Today's Playlist 5-31

1:00 PM
"God So Loved the World"  Jaci Velasquez
"We Will Ride"  Vineyard Artist, Andy Park - "Revival"


1:15 A Quick Word ~ Beth Moore
"Do Everything"  Steven Curtis Chapman
"Saviour King"  Hillsong Chapel - "Yahweh"
"Worship the Lamb"  Jessa Anderson


1:30 Devotions for Women on the Go, Stephen Arterburn and Pam Farrel (Used by permission. All rights reserved)
"I Am New"  Jason Gray
"LifeSong"  Casting Crowns - "LifeSong"
"Risen Today"  Aaron Shust


1:45 Selah Moment with music from Erik the Flutemaker - "Perfectly Mellow"
"Jesus You Are Worthy"  Brenton Brown
"Overcome"  Jeremy Camp - "We Cry Out"
"Shine"  Salvador


2:00 PM
"Nothing Can Separate Us"  Shannon Wexelberg - "I Have a Song"
"Friend of God"  Phillips, Craig and Dean
"No Condemnation"  Brian Doerksen - "Level Ground"


2:15 Proverbs 31 ~ Renee Swope
"Knees to the Earth"  Watermark
"Psalm 40"  Newsong - "Rescue"
"Learning to Be the Light"  NewWorldSon


2:30
"There's A Stirring"  Annie Herring
"You Deliver Me"  Selah
"A Thousand Little Things"  Point of Grace - "A Thousand Little Things"


2:45 HeartBeat ~ Jill Savage
"Believe" Hillsong - "A Beautiful Exchange"

Today's Playlist 5-30

1:00 PM
"Sing, Sing, Sing"  Chris Tomlin - "Hello Love"
"From the Rising"  Shannon Wexelberg
"You Never Let Go"  Matt Redman


1:15 A Quick Word ~ Beth Moore
"The Greatest Story Ever Told"  Avalon
"God Undefeatable"  Todd Agnew
"Your Love Broke Through"  Keith Green


1:30 Devotions for Women on the Go, Stephen Arterburn and Pam Farrel (Used by permission. All rights reserved)
"Shaken"  Paul Baloche - "Glorious"
"Holy"  Nicole Nordeman
"Redeemed"  Big Daddy Weave


1:45 Selah Moment with music from Erik the Flutemaker - "Perfectly Mellow"
"The Beauty of the Cross"  Crystal Lewis
"God Will LIft Up Our Heads"  Jars of Clay
"The Hurt and the Healer"  Mercy Me


2:00 PM
"I Surrender"  Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - "Declare Your Name"
"Blessed"  Hillsong - "Blessed"
"Face Down"  Casting Crowns - "Come to the Well"


2:15 Proverbs 31 ~ Lysa TerKeurst
"We Are"  Kari Jobe - "Kari Jobe"
"Reaching for You"  Lincoln Brewster - "Real Life"
"I Stand in Awe"  Ross Parsley


2:30
"Reach"  Peter Furler
"The Same Love"  Paul Baloche
"Love You So Much"


2:45 HeartBeat ~ Jill Savage
"Bound"  Gateway Worship - "Living For You"

Worship the Lamb of God

Shackled By A Heavy Burden

“Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘neath a load of guilt and shame...”
The the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.”

The Gaither Vocal Band wrote the lyrics to this gospel song which after a walk in the woods one morning with the pup kept coming to mind and I began to sing it.  I was admiring the beauty of the freshly fallen snow but as I glanced at the trees they were so heavy laden with that thick weighty load bearing upon the branches.  I am sure that some of them were so close to breaking and I thought of how familiar that is to us when we are full of unconfessed sin.

Sin is a very heavy load to bear, after all, the Father didn’t design us to carry that kind of a weight around!  It is a weight that will eventually cause damage physically and spiritually.  Physically we hide our sin and by hiding or stashing it we become unhealthy in our actions trying to cover up our mess.  And what about the guilt that we carry around because of our sin?  It could be from something we’ve done or said or we might live in denial pretending that we have done nothing wrong yet wonder why our happiness and joy is stifled, only a facade.

Spiritually speaking, we might do likewise as we pretend that our walk is just fine and that all is well.  When in fact we for some reason have a difficult time with people, especially certain ones who seem to remind of us of a place we would rather not visit.  Or those especially nice ones who make us uncomfortable because they seem so clean and right.  Why can’t I just find peace?  Then there is also that void when I don’t know Jesus and He doesn’t reside or dwell within, you just want peace with yourself and with others!

“Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same...”

I have learned that sin is a weight that is not intended to be can’t be carried.  And I am unable to soar bearing its load.  God created me/you to fly like an eagle and soar to great heights but by carrying an  unnecessary burden, I become handicapped so to speak unable to attain those things that God designed me for!  But there is a remedy...

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise." (NKJ)


God delights when we turn from sin!  There is no degree of one sin over another, it is all unacceptable to Him.  And there is nothing sweeter than being released from that burden which stood in the way as a road block between me and God!  No more guilt, no more shame and one thing is for sure, the world takes on a whole new look when it isn’t skewed with our sin and guilt!  You see, God provides enough grace and mercy daily for every wrong we confess.  After all, He delights in our felllowship and right standing with Him because of the sacrifice His Son Jesus made on the cross.  When Jesus rose from the grave on Resurrection morning, He made a way for us to have life and a relationship with Father God.  It was extreme love, given for us!

John 15:13 says it clearly, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (NKJ)
And like the song continues...
“He touched me, oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.”

So if it is unforgiveness, adultery, abuse, a besetting sin, the sin of unbelief, you just name it and give Him your burden, don’t delay, it belongs at the foot of the cross!  Jesus blood covers it and God has already forgiven it!

Don't Leave Home Without It!

What is your covering?  Right off the top we know that God is our ultimate covering.  He is Lord over all!  But as a married woman in ministry I am learning that my “covering” is my guy.  There was a time that I would not have liked or wanted to live that out.  However, being a female representative for Christ and a wife means this is key to God’s blessings as I serve Him!

My guy--old-fashioned man that he is--really enjoys having his girl home.  As the Lord began to open up more ministry opportunities this meant that I would have to be gone more frequently.  Believe me, I love to be home, especially being one who works all week.  But as requests to speak began to come more frequently I sensed that the guy was not very approving especially when there would be overnight stays.  I sensed and heard some grumbling and I knew that we had to go tete-et-tete!

Television is his evening routine spent with Bill and then Shawn but I asked that he would please turn it off and hear my heart.  I then began to ask some questions like “Do you think that God uses my story to help, encourage and bring others to Christ?” and he admitted He does and has been for a time!  You see I have always done Bible study groups with teen girls and women which he has observed over the years.  Not to mention my program on air every day.  I then let reminded him that being a Stonecroft speaker means that I would be asked to speak all over our state (and bordering states).  Not to mention the other speaking events I would be doing.  It is at this juncture that I said to my guy, that if I don’t have your blessing, there is no way that I will have an anointing to go forward, if he didn’t agree that this was where God was taking me then I would lay it all down.  You see, I realized I cannot go forward if my husband disagrees with me doing so and it is vital for me to be under his covering, not out from under it “doing my own thing.”

After a bit guy paused and then said that he thought it was important to continue what I was doing but he also gave me some very sound advise and for the fist time I truly felt he was protecting me not restricting me.  (This was quite a breakthrough for us!)  Like not traveling to the Dakotas via automobile in the winter months, that makes sense!  I knew he was lovingly showing his care for me!  But the long and short of it was he had released me to “go”!

I was writing this on a plane en-route to an event in Platteville, WI to be keynotes at an all day women’s seminar!  This however did not come without some difficulties!  While preparing for this event I was overwhelmed at one point because of all these things that kept coming up out of nowhere!  The cold the guy acquired was over in three days while it stayed with me for ten.  And,  during the end of that time I somewhere along the line contracted conjunctivitis, not fun when you are praying and evaluating your talk!  Not to mention that it affected my voice for work.  Not only that but the weekend before I was to leave saw my husband admit himself to ER for chest pains (this is one of the healthiest guys!) where we suddenly had a pile of concerns to deal with.  Although, as we prayed I sensed God’s peace in it all.  I was ready to cancel out on the event but he settled, was put on a medication and sent home the next day.  Whew, Lord, what in the world was going on?

The rest of the week leading up to the Wisconsin event found me living with a grumbly man. The night before I departed I had to once again go tete-et-tete as we discussed our meeting over a year ago and the fact that he had released me to do this!  (He was feeling better and had been working that week)  I mentioned that as we prayed I knew things were going to be alright and he relaxed a bit and agreed but I am sure that there was a lot of uncertainty as to what the future was going to hold going on in his mind!

I remembered Moses' request that God's presence be with him or else he (Moses) would not go forward to do as God had called him:

Exodus 33:15, "Then Moses said to him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."

Moses knew he needed God's presence to accomplish the daunting task set before him and God certainly let His presence be known and Moses' face was radiant from his God encounter.

Now God really does show up in the eleventh hour.  I called my husband before I left and asked for his blessing upon the Saturday event and I asked him to pray for me especially during the times I would be speaking and he surprised me by saying that he would and that he loved me!  I can only tell you that it is much better to leave home knowing you not only have the Lord’s blessing but also your husband’s.  Isn’t God good!  

Friend, don’t just make sure that your bases are covered but don’t leave home unprotected!

Wearing the Blinders

The young girl asked, "What are those things by the horses eyes?  How can he see?"  The owner of the beautiful Percheron pair said "They are blinders and they keep the horse from being spooked or surprised (especially when pulling a sled full of people.)"  Which is just what we were getting ready to enjoy!


These are 1,600 pound horses that could do a lot of damage if they were spooked not to mention that one step on a someone and wow, I think you would break!  We had a delightful ride and my, that pair pulled a sled with 8 adults and 10 kids ranging in size and age.We had a marvelous time and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful winter day.  By the end of our hour long ride it began to snow so so although beautiful, it was somewhat heavy and wet, it all timed out beautifully!


As I pondered the thought of blinders I realized that in essence we all should be wearing spiritual blinders.  When I think of how easily we can be pulled this way or that in our thinking, (by the the wiles of the enemy of our soul) I think yes, that is just want he wants to do with us, spook us into old behavior and get us to regret and feel guilty and the like.  He is so sneaky!


My favorite verses in Philippians basically reminds us to keep our eyes on the prize so that we will attain the goal in sight, so we don't become distracted and pulled away from that goal!

The Message Paraphrase puts it this way:

:13 Friends, don’t get me wrong:  By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.  :14  I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

If we do likewise, then we really can’t use excuses when we get pulled away and tempted to walk contrary to our Christ life.  God has certainly given us everything we need to literally be armed and dangerous.  I like that thought! We just need to read and lean into Ephesians 6 and remind ourselves of the armor God gives us to use, applying the armor daily just like the horseman.  He dresses his horses to protect them and others!

So, do you have your blinders on today?

Father, I can’t make excuses when I fall, you have fully equip me to stand the wiles of the enemy who would love nothing other than to trip me and then watch me fall. And, he would get double for his effort if I caused someone else to fall.  So guard my heart Lord, may I be armed and watchful and a trustworthy example keeping  my gaze upon the end result of an eternity with You!

Tending The Garden

Do you like to garden?  Once upon a time I was an avid gardener.  I had a small hobby farm and I grew produce and planted flowers.  I even had some ducks, geese and chickens to tend.  They weren't just any old chickens but rare breed chickens. It was just fun for my little boy and I although he struggled with the birds as they weren't very nice to him.


The older I got the more involved I became in kid things as they grew and I too began to participate in more stuff and suddenly I didn't have much time left over to take care of my garden and flower beds.  After all they take lots of work, and hours of dedication to keep them cleaned out so the tender shoots don't get choked out. they also need to be thinned out so that the plants themselves don't get over crowded and then there is harvesting...lots of work!  But what is there that is good that doesn't come with effort?


I have discovered a new web blog called A Holy Moment that is authored by Ann Voskamp who has come to the forefront with her book--now on the New York Times best-seller list--One Thousand Gifts.  


I think this beautiful girl is definitely on to something.  Nothing new, nothing that takes rocket science but an effort.  An effort to wake up alert to whose you are and gratefully appreciate what God has blessed you with. Oh friend, this just isn't quite as easy as it looks.  As I mentioned above, tending a garden takes effort and so does cultivating a heart of gratitude!  


You might be like me, having gone too long in the negative zone, with a negative mindset to start and finish your day.  But what if we put forth an effort to counter that mentality with thanking our Sovereign for who He is as the giver of all good things, acknowledging His marvelous presence in our lives each and every day?  And just like a garden we would tend to weeding out unwanted foreign thoughts that are contrary to our Sovereign's truth, and replanting with thankfulness after we have tilled up the crusty, dry ground that has settled for too long in in one place.  


Let's imagine looking at life with nothing less than a handful of things to be grateful for each day!  I will just bet that as you and I work toward cultivating our heart of gratitude that we are going to naturally adjust our outlook, in turn to other's and our family's, and then who knows what could overflow even outside of our immediate sphere of influence?  Seriously, what would the world look like filled with grateful hearts?


Today, I have decided to diligently proceed to my flower bed and take the trowel to grumbling and complaining and replace it with appreciation and thankfulness. 


Psalm 66:1-3a says "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory  of His name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, "How awesome are Your deeds!""


The joy that comes for from a heart of gratitude is where we get the strength to stand in the difficult times (and they will come!)  Without it we will wither but joy is wrought with gratefulness!  So let's get our tools and get digging.

In the Waiting!

There are too many days when I feel as if I'm at a standstill.  Not going forward but I guess thankfully not going backward, just in that holding pattern.  This frustrates me and I tend to start thinking that I must do something to make something happen.  I am slowly learning that there is this fine balance between waiting on the Lord and pushing through.  If I am not certain of what's ahead then I best not be pushing through or I might end up where I don't want to be or involved in something that I am not ready to be involved in.  Yet on the other hand, if I make the effort to wait on the Lord, (very difficult for me) I will reap the harvest He has planned for me.  

Isaiah 55:9 says it so well, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."  

Can I ponder all He has in store for me, probably not because my 'heavenly mindset' still has ties to this world.  I can dream but I really think He delights in my trusting Him enough to wait and prepare.  It is so hard for me to wait and that has always been an issue for me.  True confessions are that even as a kid, I had to peek at the presents hiding in the closet at Christmas time.  But waiting is like getting your favorite fruit before it is ripe.  If you bite into it before it is fully ripened it isn't going to taste like it would if you had waited for that fullness of flavor to develop and mature and wow, my mouth is watering as I think of juicy grapes.  But wow, if I taste them prior to their ripened state just pucker up!  So you just try to patiently wait then when they are fully matured, nothing beats the wait.  Simply stated, God has the big picture and I do not.  Yes, His ways are far surpassing ours although we have been given the mind of Christ we have a lot to learn about developing 'His thoughts." 

I have come to appreciate this verse in Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."  Let me make all the plans I can and if I could draw a picture of my day without putting the Lord in the mix it would be one squiggly mix of here and there and everywhere.  When I take the time to consult the "Planner" I will have a picture with much more direct routes to the goals and purposes He has set before me.  It just sounds so easy doesn't it?  But...let me place my heart's focus on the Lord and the ripening process that He has me in for this hour.  Indeed, what He allows to mature will be well worth the wait and preparation!

Father, here is another day to walk with You and in Your will. Let me take the journey a day at a time.  Will You help me to give my day and plans completely to You?  Let me lay down my agenda and pick up Yours so that my day will account for something worthwhile.  When the end of the day comes I want to breathe a sigh of goodness knowing that my efforts were all part of Your divine plan for me instead of looking back and wondering if I accomplish anything?  Thanks, Pappa that you are ultimately in control and although you will let me sputter around doing my own thing, while wasting a lot of that precious commodity called time, You will have Your way in my life.  Today, let me choose Your way, the higher way and I trust that You will use this good day to make a difference in my circle of influence, in Jesus' name.

My Christmas Letter...

It's Christmas time!  Everywhere you go people are rooting around for gift giving, holiday baking and party planning.  I really feel like something is wrong with me this year.  My melancholic other side has really kicked in. Normally I am the sanguine, dress me in red and send me off all smiles and laughter...this year is different.  Oh, I don't think I am depressed, just rather reflective.  This year I am peering hard into the nativity, listening to the various teaching programs present the story of Christ's birth and well, really soaking it in.  Can it really be that after 27 years as  a believer that it has suddenly hit me...that the baby born in a manger...God's only son...came to die for me and I am just getting it?  No, I know these things, however this year it is remarkably different as I just seem to be looking beyond the surface, pondering the very stark reality of this event that we make fuss over year after year.


Lately, God has been helping me see just how very teeny tiny I am in light of who He is.  I am barely capable of even trying to comprehend this God that I am somehow deeply in love with.  Itsy, bitsy me knows that the Maker of heaven and earth loves her, desires her affections, and continually walks with her to bring her His very best, every day.  Not only that, the King of the universe, the One who hung the stars in the sky even sings over her when she is sleeping.  I can barely contain myself when I think of that!



The very understanding of these verses in John are so remarkable as they reveal Christ Jesus to us from the first five verses in the book of  John:


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of Men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."


These verses are proof that the Majesty came to invade our world of darkness so that we would no longer be in darkness.  He came to provide  life where there was only death!

When we read the Christmas story and get to the part of shepherds witnessing the revelation of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2, I am in awe!  


"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."


I listened as the Bible teacher from a program we carry on the radio talked about the fact that these shepherds who received this revelation were really the lower class of society in that day.  Dirty, stinky, sweaty and probably pretty course in their language, yet God made them privy to the realization of a story told hundreds of years before.  They were some of the first to witness this baby born in a disgusting cave filled with animal refuse  and dirt.  How can it be?  And how can it be that God has allowed one like me or even you, to come to know Himself as Trinity?  This amazing event gave us the reality of the Creator Himself!  If that doesn't humble you just a bit then pinch yourself to make sure  you are really here!


My past has been an ugly stumbling block to receiving God's amazing grace.  It has held me captive with unbelief that God could love me because of _________ (you can fill in the blank if you can identify.)  Maybe this Christmas of 2011 is a year where after almost 27 years of having known "Christ as my savior", that I  am able to freely receive what was given to me over 2000 years ago.  Not because of something I have done, but because I now realize that my Creator invaded my messy life and pierced my heart with His love.  Like the unlikely shepherds who were given the revelation of Jesus birth, I too am the unlikely to receive this gift of love.


It could be that you have gone through the motions year after year like me without really internalizing the actuality of God becoming flesh, to dwell among us, then to die so that we might live.  It is simple yet complex and as one song puts it "what a strange way to save the world"!  I have looked at myself as the most unlikely and accepted His love which completely invaded my messy life and this has given me hope for my tomorrows!  Peer deeply into the manger scene and ask God to give you His perception of what this "Christmas celebration" is really all about.  Then like me you can truly rejoice in the Savior that has come.  May His Christmas blessing be yours!

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

A Passion to Serve

Upon entering the building--a rather newer structure of a good size and modern layout--you could hear the more classical sounds of stringed instruments playing Christmas carols.  As I looked around the room, which was the sanctuary with all the pews or chairs removed so accommodate many tables, I was struck by the beauty of the room.  Each table painstakingly decorated in a unique and festive decor' as the table host desired and they were all gorgeous!  To the rear or entry area of the large room were many tables laid out with many items that were anything and everything, for every occasion, young and old, to be bid on by the guests.  What?  An auction in the sanctuary?  Yes!


This was an evening of firsts for me.  I had never been to an auction in a church before.  After getting my bearings and changing into my dress for the occasion I perused the items for silent auction and although I could have bid on many wonderful things I only chose one set of items.  I entered my bid and proceeded to browse and visit.


Another fun item was that each guest was presented with the gift of a small wooden Ukrainian hand painted egg.  All in such varied and beautiful colors.  Mine was yellow with beautiful colored markings on it.  You will see some elaborate samples here.  If you read the history you will find that the meaning of this egg has been redeemed for the Christians instead of its pagan roots.  


It was time to open the evening and the delightful emcee/host, Kathy, was sweet, charming and quite humorous in her presentation.  She got the evening started as the men who weren't parking cars were in the kitchen dishing up lovely plates of Chicken Fricassee and the trimmings then delivering them to the tables.  I thought to myself 'what a lovely event and how special that the men would serve in this capacity!'  


There were Christmas readings by Kathy interspersed with some special numbers like two darling girls who sang and played violin to Everlasting God.  And another first was to be able to see dancing in a Baptist church!  Tap dancing to boot!  Three women and the young violin player tap danced to a Christmas song and it was fascinating!  When they were finished, Kathy looked at me and said, "Kim, are you a believer now that you have seen dancing in a Baptist church?"  I laughed and said, "now this is sanctified tap dancing!


Now in between these things I had the pleasure of visiting with the pastor's wife and another saint who began to unfold what this event was really all about.  I would have to say that I was moved by the love for the Ukraine people that this church not only has but demonstrates!  This auction and dinner--their tenth--was to raise money to send to their sister church in Dumatsi, Ukraine.  I also learned that yearly there is a trip taken by several church members to visit and encourage the church over there.  A church of very poor believers who have nothing but the love of Jesus to see them through.  What a privilege to partner with these women and to get their heartbeat of love for these people.


It is a breath of fresh air when I see people openly loving God and then in turn loving others.  I would imagine that the church in the Ukraine finds these saints a great encouragement to them also!  They have many difficulties which includes having very little food and very few jobs.  Yet I am told that the Christians have joy.  Amazing, to be poor, without food yet filled with the joy of the Lord!  


From Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NASB)

"For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is alo overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

For the sake of Christ I pray that these friends of the believers in Dumatsi, will maintain their fervor and devotion as they lend their support to these precious Ukrainians!  Thank you for allowing me to have an inside look at your love for God and then for others!

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Madness!

It is Christmas time and for most of us the season begins around Thanksgiving.  We typically shift gears right after the turkey dinner to Christmas.  Of course if you are a television person you may have the tradition of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  (A tradition since I was a young girl.)  I was nine when I moved to New York City and on my first Thanksgiving there I was treated to going to see it personally!  That was exciting and chilly as I stood there watching, feeling quite small as I tried to see the floats go by.  So I have sometimes had that on in the morning background while cooking in the kitchen and specifically when my grandsons are home.  It truly jump-starts our holiday celebrations and makes me feel like decorating!

Yikes!

I can remember the days of late night baking, making and decorating that although nice to have, thoroughly exhausted me by the time Christmas actually came.  No wonder I would put on several pounds throughout the end of November and month of December!  No surprise that when the day came I was cranky and lacking energy from all the late nights and poor diet.  Then the new year comes and we have to make all those resolutions that end up getting tossed aside after a few weeks or months if we are really diligent.

So how can we be kind to ourselves and those we love without over-taxing, over-spending and over-indulging ourselves?  It is hard and I will be the first to admit that my will power is weak and wimpy this time of year!  I guess one could shop and bake throughout the months leading up to Christmas but that typically doesn’t happen!  So as I have been thinking about this I have some thoughts to share.

Over-taxing ourselves can lead to physical fatigue and then we succumb to sickness if we are around it.  It is vital to keep the immune system boosted and fighting all those ickies that float around in the air and are on things we touch in public places!  Sure we can carry our sanitizer with us but if we are taking care of ourselves then our immune system is able to do what God created it to do and ward off the ‘stuff’ that wants to invade our bodies.

Take care of yourself during this stress-filled time of year!  It seems that everything is heightened and emotionally we can become drained.  I am trying to make sure that I get lots of rest and that I eat healthy.  I am using a bit more vitamin C and love that 1000 mg dose in an easily consumed package!  Stir into a little water and voila, it will go a long way throughout your day. (Just don’t take it too late in the evening or you won’t sleep!)  Also, stay hydrated.  Winter is always dry and most of our homes are more so in the closed winter months.  Unless you live in the south!!!  I struggle with consuming water throughout the day but try.  How is it that we know what is good for us but struggle to do it?  Sounds like the familiar words of Paul, "...for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate..." Even Saint Paul struggled to do the right thing. It is sometimes just a simple, 'right now, I am going to make a conscious effort to do what is right' kind of thing! You will be encouraged when you do.

We all know that over-spending this time of year is typical.  I don’t know about you but a gift-giving budget is just hard for me!  One of my love languages is gifting so it is extra hard for me to reign in.  However it helps to have a husband who is ultra conservative on matters like spending and so we are back and forth as I try to show him the “somewhere in the middle” range of spending:0)  I have started to ask my kids and grandsons for a list.  That way I can have a choice pricing-wise and yet be able to gift them with something that they really to have.  It is also nice if one can put funds aside throughout the year to use toward the gifting fund.

Gifting is a wonderful thing and we know that Jesus himself said in Acts 20:35 “that it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  A few years back we decided that we would let our grandsons see giving done in the spirit of blessing those who don’t have.  We looked through our Samaritan’s Purse catalog and let the boys choose a gift to give like a dozen ducks or chickens and we even purchased a goat to be given in their name another year.  The whole gift thing should be focused on the fact that we give because God first gave to us His Son Jesus!  We have certainly carried that to the extreme!

Then the over-indulging issue!  This tends to be one of my worst sins.  I have been completely defeated in this area for way too long!  However I had my best year ever last year and I am hoping to continue it this year.  I confess my besetting sin is gluttony!  Not a very nice word to admit to but I am going to call it what it is!  

Author Dee Brestin, relates ‘gluttony’ to idol worship and I agree that we can let food replace our need for God in many instances.  In the word it says in Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good...”  I am trying to contend with replacing the excessive food with time with the One I love.  Not only does the consuming interrupt my Godward thinking but look at the prep time in cooking!  It is time that a good portion could be given to my Father who waits for me to come and join Him in sweet fellowship! Not to mention Paul’s words again from 1Corinthians 6:19,20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own?”  He issues the call to “glorify God in your body.”  Yikes, I guess for me it will only be a couple of ‘goodies’ and a nice meal or two when the family is home.  It is difficult though, I love to cook and feed!  Now I can turn my “feeding” into spiritual food!

Now that is peace!

Be kind to yourself and those that have to put up with you.  Be a joy to those around you and spend your quality time with your Father, celebrating Christ’s birth!  That is how we become equipped to meet the needs of those around us. Now that’s Christmas!

Emotional Meltdowns...

It was a day wrapped in disappointment!  I am most thankful that I don't have many days like that.  But not today...this was a dreary, gloomy (sensing winter's approach) day of emotional let downs.  Two of my friends recently lost their loved ones and my heart was heavy for them at their loss of mom and a sister.  Then to top it off, an opportunity came to bless some gals that went south and for whatever reasons it just could not happen.  Well my emotions were already tender and I responded with an inward look instead of upward.  I began to play around in the pity pool for a time getting splashed with more and more disappointed as my 'woe is me' thinking which are just down right untruths began to flooding into my mind.  Wow, I was really beginning to drown myself in self-proclaimed despair.  I am this and I am not that...!  Suddenly I didn't think I had a friend in the world and I even began to doubt my abilities, capabilities and boy, one thing streamed right into the next.  Only God knows where it could have ended up!

Then, I received a revelation!  Just maybe God was protecting me, doing exactly what Paul says in Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."   I began to look at various scenarios that could happen if things went along as I desired for them to go and decided to--by faith--believe that these disappointments were not intended to discourage me but to protect and prevent dire things from happening?  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of that powerful Word from 2 Corinthians 10:5 that ends with "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ..." This certainly changed my entire outlook!

You see, God has empowered us, He has given us tools to help when we get all wrapped up in our own 'stinkin' thinkin'' and although sometimes difficult, our part is to acknowledge the enemy's lies and then counteract them with God's truth about who we really are!  I really believe that we can all get in a funk like this at sometime or another in our 'everyday' living, but the key is admitting where we have landed, that our thinking is is incorrect according to God's standard and what He says about His children and then be willing to do something about it!  Start by applying 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God," then finish by..."taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."


Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit that teaches us in the way in which we should go.  Continue to give me listening ears to hear His voice and then a willingness to respond correctly when I am headed in a direction that spells out CALAMITY.  My heart wants to please You and I ask for grace when I walk contrary to Your excellent way!

Crying Out to God

Have you ever been to a place either relationally, emotionally or physically where you have literally cried out to God?  I would have to say that there are many of us who have been in the throws of pain from either of the three mentioned catalysts where we hurt to the point that there is no other way but to cry out!  And believing in our omniscient God we have verbally let it fly, aloud, to Him in hopes that relief will come!

This is not something new to me and every now and again I have to just let it out because there is no other way to get relief.  Last night I was in such physical pain, uncomfortable standing, walking, sitting and laying down that I finally 'cried out' to my Father and implored relief from my pain.  I know that there were some friends out there praying for me and for that I was so grateful.  About fifteen minutes after I 'cried out' the pain began to lessen and it wasn't too long after that that I could at least lay without being in a constant state of misery.  I am dealing with a sciatic nerve issue that rather came out of nowhere (that I can see.)  Many of you  know how debilitating that can be!  I am not one who likes to use drugs but I was definitely using the advil and eleve last night but at one point they seemed useless.

I woke up today and feel much better and hope that this will somehow relieve itself.  But, all that to say that I am so grateful that God hears and responds to our cries of pain.  Look at these words from David in Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help ; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

After looking up the many verses where the men of old 'cried out' to the Lord I was convinced that they knew where their source of help came from!  David however, topped them all for he was finding himself in predicaments all the time!  And in his quandary, he often turned to his God.  Remember, he learned this early on--being known as a young man who was after God's own heart!

When we find ourselves in a dire straights situation, you have some options, you can run to a friend (or friends,) try to fix the situation on your own, visit the doctor (don't get me wrong, they have their place!) or you can cry out to the One who knows you inside and out.  He actually inclines His ear toward you that He might be the one you visit first!  I am sure blessed to know the Father intimately so that in my times of distress I can always turn to Him knowing that He hears my cries for help!  

Abba Father, You are so good to Your children and I am sorry when I put You last on my list to ask for help.  Thank You for showing me that I can run to You first because You care for my well being like no one can.  Thank You for healing my pain and working in all situations for my good and to bring You glory!

The Transparent Me

I have found it interesting that the Lord uses circumcision as a depiction of a changed heart.  For  the picture of a hardened heart is that shell that develops around our hearts to the point that we cannot be sensitive to anyone but ourselves, our own needs and desires.  Because we are wrapped up in our own little world.  Leviticus and Deuteronomy give us a clue of what heart circumcision is all about:

Leviticus 26:40a, 41b “If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness...-or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,” and in Deuteronomy 10:16 we read: “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stiff-necked.”

A New Testament verse that I read in Romans 2:29 also addresses the state of the heart.  Paul says “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”

Paul makes a few valid points here stating that circumcision of the heart is not done by living in the law but it is done by the Spirit.  It is the Spirit of God within us that works continually to bring us to that place of Christ-likeness and not by following a set of rules and regulations that are impossible to keep and that we are destined to break.  I am reminded of how we can look great on the outside but inside we are still very selfish and sinful, and determined to gratify our flesh.  That is just plain sinful and that is not why God has created us.

Paul goes on to say that we should not seek praise from men but from God.  I have a suspicion that by attempting to follow the letter of the Law that we might be focusing on the wrong details instead of tending to the issues of our heart.  For when we are seeking praises from God, to which others do not need to be made aware of, we are doing the right thing for the right One.  It is only then that as we lay down ourselves--getting out of our me-centered world--that others will observe a Christ-like change that will be evidenced by our behavior.

Am I really who I say I am?  Do I really walk the talk?  When others observe my behavior, do they see genuine love and concern for others (like I preach) or do they see one who is merely pursuing her own agenda.  I am finding that change will only happen for me when I get my focus off of myself and put it on loving others.  That is the daily laying down my agenda and picking up His cross to follow after Him which helps me see the needs of others.   I please Him by loving Him and then loving others!


Here is a link to a very thought provoking song by Matthew West.

But Lord, I have stuff to do today...oh, that’s right, Jenny really needs my help today...five hours later it is time to make supper.  I thought it was going to be a quiet evening at home until the phone rang and Terry called me to tell me that she just found out that her husband has been stepping out on her...three hours later it was bed time.  Mary needs a ride to an appointment out of town, but I was going to do something fun just for me...Mary is scared and really needs a friend to be with her...how can I say no?

Stayed on Him!

Obsessed, messmerized, well not quite, but here is how the NAS says it,

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You."

And the Message says:

People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit.

But my favorite translation is from good old NKJ:

" You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."

This verse has been resonating in my mind over the past few days as I have succumed to some unhealthy thoughts that the enemy of my soul was using to pull me down.  I really believe when there is a breakthrough on its way that the schemer and prince of the power of the air can really knaw and nip at our heals to render us as ineffective for the King and His kingdom as he can.  He is such a liar (actually the father of lies!)

So when Isaiah 26:3 started coming to my mind I took that as a gift from the Lord to be my tool for this onslaught to defeat ol' satan.  Fixed, stayed, camping on, steadfast, set on and stayed are powerful words which help me understand the importance of being locked on to the truth especially when we are tempted to think contrary to God's Word.  I think of a missile system that locks on to a target whether a bomb or ship or whatever maybe in motion to cause destruction by the 'enemy' as a perfect description of being stayed.  It will not deter from the target once it is 'locked' on to it or has it in its sights.

When the enemy who is very busy prowling around like a lion seeking whom he can devour sets out to attack my mind and thoughts, I have to know where to go to get my missile, that is in the Word.  I had to take the truth of this verse in Isaiah and use it to defeat the lies of the enemy.  Another verse that keeps me from shrinking back from the enemy's hits is from Philippians 4:6,7 "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know to , then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."  Our Tuesday prayer group has made a point to memorize these verses and wow, it is amazing how many times I need to pull that one out and use it whether for myself or others.  If I am anxious about anything, I am walking in fear and not in faith!

So the Word which is alive! sharper than any two-edged sword is applied to the lie the enemy tries to make me believe, I can use it as a tool to get my peace back!  I am stayed, on the truth!  That is what helps me to defeat hiim and then continue on the pathway of victorious living, giving God all the glory for each battle that He helps me win.  Yes, then I can truthfully say that it is because I trust in Him!

Lord, so many come under the condemnation of the enemy of our soul, help us to lock on to the Truth and know who we are in You so that Your plan and purpose for our lives doesn't get thwarted and we become a casualty.  I will trust in You knowing that You bring the Truth I need just when I need it, in Jesus name!

The Disappointments in Life

Are there times in your life when you thought things would turn out so much differently than they have?  Times that have left you feeling a bit hollow inside and terribly disappointed?  Like when a child grows up and grows away from the Lord instead of toward Him, or your dreams of being a missionary went south because for whatever reason be it money or relationship it became the wrong timing?  How about that first love that set your dreams on fire and then after a time the relationship fizzled and instead of fulfilling your dreams they brought about disappointments. And maybe it was the perfect job that you have waited for with all the amenities you could hope for and you were certain you had all the qualifications but you didn't make the final round and someone else stepped into the position you longed for.


Sometimes there are disappointments that totally change the course of your life.  That familiar saying "It just isn't fair" can light upon you and pull you right down into the pit.  Friend, I want you to know something and it isn't anything new or profound but, it is truth and that is that God, in spite of our tendency to walk our own way, really is in control.  Kind of like we are the vehicle but the Lord is our steering wheel.  Oh, I know He really does allow us to do our own thing, because He loves us so much!  He wants us to love Him back without restraints and of our own accord.  After all, how would it feel if your children only returned your affection because they were supposed too or your spouse because you had to ask?


So what do we do with the disappointments in life?  We all have them to one degree or another and really, how we respond to those disappointments determines whether we will move forward or lag behind.  I would have to believe that like me you want to soar and draw closer and closer to the Lord.  Your reaction to these realities sets the course for the next leg of your life journey.


Our journey in Christ takes the focus off of us and puts it on Him!  Every single thing that happens to us must glorify the Father.  I love that verse in Matthew 5:16  that says we are to let our light so shine before men that they would see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.  And just for fun here it is in the Message paraphrase:
Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.


When the disappointments come, those around us need to see how we handle them because after all there are plenty enough to go around in everyone's life!  I recently received another hit and the rug was pulled out from under my feet.  Yes, for a moment I fell and hurt myself and briefly slipped into the pit of despair, but...I have a circle of friends that let me know that they care and they encircled me and prayed for me.  I am slowly getting back up on my feet again.  I hate when this happens but it does and there isn't a one of us who doesn't know what if feels like.  


I would like to give you some things to think about when your dark moment comes.

• Don't keep it hidden!  Go to your trusted prayer partners and yes, make yourself vulnerable and share just how upset you are and let them minister to you!
• Ponder and pray when you hear a word for you even if it isn't necessarily comfortable.  God will provide the comfort because He is the God of all comfort!
• Set your face like flint not to revisit those debilitating emotions but focus on the truth! You will not move ahead until you do and the more often you revisit the deeper the pit gets.
• Remember, God is your healer and He wants to bring you gently back to the firm ground you were on before.  Forgiveness is the key to moving forward and friend, I know just how difficult this one is but I also have tasted the sweetness when the enemy of our soul is defeated and forgiveness cuts the chains of our heart loose.
• Do not get comfortable in the pain of your emotional battle.  God has given us the tools to get out of the pit.

The battle is in our minds and here is the Scripture that can help us work through the enemy's 'mosh pit':
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:5"
Unless we get our minds set on the truth we will become wounded as we are banged around by the lies and untruth that the enemy wants to use to render us useless to our Father.  Draw the line in the sand and do not go there.  If you have, get yourself in the truth of the Word and let that truth bath and comfort you and bring healing to your mind, body and soul!


Father, too many times I have seen how ineffective I become when the enemy comes in like a flood!  But I am also so thankful to know I don't have to go it alone and that In Your truth I am able to raise the standard that defeats the enemy of my soul.  You have provided brothers and sisters in Christ who thankfully become my help in times of trouble.  Thank You for Your love for me and for gently picking me up when I become Your wounded warrior.  I choose to walk in the truth today, in Jesus' name.