Do you ever feel like you are responsible to "save" everyone you know?
A husband who is struggling at work.
A child who is choosing a risky friend.
Friends who are in disagreement and just need to see the others point of view.
A leader in the church who is making decisions you do not agree with.
A family member making choices that are not Scriptural.
Do you ever wish you could just "fix it"? Share your vast wisdom and knowledge? Offer advice and counsel and make all of the drama go away?
Even when they have not asked you to do so?
I struggle with this. I see things happening around me, especially something I have gone through before, and I want to hop right in and save people from themselves. Keep them from being hurt. Help them avoid discipline. Protect them from broken relationships or burned bridges.
But it cannot always be me that saves them. Not only because I am not always qualified or mature enough or spiritually sound enough for the task, but because it is not my job. I am not necessarily answering a call from the Lord Himself to step in and offer a hand. I am often responding out of instinct or a desire to be the hero. Have I prayed through it? Is the Lord prompting me to come alongside and offer counsel? Has HE given me the words to speak? Does He want them to be saved?
True, the Lord uses people every day to encourage, exhort, rebuke and change the lives of those around them. He gifted us in different ways so we are able to use those gifts to enhance the church and the body and serve in a way that no one else can. I am not negating out natural talents or abilities or God's Divine plan for each of us.
But like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Daniel (and the list goes on) God calls us when He wants us to join Him where He is working. He has never been known to ask, "Hey, what are YOU thinking? Do you have any ideas for the future of this church? Do you have a creative method I can use to turn this daughter from sin? Are you in the mood to serve someone who is unlovely? I am open to any advice or thoughts you may have." Heaven help us!
What He does do is call us to obedience. He prompts our hearts through the Holy Spirit to pray for someone, to send a note of encouragement, to invite a young couple to dinner who is struggling in their marriage. But He does not NEED us to solve the world's problems. He has a purpose ~ a plan ~ an entire future laid out for those He loves. He simply asks us to join Him, to obey Him and to surrender to what He is calling us to do.
I want to be a woman of virtue. A woman who earns the right to counsel younger women. A woman who is praised by her husband and children. A woman who is sought out for her wisdom.
But to do this I need to be still. I need to "Be still and know that He is God" and trust Him to lead me into a difficult or hurtful situation to offer comfort and solace and rely on His strength and wisdom, not my own.
There will be times when I will scream with full confidence, "Grab the rope!" knowing that the Lord is calling me to pull that person to shore and minister to them through the truth of His Word and be used by Him to push them closer to their Savior. I just want to be sure that I am not dragging the rope with me everywhere I go "just in case" but am always ready, available and willing to catch it when He throws it to me and says "Go for it, daughter! You are up!"
May I always, always be ready to throw the rope.
4.29.2010
4.27.2010
Always encouraging.
Last night I had the privilege of spending a few hours with a room full of women ... wives ... homeschooling moms.
It was our final meeting of the year and after we finished "business" we spent the rest of the night answering this question: "What was the BEST part of your school year?"
When we met together in September we went around the room answering "What are you most excited about for this coming year?" Of course, everyone was super energetic and ready for a fresh new start and had oodles of ideas and dreams. Don't we always feel charged up and eager to begin something new? Our mind is spinning with thoughts and plans and we can barely contain our enthusiasm.
And then life happens. Parents get sick. Children are diagnosed with learning disabilities. Spouses get paycuts. Dishes must be washed. Laundry never ends. A child is injured. Money is tight. Disappointments happen. LIFE happens.
And yet ...
the Lord had already gone before us. He knew what the days would bring forth. He knew the joys that would make us smile ear to ear, and He knew the struggles that would bring us to our knees.
And always, always, He was faithful.
What a joy it was to hear these women share their year and their hearts. Some praised God for seeing the "Aha!" moment of their child and some praised Him for the sanctification that comes through parenting, marriage and choosing to serve others before self. Each woman left encouraged and ready to push through these final days of school, and life.
As I cleaned up the dishes and put the house back in order, I thanked God for the gift of relationships. You do not have to be best friends or agree on every minute detail to share in the blessings of life and the ways God is working in your heart and in your family. Just having one thing in common allows the walls to come down and the tongue to be loosed so you can talk and encourage and challenge one another in the season you are both walking through together. Two women, virtually strangers, can be used to bring joy and refreshment to one another simply because they "get it". If their time together is but a few hours, the Lord can produce much fruit and allow them the joy of "iron sharpening iron" and "a right word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. When You are at work, there are no limits to what can be shared and learned when two or more are gathered in Your name. You give us far beyond what we deserve, and for that, I humbly thank You.
It was our final meeting of the year and after we finished "business" we spent the rest of the night answering this question: "What was the BEST part of your school year?"
When we met together in September we went around the room answering "What are you most excited about for this coming year?" Of course, everyone was super energetic and ready for a fresh new start and had oodles of ideas and dreams. Don't we always feel charged up and eager to begin something new? Our mind is spinning with thoughts and plans and we can barely contain our enthusiasm.
And then life happens. Parents get sick. Children are diagnosed with learning disabilities. Spouses get paycuts. Dishes must be washed. Laundry never ends. A child is injured. Money is tight. Disappointments happen. LIFE happens.
And yet ...
the Lord had already gone before us. He knew what the days would bring forth. He knew the joys that would make us smile ear to ear, and He knew the struggles that would bring us to our knees.
And always, always, He was faithful.
What a joy it was to hear these women share their year and their hearts. Some praised God for seeing the "Aha!" moment of their child and some praised Him for the sanctification that comes through parenting, marriage and choosing to serve others before self. Each woman left encouraged and ready to push through these final days of school, and life.
As I cleaned up the dishes and put the house back in order, I thanked God for the gift of relationships. You do not have to be best friends or agree on every minute detail to share in the blessings of life and the ways God is working in your heart and in your family. Just having one thing in common allows the walls to come down and the tongue to be loosed so you can talk and encourage and challenge one another in the season you are both walking through together. Two women, virtually strangers, can be used to bring joy and refreshment to one another simply because they "get it". If their time together is but a few hours, the Lord can produce much fruit and allow them the joy of "iron sharpening iron" and "a right word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. When You are at work, there are no limits to what can be shared and learned when two or more are gathered in Your name. You give us far beyond what we deserve, and for that, I humbly thank You.
4.26.2010
Praising God ...
... simply because he IS.
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
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
"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth."
Psalm 96: 11-13
"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You."
Nehemiah 9:5, 6
"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: 24, 25
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."
Psalm 28:7
"I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."
Deuteronomy 32:3,4
"You are my God, and I will give You thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."
Psalm 118: 28,29
"Let me live that I may praise You."
Psalm 119:175
4.22.2010
Hmmm...
Yesterday I embarked on the harmless task of searching the internet for school activities relating to ancient Rome and ancient China. We are literature-based here at The Eastman Academy so we read voluminous amounts of books, regardless of topic. We even read one on Archimedes - a mathematician - who knew reading about math could be interesting!
Reading is wonderful and we learn so much information it is almost impossible to retain. We average about 3 hours each day of books, books and more books.
This is fabulous but sometimes little people need to actually DO something. Make a mess, blow something up, create. Hence, the internet search. I found some great ideas but I also found myself slipping into feelings of complete ineptitude. The things moms do with their kids at home - aye aye aye! Why did I think what I do with my boys is even able to compare? Where is the creativity? Where is the pizazz? What was I thinking?!?!?!
I spent a good few hours last night feeling blue and trying to figure out how I let the fun part of education slip through my fingers. My guys never complain about reading because a) they have been listening since birth so it is normal to them b) they LOVE hearing stories read out loud c) excellent literature needs no aid to make it come alive. So maybe their contentment kept me from thinking outside of the box. I don't know.
We do go on field trips that relate to our studies. We went to the Creation Museum and an Egyptian Museum (with actual mummified bodies even!) and will be visiting the Getty Villa in May. We watch movies on our topics as a family and the boys spend days acting out the scenes afterwards. They do have fun and get to experiecne some pretty incredible things. But not often enough.
So after fretting for a night and then actually sleeping super soundly (thanks to a new pillow) I woke up with my mind whirling at a high speed. We did our usual routine (reading) and then I just stopped and looked at them and said, "Do you guys want to read more or do an activity?" They LITERALLY started chanting, "Activity, Activity!"
I pulled out my box of supplies, not really knowing what to have them do and VOILA. There were 3 white masks sitting on top. There was gold spray paint, glitter, glue, feathers, popsicle sticks, and sequins. We hauled it outside and my idea formed.
"Today you are going to make your own gladiator mask and design your own coat of arms for a shield and design your own weapon! No rules - just create and have fun!"
You would have thought I told them they won the lottery based on their enthusiastic reaction!
They had so much fun and my feelings of ineptitude started to float away. I CAN be creative! I CAN think outside of the box and provide a way for my boys to create a world all their own.
Yesterday was not so good for the heart of this homeschooling mother.
Today? Well, today was a good day!
They are currently out in the backyard practicing their moves so they can impress their dad upon his return. Fabulous.
Reading is wonderful and we learn so much information it is almost impossible to retain. We average about 3 hours each day of books, books and more books.
This is fabulous but sometimes little people need to actually DO something. Make a mess, blow something up, create. Hence, the internet search. I found some great ideas but I also found myself slipping into feelings of complete ineptitude. The things moms do with their kids at home - aye aye aye! Why did I think what I do with my boys is even able to compare? Where is the creativity? Where is the pizazz? What was I thinking?!?!?!
I spent a good few hours last night feeling blue and trying to figure out how I let the fun part of education slip through my fingers. My guys never complain about reading because a) they have been listening since birth so it is normal to them b) they LOVE hearing stories read out loud c) excellent literature needs no aid to make it come alive. So maybe their contentment kept me from thinking outside of the box. I don't know.
We do go on field trips that relate to our studies. We went to the Creation Museum and an Egyptian Museum (with actual mummified bodies even!) and will be visiting the Getty Villa in May. We watch movies on our topics as a family and the boys spend days acting out the scenes afterwards. They do have fun and get to experiecne some pretty incredible things. But not often enough.
So after fretting for a night and then actually sleeping super soundly (thanks to a new pillow) I woke up with my mind whirling at a high speed. We did our usual routine (reading) and then I just stopped and looked at them and said, "Do you guys want to read more or do an activity?" They LITERALLY started chanting, "Activity, Activity!"
I pulled out my box of supplies, not really knowing what to have them do and VOILA. There were 3 white masks sitting on top. There was gold spray paint, glitter, glue, feathers, popsicle sticks, and sequins. We hauled it outside and my idea formed.
"Today you are going to make your own gladiator mask and design your own coat of arms for a shield and design your own weapon! No rules - just create and have fun!"
You would have thought I told them they won the lottery based on their enthusiastic reaction!
They had so much fun and my feelings of ineptitude started to float away. I CAN be creative! I CAN think outside of the box and provide a way for my boys to create a world all their own.
Yesterday was not so good for the heart of this homeschooling mother.
Today? Well, today was a good day!
They are currently out in the backyard practicing their moves so they can impress their dad upon his return. Fabulous.
4.19.2010
Think on this ...
"Missions exist because worship does not."
If everyone worshipped the One and Only God, the Maker of heaven and earth,
there would be no need for missions.
No need for missionaries.
No need for evangelism.
But because so many do not worship God ...
because so many worship themselves, money, fame, power, appearance, success and other gods,
missions MUST exist.
Missionaries must "Go into all the world."
Every Christian must share the truth of the Gospel with everyone they know.
We are not accountable for their response. Some will reject the message and some will reject us. Their hearts and their eternal choices are not up to us, it is between each individual and the Lord. We are called to be obedient.
We are told in Scripture that we ARE salt.
We ARE light.
We ARE a city set apart on a hill that draws others towards us.
We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel.
He calls us to "be ye holy as I am holy" and follow the example of Jesus Christ who walked on the earth for 33 years giving glory and honor to the Father every time He spoke. Without fear. Without shame. Regardless of what people thought of Him or how they treated Him.
Yes, He was God. He knew what was coming and He knew He would end up at the right hand of the Father after a horrible death. He did not need to fear man.
And neither do we.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong and do not fear; your God will come." Isaiah 35:3,4
“He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”” II Corinthians 12:9
There is no fear for the believer because we are never alone and we never have to act within our own strength, power, or intelligence. The Lord is always with us and will fill our mouths with the right words when we need them.
Be encouraged! We have the PRIVILEGE of bringing the good news to a lost world, a confused world, a dying world. We offer refreshment! We offer peace! We offer a holy, loving and amazing God to those who desperately need Him.
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."" John 14:6
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
"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 2:9-11
4.16.2010
Come just as you are.
Have you ever thought about this?
No one worships God the way you do.
No one!
There is only one Michelle, one Rachel, one Kelsi, one Cassie, one Jenny ... each created uniquely by the Father, and each one able to come before Him exactly as she is. To worship. To praise. To give thanks. To make requests. To be still.
Just as there are no two snowflakes alike, there are no two created beings who are exactly the same. We may share personality traits, mannerisms or interests, but we each have a "one-of-a-kind" stamp indicating the perfect, purposeful and distinct design of the Master.
No one prays like you do.
No one listens to His voice like you do.
No one loves Him like you do.
How could they? We were created to be individuals, made in HIS image, not one another's. Does this thought amaze you? Encourage you? Challenge you? Thrill you?
If no one worships God like you do then that means He does not enjoy or delight in anyone the way He delights in you. His thoughts toward us are more numerous than the sand on the seashore ~ so many thoughts, all specific to who we are, how we think, how we act, how we relate to Him.
This idea has been floating around my mind for several weeks and I just cannot stop thinking about it. Not only does God love me ~ He wants me, He enjoys me, He desires me, He is pleased with me and above all ~ he only made one me!
We have a precious, unique, private relationship that no one else can fully experience. What a privilege! What a blessing! What a JOY!
I challenge you to think about this ... are you walking with the Lord in such a way that you both find delight in one another day by day? I pray you will seek it like you seek your next breath.
No one worships God the way you do.
No one!
There is only one Michelle, one Rachel, one Kelsi, one Cassie, one Jenny ... each created uniquely by the Father, and each one able to come before Him exactly as she is. To worship. To praise. To give thanks. To make requests. To be still.
Just as there are no two snowflakes alike, there are no two created beings who are exactly the same. We may share personality traits, mannerisms or interests, but we each have a "one-of-a-kind" stamp indicating the perfect, purposeful and distinct design of the Master.
No one prays like you do.
No one listens to His voice like you do.
No one loves Him like you do.
How could they? We were created to be individuals, made in HIS image, not one another's. Does this thought amaze you? Encourage you? Challenge you? Thrill you?
If no one worships God like you do then that means He does not enjoy or delight in anyone the way He delights in you. His thoughts toward us are more numerous than the sand on the seashore ~ so many thoughts, all specific to who we are, how we think, how we act, how we relate to Him.
This idea has been floating around my mind for several weeks and I just cannot stop thinking about it. Not only does God love me ~ He wants me, He enjoys me, He desires me, He is pleased with me and above all ~ he only made one me!
We have a precious, unique, private relationship that no one else can fully experience. What a privilege! What a blessing! What a JOY!
I challenge you to think about this ... are you walking with the Lord in such a way that you both find delight in one another day by day? I pray you will seek it like you seek your next breath.
Come Just As You Are
Come just as you are
Hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Come recieve
Come and live forever
Life everlasting
Strength for today
Strength for today
Taste the living water
And never thirst again
Come and see
Come recieve
Come and live forever
Come just as you are
Don't you hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Christ my King
Come and live forevermore
4.13.2010
There is no other option.
I have often been criticized/chastized/condemned for being insensitive.
Not because I am rude or look at someone who is suffering and say, "Why are you crying? It's been a year - you should be over this by now."
Not because I ignore their pain.
Not because I minimize what they are going through.
I am criticized because my first response is to go to Scripture. What does the Lord say about this situation? Regardless of how simple or how intense, Scripture always, always, always has an answer. It contains the thoughts, words and heart of our Father ~ there is no better, or safer, place to seek counsel or comfort than in this precious Book.
My mind floats to Scripture and my heart's desire is to comfort and encourage others with HIS words rather than my feeble human attempts at compassion.
I used to be absolutely baffled by the response of people - believers - because they would actully get angry with me. They would stop talking to me or avoid me. They would yell at me telling me how I lacked all compassion and sensitivity. And they were angry because I was speaking the very words of the Lord. "How is it possible for a Chrisitan to get mad when hearing God's Word?", I would wonder.
And then, as He is always faithful to do, the Lord revealed to me the truth of what was going on.
First, I had to learn the delicate art of balancing emotion with truth. A woman who has just lost her child, a husband who was just told his wife has cancer, a man who lost his job ... none of these people want to be greeted with, "I am so sorry, but you know, the Lord is in control." "Your baby is in heaven and remember, you do have a child here who needs you and loves you." They want to cry. They want to scream. They want to talk, to process, to vent. And that is totally okay. Scripture says, "There is a time to mourn and a time to dance" and we see numerous examples of grief and emotion as God's people suffer various trials. We see Jesus weep. We see God turn His face away as He sees His Son burdened with the sin of the world on the cross.
Emotion was created by God. Emotion is good. It can be used to heal and cleanse. But it is has a time and a place ... it cannot be our driving force in life and for those who confess Christ, there comes a time when we have to dry the tears and look into the eyes of the Father and say, "Thank You, Lord. I do not understand this. I do not even like this. But I know You love me, I know You have plans for me, I know You call me to be holy just as You are holy and because of my faith in You, I will trust. I will obey. And I will give thanks to You as I rejoice because You are God regardless of what is happening around me. YOU ARE STILL GOD."
The second thing the Lord revealed to me was the reality that everyone is not in the same place in their maturity, their faith, in their walk, in their personal relationship with the Lord. And we cannot force them into a deeper place by sheer will. We need to pray fervently and seek the Lord's wisdom in how and when to speak and allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate their hearts and minds and draw them closer to the Lord and into a mature response to what He is doing in their lives.
Sometimes Scripture falls on deaf ears, even deaf ears of believers. They are simply not ready. They do not want to be ready. And regardless of where they are, I cannot change that. I need love them, encourage them and show them God's Word with tenderness and truth and leave the rest to the Lord.
I have been in that place where I just wanted to mope or whine or be pitied. The problem is, there is no real comfort in that. After the hugs and flowers and "I know, life is hard" statements, you are still in the same place and the only way out of the pit is to reach out your hand to the Father's and let Him pull you up and set your feet on solid ground again.
Psalm 119:73-76 says,
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands. May those who fear You rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in Your Word. I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me. May Your unfailing love be my comfort according to Your promise to Your servant.”
This is an example of mature faith ~ even in the midst of deep suffering and pain we recognize God as God. Unfailing, all-powerful, compassionate and loving.
We cling to His goodness in the depths of our darkness.
Think about this statement … “in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” How does one pray that with total sincerity in the darkest moment of life?
The answer is simple: They know who their God is and they know what His Word says and they are willing to believe it. And live it.
I was in a Bible study with older women and one shared that her adult daughter was instantly killed in a car accident. She talked about the pain, the anger, the "why" questions and then she said, "I could find no peace. Then I remembered that the Lord says, "In EVERYTHING give thanks". So I got on my knees and I thanked the Lord for taking my daughter. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but as soon as I was obedient, I found the peace I was longing for."
I remember being astounded at her testimony and thought about it for days. She was obedient. She knew the truth. She knew who her God was. And He blessed her because of it with "a peace that surpasses all understanding."
We are called to give thanks in everything ... and to always give thanks. There are no qualifying statements. "Give thanks in everything unless ..."
We are to give thanks in EVERYTHING. Period. There is no other option.
I have learned so many lessons in this area and feel God has been quite faithful to teach me the balance of emotion and truth so that I can come alongside others and comfort them in the way they need at that moment. I am convicted to pray for the Lord to open their hearts to the truth of His Word, the commands He has given and the knowledge that because "no one can know the mind of the Lord" we simply have to believe that He IS God and He has a purpose in all things. We do not have to like it or understand it. But we have to trust and we need to give thanks ... always, and in everything.
There is no other option.
Not because I am rude or look at someone who is suffering and say, "Why are you crying? It's been a year - you should be over this by now."
Not because I ignore their pain.
Not because I minimize what they are going through.
I am criticized because my first response is to go to Scripture. What does the Lord say about this situation? Regardless of how simple or how intense, Scripture always, always, always has an answer. It contains the thoughts, words and heart of our Father ~ there is no better, or safer, place to seek counsel or comfort than in this precious Book.
My mind floats to Scripture and my heart's desire is to comfort and encourage others with HIS words rather than my feeble human attempts at compassion.
I used to be absolutely baffled by the response of people - believers - because they would actully get angry with me. They would stop talking to me or avoid me. They would yell at me telling me how I lacked all compassion and sensitivity. And they were angry because I was speaking the very words of the Lord. "How is it possible for a Chrisitan to get mad when hearing God's Word?", I would wonder.
And then, as He is always faithful to do, the Lord revealed to me the truth of what was going on.
First, I had to learn the delicate art of balancing emotion with truth. A woman who has just lost her child, a husband who was just told his wife has cancer, a man who lost his job ... none of these people want to be greeted with, "I am so sorry, but you know, the Lord is in control." "Your baby is in heaven and remember, you do have a child here who needs you and loves you." They want to cry. They want to scream. They want to talk, to process, to vent. And that is totally okay. Scripture says, "There is a time to mourn and a time to dance" and we see numerous examples of grief and emotion as God's people suffer various trials. We see Jesus weep. We see God turn His face away as He sees His Son burdened with the sin of the world on the cross.
Emotion was created by God. Emotion is good. It can be used to heal and cleanse. But it is has a time and a place ... it cannot be our driving force in life and for those who confess Christ, there comes a time when we have to dry the tears and look into the eyes of the Father and say, "Thank You, Lord. I do not understand this. I do not even like this. But I know You love me, I know You have plans for me, I know You call me to be holy just as You are holy and because of my faith in You, I will trust. I will obey. And I will give thanks to You as I rejoice because You are God regardless of what is happening around me. YOU ARE STILL GOD."
The second thing the Lord revealed to me was the reality that everyone is not in the same place in their maturity, their faith, in their walk, in their personal relationship with the Lord. And we cannot force them into a deeper place by sheer will. We need to pray fervently and seek the Lord's wisdom in how and when to speak and allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate their hearts and minds and draw them closer to the Lord and into a mature response to what He is doing in their lives.
Sometimes Scripture falls on deaf ears, even deaf ears of believers. They are simply not ready. They do not want to be ready. And regardless of where they are, I cannot change that. I need love them, encourage them and show them God's Word with tenderness and truth and leave the rest to the Lord.
I have been in that place where I just wanted to mope or whine or be pitied. The problem is, there is no real comfort in that. After the hugs and flowers and "I know, life is hard" statements, you are still in the same place and the only way out of the pit is to reach out your hand to the Father's and let Him pull you up and set your feet on solid ground again.
Psalm 119:73-76 says,
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands. May those who fear You rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in Your Word. I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me. May Your unfailing love be my comfort according to Your promise to Your servant.”
This is an example of mature faith ~ even in the midst of deep suffering and pain we recognize God as God. Unfailing, all-powerful, compassionate and loving.
We cling to His goodness in the depths of our darkness.
Think about this statement … “in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” How does one pray that with total sincerity in the darkest moment of life?
The answer is simple: They know who their God is and they know what His Word says and they are willing to believe it. And live it.
I was in a Bible study with older women and one shared that her adult daughter was instantly killed in a car accident. She talked about the pain, the anger, the "why" questions and then she said, "I could find no peace. Then I remembered that the Lord says, "In EVERYTHING give thanks". So I got on my knees and I thanked the Lord for taking my daughter. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but as soon as I was obedient, I found the peace I was longing for."
I remember being astounded at her testimony and thought about it for days. She was obedient. She knew the truth. She knew who her God was. And He blessed her because of it with "a peace that surpasses all understanding."
We are called to give thanks in everything ... and to always give thanks. There are no qualifying statements. "Give thanks in everything unless ..."
We are to give thanks in EVERYTHING. Period. There is no other option.
I have learned so many lessons in this area and feel God has been quite faithful to teach me the balance of emotion and truth so that I can come alongside others and comfort them in the way they need at that moment. I am convicted to pray for the Lord to open their hearts to the truth of His Word, the commands He has given and the knowledge that because "no one can know the mind of the Lord" we simply have to believe that He IS God and He has a purpose in all things. We do not have to like it or understand it. But we have to trust and we need to give thanks ... always, and in everything.
There is no other option.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18
"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philipians 4:6
4.12.2010
I wonder ...
... how different our days would be if we had this song in our hearts and on our lips every morning when we woke up.
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and serve Him
in His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldy pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus take me now.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and serve Him
in His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldy pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus take me now.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
4.08.2010
Conviction and Inspiration.
The boys and I are currently studying Ancient Rome and just finished a book called, "Twice Freed" by Patricia St John. It is a historical fiction book based on the story of Philemon and his slave Onesimus.
The boys and I loved the book and after we finished I read the actual letter from Paul to Philemon - only 25 verses, 13 of them devoted to the relationship between Onesimus and Paul and Philemon.
Paul opens the letter with his usual greeting of encouragement, but this time I was convicted by his words.
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
What a reputation Philemon had among the early Christians! To be known as the one who "refreshes the hearts of the saints" ...what a legacy. What an honor. And how incredibly humbling.
And, of course, it made me think.
How do other believers see me? Am I seen as a woman who loves the saints? A woman who brings encouragement and refreshment to my brothers and sisters in Christ? Do I affect their hearts?
I have not been able to stop thinking about this ... a good reputation is something worth more than gold. It takes a lifetime to build and a moment to tear down. What legacy am I building as I walk my faith out day by day with the Lord? How is my life ~ my choices, my convictions, my ministry, my service ~ affecting the lives of others in their own pursuit of God? Do I provide a place of peace and comfort and encouragement to those who are seeking such things? Am I making a difference for eternity?
Though I have my funeral planned and am not afraid to speak of death, I have never had a quote or thought for my epitaph. I have seen so many clever, funny, inspiring and touching "last words" but never felt there was something that summed up my life. Until now.
My prayer is that when I go HOME, those left behind will be able to etch into stone, with full conviction:
Michelle Renee Eastman
Wife, mother, friend ... a daughter of The King.
She refreshed the hearts of the saints.
It is a lofty goal, I know. I may succeed. I may fail. But I will fight with every ounce of energy and strength to finish strong and leave a memory of a woman who lived with purpose, continually thought of eternity and sought every opportunity to encourage those around her so they too would know how valued and treasured they are by our precious Lord and Savior.
May my labor not be in vain.
The boys and I loved the book and after we finished I read the actual letter from Paul to Philemon - only 25 verses, 13 of them devoted to the relationship between Onesimus and Paul and Philemon.
Paul opens the letter with his usual greeting of encouragement, but this time I was convicted by his words.
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
What a reputation Philemon had among the early Christians! To be known as the one who "refreshes the hearts of the saints" ...what a legacy. What an honor. And how incredibly humbling.
And, of course, it made me think.
How do other believers see me? Am I seen as a woman who loves the saints? A woman who brings encouragement and refreshment to my brothers and sisters in Christ? Do I affect their hearts?
I have not been able to stop thinking about this ... a good reputation is something worth more than gold. It takes a lifetime to build and a moment to tear down. What legacy am I building as I walk my faith out day by day with the Lord? How is my life ~ my choices, my convictions, my ministry, my service ~ affecting the lives of others in their own pursuit of God? Do I provide a place of peace and comfort and encouragement to those who are seeking such things? Am I making a difference for eternity?
Though I have my funeral planned and am not afraid to speak of death, I have never had a quote or thought for my epitaph. I have seen so many clever, funny, inspiring and touching "last words" but never felt there was something that summed up my life. Until now.
My prayer is that when I go HOME, those left behind will be able to etch into stone, with full conviction:
Michelle Renee Eastman
Wife, mother, friend ... a daughter of The King.
She refreshed the hearts of the saints.
It is a lofty goal, I know. I may succeed. I may fail. But I will fight with every ounce of energy and strength to finish strong and leave a memory of a woman who lived with purpose, continually thought of eternity and sought every opportunity to encourage those around her so they too would know how valued and treasured they are by our precious Lord and Savior.
May my labor not be in vain.
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