100 Days of Summer 74-80/100

08.19.19. I love a fresh start. I even love Mondays. I know. Weird. On Mondays, there's the opportunity to start anew feeling energized. I love a do-over. Growing up, I played church volleyball. If you had any kind of accurate serve, your team was pretty much assured a win. But, if you missed and the ball went wonky or got caught in the net, you got a do-over! I loved church league volleyball for that little grace!

It's Monday morning. Remember, I love Mondays, but today, feels like it's on the brink of doom, like when there's a major fault in a dam and the little town, below, has been evacuated. I feel like my insides are on alert with a spinning red emergency light to that ear-piercing siren honk-blasting the warning. 

Just like the rings of the famous Olympic symbol, everything about us is interconnected with one part effecting the other parts -- body, mind, heart and soul, inside to outside. If one is weakened, the others will feel the need. 

So, I take a quick inventory.

Am I worried? [the mind] There's plenty to be anxious about. But can I actually change one of them by allowing my mind to brew in a vat of worry? No. If I were to make a list of the Top 10... naw, let's go lesser... Top 3 Worries, I may be able to alleviate them in a practical method, but ultimately God's got my back. He isn't surprised and He works on my behalf so that I can keep moving forward.

How's my soul? [the soul] A soul weakened by neglect or hunger can topple the entire structure of body, mind and heart. But, I've been nourishing my soul with scripture and praise music and prayer, both privately and with others. My soul is full and spiritually strong.

Am I tired? [the body] It's been an engaging weekend with a physically exhausting week prior. Some time back in one of the previous 79 devotions in the Embraced book, Lysa TerKeurst acknowledges her own fatigue overlapping into her emotions: A depleted girl can quickly become a defeated girl when she lets emotions dictate her reactions. 

Am I broken-hearted? [the heart/emotions] Aha. Ouchies. Found it. For me, today, this one tends to sit on the curb slack shouldered and teary. This is the culprit that catches in my throat prompting me to ask Why. This is the reason I want to quit everything and run from the crushing pain isolating my broken heart from anything or anyone who intentionally or unknowingly caused the injury. What do ya know, there was a crack in the dam and my eyes are leaking.

Like that little dark cloud raining above a cartoon character's head everywhere he goes, the sadness will hang around. I can't speed off away from it thinking it'll remain in the dust I just left. Nope. That's stinkin' thinkin'. 

It's time to take sound action to acknowledge the hurt [the mind], to pull back from the busyness into a quiet comfortable place for as much time as I need to let all my parts gather in rest [the body] to let being in God's presence [the soul] begin mending my brokenness [the heart].

I won't let this crushing feeling choke my energy by tangling up my thoughts. I choose to trust God.

It make take awhile. And, in the middle of my heartache it may feel like God's not around. But, I will hang my hope in His peace because His love is constant as the sun and His faithfulness is everlasting. This is what I trust. This is where I will find healing. 

"All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness to those who keep His covenant and His testimony." (Psalm 25:10)
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalm 34:18)

This is the embrace.

Follow The Twins

06.15.19.   Trust & Rest are complimentary words. In a way, they are twins. 

We see both in Psalm 23 frolicking in a meadow and making their way to the refreshing stream. Like lambs they are herded by the Good Shepherd to this scenic place. And, because they are twins connected by some unseen tether, they stay close separating just far enough each can sense the other twin's nearness. 

An onlooker could hardly distinguish the two until they moved together. Their DNA is so similar, but their personalities reveal the difference. 

Trust has that frisky nature. Meandering quietly along until he looks up alerted to something only he sees, kicks his heels, and darts forward, occasionally, headbutting another lamb. He makes it to the shore's edge, first, and calls out the invitation. 

Tenderly grazing along is Rest, the gentle-eyed sibling, who is in no hurry. Eventually he joins his brother and sees the best spot to kneel for a cool sip. Because the other sheep having been traveling in this herd for most of their lives, they've seen the twins in action and follow. Then, together, they find a nesting area in the grass to lay their travel-sore bodies and slumber deep through the night until morning's light wakes them. Strength being restored, they rise and follow The Good Shepherd out, again.

The relationship of the twins to the Good Shepherd is easily missed if not understood. In His wisdom, He has prodded and protected the herd for the entire journey in the direction that was known to Him. At times the landscape was treacherous, but from His vantage point, the path always visible. He knew each sheep from birth and watched them grow into the pet-names He lovingly bestowed. At times the herd would need a course correction, because they had wandered apart as they were busy doing what sheep do, but He found each one.

The Good Shepherd had watched little Trust and Rest move in partnership and encouraged them to continue. Each time, the flock followed the twin's behavior, He observed those sheep would be ready for the next part of the journey.

Dear Reader - Are you soul-weary? Your heart too heavy for another step? Perhaps your body aches from the daily journey weighted with a burden?

It's time. Time to follow The Good Shepherd who knows the path to the lush meadow where your needs will be met. It's time to Trust as He leads you to the safe and perfect place where nourishment awaits as a feast. It's time to Rest completely knowing He watches over you as your body, mind and soul are restored.

We can push ourselves to the physical and emotional limit, yet, feel like we have not done enough. Then, in our own weakened condition, we keep pushing until our body and mind give out.

I see this in ministry leaders and family leaders and business leaders. They work and pull and push and burn the blue light of technology late into the night trying to get an edge or get ahead not aware of the toll it's having on them and those around them. Y'all, even God the Creator rested! 

We go, go, go not eating right and not resting properly until utter exhaustion when the body begins to break down leaving the immune system compromised for a cold or some germ to take hold and the mind can no longer focus with clarity rendering decision-making and creativity lifeless. Our "machine" is forced to stop. Are you familiar with this cycle?

Probably the most debilitating is the weariness in your soul where nothing satisfies. The desire for anything feels dead. Passion has no flame. Isolation would feel so good if it didn't hurt so bad. Depression picks up a heavy blanket with its bony fingers, wraps it around your shoulders and clicks off the light leaving you to spiritually decompose.

Come to me, all you who are weary and 

burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

It's time. Time to evaluate your need to Trust and Rest in the Lord's best for you.

After this morning's quiet 5 minutes of praise and prayer, Lysa TerKeurst's words in the EMBRACED Day 15 Devo sparked my soul. Let me encourage you to order or download a copy either at Amazon (click this link) or at Lysa's ministry to women, Proverbs 31 (click this link). AND... for heaven's sake -- go eat and take a nap!

Show Me the Weird Thing

06.11.19. You may have noticed a lapse of posting due to a special social event of the summer, my mom-in-law's wedding!

If your vision of the small town pastoral couple is the quiet life of a village parson living in the modest rectory where steeple bells toll the call to worship across the dell and cherry blossoms gently blow on the breeze, you may have read too many Jane Austen books.

Don't get me wrong, I believe the ministry life is one of the best out there, because of the connections and the community and the opportunities of building a life with the common goal of sharing in relationship with God. Alas, there are toilets to be cleaned, bake sales to organize, choirs to direct, Sunday school classes to be taught, pianos to be played, volunteers to lassoed and chickens to be fried! All this while keeping your own home together and being able to drop it all should someone go into the hospital or your hubby-pastor invites the board of deacons over for coffee and homemade peach cobbler immediately following the Sunday night service or your own children start puking -- which, by the way, intermittent, projectile vomit always seems to happen on Sunday morning!

My in-laws lived in the parsonage steps away from the church where they ministered just outside of Tulsa. He loved to immerse himself in the community and she worked beside him. After Paps died, her life changed dramatically. His death meant they were released from the present commission and she needed a new home.

The family helped pack and relocate all of her adult life into a moving van bound for Oklahoma City, where she would start her new life as a widow. This she did for almost 10 years until an 81 year old widower asked her to go out for dinner. On Saturday, June 8th, they started a together-life. 

Over the weekend, I didn't ditch my 100 Days of Summer Devos, we were too busy with the #momsgettingmarried weekend to blog about them. I would encourage you to purchase a copy of Lysa TerKeurst's EMBRACED to catch what I couldn't write about. I did highlight key thoughts:

Meeting with God before we set out working for Him is a place where we are fueled by His presence and power. "This is the daily sacred exchange where ministry duty turns into pure delight." I want to be busy doing the Lord's work WITH the Lord not as a lone ranger.

Lysa repeats a prayer before she meets with God in this "daily sacred exchange." Her simple prayer reminded me of the one I pray not nearly as book-worthy, nonetheless, effective. My pre-devo prayer: God, show me the weird thing I've never seen, before, in Your Word. And, show me how to apply it, today.

Spending time with Him consistently places us in a position of hearing what deep, divine treasures He wants to reveal in our everyday, mundane things, but we've got to look for it. As we develop the spiritual muscle of looking for Him, "we become changed people who live out the reality of God" and don't need to feel overlooked by everyone else, because we are "handpicked by God" to experience His checklist.

There is a pattern. Do you see it? Intimacy. It's not like our human version which holds back a portion of ourselves until we feel enough time has gone by that the other person has proven they are trust-worthy. God jumps in on Day 1 with an invitation to seek spending time with Him with every ounce of our being. With great delight, He wants to show us the hidden treasures and the weird things while on the greatest adventure that has its starting point, here and now, and continues on into eternity. 

Trust the Lord from the bottom of your heart;
Don't try to figure everything out on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do and everywhere you go;
He'll keep you on track!

Proverbs 3:5-6 msg 

You can have that intimacy. If you're unsure as to how that happens, message me!

The Pineapple Connection

06.02.19.  For a sometimes-blogger who would rather blog about recipes, I've already asked myself if I plan to post for 100 days. 

In case you missed it, you are invited to join me for #100DaysofSummer praying and listening to God as we read through Lysa TerKeurst's EMBRACED: 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close.

Umm, as for posting for 100 days? That decision would be... 
Let's see... What's the right word?
Got it! 
That decision to post for 100 days would be crazy! 
C-R-A-Yto-theZ.

Maybe not crazy for Lysa TerKeurst and not crazy for you, but for me that's one big, crazy challenge and could even fall under the "Read to Fall Asleep" tab. <snore> What if not a single soul reads it? What would that have benefited? What if I skip posting for a day or more? What if I had made the ambitious decision to post 100 days after drinking too much caffeine? What if it were really God who planted the idea in my noggin?

The rain slapping the bedroom window woke me before the alarm, which yielded extra time, to read Day 2 devo before I was out the door to church. Grabbing a quick prayer for God to use Lysa's words and the scripture references to speak to my spirit, I dove into "The Pineapple Principle." When you get the book or listen to the audiobook for yourself, you'll understand the why for the chapter title. 

This is to be my year for cultivation. Cultivating business and ministry and fitness opportunities and relationships. Five months and two days into 2019, has been an amazing adventure by training for my first sprint triathlon, appropriately named First-TRI, and running The Flying Pig Half Marathon with Terry in Cincinnati which was an epic meet-up with Coach Jenny Hadfield and around 60 members and spouses of her online community known as The Challenge. I have spent time and energy to cultivate new classes for REFIT® and REV+FLOW in a new women's gym. In addition to working with Calcutta Mercy, Terry and I put our noses to ye olde grind stone to crank up the intensity with the ministry we quietly launched in 2016, to honor, encourage and connect with ministry and business leaders and their spouses. MVP Leadership Group is that 2016 dream-baby with the website launching June 5.

All of this cultivation is turning up the fallow ground for my own Pineapple (of a different variety) Principle: Authentic Connection.

My personality can be categorized as a Social-Introvert. Clinically, I'm sure it has a name. My friend, Cammy, suggests reading Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, where the author uses the term "socially poised introvert." For me, being 100% introvert 24/7/365 will never be possible due to being in the public, accompanying my hubby to minister in churches, loving people and leading fitness classes. All of which demands being socially connected. 

Many people I know want authenticity to lace fingers with connection and stroll easily down the boulevard. What causes my abs to tighten, is they desire this authentic connection for me in multiple small groups and in church. This intersection feels more like being in the crosshairs of a rifle! My question is why is this so important to them?

My family is pretty private. We have a small handful of friends who have been and remain confidants. We reciprocate. In the past, "living in authenticity" with a tribe was not safe and could be used -even twisted- against a ministry couple. As a result, my habit of privacy developed a tough skin around my spirit. People knew I was approachable because I wore a smile. They trusted I would not compromise their authenticity because I am proven to be safe and treat their authenticity with care. But in turn, I would not trust people enough to share my insides. Transparency is scary.

As I continue to experience others in authentic connection or authentic community, I feel it is important to be known and loved for who we are. This doesn't excuse bad behavior or sin. This connection is about trust and having the courage to be known and loved unconditionally. It's about letting others speak truth in an honest affection where exposure feels safe instead of compromising.

So, here's authentic me cutting away the pineapple skin just enough to connect with you, the reader. God has used my 2019 word, CULTIVATE, to open myself to others as did the early church in Acts 2:42. It's a process. I'm not exactly all in, but it's a start.

"They spent their time learning from the leaders, and they were like a caring family to each other. They shared meals, together, and prayed about all the things, together" (Acts 2:42 SAM translation).

By the way, the tough skin of a pineapple is actually called the epicarp. When that is opened, the tender, sweet insides are exposed to the ones who love. As for posting daily for 100 days, we'll see how that panned out in 98 days.

If you can relate, somehow, to any of this, please drop me a note, below. 

Personal Desperation

Hubby was out of the country. It was my turn to teach the Bible study group. Praying and prepping led to a study of being spiritually desperate for the Divine. Wrapping up the study were three points when being in personal desperation.

A whisper tugged at me, "Pay attention. You're gonna need this."

STOP trying to manipulate a solution to your problem .

God’s ways and thoughts are higher than my own and my attempts to bring about a solution can often worsen the situation. 

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your way and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).

Ok, God. Point taken.

PERSIST in crying out to God in prayer.

I’m guilty of wanting to pray, once, and be done because I want God to immediately respond. While instant answers to prayer do happen, I am on God's to-do list as He develops strength and faith in me when answers are delayed and I continually come to Him. 

Taking the reins comes honestly almost innately to me. My mom raised us to be independent, reminding us, "You don't need anyone." I kick into gear. It's not an act of rebellion or being snarky. Consequently, when answers to prayer are delayed, I assume the responsibility and take matters into my own hands. 

To say God is too busy isn't my thought process. However, my actions truly stem from the root of a lack of persistence to trust Him. 

Here I am, still learning this lesson. When answers are delayed, we are spending more time in prayer or even joining in prayer meetings. Join me in letting our problems drive us to the Problem-Solver!

WAIT for God’s solution and breakthrough.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31)

Once God responds, don’t stop there. Let your heart and soul burn brightest with His desperation to see others come to Him.

And, for the record... I am in the big, fat middle of needing this. Stop. Persist. Wait. Repeat. <sigh>

Does this ring true with you? Say so, below. Someone may need to hear your voice.

December Advent Week 2

Monthly fitness or food or photo challenges have been part of my new lifestyle for the past couple of years. But, it's December and those of the childlike heart await the arrival of Christmas and Santa and presents. The only challenge is to not sneak a peek! There have been eleven challenging months. December needs no challenge. December is expectant. December is celebration. December is the crossing off of days to something grand!

I choose to mark the advent of Christmas and the New Year with words of importance and contemplating how I respond to those words, daily. Will you sit with me to mull these words? Will you allow them to unlock a puzzle box inside your spirit preparing you for the future?

If we should accidentally drop a day, we will not sweat it, but will turn around from our too-busy stride to reclaim the word and the beautiful gifts of God's thoughts He has waiting just for us.

December Advent Week 1

Monthly fitness or food or photo challenges have been part of my new lifestyle for the past couple of years. But, it's December and those of the childlike heart await the arrival of Christmas and Santa and presents. The only challenge is to not sneak a peek! There have been eleven challenging months. December needs no challenge. December is expectant. December is celebration. December is the crossing off of days to something grand!

I choose to mark the advent of Christmas and the New Year with words of importance and contemplating how I respond to those words, daily. Will you sit with me to mull these words? Will you allow them to unlock a puzzle box inside your spirit preparing you for the future?

If we should accidentally drop a day, we will not sweat it, but will turn around from our too-busy stride to reclaim the word and the beautiful gifts of God's thoughts He has waiting just for us.