Does It Really Take Two?

One of the first things we learn as young children in school is patterns. We learn how to recognize them, how to make them, how to continue them...ironically, they don’t focus on teaching us to change or end them.

Take a second to think about some of the common problems in your life. Maybe you’re always are on your kids’ case about getting their homework done. Maybe you and your husband argue over the same thing and never seem to solve the problem.  Maybe you constantly do your best at work and it never seems good enough for anyone. Maybe you wonder every month how you get paid on Friday and have nothing left by Tuesday.

Now think about whether or not there’s a pattern happening around these issues...your kids come home tired, you argue with them to get their work done right away, they resent school because they do it for 6 hours and then have to come home and do more, they start avoiding it at home and giving you a hard time...

Your husband and you are deciding whether it’s more important to buy a new car or put more down for the mortgage premium, you each make your point, you each point out why the other person’s point is stupid, you don’t want to end up screaming at one another, you each nod and walk away, next pay check, the same thing comes up...

You get to work, have already worked your 40 hours for the week but agreed to come in anyways, a coworker asks you to take on some of their work load, and your boss asks you to come Saturday, you agree to all of the extra work and then resent your job because you’re exhausted...

You get paid Friday and decide to treat yourself for a hard weeks work, you go on a little shopping spree, get home and realize you need to pay the bills, get most o them paid, and now are scrapping by for the next two weeks...

Even if you can’t presently relate to any of these, I encourage you to think about patterns in your own life. Some may be innocuous, some, very detrimental. They could be patterns with your family, your work, your church, you finances, your relationship with God...

One of the biggest misconceptions about change is that it takes two. We end up believing that child and parent both must change, that husband and wife both must change, that authority and subordinate both must change....We cling to this belief because if we think we need the other person to change too, we can just say “well, if they’re not ready I’m not going to bother yet...”

WRONG. A pattern is only a pattern until one person makes a change. It does not always take two to Tango. Well, maybe to literally Tango it does, but as far as destructive patterns in our life, it only takes one person to set change in motion.

My younger sister and I went through a couple years where we did not get along. I thought she was being immature in certain areas of her life and constantly lectured her about what she should be doing. She resented it and felt like I didn’t love or respect her. Our interactions were short and unkind for the most part. I was waiting for her to “grow up” so we could get along. Luckily, the Lord showed me sooner rather than later that I was in the wrong. Once I ended the patterned of lecturing her and putting her down, our relationship was able to grow and change. Once I made a change, the pattern of our resentment and bitterness changed. (So excited for her to move home in a few weeks!!)

We can’t change patterns in our life if we don’t first recognize them. Think about things that come up over and over again in your relationships, identify patterns, and brainstorm ways that YOU can make a change. We have to stop hiding behind the excuse that “it takes two.” We think “once he starts pulling his weight we won’t argue as much” “once they start obeying I won’t have to yell as much” “once I get paid more I’ll be better with my finances”

Let’s work on finding the areas in our lives were we can take responsibility for and make a change! It does not always take two.

BE blessed

Jill

Recipe Fit for a King

Now ladies, let’s face it, we all like a great recipe. One that’s appealing and versatile. One whose ingredients you have at hand readily. One that is not made inferior by occasional changes in proportions. Some recipes need the main ingredients only. After those, anything goes. Favorite recipes are often the ones you know will come out good every time even when you add a special touch of your own to its flavor or presentation.

In addition to using the choicest items there is also the process. For some it doesn’t matter so much in what order you add things as long as you don’t leave anything out. For others certain conditions must be met to have the desired results.

And then there are the recipes that are cherished, because they were masterfully created, written, prepared, shared and served by someone precious to your heart. And so because of that, it is an honor to them or to their memory every time you make it. And whenever you serve it to others it’s as if you are extending an honorary blessing to both the creator and the diner.

I came across a unique recipe card the other day. It originated with the most creative chef and was first published in the greatest recipe book ever. (No disrespect to the Holy Word of God intended here). It has been adapted below for the average cook.
Recipe for: Making Your Calling and Election Sure
Serves: God, Innumerable Others, Yourself
Original Cookbook: 2 Peter 1:3-11
From the kitchen of: Father God

Ingredients:
His divine power
Everything we need for life and godliness
Our knowledge of Him
His own power and glory
His great and precious promises
Your faith
Additional items listed in directions

Directions:
Mix first 5 ingredients until smoothly blended together in your container. Pour in your faith continuously. Add in goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love in increasing measures, as this will cause the final product to not fall. Is best when served hot, but can be served cold. (Lukewarm is not recommended). Will keep indefinitely as long as a fresh crop of faith and some or all of the additional items are poured in regularly. Has been known to satisfy the hungriest of souls and yet is definitely fit for a King!

2 Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am not the best cook on the block, nor do I use fancy recipes for my every day cooking. But when it comes to serving the King, I am so grateful He produced a book of time-honored recipes that He has tried and tested, and was so willing to hand down.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

Actively Waiting

I've been waiting my whole life.  Most of us have, for one thing or another.  The first thing I remember waiting for was a pool party at the YMCA. I was not very good at it.  My mother told me we couldn't leave the house until 11:30, and looked at the clock every 5 minutes for about 2 hours.  I'd go find something to do, do it for 3 minutes, assume it had been an hour, and run back to the clock.

After that, I waited for my sisters to be born. I waited for Christmas. I waited for back to school shopping. When my dad used to drive down to see us during the week,after he tucked us into bed, he would beep his car horn every time he left.  I used to wait to hear that beep like I needed it to live. Part of me did.  (Proof of just how awesome my dad is: one time he forgot, and drove back a half hour later just to beep the horn outside the house for me.)

When I was a little bit older, and still no better at waiting, I waited to be able to move to my dad's house. Then I waited for my sisters to be able to move to my dad's house. I waited for some silly boy to call me. I waited to graduate high-school. I waited for some silly boy to smarten up and love me. I waited to hear about a job offer. I waited to hear about the closing on my house.  I waited for myself to smarten up and NOT love some silly boy.

Last week was school vacation for the kids. On Sunday, Heather began asking when Jill was coming to the yellow house. I told her Thursday. I told her this about 76 times on Sunday, and 34 times on Monday. As soon as I was done saying, "Jill will be here on Thursday", she was asking me again. She was whining, and growl-y, and generally unhappy about the fact that Jill was not here. She didn't want to do anything but hear me tell her Jill would be here on Thursday. I even recorded it on her ipod in the hopes that she could just listen to it again and again and I could stop talking. Apparently, my tone wasn't right or something, because she wasn't happy with this either. Probably because I said "I love you" at the end, and she did not want my love- she wanted Jill.

Halfway through the day, she said "Brooke- waiting?  Jill Thursday? waiting?"  I said, "yes Heather, we have to wait for Jill."  Next thing I know, she is turning around a big easy chair that sits in front of my window.  She finagles it around, so that it's facing out the window.  I helped her. And by help I mean video-taped.

She gets the chair where she wants it, plops down, and makes me push her in so that she's a close to the window as possible. And then she says "OOOOOhkay, waiting." with a big sigh.

She wasn't asking if she had to wait for Jill.  She was asking if she COULD wait for Jill.  As if waiting wasn't the most miserable thing in the entire world. As if it was action. She finally realized that asking me over and over and whining about it wasn't going to make Jill get here any faster.  So she took action, and decided to wait. And she was thrilled for the rest of the day. She giggled. Sang. Stared out the window, jumping up every time a white car drove by (Jill's car is white).  She was happy.

I don't know about the rest of you, but my waiting doesn't look like that.  My waiting is filled with anxiety, whining, anger, sometimes tears. My waiting is not happy. It's filled with questions about whether what I'm waiting for will actually happen. Questions about whether or not I can do anything to ensure that what I'm waiting for will actually happen. Questions about whether that thing I just did or said, will stop what I'm waiting for from happening.  Questions about whether I actually want what I'm waiting for. It's me, trying to hang on to every ounce of control, and make things happen.

I think that's the difference between me and Heather. She had no questions about what she was waiting for. She was waiting for Jill.  She didn't have to wonder if she wanted Jill to come. She believed me when I told her that Jill was coming. She knew what would happen when Jill got there. She trusted that Jill coming was a good thing.

I'm currently waiting on a few things, some tangible, like Kerrie coming home and Plumkin's arrival. I'm waiting on answers to prayers, for myself, for my family. I'm waiting on open doors, and things I see potential in.  I'm waiting to see growth in some areas of my life, and change in other areas, and in other people.

I want my waiting to look more like Heather's.  I want to do it happily, expectantly.  I want to trust in what I'm waiting for, and trust in my God to bring the best to pass. I want to sing and giggle.  I know this means I might have to adjust some of what I'm waiting for. I'm going to have to stop waiting on things that aren't good for me. I'm going to have to stop thinking that I can do anything to hurry up the answer. I'm going to have to trust that God will answer me in His time.

I want my waiting to look more like this, relaxed and peaceful:

Psalm 27:14 says,  "Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord."


Brooke

A Happy Ending

I love a happy ending.

I love a book that ends with an uplifting message. I love movies where the good guy wins. And I especially love Friendly's Restaurant's "happy ending " ice cream sundaes!!

I don't read a lot of fiction books these days but when I was a kid I remember checking the last few pages of the book to see how it ends. If I could find some words or phrases that indicated that things worked out in a good way then and only then I would read the book.

 Today I have a slight obsession with home decorating magazines. My favorite is"Country Living" with it's fun flea market decorating make overs, home cookin' recipes and little vignettes of Americana. I love to look at the happy endings to the cool make overs and successful small business'.

When I get my new copy of "Country Living" I flip right to the back and start with the ending story "A Portrait of America" that features small business' or products that have survived the test of time. From there I read the magazine from cover to cover, from back to front!

I also like to read biographies about Christians that have been steadfast in their faith  following the call of God, overcoming trials and of course, that have an uplifting, happy ending.

 Life s filled with all sorts of ups and downs, twists and turns and unknowns ahead. There are struggles, challenges, hard choices to make, tragedies to endure and unexpected situations to navigate.  Some days are extraordinarily happy and others are filled with deep sorrow. BUT I have read The Good Book!!!! And  I have read the end of the story!!!

I have read the book of Revelation and I know that God wins.

Jesus has the final victory and as a believer I know that I ultimately share in that victory and will live with HIM forever.

There will be no more struggles, insecurities, strongholds, pain or suffering, no more tears and no more death.

Because I have read the end of the bible I can face whatever my life experiences will be with a steadfast assurance of a happy ending.  I have read the end of HIStory!

If you haven't read Revelation or if it has been awhile since you last read it, Read it  now and be blessed. Jesus is coming for you and it will be a very happy ending!

Humbly,
ruthann

Let Your Spirit Fall Here

Dear Lord,

Let this be our prayer today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMqPBUWJsHU

Let There Be Light

John 1:4 and 5 tells us that Jesus came as light to this dark world. Matthew 5:14 records Jesus telling us that we are the light of the world. Jesus was human, we are human; Jesus was light, we are light; Jesus is God, we, oh so very clearly, are not.

Some Christians, especially women, spend their whole lives trying to learn how to be more like light. We try and try to make ourselves more like Christ on the inside. To be more humble, to be less judgmental, to be more compassionate, to be less gossipy, to be more patient, and to less self-centered. But there’s more to it than that.

Being light is more than trying to make our personalities more like Christ's. It’s about doing more like Christ. Christ didn’t come as light simply to have a great personality, He came to love people passionately. 

I don’t know where we all got the idea that we need to be better on the inside before we can do good acts on the outside. It’s a lie though, I know that much. Do you usually get yourself all nice and grateful for everything you have and then go feed the homeless? Or is it more likely that you go feed the homeless and then have a more grateful attitude? Do you usually praise God for His healing and then start praying for people? Or is it more likely that you pray and then see His healing hand to praise? Do you usually feel nice and connected to the body of Christ and then start to serve? Or is it more likely that you start to serve and then become connected to the body of Christ?

The rest of Christ’s talk about being the light of the world ends with verse 16, “Let your light shine before men, that they would see your good deeds and praise your Father Heaven.” Jesus doesn’t say “let them see how holy you are inside and then they’ll praise God”  He says “let them see your DEEDS, and then they will praise God.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to be more like Christ on the inside. We most certainly should. But we definitely shouldn’t make that more important than DOING more like Christ. Do you think we fulfill the great commission (to go an make disciples) by developing perfect Godly personalities, or by doing the work of Christ?

Bad news ladies, we will never have perfect personalities. We will always have sin in us. But Christ calls us to action despite that.

Bible studies on self-improvement are great. But sometimes we need to get our head out of the books, and into the lives of God’s people. That’s were our light shines.

Be light to someone this weekend.

In Christ,

Jill

(Also, happy birthday to my wonderful husband!)

Crossroads

Crossroads. What are they and how do we best approach them? They are more than just intersections or junctions. They are points in your destination-to-somewhere where the straight, visible, clearly defined or generally expected lines ahead of you break into a collection of choices. The one-way-only guidelines that you had been following may remain but variable lines suddenly appear that trail off in different unknown directions, making the path suddenly confusing or at the very least, unsettling. A crossroad should cause you to slow down. Maybe even stop…because the auto-pilot that our lives often operate with cannot be readily banked on here. So how do we determine which way to proceed? There must be an optimal way. Or maybe a couple of ways combined.

I would like to think that I am someone who can embrace change and progress, particularly when the benefits outweigh the losses. Let me give you an example. The first usage that my GPS got a few years back was to get me to an evening service in Cambridge in a community, a neighborhood and a building I had never been to before. I traveled routes and roads I’d never taken. I came to innumerable crossroads. I totally depended on the GPS for my every move. But as I mentioned I had never actually used it before, so the articulation and timing of each automated, staccato instruction were so unfamiliar to me that I was frequently too quick or too delayed in my response to following them. This of course caused me to have to depend on the GPS to recalculate to get me back on track. Despite all the twists, turns, stops, starts, and even back-ups (for me and for those unlucky enough to be behind me) that this created I did arrive at my desired destination. But in truth, my mind had no recall of how I got there. I was devoid of any sense of direction, because the entire process had been one of blindly waiting on and trusting a programmed voice. There were no sequential pictures in my mind, so when it was time to return home later, my dependency on the GPS was even greater until I was back in familiar territory. Because my reasoning had not gotten me there, it seemed unlikely that I could get myself out, so I was very grateful for that GPS.

However, this totally conflicted with my normal way of traveling and finding my way. For more than 25 years my job required me to travel daily to homes in more than 20 communities within Massachusetts. Most of those years were before GPS, Mapquest, or even decent road maps of remote neighborhoods ever existed. I relied on the directions of strangers, postal carriers, police officers, gas station attendants and teenagers who couldn’t describe where they lived. But mostly I depended on a developing sense of direction, remembered routes, landmarks, accurate signs and prayer. In combination they all proved valuable and trustworthy, and made me feel more conscious of my surroundings along each journey.

My intention here is not to dispute or support the wonders of GPS or other outdated but creditable time-tested methods. It is meant to help determine what means to best use at the crucial crossroads of life.

In a sense, God is a bit like our GPS. Similar to the GPS satellites, He sees the whole area. It’s already mapped out. He wants to begin guiding us to our pre-destined point before we even have a clue what address to type in for our lives. And so at times He wishes we would just keep moving cautiously forward, trusting solely in Him, waiting for and then listening closely for His next instruction before taking any undue turns.

Along the way though, He also desires for us to get our own bearings, to be cognizant of our setting, our backdrop, our background and our backups, our landmarks and our milestones. In other words He wants us to use what He has put in us while we trust Him with the unknowns.

Some wonderful scripture verses that back both of these approaches are found in Job 22:

²¹ “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.
²² Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.
²³ If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…
²⁶ Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.
²⁷ You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.
²⁸ What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.

And in Job 23:10 it says,

¹⁰ But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

A crossroads strategy might best be illustrated by a cross. The vertical piece can prompt us to keep our focus on the straightforward guidance we get from above. The horizontal part can be a reminder that where we have been, the innate sense of the destiny direction our Designer gave us, the help of trusted people, our own and others’ historical markers, significant signposts, the peace found in the familiar, and joyfully taking in new landscapes all have a part in deciding which way to turn at the crossroads of life.

Seems to me that the way through life, and the way to life will always be by way of the CROSS.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

Living Differently

Yesterdays Living Beauty Full Moment featured a music video from Tenth Avenue North called "You are More". If you didn't get a chance to listen I encourage you do so and really listen. Take in the words of this song because it is based on Truth.

"...anyone united with the Messiah  gets a fresh start, is created new. the old life is gone;  a new life burgeons!." 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Message

When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we are forgiven, the sins of our past are no more and we are given a new start at life. We no longer need to identify ourselves by our pasts.When God looks at us HE sees us as beautiful and righteous because HE sees HIS Son in us!!!

I know God sees me this way. I have spent years ridding the ungodly beliefs that the world and the Enemy placed in my mind. I intentionally replaced those lies with God's Truth found in Scripture. I have embraced that I am a new creation. I know that I am not defined by the mistakes I made or the offenses that happened to me. He has made me beautiful!!!!!!

"Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. " 2 Corinthians 5:14-16 The Message

I have embraced this Truth for myself but do I allow this Truth to extend to others? Do I judge others behavior or the way they look with a different standard of Truth?

When I see a homeless person on the street what are my thoughts?

When I hear about someone addicted to drugs what is my response?

When I hear about a church friend struggling with strongholds what kind of words do I speak?

When family members don't meet my expectations do I hand our judgement or love?

          "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view." 
                                           2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV

How might our churches be different if each person that entered truly believed that they were made new in Christ no longer defined by their pasts?

How might our churches be different if we looked at each other and saw the Truth, people made new in Christ, no longer defined by their pasts?

How might our families be different if each member believed that they were no longer defined by their past mistakes?

How might our families be different if we saw each other as God sees us, new in Christ, made beautiful in Christ?

How might the world be different if we lived the Truth that we are "all in the same boat", that Jesus died for each and every person no matter their past and current mistakes and offered HIS love and Grace and Forgiveness?

How might we live differently if we didn't evaluate people by what they have or how they look ?


How might you live differently starting today?

Humbly,
ruthann

We Are More

This isn't my current favorite song, but it's one of those songs that will always be one of my favorites.  Sometimes I get a little over excited about songs.  I listen to them on repeat until I know every line, and I've got the melody down pat, and can sing every possible harmony (alone, in my car,  where no one else can hear me, of course). So I do this for a bit, and then one day, I can't stand to listen to the song one more time.  It get's removed from my "favs" playlist, and onto the "old favorites" playlist, and I mourn the loss of yet another great song.  Removal via overdose. I do it all the time.

But this song, has remained close at hand for that past year and a half since I first heard it. Maybe it's the constant reminder I need.  Maybe it's because there are so many people I know who need to take this song to heart. For whatever reason, this song's not going anywhere near my other "old favorites".

Listen to it, enjoy it, believe it.

(Here's the link to the video in case you can't see anything)

Brooke

Self-Control?

If you look in my trash can at work this week, you will find about a billion tissues and 3 empty boxes of Girl Scout cookies. The tissues because I’ve been sick for a week, the Girl Scout cookies because I have no self-control.

If you look at my exercise calendar from this week you will find it blank, sitting under two more boxes of Girl Scout cookies. The blank exercise calendar because I have no self-control, the Girl Scout cookies, also because I have no self-control.  (I don’t actually have an exercise calendar).

If you look at my timesheet from this week, you’d see that I showed up for my 40 hours of work, because I thought it was important enough to exhibit some self control and show up to work. If you look at my checkbook from this month, you’d see that my bills are paid because I thought it was important enough to exhibit some self-control and pay my bills on time.

If you look at my devotional time this week, you’ll see that at the beginning of the week it was slim to none, and by the end of the week it was a lot more. Because I could feel that I was missing something from the Lord and decided it was time to exhibit some self-control.

As my week so clearly shows, our “self-control” is weak and unreliable at best. People spend years in therapy to try and develop better self-control. What we need is “God’s control.” What’s the first verse we all learn in Sunday school: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13”...I can hear the song in my head now...

We have a tendency to choose to exhibit self-control when we’re motivated enough-we show up to work to get paid, we pay our bills on time to avoid fees, we exercise to lose weight and stay healthy...but when it comes to other things we flail about and waver somewhere between commitment and excuses. Serving at church, that decadent slice of cheesecake, devotion time every day, Girl Scout cookies, spending time with our kids, controlling our anger...or lust or fear....

We cannot do it on our own. We’re hopeless when left to our own devices. This Sunday we celebrated Easter, when Christ rose from the dead, defeated death and sin, put the Devil in his place. THIS is our hope. Our hope is that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

What are you relying on to strengthen you? Self-control? Having enough money in the bank? Raising “good” kids? Severing at church? Cultivating a happy marriage? Your job? All of these things aren’t necessarily bad, but they alone can’t strengthen us. 

Self-control gets us nowhere but shoulder deep into 5 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Maybe Girl Scout cookies aren’t your weakness, and they certainly aren’t my only one, but I know you have one. Something you always seem to give in to. Because our strength is not enough. We need Christ’s strength. If we would stop beating ourselves up for not having enough self-control and surrender all control to God, we may find we’re not so weak after all.

Be strong this weekend,

Jill

Don't Underestimate the Power of 'Undone'

I had a day recently where I sort of felt ‘undone’. I found myself saying out loud, “I’m undone”. Not a good idea! Proverbs 18:7 says, “A fool’s mouth is his undoing and his lips are a snare to his soul”. (Now, mind you, this was before Ruthann’s recent and excellent post The Humble Mumble, which I encourage you to read if you haven’t already.)



Over the years I have tried to catch myself whenever my spoken words are not correct, by quickly taking them back so their negative effect can’t come to pass. I’ve done it in a variety of ways like asking God to forgive me for my words, repenting of my bad attitude that caused them to slip out, covering them in the blood of Jesus, acknowledging to the nearest person that I was wrong to say what I did. Basically saying anything that would somehow undo what I had done with my mouth.



Well that particular day, in that moment, when I heard what I had said it brought me cause to chuckle because I suddenly, with the help of God I’m sure, began to envision some ‘undone’ things, one of which was in the oven for dinner.



It occurred to me that sometimes, rather than just taking back or changing my words I need to totally reframe my way of thinking about some things. Ponder with me some things that serve a purpose, even as ‘undone’ as they are.



As ‘undone’ as a chicken that’s still spurting pink juices when poked. It may not necessarily be ready to meet all the needs of those who hunger but it has an aroma that could cause those nearby to work up a healthy appetite. That’s what our witness for Christ should do.



As ‘undone’ as the tasks that keep falling to the bottom of the pile of semi-important things to do. But hopefully that means I am doing the important ones on top; the ones that catch the eye of God as well as my own.



As ‘undone’ as the character qualities that I have seen in others and longed for, but have yet to master in myself. But that means I am observing with appreciation the good in those around me and praying that the unique traits of God’s calling on me are on the increase.



As ‘undone’ as a puzzle lying unfinished on the table whose picture looks distorted because all the pieces have not yet been placed. But the challenge is ever before me that I can choose and match a piece at a time, and that the overall picture gets enhanced each time I do.



As ‘undone’ as the baby in the ultrasound picture from Brooke’s recent post Plums and Heartbeats. Not yet ready to breath in this side of nature, but already having the very nature that God built in before anyone even knew.



As ‘undone’ as the loose ends that we continuously feel we need to tie up in our lives. However, if they weren’t loose, we’d have nothing to tie, now would we?



As ‘undone’ as the mood I was in when I had made that foolish declaration, “I’m undone”. What a relief that moods can change as quickly as they set in. We would all do well to remember that when we seem stuck in one.



As ‘undone’ as Jesus must have appeared to Satan when His life blood had run out, which Jill described in her post Great News! I guess that old enemy didn’t quite get it when Jesus declared in John 19:30, “It is finished”.



For all the ‘undone’ things that could cause us to feel ‘undone’ how liberating to know, really know…

Romans 8:28 “²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

I guess I could go on and on with more examples of ‘undone’ things that can be reframed to show their value. But for now this post is done.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

Strong Hands

In 2004 I got arrested for a minor driving incident.  My license had been revoked for nonpayment of a ticket, and I got pulled over.  I went to court the next day, paid the ticket and the fine, and everything was good again.  Except that after court, I got fired for getting arrested.  That day, it was the worst thing that could have happened to me.  I loved the kids I worked with, I loved [some of] the people I worked with. I worked 100+ hours a week.  I slept there. I ate there. The kids came home with me for holidays. That job, those kids, were my life. I didn't know what to do if I wasn't working. 

I made the job my family, and I didn't see my own anymore. I didn't call, didn't visit.  For a time I spent my day's off with my grandmother who was living with my dad and couldn't be left alone anymore.  But that only lasted until she went into a nursing home, and then I went back to picking up overtime shifts on my days off. 

In my memory, every time I saw my family during that time, we ended up in some sort of fight.  I'm not sure if that's accurate or not, but that's how it seems now.  My sister even threw a Bible at me once.  Good times :)

Right after I got fired, my grandmother took a turn for the worse. Since I didn't have a job to go to anymore, I spent my days with her. Since her nursing home was close to my dad's house, I went there often.  I started making appearances at church on Sunday mornings, although in the beginning it was simply to see the smile on my dad's face when I walked in.

There's no doubt in my mind now that what seemed like the worst thing, was actually the best thing.

I spent time with my grandmother before she died. I reconnected with my family, and the church I grew up in. I met all of the people who are now so important to me. I learned how much people had been praying for me, and, despite the fact that I all but deserted them, how much they loved me. Eventually I discovered the God who loves me even more than they do.

My dad says that a few weeks before the whole thing happened, he finally threw his hands up and told God to do what He needed to do. I like to say that he prayed for me to get arrested :)

It's funny to me that while Dad was praying and trying to reach me and doing all he could do in his power, God was just waiting for him to let go.  The moment that changed my life, also changed my dad. It was a lesson he had to learn.  The take-away for him (besides getting his favorite daughter back in his life) was not that he did anything to bring me back. It was that he couldn't do anything to bring me back. It was that "letting go and letting God" is yes, cliche, but also best practice. 

Awhile ago I wrote about Jonah, and obedience.  At the time, I had a decision to make. I didn't want to make it. Not just that I didn't want to say yes, but I didn't want to make the decision at all. 

But, it was the type of decision that has to be made. Can not be avoided. Things were depending on this decision.

I made it.  And while I won't say that I embraced it, I came to terms with it, and began thinking about the ways God could use it.  Use me. I pretty much planned the whole thing out.

Today, I find myself possibly in the same place my dad was a few years back. Thinking about how I was "willing" do to anything in my power, what I thought God was asking me to do, to help someone.   Learning that I can't really do anything. That the whole mess is in His hands now.

 I'm not quite sure what the take-away from this lesson will be.  Right now, I'm feeling like the "simple" act of making the decision was my lesson. That's what I needed.  That was what someone needed from me. That's all I could do.

 I'm really glad that His hands are stronger than mine.  There's no better place for this situation to be.

Brooke

The Humble Mumble

I just finished another two week fast where I asked the Lord to search my heart, and show me what HE wanted to change in me. I asked HIM to show me anything that displeases HIM, to make it unmistakable and make it hurt.

 I know that sounds like a strange request but if my sin doesn't become uncomfortable, if it doesn't hurt I am likely to continue to live with it. On the other hand a  Godly sorrow brings repentance ! (2 Corinthians 7:10) So I pleaded with HIM to make me uncomfortable. "Lord, show me the ugliness of my sin and make me want to change for YOU."

In the first few days of the fast there was nothing blatant brought to my attention however, I did notice that I was doing a bit of mumbling. If someone corrected me on something I rolled my eyes and mumbled about my incompetence, When dinner was a little overdone, I mumbled some more and put myself down for it. AND that was just the beginning, the noise level increased!

As the week went on I began to notice that I was doing quite a lot of mumbling. I had become hyper sensitive. I would like to say I was hyper sensitive to HIS Spirit but at that point I was just hyper sensitive to other people.

One day it occurred to me that God was showing me what HE needed to change in me. He was using my mumbling to humble me.  HE was showing me just how much pride I still have in my life and that hurt. OUCH!

I thought since I had given my life to serving the Lord and HIS people, having become a servant for HIS Kingdom that I didn't have a pride problem. HA, I was sorely mistaken. My pride was the sin on display.

The Lord was showing me that even in my service to others I still wanted my work to be recognized as good. I desired my opinions to be heard and acknowledged as valid!  OUCH!!!

The recognition of my ugly pride soon  progressed to a painful sorrow and a deep desire to change. I was becoming hyper sensitive to HIS SPIRIT.

God is faithful to answer the desires of the heart to be changed more into the likeness of HIS Son. I am grateful that HE  answered and showed me this sin that prevents me from truly pleasing HIM, the One my heart truly desires to please.

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 2 Corinthians 3:5

I now call my mumbling my "humbling mumbling" because if (and when) I hear myself start to mumble I know it is my pride speaking.(and it is not a pretty sound) OUCH!

I am humbled knowing that I can do nothing good without HIM. It is God that deserves ALL the glory not me!!!

The next time you get to mumbling take a quick check to see if it's some pride in disguise. If it is then let HIM do some humbling in your mumbling!


Humbly,
ruthann

Great News!

Ah, Good Friday. A time to remember what Christ did for us. To remember His sacrifice, to remember His journey. To remember His suffering, to remember His death. God became man to die for you. For your family. For your children. For your children’s friends. For your friends. For your enemies.

And then on Sunday comes Easter. When we remember God’s mercy, His love for us, for all His created-even those who have not yet accepted Him. We remember new life for Christ, and ourselves. We remember that He defeated death and rose from the grave. We remember that Satan has no victory. I can’t help but smile when I think about how happy Satan must have been when Christ died, and how unbelievably crushed he became when Christ rose. Oh Death, where is your sting, oh hell, where is your victory?!

Take time to read about that first Good Friday and that first Easter in the gospels this weekend. You can find them in Matthew chapters 26-28, Mark 14:10-chapter 16, Luke chapters 22-24, and John chapters 18-20. Meditate on how great our God is and how much He loves you. Think about how this should impact our everyday life and compare that to how it is having an impact on our everyday life. This is our Good News, our great News, our life-changing News! Are we living like it is?

Be blessed and be a blessing this Easter,

Jill

Oh, What A Beauty-Full Savior

I held onto the remote control last night, for several reasons. At first it was because we were watching a movie in which all the actors spoke with British accents, so at times some of their lines were difficult to understand. To assist me to recapture what I couldn’t understand the first time I would hit rewind. I occasionally turned up the sound thinking that by increasing the volume I would somehow distinguish better what was said. As the movie progressed though I found that my comprehension improved greatly. As long as I just kept on listening I adapted to the sound of their voices. As they became more familiar to me, I was able to easily follow.

Later in the movie I used the volume control again for different reasons. There were scenes of high tension throughout the film that were accentuated with intensifying music. At times I am not so keen on ‘surround sound’ for this reason, because of the physical sensations that are prompted by the reverberations within the speakers. So whenever this occurred I would attempt to lessen my own mounting tension by turning the sound down.

There were also actual noises within the movie itself that were offensive. Not profanities, but sounds of war. Cannons blasting. Bombs exploding. The wounded shrieking. I wanted to turn those down too. In fact there were occasions when I would have liked to fast-forward right on through them, avoiding the harsh realities depicted on the screen. But I did not, because they were part of the whole story.

Without giving the title or the story line of the movie, so as not to ruin it for those who haven’t yet viewed it, I do however want to make some reference to it. There is a vital scene that shows the new owner of an animal spending time and attention training the animal he loved to hear, know, and respond obediently to his voice. It took a little while but eventually the animal ‘got it’. He knew the words or sound, interpreted the meaning and it prompted a desired response.

Sort of like the first minutes of my watching the film got me accustomed to the characters’ foreign-sounding voices until I ‘got it’. That’s exactly how God wants to train us to hear, know and respond to His voice. He wants us to be attentive to His Words, so we can recognize His voice, so we can readily and gladly do the things He asks of us. In the same way that I am glad I didn’t quickly give up on watching the rest of the film, I’m sure that God is glad when we don’t tune Him out just because we’re not sure right away what He is trying to say to us, teach us or prompt us to do.

John 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Although I held a remote control in my hand that could have diminished, avoided or totally shut off the film, I did not, because there was something in me that desired a detailed closure on what I had begun. The difficult parts could not be evaded, controlled or minimized because they held the primary essence of the completed tale.

This week my mind and my eyes have frequently been drawn to the various Gospel renditions of Jesus’ last week before His glorious Resurrection. It occurred to me that Jesus’ primary role in the greatest story of all time certainly had numerous opportunities for Him to want to hold the omnipotent remote control. But He never once looked to minimize the mounting state of high tension He was continually enduring and facing.

Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Jesus, in His matchless love for His Father and for us, had an urgent determination to complete, to bring to closure, His eternal purpose. His passion was to listen to and obey the Father, to forgive the undeserved violence against Him, and to pour mercy and grace out on the very ones who would betray, deny and execute Him just as He predicted.

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 26:42
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

He did not shirk the harsh realities of suffering that He experienced exclusively for us. Just when he could have resorted to the ease that He so deserved, He willingly handed all the control to the God who never again wanted to be remote from you or me or all the world.

Jesus listened, knew, and followed the Father’s will for His life. Jesus ‘got it’.

Oh, what a Beauty-Full Savior!

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

Plums and Heartbeats

This little girl has been occupying many of my thoughts over the last few months.

 Don't worry.  It's only 1/3 mine.  Had some of you scared there for a minute, didn't I??  :)

"1/3 mine" really means that my cousin, and longest friend (and one of the best!) Jane recognizes my need to be a part of literally everything, and has graciously allowed me to give input whenever I want.  Because she knows I will anyways, I think she just decided to embrace it! Really, I'm just the tie-breaker should she and her husband Harry need one.  I'm ok with that!

Jane is 13 weeks along, and the baby was the size of a plum last week.  I love plums, and since I've decided it's going to be a girl, I've named her Plumkin.  This will be her name forever and ever.

Last Monday night Jane and I talked nursery, and colors, and design, and all kinds of fun stuff that involves both paint and babies. Doesn't get much better than that.

Last Tuesday, I heard her tiny heartbeat for the first time. Definitely better than talking about paint. We were asking the Dr questions and manipulating her into confirming that the baby is, in fact, a girl (that part was just me), and she said, "You know, there's nothing you can do or not do that is going to change the outcome of this. What's going to happen will happen." 

I know why she said it.  So we don't worry and panic and read things on the internet.  But while we are busy planning nurseries and showers and names, that tiny little plum is busy growing into a tiny little baby.  And God set that in motion. Her fingers and toes are forming, her heart is getting bigger and stronger.  Her organs are becoming organs, instead of just blobs. Her ears will start to hear, and you better believe I'm gonna be talking. That girl will know just how much I love her before she even gets here. I did promise Jane I wouldn't kiss her stomach, and I'm going to try really hard to keep that promise.

God knows and loves her now as much as He will after she is born.  He created her, fearfully and wonderfully.  He knows her character, her traits.  He knows who she will become.  He knows the part each of us will play in the person she will be.

There really is nothing we can do to change what will or won't happen.  But I believe in a God who does all things for the good of those who love Him. I believe in the God of Hope.  I believe that the one thing I can do while waiting for my Plumkin to arrive is pray for her.  I can pray for her now, for her development and for lack of complications, and I can pray for who she will become.

When the time comes, I'm going to claim 1/3 of the naps cuddled on the couch, play-times, song singing, book reading. In case you all think I'm one of those people who only likes clean, happy, sweet babies, I'm also going to claim 1/3 of the dirty diapers, the spit up, the crying. I will gladly sacrifice 1/3 of my wardrobe to smeared sweet potatoes and disgusting mushed peas. If Jane and Harry need me to, I'll claim 1/3 of the sleepless nights, and the early mornings.

But, I refuse to be only 1/3 amazed at the tiny life that will change mine.  I refuse to be only 1/3 awed that a tiny 12 week old heartbeat can stop mine. And I refuse to be only 1/3 hopeful and confident that my God will carry her, and her parents, through whatever happens over the next months until she is born, and the next many years afterwards.

Plumkin, I can't wait until you get here so I can show you just how much I love you. If somehow you turn out to be a boy, I promise I will love you just as much, and I will come back here and change all the "she's" to "he's", and find an equally clever and cute nickname to call you.

Ladies (and a few men too!), will you join me in praying?  For the new life that I am not-so-patiently waiting for, and for her parents, who are counted among the most important people in my life. 


Brooke

Make it Personal

 The words of a tiny voice caught my attention as I passed by some small children playing on the floor of the church. "Mine, Mine...it's mine" the little voice exclaimed  clutching a treasured toy.

Children seem to instinctively become possessive of the things that they deem important. No one has to teach a two year old to proclaim what belongs to them. If you have ever been around one you can attest to that.

My boys each had a special object that they became attached to at an early age. One of them had a beloved "blankie"  and the other a little bear named "Bubba". Blankie and Bubba went through many experiences with the boys. If they were frightened or hurt they wanted "My Bubba" or "My Blankie". When they were tired or faced with a new situation they didn't just want to be with the blankie or the bear but rather with "My Bubba" and " My Blankie", these were personal, these were their friends.

 They  knew these items so well that they could not be fooled by any look-a-likes. Believe me I tried to substitute a new, clean blanket for the old one and it did NOT work for a second. They each  knew everything about their own personal "friend". They knew the special scent and where every tear and scar was placed.

I can recall, as if it were yesterday the frantic searches for a misplaced  Bubba or Blankie. The tears and anguish when one of the boys realized that their treasured friend was gone and they didn't know where to find it.

And I remember the peace and joy that overcame them when it was finally found.

They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "they have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."

 John 20:13 NIV (emphasis mine)

Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb where she had known Jesus to have been buried and when she found it empty she was frantic. After all, she hadn't come just to be with the Lord , she had come to be with "my Lord"!!

Mary had a relationship with Jesus. Jesus had brought her healing. Jesus had brought her comfort. Jesus  was her everything! Mary had a personal connection to Jesus.

As the account continues Jesus  reveals Himself by saying her name, "Mary". When she realizes it is her Lord  she grabs on to Him so tightly as if to never let go. Jesus actually has to to tell her "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father." (John 20:17a)

I can imagine Mary holding on to Jesus and repeating "my Lord, my Lord, my Lord" over and over as she clings to her beloved Jesus. Like a child after finding their treasured friend, Mary was undone by the presence of her treasured friend and Savior.

This Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, I hope to pass by groups of children AND adults at church and over hear them saying" Mine", "Mine", "Jesus is Mine", "Jesus is MY LORD"!

Humbly,

ruthann

Run to it!

If you need rest RUN to it!
If you need healing RUN to it!
If you need forgiveness RUN to it!
If you need anything RUN to it!!

Praise the Lord that HE is waiting at the Mercy Seat for us!!!!
Listen and drink in HIS Amazing Mercy and Love!

With a Grateful Heart,
ruthann