“Unplanned” — Go See It!

“Unplanned.” I cannot be quiet about this new movie. I am typically not a watcher of R-rated movies but this movie is different. (you can read credible and trustworthy reviews at pluggedin.com). The rating comes from the difficulty of watching such graphic cruelty to the unborn and the unexpected suffering of mothers as they abort their child(ren). I watched this film this week and it has gripped my soul. I cannot lay it aside. Although I’ve never found myself on the abortion side of a mother’s heart, I’ve counseled and prayed with many mothers who have. Years later, they still cannot let go of the pain, the heartbreak, and the emptiness an abortion brings.

After watching this interview with Franklin Graham, https://billygraham.org/story/franklin-graham-joins-unplanned-actress-on-facebook-live/ I am even more convinced that this movie, “Unplanned,” and Ashley Bratcher’s testimony, as well as Abby Johnson’s (Planned Parenthood Director) story, is something God wants to use to open many eyes and stir the hearts people contemplating abortion or even stir faithful Christians (and churches) who have had their heads stuck in the sand for much, much too long.

I am praying how God would use me to be a more active voice and advocate for the unborn. Please watch this interview and then go see the movie. You may walk into the theatre with preconceived ideas, but I dare say anyone will walk out having not been shaken to the core. I don’t think it’s possible not to be stirred, convicted, compassion-filled, and deeply moved by this all-important message.

When the credits started rolling, I realized after almost two hours, I had not changed positions or shifted my weight in my theatre seat — my purse was still in my lap, unzipped where I had silenced and slipped in my phone. I was glued to the screen within seconds and time stood still from that point forward. Riveting. Compelling. Horrific. Unbelievable. Gripping. Outstanding and well-done. A must see and MUST tell. These are the words and phrases I would use to describe “Unplanned.” This movie is based on a true story. Go see it.

Watch the trailer here:

Read any good books lately?

What book are you currently reading?

For me, this question has opened the door to some amazing conversations with friends and family.  I find I can tell a lot about a person by the books he reads.  And as an added bonus, I get free and personal book review on some great reads that I can add to my ever-growing “to read” list (my list is a mile long).  I’m not certain what people would learn about me if they gauge me on a book list alone.  I simply love books.  I don’t overspend or go crazy about clothes, shoes, purses, makeup, gadgets — any of those things that are typical for my gender — it’s books where I have to “guard my heart and my budget.” From a biography to a murder mystery; from hot-off-the-shelf to hundreds of years old; fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, children’s board or picture, 1500 page theology-based, paperback, hardback, Kindle; it really makes no difference — I love books.  Hours in a bookstore?  Why yes!  That sounds like a great date night to me — thanks for asking.  🙂 I have a passion for the written word and get lost reading and writing and yes, even Dictionary.com turns my crank (such a nerd).

Every now and then I pick up a book with gift-giving in mind and find that I will eventually give it away, but I usually have to go back to the store and buy another one because I’ve marked and ear-tagged “the gift” so much it’s really in a poor condition to give away. 

I purchased “a gift” that fits this description last week, and if I had a ton of money, I would drop ship this title all over the world to my friends and family who have experienced (and continue to experience) what this author describes as “licking the floor of hell.”

Lysa Terkeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, in her new title, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, gives her readers a glimpse into the struggle she and her family had through a breakup in her marriage and health issues concerning cancer. 

But this work is not exclusively about Lysa.  She opens the door to all who have experienced heartbreak, trial, struggle, and pain and through her gut-level honesty, coupled with her blatantly honest (and at times totally unexpected) quick wit, she allows the audience to see how to truly trust God when everything is turned completely upside down.

Yes, I purchased this book as a gift, but after devouring every page, I’ll be wrapping it up (used) to give away camouflaging it with a pretty red bow, but quickly getting online to purchase it again for myself. 

I want this on my Kindle shelf to read again.  Oh, and I have no doubts I’ll be recommending and gifting this title many more times because as long as we are on this side of glory, life will continue to not turn out the way we expected.  And as long as we are on this side of glory, we will continue to need encouragement.  I highly recommend that you add Lysa’s book to your gift-giving list this Christmas.  You may find (as I did) that the perfect person on your list just might be yourself.  Merry Christmas to you!

 

Here are just a few lines from Lysa’s thoughts:

“Are there any ingredients in your life right now — any difficult or disappointing situations — you wish you could just leave out?”

“Would you say you have been spending more time wallowing in turmoil lately or wrestling well with Truth?”

“Using God’s truth as your fighting words will not change what you see, but it absolutely will change how you see.”

“If we have a misunderstanding of God, we will most certainly have a wrong understanding of our circumstances.”

“It’s our choice whether we stay stuck in our hurt or get renewed in our hearts.”

https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/its-not-supposed-to-be-this-way-book/

Terkeurst, Lysa. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: finding expected strength when   disappointments leave you shattered.  Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2018.                          ISBN: 978-0-7180-3985-1

Ugh… Hello, Monday morning; how did you get here so fast?

What is that annoying sound that snaps you out of a deep, much-needed slumber? When you finally roll over and come to your senses, you realize it’s the morning alarm on your phone and if the device didn’t cost an arm and a leg, you’d throw it across the room in hopes the sound would subside as it exploded into pieces against the wall.  Okay, so maybe that’s a little dramatic for a Monday morning scenario, but we’ve all experienced the Monday morning, “I don’t wanna do this anymore” syndrome.  You know the one — it’s where you swing your legs out of the side of the bed, rub your eyes, look at the clock and quickly decipher how many more hours before you get to go back to sleep.  It’s Monday.  Hit the floor.  Get to work.

As with most people who hold down full-time employment, I find myself devoting much more than 40 hours a week to my job.  In fact, the largest portion of my day and my week is devoted and concentrated on my work.  I influence hundreds of people every week and have the opportunity to breathe life and speak truth into their lives on a daily basis, but I’ve found I must view my work as a blessing and gift from God in order to do that.  If I don’t, then my attitude and patience toward the people I influence quickly become short and snippy, haughty and sharp, impatient and ungracious, and sadly, very negative and “woe-is-me.”  Whether it proves to be an awesome and productive week or a completely frustrating and exhausting day, I know my perspective on how I view my job is key to bringing God honor in my workplace.  If I am going to spend 40 to 60 hours every week in this position, I don’t want to give God the leftovers, I want to give Him my best — not just on Sunday, but on Monday – Saturday too.  I know I’m not alone when I say, “It can be a challenge.”

J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in North Carolina, introduces a perspective that I believe every Christian should embrace: work as worship. I believe if we viewed our actual service and effort on our job as worship, our attitude would change and our work would become more of a place where we looked forward to Monday instead of dreading it.  What if we viewed our work as another opportunity to worship our sovereign Lord and Savior?  Would our attitude change?  Would our spirits lift?  Would our anticipation of what the next day holds heighten?  Would we look forward to Monday as much as we did Friday? (Okay… I may be pushing it over the edge just a little on that one.)

We all struggle with the day-in-and-day-out grind from time to time, that’s normal human nature.  But if you find yourself truly being challenged in your present work position, I encourage you to join me in a six-week Bible study where we will look at scripture and find God’s perspective on work and how we can view our job as worship to Him.

This six-week study, “Work as Worship,” begins Sunday, November 25th, 9:30-10:30 am at Trinity Baptist Church, Longview.  There is no charge for this study and the only book you need is a Bible.  If you don’t have a Bible of your own, we have plenty to share.  This study is not exclusive to TBC members and you don’t have to become a member of the church to participate in the study.  All are welcome.  The coffee pot is always on and the hugs are warm, sincere, and plentiful at Trinity.  Come check us out.

Should you have any questions or concerns about this study or anything concerning Trinity, please don’t hesitate to contact me by responding to this post.  Here’s a sneak preview/trailer of the upcoming study:

How’s your prayer life — powerful or pitiful?

Born in 1853, author, attorney, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church clergy, E.M. Bounds gives a plethora of wisdom in the area of prayer.  Below is an excerpt from some of his writings, The Treasury of Prayer: The Best of E.M. Bounds.  His work can also be read through a devotional reading plan integrated through the YouVersion Bible app. This post is an example from that app.  It is coupled with these scriptures: Matt.5:3; Phil. 4:6; Heb. 5:7.  If you want to learn how to be a prayer warrior and reach the very heart of God, study the scripture on prayer with Bounds’ work close at hand.  You will find they are a powerful combination and when applied, will transform your prayer life.

The Reality of Prayer

Prayer, in the moral government of God, is as strong and far-reaching as the law of gravitation in the material world, and it is as necessary as gravitation to hold things in their proper atmosphere and in life.

Therefore, we ought to thoroughly understand ourselves and understand also this great business of prayer.

Prayer is not a mere habit, riveted by custom and memory, something which must be gone through with, its value depending upon the decency and perfection of the performance. Prayer is not a duty which must be performed to ease obligation and to quiet conscience.

Prayer is not mere privilege, a sacred indulgence to be taken advantage of, at leisure, at pleasure, at will, and no serious loss attending its omission.

Prayer is a solemn service due to God, an adoration, a worship, an approach to God for some request, the presenting of some desire, the expression of some need to Him, who supplies all need, and who satisfies all desires; who, as a father, finds His greatest pleasure in relieving the wants and granting the desires of His children.

Prayer is the child’s request, not to the winds, nor to the world, but to the Father.

Prayer is the outstretched arms of the child for the Father’s help.

Prayer is the child’s cry calling to the Father’s ear, the Father’s heart, and to the Father’s ability, which the Father is to hear, the Father is to feel, and which the Father is to relieve.

Prayer is the seeking of God’s great and greatest good, which will not come if we do not pray.

Prayer is an ardent and believing cry to God for some specific thing. God’s rule is to answer prayer by giving the specific thing asked for. With it may come much of other gifts and graces.

Strength, serenity, sweetness, and faith may come as the bearers of the gifts. But even they come because God hears and answers prayer.

A student I may never know…

This year, I committed to pray for and be a positive encouragement to an elementary student I do not know and may never meet. Today, I received the sweetest letter from my student. She and I share a birthday month, a favorite color, and the joy of reading. Maybe one day I’ll get to meet this sweet girl face-to-face but if not, I know my heavenly Father sees her, so I’ll continue to pray a hedge of protection around her heart and mind in the name Jesus. I’ll continue to encourage her throughout the year by challenging her to learn well, be respectful to those in authority over her and to her peers, have a grateful heart without an attitude of entitlement, obey her parents, rise above the norm and not listen to the naysayers who want to pull her down, and encourage her to respect herself enough to know she was created by a loving God who has great things in store for her future.

 

What a privilege we have in prayer, and opportunities abound to be a blessing and encouragement to our younger generation. I’ve heard too many who don’t like where our young people are headed. I have to ask myself and others this question, “What are we doing to be part of the solution and not part of the majority who simply want to shake their head and complain?” Like it or not, my responsibility does not end simply because my children are adults and my nest is currently empty. I choose to continue to be a positive and encouraging influence in the lives of those young people who soon will be mothers, fathers, teachers, employers, mayors, heads of state, government officials, and leaders of our country in a few, short years.

Pre-K, Kindergarten, and a Prayer Journal

In the early 90’s, I started keeping a prayer journal.  My first journal wasn’t one with a pretty floral print or feminine calligraphy scrolled throughout or linen finished paper.  It was a simple Mead brand 3-subject spiral bound notebook.  Although it was plain, it served me well and I found myself learning how to become disciplined in my prayer focus and documenting the truth God would show me in scripture. 

Over 25 years later, I have a shelf loaded down with old spiral-bound notebooks full of thoughts, prayers, tears, and joy.  I randomly pulled one off of the shelf today and started thumbing through the pages.  My heart quickened just a bit and I felt a lump forming in my throat as I read this entry from May 14, 1992.  My scripture reading for that day was from Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.”  My reflection – As Christians, we have much to be thankful for and great reason to be merry and full of joy – not just some of the time, but always.  We have a hope and future unlike any other, and a Savior that is all good and all joy. 

Under that scripture and reflection, I journaled what was happening in my life on that day – Today, Clayton goes to Kindergarten visitation; I have dreaded this day for a very long time.  I am happy for him because he is so excited, but still, I am selfish and sad because I want him to be here with me.  I don’t feel much joy or feeling of merriment today.  I guess I am having a pity party.  I pray for Your joy to fill me today, Lord, and wash away these feelings of loneliness and self-pity.  I know my children must grow up, and this is just one more step in that direction. Maybe that’s the part I dislike the most — knowing I’ll have to let go in a much bigger way some day.  Please help me to let go (a little at a time), God, and let go with joy in my heart.

I vaguely remember this but know at the time it was a very hard day and one that I had a sincerely tough time dealing with.  I loved both our boys and always cherished the time they could be out of school and home all day.

A few days later, I read I Samuel 1:12-20 concerning Hannah and her son, Samuel.  This was my journal reflection – Because of the fervent and sincere prayer of Hannah, God granted her a son.  She dedicated this son to God and carried out and honored this dedication all of her life. 

This was my journal entry – I have had a very emotional week.  Clayton enrolled in Kindergarten on Tuesday and we honored the Senior class in church services today.  I realize, before I can blink, we’ll be honoring Clayton and his Senior class.  It’s very easy to be selfish with my children and not even want them to grow up or share them with God.  But Hannah was a tremendous example, and Samuel became a great man of God.  I believe the prayers of Hannah and her ability to let him go and grow was a big part of why he became such a godly man.  Father, I pray you will help me to begin to slowly let go and to love these children (who are yours) in a way that only a mother can, but at the same time, entrust them into your care and allow them to soar.  Help me to allow them to grow up, unhindered by my selfishness.  They are yours – help me remember that. 

Yes, my heart quickened just a bit and a lump really did form in my throat as I read these entries all these years later, but for more than personal, sentimental reasons.  I’ve been praying for a dear and precious mother concerning her sweet little son starting Pre-K.  It’s been hard for her to take that step.  This sweet mama loves her children and absolutely cherishes being a mother and staying home with her kids. She’s such a good mama; this child couldn’t ask for anyone to love him more than she loves. Letting go and taking this step is hard and it can be very traumatic.  She knows it will ultimately be okay, but it still doesn’t make this step an easier process.

In that same vein, God breathed a beautiful young mother across my path not very long ago who also has some precious little boys.  And guess what?  One of those boys just started Kindergarten.  And guess what?  This mama’s heart is torn.  She loves her children, cherishes having them all home, and wants to make certain her son is well cared for and completely happy when he is away from her.  In the midst of all this, both these women want to raise godly children who seek after God’s own heart.  Both of their circumstances are so similar to my own (way back when).  Interesting, right?  It’s also pretty interesting timing to randomly pull an old prayer journal off the shelf, and randomly read through the entries, right? Coincidence?  I don’t believe so.

Here’s what I believe — God knows everything.  He hears the prayers of a broken-hearted mother who has fear and dread concerning her children being out of the home.  He shelters, protects, and keeps those little rascals safe while they are away from mama. It’s hard to fathom, but He even loves these children more than these sweet mamas ever could.  He even prompts someone across the miles (and across the years) to decide to reminisce through some 26-year-old prayer journals at just the right time, choose just the right journal from the shelf, and flip to just the right entry.  Why?  So she can take that word of hope to a couple young mamas who need to hear – Hannah trusted God with Samuel – you can trust Him too.  I did (finally).

Both of our boys, Travis and Clayton, have matured and grown to be godly men with beautiful families.  They have their head on straight, their feet firmly planted, and their heart is tender toward the Lord.  We couldn’t be more proud or thankful for the men our boys have become.  So mamas, take courage and be encouraged — everything is going to be alright.  Trust God with your family.  God is faithful and true.  He took care of Samuel; He takes care of the sparrow; He cares for the lilies of the field; He will watch over His priceless treasure (His creation — your child) too.  Thank you, God, for mamas who love their children.

I’d love to hear from any young moms who would like to share their story of Pre-K or Kindergarten.  Tell us how you handled it and how your story might encourage others.  Also, you may be continuing to struggle with anxiety concerning your children (whatever the age or stage); I’d love to be able to pray with you about that.  Please feel free to leave a comment, send me an email, or visit the Prayer Partner page on this site and leave a request.  God sees.  God knows.  God hears.  God cares.  God is able.

Let’s have a funeral…

I am currently in a study entitled, Jesus Among Secular Gods: The Questions of Culture and the Invitation of Christ, by Ravi Zacharius and Vince Vitale.  This student has been challenging (to say the least) because I find myself sitting with the book in one hand, my Bible on my lap, a highlighter or pen by my side, and the dictionary on my phone in the other hand.  Apologetics is an area that stretches me; yet, I find following Zacharius’ and Vitale’s train of thought and reasoning exhilarating!  As I encounter more and more people who honestly view the Bible and Christianity as mere historical content and another religion from which to choose a path to God, I am so thankful for deeper theological reasoning and open-ended conversations that do not have a target to argue, but to reason together over spiritual issues.

So far in this study, we have jumped head-first into the belief systems of Atheism, Scientism, Pluralism, Humanism, and Relativism. Before we’re finished, we’ll also look at Hedonism and how these beliefs line up with Christianity and the Word of God.  Last evening, as I gathered with several believers who are striving to glean as much content from this material as I am, I was taken back by a quote from Zacharius concerning Humanism: “The funeral at which real life begins for each of us is the burying of one’s own pride and self-sufficiency” (69).  As we discussed this thought, I realized that I have seen this played out in my own lifetime and time again and also in the lives of some of my closest friends and family members.  In fact, I’ve witnessed it on the far extremes of two views of the spectrum.

One view of this spectrum comes through a family member who reached a point in life in which all he/she (I do this so you won’t try to figure out who I’m talking about) wanted to achieve vocationally, financially, and personally (in the eyes of success) had been reached.  The eye-opening moment came when he/she realized that there was so much more to this life than success and this life really is not “real life,” it’s simply preparation for the next life.  The investment in people and making a difference for the Kingdom was what this person realized brought true meaning and “life.”  Real meaning and purpose come when the burial of self-sufficiency is no longer just a contemplative thought, but a reality.

The other spectrum view is a friend who reached the bottom of the barrel, so-to-speak.  Divorce, loss of a job, a home, a family and overall identity threw her to the lion’s den of despair and depression, the continual bottom of the empty bottle, the loneliness of isolation, and even the serious thoughts of suicide.  The reliance on her own pride and self-sufficiency for over half her life left her helpless, heart-broken, and longing for something of meaning and purpose.  This friend is still grappling with her true identity in Christ and trying to weigh truth in the balance, but one thing is for certain — she’s tried pride and self-sufficiency’s way and it has proven disastrous.  I continue to pray for my dear friend and talk with her, not in an argumentative way, but in such a way that will breathe life, hope, and redemption into her soul.  I’m standing in confidence that the hardship that God has allowed in her life will be turned for His glory and my friend’s good.  Good, not as the world would describe, but spiritual good and Kingdom purpose.

As I’ve meditated on this thought of “the funeral at which real life begins,” I’m more inclined to think this is what Paul meant when he told the Corinthian church “I die daily” (I Cor. 15:31), because he knew his purpose was not his own will but the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In essence, I believe this is the same thought Jesus was relating to the disciples in Luke 9:23: “And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”  Each of these examples seems to speak to Zacharias’ quote: “The funeral at which real life begins for each of us is the burying of one’s own pride and self-sufficiency.”

I believe I have had that funeral many times in my life over several different scenarios that I won’t bore anyone with in this particular blog post; however, I will say that I believe I have reached the point  where I understand the meaning of real life (abundant life is what Christ calls it) and surprisingly, it’s not all about me.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  Unlike the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy by telling me I should be more “me-focused,” Christ tells me abundant life is available not only in the future with Him in heaven but here on earth — today!  The more I pour myself into other people, look at a person’s soul instead of a person’s outward appearance, strive to encounter others with true love and concern for their well-being and eternal destiny in mind, and keep my focus on more of God and less of me, I experience abundant life.  I experience a life of meaning, of purpose, of fulfillment, and yes, less pride and less self-sufficiency.  I serve an all-sufficient God, and the more I understand his character, the more I understand He deeply desires to have an intimate relationship with me.  What’s amazing about that is that He knows all about me and He STILL desires that relationship.  That’s not only amazing, that’s amazing grace.

If you want to be stretched in your theology, equipped to better talk with people of other belief systems, encouraged that the God you serve is all-sufficient to empower you to understand more about Him, and to have that difficult faith conversation with a friend or family member, I urge you to pick up this study. I don’t believe you’ll walk away discouraged, unchallenged or unchanged.  Would you like to talk more about any of these topics?  I’d love to hear from you.

Real life. Real meaning. Real purpose.

New Year / Same Old Stuff (second time around)

  This popped up on my newsfeed today.  The picture is what caught my eye because it’s a windmill across the road from my Daddy’s house.  I was out walking one morning just as the sun was coming up and tried to capture the stillness of the morning air and the brilliance of my heavenly Father’s creative hand.  I republish this writing today because the article still speaks to my heart and seems to be just as relevant in 2018 as it did five years ago.  God seems to be teaching me more and more about the importance of silence and solitude with Him and simply being still to listen to His voice. 

 

It is a brand new year.  Not even a full week has past and it seems people are already fretful, burdened, and weary.  Why is it when we face a new year full of potential and positive opportunity we tend to lose momentum so quickly, become burdened down and stressed out?  Could it be that we are living in such a “gotta-have-it-now” culture that we have forgotten how to be still and wait?

In the church setting, I taught children for years.  One particular lesson I remember teaching concerned the real Christmas present of Jesus’ birth; it never gets old and never goes away — we benefit from it all year long.  But, I can almost bet a dollar-to-a-donut when some children are asked what they got for Christmas this past year, they will not remember.  Less than a month has gone by and that ultimate “I-gotta-have-it-or-I’ll-die” new gadget or toy will be old news, thrown in the corner or perhaps even broken and discarded.

I say this very nonchalantly about children, but the same can be said of those of us who are adults as well.  Perhaps we remember our new Christmas gadgets simply because they cost more, but what about remembering the wonder and majesty of celebrating Jesus?  During the Christmas season, it is easy to celebrate the birth of Jesus, get lost in the worship and honor of the newborn King, and give all our burdens to Him — knowing He is the promised and fulfilled Messiah.  But within the first two weeks of the new year, what happens to the wonder?  Where is the trust?  Why are we fretful, burdened, and exhausted?

Perhaps the answer is the same as it was for Martha.  We are so busy “doing” that we forget to simply “be” with Jesus.  I know I do.  Life gets me so tangled up in deadlines, appointments, errands, family activities, and “stuff” that I quickly forget that Jesus told Martha to come and enjoy His companionship for just a little while.  (Luke 10:38-42)  Jesus’ words shoot straight to the heart… “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things….”  Same old stuff, Martha…. same old stuff. Jesus’ solution for Martha is the same solution He offers to me.  “Come, choose the good part.”

If I do not stop and relax with the Lord (the good part) on a regular basis,  I begin to show signs of spiritual starvation.  These signs show up in my character as fretful, tired, weary, sharp-tongued, unsatisfied, frustrated, worried, fearful, self-pitied, and depressed.  Granted, not all of these symptoms will hit me in one fell swoop, but given time, if I don’t hand them over to the Lord, they ALL creep in.  They quietly sneak up and start to nibble away my peace and if not confronted they become like ravaged wolves devouring every godly reserve in sight.   Pretty soon, I am pitifully famished in desperate need of spiritual replenishing.

Surely, I am not the only one who suffers from the “same old stuff.”  As I visited with a friend this morning who is dealing with some heavy decisions, I reminded her of a passage God always brings me back to in times that I cannot seem to shake off the struggle of worry and concern.  Psalm 46:10 says, “Cease striving and know that I am God…”  One translation says, “Be Still and know…”, yet another says, “Let go, relax and know…”   Hmm… cease striving.  That gives the picture of a tug-of-war.  Me pulling on one end, while the Lord is pulling on the other.  Now seriously, do I really believe I will win a tug-of-war with the King of the Ages?  Get real.  When I cease striving, it is as if I relax and let the rope go limp in my hands.  All the tension is released from my arms, my hands and fingers begin to feel the strength of blood pump through them again and surprisingly, my back, shoulders, knees, and yes even the bottom of my feet are at ease and in comfort again.  The tension is gone.  Amazing.  I have to ask myself, “Why didn’t I let go and relax a long time ago?”  Silly girl. When will I ever learn to let go of the same old stuff?

When I am in a relaxed state, I can enjoy the company and companionship of the Lord — in a way, I believe He desires.  Does He leave me when I’m fretful?  Certainly not.  But I am not able to drink in the deep richness of His goodness and enjoy Him to the fullest if I am fearful, worried, concerned, or striving.  Why?  Because I am focused on myself and my own circumstances.  My focus is not on Him and the simple enjoyment of His companionship.  My heart is certainly not focused on pouring myself into others.

There is a beautiful example of focus given by Jesus in John 13. I am amazed by it.  In this setting, Jesus is with the disciples for the Last Supper, but only He knows it is the last, the disciples don’t have a clue.  He is fully aware He is about to die an unbelievably cruel death, yet amazingly, His focus is on service and passing on truth to the disciples.  He washes their feet for cryin’ out loud!  This is mind-blowing to me.  On the forefront of persecution, scourging, crucifixion, and ultimate death, Jesus is pouring Himself into others and serving them in the most culturally humbling way possible.  His focus was not fretful, fearful, worried, or striving.  From all indications, it seems He was exercising Psalm 46:10 — no tug-of-war here.  He knew Who was in control of His circumstances and was content to let God be God.

New Year…. same old stuff.  As long as we are on this earth we will have trouble.  The Scripture promises us this truth in the next chapter of John (14).  But with this trouble, there is a great promise.  Jesus tells us not to let our heart become troubled.  If we believe in God, we should believe also in Him.  He has gone to prepare a place for us.  A place void of trouble — yes, even the same old stuff — physical, emotional, spiritual trouble — all gone.

In the meantime, glory to God, while on earth we are given a choice on how to handle the trouble we face.  In 2018 (original article was 2013), wouldn’t it be great if we, the people of God, started acting more like trusting children of God, ceased striving and let God be God?  Honestly, in a game of tug-of-war, who is really going to win?  New year?  Same old stuff?  Martha, Martha (I’ll insert my name here)… let not your heart be troubled… cease striving.

A Thirsty Soul

A Thirsty Soul – Psalm 63

By Carolyn May

“…my soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee, in a dry and weary land where this is no water…”  (Ps. 63:1)

“Thirst is an insatiable longing after that which is one of the most essential supports of life; there is no reasoning with it, no forgetting it, no despising it, no overcoming it by stoical indifference.”¹ This is a direct quote from Charles Spurgeon concerning David as he wrote this Psalm in the wilderness of Judah.  Most scholars agree David was fleeing for his very life from the pursuit of Absalom.

Although you may have never fled for your physical life, nor felt the threats David experienced, if you have been in leadership, been a mom, a co-worker, or simply held a position of responsibility you have experienced a desperate thirsting of your soul in a dry and weary land (vs. 1).  The demands and strains of life can literally deplete the fullness of spirit and satisfaction of service if the soul is not constantly replenished by the watering of the Word and the filling of the Spirit.  Looking more deeply into this passage, there are a few noteworthy observations in the Psalmist’s writing (Ps. 63) which prove wise to consider.

Notice the intimate personalization

David was king and had responsibility for the well-being of many; however, he did not address this psalm on behalf of the masses. He addressed it as a personal interaction between himself and God alone.  In the NASB translation, God is named either directly or as a pronoun 19 times in 8 verses.  Similarly, I, me, my (all references to David) are mentioned 19 times in 8 verses.  This is a gut-level, very real, very personal writing. This was not something that David was using as a means to focus and everyone else around him — this was up close and personal between him and the God that he loved.

Notice the intentional action

Even in a dry and weary land, even in persecution, even in fear and hiding, David:

1. actively sought after God  (vs.1)
2. acknowledged a thirst for God (vs.1)
3. voiced a yearning for God (vs.1)
4. sincerely longed to see God’s power and glory (as in the sanctuary) (vs.2)
5. purposefully praised God with his lips (despite his present circumstances) (vs.3&5)
6. boldly committed to bless God for the rest of his life (vs.4)
7. unashamedly lifted his hands to God in worship (vs.4)
8. remembered and meditated on past help from God (vs.6&7)
9. sang for joy as he experienced the protection and comfort of God’s wings (vs.7)
10. clung to God knowing His right hand upheld him (vs.8)

Every verb in this list is an active verb — sought, acknowledged, yearned, longed, praised, bless, lifted, remembered, meditated, sang, clung.  David was serious about taken action to move toward the God he knew could do something about his state of being.  He was intentional.

Notice the ultimate result                        

As a result of David intentionally placing his focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God instead of his circumstances, his soul was satisfied (vs. 5).  There’s nothing that satisfies a thirst than a tall, cool drink of water.  David found this for his soul through shifting his focus directly to the Lord.

How about you?  Do you find yourself thirsting in a dry and weary land today?  Are you just tired?  Does your soul feel depleted?  Do you feel as if your well has run dry? Has your focus been on “the masses” (the church, work, family, friends) and not on your intimacy with Christ?  Focus on the goodness of the Lord as the most essential support of your life.  Follow the example of David and be intentional in your action.  Seriously ask yourself the following:

Who or what am I:

• seeking? yearning?
• clinging?  praising?
• remembering meditating?
• thirsting?

Pray and ask God to refresh your soul and replenish your spirit with the water of His Word and grace.

 

For more scripture concerning thirsting after God, read: Ps. 42; Ps. 143; John 4:13-14

 

1. Spurgeon, Charles H., “Charles H. Spurgeon’s Treasury of David, Psalm 63 Bible Commentary”, Christianity.com. Web. Retrieved August 2, 2017. http://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=spur&b=19&c=63

The last day of the love month; not the last day to pray

For the entire month of February, I have prayed specifically for couples who are struggling in their marriage. I have prayed for them by name, I have wept over them and poured my heart out to God begging for the enemy’s stronghold to be removed from homes, families, and relationships. Some would say I pray in vain because marriages will always struggle — they have since the beginning of humanity. I can agree in part, but not the whole.

I agree that as long as we are in this world, we will have tribulation, trial, heartache, and struggle. Jesus told His disciples this before His ascension (John 16:33), and we know it to be true because we all suffer heartache and none are immune. Where I do not agree is that prayer is in vain. 28 days ago, my list of couples was 10. Today, it is 44. I didn’t go out seeking these names, they came to me. As I shared the burden God laid on my heart to pray, more and more couples contacted me and asked me to pray specifically for them, and I have. Some of them I’ve never met; yet, I know God knows them and He knows their heartache. So, I pray.

Healing and restoration doesn’t typically come overnight; it comes in incremental steps. When I see and hear of these healing steps, I rejoice and know that God is at work in relationships. For instance, I received word from one couple that they are going through counseling and things in their marriage are beginning to heal. Another couple is doing the same, and although they have not shared with me specific improvement in their relationship, it is most evident. A month ago, they were contemplating divorce — today, they are attending church together and obviously treating each other with much more respect. I received a text from a friend who thanked me for praying, because “things” in the home were much better. The amazing thing is this friend didn’t know I was praying for their relationship, but God knew what was going on behind closed doors, so He prompted me to pray. One couple experienced salvation, and their relationship is quickly turning around. Another decided to sit down together and talk through some issues they had “swept under the rug” for almost 25 years, and healing has begun. I received word that one couple has started fasting and praying together for answers in their relationship and for their family. They have never fasted and prayed together as a couple, but God is leading them to seek Him more aggressively than ever before in their marriage. This is why I pray.

Still, skeptics would want me to believe that these things would have happened even if I had not prayed. For this, I respond, “Perhaps, but why would I want to run the risk?” If I do not pray for those I love, who will? Running that risk is way too high a price for me — I’ll not bargain with the enemy, lay down my spiritual armor, and walk away. The risk is too much. There is hope and healing in the hands of a loving heavenly Father. He desires that His people pray. And I believe He burdens hearts for areas that He knows needs healing and restoration. Sometimes, He leads us to stand in the gap on behalf of those He loves. He has burdened my heart for my family, close friends, and now a whole list of people who need a touch of the Master’s hand. For this reason, I pray.

It is the last day of February, the love month. Every Thursday of this month, I have fasted, stayed quiet and still, isolated myself from others and prayed — list in hand. At 2:14 every day, my phone alarm has sounded, and I have knelt before my Father (at times, in some very public places) and laid names on the throne room floor, asking God to intervene. Some people have joined me in this effort, while others have probably questioned my sanity and become annoyed by the constant “2:14” reminder on Facebook. It is the last day of February, but God has not lifted the burden from this heart, so it is not the last day to pray.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”