What is your cause?

Over the last 2 years, my husband and I took up the cause of "waking up" our country through a national program.  We have spent many weekends teaching men, women, children, service men, veterans, families, beginners, and old pros the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship.  We have also studied hours upon hours the history of how our country began, namely the start of the Revolutionary War. 

At some point, I purchased an American Patriot's Bible and started having a devotional on Sunday mornings for those of us missing church.  I relayed stories of christian patriots and the church of 1775.  As time progressed, I emphasized knowing what was good use and what was God use of your time.  For that time, I knew I needed to be in Appleseed and having those devotionals. 

Then God put a devotional on my heart and had to keep nudging me to present it.  At our December shoot, I asked the devotional attendees how many of them would go back to work, back to their families and tell them all about the weekend.  How many would relate their experience, their struggle, the good points of Appleseed.

Then I asked them how many would go back and  be as excited to tell everyone about their experience with God?  We are all guilty of it, me included.  We throw ourselves into something heart and soul and want to tell everyone.  But when it comes to Christ, we shy away, back down.  We're afraid we may offend someone.  Yet His news is the best of all. 

This was a turning point in my christian life.  I had given all of myself to this 'project' and it was time to give it all to God.  It's a daily struggle, but it is worth it. 

My 12 weekends a year will now be spent with my family, nurturing those relationships because this is the next season of my life.  It's not to say anything is wrong with devoting yourself to something and being passionate about it, but make sure it is a God thing for you in particular, not just a good thing.  And make sure you put as much effort into your study of Him as you do anything else.

I met many christians in the project and will continue to pray for Christ to move through that organizatoin.  He is doing a great work there, using His soldiers to reach people.

Lord, I pray for You to be the passion of our lives.  Please guide us to those things that fall in Your will.  Amen.

Praise the Lord!

This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. 
Psalms 188:24 (KJV)

I learned this in a song as a child and the verse in Bible Drill many, many years ago.  Notice it says "we will".  It's not a request, not an admonition.  It is an afirmative proclamation!

Even though there are hurts and disappointments, this is still the day the Lord made!  He's here, sitting right next to you saying look at what I'm giving you today.  His sky, His trees, His animals, your breath, His strength, His promises, His nudges, His love, a needed smile or hug.  Keep Him with you today and rejoice because He loves you and He wants to show Himself to you today and that is absolutely amazing. 

Thank you, Lord that you love us and want to show yourself to us in the big things and in the little ones.  I will rejoice and count your many blessings today.  Thank you, Father.  Amen!

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

The journey is always more 'exciting' than the destination isn't it?  I've been trying earnestly to really think about things before I react and keep my mind on God.  But, like all of you, I am human.  I mess up daily and when things catch me completely off guard, my world can turn upside down and I don't necessarily react calmly and take it in stride. 

This happened to me Saturday and honestly, I was overwhelmed.  Many things happened all on top of each other and my mind and heart were going in all different directions.  During the night, I woke up and stayed up from the anxiety of it all. 

This morning, my stomach wasn't feeling so hot and I wanted to stay in bed rather than go to church.  But God reminded me I was in charge of breakfast for Sunday School.  Okay, I'm listening, quit thinking about myself and get my focus on Him.  I spoke briefly with a friend about yesterday's events (most of which she was aware of) and she smiled and said, "This too shall pass."  It brought such a calm to me.  Besides it being God's word, it is something I try to remember to get through the hard days.  God spoke to me so sweetly through her.

Then in worship, the words of 2 hymns filled my soul and calmed my spirit...

"Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus"

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

---

"Amazing Grace"
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.


Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.


Lord, please give us the eyes to see You and ears to hear You above everything else.  Amen.

He always delivers

A couple of months ago, my father-in-law mentioned he was going to Haiti on a mission trip.  He pastors a small but mighty congregation with great faith.  Yesterday at 3:30 am, he set out with another pastor and his daughter (registered nurse). 

In preparing for the trip, they made plans and stepped out on faith they would raise the needed money to do all the mission work they planned.  This included helping build an orphanage.  There was a supper for donations and the pastors were on a local radio broadcast telling about their trip, hoping they would get support. 

A couple of days before the trip, they were still $600 short of helping the orphanage.  He was figuring out how to come up with some of the money and a guy called.  He wanted to know if it was too late to donate.  Absolutely not!  They met up and the guy said at first he felt led to donate $400, then he counted out 10 $100 bills.  He wanted so badly to help the people of Haiti. 

This is God at work in a big way.  My father in law is a diabetic and has had many ups and downs the last few years with his health.  But that didn't stop him.  God sent a nurse with him and provided in abundance for the trip.  When we step out of faith, with our hearts in God's will, he always delivers.  Amen!

Our cup and our action

Our cup...
"In times of suffering we are tempted to doubt God, to wonder if His promises are really true, to question whether He cares for us as He says He does.  Such lack of faith is sin...

Father, if my cup seems too bitter, help me to remember that it is Your wounded hand that is holding the cup.  Then no cup is too bitter, no water too deep, no burden too heavy but that I am willing to say, "Thy will be done.""
Originally printed January 2, 1941 in Open Windows.

This hit home with me because sometimes I feel overwhelmed by my cup, this week especially.  Yet this week I've been more calm than usual, seeing what is at the core of the problem.  This is coming from God, not me.

Mark 9:14-29 is talking about Jesus casting out a demon the disciples could not.  Verse 29 - "and He said to them, "This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer."" 

This explains my calm.  All my life I've tended to panic when the hard times hit, trying to figure out how to get through it or avoid it.  I would read anything I could get my hands on, search out my friends, etc.  But lately, I've been going straight to prayer instead of it being my second or third choice.  God is showing me that prayer is what will get me through and at times is the only thing that will.  Then He will guide me and speak to me through scripture, through a friend's word, through nature.  Prayer must be first and He will indeed get me through.


Our action...
"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." 
Romans 8:28
The writer in Open Windows referred to this, saying, "for those who love God and live for His purposes".  Sometimes as Christians we tend think if we simply love God in our heart, then everything will turn out for good.  We are called to do more than that.  We are called to be in the Word and in prayer, meeting God where He wants us to be.  We are called to actively love Him which means it's an action, not just a passive feeling where we sit back and tell God to go for it and make everything work out.

All throughout the bible our relationship with God is presented as a marriage and we are His bride.  A friend of mine has said many times marriage is about active love, not the feeling.  Otherwise it falls apart.  God is telling us the same thing about our relationship with Him.

Thank you, Lord that you are not one dimensional and you want us to know you.  Thank you for always seeing me through.

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear, or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8

Reading this verse reminds me of something a very dear friend did for me.  Realizing I was going through a hard time, she took the time to type up 4 pages of 'promise' verses for me.  They are verses she holds onto and hoped I could hold on to as well.  When she sent them, she also wrote a prayer for me.  That prayer made the Holy Spirit so real to me that I carried it with me on a couple of trips and now keep it by my bed.  I know in my head God is always with me, but sometimes my heart needs a reminder.  I also look at those verses and a peace comes over me. 

The waters are still rough and God is still showing me He's here.  This week different phrases were said to me and today they make sense.  He was preparing me for another wave. 

Thank you, Lord, for always being with me, never leaving me.

Come Home

Another new song that gets to the core of life and God's response, which is our hope.



Come HomeArtist: Luminate
Album: (tbd)

You’re best friends with the word “regret”
And you’re afraid that your life’s been wasted
So why hope if it’s only gonna let you down?

You don’t think people really change
And you’re a mess and you’ll always be the same
And you doubt if you’ll ever get it turned around

So you’ve been running, searching for something
But you’re looking in a place you don’t belong
But it’s never too late, you can’t outrun grace
No, mercy doesn’t care what you’ve done
So, come home. So, come home

You can try and fix your broken empire
And put bricks on a cracked foundation
But you’d be building castles on the sand
There’s power in the blood of Jesus
And your Father’s screaming “just come home”
And He’s reaching out His hand

 I know you’ve been running, searching for something
But you’re looking in a place you don’t belong
But it’s never too late, you can’t outrun grace
No, mercy doesn’t care what you’ve done
So, come home. So, come home

From the shadows, from the wrong roads,
From the darkness, from the unknown,
To redemption, something beautiful,
To a new love, to a new home

Chorus

Love one another

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35, NLT (From Klove's Encouraging Word)

klove.com has a daily encouraging verse you can get via email.  I'm sure there are many other sites that do the same.  See if one speaks to you that will lift you up and ground you for the day ahead.

Thank you for today, Lord!

What a glorious day!  The sun is shining brightly across the farm and through our windows.  The snow is beautiful and the horses calming. 

Thank you, Lord, for your "Good morning" this morning.  May this be a reminder to me all day long of your love, how much you want to be in every detail of my life, and that you are shining down on me and those I love.  Amen. 

You Are More

What an encouraging song.  It's not about us, but about Him!

You Are More by Tenth Avenue North

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From teh places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, how did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love.

But dont' you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices you have made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given a new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices you have made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices you have made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Cause this is not about what you've done
But what's been done for you.
This is not abuot where you've been
But where your brokenness brings you to.

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices you have made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices you have made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

Out of the mouths of babes

My friend had a tragic summer in 2010, losing someone very dear to her.  Through the loss, she got out of her Sunday routine of attending church.  On a January Saturday night, she thought to herself she needed to get up the next day and get back into church.  She didn't mention it out loud, just thought it to herself.  The next morning, her daughter woke up and the very first thing she said was they needed to go back to church.  Her daughter is in pre-school.

Amazing!

Change of pace

Do you have a regular chore or task you put off and really don't like doing?  Mine is the grocery.  It seems to take so much time out of my life and is such a nuisance. 

I was supposed to go Friday night, then Saturday.  Saturday I chose to spend the day at a flea mall and different book stores with my husband and daughter.  It was a priceless day.  Sunday after church, I was absolutely beat and figured I'd do it before evening church.  Nope, we had other things to talk over with our daughter and it was time well spent.  So I decided to go this morning, before 7am, once daughter got on the school bus.  I figured there's noone there, it's the perfect time.  It won't take as long and bad weather was supposed to be here in the afternoon. 

I stocked up with 3 weeks worth of food (so I could wait as long as possible before going back).  It was tough bagging in my cloth bags without my daughter there, but it was a good workout.  I then go to another store to get dog food.  On the way to my third and final stop, I look in my mirror.  Low and behold I had dried toothpaste along the bottom of my lip! 

On most Mondays that probably would have really bothered me, but this morning I got the biggest laugh out of it.  I wasn't hurrying, I was relaxed and trying to start my week off right and getting the grocery out of the way.  And God rewarded me with a sense of accomplishment and a hearty laugh.  It put me in a wonderful frame of mind to start my work day/week.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessing of humor.  Life would be so rough without it!

Next time a regular chore starts to drain me, I'll change when or how I do it to give myself a change of pace.  God doesn't want us or our lives lukewarm.  I believe He wants a change of pace for all of us on a regular basis to keep our spirits up and give us a new perspective.

Proven character

Today I picked up a new study bible.  The first thing I looked up was Romans 5:3-5.  It reads:
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and preven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

It's similar but notice it says proven character, not just character.  It has a Greek/Hebrew dictionary in the back.
proven character - approved, tried; approved integrity.
hope - to anticipate, usually with pleasure; confident expectation of good.  Wow!  What an incredible definition.  Hope means we know good will come out of it even if it isn't what we had in mind. 


Last year at Relay for Life in Woodford County, the speaker to the cancer survivors was a doctor.  I felt odd sitting there among breast cancer survivors, those with deadly forms of cancer.  I was notified about my cancer and it was removed all within a week.  I did not go through radiation, chemo, or weeks of agonizing over what decisions to make or if I would survive.  But I was meant to be there so I would here this doctor.

He demonstrated different ideas and the lemon stuck with me.  He said when times get really tough, and the lemon is squeezed, sometimes lemon juice comes out.  That is, we don't focus on God, we get nasty with those around us, we only see the negative - that type of thing.  But did the squeezing really cause the behavior?  The lemon juice, nastiness, was there all along.  That stuck with me, because when I get squeezed, I realize my lemon juice is going all over the place.  I'm learning to mix that with sugar to get lemonade, but there are still many sour days I'm afraid to say.  One thing that helps is seeking God before the big squeeze, not after it's already happened. 

Yngsdal family

Below is part of the newsletter from theYngsdal missionary family serving in Africa.  I have been following them since I taught GAs 5 years ago.  They are doing tremendous work there and are always battling Satan.  They are always an inspiration to me.


"Brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." 
James 1:2-4
It hasn't been so long since we last wrote to you all, but we treasure your prayers feel the need to call on you to especially lift up in prayer our long-time friend and partner in the Gospel, Enock Shongwe and his wife, Gertie.  They are the pastor and wife of our church that was burned by fire last month.  Just a month later, this past Friday, their "wood and tin" home burned to the ground and they lost all that they owned.  It was a very hot day so they were sitting outside in just shorts and an old t-shirt (no shoes).  The teenage orphan that lives with them was cooking in the house when the hose from the gas bottle to the stove came off, ignited, and shot fire all over the house.  We praise the Lord that no one was seriously hurt.  The municipality has given them 2 tents to use for the time being and fellow Christian brothers and sisters have donated what they can to help them.  They lost all their documents, computer, keyboard, sound system, bookshelf full of Christian books, appliances, beds, clothes - everything!  They know that God has allowed this for his reasons and in the midst of the worst situation, they are still rejoicing. 
As we sat outside under cloudy skies on Sunday morning, worshipping the Lord in Isilovo, I couldn't help but think that there were 10 people sitting there, rejoicing and singing praises to God, whom Satan thought that he would silence.  Satan has been busy at work, trying his best to distract and discourage us and those we work with.  Our family, this past weekend, also suffered loss as $875 was stolen from us.  One of the other believers in our church was not paid at all by his employer before Christmas.  The message that we heard Sunday morning, as we worshipped, just happened to be on the first chapter of James - very fitting as it speaks to our attitude when trouble comes our way. 
Please pray for Enock and Gertie as they are trying to get new ID documents, marriage certificate, and bank cards.  Gertie is the mom at the orphanage next door to their property and Enock is getting retirement from the government.  The local councillor is trying to get a new small house built for them through the government's housing program for the poor.

"Forgetting and Reaching"

Last Monday I read the daily Open Windows devotional and told my husband these verses are for me.

"...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward teh goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 
Phillipians 3:13-14  NKJV

From Open Windows, first written over 30 years ago:
          A wise man once said, "There are times when, if you cannot forget, you cannot reach, because remembering ties you to the past."
          Some memories bless; others burn.  Yet both must be so placed by the Christian builder that they may become stepping-stones rather than stumbling blocks.  The memories that bless are those that we hold in our hearts because of their high, and sometimes hold, significance.  Recalling them brings a soft, warm glow.  They are a part of our present life, and we are grateful.
          But memories that burn have their advantage, also.  From them we learned, and a part of that learning was to forgive and to grow in the process.  We must cherish the good times but not cling to them.  On theother hand, we must not dwell on the bad times and not let them cling to us.
         The past is a memory; do not lean on it.  Today is here; use it.  Tomorow is beckoning; reach for it.

I had never read these verses before and it felt like they were screaming at me - quit dwelling on your mistakes and what you've done wrong; move forward and reach for what God has for you.  They truly comforted me.  Then yesterday on K-Love, they read those same 2 verses. 

God, I hear you and thank you for caring enough to polish me and show me how I hinder myself.

When do you see the son?

It's terribly windy and cold outside today.  Coming out of my 2nd appt this morning, snow was blowing everywhere.  I stopped to pick up some milk and things seemed to calm down.  As I rode back through town, I noticed the amazing sky.  There were dark charcoal clouds and trying to get through them was bright sun rays.  You know, the kind where they look like ribbons coming out of the sky.  The sun was trying so hard to peak around the clouds.  As I got closer to the house, the darkest clouds were up against bright white clouds.  As I drove, my view changed and finally saw the sun.  It was so bright, I couldn't look.  Amid all this crazy weather, the sun was still there, behind the clouds, trying to shine through.  It took a change in perspective for me to see it.

What a testament to God.  We go through storms in our life, but if we look for Him, we'll see him shining through.  Seems sometimes it's easier to see him during the storms.  When it's summer and the sun is always out, do we appreciate it as much as in winter, when we've seen so many dismal days?

Look for the son today.  Change your perspective to see the blessings He's trying so hard to give you.

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3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV(1984)


I have been blessed by the encouragement of others through prayers, experiences, and scripture and I hope to pass it on. God has led me to start this blog as an ongoing encouragement to myself and others. It's amazing how much you see God at work when you actively look for Him. I pray everything posted here will be God-inspired and that this will be a place of encouragement.

This morning, at God's prompting, I again started morning prayers with my daughter before she leaves for school. Besides praying with her, I explained I would be praying for her daily that christian friends will cross her path. This came to me from our Sunday School lesson where a father does this for his children. What an awesome way to help our kids navigate through this difficult time in their lives!