Stuck in the Muck

07.12.19.  Goodness! What a great EMBRACED devo by Lysa TerKeurst! You've gotta get this book! (click the word Embraced for the link)

Lysa asks the reader who feels she is in the middle of a mess to answer the following question: Am I letting this mess define me or refine me? Then, she explains the reader's answer is crucial to feeling hopeless or hopeful. 

We all know we cannot stay in the mess whether the mess has us feeling stuck or stranded. Lysa uses scripture to develop three "Go-To Scripts" which become new patterns of thought to speak Truth of the Word into her mess. You'll just have to get the book and look up Day 42 for these Turning North Go-To Scripts.

Reading through today's devotion, my own messes came forward. Some are messier than others. It seems like there are always lessons to be learned in a muck of a mess.  I cannot imagine ever intentionally wanting to remain in a mess especially when we have the power within us to get out of the mess. However, when the mess leaves us feeling stranded --as if God forgot about us-- we can feel that hopelessness weighing heavier and pushing us deeper into the sludge.

I have been there. 

Honestly, I let the mess define me. The word abandoned seeped into my heart adding to the ugliness of being in the mess. From there, anger would climb over a great disappointment choking off my breath. I was sure I would become the first person in history that God forgot and refused to hear her prayers. It wasn't about the mess, anymore. It was about my brokenness.

It is important that Truth resides in your heart. For even when broken or stunned, Truth will surface.

When the enemy of my soul would insert a lie, Truth surfaced.

"God has forgot about you." Then, a bubble would break the surface, "Don't fear. I won't leave you nor forsake you."  


"God won't answer." <blip, blip, blip> "Don't be stressed. Don't be discouraged. I will help you with My right hand."

"You're too weak." <pppp-shsssssshhhhhhh> "You are more than a conqueror through God."

"This is impossible." <fizzy, fizzy, pop> "With God, nothing is impossible."

The scripture Truth I had memorized (maybe not remembering where they were located book, chapter and verse) was rising from the deep and so was my faith!

Then, I broke free to inhale sweet air and let it fill my lungs... "I am a child of God. I am chosen by the King. What touches my life is, first, felt by Him. He knows where I am. I cannot run or hide or be hidden where He cannot find me. I can come boldly to the throne in His presence making my requests known to Him. He hears my every cry. He goes before me and hems me in from behind. I put my hope and trust in Him because He loves me!"

Are you stuck in the muck or stranded in the mess of your own life situations? It's time to let Truth surface.

Oh Well Days

07.11.19.  The past two days have been Oh Well days. Today is sizing up as another.

Oh well.

It's not for a lack of faith nor for a lack of motivation that I don't resolve to seize the day with my usual zeal. My faith is still in tack. My "want to" is simmering just below the dark circles under my watery eyes. I've succumbed to my humanity...I have a cough, laryngitis and overall feeling of weakness. 

Another day chalked up to "Oh well, I gave it a shot. I'll feel better, tomorrow."

So, I cancel fitness classes, let the laundry stay in the dryer, pray, read, rest, and watch historical stories on Netflix until sleep claims me, once again. 

Remember those books called Chicken Soup for the Soul? Each story warmed your heart and lifted your spirit like the chicken noodle soup my hubby brought home from Chick-fil-A, last night. That's how I feel about the last couple of EMBRACED devos where Lysa TerKeurst serves biblical principles with personal experiences.

Because my noggin feels off-kilter and the pillow is calling through a fog slowly rolling in, I feel the need to quickly pass along some truth sparked from these daily devotions.

Celebrate small daily victories. Like battles won in a war, each victory is claiming ground for the territory of our souls. When we practice 2 Peter 1:5-9, we are strengthening our faith. How so? We add to or supplement our faith with things that we can work on, like choosing to do the right thing because it's the right thing (morals). Exercising self-control over whatever tends to trip us, builds our spiritual faith muscle. We are overcomers and our lives are a living testimony of God's mercy, grace and strength. People notice and are drawn to an overcoming life! 

Change the way you think. In Romans 12:1-2, we are encouraged to renew our process of living by renewing our minds. Actively engaging God's best as truth, by default we are automatically replacing negative thought patterns and defeating lies. It's like filling up on something so nourishingly fresh so that there is no room for the old, stale stuff. Keep returning to the table and your very taste changes for that fresh flavor. Our minds are transformed to recognize and respond to His truth. What is that truth? The last line of Romans 8:38-39 encapsulates it: nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do you see how one fuels the other? We feed our minds on God's best stuff and, then, live it out victoriously and, then, celebrate with a grateful heart bringing us back to the feast, again! 

So, while today may be another Oh, Well day for my body, I'm filling up and getting stronger in my soul!

Brokenness Mended Again

07.05.19.  Have you ever wanted to shake your fist to the heavens? Have hard times and insensitive behavior of others left you feeling kicked in the gut, broken-hearted and weak as water? Perhaps, you -like me-  have lifted a defiant chin, gritted your teeth and made a declaration as a modern version of Scarlett O'Hara. 

"As God as my witness, they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry, again."

I have been, there. Not so much the actual food dealio, but I have been there spiritually and emotionally. 

It's funny-not-funny that when I have been at the point where it felt like my spirit was broken and there was no strength to be summoned, up from some abyss deep within this 5'3" frame, a resolve slowly starts to steam its way upward, builds pressure at the back of my throat until it finds my tongue and I snap out a charge at God. 

"Are You listening? Do You see me? Why aren't You doing anything? Am I not Your child?"

If you read this with your finest idea of sarcasm and bitterness and frustration, you have come pretty close to how hard I symbolically shook my fist. I know He is big enough to take it. Honestly, I imagine He sighs at my outburst, "Finally, you're at a point of trusting My words instead of trusting your 'tools' to attempt to bury or heal your pain."

There is this one verse in Psalms 34 offered to bring comfort after someone dies and the loss is more than a loved one can bear. But, what if this same verse were applied when a person is face down with their soul shattered into thin, glass splinters and they are disillusioned with God? 

If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;

If you're kicked in the gut, He'll help you catch your breath.

Psalm 34:18 MSG

He knows me. He knows the motivation behind the frustration. He knows I know He's right there. Clearly I don't doubt His existence, because I'm hurling questions. I'm certainly not punishing Him with my silence. If perspective is reality, I think it's from a wounding of perceived abandonment that I and others angrily knit our brow and snarl our offenses as threats. 

What do we do after that? What do you do after that?

This post could go deep while the word count climbs to trace back the wounding to the heart of the matter and analyze from all angles and quote famous and knowledgeable people. But, I don't want to go there. 

I want to offer honest observation of my own brokenness-mended. 

I keep coming back and turning over all my stuff to the living and loving Heavenly Father who has known me from before recorded time and chooses to continue to love while walking me through every alleged disappointment I have with Him. After exhausting my challenge and shaking in my anger, God speaks and I absorb His love surrounding me. He gently sweeps up all the splintered pieces mending my brokenness with His Word and with His peace. 

Peace in chaos. This doesn't make sense.

I'm not suggesting I experience a cloud of cotton candy buffering my boo-boos as I float away in a totally relaxed state of mind while all my troubles disappear. On the contrary.

I've taken the freedom to note my interpretation of 1 Peter 5:7... "Give all your stuff to God, because He is most careful with you." 

All my stuff I just blasted Him with is an ammunitions offload while the chaos is still swirling around. By faith, I'm giving all my stuff to Him to deal with knowing when He speaks, my anxiety is hefted by shoulders bigger than mine. When He speaks, wisdom for direction is dropped into my noggin. When He speaks, hope is ignited with promise. It is after He speaks when I have clarity to focus on the truth of His Words and move with intentionality. 

What about you? Isn't it time to give all your stuff to Him? Are you done being angry with His way of doing things? He's got your best interest at heart and is ready when you are to talk it over. Are you ready to have your brokenness mended ...again?

---------------
I'm not quite sure what was in the Day 35 devo in the EMBRACED book by Lysa TerKeurst which sparked my thoughts. Order the book for your own 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close. 

Soul Feed

Weigh her soul.


Under nourished. 


What does she want?


She wants the burden lifted. She wants flight. 


Binging on empty calories from hours of social media and bubblegum books have left her sluggish. Not all, but some songs are sprinkled with sour lyrics and saucy themes. With too much salt, those seemingly tasty television series do little, but increase her thirst for that something she cannot quite figure out. Movies! Now, that's the dish to order! She's hungry and takes two...no, three slices with extra cheese!

Her insides want to escape the current mood which has attached itself from too much bad news and sad tales and of worldwide need. But, what does she need?

She needs to feast on the good and the whole and the sustaining. But, this soul is too weak, too numb, too groggy from the recent greasy, carb-load and, finally, succumbs to sleep.

Deep thirst awakens her soul. With focus, she is intentional to quench it with the writings of

others' books and blogs who, too, unwittingly starved their souls and are back to wholesome choices. Her soul drains the entire glass until the need for breath forces her to gasp and take search for sustenance. Ahhh.

"Taste and see." Mmmm, there it is! Soul food! She is satisfied with simple fare perfectly seasoned. Resolve is strengthened with this whole grain goodness of the Word. Desire for study with community is iron-fortified. Her soul is joyfully satiated! This soul feed is lasting, yet, resets the appetite for truth and prudence and living water.

The Dessert Menu: (suggested books & media & resources)
"A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash." -Proverbs 15:14 NLT
"An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies." -Proverbs 15:14 MSG
"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." -John 4:14 NLT

If this post resonates with your soul, please comment, below. I sure would like to hear from you.

Valley of the Shadow of Death

In September of 2005, my son was diagnosed with a tumor in his left wrist. Imagine tremors quaking through me randomly each day throughout that month. Julie Wharton, my friend of many years, was beside me in a flash when she witnessed anxiety reach a point where I could not catch my breath. I do not exaggerate when I say fear would sneak up on my blindside, sink it's fangs into my jugular and chew.

Early in the process my husband, son and I used the Word of God (Bible) more like a table knife jabbing at something while blindfolded. But, then, it happened, that we got "our holy mad on" as faith was nurtured and our target came into focus. No longer wimpy saints, we wielded the Sword with spiritual strength, prayed the scriptures and aimed our hope, trust and faith into the heart of the matter!

To relieve stress, early morning jogs on the treadmill became a necessity. While in the middle of one such jog, Psalm 23:4 shot through my brain: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.

At the end of that eternal month, no longer did my son's wrist ache and it was determined the tumor was not cancerous! 

I learned quite a few lessons during the actual testing period: When you don't have enough faith for yourself, friends and family strengthen you with their faith; With what you've nourished your spirit will come to the top; and, God desires to communicate with you.

Today, I was mulling over faith when, again, Psalm 23:4 shot through my brain while jogging. It occurred to me many people go through the valley of the shadow of death via different routes. Death of a dream. Death of the body. Death of a relationship. Death of a job. You get the picture. 

You may be there, now.

Convinced the Good Shepherd keeps His word and accompanies us through the valley, I am certain His staff is used to rescue us from the ledge. However, what would His rod -a different shepherding tool- be used for? I believe it is significant or it would not have been mentioned.

Here's what I think...

When my steps slow because of apathy, disobedience, anger or self-pity, He prods me forward with a strong prompting to the backside. When I'm distracted from the goal, the rod's nudge to my nose redirects my attention. When I'm frozen from fear, despair or depression, I hear the sound of His rod tapping against the hard surface reassuring He's there walking near me. And, when I don't see danger stalking me, His skillful handling of the rod clubs-in the head of the predator.

Let your faith rise. Encourage yourself in the Word. Keep moving! Some valleys simply are not meant to be inhabited, but journeyed through.

Priorities (Third Priority Part 2)

Welcome back to the second part of Priority 3!

1. God

2. Family

3. Ministry (or Career)

4. Myself

Please know that these points are not just clever ideas borrowed from knowledgeable sages. Oh, no. Each point, often painful, was experienced by me. I offer them to you and trust you’ll avoid the emotional scrapes and bruises, which do eventually heal.

My suggestions with regard to relationships and ministry…

• Develop relationships with all ages in the church. Your ministry will have a broader reach when you are able to bridge those gaps.

• Be cautious of your conduct with the opposite sex.

• Support other departments associated with your church. It all comes back to you and your department/ministry. A mental image of the Olympic symbol comes to my mind. As the five rings interconnect, so should our support with other departments. The business world calls it synergy when the sum of smaller groups is greater than its parts. Translation: Stronger Together!

• No appearance at church or related events suggests that the staff wife doesn’t need the people; is a snob; is unloving; is sick or lazy.

• Don’t use your children as an excuse to get out of something. That’s called a lie. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

• Smile. Always be pleasant and friendly…even to those who have hurt you. Shake hands before service, when possible, and always following service, when possible. Recently God whispered for me to stay put after service on the front row of the church we attend when we're actually in town. I've been amazed at the conversations, prayer requests, encouragement and opportunities which have come toward me as I "stay."

• Don’t keep everything in. Why? You’ll establish and fortify walls of resentment toward anything and anyone to do with ministry. Find a mature believer or mentor – outside of your church – with whom you can confide. A mature outsider will allow you to vent and, in turn, can speak into your life. A mature outsider won’t compromise you or your husband’s ministry position.

• People will press you as a staff wife for information before they will approach your husband. Why? Women are notorious for being “loose lips” and gossipers.

• Keep confidences. Two exceptions: (1) Your husband, and (2) in cases of abuse, this by law must be reported.

Philippians 1:27 is a good word for ministry couples. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” You’ll look back in a few years in fond remembrance and know these were truly the sweetest days of ministry.

December 2012, will be the final installment of our PRIORITIES blogpost lessons.  If you missed one, go to the Archive and catch up. If you have a question or comment, please message or email me. Most people seem to like the privacy of our conversations and that's totally cool!

~"Sam"

Girlfriends-in-Ministry: A Healthy Serving of Shepherd's Pie

A number of years ago, my minister-husband asked I teach a session during a conference to address the subject of Emotions. There is absolutely nothing wrong with emotions. Our emotions express our feelings of interaction with other humans. There is no sin in having emotions. In fact, the Old Testament records our Creator’s emotions in relating with His creation, His children. By His hand and breath, He has formed us with a great well of emotions.

The problem is when our emotions run away uncontrolled and lead us instead of us leading them. Because emotions are not in a solid form, it makes them difficult to handle.

The point is not to get rid of our emotions. The point is to manage or to “shepherd” these emotions with control in the right direction.

My disclaimer:  I, too, am a person full of emotions eager to be expressed in their many forms. In the past I have allowed some emotions to be out of balance…especially when I felt someone “pushed my buttons” or too many stresses of life piled on. I am not qualified to address this topic using my reserves of knowledge. Instead, I accessed credited sources, including: Managing Your Emotions by Joyce Meyer; Happiness is a Choice by Frank Minirth & Paul Meier; Blue Genes by Paul Meier; an enlightened conversation with Elizabeth A. Jones, Licensed Clinical PH.D of Christian Counseling Center and aligning all with the Holy Bible.

Taking an expository look into a childhood nursery rhyme, we'll whip up a recipe for  healthy emotions.

~

Little Bo Peep

Has lost her sheep

And doesn’t know where to find them.

But Jesus knows and can bring them home

Wagging their tails behind them!

~

"Little Bo Peep," our miniature shepherdess, represents us (you and me).

“Has lost her sheep”… Runaway Sheep represent our emotions. Ms. Peep has lost control of her emotions. When we start living totally led by emotions, we see through a skewed filter, which distorts every word and action by others. Ultimately this distortion leads us away from or out of the will of God. Decisions made are usually knee-jerk reactions based on how we “feel” at the time. 

“And doesn’t know where to find them”… Ms. Peep doesn’t know why she can’t gather her “sheep” (emotions) or can’t seem to get it together. A person who is crippled by the symptoms of broken emotions and unable to function from day-to-day should seek professional, good-quality counsel and/or Christian psychiatric care. Don’t be ashamed to get this counseling. Drs. Minirth & Meier suggest “Christian counseling is synonymous with discipleship.”

“But Jesus knows”… Jesus is the Word. And, the Word is God (John 1:1). He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He is everywhere at the same time (Ps 139:7-12). He is with you, now (Matt. 28:20). The Word knows everything (Isaiah 40:14, Colossians 2:2-3).

“And can bring them home”…

Step 1: Face Truth

“If you live out My word (teaching), you are truly My disciples.

And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The first thing is to face the truth and not live in denial. Admitting we are hurting from emotional wounds is the beginning of wrangling those runaway sheep.

Step 2: Forgive & Forget

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever offenses you may have.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colosians 3:13

Whether intentional or unintentional, offenses occur. One of the main causes for runaway sheep (uncontrolled emotions) is not forgiving someone or one’s self. If left to fester, these grudges will destroy you and your relationship with God and others. Yes, anger can be controlled. Read Ephesians 4:26.

Step 3: Spend Time in the Word

“Let God transform you by changing the way you think.”  Romans 12:2

It’s important to spend time each day reading the Word and applying it to our lives. When we constantly tell ourselves a lie, we’ll begin to believe that lie. In turn, when we read the Word of Truth, we begin to believe the Truth of the Word. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Step 4: Get Real with Family

Amnon, Tamar, Absalom & King David -  2 Samuel Chapters 13-19

Do all you can to resolve family/intimate relationship conflicts. Pray for the Holy Ghost to give you creative wisdom to accomplish this task. Spend time fortifying the family structure by promoting honest and open communication including opinions, allowing times of learning from mistakes, praising each other’s accomplishments, playing together, respecting one another, loving and forgiving to the fullest. Our children become us by actions and reactions. “Guard what has been entrusted to your care.” (1 Timothy 6:20)

Step 5: Build Friendships

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." 

Philippians 2:4

God created us to be social. The above verse reinforces the idea that once you get your

eyes off of yourself, your perspective will change. Develop healthy friendships with the

same sex. Many people feel a relief simply by talking to a friend who will truly listen and, if

need be, speak the truth in love. This friend would not judge nor compromise. AND, the day

may come whereby we become everything that person was to us.

Step 6: Practice Prayer

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

                                               

What could be more beneficial than intimate conversations with our Heavenly Father, the Great Shepherd? Prayer is the key to Christian living. Through prayer we access the Peace that should not exist in the chaos of this life. Through prayer we tap into the supernatural power able to save a person’s soul and heal broken emotions. The Holy Ghost can bring situations, people and our own personal weaknesses to light where we can target our prayers. Deciding to have an attitude of gratitude aligns the spirit with the will thus positioning us to receive from God. He meets us at the point of our need.

Step 7: Focus on Behavior

"God gives you the 'want to' [the will] and the ability to follow through [the act] to His

good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (SAMT - "Sam" Translation)

Just as Jesus comes to bring abundant life, Satan comes to destroy it. (John 10:10) He will always try to distort our way to the Way. By accessing the Word and good counsel, illumination occurs. We take responsibility for our runaway sheep. When you say, “I can’t,” you’re really saying, “I won’t.” God created in His image with a will to choose. We must employ self-dialogue and actions which bring positive change. We learn to choose or to “shepherd” our emotions.

“Wagging their tails behind them!” ... Wagging tails represent by-products of a process that involves a series of good choices or good shepherding. These byproducts are Joy, Happiness and Peace. “How long will it take to experience these by-products, again?” It’s your choice.

P.S.  My apologies for the eternal length of this blog post. I pray you find it a recipe you'll pass along to a friend-in-need. Please leave a comment, I would so love to connect with you!