Personal Research and the Journey

I write this post with a little bit of hesitation. It is hard to articulate what I want to stay, but I hope there is some grace here, and that I can get the words across. I have recently been going through some very big life changes. I was diagnosed with a condition, and since have figured out how many things that I always thought were just “me” are actually symptoms of the condition.

My doctors did not give me a whole lot of help and options, but rather gave me an option of medication that would treat the symptoms, not the condition. I wasn't sure that I was comfortable with that. Other people would tell me things that I should maybe start doing or not doing. Someone else would tell me what their cousin’s friends’ sister did. Many people had ideas about what to do and how to do it. After prayer and many thoughts about other peoples’ ideas, I came to the conclusion that I needed to do the research for myself. I needed to find out what I needed, and what is best for ME, so I took to research. I dug, and researched, and finally decided to make a large diet change. (We’re talking big . . . like take all your favorite foods and never eat them again!)

It was a decision that I knew was right and I felt good about! Through this process, I couldn't help but think of the parallel between the physical and the spiritual. I firmly believe that as things are in the physical, they are in the spiritual. Please recognize that while this is a loose metaphor, it is there, nonetheless.

Our world in general, is very good at treating symptoms. Those outside of the church can be very well-intentioned, but offer only things that treat the symptoms of our spiritual struggle. We hear some preachers saying one thing, and other teachers saying something else. We have friends with one belief system, and TV personalities with another tried and true method on living well. How does one’s faith survive?

While I don’t want to underemphasize the Christian community, and a pastors’ role in our faith and teaching us the word of God, I believe that there is not enough emphasize on working out our own faith. Digging in and find what God is saying to “ME.” The Bible has all the answers for my spiritual condition. It has all the next steps and ways to heal and grow me into a better person. It shows me how to rid myself of the symptoms of sin in my life. Only “me” sitting down and reading the scripture for myself, and knowing myself, and where I am spiritually, and applying the scripture to myself will allow me to become the person I want to be. Listening to a pastor alone will not give me the fullness of God’s truth. Following someone else’s faith journey step by step will not necessarily take me deeper in my own personal relationship with God.

We, as Christ Followers, need to know where God is leading us personally. Just as I needed to evaluate what to do with my health for myself, and own the decisions that I have made. I own my faith by doing the research into God’s word myself, and making my faith a priority to me.

I have been very blessed to have people come alongside me and understand my diet and life changes, and walk it with me without trying to push their ideas on me. These people are invaluable to me. I think of these people like church friends and pastors in my spiritual life, the people to walk my faith with me as I do it; not just telling me how and what to do.

Something to think about? “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

Kourtnay K.

Speak What is True

“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.” Philippians 4:8

We all have times when the circumstances in life can weigh us down, times when all our best intentions don’t end with the result we hope for, times when we struggle in a dark place. It is often in these times that I catch my internal dialogue taking on a tone of deep discouragement and helplessness. For me, times that are uncertain can get to me like nothing else. I like to know how things are going to work out! I want to feel like my planning and preparing and anticipating can influence the outcome . . . and sometimes the hard truth that I’m not in control confronts me with a blast!

Journaling has always been helpful for me; I rely on it to help sort out my thoughts and feelings, to refocus, and to move my mind and heart into a more peaceful and settled place. I frequently journal in prayers, directing my jumbled emotions toward God and seeking his perspective and clarity in my situation.

But sometimes I’ll look at my journal page and see it covered with fear, anxiety, pain, worry, hopelessness . . . and not much else. There are days when I can just sit in this and stew, going around and around and rehearsing for myself all the very good reasons I have to feel this way.

Something I’ve started to do in recent years, the instant I catch myself in this spiral, is to turn to a fresh page in my journal and make a list of things I can count on today, things that are absolutely true, no matter how crazy and mixed up other things in life may be. 

I always start the list with the same words: “Lord, I need to refocus my attitude. No matter what happens with all these unknowns, may Your Name be honoured, may Your Kingdom come, may Your Will be done. Here are some certainties I know for sure today . . .” 

Here’s what my list looks like today:

1. I am loved. God created me precious and irreplaceable. God delights in me and cares about every detail of my life. I have a husband who loves me and is here with me daily in all the messiness of life.
2. God can redeem any situation. God knows my whole history, accepts me, heals and restores me, and has amazing plans for my future – even if the present looks unclear! He has guided me and guarded me in the past, and he’s not giving up on me.
3. God has provided for me always, sometimes in unique and unmistakable ways. I have always had a place to lay my head. I have never had nothing to eat. I have more than enough. I am blessed.
4. God will ALWAYS use me if I am willing, and if I am open to the lesson and the discipline. It doesn’t matter if I feel weak or inadequate or unqualified. In fact, being in a place of humility gives God the most space to work!
5. My vision is so small. God sees the biggest picture. I can only see with my human eyes, limited by time and space. God works in the eternal, not limited by my tiny perspective, and not even limited by my earthly lifespan. Today I need to step back and recognize that God is developing my character and working things out, not just for this life but for eternity. 

It’s a short list, but it represents a HUGE shift in my perspective! It doesn’t make all the darkness go away, but it brings a flashlight into the dark room. It turns things around by reminding me what I am certain of, instead of all the things that are unknown and unclear.

Could you use a shift in perspective today? Do you need a reminder of what is true and real and certain in your life? What does your list look like?

Arlene M.

Family Generations

Summer is all about community. People are finally free to venture outside of their homes and schedules and spend time doing things together. I was blessed to be able to attend a much-anticipated family reunion recently. We had four generations present, and the vast majority of them are serving the Lord. We owe our spiritual heritage to my great-grandfather, who was formerly a bootlegger during the Prohibition Era. Had he not decided to turn his life over to Jesus, we would certainly not be the people we are today. Because of that one life that was transformed by the power of God, entire generations have been nurtured and fruitful in the faith.

Have you ever thought about how your actions and decisions affect other people? What about the effect they will have on the generations that follow you? The enemy loves to try to isolate people and cause them to think that their attitudes and decisions only concern them. We need to make an active choice to choose and fight for what is good, if simply for the sake of those who will come after us. Deuteronomy 6:7 commands us to teach and train our children diligently; to “talk of [His laws] when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Don’t leave the task of biblical instruction to the Sunday School teachers at your church – engage your children in meaningful conversations about God, His creation, and why being a Christian really is the best way to live. When the disciples kept the children from coming to Jesus, he rebuked them, telling them never to hinder children from coming to Him. The same challenge can be directed at us adults, who may have succumbed long ago to the complacent status quo of daily living. Are we allowing the worries and disappointments of our lives to quench the spark of faith in a child? Children will follow the behaviours they see much more readily than the rules they are given. So live out what you believe with honesty and integrity, knowing that you are shaping hearts for the future.

That being said, there is also a deeper work that the Lord wants to do in each of us.

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” So not only should we be careful instructors of our children, but also humble pupils. Their childlike faith should continually revive in us a sense of wonder and renewed trust in Him. He is our Father, Provider, and Healer, so what have we to fear? We are the children that He delights in! So allow yourself to be filled with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude at the beauty that surrounds you, and let God take care of the rest. Your children will take notice, and only God knows the spiritual impact that will have on generations to come.  Have an awesome summer!

Ruth-Ellen W.

Eventful Holiday

I don’t know if you've ever been in a place where you NEEDED a holiday and it just didn't turn out the way you planned. We have . . . more than once! Whether the mosquitoes drove you crazy, the weather wreaked havoc on your tent or your vehicle broke down – sometimes our plans just don’t turn out the way we intended.

We actually have had all three of the above happen . . . on the same holiday! Not fun. In fact very disappointing, especially when you NEED a holiday to rejuvenate. Sometimes we need time to take a deep breathe of clean, pure, peaceful air to fill our souls with God’s reassurances, peace and perspective. Our intent on that holiday was to rest, hike, swim, enjoy the outdoors and have a great holiday with our family – it didn't turn out as we had planned. However, in the midst of that challenging holiday God used people to help us along the way. This was an opportunity for us to see God’s hand at work when our friends helped us out on that eventful day! Sometimes our plans are not God’s plans. And sometimes God wants to teach us or show us something even though we’re tired, burned out or just needing time away.

I don’t have a profound conclusion of what God taught us during that crazy holiday, but I do remember being so thankful for friends who would go the extra mile to drive stranded friends and help them get home. So perhaps what I learned that summer was we all NEED a friend, and we also need to BE that friend. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times.” (NIV)

I do hope throughout this summer holiday season you will have opportunities to step out of the daily grind to breath deep from the well of God’s refreshing. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (NLT)

Jo-Ann

Little While Friends

We were fortunate enough to escape for an early summer holiday for 10 days to a beautiful lake- a place of warmth, familiarity and rest. What a wonderful time of reprieve and self-indulgence! Indulgence in sunshine, play, reading, journaling and recreation. As is often the case, we encountered others doing the same thing! Being a conversationalist and away from my usual circles, I can feel like I’m going to implode if I don’t get my daily sum of words out. This year, I delighted myself in watching our boy extend *his* social wings courageously and completely, and befriend “the boy next door”. I watched as they got to know each other. Awkward at first, very surface level and then discovering they both enjoyed their play so much that they became fast friends – even if for only a little while. They've seen each other before, when we've visited here...but now...almost inseparable. We’re all made for connection. 

Truthfully, I believe we’re all looking for others to connect with, and frankly, that means others are looking to connect with us. I want to challenge you as you travel this summer: open your eyes and look around you. God is in the process of connecting folks. He desires to create and establish relationships that are dynamic among His people – saved and not. Here, you will find your strength. Watching these boys share their talents and ideas in conversation and play has challenged me. Sure there are vacation days when I would just as soon turn the world off and focus on my book, or shut eye. But, I am always encouraged more by sharing encouragement, lifting eyes up, renewing vision and lending a listening ear. There’s a whole hurting world out there…most, simply want to be heard. We give the gift of importance and value, simply by listening. We give a more divine gift by talking to God through the process for His leading. There will be pool parties, beach days, picnics and more. A treasure trove of wonderful opportunities to build relationships. We are all needed. This isn't about social networking...it’s about obedience to BE a living stone.

“And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple.” 1 Peter 2:5

I’m determined to grow in this area this summer. Will you join me in making a beautiful pathway? After all, we’re all made for connection.

Press in and press on,

Giselle

Momma’s Heart

Children are a gift from God. Except sometimes we Momma’s think they belong to us. They pull at our Momma’s heart (hard sometimes), but they are ours to raise (to the best of our ability), to invest in and to teach them about Jesus. Then they have the free-will to choose to give their lives to the Lord, to serve, to follow and to live for Him.

As Momma’s we love when our children do what we think is right and best for them, and when they don’t the wrestling match begins. However, when our children become teenagers and adults they sometimes make different choices than we think they should make. (Of course I am not speaking from experience . . . hahaha)

The challenge we face as parents is allowing our kids to make mistakes and letting them learn from them – just like we did many years ago (and we still do!). I think the even greater challenge comes when our kids make difference choices when they hear the voice of God and act on it . . . and we weren't part of the conversation! Sometimes God is speaking to our kids and He didn't get the okay from us first. And I know some of our Momma’s hearts are shouting, “We should be part to of this conversation! They don’t like broccoli! How are they ever going to survive in ??? (fill in the blank)

Whether we dedicated our children to the Lord as young ones or once they were older, we need to remember they are His – entrusted to our care . . . for a time. Our job is to guide, direct, offer council, but our voice and opinion should not be louder than God’s. Our job is to teach them to listen to the voice of God.

It is God’s job to speak to them and their job to listen to Him.

Often this time of year does strange things to this Momma’s heart. The end of the school year, summer holidays and a change in schedule. However, I’m finding myself at the stage in life where the public school system no longer dictates our lives and our adult children begin making significant decisions on their own.

There’s another shift happening in this Momma’s heart . . .

Last year God began speaking to me about my Momma’s heart. He asked me to deal with my Momma’s heart so He can call our kids to great things. And then He asked me to pray for the Mom’s and Dad’s and Grandma’s and Grandpa’s so they can release their kids . . . so God can call them to great things.

Weighty, but exciting.
Emotional, but thrilling.
Heavy, but needed.

The question I’ve had to answer is, who do I think I am? Yes, I’m their mother, but that’s all – nothing more and nothing less.

• A sinful child of God saved by grace - just like our kids.
• A redeemed child of God who strives to live her life to bring Him glory - just like I desire for our kids.
• A woman who wants to do great things for God in my circle of influence - just like I want for our kids.

As I look into the mirror of my soul I say to myself, "Trust God with them. He loves them more than you ever can. He cares about them more than we can fathom. He loves them enough to send Jesus."

This past Easter I read the crucifixion of Jesus and saw it from a different perspective – Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was there! Mary WATCHED as her son was beaten, flogged, humiliated and crucified. She watched helpless, unable to stop it, feeling the wrenching of her heart as she watched her son. I don’t know how big the nauseating knot in your stomach is, but I wonder, as a mom, could I stand there and watch? Helpless, powerless, vulnerable to the swirl of things going on around her. Could I look at the evil acting out against my son? Could I look into the beaten face of my child and still stand? How many of us could do what Mary did? She was there for the whole thing!

Does a Momma’s heart ever recover from seeing her child crucified? I don’t know, but Acts 1:14 says, “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." (NIV) I'm not sure, but I think praying and being together together certainly helped.

Today, we likely will not stand at the foot of the cross like Mary did, but we may stand over an early grave, or the foot of a hospital bed or behind the handles of a wheel chair – and in the midst of whatever situation we find ourselves in, will we deal with our Momma’s hearts so God can call our kids to great things?

Sometimes that’s to scary countries. Sometimes it’s to questionable circumstances. Sometimes it’s to financially challenging places. But the question always in front of us is will we daily deal with our Momma’s hearts so God can use our kids to do great things for His kingdom?

Jo-Ann