Desperate...

Are you desperate?  Do you know what it means to be desperate?  This is another one of those blogs where I am going to clue you into a more personal area of my life.  God really laid it on my heart to share this through a blog....so here it goes.

On Monday night, I was given the opportunity to go to coffee with a very close friend of mine.  She doesn't know it yet, but our conversation literally brought me to my knees.  Our time together made me realize the desperation I feel in my heart.  After coffee, I returned to my room, and started sobbing.  I couldn't stop.  I couldn't hold it in any longer.

After so long of building up a wall between myself and God, the desperation for Him had finally come back.  After so long of putting my hopes and dreams ahead of Him, my desperation for Him alone had finally come back.  After so long of shoving God into second place, my desperation for Him had finally come back.  Do you know what it means to be desperate?  To want so desperately?  To hunger so deeply for God?

We make excuses about the times that we are far from Christ.  We just pass them off as "dry seasons."  Well, I also passed off my distance from God as a "dry season."  But I didn't prepare for God to rescue me from my dry season.  I wasn't willing to become desperate enough to allow Him to rescue me.  You see, desperation drives us to action.  Desperation drives us to a spirit of humility and willingness...a willingness to seek God honestly and wholeheartedly.  Without desperation, we lack a deep relationship with Christ.

Desperation means falling to our knees in want of Christ alone.  Desperation is knowing God is the only one who can fill the void.  Desperation makes us realize how lost we are without God.  Desperation drives us into action, into seeking God with a burning passion.  Desperation drives us to spread God's Word among unbelievers.  Without desperation, where is the fire for Christ?

Please, don't make my mistake.  Don't lose your desperation for Christ.  Don't lose your burning fire to be so extremely close to Him and all He is.  Cling to Him desperately.  Be desperate...

Breathe by Michael W. Smith

 

A Beautiful Ugly

I have been wanting to write this blog post for about two weeks now, so sorry I just haven't gotten around to it quite yet.  It is actually a pretty personal experience, so I hope you will get to know me a little better through it.  Anyways, here it is...

A couple of weeks ago I was given the opportunity to go on a retreat with a group of really awesome girls.  We traveled up to Custer State Park in the gorgeous Black Hills of South Dakota.  I have always had a special place in my heart for the Black Hills, mainly because we used to vacation there all the time when I was growing up.

Well I was having so much fun with everyone, but I also knew that I needed some time to spend with God...just the two of us.  Truth is, He wanted to spend some time with me too.  So, He managed to get me out of bed before 6:30 a.m. the next morning.  Nobody else was awake yet, so I was able to sneak out of the house and into the beautiful hills that surrounded our cabin.

I began to climb the steep hill right behind the place we were staying.  The sun wasn't even fully up yet.  The morning was crisp and cool.  The smells of fall in the Black Hills flooded my nose and brought a smile to my face.  As I continued my ascent, my mind began to reel with so many thoughts about life.  God reminded me that He truly is our rock.  You see, the hill I was climbing was covered in slick pine needles.  Footing was loose, and I would often slip downward.  Throughout the slick climb, I would keep looking upward for the next place of solid footing.  There were large boulders placed all along the side of this hill.  I knew that if I could just get to the next boulder, I could be safe from slipping and take a rest.  My life is just like this climb.  I have steep hills and trials to climb.  All I can do is keep planting one foot in front of the other.  Sometimes things get really slick and unstable along the way.  I slip backwards on the pine needles.  But God always reminds me to look up and find the next rock, the next place of rest.  When I finally make it to that place of rest, the solid rock in the side of a slick-steep hill, God wraps me in His arms and reminds me of how peaceful and loving He is.  

As awesome as my morning already was after this breath-taking (literally) climb, the story does not end here.  I kept climbing and climbing to, what I thought, was the top of the hill.  After several rests on the rocks, I finally made it to the real top of the massive hill.  God directed me to a lone rock on the ledge.  I climbed on top and could see miles of trees.  I was also able to spot the Needles.  (If you have never seen the Needles in the Black Hills, stop right now, and go "google" a picture of them!)  The sun was on the rise, and I was blessed enough to see God highlight the Needles with fresh morning sun rays.  It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen in God's creation.

Then God turned my attention to a tree on the side of the hill I was on.  It was a lone tree, with no leaves, no branches, no bark.  The tree had been through a fire and was badly burned.  The tree was scarred.  It was cracked.  It was streaked with the pain of the flames.  But even with all the scars, cracks, and pain, that tree was so beautiful.  The black and brown colors mixed together in a way that was truly pleasing.  All the things that made it ugly on their own came together to make it beautiful.  The tree God directed my attention to was a beautiful ugly.  

God showed me so much through one little burned tree.  I have so much pain, ugliness, and sin in my past, sin and ugliness that I don't even like to face.  I have felt pain so deep that it has developed into anger and caused cracks and scars on my heart.  These things in my life are so cracked...so scarred...so ugly.  But then God takes my ugliness, my pain, my cracks, and He brings them all together.  And He makes something so beautiful out of something so ugly.  He makes someone so beautiful out of someone so ugly.  It's a beautiful ugly.

Beautiful Submission

Submission.  What's the first thought that comes to mind when you read this word?  Is submission something you dread?  Something you resent?  Or submission something you find beautiful?  Something you can cherish?  This post might just step on your cute little toes!  But, the Bible talks about submission in so many contexts: as employees, citizens, believers, children, and wives.  Submission is not something to fear or resent.  It is beautiful.  Read on to discover the beauty!

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."  1 Timothy 2:11  Submission is something women easily forget about, but it is something that God has called us into specifically as women.  This verse is not telling women that we can never open our mouths and speak.  Talking is what women do best!  Many people (many women) feel that submission is terrible because it places woman in a position lower than man.  But God tells us that we are all created in His image.  So why would he create women to be lower than man if we are created in His image?  We are equal to men; we just have very different roles given to us by our Creator.  In the context of 1 Timothy 2:11, the women of the Ephesian church were lacking maturity.  Paul wrote this verse to remind them to listen and learn to gain maturity.  The easiest way for these women to learn, was through submission.

Today's society encourages women to forgo submission and switch roles with men.  They say "anything you can do, I can do better."  Is that really true though?  Didn't God design us perfectly in the roles we possess?

Women are give roles that should not be stepped out of.  Submission is one of those roles.  Compare submission to fire.  When a fire escapes its boundaries, it moves quickly engulfing and destroying everything in its path.  In the same way, women out of submission fight against and often hurt the men and authorities in their lives.  But when a fire is within its boundaries, it is beautiful.  Its light flickers and is mesmerizing to watch.  Its warmth draws people in.  In the same way, a women in submission is beautiful.  Her light flickers, and people watch her because she is different.  Her warmth draws people in to her because she is willing to submit.  She submits to her employer, her government, her parents, her husband.  But most importantly, she submits to her God.

Submission does not mean women allow themselves to be a doormat.  It also does not mean we should go against what God and the Bible say.  They are the ultimate truth.  For more on submission check out this post:  http://unsteadysaint.com/the-s-word/

A Gentle Whisper

"The Lord said [to Elijah], 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.'  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper."  (1 Kings 19:11-12, NIV)

And after the fire came a gentle whisper...  This passage from 1 Kings is so powerful!  Recall all the powerful acts found in it.  A powerful wind completely ripped mountains apart and shattered the rocks!  Then there was a mighty earthquake following the wind.  And after the great earthquake came a blazing fire.  But, God was not in any of those powerful acts.  He came in a gentle whisper.

Is God able to do the powerful acts found in this passage?  Yes!  He is more than able.  "You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations."  (Psalm 65:5-7, NIV)  God can easily do mighty and powerful acts to get our attention.  But sometimes, He comes in a quiet way.  He hopes you are looking for Him so attentively that you will find Him in a gentle whisper.

How many times have we been seeking God and expecting some marvelously irregular act to catch our attention?  The way we are constantly on the move, it would probably take an earthquake to get us to stop and listen!  I am so excited about this passage!  It says that the Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire.  He was in a gentle whisper.  Our God loves us enough to want us to slow down and listen for his gentle whisper.  He wants us to hear His amazing plans for our lives.  He wants us to be in awe of His every move.  He wants us to know how much He loves us!

Take some time today or in the next couple of days to just stop the craziness around you.  Listen for the gentle whisper of our great, mighty, and loving God!

Stop the World by Matthew West



A Timing So Perfect

God has the most amazing timing in everything that He does.  There have been numerous events in my life where I have looked back and just been stunned by how perfectly timed everything was.  For instance, a good friend and I had wanted to get together and share fellowship for a very long time.  Unfortunately, our schedules were just chaotic enough that we could never find enough time to get together.  On Saturday night, she was supposed to be leaving town to go house-sit (and then be gone for the rest of the week), and I was scheduled to work.  Later into the evening, I received word that I no longer needed to work.  I was naturally excited about this!  Less than 30 minutes later, I got a text message from my friend.  She told me she was back in Chadron simply because she forgot a few things.  God used His perfect timing to provide a much-needed opportunity for us to have some "girl time" and fellowship.  I was truly blessed by the time we were able to spend together. 

As hard as it can be, we have to also remember not to rush or delay God's timing.  Remember the story of Esther?  She was chosen to approach the king in order to save her people.  In that day, to seek the king's audience without invitation was worthy of death.  She knew she would have to approach the king in God's timing.  That's what she did, and God saved her people from being killed.  Esther was called to wait on God and His timing "for such a time as this."  If you haven't read the book of Esther, I would encourage you to do so! 

One more story... I was listening to a pastor speak, and unfortunately I cannot remember for the life of me who it was!  I am sure this is due to my poor memory.  But, he was telling us that he felt God calling him for six years to become a pastor, but he wouldn't do it.  Six years is a long time!  Finally after six years, this man "gave in" and became a pastor.  The amazing part of this man's story was when he told us that God knew it would take six years for this man to listen and obey.  So what did God do?  God started prodding him six years before He would need this man to become a pastor.  And in God's perfect timing, a new pastor was leading a church that needed him.

"...With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment -to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."  (Ephesians 1:8-10, NIV)  The part of this verse I would ask you to focus on is the bold.  It says, "...to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment."  God has certain plans for us that can only be put into effect "when the times reach their fulfillment."  Trust in God's timing.  You will be so blessed by it!

Even If the Healing Doesn't Come...

I just wanted to take a short time to remind you of a couple of things.  First, God always has a purpose for our struggles and burdens.  There is always a reason for the events we encounter in life.  The good news is that we don't have to bear them alone.  "'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"  (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

The next part I would like to share with you are the lyrics from a song by Kutless titled Even If.

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn’t come
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Even if the healing to your pain never comes and everything seems to fall apart, you can still remember that you have an amazing, faithful, good, and loving God.  Please don't leave this page without listening to the song. 

Don't Waste Your Life

I just recently returned from helping with Merritt Youth Retreat.  This is a camp that takes place at Merritt Reservoir by Valentine, Nebraska.  At this camp, students spend an entire weekend playing out on a lake and learning more about God.  I was able to serve on the worship team and as a small group leader.  The theme of this weekend was "Don't Waste Your Life."

Each time the speaker would give his message, there was something that stuck out to me.  He reminded me that God has created a purpose for my life.  "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)  Before my life ever even began, my amazing God had a plan for it.  Of the 7 billion people (please take the time to fully understand just how big that number is) that are currently living on this earth, God has a plan for ME...measly little me.  To think that God created a plan that only I, out of all the people on earth, could fulfill is absolutely amazing.  If God created a plan for someone as seemingly insignificant as me, don't you think He has created a plan for you as well?  I do.  Stay focused on God and His will, and He will make sure you fulfill the plan He created specifically for you.

The next thing I was reminded of comes from Romans 8:28.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  (NIV)  God has definitely used this verse in a very real way in my life.  When I was 8 years old, I lost my mom to cancer.  It was devastating to my family.  I just wanted my mom back.  I wanted her to brush my hair and stroke my face in the gentle way that would always put me to sleep, but I couldn't have her back.  Soon we moved to a new town, and my dad met a new lady.  He decided to remarry which meant I would gain a step-mom.  My step-mom had a solid relationship with Christ, and she was so bold and courageous about sharing Him with me.  I came to know Christ because of the way God used my step-mom in my life.  I can honestly say that I would never have given my life to Christ if my step-mom had not shown me the way.  As awful as this sounds, if my real mom had not lost her life, mine would have been lost to Hell.  Through a horrible circumstance God worked something good.

The final lesson I took away from an awesome weekend of serving God  is to live my life in a way that I am not wasting it.  When I am 70 or 80 years old, I want to look back at my life and know that I enjoyed my relationship with God, served Him with all my heart, and boldly shared my love for Him with other people.  I desire a boldness to reach others for God in the purpose He has created for me.  I would be extremely disappointed in myself if I were to look back at my life and realize that I did not share Christ with the people I meet.  Maybe there is one person who never hears the Gospel of Christ because I was too scared to share it, and because of me that person has no chance of getting into Heaven.  Because I failed at being bold for Christ, that person goes to Hell.

Join me in being bold for Christ.  Don't let others be dammed to Hell because you were too afraid to share Christ.  "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"  (Mark 16:15, NIV)  We have been commanded to share the good news with others, and we don't have to lean on ourselves to do it.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)  Don't be afraid; God will give us the boldness and courage we need to share the Gospel with others.

God is doing amazing things in my life and all around me.  I hope and pray He is doing the same for you!

The Desires of Your Heart

What do you want the most?  What thing or event is more important to you than any other?  Is there a desire that just burns in your life?  Something you want so badly but do not or cannot have?  I do...or rather I did.

Though the desires of one person may be drastically different from the next, we still have one thing in common.  We have desires.  We have things that we want.  Here are my two questions for you.  Do your desires consume your thoughts?  Do your desires align with God's desires for your life?

I just want to take the time to remind you that God is the only thing that will ever make our lives feel completely whole.  He promises us that when we seek him wholeheartedly He will take care of us and our desires.  "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)  God has bigger and better plans for us than we could ever even imagine.  "'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)  This passage continues on to tell us that when we seek the Lord with all that we have, we will find Him.  When we find Him, He is all we need.  Verses 12 and 13 say, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your heart."  How amazing is it that we can call upon God and He will listen?!  When we seek Him first and with everything, we WILL find Him!  We can fully trust that God has our best interests in mind.

Seeking God is so important in discovering His desires for our lives.  "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)  This verse is not saying that God will give you everything you have ever wanted if you obey Him.  It does mean that we can give up our own desires and seek God first.  When we wholeheartedly seek God, our desires align with His.  Our wants are shaped by our desire to honor, glorify, and love God. 

So today, you can give your desires to God and and pray that He changes your will and shapes it to match His!

Just His Time

I had barely crawled into bed when I received a startling phone call a short two hours later.  My mom was on the other end trying to pull me from a peaceful sleep back into a harsh reality.  "Kassy!  Kassy!  I need you to be awake!  I need you to get to the hospital now!" 

My body was shaking and my mind was panicking as I made the short and unwanted drive to the local hospital.  I spent the less than two minute drive begging God for none of it to be true.  "Please God; let this be a false alarm.  Don't let it be true!"

As I started walking to the Emergency Room doors, my niece quickly came over to me.  As she clung to me with teary eyes and a broken heart, I realized that it was not a false alarm.  It was true.  He was gone.  My step-brother was gone.

With nothing left to do at the hospital, I climbed in my car and let the pain and shock flood me.  Sitting in the empty parking lot, I decided to be honest with God...at the top of my lungs.  "Why did this happen God?!  Why did this have to be a part of your plan?!  Why would you let this happen to us?!  Haven't we been through enough?!  Can't you just give us a break?!" 

In the days following my step-brother's accident, I couldn't help but ask God how this could happen.  My shock wouldn't allow me to understand.  He was the best motorcycle rider any of us had ever known.  My dad had the best answer to this question at my step-brother's funeral service.  "I didn't understand how this could happen.  That man was so cautious and skilled on his motorcycle.  He taught me how to ride.  Well, the only real answer I could come up with was that it was just his time."

My dad was right.  It was just his time.  My step-brother taught me valuable lessons that no other person could.  Live your life everyday to the fullest.  Never pass up the opportunity to make a new friend.  Don't underestimate your abilities to change a life by being a friend.  Be devoted to your job and your hobbies.  Love your family with an extreme passion.  Life is short, but use your time to leave a legacy that will live beyond your own years. 

God always has a plan.  We don't know what it is, and sometimes we won't like it very much.  But he promises to always work something good out of what is bad.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  (Romans 8:28, NIV)  I know one thing is for sure; my step-brother is in a much better place than I am.  He is peacefully at the feet of my mighty Savior!   I can only imagine what it will be like.

The Proof Of Your Love

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."  (1 Corinthians 13:1-7, The Message)

Without love, all we believe, all we say, all we do, all that we are is nothing...  Showing love is not a conditional or optional action.  It is mandatory.  God commands us to love Him and to love others.  "One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul all with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:35-39, NIV)

We are commanded to love God first with a passion that cannot be hindered.  Second, we are commanded to love other people as we love ourselves.  This does not mean we choose which people we love.  God asks us to love everyone: people we don't like, people we don't get along with, people that hate us, people that disagree with us, atheists, homosexuals, everyone.  You don't get to choose who you love; love everyone as hard as it may be.  Show all these people God's love and maybe, just maybe, they will come to experience His love and its greatness firsthand.  "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)

Are you bankrupt?  Please take the time to listen to listen to this song.  Don't skip over it.  You won't be sorry.

How Do You Forgive Yourself?

I'm not trying to stir up trouble, but have you ever done something wrong in your life that you just cannot stop thinking about?  Are you still filled with guilt?  What thoughts run through your head when you think about it?  "I can't believe I did that."  "What was I thinking?"  "Why would I think that was okay?"  Do you ever wish you could simply hit the delete button much like you would after typing an error?  ...If you could just hit that delete key, everything would be okay again.  If you could hit that delete key, you wouldn't have to think about that mistake anymore.  If you could hit the delete key, the mistake would be forgotten forever...  I am here today, to tell you that the delete key has been pressed...for you.

Referring to the title of this post, I am going to have to disappoint you.  You do not have the power or capability to forgive yourself.  If you could forgive yourself, what was the point in Christ's death on the cross?  Let's take a moment to recall Romans 3:23-26, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood -to be received by faith.  He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  The forgiveness of our sins is a free gift to us from Christ; it's something he suffered extreme pain to give.  So why would you turn down something free that cost Christ everything?  He is begging you to take his free gift.  He literally died so you could have it.

"I will forgive their sins. I will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:34b.  Okay.  Now go back and read that verse again.  God has forgiven our sins.  And because he has forgiven us, he no longer remembers those sins.  So if God, the almighty, all-powerful, and all-knowing ruler and judge of the earth, chooses to no longer remember our sins, why should we?  Why should we paralyze ourselves with guilt?

No human will ever be strong enough to forgive our sins.  But you can rest assured that God will forgive and forget our sins if we only ask.  So, do not rest on your own forgiveness; it will never satisfy you.  Think of Christ's journey to the cross: the mocking, the beating, the crown of thorns, the nails driven through his flesh, the piercing of his side.  When Christ hung on that cross he said, "It is finished."  At that point, it was over, done, finished.  Christ pressed that delete button on every sin you have ever committed.  The only thing you have left to do is accept it.  Receive his forgiveness.  "Click delete."

This post was again inspired by The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. 

Gentle Strength

This week, I have been learning a lot about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and having a gentle strength through silence.  It has really been a lesson for me, because I love to talk, chatter, and even ramble most of the time.  The lesson I have been learning stems from The Resolution for Women and its references back to God's Word.  I highly encourage you to pick up a copy and get started reading!  Don't worry.  This posting is not directed specifically at women; it is for everyone.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..."  James 1:19 is a great reminder that listening should be a priority before speaking.  People do not always come to us seeking advice.  Sometimes they simply come hoping for an ear to hear them.  Therefore, we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. 

Another great reason to listen before speaking is to give time to seek God's wisdom.  If someone does come to us seeking advice, it is necessary to carefully consider our responses instead of blurting.  We should all slow down and give ourselves time to humbly bring God's Word and wisdom to the forefront of the conversation.

Have you ever experienced someone who is quick to listen and slow to speak?  I know I have.  I was instantly drawn to her because of her gentle strength through silence.  The woman I am talking about is actually my mom.  I can call her on the phone or be in her presence and just talk to her for hours.  She patiently sits and is quick to listen, slow to speak, and humbly wise.  The more I talk with my mom, the more apparent her gentle strength becomes.  She does not have to overpower our conversation in order to get her point across.  She simply says what is needed, then resumes listening. 

One other thing I'd like to discuss regarding speaking is found in Luke 6:45b, "What you say flows from what is in your heart."  What we spend our time thinking about and focusing on, will eventually come out through our mouths.  Remember to guard your heart from things that are not pleasing to God.  "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  Proverbs 4:23.  Philippians 4:8 reminds us what to focus our minds and hearts on, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Now I promise you that I am not writing about this topic because it is something I have mastered.  Learning to listen before speaking will probably be a lifelong battle for me.  But I know that when it comes to my relationship with God, He desires for me to be quick to listen and slow to speak.  When we slow down and listen, we learn to be that gentle strength that so many others need in their lives.

As Iron Sharpens Iron...

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:17

Today, I just want to take a short amount of time to encourage you.  Last week, we discussed personally investing in the lives of others.  Now, I want to encourage you to go deeper in those relationships.  Find ways you can challenge the people in your life to dig deeper into their relationships with God.  Use what you have learned to help teach others.  Together, we can challenge and sharpen each other so that we may grow and know God and His word better!  This is a great way to personally invest in the lives of others!

Are You Investing?

And no, I am not talking about your finances.  I am talking about people.  Are you investing in the lives of others?  Today I want to write about something that has been on my heart for several weeks.  What kind of faith-driven investments are we making in the lives of those around us?  I feel as though many of our churches have put so much emphasis on small groups that individuals are forgotten.  The church is not a building.  The church is a group of individuals.  As the church, people of God, we need to begin investing in the lives of the individuals around us.

How many times have we heard the people in our lives tell us that they feel so alone?  One of my good friends told me a story yesterday that really made me think of this.  A friend of ours had told her that he feels so alone.  He has been in basic training for the last 3 weeks and still has not received any kind of letter.  Why are we, God's people, not taking the responsibility to meet his individual needs?  See, here's the thing.  When we begin to make a personal investment in the lives of others by showing them we care, we are showing them a love that is not our own...but God's! 

It's time to put down the cell phone, log off the computer and start sending people cards or going to visit them at home!  I am so absolutely horrible about not investing in the lives of others.  I always think I am too busy.  But that is a lie.  God designed for His people to care for one another...and yet we think we are too busy.  God has commanded us to invest in the lives of others!  "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:37-39)  "Love your neighbor as yourself."  If it is the second greatest commandment, why are we NOT doing it?!  The reason people fall through the cracks is because we forget to love them as individuals!  We need to start really talking to people, learning their joys, struggles, and hurts and allowing them to know ours.

Okay I know this has kind of turned into a rant, but I am really passionate about this!  We have to start loving people in ways that are glorifying God!  With all this being said, I have included some really great ways for us to show God's great love to others by truly investing our time in them.  These are simple acts of kindness!

1. Take him/her out to coffee.  -This provides some great time to talk and fellowship.
2. Send out cards.  -Send a "Thinking of You" card out to someone you know each week.  Write an encouraging note on the inside.
3. Make a phone call.  -Instead of emailing or texting, make the phone call that says you are willing to set some time aside to listen to what they have to say.
4. Offer to babysit.  -Parents, especially single moms, sometimes just need one night out to relax!
5. Bake something.  -What better way to invest in someone's life than by baking them a goodie and personally delivering it with a smile on your face. 
6. Invite him/her to lunch and then pay.  -Lunch (or supper) is a great time to fellowship with others.  When you pay, it's even more of a blessing.
7. Be "fully there."  -Being "fully there" means you are giving that person 100% of your attention.  You are not texting, thinking of how busy you are, or wishing you were somewhere else.  Your mind is completely present and focused on that other person.  This is so important and usually get's forgotten.
8. Write a letter.  -Again, pick one person per week, and write him or her a letter about how he/she has been a blessing in your life.  Use it to encourage!
9. Open your home.  -Ask invdividuals over to your home for supper or for a snack.  Let them know that your doors are open whenever they are in need.
10. Pray!  -Pray for the people you know!  And it's okay to let them know you have been praying for them.  Ask what you can pray for in their lives.  This could open up doors for conversation!

There a lot of ideas that I am sure I failed to include in this list.  But that just goes to show that the possibilities for investing in others are endless!  Let's challenge ourselves by picking a few of these ideas and really sticking with them.  Let's invest in the lives others and show them what God's love is all about!  The song I have included should be a lesson to us all.

Though the Mountains be Shaken...

I am not sure how many of you have heard about the accident last Friday involving the Broken Bow boys basketball team.  It is definitely a tragic event that will drastically change the lives of many as well as an entire community.  Three lives were lost, and many more were injured.  Some are still in critical condition.  During times like this, the most important thing to do is to pray.  The most important thing to remember is that God is still in control, and He has a plan.  The most important thing to believe is that God's will shall be done, and His will is what's best for all of us.  Today, I would like to provide us all with a little encouragement.

Isaiah 54:10 is an amazing verse that assures us that God is compassionate, and His love is undying.  "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken  nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you."  This is a great reminder that our lives may be shaken up and we may encounter tough roads, but our great God still provides us with peace in the middle of a storm.  His love is unfailing and unconditional.  His compassion can heal heartache.

I also want to remind you that Christ gives us the strength we need to endure all things.  "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13.  Many people focus on only the first portion of this verse: "I can do all things."  But no, you cannot do all...not on your own strength.  Don't forget the second part: "through Him who gives me strength."  Christ is the one who gives us the strength we need to endure our hardships.  Because of Christ, I can do all things. 

One closing thought...Be joyful always.  I know this is one of the hardest things to do in the midst of a storm.  But we still have so much to be joyful for.  We can celebrate the blessings God has bestowed upon us, and look for the good in all things.  "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

For the full article regarding this accident: http://www.omaha.com/article/20120601/PREPZONE/306019819

Feminine for a Purpose

How can I embrace my femininity in a Godly manner?  This is a question I have been wondering for awhile.  When I say "embrace my femininity" please don't misunderstand me.  I believe that there is a strong difference between embracing our femininity in a Godly manner and feminism.  To be clear and honest, I disagree with feminism.  I believe God created us as women to fulfill a role that is different from men.  Men and women are of equal value and worth in God's eyes, but we are made to carry out different roles and responsibilities in life. 

I was reading today in The Resolution for Women.  The current resolution is talking about how we are made authentically.  God did not just create us on a whim.  He thoughtfully considered how we would be made.  He purposefully planned for us to be women.  It's not an accident.  He purposefully planned for women to be the image of beauty.  Let us all be reminded though, that beauty comes from the inside, not the outside.   "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting..."  Proverbs 31:30a

The first great way to embrace femininity in a Godly manner is to invest in the lives of others.  As women, we are very relational.  We love having our friends and jumping into deep and meaningful conversations.  Most men like to joke that women are willing and able to tell their entire life stories whenever they get the chance!  Yes!  That's more of the truth than a joke!  It is part of our relational abilities.  We should always be willing to invest in the lives of others through conversation and listening skills.  One good conversation can honestly change a life.  However, during our conversations we must take heed and avoid gossip at all times.  Proverbs 16:28 says, "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."  Let's make sure we use our relational abilities in a Christ-like manner.

This next thought to consider came from my reading today.  We, as women, should compliment each other.  Compliments mean nothing if they are fake; but if they are genuine...the possibilities are endless.  Speaking from personal experience, when someone says they like my hair or my outfit or my shoes, my entire view on the day can change.  I always feel a little more confident after a compliment.  Finding genuine ways to compliment one another can also eliminate the "threat" of competition that some women feel.  It breaks down the barriers and opens doors for those meaningful conversations.

I have a personal story that I would like to share with you.  It will probably seem pretty shallow of me, but no judgments here!  My freshman year of college I met this girl who was not beautiful to me at all.  I never thought of her as someone who was attractive in any way.  But, I joined a Bible study with her and allowed myself to enter into those meaningful conversations.  The more she revealed her heart to me, the more outwardly beautiful she became in my eyes.  Her heart had this amazing fire for God.  The beauty she had inside, in her heart, is what made her beautiful on the outside!  To this day, she is one of the most beautiful women I know.  The best way to embrace your femininity in a Godly manner is to seek God with all your heart and let him make you beautiful!

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

What is My Role as Woman?

God was truly speaking to my heart this last weekend as I was still wondering what my role is as a woman.  I'm not just talking about a role of cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundry.  I am talking about my God-given role as a woman.  What role does God want me to take on in any kind of relationship with a man?  Well I think I finally found some answers!  On Sunday evening, I watched a video called "A Man and His Wife."  Now I am definitely far from being married, but it provided the answers I needed to this question about my role.  I have included a link to the site where this video is found.  Please check it out!  http://www.hcbc.com/men/journeymen-online-resources/

First, God created woman to be a helper!  Being a helper does not meant that we, as women, are worth any more or less than men.  We are equal with them, created to fulfill different roles and responsibilities in life.  Let me show you Genesis 2:18.  "The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”  Now keep in mind that this verse says it was not good for man to be alone.  This doesn't mean Adam was lonely; it means he needed someone to help him accomplish what the Lord God had planned.  What an honor to be created as a helper!

Next, it is vitally important for us to understand that part of a man's role is to lead: to lead us, to lead the church, and to lead others.  One thing I seriously misunderstood was what men's leadership really is.  Men's leadership is more about meeting the needs of a woman than anything else.  We must admit that, as women, we try to act like we don't need anything.  When asked, "What can I get for you?" we all typically reply with an "Oh nothing.  I am fine."  Stop pretending you don't need anything!  If you need something, be honest with the men in your life, and tell them.  If we refuse to tell them our needs, they will go through life believing that we just don't trust them with what we need.  Men need to know we trust them and respect them enough to be completely honest with our needs. 

Also, the men in our lives need to know that we admire them.  I was absolutely astounded to hear that most men do not need to hear "I love you" as often as we think they do.  They prefer to hear "I trust you because...," "I respect you because...," "I believe in you because...," and "I will follow you wherever you go."  We are here to help encourage them and be their cheerleaders, if you will.  No more nagging!  Words of encouragement will help them succeed far more than nagging ever will!  Maybe this sounds silly, but men really do need to know that we trust them, respect them, believe in them, and will follow their leadership abilities.  So make it a priority to change your "I love you's" into "I trust you's."

Finally, don't forget that you are held partially responsible for the faith of your partner.  Find ways to help him keep a Christ-centered focus.  Always be willing to talk with him about things God is telling you.  Involve him in your faith!  Encourage him daily in his faith.

This goes for any type of man and woman relationship: husband & wife, father & daughter, mother & son, and dating.  Yes mothers, your sons still need your respect! 

I know I learned SO much from all of these things!  I hope you do as well!  God bless!

Am I Beautiful?

Hello again!  This post is more directly for all the ladies out there, but men feel free to read it if you wish.  So I have been reading this book called The Resolution for Women.  I don't know if any of you have heard of it, but if you have, start reading it!  It is related back to the movie Courageous that came out last fall.  The Resolution for Women gives women some amazingly eye-opening resolutions to pursue.  As I started reading this book, I began to realize how many of the resolutions could definitely apply to my life.  The first resolution is all about being content, a topic we briefly discussed in a prevous post titled Do You Know the Secret?.  The second resolution topic is all about embracing femininity and womanhood.

As I began reading this section, several question were popping into my head.  I am sure all of you can relate.  Here they are:  Am I beautiful and captivating?  What is the role God designed for me as woman?  How do I embrace my feminity in a Godly manner?  Let's break these questions down into sections.  I will answer the first question today and the others in the next few blog posts.

Am I beautiful and captivating?  YES, you are!!!  Let me share something so awesome with you.  When God created Adam, he saw that Adam needed someone to help him, to come along side him and encourage him.  Then God created Eve.  Genesis 1:31 says, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."  The creation of Eve (a.k.a. woman) was not just good; it was very good!  Now don't get a big head, but woman was not created as an after-thought.  When you eat a dessert do you not save the best part for last?  Exactly!  The creation of Adam and Eve together was the last part...the best part!  His final and last delicate touch on creation, was woman!  You are amazing.  You are captivating.  You are beautiful!!!  You are feminine, soft, delicate but still intensely strong, loving, and caring.

If you still have uncertainties about whether or not you are beautiful, try reading Captivating by Stasi Eldrege.  It is an amazing book that will help you realize just how captivating you truly are, especially in the eyes of your father!  Stay tuned in to the answers of the next two questions!

I have also included a song that inspires me when I don't feel so beautiful.  I like to belt it out at the top of my lungs!  You should try it too!  ;)

What Am I Doing?

Today the same question has continuously been running through my head.  "What am I doing?"  Not what am I doing in the sense of confusion.  More like, "What am I doing for God's kingdom?"  Each day, I go to work (typically at three different jobs) then I take a jog.  After my jog, I like to sit down and relax before the day is over.  Where, in my daily tasks, am I making a difference for God's kingdom? 

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man."  You see, doing our "everyday" tasks is great...as long as we are doing them for God and not just because we have to.  Lately, I have had the attitude of "Ok.  I will go to work today, but I'm not going to enjoy it."  God wants us to go to work, exercise, clean the house, and help others as though we are doing it for him.  We shouldn't be completing our daily tasks just because we have to, but because we desire to please our heavenly Father and make Him smile at us.  Our hearts should burn with a desire to please our God.  If they don't, it's time to jump deeper into the word and our prayer lives!  The challenge for all of us is this: Learn to enjoy every task (even the icky ones) because we know we are doing it for God's glory.

Here are some ways to improve our attitudes about our daily tasks:

1. Sing praises to God
2. Silently and continually pray
3. Memorize a scripture
4. Reflect on a devotional or passage from the Bible

I hope you enjoy the following song to go along with this message!

Learning to be Selfless

This weekend, I had the joy of being in a wedding.  So from Wednesday until Saturday I was doing my best to serve the bride in whatever ways necessary.  From running her errands to hand feeding her a donut while her nails were being done, I was learning to serve in a new way.  Galatians 5:13 says, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."  This is how I was learning to serve, "humbly in love."  As a bridesmaid, I was asked to lay down my plans, thoughts, and ideas in order to serve and honor another.  Isn't that what God asks us to do?  God's Word also asks us to be eager to serve.  Our acts of service are so much more meaningful when we are doing them humbly, eagerly, and wholeheartedly.

Being selfless is not about serving alone.  It includes placing the needs of others before our own, thinking of others first, and daily denying ourselves so Christ and others may gain.  Matthew 16:24 gives evidence of this, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."  Even though denying ourselves will be very difficult at times, it is necessary if we truly want to follow and serve.

I was also able to experience selflessness this weekend from the other end, the receiving end.  I must first admit that by the time the wedding rolled around on Saturday, I was more than ready for it to be over.  All four days that I spent working on this wedding, I never got be bed before midnight and was usually awake by 6:00am.  That's not very much sleep!  We were trying to pull all the little details together, and we were exhausted!  Then just before the wedding started on Saturday, I had a surprise visit from a very special guy in my life.  He had driven five hours just to see me in a wedding.  He was definitely a breath of fresh air after all the wedding planning I had been doing.  His total trip ended up being around 11 or 12 hours long (in only one weekend). 

While this story about selflessness is different from most, there is not a person in this world who can tell me that giving up a weekend to drive 12 hours is not selfless.  I was truly blessed by this genuine act.  When we are genuinely selfless with others, they are truly blessed as well.  Time is the most valuable thing we can give.  So, let's give it to our great God and to others.  

"He answered,  'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Luke 10:27

 

Do You Know the Secret?

"...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..."  Did you know there was a secret to being content in every single situation?  I did not know there was a secret, but Paul managed to find it.  This verse is taken from Philippians 4:12.  Let me remind you of Paul's circumstance while he was writing Philippians.  Paul was in Rome and under arrest.  Philippians is considered one of his "prison epistles."  But even though Paul was facing extreme persecution he was still able to write, "...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..."  

Let's put this portion of Philippians 4:12 into context.  "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13.  Can you imagine being completely content in Paul's situation?

Paul concluded his passage on being content with a verse many of you probably have memorized: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength," Philippians 4:13.  Paul knew he could be content in every situation because Christ was giving him the strength to do so.  So, what was Paul's secret?  Paul had resolved to find contentment in any and every situation.  He made a conscious decision to find his contentment in Christ.  Did I mention he was under persecution at the time he wrote this?!  If Paul can be content while under arrest, then why is it so difficult for us to be content in our "every day" circumstances? 

In order to find true contentment in Christ, we need to refocus our minds.  We need to think on Him and His works!  "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Notice, once again, that this verse comes from Philippians (chapter 4, verse 8) which means it was written by Paul while he was under arrest.  What a great example of how to remain content!

God gives us so much to be happy and excited about!  We need to slow down and just enjoy what is right in front of us.  We miss so many great blessings from God when we aren't content in any circumstance.  Let me share something with you that Stellar Kart shared with me: If you are never content, you will always be waiting!  Take the time to watch this video and read the lyrics!

Leaving Eden

Remember when you were growing up as a child?  Everything was so perfect, easy, and good.  Days were filled with friends, play, and napping.  I remember spending entire days just playing with my best friend in my backyard.  We imagined being in a jungle with lots of trees to swing from.  Or on rainy days, we would just stay inside and build forts or play with our dolls.  The worst part of the day as a child might have been breaking my favorite crayon or getting in trouble for feeding the dog under the table.  As children, we were protected from the dangers looming in our world.  Childhood was and is a paradise.  It's a dreamworld that most adults often refer back to as "the good ole days."  We sit and recollect our favorite childhood memories, family vacations, picnics at the park, and even Easter egg hunts. 

...But adults have to leave paradise at some point and enter the "real world."  The real world is not like childhood.  We are no longer sheltered from the evils that surround us.  Bad things happen in the real world.  Life gets tougher.  Worries crowd our good memories.  Busy schedules leave us longing for more...

But there is more.  When we leave our paradise of childhood and enter into the "real world" of being adults, God offers us a place of rest.  He offers to carry our worries, stresses and burdens.  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28 

Living in the "real world" does not have to be a burden.  Christ begs us to let Him handle our real world problems.  When we leave our paradise, we still have something to look forward to.  When we leave Eden and enter into a world of sin, God offers us a home in his arms.  Jump into His arms.

Are You Patient?

Patience is a good thing.  Yes, I said it.  Patience is a good thing.  I will be the first to admit that I sometimes struggle with being patient.  Being patient means I am waiting for something I want.  It is clear that patience has become rare in our society today.  Many people choose to eat at fast food establishments.  Why?  Because they do not want to wait very long for their food.  An "I want it now" attitude is being catered to by most businesses.  Think of shipping!  There is standard shipping (which is expensive) and then there is expedited shipping (which is even more expensive).  How many times do we bite the bullet and pay double the money just so a package will get here in 1-3 business days?  Why not order the package far enough ahead of time that you don't need expedited shipping?

Ok, ok.  I will stop ranting now and dig into the Bible to see what it says about patience.  So, as I typed the single word "patience" into Biblegateway.com, I learned that it can be found in the Bible 16 different times.  While this number may not seem substantial, patience is viewed as a very positive attribute.  "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  This verse (found in Colossians 3:12) challenges us to possess patience as a quality.

2 Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."  This verse tells us to act in great patience.  This shows that patience is an action, not just a quality or characteristic of a person.  Patience, much like love, is acted out and practiced everyday in multiple situations.  The more we practice patience, the easier it will become.  Now, I do not believe it is an accident that this verse says "great patience," emphasis on the great!  We should challenge ourselves to be extremely patient, especially in situations that are hardest for us personally. 

Hebrews 6:12 says, "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."  Being patient does NOT mean sitting around and doing nothing!  If you're searching for God's will, it means patiently worshipping God while you wait!  Serve others with during your time of waiting.  Do not grow lazy just because you are being patient.  I found the following quote online just this afternoon.  I don't know who said it, but it fits Hebrews 6:12 pretty well.  "Patience is waiting.  Not passively waiting.  That is laziness.  But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience."  I have also attached a song you should listen to!  It has a great message about what to do while you wait. 

Ok, now I will finally give you my closing thoughts.  Do you think Jesus had to have extreme patience, and still does?  I think so.  Sometimes we suffer in times of patience, but how much more has Jesus suffered?  He endured a time when people refused to accept him as the savior, knowing what would happen to them.  Don't you think he had to possess an extreme amount of patience when speaking with these people?

Why are we continually in a hurry for everything?  We do not need to rush dating, high school/college, buying a new car/house, getting married or having kids.  Let's slow down and smell the roses!  Let's let God work in His timing; it is so much better than ours!

Seek Me and Find Me

Summer has officially started for me.  I am definitely excited that summer has arrived.  But with it, have come several thought-provoking questions:  How am I going to spend my summer?  Will I glorify God?  Will I do His will?  Will I allow myself to seek Him in a deeper way?  Will I set aside time to be in solitude with my mighty God?

All these questions send my head into a whirl.  They make me realize that summer really is the best time to seek.  Homework and tests can no longer get in the way.  Seeking God should be the priority.  Getting a tan, spending days at the lake and hanging out with friends are all crazy fun parts of summer.  But, what could make a summer more meaningful than devoting more of my time to God?  NOTHING!

Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  This verse is what summer should be all about.  While all this applies to the rest of the year as well (we should always be seeking God with all our hearts), summer leaves no room for excuses. 

My ultimate goal is to have a summer like no other, a summer that changes me forever, a summer where I give God no bounds...a summer that changes my faith, strengthens it!  Do you want this too?

• Pray continually
• Seek solitude
• Worship Him wholeheartedly
• Read His word
• Fellowship with others
• Love unconditionally
• Listen for His voice
• Discover His will
• Give Him no bounds

If we seek God with all our hearts, He promises we will find Him!