Who Will Fight For Me?

Hey Friend,

Someone asked me if I believe in miracles and visions.  My answer...if God is the Alpha and the Omega and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; and if he performed miracles and sent visions in the past, is He not capable of doing that today?

I would like to share a vision that a very good friend of mine had when she was at her rope's end.  In her words, she says, "I saw a vision of a bulging strong arm holding a spear and standing at attention...and just a profile of a jawline that was ready to fight.  Jesus let me know He was fighting for me."

When I think of Jesus, I often think of the "Sunday School Jesus"...the one with smiling, kind Jesus welcoming the little children to come unto Him.  I think of the Jesus cradling the lost sheep in His arms.  These are true and accurate portrayals of the Jesus the Bible describes.  But, there is a Jesus that we too often forget...the one who is strong and mighty, ready to fight and stand guard over our lives.

I may be short in stature, but I am a fighter and I have persevered through many trials.  I say "I", but more accurately, I usually fight until I reach the end of myself and then I remember that I have a Savior who is not only able, but is willing to go to battle for me.

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you...(Deuteronomy 1:29)

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.  (Exodus 14:14)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.  (Psalm 28:7)

Notice in these verses who it is who goes before and does the fighting?  The Lord.  What does he ask of us?  To be still and trust in Him and then praise Him. 

We are NOT the ones meant to fight, the Lord is. 

So what is there to fight?  In this world, lots of things both large and small.  Ie: fear, worry, doubt, anxiety, depression, lack of self esteem, problems of every sort - physical, emotional and spiritual.  Don't underestimate the enemy.  He is sneaky and crafty and prowls about looking to devour, kill and destroy.  He is not omniscient (able to read your mind), but he does know your hot buttons - your Achilles heel.  He wants to see you down, defeated and rendered useless for the Lord's good plans for your life. He speaks lies....ALL lies!

For me, he hurls flaming arrows that say that I am not a good enough wife and mother.  He gets me caught up in one of his favorite games - the comparison game.  This is a "no win" game by the way.  He taunts me that because I doubt, that my faith is not strong enough and that somehow God is disappointed in me.  Lately he has cheered that my spirits have fallen due to lingering physical infirmities. 

On my own, I am no match for the enemy.  The good news is that I have  strong warriors (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) ready to go to battle for me!

"He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."  (Psalm 91:2)

"His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." (Psalm 91:4)

"He commands His angels to guard you in all your ways."  (Psalm 91:11)

Fortunately we know that "greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world".  God trumps the enemy every time...our job is to call on Him!

What else does God ask us to do while He fights?  He protects us by giving us a full armor to put on to keep us safe and He asks us to guard our hearts and minds and to have faith.

In addition to all (full armor of God), take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)

"Guard your heart and mind by filling them with God's word.  Hold fast to the true meaning of following God and don't let go." (M. Southerland)

In essence God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit along with their army of angels are on the front lines going into battle for us.  We are the ones being defended and meanwhile are asked to put on our armor, have faith and be still.

To me, this is blessed assurance to know just who will fight for me and that I am a far cry from being in these battles alone.

I love the words to Chris Tomlin's song "Whom Shall I Fear" [God of Angel Armies]

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of Angel armies

Is always by my side.

 

 

What blessed assurance to know that we have a Heavenly army poised and ready to fight for us no matter what we come up against.  God loves you so much and he is furious with the enemy for coming up against you.  Behind His tender and merciful love for you is a powerful and mighty right arm ready to do battle on your behalf.  Oh what love can be greater than this?

 

Is there a battle being waged against you?  How can you take comfort and find peace in the One who will fight for you?

 

 

In His love,

 

Bev

Does Anyone See I'm Drowning Here?

Hey Friend,

I was going to write about a completely different topic, but this week has...well...stunk.   I had a dream the other night that I was treading water in the middle of a dark ocean with waves and whitecaps breaking all around me and in the midst of it all, other people (lots of people) kept grabbing onto me to keep themselves from drowning and all the while I was getting sucked under.

Today, with much on my mind, I drove down the road and saw a bunch of black crows picking away at road kill along the side of the road.  It was weird; I could identify with that poor rodent being picked apart by vultures until there was literally nothing left.

I even wore my t-shirt that says on the front, "Walk, Bike, Run" (with cute little stick figures) and on the back it says, " I can do all things through Christ Jesus who Strengthens Me." (Philippians 4:13).  This is all kind of ironic because with my foot in a majorly clunky boot after surgery, I can do none of those things.  Do I get credit for thinking positive? 

All this to say, "Do you ever feel like the world picks away at you until you have nothing else to give?"  I do.  After a week of give, give giving and take, take, taking (taking on others burdens) I had to re-evaluate to whom I was giving and then where was I placing the burdens that I was being given. 

First, God did not design me to take on every body else's burdens.  I tend to be a caring and compassionate person, but sometimes that means that I take on too much.  Things I'm not meant to take on.  That's God's job and here I am jumping in to do His job. 

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:  he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  (Psalm 55:22)

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  (Isaiah 40:29)

"He stands fast as your rock, steadfast as your safeguard, sleepless as your watcher, valiant as your champion."  (C.H. Spurgeon)

It was obvious to me where I needed to place my burdens and those that had somehow been passed to me...where they belong...in the Lord's hands.

I also needed to re-evaluate my priorities.  I was scrolling on facebook the other day and I came upon a pretty picture post that said, "No matter what, my children will always come first."  There were lots of "likes" for this tidbit of wisdom.  But, under my breath I whispered, No, No, No you've got it all wrong.
This, too, is also ironic because often I act as though my children do come first. 

Don't get me wrong, I dearly love my children, but the facebook hierarchy is not God's plan.  His looks more like:  JOY...Jesus, Others, You.  Jesus and God, of course, come first.  Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you...we know this.

Second comes others, but in a special order.  Spouse first before children.  Then family then others.  This is highlighted for me...my spouse comes before my children.  Period.  When I buy into the voices yelling me, me, me the whole canoe gets wobbly and we end up in the drink.  Loved ones, love your loved one and place him/her in the place that God has designated in order for things to flow properly.

Then comes You.  In todays society usually the You last looks like the road kill I mentioned above.  Just because you come third doesn't mean that you drain yourself for the sake of others.  God is love.  He expects you to share His love with others, but He does not intend for you not to keep some for yourself.

I love my husband because at the beginning of each day he asks me, "What are you going to do nice for yourself today?"  What a great question to be asked!!  I am so blessed by this man.  I'm also not used to being asked that question yet, but I'm getting better.  So I ask you, "What are you going to do nice for yourself today?" And your answer is: _____________________________.
I hope that it includes drinking in His word.  His scripture is life giving water and too often I go thirsty.  I hope that it includes doing something you love...read, go for a walk, dig in your garden, knit, paint, take a nap. 

I'll end my ramblings here with a quote that I love...it reminds me where I need to go when I feel like I'm drowning.

"God wants to reveal Himself as your Heavenly Father.  When you are hurting, you can run to Him and crawl up into His lap.  When you wonder which way to turn, you can grasp His strong hand, and He'll guide you along life's path.  When everything around you is falling apart, you'll feel your Father's arm around your shoulder to hold you together.  (Lisa Welchel)

Friend, God does see when you are drowning.  He is the God that Sees You.  He loves you, treasures you, delights over you with singing.  He does not want to see you picked to the bone.  Just because His love and His word fill us up, doesn't mean we need to pour it all out and keep none of this life-giving water for ourselves.  He wants abundance for you (and for me).  Treat yourself like the treasure that you are...

In His love,

Bev

Some Different Thoughts On Rest

Hey Friend,

 

It seems to me lately that a lot of Christian bloggers and writers have been writing on the topic of "rest".  It is apparent that in this hustle-bustle, keep busy all the time, immediate gratification world of ours, that people don't know how to get off the merry-go-round. 

 

Ironically, lately, I have been experiencing the flip side of the coin and have been asking myself, "Is there such a thing as too much rest?"  Just a year and a half ago I had major knee surgery that took me out of the starting lineup for many months.  Unable to do much of anything, God beckoned me to begin this blog.  Okay, score one for the case for "rest is a good thing". 

 

Now I am out of the saddle again due to foot surgery and I will confess that I had a royal pity party.  I watched the happy people running, biking, walking their dogs from my front door and the tears began to flow.  Why Lord?  Why am I sidelined yet again?  Just when I was getting into a really good exercise routine and was thinking of starting a small group at church and, and, and.

 

I've lived the hectic busy life.  I remember well the days of leading Bible study while teaching Sunday school and volunteering at school and running to hockey  games and dance team practice, while serving our local MOPS group, and, and, and.  I also remember all too well hitting the wall with exhaustion.  Why do we go at such a pace?

 

I have a couple notions:  Self worth. Instead of finding our worth in God's view of us, we turn to the world and its accolades for jobs well done in order to find our worth.  Fear.  Fear that if we stop going at break neck speed we will have to be alone with our thoughts (which sometimes aren't pretty) or we might have to be alone with God and He just might want to point out our weaknesses.  Or perhaps fear that others will view us as inadequate if we take time to slow down.  Pride.  I have to laugh that Americans rarely take more than a few days vacation or perhaps a week at a time for rest and relaxation because we think that somehow the world at work, home, etc. will not be able to get along without us.  We also get the notion that no one can do all these things that we do better than we can.  I don't like to admit it, but shear pride kept me going at a lot of the things I was doing.  I was serving myself; I was not serving God.

 

So back to my forced rest.  I'll admit I'm squirming.  I'd rather be mindlessly running on all cylinders than to take time out for God's plan for me.

 

So what to do with all this spiritual "whitespace".  Psalm 119: 12-16 has some good answers.

 

Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.  With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.  I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.  I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

 

Teach, Recount, Rejoice, Meditate, Consider, Delight, Not Neglect

 

When was the last time you gave yourself time to do all these things...I mean really do them?  I fool myself into thinking a quick ten minute devotional is fuel enough to get me through the day.  I think, truly, in actuality I am neglecting God's word.

 

I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  (John 15:5)

 

In order to be Kingdom changers we need to be plugged into the Vine - the life source.  It doesn't say that without Christ we can do 85%, or 50% or 25%.  It says apart from me you can do nothing. 

 

I am a stubborn learner, so I believe that God often needs to bring me to long periods of rest because He knows that on my own, I will keep going until I hit a wall.

 

Psalm 23 recounts: He leads me beside still waters.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

 

Why?  Because the prosperity of the Lord's servant brings glory to the Lord.

 

If we are exhausted all the time, we cannot bring glory to the Lord.

 

Last of all, I know with all my heart that God is Love!  His desire for rest for us is born out of His great love for us (Boy, I must really be loved lol.)

 

God brings us to a deliberate place of rest so that we can fully realize that we are loved just as we are.

 

GOD BRINGS US TO A DELIBERATE PLACE OF REST SO THAT WE CAN FULLY REALIZE THAT WE ARE LOVED JUST AS WE ARE.

 

When we are doing nothing but resting, we cannot earn or strive or prove; we can only just be.  We don't have to "DO" to merit God's love, we just have to rest and "BE".

Christ brings rest for the soul, the mind, the body, our peace, our anxiety, our trouble, our work, our ministry, our life.

Christ says, "Rest in me," over and over again in the Bible. 

And when we rest, we have time to be in relationship with Him.

Oh what love.  Oh what a blessing.  I'm going to try to view this time of rest as a blessing to be with my Lord instead of being a curse.  Will you pray for me that I won't squirm under his prescription for rest?  Will, you take God's invitation to rest as an invitation into a loving relationship with Him?  I pray so.  God sacrificed so much so that we could live in relationship with him.  He invites us to rest...will you take Him up on His invitation?

In His love,

Bev

ps.  If you read my blog, please know that I pray for you every morning and every evening.  If you would like specific prayer, please feel free to contact me.  I am honored and humbled to pray for you.
 

 

 

When You Just Can't Fix It

Hey Friend,

When my children were little and they got hurt, I could scoop them up in my arms, comfort their crying with a hug, put a band aid on the scrape, kiss it and it would be all better.  I could remove them from danger by putting them in their crib or holding them securely on my lap or taking hold of their hand.

But what happens when they get older and you just can't fix it?  Little people problems grow into big people problems, yet we are still parents who love and care for our children.

I watched a mother I knew in church while we were singing worship songs.  Her shoulders were heaving up and down and she continued to wipe tears from her eyes.  Her son, who had battled with depression, went to a party and had a toxic cocktail of pills and alcohol and decided to end his life by jumping from a bridge over some railroad tracks.

Their family went on a fabulous ski vacation.  The daughter asked if she could join some other teenagers down at the pool for a little while since her parents were getting ready to turn in for the evening.  Hanging out at the pool, led to a party in someone's room, led to the daughter getting drunk and having sex with someone she had barely met, which led to a pregnancy and an abortion that devastated the family.

A young male youth group leader was approached on the internet by a student in his group who was obviously dealing with many issues.  Innocent talking and encouragement led to him asking her what he could do to help her the most.  Her reply was, "Would you have sex with me?"  He remembers his head saying no, but in a moment of pure temptation, his fingers typed, "Yes."  She was not yet 16. Even though nothing happened,  her parents found out and pressed charges and now he is serving time in prison.

Their family sat shocked when the doctor announced that the brain tumor was inoperable.  They could give him more time with radiation and chemotherapy, but inevitably he was going to die...still in his young twenties.

Add in the many, many parents of prodigals who pray earnestly for God to replace their child's heart of stone with a heart of flesh and you have so many situations that you simply can't fix anymore. I wish these were fictional stories, but unfortunately they are real.  So what now?

The prayers of these parents are the ones described in Romans 8:26-27:  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Sometimes we can't even put words to our prayers; they are guttural, desperate groans.  When we are so hurt that we can't even pray, the Spirit carries the cries of our heart to the Father through groans that only the Father can understand.  Sometimes we can only call on the name of our Savior, "Jesus".  By simply crying out His name, there is power.  The enemy must flee at the sound of Jesus' name.

"If our God is for us who can be against us?"  (Romans 8:31)

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for our Lord your God goes with you; and He will never leave nor forsake you."  (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Our Lord answers us when we are in distress.  He draws near to the groaning heart.  This side of Heaven we may never truly understand the  "why" behind these things happening.  In these times of utter weakness we must cling to the fact that God is good; God is Sovereign and God is in control.  Even when the situation tells us the exact opposite, this is where a giant leap of faith is needed.  We either jump into God or we jump away from Him.

God promises us, that in our utter weakness and devastation, He will never leave nor forsake us.  We can claim that as truth.  He feels our pain and He feels our sorrow.  After all He did watch His only son be brutally beaten to within an inch of his life and killed in a tortuous act upon a cross.  He is no stranger to pain.  He answers us and comforts us in our distress.

"No one ever blows it so badly that the Spirit can't still blow in.  And no wind ever blows so hard that it doesn't carry hope, that it doesn't blow in blessing too."  (Ann Voskamp)

Praise God that no situation is so bad (even death) that the Spirit can't still blow in.  And the Spirit brings hope and hope never disappoints.  Blessings can be found in even the worst situation.  God never leaves His people without hope.  He and only He, can bring beauty from ashes if we will let Him.

The pain that you have been feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming.  (Romans 8:18)

Joy may come in this lifetime...or as I am learning to have a much more eternal perspective, joy may not fully come until we are reunited with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and our loved ones in the life to come.  God promises that our trials on this earth will seem light and momentary when compared with the joy experienced when we are with Him in Heaven.  I cling to this hope because otherwise I can't make sense of the atrocities that happen here on earth. 

Maybe this seems way too trite and simple...but this is how I have learned to cope when I just can't fix it.  I must trust that God is always with me and there must be valleys if I'm going to see the mountains. I have to believe that God is big enough to handle and understand my anger.  I have to believe that God can bring beauty and blessings even from the destruction in our lives.  And, I hold onto the hope and joy that will be mine when I see God face to face.  I truly believe He's going to blow my socks off. 

Meanwhile, we hold on...we press on...we keep on...and we praise Him.

I'll end this post with the lyrics of a song by Matt Redman:

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

 

And I can see a light that is coming

for the heart that holds on

And there will be an end to these troubles

but until that day comes

 

Still I will praise You

Still I will praise You

 

 

Dear Friend, know that you are in my prayers if you are going through a time such as these.  If you are not, look around; chances are someone you know is going through a time that can make or break their faith.  When you just can't fix it...fix your eyes upon Jesus and run into His strong and comforting arms.  He longs to hold you.

 

In His love,

 

Bev

ps. I do not pretend to be a counselor, so if you are in a dark and hurting place, I strongly encourage you to seek competent Christian counseling/grief counseling.

Striving...Am I Doing Okay?

Hey Friend,

 

Let me preface this post by saying that we never fully "arrive" (master, grasp, understand) anything this side of Heaven.  Until the day we die, we are a work in progress.

 

With that being said, I will confess that I have come a long way from being the girl who was constantly striving.  Striving to do as much as I could possibly do perfectly in order to earn or win love and approval.  Whose love and approval?  God's, my dad's, others, etc.  I was the ultimate of people pleasers and still, to this day, struggle with trying to make everyone happy (which by the way is not my job - or yours either).

 

Usually I save the punch line for last...but in case you get bored, I want to be sure that you get this piece of what I have learned.  It's only taken me 53 years to get this far:

 

Freedom comes through Christ's righteousness ALONE.  When His righteousness becomes ours, we are set free from striving.  His Spirit frees us from the law of sin and guilt.

 

Please read that again...or several times if you have to until it really sinks in.

 

I would like to explore what I call the 3 "E's" of Striving:

 

Expectations:  I used to have the Energizer Bunny mentality that doing more was better.  It was important what the world thought of me and the world measures worth in terms of accomplishments.  God had/has a different message.  You don't have to do...just BE!  Expectations breed perfectionism and get this - there is no way you can be perfect on your own, in your own power.  God is the only author and perfector of me and my faith...period.

 

"You are not called to live up to your potential - to do as much as you can, as quickly as you can, for as many as you can. (Hint - potential is just a code word for other people's expectations).  You, my friend, are simply called to say "Yes" to God."  (Holley Gerth)

 

It was in a very low period in my life - when I was far from perfect - that Christ drew me unto Himself and let me know that He simply wanted to be in an intimate relationship with me (just me as I was - broken).  I realized the goal was not perfection...it was Him!

 

Long story, short:  Can the expectations.

 

Earn (the 2nd "E"):  I'll let you in on a little secret...you can't earn love or grace.  Sure you can try (just like I did) but it just doesn't work that way.  This brings us back to that "freedom" concept.  Only in Him do we find true freedom - not in any "works" we seek to accomplish.

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

 

God alone gives you love and grace.  You can't earn it.  It's a gift.  You receive it.

 

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  (C.S. Lewis)

 

I love C.S. Lewis.  He has a way of turning the world's logic on its head lol.

 

Even if we try to strive and earn God's love and grace, our very best offerings are like filthy rags in God's sight.  Not that works are not good...it's just that they will not earn you love or salvation.  Only God's grace can do that.

 

"And all our righteous acts are like filthy rags..."  (Isaiah 64:6)

 

Enough (the 3rd "E"):  Try this sentence on for size.  "I embrace who I am;  I don't have to strive;  Through Christ I am enough;  God loves me simply for being _______________(fill in your name)".

 

When Christ died on the cross, He said, "It is finished".  Translation:  There is nothing more you can or need to do.  Knowing this truth and continuing to strive to earn something is really a pride thing when you get right down to it.  I was, in essence, saying to Christ - what you did was nice and all, but there's still something more that I have to or can do.  Your sacrifice wasn't enough.                             I = PRIDE...Christ = GRACE.

 

If you walk away with one truth I pray that it would be this:  God does not love you any more or any less depending on what you do.  He loves you because He is Love.  He cannot deny Himself.

 

"Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:39)

 

I hope that I have not come across at too preachy.  If there is one thing I have been sort of able to wrap my little pea brain around is that I do not have to be constantly striving.  I am doing okay.  In knowing this, it brings tremendous freedom and freedom is the sweet spot in which God would have me live!

 

"You can give up the need to compete in the world - when you accept being complete in Christ."  (Ann Voskamp)

 

Are you striving and want to get off the treadmill?  How have you accepted that you are okay as you are?  How are you a work in progress?  I invite you to share your successes and your struggles that we all may be encouraged.

 

Know you are loved...

 

In His love,

 

Bev

 

ps.  MEMORIAL WEEKEND PS.:  I will be taking this week off due to surgery.  Prayers are always welcome.  I hope you'll find a post you may have missed in the archives.  Let us give thanks to the great men and women who have served and who are serving that we might have our freedom.  A special thanks to military spouses who hold down the fort back at home. Be blessed...B 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dare To Go Deep

Hey Friend,

 

As my mother would say...I have a bee in my bonnet.  I have a problem with our customary greeting.  The one that goes, "How are you?"..."Fine."  "How are you?"..."Fine, thanks."  Liar.

 

You who spewed like a volcano over spilled milk and cheerios before putting your four year old into a half nelson in order to get her coat on before preschool drop off...you are not "fine". 

 

You who stopped by the grocery store after the biopsy that will take what seems like an eternity for the results...you are not "fine".

 

You who are weary from caring for your mom with advanced Alzheimers...you are not "fine".

 

Why are we afraid to be real? 

 

Why is it not okay to take my story and reach into someone else's story?

 

In fact, I like that question better..."What's your story?"  Wouldn't that be a far better question to ask if we really cared?  I think what keeps us from real community with others...for daring to go deep is first - Fear.  We are afraid to reach out, afraid of being turned away when we are vulnerable and so we keep people at arms length.  Another possible answer is plain old Selfishness.  If we were all a little less self absorbed we might find that our heart truly knows how to bleed for others who are broken.

 

I have been criticized by some for sharing some things in a public forum that should not be shared.  In doing so, my aim was not to harm but to help.  But maybe I owe some apologies.  I do choose, however, to share my story (and that may include people around me) because I strongly believe that my story can bring honor to God and that, ultimately, is what I am here for.

 

Maybe your story is not all that interesting (or so you think).  But, we rob God and we cheat others when we don't tell our stories.

 

Why?  Because Jesus changes our stories if we'll let him.  He, and only He, can bring beauty from the ashes of our broken lives and build them into a beautiful testimony.  I invite you to take a moment and read my life scripture and take note of the last line, "Many will see and be in awe and put their trust in the Lord."  (Psalm 40:3)

 

"Only when you're broken are you tender enough to wrap yourself around anyone."  (Ann Voskamp)

 

About two weeks ago I nervously drove to an (in) Real Life meetup put together by the wonderful women of (in)courage:  www.incourage.me.  These were women I had never met in my life and we were challenged to "Open up our ordinary lives" with others in order to build community and find belonging in the sisterhood in Christ. 

 

We watched compelling videos of some of the most well put together Christian women sharing honestly.  They talked about being afraid of community, brokenness, hurting places, striving to be perfect, ardently seeking approval, fear of abandonment, abuse, low self esteem...things you never thought you would hear coming out of their mouths.

 

Then, gulp, we were encouraged to answer the question, "What is your story?"

This was the really hard part...but the more we shared, the more we realized we are not so different. We are not alone. (Sigh of relief)  Each of us had to weigh: The cost of sharing my story vs. the cost of remaining quiet.  For a gathering with strangers that started at 2 pm., I didn't pull back into my driveway until almost 6 pm.  God had met us there and we had shared the fruit of openness.  We left feeling like the new "pretty" was showing yourself as a real human being.

 

"Friendship begins when you can say, 'me too'."  (C.S. Lewis)

 

I wholeheartedly encourage you to break the silence and be the first to share your story.  What you bring to the table is incredibly meaningful even if it only seems ordinary to you. Someone, somewhere needs to hear your story.  You were given it for a reason.  We need to learn to walk intentionally in the ordinary.

 

Don't look out for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.  (Philippians 2:4)

 

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  (Galatians 6:2)

 

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

 

Are you a safe place for people to share their story?  Are you brave enough to dare to go deep and tell your story?  Together we can "breath life into the space of need".  Are you willing to take the plunge with me?  

 

If you are would you take the challenge this week of truly sharing the story of your life with someone?  If that's too hard, will you share the story of your week, your day, your hour?  Don't waste it...God needs you.  Dare to go deep...beyond "Fine". 

 

In His love,

 

Bev 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making His Joy Your Joy

Hey Friend,

 

Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked out to get the mail from my mailbox.  I looked around to make sure that I would not meet eye to eye with any of my neighbors who were out and about.  I just didn't have it in me. Numbly, I pulled out the mail and just as I was about to shut the door, I heard it.  Faintly at first, but it was definitely there...chirp, chirp, chirp.  I looked into the newspaper cubby beneath the box, but I couldn't see anything.  It was just too dark.  So I bent down and put my ear up to the opening and heard just the sweetest little chorus. 

 

All of a sudden, I burst into hot tears that streamed down my cheeks.  My life had turned to hell this week and here God was giving me an offering of joy.  Year after year, the bluebirds have tried building a nest under the mailbox and year after year something happens that the eggs never hatch.  No bluebird babies, but today was different.  They were alive and they were singing for their supper.  There was hope after all...

 

In my pain, this was God's humble and merciful gift to me.  Christ made it clear:  He intends that His joy should become our joy.  Yet sometimes, amid the inevitable hustle and bustle of life here on earth, we can forfeit - albeit temporarily - the joy of Christ as we wrestle with the challenges of everyday living.  In place of my usual ramblings, I offer some thoughts on joy...

 

Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century American clergyman, observed, "Christ is not only a remedy for your weariness and trouble, but he will give you an abundance of the contrary: joy and delight.  They who come to Christ do not only come to a resting-place after they have been wandering in the wilderness, but they come to a banqueting-house where they may rest, and where they may feast.  They may cease from their former troubles and toils, and they may enter upon a course of delights and spiritual joys."

 

"Our sense of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life increases, no matter what the circumstances, if we are in the center of God's will."  (Billy Graham)

 

"If you can forgive the person you were, accept the person you are, and believe in the person you will become, you are headed for joy.  So celebrate your life."  (Barbara Johnson)

 

"Lord, I thank you for the promise of heaven and the unexpected moments when you touch my heartstrings with that longing for my eternal home."  (Joni Eareckson Tada)

 

"Joy is the direct result of having God's perspective on our daily lives and the effect of loving our Lord enough to obey His commands and trust His promises."  (Bill Bright)

 

"Joy is the heart's harmonious response to the Lord's song of love."  (A.W. Tozer)

 

If today, like me, your heart is weary and heavy laden, I invite you to open the door of your soul to Christ.  He, and only He, can give you peace and joy.  He wants to make His joy your joy.  Are you willing to let him?

 

May I add two scriptures to meditate on...if joy has been eluding you...will you join me in meditating upon them?

 

Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  (John 15:11)

 

His joy for my sorrow...His perfect life for my sinful life.  What a good and gracious God we have!

 

In His love,

 

Bev

ps, Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments.  If you've experienced God making His joy, your joy this week...would you share so that we may all be encouraged?