fear/worry — peace/still ??
I can count on one hand the number of times that sickness has stopped my husband in his tracks. He may get a cold or a sinus issue but he plows right through. This past Friday afternoon he got knocked right off his feet (figuratively speaking.)
I thought it would be a 24 hour thing and he would be up and at ‘em Saturday. Instead Saturday found him alternating between the bed and the recliner. By Saturday night it became evident that he would not be preaching the next morning. The verse from 2 Timothy came to mind – “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season…………..”
What did God want me to share?
Psalms 46:1-3 I find that I am quoting verse 1 a lot lately, either in person, on the phone, by text, and even on facebook. We don’t have to look far to see trouble. We do not face it alone. God is indeed a very present help in trouble.
“We will not fear.” Fear is a great peace robber. It is virtually impossible to stay in peace while allowing fear to take hold of your emotions. Most of the things people worry about never happen. Don’t get caught up in fear’s trap.
Fear and worry ruin a perfectly good day and disrupt a good night’s sleep.
When you notice fear, worry or dread knocking at your door remember God is a very present help in trouble. Place your focus back on Him and you will find your peace returning. Instead of dwelling on the situation, going over it and over it, take it to God in prayer. Leave it with Him. Trust Him to work things out.
“Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” He is the living God. The Great I AM. The creator and sustainer of the universe and He is an ever-present help in trouble.
Let’s look at the end of this chapter.
Psalms 46:10 I am going to take it one word at a time.
BE: state of being
Acts 1:8 tells us that we are to BE witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the utter most parts of the earth. (For me that breaks down to my city, state, neighboring state –or county and neighboring county–and the world.) Notice that it doesn’t say DO witnessing. It is possible to DO witnessing and not BE a good witness. Be is who we are – 24/7. And we can be still in the midst of any circumstance.
Be STILL: quiet confidence – a heart of peace. Not in a state of turmoil or wrapped up in fretting about the situation.
Be still AND: this lets us know that there is more. It isn’t just be still.
Be still and KNOW: know that you know that you know that God is in control. He has a plan. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. We will not be shaken. We know God is greater than anything we face.
Be still and know THAT: that – pay attention to what comes next – emphasis
Be still and know that I: one true God. God tells Moses in Exodus 3:14 “I am who I am” God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and always with us.
Be still and know that I AM: present tense. Right where we are, there He is.
Be still and know that I am GOD: He is the living God. What you magnify just gets bigger. Instead of spiraling downward with fear and worry, place your focus back onto God. Let Him fill you with peace.
Whatever you are facing, God has a plan. Don’t let fear and worry rob you of the truth that you know. God is with you! He loves you!
“Be still and know that I am God” — Psalm 46:10
til next time
what battles are you facing?
What battles are you facing? What is trying to rob you of your sleep? Is worry trying to weaken your faith?
It seems everywhere I look people are dealing with huge issues. Whether it is finances, marriage, health, stress at work, children, or you name it – the pressures of life can be daunting.
Pastor’s are not immune from stress. In fact, those on the front lines can experience a whole host of issues that are meant to do one thing — knock them out of the war.
I love to rejoice with people who have had amazing answers to prayer. Yet, it seems that lately my heart has been breaking with those who find themselves in the middle of a very ‘long night.’
How do I come out from under the weight? How do I stop it from bringing me down? I turn my eyes upon Jesus and lay it all at His feet. When I wait to do that, I also can feel overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. My advice to all, don’t wait – give it to Jesus.
I am reminded of one of my all time favorite sound tracks. I just may have to sing it Sunday.
Warrior is a child/ Do I trust You
“Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right. But even winners can get wounded in the fight………………………Do I trust You Lord? Does the river flow? Do I trust You Lord? Does the North wind blow? You can see my heart, you can read my mind and you’ve got to know I would rather die than to lose my faith in the One I love……………… I will trust You Lord when I don’t know why. I will trust You Lord til the day I die. I will trust You Lord when I’m blind with pain. You were God before and You’ll never change. I will trust You! I will trust You! I will trust You Lord!”
There is no doubt about it, sometimes the pain is deep. David talks about the wounds of a friend – Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me” I sure don’t understand people sometimes.
So to all those who are facing situations that at times seem so overwhelming – remember God is still God. He is at work. You can most assuredly trust His heart. He will make a way. Let the faith that is deep in you rise up and shout “I will trust You Lord when I don’t understand. I will trust You Lord when the night seems so long. I will trust You Lord when my heart is breaking. I will trust You Lord!!”
til next time
everything has a story
This week-end my son had his senior recital. Getting to this point was no easy thing for him. If I were to list all of the various road blocks that he has faced you would quite possibly think that I was making some of them up. It is no wonder that many music majors never finish.
His recital was mostly classical numbers. This was a switch from the style I was used to hearing him play. Yet it really showed his level of ability. He ended with a couple of jazz numbers. It was phenomenal!!!
Getting to his recital was challenging for us. As ministers, taking a week-end off requires advance preparation. When the date was set we made the necessary arrangements but ……….. (yes there is a story).
I have been known to tell people that I would like to experience what “uneventful” is like — to be able to tell this story — “We made the necessary arrangements. We went. It was wonderful. We came home. Praise God!”
It seems that everything in my life has a story behind it. I used to wonder why and then I realized that God is the greatest story-teller and that many of His stories seemed to be filled with great detail — quite eventful. Why should mine be any different?
As our story seems to go, plans changed. We found out our worship leader and piano player were not going to be there after all. One by one our options for music fell through. A little over a week before we were to leave and still we had no one for music. Three days later we found out that we would also need to make arrangements in other areas that we thought were covered.
This was not going to be that uneventful story. Maybe next time?
Why do some things happen?
Some things happen because the enemy of our souls is doing all he can to discourage us and push us to quit. I also think that God allows some things to happen so that we grow in our trust in Him. Another reason some things are allowed is because then we have no doubt that God came through in a huge way because it has God written all over it. Finally, some things happen because we are then forced to make necessary changes in how we do things.
Changes …………… One thing that we are doing different now is how we do our trips back home. Our trips used to involve a lot of van time as we tried to see everyone. Now we do a pool party at the hotel and anyone that can make it is welcome. Sometimes things happen to force a needed change.
I can see this hotel change really being a good thing. Here we are playing a ‘friendly’ game of UNO the night before the recital.
When all is said and done, we were able to find someone to cover music and the other necessary arrangements. God came through in a huge way. 
The recital was fantastic. I am soooo proud of you Christopher!!!!!
til next time
look for motorcycles!
Life is unpredictable……………plan on it!
I am married to a planner. Make a plan, be the plan and do the plan. Yup, that is him. I am sure it stems from his Marine Corps days. You know, accomplish the mission and all that jazz.
So when I can get him to commit to a couple of days without an agenda….. Well, ok, we kind of had an agenda. We knew where we were staying the first night and I guess he sort of planned out the rest of it but kept telling me that it was subject to change. This is progress for my dear planner.
After work on Thursday we packed up 
the bike and headed out-of-town. Last year he got a big 5-0 birthday bash. This year he got a couple of nights ‘out of Dodge’.
For his birthday dessert — Fried Cheesecake. Some things just should not be fried.
Two and 1/2 days of rolling down the highway on two wheels. The wind blowing in our face and the sun shining on our back! Life is good!! We would be traveling miles and miles on the winding river road.
Day 2 -Woke up to rain. No big deal. We weren’t in a hurry. We opted to start out with our rain gear on. It wasn’t long and we decided it was too warm for that.
What we needed was sunscreen. It was a beautiful day.
We made it as far up as Onalaska, WI.
Yes, I do believe I was born to ride. “Honey I’m loving this!” was heard throughout the day.
We found a great place to eat. Curt had smelt. Eww, first fried cheesecake and now this. I had chicken. 
However, they have the best homemade bread there.
This picture doesn’t do it justice. The sun was shining on the water in huge rays. It was breathtaking.
Little did I know things were about to drastically change. In my quiet time with God that morning I had struggled with some issues. (You can read about that by clicking here.)
As we were coming down a steep hill (you know the kind that they have a sign up for trucks to be aware of the slope) a van (on our right) pulled out (turning left) in front of us. Thank God Curt was watching him and realized that when he ‘glanced’ left he hadn’t seen us.
I felt the rear tire and thought for sure we were going to fish tale, hit the van, and/or be hit by the truck behind us. (Curt told me later he would have put the bike down before hitting head on. — Like that was comforting.) None of that happened, which I know was the hand of God. It all seemed to happen in slow motion – just like the movies. I think I could have slapped his van if I had wanted to. We were that close.
I know God protected us. What I don’t understand is the way my body reacted the rest of the way home. I found myself holding my breath on every downward slope. Try as I may, I could not seem to stop from tensing up. All the joy had been stripped away. It was (and is still) devastating. I don’t know that I will ever get on a bike again. This makes me very sad.
“Dear Mr Van guy, You have no idea what your careless actions have caused. You can and should thank God that today is just another day for you and that you don’t have to live the rest of your life with our blood on your hands. Stop means stop! And please next time really look!! Motorcycles are out there.”
Life is unpredictable ……… I sure didn’t see that coming.
what do you see?
Just another Tuesday or is it?
I’ve had one of those ‘time stands still‘ moments.
Let me back up a bit………..
A few years ago I was blessed to be at a conference where Kristi Northup was the worship leader. You can’t help but feel her love and excitement for God. She has a heart of passion. It is evident in her music. It is all over her face.
So tonight, I get home from work and jump on facebook. I think there must be a 12 step program for that. Ah, but would I go?
It’s Tuesday night and hubby is home. (During the school year he teaches on Tuesday night. Have I mentioned that I love summer? I do!) As usual, when he is home, the music is on.
He is attempting to play through our cd collection. This is a good thing because we tend to get in a rut and play the same cd’s over and over again.
So there I was when … wham. This song comes on. I jump up and tell the family that this song is the whole reason I bought 3 of her cd’s.
As I tend to do, I put the player on ‘repeat 1 song’ to the moan of my family. OK, so this time they moaned silently. It really is a good song.
I am transported back to that retreat. I remember like it was yesterday. God calling me to see past the junk. God speaking to my heart through this song - wanting me to be willing to let Him show me what He sees – to love with His love.
What do you see?
How’s that working for you? Ok, so I am not Dr Phil, but seriously sometimes we get so caught up in ‘I…, I…, I…., and how things affect me’. I’ itus as my dear Opal calls it.
I encourage you to let God show you what He sees!
Here is the song. Kristi captures it.
I see desperation. I see pain. I see a life in ruins hopeless to ever change. I see a city broken in two. Is there anything that You can do?
I see condemnation and I see shame. I see the bride of Christ covered in human stain. I see a finger pointing back at me. I’m ashamed of my hypocrisy.
You see beauty where I see dross. You see value where I see loss. Cuz You are the light and the darkness cannot overcome it.
I see Simon, but You see Peter. I see the adulteress, but You see a leader. I see a desert. You see a well. I see Jacob, but You see Israel.
I see China. You see believers. I see aids in Africa. You are, You are the healer.
I see religion. You see the church. I see the horizon but You see the whole world.
You see beauty where I see dross. You see value where I see loss. Cuz You are the light and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Whatever we face, whatever comes our way, God is still so very faithful. Sometimes it is hard to understand why some things happen. I think too much time can be wasted trying to figure some of that stuff out. Kristi’s song has reminded me again that I don’t have to figure it out. I also don’t have to stay in the trap of ‘what I see’. I see…………. but God sees……….and I choose to go with what God sees.
I trust God. I believe He is at work. I know that my life is in His hands. I long for His will to be done — that is really what it is all about. It isn’t about me and my will but that His will be done in my life, in my family, in my relationships, and in my church.
til next time
If you want to hear some of Kristi’s music– check out her website. http://www.kristinorthup.com go to listeners, music, then play.
God said no
Many years ago I was reading an article by a prominent minister. The article was on the will of God and he had some good things to say. At the end, he made the statement — “God has never told me no.”
What?
Huh?
Never?
Really?
That was the last article I have read by that minister. Oh, I know there is the concept of -take the meat and spit out the bones – which is a good rule but with the limited time I have for reading and so many things I want to read, this author doesn’t make the list anymore.
God never said no?
I don’t know this man personally. I do know that however good he is or how close he may be to God, He is not Jesus and God told Jesus no.
Yes, you read that right.
In the garden, it is recorded that Jesus prayed 3 times. Matthew 26 – …My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (no it is not possible) 2nd time “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (no it cannot- you must drink it) 3rd time “…went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.” (italics are my words)
We know the outcome of those prayers. Jesus went to the cross and died for our sins. His love for mankind -what a price to pay. If there were any other way to God, … but clearly there wasn’t.
I believe that Jesus knew all along that this was the plan. He was/is God. Yet He used His time on earth to show us – to be an example we can look at.
There are many things we can grasp from His time in prayer that night. One key is “Not my will but Yours”. The recognition that God is in control and He sees the whole picture, not just the part we see. He knows what is best for us.
I pray. I ask in faith believing that God hears my prayers. I stand on His word and His many promises. I trust God!
I also recognize that I don’t know the whole situation. God does.
I can’t see down the road. God can.
So I pray with an attitude of yet not my will or my plan but according to Your will and Your plan. For I know that God’s ways won’t always make sense to me. After all He is God and who am I to think I can understand all the thoughts and ways of God. He wouldn’t be a very big God if that were the case.
My God is greater than that. He is the creator and sustainer of life. He is all -knowing, all-powerful, and yet He loves me. He is not some far off god. He desires to have an intimate relationship with me and with you too!!
As I look back on some of those times God said no, I can see why. I am grateful that God did not give me some of the things that I so desperately thought, at the time, was His plan.
So with my prayers today, I will continue to pray in faith, believing and expecting God to work in the situations. I will continue to lay out my requests before Him. It will be with an attitude of ‘Your will be done Lord’ because I know that God’s plans for me are good. Each day is an adventure!
His plans for you are good too!!
til next time
decisions
Decisions!
I make decisions every day. Some are of no big deal. Others are life altering.
Decisions?
I have come to the conclusion that I really don’t like to make decisions.
“Where do you want to go eat?” I really, most often, don’t care.
“What color do you want the church office?” It doesn’t matter to me as long as it matches the wall hangings. (I don’t want to decide or spend money on new pictures.)
Decisions?
Do we go have Diane work on my head?
We made the decision to drive 6 hours one way to have his sister work on my neck and head. I had botched the MRI and had to reschedule it. If Di could help, then maybe I wouldn’t have to go back to that devil place. Yet it was an extremely hard decision to make.
We had the time off already. The plan was to get away and have some serious R and R with no time restraints. Instead we loaded up and headed North.
Di worked on me for 1 1/2 hours on Thursday and 1 1/2 hours on Friday. Besides therapeutic massage she also did what is called CranioSacral therapy. This is not something I would have just anyone do or I could have found someone locally and not spent all those hours in the van.
Di had her work cut out for her. My head was a mess. Of course I knew this because I had been having ringing for three months and headaches for the past month.
My poor brain was locked up. Di referred to it as cement. On Friday I actually felt my brain shifting and moving. Di said that my brain was much happier now.
What I do know is that it feels better. I can tell a huge difference. My range of motion has increased monumentally. She also found some of the height that I had lost. Most importantly my head is no longer locked up tight.
She said my neck muscles would actually be tired from being required to support my head. That was so bizarre to me but it is true.
I would love to say that the ringing is completely gone. I can’t. What I can say it that last night I went to sleep without ringing and woke up many times with still no ringing. However, when I woke to get up, my head was ringing softly.
I have high hopes that it will continue to improve. After all my head went through a lot of changes and needs time to adjust to the new freedom that it now has.
Decisions?
On Friday I postponed my MRI until I have a chance to speak with the Dr again on Wednesday. I wonder what he will say about all of this?
Decisions?
I continue to ask God for healing and grace. He continues to be faithful to me.
til next time
are you missing it?
Today I was able to sit through the early service. I have heard numerous ministers throughout my life and there is no one I’d rather hear than my husband. I often tell him that my only regret (if you can call it that) is that there aren’t more people hearing him. Yet I leave that in God’s hands. He knows what He is doing.
We have a staffed nursery for second service. However, if there is a baby in first service who is struggling to sit quietly, it is my privilege to take him/her to the nursery and play with toys. While I was pleased to be able to sit in service it did mean that Wyatt was not there. I missed him.
When the boys were babies I would get them up, changed, fed, changed, dressed and hopefully out the door on time only to get to church and spend the entire service in the nursery.
For a stay at home mom this was not encouraging. I wanted/needed corporate praise and worship. Being able to find time in the word, while chasing after twins, was hit and miss. I wanted to soak up the preaching of the word. Yet I found myself in the nursery without even a speaker.
So that’s when I decided, that one day, when it was up to me, I would help mom’s get the most out of service.
Today’s word came from the book of Esther. I encourage you to read the whole book. It has only 10 chapters. It is a great story. (check out http://biblegateway.com )
Read Esther 4:13-14 For such a time as this!
Mordecai challenged Ester to think about why she was where she was at.
“God had a reason to place you in that palace and it wasn’t just to bless you by being Queen.”
God has a plan. It is not necessary that we know all that is going on, nor will we be able to understand it fully. God has placed each one of us right where we are. He has a plan.
Think about who we are and who God is.
We like to be able to control things, to have a say in what happens. Sometimes people even try to control God.
“God You have to…..”
“Um, no He doesn’t.”
There comes a point in which we reach the limits of our understanding.
Lord I don’t know what the future holds but Lord I trust You!
What does God expect from us? How should we live?
Read Micah 6:8
Do justly — learn what is the right thing to do and then do it. Search the scriptures. God will give us the wisdom that we need to be able to do right.
Love mercy — be willing to forgive. Mercy is when you have the power to exercise judgment on a person who has wronged you and you extend mercy – forgiveness. Love mercy — offer mercy.
Humbly walk with God – God wants us to have fellowship with Him. Day by day we can have a sense that God is with us. He is in control. We may not understand why or be able to control the situation but God loves us. It has not taken God by surprise. There are reasons we can’t begin to grasp.
We can trust and be obedient to the God who loves us. He is with us. He sees all and works in all situations to bring about His plan.
Trust Him!
I entitled this ‘are you missing it?” because God spoke to my heart today during this message about situations that I am facing. I so want Him to just remove the struggles and smooth the rough waters. I can become so focused on this that I miss the real miracle God is doing. He is using the struggles and the rough waters to bring about change in my life. Nothing causes me to dig deeper than pain.
“For such a time as this” God has me right where He wants me. His plan is one of goodness. God is Good!! I don’t want to miss it. I want to live every moment of it to the fullest. God is at work.
I will close with a song we sang this morning. “I can feel You flowing through me. Holy Spirit come and fill me up. Love and mercy fill my senses, I am thirsty for Your presence Lord. Come and fill me up”
What is God wanting to do with you and where He has you - at this moment?
til next time
what is your mind set on?
Ever had one of those days? weeks? months? years?
One of the many things I love about serving God is that His peace stills my heart and calms my soul.
Music is one way that this happens. Music is powerful. It can either lift you up or keep you down. I remember as a teen playing a song over and over again as I cried into my pillow over some boy. The song reinforced my sadness. It does make a difference what music you listen to.
Lincoln Brewster has a song out that has quickly become my favorite. In fact, I posted a warning on it when I linked it to my facebook. WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS SONG IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN MISERABLE!
What a powerful message!
I’m casting my cares aside. I’m leaving my past behind. I’m setting my heart and mind on you – Jesus.
Today is a new day. What I decide to set my heart and mind on will affect the whole day. I choose to start it out right by casting my cares aside and trusting God.
I’m reaching my hand to Yours. Believing there’s so much. Knowing that all You have in store for me is good. Is good!
Walking hand in hand with Jesus – knowing that He will open up opportunities and go through them with me. Jeremiah 29:11 — God’s plans are good.
Today is the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Saying that a couple of times, I can just feel the weight lifting.
I won’t worry about tomorrow. I’m trusting in what You say. Today is the day.
Worry is destructive. It can overtake my mind and hinder me from seeing the possibilities. It attacks my trust. God is in control. He will make a way. I won’t worry!!
I’m putting my fears aside. I’m leaving my doubts behind. I’m giving my hopes and dreams to You – Jesus
Fear and doubt are right there with worry. God says “Trust Me. I will do more than you can even dream. Walk with Me.”
I’m reaching my hands to Yours – believing there’s so much more. Knowing that all You have in store for me is good. Is good!
When I trust Him, even when the situation seems impossible, He pours into my life the peace that passes my understanding. He is my ever present help in trouble. He makes a way where there seems to be no way.
Today is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I won’t worry about tomorrow. I’m trusting in what You say. Today is the day!
I will stand upon Your truth. All my days I’ll live for You!
Truth — Stand on truth!!
Click to hear the song — you will need to click again to hear it on utube. But remember — if you want to remain miserable then don’t listen.
til next time
About
Welcome to my fish bowl!
Things that matter to me are: God, family, friends, helping people, taking time to really live in the moment, and trying to slow down in a fast paced world.
To find out more click here.
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