Dear Women...

And yes, I am directing that to every single woman...

My heart aches for those who struggle with this day. For those who long to be mothers but have never been able to have children for various reasons. For those whose mothers have passed away and really miss them on this day. For those who never had a mother who cared. For those whose children do not honor them.

So, here is what I feel God laying on my heart to say...

I think it is fair to say that stereotypically, and usually in reality, women can be characterized as "nurturers." As women most of us generally "feel" things in a way that is unique to our gender. And many of our "feelings" move us to care for others in unique and beautiful loving, often "nuturing," ways.

So, which women have nurtured and cared for you throughout your lifetime?

Who have your poured your life into?

Who have you cared for?

Many of us have had the privilege of being biological (or even adoptive) mothers, bearing children and caring for them and raising them. What a beautiful (and santifying!) experience this can be.

All of us have had our own biological or adoptive mother. For some this may bring up painful memories. For others sweet thoughts.

And I'd like to push this one step further. As christian women (and men of course) we have all been given the command to love others and to share Jesus with the world. Each time we plant seeds into tender hearts we are nurturing and caring as a spiritual mother. Some people we may only have the privilege of planting a seed or two. Sometimes we are called to water the growing seed. Sometimes we have the amazing privilege of harvesting the seed of the gospel in people's lives, leading them to surrender their lives to the Lord and discipling them. For some we may truly empty ourselves out for the sake of.

I think it is fair to say many many Christian women, though they have no biological children, are spiritual mothers.

My heart spills over with joy and gratitude for each of you who pours out your life for others. Thank you for giving. Thank you for breathing life into other's lives. Thank you for caring and nurturing those around you. Thank you for planting, watering and harvesting the spiritual seed in others lives! Thank you for being YOU!

Taking the well known Proverbs 31 passage, which presents such a challenging example of a wife and mother, let me share this reminder to my sisters in Christ...

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Let us continue serving the Lord, nurturing tender hearts...

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I am blown away by the blessing God has bestowed on us to be able to be His instrument, to be used for His glory!

A Pig, A Cat and a Big Mud Puddle

My goal this week is to be a cat...not a pig!

Okay, that probably doesn't make much sense. So I'll explain. Sunday's sermon really struck a chord with me. One illustration really stuck. The speaker asked, "Have you ever seen a cat go through a mud puddle?" followed by "Have you ever seen a pig go through a mud puddle?"

He proceeded to describe some of the things he'd seen growing up on the farm. He talked about how cats, when facing a mud puddle, would jump from rock, to tuft of grass, to rock etc. to get to the other side of the mud puddle, fully aware of every angle as they crossed. And when they got to the other side they would clean off any mud that was stuck to their fur. (Of course this is probably not always the case! But works for the sake of this illustration.) Here is a youtube clip I found of a cat and a puddle...

Did you notice how the cat was really not that interested in the mud puddle and actually turned away and walked the other direction?

Now on the other hand, the speaker emphasized that pigs never go "through" a mud puddle! They love to just get right in there, roll around, get as mucky as possible. Then some of the mud begins to dry and cake on and they get a bit itchy and then they roll around some more. You get the picture. They really make themselves at home in the mud. Here's another youtube clip that may help illustrate the point.

The point of this illustration is that we need to "walk circumspectly" (Ephesians 5:15 KJV). The speaker mentioned how the word circumspectly comes from two different roots - circumference and inspect. I'm not sure where he got that from as I couldn't find that in my searches. Here is a definition that I found for circumspect:

Aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent; cautious, prudent, thoughtful, or wary.

His point was that when we walk circumspectly we are seeing things from all angles (the whole circumference) and we are inspecting the situation.

This got me thinking. Am I going through life like a pig or like a cat?! I know that sounds like a crazy question. But the image of the different approaches resonates with me. Right now I feel like a pig rolling around in the mud puddle of sin (in particular the sin of gluttony and lack of self control), instead of prudently and intentionally inspecting each step I take, aiming to get to the other side as cleanly as possible.

Now I know that ultimately without the Holy Spirit guiding and directing me I will be wallowing in the mud. I'm human and I very well know that I have this tug of war to do what my flesh wants. It says in Galatians 5:16-18, 25:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

As we are filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:18) and keeping in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:25) we begin to see situations through different eyes...ultimately with a renewed mind (Rom. 12:2). We see that mud puddle of sin and begin to see the way out of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13) and begin to see what God's will is (Rom. s 12:2).

So, my goal this week is to be a cat....not a pig! Application of this means I am going to be aiming to "walk circumspectly," soaking up God's word and truth every chance I get! If I don't know and acknowledge the truth, how can I live the truth? I want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind this week (Rom. 12:2). I want to watch and pray so that I will not fall into temptation (Matt. 26:41). And ultimately I want to SHINE for Jesus and be the aroma of Christ to those around me (2 Cor. 2:15). Ultimately I know that I can't get around or through this mud puddle without Christ! I cling to the following verse:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

He Loves Me

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

He is with me. He is mighty to save.
What a great reminder! This is a truth worth clinging to!

He delights in me.
This is hard for me to fathom. I'm just like a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things, of all the people that have ever lived and ever will live in the future. Yet God DELIGHTS in me. That makes me think that I make Him smile every now and then:-)

He quiets me with His love.
I picture a great big hug, arms wrapped around a child, somehow soothing all the worries and concerns away. It brings the image forth of a mother gently rocking her baby, softly hushing the cries and complaints, singing a soft lullaby in her baby's ear. And before you know it that child or that baby is smiling happily and contentedly up into mommy's face, resting in her embrace. Is that like God and His love for me?

He rejoices over me with singing.
Wow! This one actually feels almost unbelievable to me. First that He rejoices over me. And secondly that He would sing to/for me. It's going to take awhile for me to soak that truth in! It really is amazing to me that He would love me, sinful as I am, in this way.

My husband has been looking at life and faith through the lens of God's immense love for us a lot more then usual lately. He has really been impacted and inspired by another book by Wayne Jacobsen called "He Loves Me." I'm going to have to dig into that book soon because it seems to be affecting every aspect of my husband's outlook lately.

I often think I have no problem seeing life through this lens. Yet, I've been challenged lately. And I have come to realize I can, in no way, even grasp a fraction of the amount of love God has for me...for each and every person.

Boundaries

What boundaries, with regard to eating, do I feel called to? This is the question I've been pondering a bit more over the past couple days.

First and foremost I definitely feel God calling me to eat within hunger and fullness (#0-#5). This just works for me. I feel comfortable with it. It makes sense to me and resonates with me. The signals that God created my body to send me, telling me when I'm hungry and full just seem so logical to me. If I stay within 0-5 at all times, eating for emotional reasons is kept to a minimum. Of course, staying within those boundaries at all times is another matter...

Another boundary that I have felt impressed on me more frequently of late is that I should be sitting at the table to eat. If I stayed within that boundary a lot of the extra nibbling would be eliminated.

I'm still unsure what kinds of boundaries God is calling me to in regards to sugary treats. One that has worked for me in the past has been to save treats for dinner dessert. None during the day. I'm just not sure if I need to take this a step further. I know in my post on April 1st I was talking about eliminating sugary treats for the month (excluding social occasions). But, in all honesty I haven't been sticking to this. I'm going to seek God on this one a bit more. This definitely presents the biggest challenge for me to stay within the 0-5 boundary. I will certainly need to feel God's conviction and empowerment on this one for me to follow through. This one is a TOUGH one for me!

Boundaries are a wonderful and beautiful thing when lovingly set in place. I know that God has given me many boundary lines, to live within His will, and I know that He has set these boundary lines out of love and care for me. I am blown away by the fact that God really and truly loves me and wants to satisfy me more than anything or anyone else! The following verses are very special to me...

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:24

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6

The Lord is my portion. Those are powerful words. Nothing else will satisfy me like God does. Too often I'm like a whiny child, wanting what I want NOW, when what really is most satisfying and healthy in the long run is extended from the hand of a loving parent.

My boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places. I certainly feel this is true in my life. I am thankful that God has allowed me to experience so many pleasures and joys in my life when staying within His boundaries. Yet how often do I turn a blind eye to these boundary lines? I honestly can often feel the switch turning on or off within me, when I want to step outside the boundary lines and do things my own way. ugh. I need to STOP and be transformed by the rewewing of my mind, taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ, BEFORE I step outside these boundaries! Why on earth would I want to step into the muck and mire of sin when God has gifted me with such a pleasant place?

And then moving onto this verse...

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

In my mind, if I was to envision where I'd like the boundary lines of my life to fall...I can see this vision of fences surrounding His throne. Oh, that is the place to STAY, isn't it!!!! All other things will fall into place when I keep my mind stayed on Him, when I stay in His presence.

Reflect

In Living Beyond Yourself, Beth Moore writes,

Gold is not "finished" until it reaches a point of perfect luster. The chief objective of the refiner is to bring the gold to a point of greatest reflection. The gold is not as costly for its own sake as it is for the sake of that which it reflects. It is the light which exposes its qualities. LBD pg 116

She unpacked a few scriptures which God really spoke to my heart through, a few of which I will pinpoint below.

"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. " Job 23:8-12

"He has tested me and I will come forth as GOLD." Those are Job's words after losing his children, his servants, his livestock, his wealth, his physical health.

"I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." Wow! That's powerful! Job certainly glorified God in the trials of life. (On a side note this verse has REALLY spoken to me in regards to weight surrender issues... Treasuring God's word is KEY!)

"And we, who with unveiled faces all REFLECT the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

We are called to REFLECT God's glory. And the neat thing is we have "unveiled" faces. Through Jesus' death on the cross the veil has been removed. We can approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). That's an amazing truth!

Exodus 34:29-35 describes how Moses had such a radiant face after being in the Lord's presence that he would actually have to put a veil over his face! We are being granted the same privilege! We get to be in God's very presence, with unveiled faces it says in 2 Cor. 3:18. As we spend time fixing our eyes on Him, keeping our mind stayed on Him, simply sitting at His feet and feasting at His table, presenting our prayers and petitions with thanksgiving to Him...we are in the very PRESENCE of God! And we can't help but be TRANSFORMED when we remain in His presence! And we will certainly REFLECT His glory!

As I type this up, I'm being reminded of my favorite childhood verse (I still don't know why this one resonated with me throughout those early years)...

"Those who look to him are RADIANT; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5

When I come into His presence I can't help but be purified of sin. I don't think I could come into His presence with a truly rebellious heart. As I come humbly, in prayer, seeking His face and turning from my wicked ways, He hears my prayer, he forgives my sin and heals (2 Chron. 7:14) ...and my face is no longer covered with shame because He has forgiven me!

My main struggles in life are the "mundane" aspects. I simply need sinful impurities to be removed from my heart - my impatience with my kids, my lack of selflessness with my husband, my laziness, my lack of time in prayer, my lack of self-discipline with eating/exercise which happens time and again, my lack of focussing on things from above, my forgetting to be thankful and prayerful, having a loose tongue at times.... I want to STAY in His presence and have these impurities melted away. I want to come forth like gold, REFLECTING His glory!

So, I choose to fix my eyes on Him. I choose to keep my mind stayed on Him. I lay my requests before Him and wait in expectation. I passionately persist...

So that I may REFLECT!

Fingerprints of God

Psalm 139 is so full of descriptions of the love and care God has for each of us. As I meditate on this scripture, I am blown away! Psalm 139 shows that His fingerprints (as sung about in the song I posted below) TRULY do cover us from the beginning of time, even before we were made! What awesome truths worth soaking up!

O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,'
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
Psalm 139:1-18

"Fingerprints of God" by Steven Curtis Chapmen

God's Perfect Peace

I was watching the news this morning and an author was interviewed who had wrote a book about decision making. The point pondered was whether we should make decisions based on emotion or logic. And the answer is it needs to be a combination.

This flowed interestingly into what God has been speaking to me about the past few days in regards to my mind, my heart and God's perfect peace.

I've been feeling a bit caught up in the busyness of life. I have been longing to get my thoughts sorted out and processed. Putting posts together on my blog is one way of processing everything. I've been itching to get here to post! So this is a big treat for me right now!

As I think about the way my anxieties plague me, how my to-do list grows, how I sweat the small stuff, I plead for God's perfect peace. Oh how my emotions (heart) and logic (mind) can get all mixed up and upside down sometimes! I wanted to just quiet my soul and rest at His feet. A verse that has been really sticking with me lately and resonating is Isaiah 26:3.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (NIV)

This is a powerful verse. It reminds me that I can experience God's perfect peace in my heart even in the midst of tumultuous experiences if my mind is focussed on the Lord. I asked myself what it means to have a mind that is steadfast. And the King James Version of this verse shed a little light on what that means.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is STAYED on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (KJV)

A steadfast mind is a mind that is STAYED on the Lord. Focussed on Him. Fixed on Him. Trusting the Lord. As I began to do a quick search on verses that speak of the mind, I was reminded of one of my favorite verses lately...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Transformed by the renewing of my mind. How do we do that? is my next logical question.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col. 3:2

"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37

I think the root of renewal and steadfastness of mind can be summed up in this verse:

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16

As I approach the throne of grace with confidence in the the blood of Jesus poured out for my sins (Heb. 4:16), and as I set my focus on things above (Col. 3:2), seeking to love God with all that is in me (Matt. 22:37) and get to know him through his law, the bible (Jer. 31:33)...then I have the mind of Christ and I begin to be transformed and renewed.

So what difference does this make to the state of my heart or my emotions? Well, if my mind is STAYED on the Lord, trusting Him, steadfast...then He renews me and transforms me and also begins to pour out His perfect peace in my heart. It begins to spill over.

I couldn't help but think about this familiar passage:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

This is getting down the nitty gritty of experiencing God's perfect peace. I hadn't really zoned in on the word "mind" before in verse 7 where it says: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hmmm.... Very interesting! And the main message of the whole passage is all about keeping our focus STAYED on Him and our mind being steadfastly fixed on thankfulness and prayer and excellent and praiseworthy things from above. And even greater then that the promise that the Lord is NEAR! Oh to be in His presence!!! (and to not forget that no matter what we're feeling!) God's perfect peace flows out of all that.

I know this is a very quick and incomplete look into these verses. Yet God has been stirring a longing for His peace within me. And I began to connect some dots in the past few days! I see how it is connected to my state of mind. Beliefs, what fills my mind, keeping God's truth foremost has been a big part of my growth in the past year. I realize the importance of ensuring my mind is fixed fully on the Lord, not allowing any lies from Satan to permeate my mind, not allowing my focus to shift away from the Lord's perfect and pleasing will... I must keep my mind steadfastly stayed on Him alone and I WILL experience His perfect peace.

Thank you for your perfect peace, Lord. (Is. 26:3) My soul clings to You. Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8) I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3) Your name and renown is the desire of my heart. (Isaiah 26:8)

Waiting in Expectation

Yesterday morning the Lord spoke to me through the following scripture...

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice. In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-2

Isn't that beautiful? I love the attitude of waiting in expectation! That's real faith, isn't it?! Just like the verse in Hebrews 11:1 "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I think the word "expectation" reflects being sure of what we hope for.

When Christmas is around the corner, there is LOTS of expectation around our house! The kids know there are lots of special activities, travels to grandparents, yummy food & treats and gifts around the corner! It's always such an exciting time if year, marked with putting up the christmas tree and then often counting down to the special day with an advent calendar. THAT'S expectation! Waiting and KNOWING there are many good things in store!

So when I apply that analogy to my prayers, I get excited! I get excited about answers to prayer. I get excited about God moving and being glorified! Along those lines, here is another verse that spoke to me recently and tucked into my memory:

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Changing gears I little... Today is Ash Wednesday, a very new term for me. I am exploring how I am going to embrace the lent season this year in preparation for Easter...and have an attitude of waiting in expectation. I found a few resources that I think will be helpful along the way, as I stumble along:-) Thanks to Mona for emailing me this link for a lenten reflection guide. I am looking forward to using this on my journey. And then I noticed that BibleGateway has a lent reading plan available here.

I'm looking forward to the journey ahead. I wait in expectation of all the Lord has in store, the ways He will teach me and convict me and grow me!

Divine Agape Love

The official "love" month is pretty much over. God has been convicting me of many things throughout the past couple weeks as I have meditated on His divine agape love.

This week's "Living Beyond Yourself" study is focussed on the LOVE fruit of the Spirit. One statement Beth Moore made which has stuck with me is: "Love is always demonstrative."

Our church ladies ministry has created a new outreach called "Love is a Verb" which is focussed on outreach to teen moms. The title of the ministry sounds the same as Beth Moore's statement, doesn't it?!

And then if we compare those words to 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." we can see the scriptural backing!

Of course the ultimate "love" description in scripture can be found in 1 Corinthians 13. And the words tucked into the following four verses are powerful challenges, at least for me!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient.

Wow, I've been tested in this department lately. My daughters in particular challenge me in this area. And then today, in a VERY slow check-out line, once again I was reminded that divine agape love is patient! I was actually feeling embarrassed by the thoughts that were going through my mind as it was one of my least favorite cashiers at this check out (it's hard to believe there could be a "least favorite" cashier isn't it!!! I've just had some bad experiences with her!). The Holy Spirit immediately chided me and reminded me that this lady needed agape love and prayer. So I set to praying for this lady and took captive those impatient unkind thoughts and made them obedient to Christ.

Love is kind.

My husband is probably the most common recipient of cutting hurtful UNKIND words. I feel challenged to be more kind to him in particular. Just because I want to be honest with him doesn't mean I have to be insensitive!

Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.

This is not my typical area of struggle, but occassionally it rears its head.

Love is not rude.

Beth Moore zoned in on "rude" referring to crude or inappropriate talk etc. Of course this is occasionally a challenge, particular with non christian friends. And it does make me second guess TV shows I watch etc. as I do want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.

Ooohh, that's a tough one!

Love does not delight with evil but rejoices in the truth.

That's just beautiful!

Love always protects.

THIS is the one that God has REALLY convicted me on. How often do I fail to protect others, in particular their reputation? I know this is a challenge with my kids and husband. I received conviction in this area a couple years ago when studying Woman after God's Own Heart. I was convicted of my need to protect my children and husband, by watching what I say about them to others.

But if I take this one step further, how about the rest of the people in the world? We're meant to love EVERYONE right, even our enemies?! Last week the "crazy lady" who drops her kid off at school each day while we're on lunch duty, was coming up to the school. One of my co-workers immediately started to talk bad about her (which I confess I've done too). I said a few careful words, and knew in my heart I was being challenged to extend divine agape love by protecting the "crazy lady" and being careful not to gossip and malign this lady.

Love always hopes and perseveres and never fails.

Isn't that beautiful! As I sit here pondering these characteristics I can't help but think of those courageous individuals who "step out of time" and extend love to the poor and needy and oppressed (in line with Isaiah 58) whether it is through an orphanage ministry or a homeless/street person ministry or with immigrants and refugees and many many more.

That is the kind of love that HOPES in the face of odds stacked against them. That is the kind of love that PERSEVERES despite the uphill battles. And that is the kind of love that God uses to change people forever which NEVER FAILS.

These characteristics just keep playing through my head over and over and over again. What an AWESOME beautiful picture of love!

Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit convicting me and speaking to me through this Scripture! I pray that I would live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit and produce the fruits of the Spirit through Your empowerment. Thank you for your divine agape love! Thank you for demonstrating your love for us while we were still sinners, providing the sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be made right with you! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.

New Perspective on Fasting

This morning my husband highlighted a passage in Isaiah that I had read before and even highlighted previously on my blog because of the message contained in it about being a well-watered garden...

However my husband brought to light a new perspective on Isaiah 58 that I hadn't really considered all that much...that God wants our times of fasting to benefit the needy and oppressed. (I guess this was unpacked a little bit in The Lord's Table study when it unpacked fasting on day 4, emphasizing it was to be other-centered...but it didn't quite hit me the way it did today!)

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:6-12

I began to think about the heartbeat of God, how He truly desires us to care for the hungry, naked, poor, needy and oppressed. He is really driving that home to both Jon and I lately...and we are having a hard time knowing what to do with this message He keeps impressing on us! Anyways, God will make all things clear in time. We'll just keep on listening and being open to His will for our lives.


In the meantime, the above passage brought up an interesting idea. We've been thinking about lent lately. I have to confess I've only once participated in any kind of fasting during lent...and at the time I had no clue it was related to lent! I had taken a 40 day fast from TV about 10 years ago, as our pastor challenged the congregation to fast from something of value to each of us individually. I remember it being a very special and powerful time and definitely drew me closer to the Lord.

I am feeling called to embrace this season this year, though still know very little about it I must once again confess. I'm trying to figure out what God is calling me to fast from this upcoming lent season. I have some ideas but will keep them private at this time.

But one thing in regards to fasting from food struck me as I read this passage today...

When I fast from food and give up a meal, wouldn't it be great if it would DIRECTLY benefit the poor and needy?!

So Jon and I took a look at our regular grocery spending budget and figured $1/person/meal per day was a fair guess-timate of our spending. The idea I have is to fast (as the Lord directs me) and directly place $1/person/meal (or some kind of paper substitute for ease of use) every time my husband or I fast from a meal. The next step will be to deduct the amount of $$'s in that jar from my grocery spending budget and DIRECTLY put it towards those who are poor, needy or oppressed. We'll figure out that part later, as the Lord leads!

This idea really resonated with me because it lines up so beautifully with the above scripture passage.

Another idea we had was to broaden our kid's (and our) perspective of poverty/needs for a solid week in the upcoming lent season. We thought maybe our breakfast/suppers could reflect a typical meal for a person in a 3rd world country. We'll try to carve out what that could look like for our family...

God has just given us so many blessings. It is hard to even comprehend all the "stuff" we have been blessed with. We take it all so for granted and expect these "luxuries" to be "necessities" often times. Often times we become so self-preoccupied and self-centered that we feel independant of God, with no need for Him, self-sufficient... We forget WHOSE hand these gifts and blessings comes from. Maybe this is why it is so difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven???

Anyways, I should stop rambling! I'm excited about the month or so ahead. I am actually looking forward to hearing what God wants me to lay aside and strip away. I pray that God will use these baby steps to glorify Him and teach me, humble me, convict me and draw me into a deeper and closer relationship with Him. I pray that He will be magnified and glorified in all I say, do, pray, think...


I pray that He will increase....and I will decrease (1 John 4:4). Amen.

Oh...and one more thing... I have already decided that I will "fast" from using the scale for the season of lent! I know that may sound weird to some! I usually step on the scale daily. I know my temptation would be to see a correlation between fasting and my weight to be intertwined... But I want whatever sacrifices are made to be made with the right motivation and intentions, to be solely focussed on Him and His glory and purposes. I don't want to be side-tracked:-)

Following in Daddy's Footsteps

"So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature... Since you live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16 & 25

What does "living by the Spirit" and keeping in "step with the Spirit" look like? That's the big question I've been pondering. And an image is beginning to emerge.

Me, God's little girl, following Him through each step and moment of life.

So, where do these steps lead, I wonder?

I think they lead to dying to self. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34

Oohh. That sounds scary, doesn't it?! Certainly sounds painful.

What comfort can I take in this path?

That Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20). That God is greater than he that is in this world (1 Jn 4:4). That He is doing a good work in me and bringing it to completion (Phil 1:6). That these light and momentary troubles are preparing me for a glory that far outweighs them all (2 Cor. 4:17). That Daddy, Abba Father, CARES for me and LOVES me and heaps all the GRACE imaginable on me. He protects me, is my fortress, my refuge, my comfort, my sustainer, my peace, my joy, my strength... And the list could go on and on!

Down to the practicality of following in Daddy's footsteps. What does that look like in everyday life?

SURRENDER is the answer that came to mind. As I go about my daily life I choose to abide with Christ and be surrendered to Him and to the Holy Spirit's leading.

Do I eat when I'm not hungry? Do I eat past full? Or am I eating in moderation, not making an idol out of food (Col 3:5) and being content with my portion (Psalm 16:5-6)? Am I opening wide my mouth so that He can fill it, filling up on God Himself and His words(Psalm 81:10)?

REFLECTION: I have been more consistent with hunger/fullness this past week, praise God. But I still have seen the seeds of greed creep up (I must confess tonight was probably the toughest one over the past five days). And my weight has certainly NOT been reflecting a surrendered heart in this area. However I have been HUNGRY HUNGRY HUNGRY for God's word and for memorizing scripture (this is very new to me and quite shocking actually...definitely a God-thing!).

Do I say those juicy words of gossip? Do I speak those cutting words that would feel so good in the moment but be so destructive in the long run? Do I speak mindlessly and thoughtlessly? Or is my conversation full of grace and seasoned with salt? (Col. 4:6) Am I saying words that are helpful for building others up? (Eph. 4:29)

REFLECTION: I have been very conscious of the times that I have slipped up in this area this week. I have had to run to the Lord for forgiveness quite a few times unfortunately. I've been very conscious of my speech with my kids and husband, being much more vigilant and alert to the enemy's attacks and temptations. As a result I've noticed I, through God's grace and power, have been able to be more patient and loving with my kids. I know this greatly benefits them in the long run.

Do I spend the extra money on myself and turn a blind eye to the poor and needy? Or do I sacrifice just a small bit of our luxury and indulgences to help someone in much more dire need then me (Isaiah 58:7, 10)?

REFLECTION: I don't feel good about my spending lately. I'm so behind on my budgetting updates. And I don't feel good about how much I contribute to those in need. On the flip side, we booked our tickets to Mexico for summer and will once again go, as a family, to help out at the orphanage and in their community. This gets me pretty excited! My heart's desire is that we can help those in need more and more and more and more and more...and focus on our own comforts and stuff less and less and less and less!!!

Do I spend my free time in front of the TV or computer and ignore filling up on Him and His word? Or am I filling up my mind and heart with His word, feasting on God Himself (Psalm 63)?

REFLECTION: This week has gone better in that department then a lot of other weeks. I've stayed away from the computer for the most part. Just spent a few minutes each day checking email and reading a couple blog posts. And I really didn't even watch TV. It was good to spend more time with the Lord as a result. He was my Satisfaction this week.

Choices... So many choices.

And thoughts... So many thoughts.

Each moment, of each day, I have thoughts which lead me to either continue following in Daddy's footsteps OR tempt me to take the fork in the road and gratify the desires of my sinful flesh.

Each thought must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Every thought must line up with God's truth. I need to filter each thought, asking if this is "right" in God's eyes. The Holy Spirit will empower me not to gratify those desires as I allow Him to "filter" those thoughts.

As I surrender to His leading and prompting I continue following in Daddy's footsteps. What a beautiful picture for me to dwell on. I do SO trust my Daddy Abba Father and want to please Him. But oh how hard that can be! I'll close with one of my latest favorite verses, which has greatly encouraged me...

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

Thank you Lord for not leaving me to just wave about on my own, trying to fill your big footsteps! Thank you for equipping me! Thank you for your Holy Spirit leading the way! And thank you for lovingly walking alongside me through this entire journey of life leading to eternity spent with You! What amazing grace and love! Amen.

This is the Day!

(Jon took this sunrise picture last summer, our last morning in Mexico)

This morning started off so beautifully...for a change. My blood pressure wasn't rising. My youngest daughter was happily getting dressed (which is HUGE for her!), ate her breakfast and got her morning routine completed HAPPILY! We had lots and lots of snuggles and laughs together. And she was ready BEFORE her big sister (a miracle I tell you!) and was singing every step of the way!

PRAISE GOD!

Walking step by step through my morning so far...

This morning the Lord woke me up at 5am. I couldn't fall back to sleep and finally at 5:30am I decided it was indeed the Lord waking me and I silently tiptoed off to the livingroom and cracked open my bible. I had a wonderful time of reading and prayer and also managed to memorize another verse (one of my goals). What a great start to the day, feasting at the Lord's Table!

Next I had an early breakfast as I was feeling hungry, though my tummy didn't give me the normal and usual rumble. I figured I'd fuel up for the day at this point. Then I snuggled with our guinea pigs for a bit. (btw we found new homes for the two baby guinea pigs...praise God! Seriously, that was a prayer of mine lately as it was looking like it was going to be tough to find new homes for them.)

Then I got out my jump rope and got to exercise while watching "The Mom Show," a Canadian talk show whose title is self-explanatory.

Then I got those little guinea pigs and brought them into my youngest daughter's room so they could wake her up with a "good morning" snuggle. This set her off into a great mood right off the bat! Praise God!

After that I started singing a few songs, one of them being "This is the day." Well that really was a hit. I don't think she's ever heard that song before! It was one of the classics I grew up on. And then we moved into all the usual morning chores and routines. And finally, in the last five minutes before they needed to get ready, we snuggled together.

The best part of it all was when it was time to head out the door. I challenged her to get dressed in her snow gear in the time it took me to sing "This is the day!" Well, that got her going! She was ready SO HAPPILY in no time at all! And then she proceeded to start singing it over and over again as my oldest daughter got dressed:-)

Wow, praise God for a new day! Praise God for THIS day! He is good!

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

He Has Made Me Glad

A Deeply Rooted Tree

I love going for walks along the river banks in our city. There is usually a lush green grassy area and then closer to the river, in a lower spot, there is a mucky area (only wet mucky in the spring season) where the river levels were higher during the spring melt. Not much grass grows in those areas because our growing season up here in the Canadians prairies is relatively short. However, what DOES flourish in this "mucky" area are the TREES! They are absolutely MASSIVE! So, when the mud dries up after the spring melt, then my husband and I love to go for bike rides along those dirt paths near the river. We admire the strong hardy trees. Oftentimes the roots are exposed...and we have to watch for the gnarled roots popping up on our path!

Summer '07 we took a trip down the west coast and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation along the way. Some of the trees we saw in Oregon and California were absolutely unbelievable! One of our favorite campsites was in Oregon, at Beverly Beach, close to Newport. We had this beautiful stream flowing right behind our campsite and it was so lush and green and the trees were absolutely stunning.

Right in our campsite. Those are quite the trees to attach a clothesline to, aren't they?! Absolutely massive!

The massive size of our "clothesline" trees in our campsite in perspective next to the kids.

A really cool tree we actually DROVE THROUGH in northern California! Very interesting experience! And an ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE TREE!

I want to be like those trees!

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3

I want to "delight" in God's Word (like streams of water or the river that I mentioned above) and be nourished spiritually, rooted and built up in Him (Col. 2:6-7). I want to yield fruit, more specifically the fruits of the spirit~love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-24).


The trees stretch so tall, seemingly almost to the sky. The thickness of the solid tree trunk is unbelievable...so sturdy, so hardy, so ancient. The roots of the trees twist this way and that...but they gravitate towards the stream. They soak up the nourishment. They grow strong. In the springtime and summer they are lush and green and sweet smelling. They stand the test of the storms, drought, heat, cold and time. It's hard to miss them as we walk along those river banks! And it's hard not to think of my Creator when I see these trees. They point straight to the awesomeness of God!


That's the way I want to be. I want to be a planting for the display of the Lord's splendor just like those trees, as He nourishes me, grows me, protects me, teaches me, equips me. I want to point other's to the Creator, my Lord! That is my prayer today.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3

Looking in the Mirror

I wasn't going to post today as I really need to get to cleaning my house! However cleaning can wait a few minutes and I just can't resist getting my thoughts processed here! Today's reading in TLT reminded me of something that has been resonating with me lately...

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25

Mike Cleveland gave such a great illustration of this as a lesson to his kids...

The other day I thought I would teach this truth to my children. I had been working out in the yard and had gotten quite dirty. As I was washing my hands in the sink I looked in the mirror and my face was very dirty. I decided to leave the dirt on and go sit down to the table to eat dinner (I informed my wife what I was doing so she wouldn't think I had lost my mind along with the garden gloves). As I sat down one of my sons said, "Dad, your face is real dirty." I said, "No it isn't, it's just fine, I just looked in the mirror, I'm great!" The children started laughing and said, "Dad, REALLY, you're FILTHY." I started laughing too, and said, "I left the dirt on there for a reason, to teach you that it does no good for us to look in the mirror, see the dirt, and do nothing about it. Just as it does no good for us merely to read or hear God's Word, which exposes areas that need to be cleaned, without obeying it." TLT workbook pg 161

I've sure been hungry and thirsty for God's word lately. What a blessing it has been to my soul, nourishing me and feeding me for the day. When I posted about being transparent the the other day, these verses in James came to my mind...but then I'd already typed up the post so I didn't bother going back and adding them... But they stuck with me.

[*Editted] *As I look to God's Word of truth* and am honest with God, myself and others I am looking into the mirror and seeing the areas that I need God's help in transforming. I don't want to simply be convicted of the areas needing change... I want to do God's will and obey Him.

I appreciated a line from my TW reading this morning, "If you find you are flesh-controlled, stop and ask God to fill all your empty places with Himself." (TW pg 136)

I am reminded that when I look into the mirror, it's not about ME fixing everything up, cleaning off the gunk and becoming new....

It's about me surrendering to God and GOD HIMSELF cleansing me, filling me, empowering and equipping me to do good works (2 Timothy 3:17), for His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness so therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9)! For I have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from me (2 Corinthians 4:7).

So as I proceed with the day my goal, as I read scripture and pray, is to "look in the mirror" and deal with the reflection I see.

As God reveals sin I accept His amazing grace. Not only will I "observe" (confess) as TW encourages...but I will also "correct" (repent and turn away from my sin). I desire to be filled with the Spirit, empowering me and equipping me into action to surrender, obey and do the will of my Father, crucifying the sinful nature and it's passions and walking in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25) as a new Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So, what have I seen in the mirror lately?

I have seen that I need to sit at Jesus' feet and be still in His presence. I get sidetracked from this most important step. I must be still before the Lord.

I see that I have often not been loving, kind, gentle and selfless with my husband. It's time to display the fruits of the spirit and shower my husband with love!

I see that I am often impatient with my kids and don't give them the time and attention they need to flourish. I don't want to exasperate my children. Rather I want to love them and encourage them and help them be all that God wants them to be.

I see that I often say things without thinking... But I want to build others up in their faith, in all I say and do.

I see that I often give in to my fleshly lusts to eat outside the good and pleasant boundaries that God has convicted me to follow (0-5). I don't want to be mastered by anything but Christ!

Okay, I've got quite a list here! That's a lot of stuff I can see in the mirror!

Time for ACTION! What hope I have as Christ LIVES IN ME!

He is able to keep us from falling!

I just posted here at my counting my blessings blog on the truths contained in the following verses...

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25

And as I continue meditating on the truths contained in this verse I had another few verses hit me. As I applied the above verse directly to my desire to glorify God with my eating and drinking, I was reminded of the following verse...

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

God makes a way. He provides an exit plan.

He provides a way so that we can STAND and NOT FALL!

I am going to be alert and intentionally looking for those exits that He provides in all areas of my life when I am tempted to sin.

Secondly, another verse started literally flooding my mind...

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... Ephesians 3:20

More than all I could ASK or IMAGINE! Wow, that is powerful! What an awesome, loving God! He is ABLE!

I can't help but get excited about these truths. THESE truths from God's Word are worth lining the walls of my mind! I am going to cling to these truths.

Hope

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

The first thing that hit me was the statement in verse 29 "he increases the power of the weak."

This leads me to the verse in Romans 12...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Romans 12:9-10

I feel weak. I am well aware of my failing and shortcomings. But He pours out His grace into my life. He is glorified through my weaknesses. He empowers me when I am weak. For when I am weak, then I am strong...

Back to reflecting on Isaiah 40:28-31, the key is to "hope" in the Lord.

I was reading the final lesson of the Beth Moore Breaking Free study and finished this lesson feeling so encouraged. She unpacked what the word "hope" in the context of Isaiah 40:31 means...

The Hebrew word for hope (KJV "wait upon") is qawah meaning "to bind together (by twisting)...to be gathered together, to be joined; to meet; to lie in wait for someone; to expect...to be confident, trust; to be enduring."

Inserting those synonyms in place of the words "hope in" for verse 31 would look like this...

But those who "bind together, are gathered together, are joined with the" Lord will renew their strength.

But those who "meet with the" Lord will renew their strength.

But those who "lie in wait for the" Lord will renew their strength.

But those who "expect, are confident in, trust in the" Lord will renew their strength.

But those who "endure in the" Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they
will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

What a great reminder of what it means to truly "hope" in the Lord.

So today I chose to join with, meet with, lie in wait of, confidently expect and trust in, endure in the Lord.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Jeremiah 29:11-14

I will call upon the Lord. I will come and pray to Him. I will aim to seek Him with all my heart.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for increasing my strength and helping me run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. Thank you Lord for listening to me, revealing yourself to me, and promising to bring me back from captivity. I choose to hope in you alone. Amen.

New Years Resolution: Christ Lives in Me

NOTE: my laptop keyboard went wonky in the middle of typing up this post, so some of the punctuation just didn`t work properly.

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Once again I am hearing God speak to me through a variety of sources all at once, which I think is so much more then a coincidence:-) Praise Him!

First of all the thing that hit me in today's TLT reading (day 37) was the verse:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. My old self is killed. My new self is Christ abiding in me.

Then I moved to my Breaking Free study, focussing on Isaiah 58:6-12.

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

I remember studying this very passage in TLT on day 4. This is when I began to get the image of the well-watered garden. But I must take that portion of scripture a step further and see what precedes the well-watered garden image...

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed..." v. 9-10

I think I could sum up that portion saying that throwing off all hinderances (yokes of oppression) and becoming other-centered is the key to finding satisfaction in God and being like a well-watered garden.

Becoming other-centered... Something I have felt tugging at my heart the past couple weeks. Isn`t that what my reflection about being effective and productive and brotherly kindness and love being the key in 1 Peter 1:5-8 was all about just a week ago.

Beth Moore writes, based on this Isaiah 58 passage:

He promises that those who empty themselves of other pleasures will have themselves filled by something only He can give... If we pour out our lives to satisfy the needs of the oppressed, God will be faithful to satisfy our needs... Oh how I pray we will each discover glorious satisfaction in Christ; but when it's the real thing, we must find a place to pour the overflow of our lives. Captives truly set free are the most compassionate people in the world... A ministry to the truly oppressed helps purify our serving motives. You see, they don't have much to give back. Breaking Free workbook pg 215-216

Then I decided to continue doing a little reading from Philippians and what should I read but...

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:4-11

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

And then the passage moves into a description of Jesus' humility, obedience to God, sacrifice, other-centeredness.

After I finished my devotion time this morning I began mulling this all over in my head and the dots began to connect.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 2:4) The satisfied soul is never a more beautiful display of God's splendor than when willing to empty self for the lives of others. (Beth Moore) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Gal. 2:20)

Be like Jesus. Be other-centered for the glory of God. And the key is CHRIST LIVES IN ME! I am a new creation. My old self is crucified.

So, time for application and reflection on these truths.

This past year has been a lot of hard work, digging down deep and uncovering many of the lies and muck and gunk of the habitual sin of overeating. In the process I have uncovered some of the ``spoils`` from the battles. I need to ``snatch the plunder`` as Beth Moore so wonderfully describes in another chapter of Breaking Free.

There are spoils to be taken. Beloved, have you got them. When you went into that terrible valley of suffering did you come out with spoils. When that injury struck you and you thought everything was gone, did you so trust in God that you came out richer than when you went in. To be more than conqueror is to take the spoils from the enemy and appopriate them to yourself. What he had arranged for your overthrow, take and appropriate for yourself. Mrs. Charles E. Cowman (as quoted in Breaking Free workbook pg 212)

I can see some of the `spoils`of the battle for me are a much greater understanding and application of the truth of Scripture. I can see that I have grown greatly over this past year as I have gone into battle head on. I can see that I have been equipped and prepared to be used by God for greater purposes. I have discovered a hunger and thirst for the Word of God that I have never experienced so intensely before. And I have noticed that I have had so many opportunities over the past few months where this knowledge of Scripture has began to be used for God`s glory.

I want to continue becoming more rooted in the Word of God and in my relationship with Him and effective at using and applying and being a doer of His Word.

I desire to bring God glory by encouraging believers with the word of God and by drawing unbelievers to Jesus with the Word of God.

I greatly value each of the ladies I journey with online. I have so much appreciated the sharpening of each other`s faith that has been mutual. I have been blessed greatly by many of you and want to do the same in return in the upcoming year.

I am embarking on leading a bible study with a group of ladies starting this upcoming month. This is definitely out of my comfort zone as I haven`t done this very often. But I`m so excited to see all that God has in store for this journey in the year ahead. I long to pour myself into others more effectively and frequently and be used by the Lord for His glory.

My heart`s desire is also to return to Mexico this summer and once again reach out to the oppressed and hungry and needy. Jon and I are talking and trying to figure out where God is leading us. We certainly have a better idea of how to reach out more effectively to the families and community we visitted last year. We continue praying on this front.

I have a heart for evangelism and outreach. I find it interesting to note the ladies that He has brought into my life this fall. Two muslim ladies have been on my heart this fall and I`ve had some powerful and lovely visits with them, often quoting Scripture as I have felt the Lord prompting. Isn`t God awesome! And there are so many other ladies in my community who need the Lord. I know I have limitted time and energy, but I pray that God continues directing me where He desires me to place my energies and then that His Holy Spirit would empower me to make the most of each of these opportunities for God`s glory.

I desire and long to be the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:15)

Be like Jesus. Be other-centered to the glory of God the Father. And the key is CHRIST LIVES IN ME! Now that is a poweful new year`s resolution!

HAPPY NEW YEARS to each and every one of you dear friends!

Christmas Check-in

Christmas is here! I've had the image of Jesus being born in a manger sticking with me. Here's a quote from TLT which I just read yesterday...

Friend, you know that at Jesus' birth He was immediately placed into a manger, right? But do you know what a manger is? It is that which held the animal's food. Jesus Christ was placed into a feeding trough! His birth makes a statement that He came to be fed upon. TLT workbook pg 99

That's an awesome truth to chew on! Praise God for the gift of Jesus this Christmas!

I've been struggling to apply what God spoke to me about (as described in last post) to be other centered this Christmas. I know that God spoke this message very specifically to me at this time.

And once again the Lord spoke a reminder to me as I attended a lovely christmas eve service at my in-law's church. One verse that jumped out at me was the Galatians verse about walking in step with the Spirit. I needed that reminder as I long for the fruits of the spirit to be evident in my life at this time.

Yet I'm still failing. I'm receiving the prompting of the Holy Spirit but I'm not moving forward in step with Him and refusing to gratify the desires of my flesh.

Eating has been out of control today in particular. One thing I'm thankful for is my sister-in-law's boyfriend who truly exemplifies a naturally thin eater. I hope and pray that will be me next Christmas in the Lord's strength and power as He continues changing me.

I'm so thankful for Jesus' birth and the gift of salvation. I'm thankful that He doesn't leave us to our own fleshly impulses, in the muck and the mire, with a lack of power and self-control. He gives us His Spirit! He empowers and equips us each step of the way as we abide in Him. Thank you, Lord!

Happy Birthday Jesus! I pray that You would be glorified. Amen.

Effective and Productive

Okay, I'm back:-) I'm at my in-laws but we're all pretty lazy so far and just hanging around and we have our laptop with us....and so it goes:-) Here's something I journalled this morning in some devotion time that I made sure to prioritize....because I desparately am needing it this week!

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:5-8

I stumbled across this passage during our 9 hour drive to my in-laws yesterday. It grabbed my attention. If I work through these qualities step by step here is what I see…

1. We start with faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Goodness is our faith moving into action, living a life pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Next we move to a deeper understanding of God and His Word…knowledge. (which I'm working on applying more effectively lately with the "lining the walls of my mind" posts)

4. From this knowledge we move to self-control. It appears to be a key step towards self-control.

5. From self-control we move into needing to persevere. This suggests to me that we will all slip and stumble but the key is to keep on keeping on!

6. From perseverance we will begin to show the fruit of godliness. My NIV notes state:

Godliness: a genuine reverance toward God that governs one's attitude toward every aspect of life.

What is so interesting is what comes next! Brotherly kindness and then love! Interesting! The goal appears to be loving others, setting others interests above our own! I was not expecting that. I thought godliness would be the end goal in and of itself. But if I think about this, we are right back to square one (mature & equipped this time) to put our faith in action more effectively.

Applying this to my struggle with overeating… I see my end goal should not be simply self-control and perseverance (which have been my current goals) but add to that godliness and brotherly kindness and love… Become OTHER centered rather than SELF centered.

What could this look like when applying to eating…
* caring more about conversation and connecting in social settings and less about eating. (THIS is what I'm feeling convicted about applying this week)
* phoning a friend or writing a note to a friend at times when I am feeling tempted to eat or bored etc.
* begin to make more sacrifices to give to the poor and needy, those who are REALLY hungry.

Overall it means I want to love my brother as Christ first loved me (1 John 4:19). This is a good challenge! Loving with actions and truth (1 John 3:18).

And as I begin to possess these qualities of faith, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love in INCREASING measure, I will be EFFECTIVE and PRODUCTIVE in my knowledge of Christ.

The most important lesson I think God is wanting to teach me this week, as I struggle this Christmas with eating in social situations, is that I need to focus on loving others~being OTHER centered. I need to bring this to the Lord in prayer constantly and capture each thought making it obedient to Christ as I struggle to be loving and kind and OTHER centered. And if I take this lesson to heart I am sure that I will not struggle with greed for food, because I will be focussed on the Lord and others, not letting the spotlight rest on my wants and greedy/gluttonous desires. This is my prayer.

What lines the walls of my mind?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5

This verse is the central portion of scripture that is unpacked in week 9 of the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore. What an INCREDIBLE week of lessons this has been! I hardly know where to begin. But for now, I'll just unpack a few things that God has been unveiling to me in the past couple days.

"Give this next statement your full attention the walls of your mind will never stay bare. Never. Let's face it. Our minds work even when we sleep. Once we tear down lies, we have to re-wallpaper with truth or the enemy will happily supply a new roll of wallpaper. Different pattern maybe--a more updated look--but the same deceptive manufacturer." Breaking Free workbook by Beth Moore pg 195

The walls of my mind never stay bare.

That has been resonating in my mind.

"The question becomes, then, how do we re-wallpaper our minds with truth? First, be understanding the goal. What does God want to accomplish in our minds? We possess the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), but we still have the full capacity to think with the mind of the flesh. We are MENTALLY BILINGUAL you might say. My older daughter is almost fluent in Spanish, but she still thinks mostly in English because she practices it more. The same concept is true of you and me. We will think with the mental language we practice most." Breaking Free workbook by Beth Moore pg 195

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. Romans 7:21-23

"We will not be free until we adopt the mind of Christ." Breaking Free workbook by Beth Moore pg 195

So, one question that has kept on turning over in my mind over and over again is "Which mental language am I practicing most?"

The truth began to become evident as I began to examine what lines the walls of my mind... I gotta tell you it felt like a HUGE surprise to me, when I got down to the nitty gritty, how many lies and deceptions of the devil I have allowed to line the walls of my mind. I feel led to share what I began to uncover... Welcome to the hidden corners, the secret places, of my mind...

When I'm willfully rebellious I am thinking...

1. I (SELF) am the most important. My desires are the most important. I want what I want when I want it...and I get what I want.
2. I've tried calling out to God in the midst of temptation before and it hasn't worked, so why bother?
3. It will make me feel so much better (to eat that ice cream etc)--more energy, more enjoyment etc.
4. Just get it done and over with. I can't resist. Why bother?
5. God doesn't care about this one time, does He? He'd forgive me anyways, right?
6. I sin. God forgives. I can count on that!

When I'm in auto pilot mode with overeating or am tempted to eat outside 0-5 I am thinking...

1. Quick, quick! Do it quickly before you have time to think or second guess. Don't even think about praying right now. Just eat it quick!
   
2. It tastes so good. More WILL satisfy me more.
3. I'm at the counter munching. This doesn't really "count."
4. I'm just "extending" my lunch/supper meal a little longer. What's the harm in that?

When I'm tired and am tempted to eat I'm thinking...

1. I need a quick pick-me-up.
2. I don't want to battle anything right now. I'm too tired. Just give me food.
   
3. Food will give me energy and give me the pick-me-up I need. Nothing else can fill that spot like food.
4. I'll deal with the guilt tomorrow. New start tomorrow.

When I'm tempted to overeat in social situations I'm thinking...

1. I don't want to insult the hostess by not eating anything (or not cleaning my plate).
2. Eat, eat, eat all the good food. This is your chance!
3. Others are eating more then me, so I am entitled to eat more.

When I'm tempted to taste test something despite not being hungry I'm thinking...

1. I gotta know how it tastes!
2. Everybody does it once in awhile!
3. Just a small bite which of course leads to...
4. Okay, since I started this cookie, I may as well eat the whole cookie. I've already fallen (slipped), why fight the urge?
5. How can I give this away if I don't know how it tastes?
6. It always tastes best when it is fresh. I don't want to miss out on that!

When sugary treats tempt me I'm thinking...

1. More of it will definitely satsify me more!
2. I can't go without something sweet in the day.
3. I NEED dessert after supper...and LOTS of it since I was "good" all day!
4. I can't resist. It feels magnetic.
5. I don't want to give this up to God. This is my special treat.
6. I want to eat this in moderation but I'm still not quite satisfied so I will eat more...
   

Out of whack shedules often get me feeling tempted and thinking...

1. Eat now. I don't want to be out (away from food) and hungry.
2. At my in-laws--this is THE mealtime. It's time to eat. Don't make a scene.
3. Hunger is somthing that MUST be fed immediately! So to be caught off guard with hunger is scary. Must meet the need IMMEDIATELY! NEED food NOW!

When I'm tempted to do some "tourist nibbling" I'm thinking...

1. Gotta eat as much of it as possible NOW because I won't get this opportunity again (or for quite awhile).
2. Taste buds are alive! My stomach feels full. Ignore the signals.
3. It's Christmas. This kind of food/baking only comes once a year!

I am in utter amazement at all the thoughts that line the walls of my mind in regards to eating. If I was to apply this exercise to other sins boy those walls are cluttered! Unbelievable! It is time to tear down the lies of Satan with the truth of God's Word. I don't want to be so mentally BILINGUAL! I truly desire to be thinking in only ONE language...with the MIND OF CHRIST. It's time to "starve the flesh and feed the spirit" (BF pg199).

Lord, help me line the walls of my mind with Your truth and may my thoughts be taken captive by You and bow down to You. I pray that You would begin to transform the walls of my mind and make me more like You each and every moment of each and every day. Please help me be victorious Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

I've been processing some of this already with truth statements and scriptures... I still have more work to do, more processing to do. I'll follow this post up later with what God reveals to me.