To Know the Heart of Christ...

Keep Smiling!

2012-02-07T06:46:00.001-08:00

This past week I spent time with someone who never smiled when I was watching. How I reacted inside to her kept changing colors each day. At first I felt intimidated because she appeared as if she had it all together. You know the kind of person I am talking about. They take charge of every situation and appoint themselves in command whether a majority vote has been taken on her behalf. Her self appointed attitude permeated giving the air of "I don't really need you."

The first time I met her I struggled just for a moment with feelings of inferiority. She did have a lot together and knew much more about the activities we were doing. I decided to chase away my complex and offered my gifts and talents given to me by the Lord. Each of us are different you know. Not everyone can have it together or even look like it! I actually enjoyed myself as I found my little niche. There is joy in serving Jesus, so I thought.

But this non-smiling woman kept haunting me every day I was with her. She really did not look like she was having a good time. The rest of us were really having fun doing each of our tasks with enthusiasm because we enjoyed being together. I realized the 'party' was going on without her. Each attempt to include her was brushed aside.

By the end of the week, she did not even make eye contact with me. Maybe there is more to this than I understand. The one who appears as if all is well can be choosing to hide behind that mask because of its safety. She wrapped herself in a cocoon of busyness maybe really wanting to join in.

Maybe the truth is that deep down inside there may be things that are too painful to describe. I think I will keep smiling anyway and find a way to bridge this communication gap. Maybe someday it will happen. Until then, I'll keep smiling!

Guard Your Heart

2012-02-07T06:45:00.001-08:00

It's days like today that I understand why God put Gal 6:9 in his love letter to us. Satan wants to wear us down as believers so we are not effective in our ministries.

Gal 6:8 talks about those who sow to please their own sinful nature. What wears on me the most is when these kinds of people prey on our weak brothers and sisters, especially children and teenagers.

Satan desires to make us ineffective by lulling us to sleep on major issues, especially what we allow and invite to influence our lives....books we read, movies we watch, friends and people of influence in our lives. Nothing is innocuous! We live in a daily battle and somedays we choose not to recognize it because it is easier not to. Trust me, I would love a break from the constant beating down that we receive around us. It is easier to join the crowd rather than walk away, but each time we stay, we become more entrenched in the world's philosophies. God encouraged us to follow Him, which would be a 'lesser travelled road.' '

Beware, friends because the prince of this world desires to numb us to things around us. Stay connected to your power source and "don't grow weary in well-doing!"

Be on your guard, brothers and sisters- remember we are in a battle and it is everyday until Jesus comes for his Bride!

God Loves Those With a Broken Heart

2012-02-07T06:44:00.001-08:00

Psalm 34:18 (NIV) The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

God loves the broken hearted! How that thought washes over my soul like a refreshing rain to a parched land. I can say that in my times of being totally broken, God has touched me in such unique ways that I cannot help but share with those who struggle along side of me.

I never realized how much my deep ache could be comforted until I have offered a hug of complete understanding to those who struggle with the same heartache. That is when I breathe, 'Thank you, Lord"; I can see some of your purpose in this pain.

The church as a whole and in our local bodies are filled with broken people. No matter how perfectly we dress or how beautifully we sing, what counts is how we love. I wonder if too many times we enter our place of worship with pride of how well we are doing our Christian checklist: perfect children perfectly dressed and well behaved, tithe check ready, Sunday School lesson prepared, the smile on our face that conveys all is well.

Think about who Jesus picked to be his disciples. They were not perfect on the outside or the inside. They were smelly, cantankerous fisherman. Imagine them showing up on Sunday morning at your church!

Would we dare be honest with our brothers and sisters in Christ if we are struggling? Do others know us to be real in our faith as we are free to share our struggles, our shortcomings? Hopefully that is true of me, of you, of our churches.

"Thank you Lord, for helping me see that my suffering is worthwhile as I see it making me a better, not bitter person so that I may comfort others."

I'm thinking of starting a new support group...MOAC

2010-09-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

That's right...MOAC, Mothers of Adult Children!

When I was expecting my first child, I read a lot of books to prepare myself for this new adventure. I knew I was going to love being a mother and I wanted to be the best parent I could be. After he was born, I continued to read and ask other mothers for advice. Each new stage was a challenge, but so exciting to experience...the first word, the first step, reading his first word.

Somehow the years flew by with the first date, the first time driving alone in the car and now....his first apartment. Where did the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday that he cut his first tooth?

I did not prepare for this new stage. After all I had plenty of time; he was going to live at home for a while and go to a nearby university. Little did I know he had plans of spreading his wings. My heart screamed, "Wait, this is happening way too fast!" But no pleading could magically turn back the clock. The time had come for my firstborn to leave home.

Once again, I am seeking advice from other Moms, yes, MOAC. We are all trying to figure out this mysterious role. We are so used to doing for our children, helping with homework, fixing broken hearts, giving advice. Now that role has changed. I read a good blog tonight about this question of offering advice. Check out Lynn Cowell's blog at http://lynncowell.blogspot.com/2010/09/in-know-give-adviceor-not.html

As I shared on Lynn's post, I recently learned from a MOAC, that when our adult children don't want to heed our advice, we could put Phil 4:8 into practice..whatever is true, whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable...think on these things. I need to think of the good and admirable qualities.

I am at a point where I don't give advice right now. For this season (hopefully it won't be long) I am loving on my adult child. My love speaks by giving lots of space, setting boundaries where it affects me and yes, offering food! Who can turn down peach pie or brownies?!

The most important thing to gain through this journey is a knowledge of how to keep the doors of communication open. It's not a time to get frustrated when the other side is silent. When I don't hear from him, I pray, because I am sure he is very busy being the adult I prepared him to be.

Smile - it's contagious!

2010-08-06T08:05:00.001-07:00

Jehovah Jireh

2009-09-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

I requested prayer over a year ago for my husband who was experiencing so much stress in his job. We prayed and prayed and we asked for deliverance. We asked family to pray and even blogger friends to pray!

God has answered 'above what we could ask or think!' He received word this week that he was chosen as Supervisor of Technology in another school district. God has blessed him for his diligence. While he was walking through his deep waters, he struggled with anger, but finally gave that to the Lord for Him to walk things for His good. And he did!

Why do doubt? Why do we question? Doesn't God count the hairs on our head? Does he see the sparrow fall? We can say beyond the shadow of a doubt, "I know my God cares for me!"

Facebook Mom

2008-07-17T04:34:00.000-07:00

OK, I have to admit that the only reason for joining Xanga, Myspace and Facebook was to be a watchful eye for my son and his friends. Being a Myspace Mom actually strengthened my relationship with my teen, if you can believe that.

The other day my 17 yr. old son asked, "Mom, how come you haven't asked me to be your friend on Facebook?" This was said over a lunch date with just the two of us sharing a white pizza with LOTS of garlic! To say the least I was shocked he invited me into his world that I usually barge into.

Up until recently the only reason I joined these networking forums was to be fully informed as a Mom. We have a rule in our house if you haven't personally met someone, then they can't be your friend ( with the exception of music groups, of course) You have to be friends with your favorite groups!

Recently, I found an unexpected blessing as I am so wet behind the ears with Facebook. Yes, I guess my pride gets in the way to ask my son how to do this. You can actually have a high school and college reunion! I have found long lost friends and am so excited.

I encourage you to enter into the unknown galaxy. Yes, Facebook can seem like 'the new frontier' to us parents. Trust me it is worth it to continue building bridges with your teen and can also expand your own horizons.

Will you be my friend? (Only if I know you of course!)

Isolation v. Connection

2008-07-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

Isolation v. connection. How many of us struggle with this dichotomy in our deepest heart of hearts?

I was so touched by Lysa TerKeurst blog, "She Likes Me, She Likes Me Not". Check it out sometime www.lysaterkeurst.blog.spot.com. By reading the many responses, I realized I am not the only one who suffers from the disease of dorkness.

My soul cries out for someone to talk to…someone who really understands… someone to truly connect with. As the years go by I have realized that I am not the only woman who longs for this connection. Dee Brestin wrote a book years ago called, The Friendships of Women that addressed this very issue.

We live such separated isolated lives in our culture today. Piano lessons, soccer practice and PTA meetings keep us from eating dinner together, let alone allow us time to build deep relationships.

In years past several generations used to live under one roof or close by. A woman would learn how to keep house, cook and raise babies from her mother, grandmother, aunts and siblings who lived in the same house or nearby. But now we put our parents in nursing homes and move far away from family. Connection to family and friends is crowded out by our choices to be independent, prosperous, fulfilled and…lonely.

James 5: 16 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

Maybe it takes us to make the first move to find someone to "confess" to. I know, I know. Many of us say, "but I'm always the one that calls. Why doesn't someone call me?" Wish I knew the answer to that question. But most likely our non-initiating friends have a phobia about initiating. We all have our weaknesses, though.

I've been asking God for connections and it has been amazing how He has been answering. By the way, the little girl across the street who needs a 'Mom' to care, came over again last night. She needed.....connection!

Hopelessly Romantic...

2008-06-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, my husband is so hopelessly romantic. Now before you click to another blog and wish you were living in Cinderella's world like me, stick around for a minute and keep reading.

My dear sweet man ( who knows I am writing this, btw) is hopeless...at being a romantic. Yes, that is what he thinks and I used to believe the lie. In fact, I won Lysa Terkeurst's Valentine blog contest because I was so frustrated with this 'wonderful' man. Flowers? Nope. Candy? Nope. Card on Mother's Day? Nope!

Maybe a couple of times a year he will think of doing those small niceties, but the rest of the year? ? He is always ready to listen when I need him. He patiently holds my hand when I'm spazzing over the loss of hair us middle age women experience. And he works so hard at his job so he can desperately get that promotion so I can cut back my hours at work.

Romantic? Maybe not like Cinderella. But romantic where it counts. Romantic not just one or two days out of the year, but in the everyday commitment. I love you, honey!

Prayer

2008-05-28T04:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Bloggin' Sisters,
Our family is in need of prayer right now. Would ya mind? My husband has been handling an enormous stress at his job. After a year of many hours of overtime working on a project that only he could do in the short amount of time they requested, the project was finished successfully. However, management above him however is not happy because he did such a great job...

We are waiting the next few weeks to see if he gets a so needed promotion or if he gets axed. We have been clinging to Prov 3:5 & 6 ...Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not to thine OWN understanding. In ALL thy ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your paths.

Also, "the heart of the king is in the hand of the LORD...Proverbs somewhere :)

I am learning on a daily basis what being an encouragement to your husband is. I'm am so grateful he doesn't 'cave' on me. He is so sweet and tries to keep me informed as best as possible without worrying me!

When our guys look like they have it all together, look a little closer and they might actually really need a big hug and a word of encouragement 'No matter what happens, honey, I'm right here beside ya!'

Thanks, sisters for your prayers...I'll keep you 'posted'

Margin

2008-05-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who have read my one and only blog and were kind enough to comment!
God was prompting me today to get back to writing on here and when I checked my blog to write a new post, I had no idea some new friends so kindly stopped by to leave comments. Sorry guys; I'm new to all this.

This time of year I feel that my schedule takes me for a ride instead of me being in charge of IT. I am reading this awesome book called Margin by Richard Swenson. He shares that we all need to leave margin in our lives so that when the cup gets bumped what comes out is joy and readiness to serve rather than emptiness. If we are exhausted we have no reserve to minister to the "unexpected" blessings that come our way.

My husband and I listened to Dr. Swenson speaking on Midday Connection recently. One comment that resonates in my soul is ...the things that are important are "slow, mellow and deep". Jesus' ministry on earth was not crammed full of activity from morning until night. He spent time with his disciples sharing His Father's ways. He spent time away from the crowds to pray.

He did not set up healing clinics to heal everybody. He ministered to those who came across his path. I don't picture Jesus scurrying down the street late for an appointment proclaiming his schedule was crammed too full today. In the scriptures Jesus contrasted Mary and Martha for a reason. I think it is interesting that he chose two women as examples of contrasting overload serving and sitting at Jesus' feet. Don't you think woman, more than men, struggle with the myth of feeling significant? We think if we are busy, we are fulfilled.

God gave us 24 hours each day. Dr. Swenson stressed that we often think that God can't make it without us so we need to fill our day with ministry 23 of those 24 hours.

God created the earth in 6 days and rested the 7th. If God the ultimate Creator, scheduled time out to rest, to process and to think...ahhh "it is good", why should we as finite creatures feel we are any different? I guess we think she who wears the most 'hats' wins.

I guess you can tell I have been processing through this concept. It does put me in a predicament. I live in a world that constantly tantalizes me to join this and that. I fall prey to 'good' things which end up sapping energy meant to minister to my family. Even service opportunities at church can pull me away from my communion with Christ and service to my family.

I recently made a very tough decision of resigning from a position at my church. Instead of leading our music ministry at church, God is asking me to be open to His ministry for my life. A ministry that allows 'margin' in my life...a ministry that puts my family first. I'm excited to see what doors are opening...

How do we live a Christ-centered life in this crazy hectic world?

2007-02-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

Life is so fast...I blink and it is Monday all over again. How do we make the minutes count? We are striving to reign in our family and attempt to have positive quality family time with Biblical teaching moments. Let me tell you, this is work. But the scripture commands it and we need to keep striving and not grow weary. What do our kids see from our lives? Do we frantically run from one activity to the next; showing that life dictates us. Or do we prayerfully consider our activities to maintain our priorities and lead our children by example.

My heart yearns for moments of rest and quietness and times to reflect. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longeth after thee...