As you may or may not know, I am in a very difficult season of my life. I use the word season as I know that as most seasons, it should change after a while of endurance. However, in this season of difficulty, I am reminded to stay obedient to Christ, disciplining myself and staying committed to Him. We are challenged in Scripture to fight the good fight and finish the race that has been set before us. We are challenged to do all we can do, while remaining content to do what we are called to do and leave the results in God's hands. There are several illustrations I could use to drive this point home, but one in particular may make what I am saying a little more clearer for us. Think of the winter Olympics for a moment. The snowboarders that participate, battle the elements and the fatigue that bad weather takes on their bodies is unbelievable. When the weather gets extremely bad and it makes it difficult for the snowboarders to see and navigate, one could easily give up and say "this is too difficult" or "I can't continue, I'm quitting". As the snowboarder continues, they may see some that have fallen along the way and again it would be very easy to take the easy way out.
We sometimes look up at the bottom of our own hill (current circumstances) and we've got a choice. We can climb and crawl our way up the hill with the help and grace of the Lord, who enables us - or give up and take the easier path. The devil constantly whispers "someone else will take up the prayer burdens on your heart, someone else will take over your responsibilities, it doesn't matter, you really don't make that much of a difference. There are others that have not struggled as hard as you in their circumstances so let them fight the fight.....let them run the race."
God has never given His people the option of the easy way out. I believe each of us is one of his people and we need to place our trust in His Word and we must challenge ourselves to keep our eyes on the prize, not allowing our fears and doubts to take us off of our course. And if we fall, or rather, when we fall, we will pray for that extra grace to pull ourselves up, climbing that hill that is set before us. And if we find ourselves facing yet a larger hill, we will rely on His grace to give us the momentum to soar up and over that hill, until we cross the finish line. Remember 1 Tim 6:12----fight the good fight......don't give up!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Hold On Tight - But Remember, His Hold On Us Is More Secure
I spent many hours as a child playing at the local school only a few blocks away from my home. The swings, monkey bars and slide were well used by all the children in the neighborhood and on a hot summer's day, we'd head to the little wooden merry-go-round. In today's world our favorite game might be a bit tame for today's youth who are used to the fast pace of video games, Wii and organized sports.
I think my favorite was the merry-go-round and at family reunions, there was a merry go round that I would get on with my sisters and cousins. If the boys would spin the merry go round, it seemed the faster it would go, the harder it was for me to hang on. I can still remember the feeling of gravity pulling me away from the center and that feeling of losing control and possibly falling off the merry go round. But, we would still yell “faster, faster” and the strong boys, especially my cousins, would try and spin us faster. While it was fun, I was also scared, hoping I wouldn’t fall off.
Sometimes, it appears the world around us is spinning out of control and we are caught off guard with the worries of family crises, church emergencies, financial issues and relational problems. All of these can threaten to throw us off balance and cause us to fall down. At such times, the wise Christian presses himself away from the situations and heads toward the center pole. As God's children, we have the comfort and refuge in having his everlasting arms wrapped around us, holding us closer still. If we rely on our own strength, it will eventually give out. For there is no safer place than being in the arms of a loving and caring God.
The whole Christian life is a life in which the further a person progresses, the more he has to depend directly on God... The more we progress, the less we are self-sufficient. The more we mature, the more we allow God to be our refuge and strength in times of need.
My challenge to all of us, as life spins on around us and we feel like we are going to lose our balance or we feel like we will fall, remember, there is someone to hang on to that will not let us fall. He will be with us even if it seems we are spinning too fast. Rely on Him and hold on tight to Him!
I think my favorite was the merry-go-round and at family reunions, there was a merry go round that I would get on with my sisters and cousins. If the boys would spin the merry go round, it seemed the faster it would go, the harder it was for me to hang on. I can still remember the feeling of gravity pulling me away from the center and that feeling of losing control and possibly falling off the merry go round. But, we would still yell “faster, faster” and the strong boys, especially my cousins, would try and spin us faster. While it was fun, I was also scared, hoping I wouldn’t fall off.
Sometimes, it appears the world around us is spinning out of control and we are caught off guard with the worries of family crises, church emergencies, financial issues and relational problems. All of these can threaten to throw us off balance and cause us to fall down. At such times, the wise Christian presses himself away from the situations and heads toward the center pole. As God's children, we have the comfort and refuge in having his everlasting arms wrapped around us, holding us closer still. If we rely on our own strength, it will eventually give out. For there is no safer place than being in the arms of a loving and caring God.
The whole Christian life is a life in which the further a person progresses, the more he has to depend directly on God... The more we progress, the less we are self-sufficient. The more we mature, the more we allow God to be our refuge and strength in times of need.
My challenge to all of us, as life spins on around us and we feel like we are going to lose our balance or we feel like we will fall, remember, there is someone to hang on to that will not let us fall. He will be with us even if it seems we are spinning too fast. Rely on Him and hold on tight to Him!
Monday, May 3, 2010
United in Christ... Eternally One!
It’s funny how so many things in our lives revolve around the topics of unity and friendships. Not really, it’s God’s timing – which is on time, every time!
Lisa’s message, through all of the laughs and even quite a few tears made it so clear that we must, as women, break down those defenses that hold us back from being intimate friends. She shared how difficult it is sometimes to break down those walls that we think are protecting us, in order to let God’s love in, which will in turn, pour out onto others.
At North Side, we’ve been talking about how we can be “Boundary Breakers”, tearing down some of the barriers that keep us from coming to Jesus as one body – united! Our SIS group is reading, The Friendships of Women”…not a coincidence at all…it’s GOD!!
I still get chills and some tears when I think of the great love that Christ brought into so many lives during the event! He gave Lisa the words HE knew women needed to hear – He opened the minds and hearts in a way that would let them hear HIS message!!
In Colossians 3 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds altogether in perfect unity"
That’s just like Lisa’s message…how as women it’s important to bind ourselves together in friendships. Her stories were funny, and at the same time were so true! It was so encouraging to hear a woman of Christ share that she’s struggled with friendship issues just like we all have from time to time!! Best of all, those women left the events feeling NOT ALONE, but loved, and do we dare we say it…United!!
What a blessing it has been to share this with so many women in the Wabash Valley!! Of course, we give all the glory and praises to God for this small part of an incredible journey for women, United in Christ – Eternally One!
Lisa’s message, through all of the laughs and even quite a few tears made it so clear that we must, as women, break down those defenses that hold us back from being intimate friends. She shared how difficult it is sometimes to break down those walls that we think are protecting us, in order to let God’s love in, which will in turn, pour out onto others.
At North Side, we’ve been talking about how we can be “Boundary Breakers”, tearing down some of the barriers that keep us from coming to Jesus as one body – united! Our SIS group is reading, The Friendships of Women”…not a coincidence at all…it’s GOD!!
I still get chills and some tears when I think of the great love that Christ brought into so many lives during the event! He gave Lisa the words HE knew women needed to hear – He opened the minds and hearts in a way that would let them hear HIS message!!
In Colossians 3 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds altogether in perfect unity"
That’s just like Lisa’s message…how as women it’s important to bind ourselves together in friendships. Her stories were funny, and at the same time were so true! It was so encouraging to hear a woman of Christ share that she’s struggled with friendship issues just like we all have from time to time!! Best of all, those women left the events feeling NOT ALONE, but loved, and do we dare we say it…United!!
What a blessing it has been to share this with so many women in the Wabash Valley!! Of course, we give all the glory and praises to God for this small part of an incredible journey for women, United in Christ – Eternally One!
Monday, April 19, 2010
WVLUN 2010...
Well ladies, WVLUN 2010 is over...but is it really?? I think NOT!
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." (Rom 15:5)
As the Praise Team sang, "Greater things are yet to be done, Greater things are still to come in this city"...my eyes welled up with tears, knowing that this is just the beginning for so many women here in the Wabash Valley. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
Our prayers were certainly answered this past weekend! The message that Lisa shared, Friendships for GrownUps was such a powerful one, and just in time for so many women - and of course, God knew those that needed that message and brought them to share in the love, mercy and grace that He provides. The altar call spoke volumes and He was certainly touching the hearts of women in the Wabash Valley...and those of the "men in black" as well, I'm sure!!
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2Cor 4:7)
I challenge each of us to take the experiences we've had this past weekend and share them with the world - so that everyone knows the love that is waiting for them, if they just ask!!
It was an honor to work along side you all...I'm humbled and have been blessed beyond words! Thank you all!!
...and that's from the heart
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." (Rom 15:5)
As the Praise Team sang, "Greater things are yet to be done, Greater things are still to come in this city"...my eyes welled up with tears, knowing that this is just the beginning for so many women here in the Wabash Valley. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
Our prayers were certainly answered this past weekend! The message that Lisa shared, Friendships for GrownUps was such a powerful one, and just in time for so many women - and of course, God knew those that needed that message and brought them to share in the love, mercy and grace that He provides. The altar call spoke volumes and He was certainly touching the hearts of women in the Wabash Valley...and those of the "men in black" as well, I'm sure!!
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2Cor 4:7)
I challenge each of us to take the experiences we've had this past weekend and share them with the world - so that everyone knows the love that is waiting for them, if they just ask!!
It was an honor to work along side you all...I'm humbled and have been blessed beyond words! Thank you all!!
...and that's from the heart
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Look Up!
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?” Psalm 121:1
Ladies, are you looking up, down or all around?? How we honestly answer this question truly reflects the depth of our belief that God is watching over us and is there for us, to help in the only way He can. I will be the first to admit that there are times when I struggle to look for my help from the right place.
In this fast paced world full of advertisements, self help books, of aisles full of pills or potions promising a quick fix for just about everything…where do you turn??
As women of faith, let's turn off the false help of the sometimes too powerful worldly influences that surround us and shout to the heavens “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Without a doubt, this statement, when made by every woman around the world will be our victory song, and be accepted as praises to God!
Satan wants to keep our attention focused on the false help that he has placed all around us, filling our minds with the “promises” of the best that life has to offer. He wants to keep us from the real, authentic, and loving help that comes from trusting the Maker of heaven and earth.
Ladies, NOW is the time to look UP and know HE is with you! The next time you are in line at the grocery store or hear a commercial on TV or the radio that gives you a “promise” of youth, beauty and all things wonderful - Instead of spending that first dollar, even when they sweeten the deal – for only $9.99 – RUN and find a quiet place to talk the One who offers real help for the problems you may be facing. Pick up your Bible and read about God's perfect plan for your life, a plan to give you a hope and a future.
Real help from a real God awaits you and please, always remember “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11
…and that’s from the heart
Ladies, are you looking up, down or all around?? How we honestly answer this question truly reflects the depth of our belief that God is watching over us and is there for us, to help in the only way He can. I will be the first to admit that there are times when I struggle to look for my help from the right place.
In this fast paced world full of advertisements, self help books, of aisles full of pills or potions promising a quick fix for just about everything…where do you turn??
As women of faith, let's turn off the false help of the sometimes too powerful worldly influences that surround us and shout to the heavens “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Without a doubt, this statement, when made by every woman around the world will be our victory song, and be accepted as praises to God!
Satan wants to keep our attention focused on the false help that he has placed all around us, filling our minds with the “promises” of the best that life has to offer. He wants to keep us from the real, authentic, and loving help that comes from trusting the Maker of heaven and earth.
Ladies, NOW is the time to look UP and know HE is with you! The next time you are in line at the grocery store or hear a commercial on TV or the radio that gives you a “promise” of youth, beauty and all things wonderful - Instead of spending that first dollar, even when they sweeten the deal – for only $9.99 – RUN and find a quiet place to talk the One who offers real help for the problems you may be facing. Pick up your Bible and read about God's perfect plan for your life, a plan to give you a hope and a future.
Real help from a real God awaits you and please, always remember “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11
…and that’s from the heart
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