Broken But Not Abandoned...

I am so saddened by the devastation in Oklahoma… giant tornado killing so many people… including children.  Two schools were hit and neighborhoods were wiped out!  My heart also hurts in all this for the people that are looking to understand how God could let this happen.  I saw a comment on FB in response to a prayer for God to comfort these families… it reads: "So turn to God for salvation against devastation that God clearly caused? A mile wide tornado? That's crazy."  It is a hard thing… knowing that God can stop anything… He could have stopped His Son from dying on the cross for my sins too, but He didn't! 

There is no logic!  If we could figure it out or understand it… then what would we need God for? God created everything there is in nature.  He put the natural way things are to be, in motion, but that doesn't mean that it will never get out of whack at times… and He allows it to happen.  Just like our free will… He could treat us all like puppets to live and do everything perfectly as He wants it, but what would that be?  Would that be living?  He loves us so much and the only way for us to love Him back is through free will… if you force someone to love you is that really love? 

“But God is rich in mercy because of His great love for us. We were dead because of our failures, but He made us alive together with Christ. (It is God’s kindness that saved you.) God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with Him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of His generosity to us in order to show His extremely rich kindness in the world to come.” Ephesians 2:4-7

These situations are so devastating and hard to grasp the good, if any… but I have to trust that God knows what He is doing!  What is my alternative to that?  I can either trust that God is sovereign and His Word is true or I can choose to live my life with no hope… Is that really a choice?

I have recently become a fan of the Sidewalk Prophets… they have some great songs, but one of their songs, “Keep Making Me”, has words that are so powerful to me!  Because words are so important to me I find it hard to sing words I don’t mean… some days I can sing these words and mean them… other days I cannot even get them to come out of my mouth because of the tears.  I want this to be my prayer every day… as you read the words you’ll see what I mean.

Make me broken, so I can be healed
‘Cuz I’m so calloused now I can’t feel
I want to run to You, heart wide open
Make me broken

Make me empty so I can be filled
‘Cuz I’m still holding onto my will
And I’m completed when You are with me
Make me empty

‘Til You are my one desire
‘Til You are my one true love
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord please keep making me

Make me lonely so I can be whole
‘Til I want no one more than You Lord
‘Cuz in the darkness I know You will hold me
Make me lonely

‘Til You are my one desire
‘Til You are my one true love
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord please keep making, I know You’ll keep making, me

My prayers go out to those hurting in Oklahoma… may they feel God’s presence as their comfort!  And may they know that they are not abandoned!

“I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” Isaiah 49:15-16

Rejoicing in Truth!

Bringing Him Glory... Finishing Strong!

This spoke so strongly to me today… I just knew I had to share it on Coffee Cup Corner!  Bible Life Coaching from Sheri Rose Shepherd:

“It is always the last act of love, the last word spoken, the last move made that is the one remembered most.

Have you ever fought hard for something or someone you really believed in? You gave your all, your love, your time and your talent only to have it come to a bitter end where it seems you lost everything that mattered most to you including your faith? I have been there, and in these broken-hearted moments I could not find anyway or anything to restore what was lost or repair the damage done. But I discovered in the word of God that the ONE thing I can do is choose to lay down my feelings and bring a strong close to whatever is coming to an end. I can choose to react in a way that will bring glory to God. I know it is hard to push through painful places when you're hurting, but it is even harder to look back with regret and know you wasted the pain and became part of the problem.

If you are in a season of painful change and things seem to be coming to an end, allow me to share with you some Bible Life Coaching tips that will give you peace, perspective and help you persevere so you finish with a strong close...

• Pray for a bigger picture than your own pain and it will help purpose you to Finish Strong!
• Do what is right and Refuse to engage with whomever is attacking you or you become like them.
• Focus on God's will and not your rights. Remember that our God is a just God and He will repay those who have come against His children.
• Turn your hurt into Hope for the future and, rather than fix your mind on what you're losing, choose to trust God for new beginnings that will lead to His plans for you!

God's Letter to You

I believe if The Lord was going to write you a personal letter about battles this life brings it may read like this....

My Beloved Child,

Your life lived for me will become the legacy that lives on long after you are gone. Your fight will never be forgotten. You are a hero of the faith and your commitment to the call will carve character into the next generation. Every prayer you prayed will become a blessing passed down. Every tough choice you made to obey me will become a foundation of faith your family will stand on in their tough times.

Your courage will continue to bring comfort to many during their difficult times. Your Trust in me will remain in others who watched you walk in peace. I, your God, declare on this day that your children's children will be forever blessed because you lived your life for an audience of One... Me!

Love,
Your Lord and Savior who died for you

Treasure of Truth

Happy are those who delight in doing what He commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten. — Psalm 112:1-3”

I pray you received a blessing from this as I have!

Rejoicing in Truth!

No Distractions!

Oh my... it has been such a busy week and this week is going to be even busier!  I am blessed to be serving at Heart Quest, it is a spiritual event set up through Fellowship of the Sword.  I have heard people ask if it is like a ladies' retreat... it is like a retreat on steroids!!! I attended as a participant 3 years ago... it was 5 1/2 days like I have never experienced before! Let me just say, God is so incredibly good!  

Anyway, this event asks all participants to do 30 days of prep before the event, so along with those questing all of us serving also do the same prep.  It is good but during that time it can get a little rough too... anytime you are trying to draw closer to God things of life are always coming up!  So this is why I am sharing what I am sharing...

You might be feeling tired, overwhelmed, a little defeated, or all of the above!  You may even feel like you just don’t have enough in you to take your relationship with God to another level… I have been there too!  Be encouraged… you don’t have to do this perfectly!  Throw all worries of what others may think in the trash… we are all flawed, but only the ones that admit it can find freedom from it. 

In 1 Peter 5… verse 8 – “Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.”  Being attentive to what God wants us to see… that is the key.  Keep from letting others’ issues take your focus off God.  When we lose focus it is so easy for the devil to slip in there and turn distraction into discouragement.  This is the time… God loves you so much!  Let Him turn your mess into His message!

Father, I thank You for this time You have given each of us to draw closer to You!  I praise You for being so incredible and loving each of us with Your perfect, unconditional love.  I ask You to open the heart of each person reading this wider than ever before to receive all that You have for them.  Even in times of doubt, Father, help them to believe Your hand guides them and your right hand holds on to them.  I pray Your peace and Your comfort over each of us. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Rejoicing in Truth!

Goo Be Gone...

Anxiety and worry!  How hard does it get to carry all that extra baggage around with us?  It is just crazy that we do that when there is no need for us to.

“Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

Notice it does not say, “Pack your anxiety in a bag and carry it around for a few days.”  I understand the benefits of strength training, but I don’t think this is what they had in mind! As soon as an anxious thought comes into my mind I have to turn it right over to God… it should become automatic… the more I trust Him the easier it will be! 

I sometime have pictures that go through my head… if I can picture it then it helps me remember things better, so as I was thinking on the whole anxiety/worry thing here is the picture that came to me.  It is like making pancakes… when you pour the batter on the griddle the underside of the pancake starts to cook. But the topside is gooey!  I remember when I was first learning how to make pancakes, I asked my mom how you know when to turn it over.  She told me that when the gooey side starts to bubble then you know it is time to turn it over.  What a picture… when worry (goo)  starts to bubble up in my life it is the sign it is time to turn it over to God! He will handle it! He wants to handle it!  I just need to trust Him enough to handle it!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Father, I thank You for being the One that wants to take care of every need!  I praise You for the great sacrifice You made by sending Jesus to take away my sins that I can know the freedom and the peace that comes through a relationship with Him. God, You are so good and faithful! I ask You to bless each person that reads this… let Your Word be a changing moment in their lives as it has been in mine! Giving You all the praise and honor in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rejoicing In Truth!
Carin

You are Not Called to Be a Caterpillar!

I had the opportunity to go to Frederic Meijer Garden to see the butterfly exhibit, recently.  For you that don’t know, I am fascinated and intrigued by those fluttering creatures.  As I was thinking about their transformation and how they start out with not much to offer… they crawl around on their bellies and can eat massive amounts of vegetation… it is hard to see the beauty or usefulness in those little critters.  I am sure most caterpillars could be satisfied living out their life as a caterpillar, but God has bigger things in store for them!  That caterpillar was not called to be a caterpillar!

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well.” Psalms 139:14

If I am truly honest… I dislike the transformation process!  I am realizing my disdain for it has more to do with my stubbornness than it has to do with God’s work.  My selfishness, my humanness, can be satisfied, to a certain extent; just being what I am… transformation is painful!

Like the caterpillar, God lets it know when it is time to start the metamorphosis into what He has called it to… a thing of beauty… a butterfly!  I am almost positive the caterpillar does not argue with God about it or try to make a deal to be left alone… it knows that it is created for greater things! (Romans 9:20)  How about us?  Does the pain of transformation stop us from being made, slowly but surely, into God’s beautiful creature?

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”   2 Corinthians 3:18

What is God working on in your life?  Are you moving forward with an open and willing heart to His leading? Or are you refusing to get into the cocoon?  Yes, God loves every one of us as “caterpillars” but He loves us so much He cannot wait to transform us into His beautiful creature, one step at a time.  Remember… You are not called to be a caterpillar!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Rejoicing in Truth!

From the Heart... Love is the Key...

"From the Heart"... I have seen and read lately so many things about what you want for Valentines Day or what is the best gift you have received???  I admit I can easily fall into the thought that once a year on the “big heart” day... what you receive shows how much you are loved! 

So then I was reading in Romans 12… “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (12:9-10)  I love to be surprised… I love to be on the receiving end at times, but what would my life look like if I gave instead of waiting to receive???

In John 13:1-17… the scene is the last supper, there is no servant there to wash their tired, dusty feet, so Jesus jumps into action and serves His disciples by washing their feet.  The Savior of the world tied on a towel and gave to His friends in such an intimate way!  It may not be practical to wash a person’s feet but having a listening ear, giving a gentle hug, speaking a word of encouragement... those could be the refreshing water that could cleanse a tired soul.

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14-15

 

It’s not a once a year heart thing… it is an everyday of the year heart thing!  Christ set the example… if we can even grasp a small amount of this how much of a change could we make?  God’s kind of love flows from a loving heart not out of duty or coercion… it is from a joyful heart not from a guilty consciences… it is your choice… what will you do with it?!

Rejoicing in Truth!

From the Heart... Walk in Love!

This is the 1^st day of February… a short month (28 days) with so much packed into it! Ground Hogs Day… Super Bowl… Fat Tuesday… Presidents Day… Valentines Day!  I personally like to think of February as the month of love!  I have many sweet memories from my childhood from the month of February and Valentines Day in particular.

So this is what God has laid on my heart… I am going to share a few things over the next month regarding, “From the Heart.”  I am using it as a challenge to myself and maybe in the process it will challenge some of you as well.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.”  Matthew 12:30

To love like that it takes your “ALL”… there are very few things in my life I give my all to. What kind of passion does that take to give your all?  I tend to be a “middle of the road” kind of gal in so many ways, but the things that really mean the most to me… the things I have great passion for… you better watch out because I can be like a run-away train!

God has put passion in each of our hearts for different things, but one thing that He has given all of us the same passion for is to love Him.  What is your heart attitude?  We can never repay God for what He did by sending His Son as a sacrifice for our sin… and He doesn’t want repayment… it is a free gift (Romans 6:23).  But how can we show our love for Him?

 

Obedience… doing the will of God from the heart (Ephesians 6:6). Serving Him by serving others!?  Where are you serving... is there a place in your church that needs you? Is there a place that you need to be serving? You say you don't know where to start or what you might like to do??? You will never figure it out by doing nothing?!!! Walk it out... start now! 

 

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance." Ephesians 5:2

That’s it... from my heart to yours!

Rejoicing in Truth!