do we place unrealistic expectations on others, particularly those we love the most, and then are let down when our expectations are not met?  I remember, as a wife, how I often expected my husband to read my moods or my body language - in essence read my mind - and when he failed to do so, I felt let down. 

I have learned, slowly, over the years that other people are not psychic.  They can't read my mind and therefore, cannot possibly read my expectations. 

I have learned to look for the best in others rather than expect the best.

Great expectations are usually a recipe for disaster.  Besides, the Bible tells us that everyone, even our closest family members, will fail, forsake or let us down at some point. They may do it intentionally or unintentionally, but it WILL happen.  There is only One who will never let us down.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.  (Hebrews 13:5)

There are two stories in the Bible that stand out to me as to how we should handle it when others let us down.  It may not be easy, but God promises blessings if we do it His way.

In 2 Timothy 4:16-17, Paul is speaking at his court hearing, "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.  And I was delivered from the lion's mouth."

Notice what Paul says when all of his best friends deserted him..."May it not be held against them."  Notice the blessing that followed when he obeyed God's command to not hold it against them -  the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength and he was delivered from the lion's mouth.

In the book of Genesis, the writer tells the story of Joseph who was basically sold into a life of slavery by his jealous brothers.  Talk about being let down by those you love.  What is Joseph's reaction when he encounters his brothers years later when he is in a position of great power?  In Genesis 45, he forgives his brothers.  Furthermore, in Genesis 50 he goes one step further; he reassures his brothers.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..."  (Genesis 50:19-21).

When others let us down, we need to realize and trust that God is in control and will use every situation, even the really devastating ones, for our good!

One last thought on this topic...realize that when someone lets you down, there is very likely something going on in their life.  The reasons people let other people down are many: jealousy, selfishness, greed, anger, immaturity, hurt and in general, our sinful nature.  I've heard it said that hurt people hurt people. 

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  (Matthew 5:43-44).

That's a tough one - pray for those who persecute you.  You don't know what is going on in their life, so God calls us to lay our enemies on the altar before Him. 

Will you pray with me?  Lord, so many times I have let you down.  Please help me to forgive ____________ who has let me down.  I release my hurt and disappointment to you as I lay them before you at your altar. Bless them and keep them.  In Jesus name...Amen.

In His love,

Bev

ps.  Don't forget to subscribe to my weekly blog.  Winners will be chosen to receive the best seller by Ann Voskamp "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" and a DaySpring coffee mug and coffee.  When you subscribe you will receive a "verification email request".  Be sure to click the link in the verification email you receive in order to activate your subscription. 

Thankfulness Is Good Medicine

Hey Friend,

May I bend your ear for a moment?  This has been an extremely stressful week for me.  I've had to deal with some things that no parent should have to deal with.  I am weak, weary and worn.  This was also the week that my daughter threw a surprise wedding shower for me.  It was a delightfully perfect evening.  I felt such an outpouring of love that I will treasure, always, in my heart.

So where do I choose to "hang my hat"?  Focusing on how life and circumstances depleted me, or on how the love of my daughter and friends filled me up?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

When I was young and my mother would try to give me cough medicine (yes, the yucky thick red stuff), I could bob, dodge and weave like a champion prize fighter.  When the medicine hit its mark, then I would cough and choke on it.  Was this really good medicine?

Thankfulness is a lot like good medicine.  Sometimes we may cough and choke on it, but we need to do it anyway.

God calls us to be thankful, not because He needs the thanks, but because He knows it is truly good for us.  God is not a glory seeker.  He is perfectly sufficient without us.  In other words, He doesn't need our thanks, but He knows that we need to give thanks.  It is hard to be miserable while giving thanks.  Thanksgiving and giving praise can override whatever state we happen to be in at the time.  This is just another example of how God's heart is always truly loving toward us!

In everything give thanks.  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Too often we, at least I, focus on what we don't have versus what we do have.
Really, if we received no other gift, but the gift of eternal life with our Father in Heaven, we should be endlessly thankful!  All the other blessings are like the cherry on top.

Sometimes, I think that I can't give thanks until I am in a thankful mood.  Instead, I need to just choose to say, "thank you".  I don't wait for my emotions to change.  In fact, the obedient act of choosing to give thanks, can change how we feel.

Studies show that if you write down five things a day that you are grateful for, you feel 25% happier.

Ann Voskamp, in her book "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" says, "Stress decreases by half - simply by multiplying our thanks.  Why in the world don't we do this?"

We can thank God with more than mere words...we can thank Him by "paying it forward" and doing a good deed for someone else and then thank God for giving us the ability to do so.  We can thank Him in word, deed, song and even dance.  Confession time...I used to be a dancer and so often I put on praise music and dance around my kitchen as a way of saying thank you to my loving God. (It also gives the neighbors something to talk about).

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:17)

This is why God calls us over and over again to give thanks.  He is loving, kind, compassionate and abundantly good to us.  He knows that when we give thanks it is truly good medicine and we are blessed because of it. He also deserves our thanks!! 

What, during this season of giving thanks, are you thankful for?  Will you share it with God and be blessed?

In His love,

Bev

ps. Just a reminder that I will be giving away a copy of Ann's book mentioned above as well as a DaySpring coffee mug with Isaiah 40:31.  If you subscribe to my blog in Nov/Dec I will pick one blessed winner from those who subscribe.  Also I still pray for all readers of my blog, morning and night, and I truly give thanks for you!  You are loved!

Why She Talks Sports: Loving The Unlovables

Hey Friend,

In the US, for sports aficionados, fall is the "Happy Time"...the delightful convergence of many professional and college sports.  Since I was young, I could tell you the difference between a breaking ball and a fast ball slider.  I have a scrapbook I made on the life of Roberto Clemente, complete with scorecards from his games, newspaper articles and baseball cards.

I grew up with the "Steel Curtain" in Pittsburgh and could appreciate the grittiness of Jack Lambert as well as the fluid artistry of Lynn Swann's receptions.  Did I mention donning full goalie gear so my son could dream of being Mario LeMieux?

I confess that I didn't immediately love sports, but my dad did.  I am a people pleaser and I quickly learned that it pleased my dad that I took an interest in what he was interested in.  I was all about my father's business, and in being so I grew to love what he loved.

It is very much the same with my Heavenly Father.  If I love Him (which I do), I want to be interested in what He is interested in...I need to be about my Father's business.

"Be imitators of God...and live a life of love..."  (Ephesians 5:1)

It is easy to love others when they are lovable or when we know and like them.  But what about the nameless faces we see on the street or in the park?  What about the homeless man holding a tattered sign?  Do we love him?  Take it one step further...what about those we don't like, the ones who have hurt us, the unlovables?  What does God say about them?  Let me share some insights borrowed, in part, from my pastor.

In Genesis 1:26, God said, "Let us (Trinity) make man in our image, in our likeness..."  God used His very own image to fashion us.  He created ALL men and women in His likeness.  He didn't withhold His image from some; so, when we look into the eyes, the face of another individual, we are looking into the very face of God.  We are created to love those people because they bear the image of God.

Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, we learn that "We are given the seal of God written on our foreheads by the Holy Spirit."  God put His holy signature on each of our foreheads.  He loves us (each of us) so much that He gives us the seal of ownership.

So, when I find it hard to love others at times...I will look for God's image and for His signature.  I will attempt to imitate God.  I will let all that I do be done in love.  I will be about my Father's business.

Play ball!

In His love,

Bev

ps. It is easy to subscribe to my blog.  You will only get my once a week post in your inbox (no spam and I don't sell lists).  Go to "Subscribe" up above and click on the blue line "Get Walking Well With God delivered by email".  All those who subscribe in the months of November and December will be entered into a drawing to win a nice prize when I celebrate my one year blogging anniversary in January :)

The Perseverance Posse

Hey Friend,

Lisa, Cathy, Linda, Bev...together we comprise a tight sisterhood known as the "Perseverance Posse".  We are a group of Christian, middle-aged women with grown (notice I did not say fully mature) children.  We have navigated the waters of divorce, infidelity, mental illness, surgery, prodigal children, job loss, military life, financial difficulties, even death (and don't forget menopause).

A strand of three (or more) cords is not easily broken.  When one of us is down, the others come alongside and lift her up in prayer, word and deed.  I don't know where I'd be without these women in my life?!

Sometimes when we get together we jointly ask, "Why so many trials, Lord?"  I believe our answer can be found in James 1:2-4:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

"Pure joy" is a strong term.  Often we are not joyful while in the crucible of suffering, but when we look back and see, once again, that God was faithful to bring us through, we can truly be filled with joy!

A Christian can rejoice in suffering because he knows it is not meaningless.  Part of God's purpose is to produce character in his children.

God is more concerned about our character than our happiness.  Why?  Because learning to persevere ultimately produces hope.  Not only does hope not disappoint us, but it gives us life, builds our trust in God and alleviates fear. That sounds like a recipe for happiness.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us... (Romans 5: 3-5a)

My daughter is in her first year of teaching middle school - Yikes is right!  She has been totally overwhelmed by the whole experience and has thought about giving up on many occasions, but she is sticking it out.  "Why so hard, God?" she asks.  It's really tough when you are IN the crucible of trial, but take heart - there IS hope!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  (James 1:12)

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  (Hebrews 10:36)

What glorious promises for those who lean into the Lord and keep on going. What abundant love God lavishes upon those who persevere!

So, together with my posse and with my daughter, we wait on the Lord.  Wait for the strength He promises when we persevere through trials and suffering.

How has God worked in your life to build character through perseverance?  I invite you to scroll down and share your thoughts under "Comments". 

In His love,