Category: Faith

Finding Hope Along the Journey Called Life

5/11/2016

Every moment is a unique place we’ve never been. The familiar becomes the unfamiliar. Trusting our unchanging God when we’re traveling uncharted territory is vital to finding hope. Sorrow, suffering, brokenness, are all an inevitable part of our journey. We could not know love without loss and sorrow, joy without suffering, and peace (wholeness) without brokenness.

When you're trying to find your way through the messy road of hurt, cling to what you know is true—-we have an unchanging God. That doesn’t mean the road of hurt to healing and hope is going to be easy; it will more than likely be a messy journey full of detours. And your journey is not going to be like someone else’s—-it’s a personal journey with a personal, loving God traveling the road with you. I wish there were five easy steps to no longer feel your pain, but there’s no such thing. What you do have are cross-shaped blazes marking the way to finding hope, reminding you of the truths found in God’s Word. Christ is your hope of glory, your hope for healing and peace. Based upon the truths found in God’s GPS system (His Word), I can promise you, you will get through this. He is with you because He doesn't leave you to walk this journey alone.

Grief tempts us to walk alone because it’s raw and messy and we don’t want to be seen as weak. Fight against that temptation to walk the trail alone. Walk knowing He is with you and ask Him to bring godly friends to walk beside you on this path to healing. They will be “Jesus with skin on’ as you journey through the messy paths of life.

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; f
or why does one also hope for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance, we wait eagerly for it.”
Romans 8:24,25

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When You Walk Away With Empty Arms

2/9/2016

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Babies aren’t supposed to die. They’re supposed to be born, grow up, and die when they’re old and gray adults. But we live in a fallen world and sometimes the fallout lands on us.

Lucie would be 5 years old today had she lived. It's hard to believe that much time has passed, and yet in some ways, it feels like yesterday.

Her then 16-year-old Mom was one of my clients. We knew early on Lucie would die shortly after being born, so we had time to prepare. . . if you can ever prepare for holding life and death in your hands within minutes of each other. Together we clung to God’s rope of hope and experienced the presence of God in the midst of great sorrow and suffering. It was a presence that empowered the young Mom, “T”, to survive the scars and planted seeds of hope that eventually blossomed. Today she is a thriving young woman in her junior year of college with dreams of going into the medical field.

"T" called me this morning, as she has every February 9th. We spent a few minutes catching up with each other, but mostly, we shared tears yet again. Five years ago our tears intermingled on the most heartbreaking day of her life; the day baby Lucie breathed her first and last breaths. The following day she walked away from the hospital with empty arms and a broken heart. Today, her aching arms are still empty, but her broken heart is mending, knowing God is using this in her life; and knowing one day she will see Lucie again in heaven--strong, healed, and whole.

Tears are a strange sort of gift God uses as a conduit to fill the broken hearted with His other gifts.

The rest of this post is from my journal dated February 9, 2011. May it bring someone with empty arms a gentle hug filled with comfort and hope.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

"In some ways life has flown by this week, and yet in other ways, life stood still. It’s been a week of savoring both the sacredness and the sorrows of life. I’ve seen grace abound, yet I’ve also pleaded for more in the dark hours of grief, fumbling to make sense of how life and death come from the same Hand at nearly the same moment.

I’ve witnessed first hand an umbilical cord cut, ushering in new life; only to watch that life silently pass. Like a butterfly’s dance in the wind, so has life been this week; a thing of beauty and grace, fluttering about and then suddenly it is no more.

The grace of God has trained us for this moment. Forced to feel the burn of pain in order to benefit from the fruit of His grace both now and later. We knew life and death would come partnered together.

But it’s hard.

It’s hard to listen to a mother’s sweet voice singing tender lullabies to her child and minutes later hear the guttural tones of a mother’s heart being ripped from her chest.

I sat helpless by her side holding them both in my arms. Were the bitter tears I tasted my own or hers? I could not tell for they were mingled together.

“God, shower your grace upon us! Help us see You through this pelting storm!” My heart cried silently – I think. Maybe I whispered it aloud. Maybe that’s why I tasted the salty, bitter tears.

I may have been the teacher, the mentor, the life coach through all of this, but He has taught me life lessons as well. Lessons I need to write down as reminders of these gifts He’s given me this week, gifts cloaked in sadness and pain as well as some with great joy."

Processing Life's Gifts
(More from my journal entry from February 9, 2011)

"When I look only for blessings through the conduit of happy times and prayers answered ‘my way’ as an assurance of His love, I’m limiting my experience of God. All things come to me through His hand. Dare I only select the tastiest seeds to dine on and ignore the seeds that don’t taste as sweet? Are they not both meant for my good?

His gift to me is the full vocabulary of life’s poetry and sometimes there are words and stanzas of sorrow and grief.

As I listened to this young mother’s songs of lullabies and laments, I’ve realized His gift is all the music, even the discordant phrases and movements that are sometimes difficult and tragic. There is beauty to behold in His singing over me.

I can be as enthralled by life and it’s stony and sometimes thorny paths as I can be with its sunshine and flowers.

The full measure of life’s gifts include brokenness and trials, the kinds that transform me for His glory.

Those hard things that surround me can not destroy or harm me. Sometimes that hard place is actually God Himself standing up against that which seeks to destroy my faith. He’s my rock, my refuge, my fortress, a sheltering strong tower.

More than having life my way, He is what I want.

He is Life’s Gift."

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When Life Freezes You Dead in Your Tracks

1/8/2016

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St. Joseph Lighthouse on Lake Michigan. Taken January 6, 2014 encased in ice as the Midwest was hit with a "polar vortex", causing wind chills to reach -50 degrees. Thanks to KRNV News 4 for the photo.

Even the most steadfast beacons of hope can become paralyzed when hit by a polar vortex. There's just no way to prevent life's harshness from immobilizing us sometimes.

A constant barrage of cruel, demoralizing words. . . the feeling of being totally isolated and alone. . . catastrophic illness. . . the sudden loss of a loved one. . . just some of the polar vortexes that freeze us dead in our tracks, unable to move.

People may look at your frozen state and see things you are unable to see because you are entombed. They will see the intricate handiwork of God working in your life, supporting you, enabling you to stand in this storm. Their stares and comments may not appear to you as the help you were so desperately seeking. Sometimes there's just not anything anyone can tangibly do in that moment.

Take heart, dear one. You are standing on The Rock. This is not permanent, nor will you be forever destroyed. In His time, He will thaw the icy tomb that is encasing you at this moment. You will come through this polar vortex and shine once again, giving glory to God for all He has done.

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A Dance of Faith

12/4/2015

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There I stood on the riverbank of the Tellico River, totally enthralled by the glow of the setting sun. It’s luminescence created a pageantry of translucent colors dancing on the trees. The slow moving waters below mirrored the splendor until a gentle breeze captivated some of the dancers and whirled them downward where they became immersed in the reflection of their former glory. Their final waltz in the gentle waters brought them to my feet at the river’s edge, completely submerged, still looking straight into the eyes of their Creator.

I found myself wanting to identify with the journey of those submerged leaves. In every season, they had a purpose in the cycle of life. They did not try to fight their way out of the place they now found themselves. They just continued to reflect His glory.

Trials come in all shapes, sizes, and seasons. It’s not up to me to demand answers from God every step of the way. My response is to be so fixated upon the One who created me that I will find joy in the depths of each trial. Every song He sings over me, whether in a major or minor key, is part of the dance of faith that is meant to produce a willing obedience to follow His lead as He waltz’s me homeward. The fluid motions of faith find me dancing in the arms of my Father. He pulls me in even closer to the intimate chambers of His heart–a place where I encounter unexplainable, uncanny joy. . . and in that moment, I found peace.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. . .
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:2-4,12

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Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is My Banner

6/27/2015

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He is still Jehovah Nissi today. He fights battles on our behalf and provides the victories. What are you battling today? Drugs, sex, abuse, anger, unforgiveness, fear, a false sense of identity? Whatever it is, God will fight this battle with you and give you victory. Do you trust Him? Are you willing to surrender control of your out-of-control life, and place your battle into His hands?

I'm writing about the game Capture the Flag, Sgt. York, and Moses over at Laced With Grace. I invite you to join the conversation over there.

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Taking Inventory of Life

5/30/2015

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Great wealth is not related to money. It is an attitude of satisfaction coupled with inner peace, day-by-day, moment-by-moment walk and talk with God that declares, ‘Lord, You are enough.’ To summarize this in a word…Contentment.

Contentment isn’t something we’re born with. In fact, we’re born with the desire for more…more food, more stuff, more of whatever makes me happy…that craving for more is actually an inner craving for more about the Who and not about the what. And so we must learn to seek contentment, to seek the Who of the craving rather than the abundance of having more. Now don’t get me wrong, having “stuff” isn’t wrong unless we desire it more than we desire God Himself.

I love my collection of books and teacups, and my home. But lately I’ve been looking around and asking myself, what would be my bear necessities? What could I subtract from my life and still be content. I entered this world empty-handed; and I’ll leave the same way. I don’t plan on getting rid of everything while I’m alive barring a catastrophic storm. I want to enjoy those things that bring me pleasure, but not at the expense of being controlled by them. And so I've asked myself:

If I strip life down to only the essentials, simplify my lifestyle;
something to eat, something to wear, and a roof over my head, could I be content? WOULD I be content?

Everything beyond the essentials I’m considering as non-essential. No matter how I classify it, it’s all given by His gracious hand. It goes without saying, my husband, children and grandchildren are important to me, they're my heartbeat. I don't even want to think about life without them. But I know many who have lost a part - even all - of their "heart." As I’ve learned from the life of Job, the Lord gives and He takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. It’s foolish for me to trust in any abundance I may have for security. Ultimately, my loved ones and all my possessions could be gone in the blink of an eye. That leaves me with this truth:
The only lasting satisfaction is being content with God alone.

I’m thankful for my family. I'm thankful He has chosen to supply me with things to enjoy. I’m content. But should I ever lose a part of my heart or have to pare down and live with less, I pray I will remember this conversation I’m having with myself and anyone reading this. My life is blessed not because of things. My life is blessed because I know the Giver, and that possession, that Gift, can never be taken from me.

Verses to Ponder:
Psalm 63
1 Timothy 6:6-19

Have you taken inventory of your life lately?
What are your essentials and non-essentials?
What could life be stripped down to and you'd still be able to say,
Blessed be Your name.

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The Hard Prayers to Live and Die By

5/27/2015

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My heart breaks for those suffering persecution. Would to God I could rescue them all. But they already have a rescuer, a redeemer, who has not abandoned them even though it may appear He has to some who have suffered for so long.

Having a daughter and her family serving as missionaries in a third world country, I find myself continually surrendering them to God, asking Him to protect them, and to also give them (and Mike and I) the grace they need should He call them to give their lives. It's a hard prayer, a prayer for grace to live and die by.

And that is my prayer for all Christians everywhere. That we would be given the grace to stand - to live for Him even if it's to kneel before the enemy and be beheaded...then Lord, grant us dying grace. The world is moved by the testimony of the saints as they point to the Savior. May God grant us all grace and peace in the midst of horror, and perseverance in the midst of persecution (and mounting persecutions in our own country.) We simply must fix our eyes on Him, the author and finisher of our faith. He calls us to action, and so we do what we can amidst evil and corruption, but we can't rely upon human governments to fix the world. At best they can put a band-aid on it. This battle has been going on since the fall of man. Some are called to be martyrs, but they are not redeemed by their martyrdom, nor are they capable of redeeming others through their heroic act of courage. There is only One who can redeem the world.

Here is the hard truth...

Jesus came to rescue and redeem EVERYONE! Not just the ones we deem as worth saving.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Try to wrap your mind around the full essence of truth found in this verse. He bore the sins of the world...the WHOLE world. Those people doing all that persecution of Christians around the world, groups like ISIS...He died for them. God is grieved by sin, He abhors it. And yet He desires all men to be saved and made it possible through His Son, Jesus Christ. Me, I'm ready to send every last one of them to hell.... how self-righteous of me! Those politicians that we can't stand because they're making a mess of our country....we criticize and get angry at them, we ridicule, point fingers and place blame. Yep...He died for them.

I just can't fathom His fathomless grace.

Mark Mosley is a Christian inspirational speaker. He shared a humbling reminder of just how vast His infinite sacrifice for all mankind is.

Jesus bore the sins of the Assyrians, who gloated over the captives they had skinned alive; the sins of SS troops, machine-gunning women and children running from burning synagogues with clothing ablaze.

Jesus bore the sins of child molesters, making sure their victims never have to testify; the sins of the Pharaohs, sacrificing thousands of laborers' lives, to build themselves deifying tombs.

Jesus was tossed about in these endless storms: enraged fathers beating toddlers to death; pimps seducing runaways into lives of drugs and prostitution; church ladies cannibalizing other church ladies over coffee; Canaanites throwing their children to Moloch, their sun god; impoverished parents in China selling their children into slavery.

Jesus bore the sins of embezzlers; gangsters; bullies; rapists; liars; the indifferent; the sadistic; the self-righteous Bible-believing leaders praying long and loud, while their wives sat in back pews praying that heavy make-up covered their bruises.

It is a scene of unbearable horror and unspeakable madness. He is the accused for us all, bearing the weight of abused children; families destroyed by adultery or apathy; civilizations decaying; wars ravaging victims. Yet, through it all, deep in the terror of hell, He keeps His eyes wide open.

He is not just a bystander caught in the accident; He has come deliberately. He will accept it all, absorbing the full force of this storm of wrath in His body, His mind, His heart, and His soul, until there is nothing left to feel.

Finally, the tumbling will slow a bit; the storm will slacken, and Jesus will lift Himself on His nailed feet to snatch a gasp of air and force His swollen tongue to shout, "It is finished—I've come; I've seen; I've paid for it all."

Won't you join me in praying for the persecuted church? Here are some helpful prayer points to lead us in praying effectively for them...and their persecutors.

I would add to that last line, "And I have borne all this for them." The mercy that God expended upon mankind at the cross was immeasurable. Christ died for the worst of sinners, and loved the most hateful of enemies. What a powerful reminder of God's enormous love! Christ bore our sin and our punishment so we could bear His righteousness and His reward.

I'm humbled...perplexed...overwhelmed by His grace and mercy. What an amazing grace.

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Remember to Remember

5/25/2015

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Visions of Memorial Days past are running through my mind. Marching in or standing on the curb watching patriotic parades in honor of our fallen soldiers, flags waving, Veterans saluting as Old Glory passes by. Homes decorated in patriotic buntings of red, white and blue and the smell of charcoal grills filling the air with the aroma of well done burgers and hot dogs.

It’s a day off, giving the benefit of a long three day weekend. Some travel to the beach or the mountains as a way of kicking off the premature celebration of Summer. Local swimming pools fill with children that don’t seem to mind the chilly water temperature as their parents soak up the sun’s warming rays. It’s a time of gathering with family and friends and enjoying being able to get back outside together for a leisurely picnic.

But all of this came at great expense. Men and women sacrificed their lives on battlefields and in the trenches of war, fighting for the privilege of freedom that we so nonchalantly enjoy. Their bodies lay lifeless and cold in cemeteries across America and around the world, the price they paid so we could continue to enjoy life freely.

May we all pause and remember to remember the valiant deeds of soldiers past and present, and pay homage and honor by acknowledging their sacrifice. Let’s remember to remember to pray for the families that are still reeling from the loss of a husband, a wife, a father, a mother, a son, a brother, a daughter, a sister. Their long weekend is yet another series of long days marking the passing of their loved one, their hearts screaming out, “Don’t forget my loved one not only died, but he had a life. I want you to know my loved one. Ask me about his life, talk about him. Remember to remember him. Please don’t forget him!”

How easy it is to forget sacrifices made for the sake of freedom. Perhaps that is why we were given the instructions as a body of believers to observe communion regularly. We are to be stirred up to remember to remember the sacrifice Christ made, the shedding of His blood so we could be free from the penalty of sin and enjoy a life lived in honor of Him. We’re to remember to remember to proclaim His death until He comes again.

“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘
This is My body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of Me.’
In the same way He took the cup also, after supper saying,
‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-26

This Memorial Day, examine your life. Are you remembering to remember our fallen soldiers? Are you remembering to remember the sacrifice of our Savior? What are you doing to honor those who have paid the price for your freedom?

Father, it’s easier to forget than it is to remember the sacrifice You and others have made for me. Help me to remember to remember, and to live a humble life that exemplifies a heart of gratitude towards all that have paid freedom’s price. I love You.

Your Humbly Grateful Daughter.

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Are You "Bearly" Making It Through Your Day?

5/23/2015

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For those times in your life when you feel like you can "bearly" make it through the day... remember you can trust Him to see you through. Cry out before Him and He will answer. Like a parent lifting the head of a weeping child, He will lift your head and look you in the eyes and say, "It's gonna be alright. I got this. Now just calm down and catch your breath. Trust me." Salvation belongs to the LORD.

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5 Examples of God's All Sufficient Grace in Action

5/11/2015

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“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9).

It sounds like an oxymoron, for power to be optimized in weakness, but it's true. God's Word clearly tells us. And I can also attest to it through personal encounters with God's all sufficient grace.
So, what does it mean? How does an all sufficient grace manifest itself in my life?

It means that when I'm exhausted and I can't possibly go an inch farther and yet I'm in a situation where I must—His grace is sufficient for me...He give me the needed strengthen to finish.
It means when that person that has a way of getting under my skin (I know you're thinking of someone-we all have one or two like that in our lives) is absolutely annoying me and I want just want to walk the other way or be rude to them—His grace is sufficient for me...I'm able to extend grace, grace that they need almost as badly as I do.
It means when I find my blood boiling and I'm tempted to lash out at someone with unkind, harsh words—His grace is sufficient for me...I'm able to control my tongue and not allow harsh words fly from my mouth, only words that are seasoned with grace.
It means when I find myself in a place of temptation to spend money unwisely, or eat something I shouldn't because I'm trying to eat healthy and lose weight (did someone say chocolate?)—His grace is sufficient for me...I'm able to use restraint and develop discipline but not feel restricted or denied.
It means when I'm feeling confused and uncertain about what direction to go when I'm making a decision—His grace is sufficient for me...He gives me peace and makes my path clear. Here's a free download from me to you about how to know God's will.

What are you in need of His all-sufficient grace for? A financial need? A need regarding a relationship with someone? Grieving the loss of a loved one? Loneliness? Fear? Mental, physical, spiritual health issues?

No matter what is going on in your life, His grace is sufficient for you, He will bring the power for your weakness. His resources are available to meet your needs 24/7, all you need to do is ask.

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Finding Hope Along the Journey Called Life

When You Walk Away With Empty Arms

Tears are a strange sort of gift God uses as a conduit to fill the broken hearted with His other gifts.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Processing Life's Gifts
(More from my journal entry from February 9, 2011)

When Life Freezes You Dead in Your Tracks

A Dance of Faith

Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is My Banner

Taking Inventory of Life

The Hard Prayers to Live and Die By

Here is the hard truth...

Won't you join me in praying for the persecuted church? Here are some helpful prayer points to lead us in praying effectively for them...and their persecutors.

Remember to Remember

Are You "Bearly" Making It Through Your Day?

5 Examples of God's All Sufficient Grace in Action

The Muser

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Please Respect the Muser's Work

Tears are a strange sort of gift God uses as a conduit to fill the broken hearted with His other gifts.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Processing Life's Gifts (​More from my journal entry from February 9, 2011)

Here is the hard truth...

Won't you join me in praying for the persecuted church? Here are some helpful prayer points to lead us in praying effectively for them...and their persecutors.

The Muser

Categories

Archives

Have each new post to this specific blog page emailed to you, or use your own RSS Feed Reader.

Please Respect the Muser's Work

Processing Life's Gifts
(More from my journal entry from February 9, 2011)