Leap Day!

Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you,

when they exclude you and insult you

and reject your name as evil,

because of the Son of Man.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 

Luke 6:20-23

Leap for joy

Happy Leap Day, Girlfriends!

Praise to God for the warm weather here in Chicagoland--He gave us an extra day in February AND cranked up the temperature to boot!

I am going to step outside for a long walk today, reading a book and enjoying the breeze. How will you spend your extra day? Whatever you choose, I pray God's presence will be felt. 

Whether you are soaking in the sunshine or battling a personal time of darkness, my desire is that you LEAP for joy today. God is good, and His promises for a great reward in heaven stand. As Jesus states in the passage above from Luke, Blessed are you! How can our hearts not leap with joy when we consider His promises are for eternity, where days in a year do not matter?

Leap of faith

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) 

The book I am reading while walking today is I Still Believe, the autobiography of Christian singer/songwriter Jeremy Camp. Jeremy wrote the song "Walk By Faith" after losing his young bride to cancer after only a year of marriage. The raw and revealing lyrics to his songs show the leaps of faith he has taken in his life. His book also details God's faithfulness through Jeremy's journey.

I Still Believe stirs my heart. Now girlfriends, we are women who cry over great love stories, but what leaps off the pages and into my soul is more than a tale of love, loss, and longing. The members of Jeremy's family traveled rocky roads, eventually reaching out for God's grace. Once under His wings, their concentration and commitment to Him during even more challenging circumstances amazes me. Suffering did not cease once they were saved, but hopelessness did. Because they walk by faith and because they still believe, Jeremy and his family know "There will be a day with no more tears, No more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face." (There Will Be A Day, Camp)

Girlfriends, that is more than enough reason for me to leap with joy--won't you jump with me? Whether your vertical is zero or thirty inches, it matters not: Truly, God sees your bounce. Let's make this a record-breaking Leap Day.

Love you all!

Do You Not Know?

Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 40: 28-31(NIV)

Do you not know?


I frequently hear stories from high school students about their peers who flat out reject faith in a higher power. Whenever the topic arises, these individuals adamantly argue against the existence of a Creator and the sovereignty of a God and Savior. The Bible, they say, is just a book written by a bunch of old guys a long time ago; it absolutely is not God's infallible Word and has no validity in today's scientific and modern age. These vocal pupils apparently dominate the conversation and completely frustrate the Christians in the room as they attempt to give an account for what they believe. 

Today, I thought about "the rest"--the students in the room who remain silent during such discussions. I am inclined to believe that "the rest" are in fact the majority, whether the conversation takes place in a classroom, a break room, or in a social setting. These individuals don't necessarily agree with the vocal dissenters, yet they absolutely do not know the God that the Christians defend? So they remain silent, listening. Usually no one pays attention to the them: those in rebellion as well as the Christians are immersed in their own thoughts, emotions, and arguments. But make no mistake: the silent ones will take something away from their observation, even if it is simply a list of questions in a longing heart.

Have you not heard?

I know firsthand about "the rest" because I was once counted among their numbers. I did not know. I could not participate in the discourse, having no knowledge one way or another. So I listened, questioning and reflecting, without any understanding of the basic concepts. For years, I simply walked away from such encounters, wondering, but not motivated to seek answers on my own as I thought I had life under control. And no one I knew offered to explain it to me. Years passed, events happened, and still I had not heard the message that would save my life.

One day, in my first college course, I thought I moved from "the rest" into a new category: the enlightened. Philosophy 101 taught rational proofs for and against the existence of God. I memorized them all and fancied myself an intellectual with deep insight. In truth, these superficial arguments were based upon rules of logic and no deep interrogation of the soul. I still had not heard. No one had told me. That professor was not interested in changing hearts, only memorizing the assertions and regurgitating them on paper. I continued to journey in darkness.

I did not join the family of Christians until someone actually took the time to speak to me about her faith. Modeling Christlike behavior, I was drawn to these women who over the course of years poured gently yet steadily into me, unabashedly sharing hope, joy, security, strength, and forgiveness. Eventually, as I listened and observed, the hunger in me increased until Christ became the only satisfaction for my pangs. I fled from the darkness to the Light, and pray that I will continue to run with perseverance the race marked out for me, fixing my eyes on Jesus.(Hebrews 12:1-2)

Who will you tell?

My dear Girlfriends, to which group do you belong today? Are you in rebellion, denying the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth? Has some hurt, tragedy, or abandonment caused you to desert your hope in the LORD? Or are you among "the rest," the majority who have not rejected Jesus but simply do not know? Is your heart crying out, "Someone please speak to me; I want to hear-I want to know?" Do you feel like Christians look upon you as an intentional sinner when truly you are not even sure what sin, redemption, rebirth, and sanctification mean?

Maybe you are a Christian, faithfully defending your Father against the attackers in your school, workplace, or community, but completely unaware of "the rest?" If so, have you been operating under the assumption that everyone knows about Jesus, or has at least heard of Him, so they must be non-believers by choice? Or perhaps you are completely absorbed in your own growth and have forgotten that someone once took the time to share the Gospel with you?

Wherever you land today, Girlfriends, lift up your face and do not be discouraged. Our God,  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. He will lift you up to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not be faint. If you are struggling with doubts, His Word shows how to ask for help to overcome your unbelief (Mark 9:24) and He promises that if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)


Ladies, if you are visiting my blog and have no idea what I am talking about most of the time, I am here for you! I want you to know, to hear, to believe, to accept, and to understand the intensity with which you are loved and the plan that Love has for your life. You are not here by accident; God created you and is pursuing a relationship with you. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) I know you have heard that verse before. This time, let it flood your heart and drink it in--He is talking about loving YOU so much that He would DIE for YOU. God desires your eternal presence with Him; I desire your eternal presence with God. If you want to talk or pray, PLEASE write to me.

And for my Christian friends, you who have heard, who do know the joy of the Lord, I plead with you to open your eyes and look around: With whom can you share the message of salvation this week? We surely must defend against the vocal attackers of our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 directs us to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have, But do this with gentleness and respect. But what about "the rest", the silent observers who cross our paths each day but never ask us for the reason? Matthew 28:19 says Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...and John 15:16 states You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. Is there anything more enduring than a saved soul? Girlfriends, read your Bible, close your eyes and pray, but every day lift your face and exercise your voice to speak to the silent ones who are seeking His Name. Your Master longs to say Well done, you good and faithful servant! (Matthew 25:21)


Today, Girlfriends, I am praying for each of you: to know, to hear, and to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ. Be blessed!

Faith and Mountains

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20

Mountains

When my husband and I were young and newly married, the Army moved us to Hawaii. For three and half years on Oahu, I lived with a mountain right outside my door. Recently, my husband took the kids and me back to visit. Although the actual housing in which we had lived no longer stands, that gorgeous mountain does. I loved watching the mountain at sunset, the glow from the sky reflecting off the green ridges, emitting warmth and tranquility. I never climbed on its side, nor learned how it formed or when. Some days, I took the mountain for granted, not even noticing it as I pushed the girls on the swing and casually conversed with my neighbors. Yet still to this day, that mountain rises majestically to the sky just outside what once was my lanai door. 

Faith

In those early years of adulthood and marriage, my faith was growing slowly. God was pursuing me, placing wonderful women in my path who would lead me closer to Him, particularly by their dedication to my children. Beth, a Christian woman and nurse who was present for the birth of two girls, is the godmother of Alexis. Donna, a neighbor devoted to her Catholic faith, encouraged me to attend church routinely and is also the godmother of Joslyn. (And the reason I bled green as a girl scout leader for 12 years, but that is a story by itself!) Both of these ladies had a major impact upon my blossoming relationship with the Lord and the faith future of our family.  Time has only magnified their role.

Mountains and Faith

Funny thing about mountains, as beautiful as they are to gaze upon, their height blocks your view of the horizon. That mountain in the backyard was not the only mountain in my young life. I had some major peaks to conquer as an Army wife, college graduate seeking a career and identity, a counselor in a domestic violence shelter, and a mother of three who struggled with detachment issues. Because my faith was nowhere near the size of a mustard seed, barking orders for them to 'move from here to there' did not work, and actually only frustrated me and wore down my husband. 

I had no clue that what I needed was to increase my faith through a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. Seeking Him was not my top priority: I was my top priority...how hard it was on me married to a soldier and trying to raise three small children; how difficult I found it to work a job and miss my baby take her first steps or put my kindergartener in after-school care; how internally I battled with the desire for a career and identity outside the home all the while wanting nothing more than to hold and play with my kids all day. Me, me, me. Instead of turning to the Father in prayer, I relied upon my own reason and strength to move these mountains. Guess what? They did not budge, and I wore out both myself and my family in the effort.   

Faith and Mountains 

Just as that Hawaiian mountain still towers today, the mountains in my life also stand. Yes, the children are older, but I am still a mother supporting and pouring into them. I rarely work for pay outside the home, but I volunteer countless hours in a week. The battle still rages within when I reflect upon former desires for a recognizable career. Furthermore, new mountains have formed over the years: my husband changed careers but we still endured years of physical separation, including two deployments into war zones. Medical emergencies and tragedies have threatened my children and family members. We have moved homes fourteen times. 

That tiny speck of faith that God planted early in my life and that Beth and Donna nurtured in Hawaii has  grown immensely by His grace and by the loving hearts of innumerable women I have been blessed to call girlfriends. Today, I can confidently speak to the power and wisdom Jesus imparts in Matthew 17:20: Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 

I have moved mountains. I have learned to find beauty in each rising challenge, yet I know that I need to see the horizon that the mountain obscures. With faith probably not much larger than a mustard seed at times, I consult my Father in Heaven when immovable obstacles arise. Through His strength, not mine, I tackle problems and through His wisdom, I arrive at solutions. The process is often slow, as God's timing doesn't run by my watch. Sometimes patience is my dolly; I strap on grace, mercy, joy, and forgiveness. Other times humbleness is my handcart, rolling on wheels of love and self-control. But I never call in the moving truck without first consulting the Holy Spirit in prayer, for by Him all these fruits are given. I am never disappointed or discouraged when I believe that just as God created that mountain in Hawaii and placed it there for me to enjoy, He is also the artistic Creator of my life. I face the mountains, but I also believe in my faith through Christ to move them. 

How about you, Girlfriends? What mountains stand in your backyard today? Are you battered and worn down from trying to move them  by yourself? Has your family suffered because you cannot take your eyes off the mountains?  Or have you been gazing upon them for years, enjoying the view but oblivious of what lies beyond? And what about your faith? Do you believe that you can conquer all things through Christ, who suffered, died, and rose to new life to forgive your sins? Are you seeking a relationship with Him, the greatest Mover of all times? I pray today that you will take time to gaze upon His glory, seek His love, and ask His forgiveness. Together, you can move mountains!

Love you Girlfriends!

My Friend, Jill

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

~Jeremy Camp, Give You Glory

Hello, Girlfriends!

I did not plan to write on the weekend, but here I am! I found myself wide awake at 6:30 am. No big deal except IT'S SATURDAY! Arrr! My alarm was set for eight; alas, I turned it off and enjoyed the sunrise over the icy treetops. Now, here I am, preparing to share with you the first thoughts that swam through my brain when I opened my eyes so bright and early today.

"Jill looked so happy, relaxed, and joyful last night. But then again, she is always joyful when I see her." Yep, I was thinking about my friend, who happens to be my pastor's wife, at 6:30 am. (It's ok, Jill, I forgive you for not letting me sleep in this weekend!) If I have not already, I am going to totally embarrass her by telling you why thinking about Jill, and women like her, is not as creepy and weird as my teen-agers would have me think. 

Because of Jill, I attended the Francesca Batistelli/Jeremy Camp concert last night. Another lady from our church was organizing the night out. Jill informed with me and others of the opportunity, as she always does. Key words: as she always does. I notice every time I am around her, Jill is pouring into others. She is a treasure-trove of information, not only about the church happenings but also of events in the community. Her excitement and enthusiasm  for us, her "girls," bubbles over every time she speaks. I can feel the depth of her caring in routine moments such as sharing upcoming activities and events. Simple acts of love flow from her. 

Jill amazes me. When I consider everything she does, my desire is to fill my tank at the same fuel station she uses. Her energy level is unreal. I have only known Jill for three years, and honestly see only a fraction of her labors in and out of the church. Yet, what I do know, I am sure exemplifies the entire story. 

First and foremost, this incredible woman loves her Lord and Savior. Regular time alone with Him is part of her schedule. I especially love that she and Jesus meet at McDonalds for alone time! When she is well fed, and I don't mean Egg McMuffins, pouring into others comes naturally. What an example to follow.

Secondly, Jill is a wife--and a pastor's wife nonetheless. A model pastor's wife, if I ever saw one. Evidence of love and commitment to her husband spills out nearly every Sunday in the sermons Pastor Jim speaks. Endearing to us in the church are his personal stories. I especially love the ones that include Jill, not only because Pastor Jim smiles or laughs and softens a bit when he says her name, but also because his examples illustrate a loving and supportive wife and mother. 

As a pastor's wife, Jill's duties are many, yet she cheerfully embraces each one. Her smiling face greets us on Sundays, whether she is helping out in the children's area (or wherever needed) or sitting in church silently encouraging her husband. However, Sunday is only the beginning (or the end) of Jill's week. Her schedule includes dining dates with church or community members (and friends); visits to homes, hospitals, and hospice-tendered bedsides; planning, shopping, and preparing food to feed staff, visitors, and church volunteers; cleaning and maintaining her home for unexpected visitors or luncheons for small group leaders; planning and leading a women's weekly Bible study; and more than I can even begin to imagine. 

On top of everything I have stated, Jill works individually with mandated and/or volunteer community service projects. Freely giving of her precious time, Jill works around the individual's schedule, and may I say, frequently suffers last minute cancellations and no-shows. Her gift for listening is invaluable during these projects. I can only imagine the lives she has touched by simply laboring side by side and taking an interest in someone who feels the world has given up and forgotten them. I envision the love of Jesus literally filling the room in which they are working. 

I am blessed to facilitate a small group on Wednesday nights at church, and I am sure you will not be surprised to hear that Jill is a participant in this CORE class. Wow! A pastor's wife who hungers and thirsts for the Word more than she personally desires "a night off!" I am thrilled by her commitment, not only because her presence and her insight enhances our experience, but also because of the selfless example she portrays.When I am called away, Jill steps in to lead. And when I am finished connecting with ladies and cleaning up our area, Jill is still at church in the basement. Often times by herself, she is setting up the chairs and tables for the Weight Watchers club that uses our church the next day as well as the room for her own ladies Bible study. Tirelessly, it seems, she serves her Beloved.

Just last week, Jill and Pastor Jim ministered at the bedside of a church member who passed away after an unfathomably long battle with cancer. Jill was personally connected with this woman, and my heart ached each day as she gave us the update, knowing the prognosis. And when her friend went to her Savior's arms, Jill rallied the troops to ensure Diane's last trip to the church would be beautiful and that her family would feel loved and be well-fed. Once again, Jill was a pillar of strength and inspiration that we know comes from her relationship with the Lord.

So, as you can imagine, last night brought me great happiness each time I would look down the aisle during the concert to see Jill relaxed, smiling, and enjoying the concert. I am pretty sure she even fist-pumped a few times! The music and the testimony were moving and motivating, and I am delighted that I shared the moment with such an extraordinary woman as my friend, Jill.

Love to you all! And Jill, You rock!

 

Addressing Anger

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

Ephesians 4:26

 
Girlfriends, yesterday I told you how much I love you.
Today, I want to declare my respect for each one of you!

Your feedback to my blog both inspires and encourages me. Honest evaluations assist me with my format and content; however, your expressions of raw emotion, self-evaluation, and deep desire to draw nearer to the Lord are truly my motivation to continue writing! I respect the transparency with which you share your heartfelt responses to what God speaks through me when I sit down at the computer. I honor you for facing your fears, shortcomings, questions, and insecurities as you seek growth, depth, and intimacy in your relationships, both with God and with others. I am amazed at your strength and stamina as you seek to employ the spiritual gifts with which you have been blessed. I adore the fact that God allows me to walk with astounding female role models from all seasons of life. In short, I respect you!

Respect.


This snowy morning, I lit a candle and sat down to read my emails. (Don't worry, I am not reading by candlelight; we have electricity. I simply enjoy the ambiance created as well as the scent of Yankee candles!) My joy soon grew as I received a note from a special woman, someone to whom I am deeply attached as a result of a calamitous event. She wrote a loving response to my devotionals but what touched me was her open admission of anger over the aforementioned event. My friend is wrestling with God over the unbearable pain and anguish my daughter, whom my friend loves, is suffering. I respect both this friend's honesty and her willingness to go on the offensive for someone who is not even a blood relative. This woman chooses to love and chooses to risk confronting God over that love. How can I not respect her? Yet, at the same time, out of my love for this woman, I was concerned about the chasm created in her relationship with God. I want to share what I've learned about anger through these disastrous months.

Anger.

I believe anger is an emotion God allows us to experience as much as happiness, sadness, surprise, or fear. In Ephesians 4:26-27, He tells us, "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." As I interpret that passage, we will experience anger but we are to both remain self-controlled and to deal with our anger in a timely manner. We are not to sin in our anger nor hold on to it for great length because Satan then gains a stronghold in our minds.

Anger is often justified, a righteous anger. Jesus himself was angry when the moneychangers defiled the temple; their actions were an insult to someone He loved, His Father. Matthew 21: 12-13 states, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.' "



These passages help me with the anger I feel when I know my daughter is suffering excruciating pain and my only thought in that moment is "Stop. Please, please, please, can't the pain stop?" Of course, my thoughts and questions are directed to God because I trust that He could stop the agony in a millisecond if He so willed. How then do I not become what I feel is righteously angry with Him when she continues to agonize? I have learned two things: One, to direct my anger where it belongs: at Satan; and Two, that while I completely trust in God's sovereign power to release Joslyn from Satan's attack and to heal her body instantly, I also trust in His sovereign power to choose when, how, and why He will act, for His glory and for His eternal plan for Joslyn. 

Anger.


My anger is directed at Satan, a murderer and the father of all lies. (John 8:44) God labels him as our enemy, the devil prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He is the one who instigated the fall of humans (Genesis 3) and thereby planted seeds of all sickness and disorder that grow in our world. He makes me hopping mad! I actually surprised myself on a walk last weekend in St Louis. I was praying for Joslyn and felt that anger surge up inside of me.  I found myself speaking, out loud and very adamantly, to Satan. I did not realize for many minutes that I was fervently rebuking him for all to hear. Thankfully I was by myself on a fairly deserted street, or someone may have called the police to come arrest me for disturbing the peace!

As crazy as I may sound, I have to tell you, Girlfriends, I felt so good when I was done ranting. I did not give him the satisfaction of cursing or losing control, but I openly admonished Satan and used Jesus's example from Luke 4: I told him what God says about the issue. "It is written...."  I knew I had finally talked to the "right person"--gave the message to the one responsible for this mess, told him what I thought about it, and made absolutely clear that he was not welcome, not winning, and not allowed to be near my family! I realized Satan is the source of my anger and therefore the one to whom I will direct it. 

Truth and Trust

More importantly, I reaffirmed that God is Truth. He is the source of my joy and therefore the one to whom I will grant my love, honor, and praise. He did not cause this accident. As I said before, I trust that the Lord could heal Joslyn just as much as I believe Jesus knew His Father could take the cup of suffering and dying upon the cross from Him. The key is in Jesus's prayer: yet not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42  If Jesus could pray this way, certainly I can trust in what He knew...God has a plan and purpose that is far greater than the pain, greater than my desires for my daughter. Do I direct her paths, or does He? (Proverbs 16:9)

Knowledge and belief in the Truth give me peace, but I will admit that they do not restrain me from sobbing into my pillow in the early morning hours after praying Joslyn through horrible pain. My heart still aches and breaks as she is mentally, emotionally, or physically attacked time and time again. That anger and frustration well up, but when I release it in the correct place I find I can once again focus on hope and trust. As loudly as I admonished Satan, I praise my Lord. I repeat "I trust you, Jesus. I trust you." I even sing Third Day's song, I Trust In Jesus, to embolden my spirit and resolve to see her and her husband through this trial. Last week, I laid in bed at 3 am whispering, until I fell asleep in my Savior's arms, Philippians 4:6-7-- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

So, my dear Girlfriends, that is what I have learned about anger, and trust, and truth, and more. Will you please join me in prayer for not only my faithful friend who wrote to me this morning, but also for every person struggling with circumstances that arouse anger? Will you also examine your own life and ask God to reveal His truth to you about anger?

Ladies, while you allow me to share my journey with you, I am grateful for every thought, note, or story that you release to me. God created you for a wonderful purpose, and I respect how you are pursuing that purpose passionately. Enjoy this wonderful weekend!

As You Love Yourself

"Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the most important commandment. 

The second most important commandment is like it:
         Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Matthew 22:37-39 

Hello Girlfriends!

Have I told you lately how much I love you? 

"Oh sure," you say, rolling your eyes. "She's only saying that because Jesus told her to "love your neighbor..."
Well, depending upon which neighbor you are, that could be true...ha ha, just kidding!

Seriously, Girlfriends, I do love you, ALL OF YOU! God has placed that love in me. I must confess that the more I practice the first part of Jesus's command--Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind--then the second half gets easier: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Love yourself.

Did anyone sort of skip over that part of the command? Or did you not even pay attention to it, assuming that naturally everyone loves themselves? I'll be honest: Of the three "love" commands, I consciously focus upon Love the Lord and Love your neighbor. I don't give much thought to love yourself until either someone points out how vain or selfish I have been acting, or until I get totally drained and declare an "all about me, bubble bath and spa day"! At that point, loving yourself has taken on worldly aspects and can easily become sin, rather than an act of obedience and worship of our Lord. So how do we love ourselves in the way Jesus commands and not the way Satan desires? Furthermore, why is it even important? Shouldn't we give greater focus to the other two commands?

Love the Lord your God

When He gave the directives above, Jesus was answering a question: Which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind must come first, Jesus tells us. God is to be at the center of our being so that we can earnestly love others as we love ourselves. Why? Simple. Because God IS Love. Knowing Him is to know love.  

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

The love of God is deeper and more abundant than any one of us can fathom but that does not mean we cannot experience that love. Look no further than Jesus, who came and gave us a visible and tangible expression of the greatest love: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16

Love your neighbor as you love yourself

Loving others seems like a no-brainer, but in reality can be a great challenge. Sometimes the reason is because we are out of alignment: God is not the first and premier relationship in our lives. When we are worshiping someone or something other than the Lord, those others can run interference or become an impediment rather than the blessing God intends.

However, I think the greatest challenge to loving our neighbors occurs because we have skipped completely over the condition attached to the commandment: love your neighbor as you love yourself. We simply do not love ourselves as God loves us. No wonder relationships are fraught with mistrust, harsh words, impatience, and unforgiveness. Just listen to your self-talk for a few hours and discover why. We can be our own worst critics and enemies.

Girlfriends, at least eight times in the Bible, God tells us to love others as yourself. When He gives us a picture of love in 1 Corinthians 13, He is laying out how He loves us, how we are to love ourselves, and how we are to love others. So, I ask, are you loving yourself in the manner God intends? Let's examine:

Love is patient; love is kind. Do you look in the mirror and think kind thoughts, or are you critical of your appearance? If you have prodded yourself into make some physical changes, are you patient, knowing change takes time, or do you break down in frustrated tears after only one or two weeks? It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Do you look around your place of employment or your church and berate yourself because you do not have the talent of so-and-so? Or if you are incredibly gifted, do you utilize your gift for God's glory or your own? It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. When you make mistakes, do you fly off the handle and beat yourself up over them for days, weeks, or even years? Are you unforgiving of your sins, keeping a running tally in your head, even when you know in your heart that God has forgiven them all? Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Are you honest or have you convinced yourself that lying on your taxes isn't really a big deal? That flirting with that guy at work is harmless even if you are married? That overspending at the mall won't really hurt the family budget? It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Have you set up safe boundaries in your relationships, or do you allow others to trample all over you? Do you seek God's will and then trust in your abilities, decisions, and judgement? Do you believe you can do all things through Christ? Do you give up easily, or do you encourage yourself with positive talk and God's promises? Love never fails. Do you know that by His love, you have eternal victory?

Ladies, you are the key component to exercising God's greatest command. I pray you will take time this week to reflect, looking at it from a different angle: Love yourself  as God loves you so that you can love your neighbor. Answer the questions above; ask more of your own. Seek God's will; read more of your Bible to discover the vastness of love. More than anything, know that God desires for you to love yourself. And so do I!


 

 

Forgiveness

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Forgiveness.

As He does when I am supposed to pay attention, God has been repeating this word throughout my week. I attended a church in St Louis over the weekend, and I will bet you can guess the topic of the sermon: Forgiveness. I listened, nodded my head, but felt no conviction. Then, I turned on the radio in the car to hear Sanctus Real singing, "Well the past is playing with my head and failure knocks me down again-I’m reminded of the wrong that I have said and done, And that devil just won't let me forget..." (lyrics to Forgiven) OK, God, is there something you are trying to tell me here? My ears are tuned. Finally, I opened an unknown email only to discover the author is a former schoolmate who divulged that I had caused her pain years ago. Forgiveness just became incredibly personal.

Forgiveness.

 I have heard this word from the time I was a small child, reciting the Lord's prayer: "...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..." (Matthew 6:12) From my mom, I was taught that I was to ask for forgiveness (tell your sister you are sorry) as well as extend it (tell your sister 'it's ok'.) Yes, that is a silly example, but isn't that how it all starts? From your own experiences, which do you think has been harder? Seeking forgiveness? Offering forgiveness?


I forgive you.

As a woman who survived a Nazi death camp, after watching both her father and sister die, Corrie Ten Boom wrote, "“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” (Clippings from My Notebook.) Can you imagine the depths of her soul to which she traveled to find her forgiveness for those men who caused her unfathomable pain? Have you been, or are you now trying, to get to that place in your own heart?

Luke 6:37 (NIV) instructs us "...Forgive, and you will be forgiven." We know the will of God is that we forgive one another as our key verse for today states. The application of our knowledge seems often to be the sticking point. 

Today, Girlfriends, I pray you will open your hand and grasp that key that Jesus offers you, and then do as Corrie ten Boom says: Unlock the door of resentment, take of the handcuffs of hatred. Extend your forgiveness and be set free. By not doing so, you are in effect allowing that person's words or actions to hold you hostage. Don't think you can bring yourself to it?

Well, Corrie ten Boom found herself in that exact position in a church in Munich in 1947 when approached by a guard from the camp where she had been held, where her sister had died. The man walked up to her, held out his hand, and told her that he had become a Christian. He knew his sins had been forgiven by God, but he asked her, "Will you forgive me?"

Of this experience, Corrie wrote, "“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself.” (The Hiding Place) Corrie ten Boom forgave him right then.

Will you forgive me?

We don't have the advantage of also reading the thoughts of the guard Corrie forgave that day. Yet, I ask, can you empathize with him? What courage did he muster to ask forgiveness of a woman whose dignity he stole? To whose sister's death he contributed? Of whose life he forever altered? Furthermore, from what pit of hellish control by Satan had he escaped to seek and discover for himself the life-saving forgiveness of our Lord and Savior? Have you visited such a place on your life's journey? I pray, my Girlfriends, that you have sought and received God's forgiveness through repentance. He will wash you clean; your sins will be cast to the bottom of the sea. If you have not come before Him, I pray you will do so now. 

Finally, like this guard, do you need to seek forgiveness from someone you have sinned against? Yes, God forgives you. In return for His loving kindness, set your pride aside and apologize to your earthly brothers and sisters whom you've wounded. Perhaps they will forgive you; maybe they will not. Pray to the Lord and release to Him what only He can do. 

As for me, I responded to that email I received. I sincerely apologized for any pain I caused and asked to be forgiven. I was not a Christian as a teen, and I confess to selfish, jealous behavior. My soul knows God has forgiven me; I can only pray this person will too. But I also have another prayer, which is for God to work on any unforgiveness I am holding tightly in my heart. That email, and the desire to be forgiven for something I honestly regret, reaffirmed the peace and love forgiveness fosters. Am I robbing someone of that experience today? Are you? Girlfriends, let us all pray: to release others, and to be released ourselves, from sin--past, present, and future. Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with you all!

 

Thank God for Teenagers

"Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18  (FCA Bible/Holman)

Teenager.

If you are one, possibly that word has no immediate effect upon you one way or another; however, if you are raising, or have raised one, the hair on the back of your neck is probably standing up and mentally you are preparing to find both the Tums and the Tylenol.

Teenager.

No amount of money in this world would entice me to be one again. While my memory is greatly faded, that gnawing feeling in my gut remains when I attempt to think back on those years. Struggling to find my identity and place in this life, I both suffered hurts and inflicted pain upon others in the process. Highs and lows, great joy and unbearable sorrow, the ebb and flow of yet-to-be-stabilized hormones--teenagers can be highly lovable or incredibly volatile. Loving them is rewarding yet challenging.

Teenager.

Personally, I am grateful for them! In my years as a substitute teacher, I have had the joy of meeting numerous respectful, industrious, and kind teens. Have I also worked with some cocky, crass and even cruel kids? Honestly, yes. But underneath even the toughest exterior, I believe every child has value. Each one I have met has presented me an opportunity to peel back the layers and extend unconditional love.

Today, a group of teenagers reminded me that God wants us to be thankful for everyone, and everything, in life: the easy, the hard, and the impossible. As our key verse states, "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." At our morning meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a leader-in-training led her first group devotional. This lovely girl stated that she chose the topic of thankfulness because we so often let gratefulness go unsaid, not only for the big things in life but especially the small ones. In addition, we are easily thankful when times are good or when we are succeeding with relatively little effort; the challenge is having a grateful heart when situations are bad, when circumstances have our world crumbling down around us. What a wise young woman!

Teenager.

They exist in the same world that we do, seeking answers and struggling to make sense of the absurd. I am extremely happy to know that God is alive and working in their lives. A few hours ago, I listened to stories of humbleness and gratitude ranging from a parent's loss of a job, a feud with a best friend, a family move, shortcomings on the court, and personal injury. Why were these kids thankful for such devastating incidents? Each student relayed the lesson he or she had learned through the process and how they were shaped as a person as a result.

 "...Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" Job 2:10 (NASB)

Teenager.

Thank God for them. Love them, support them, pray for them. Today's teenagers may one day be your nurse, accountant, senator, pastor, or even your best friend. Satan is on the prowl, looking for souls to devour, and our teens are at high risk. Won't you commit to sharing your faith with a young person this week? We can be a light into the darkness; a mentor; a model; an ear to listen and maybe even a shoulder to cry upon. Instead of cringing, let's embrace that word "teenager" and praise the Lord for the chance to show our thanks to them and to Him. After all, He knows what we are feeling; let us not forget, Jesus was once....

A Teenager!

Friendships: The Better Part

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  

 
Good Morning and Happy President's Day from sunny St Louis!

Abraham Lincoln once wrote, "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." (letter to Joseph Gillespie, 1849) No wonder we celebrate this man and take a day off to honor him in the month of his birth; Girlfriends, he knew how important you would be to me!! Ha ha! Seriously, though, great wisdom is conveyed in Lincoln's words.

I found many definitions for the word friend, including "a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection;" "a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts;" and "a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter." I ask you, how could friendship by these definitions not make life "better?" How much sweeter is your relationship with your spouse, or other family member, if he/she is also your "friend"? And of course, when family cannot be there, what would we do without those people we call friends? What would I do without you ladies?

Today's verse from Ecclesiastes contains God's Word upon this subject. "Two are better than one..." And why? "If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." And friends, it is guaranteed in this life that we WILL fall at one time or another. How comforting to know that we have someone standing ready to pick us up! I cannot count the times I have relied upon the strength of one of you to hoist me out of my muddy mess! Hallmark loves me because I keep coming back for yet another Thank You card!

You may laugh, but I am totally serious: just ask my friends who got not one, but two cards from the Brown family this weekend, in gratefulness for driving out to middle of the interstate to help my daughter change a flat tire. Friends, what would we do without one another? I am not only referring to the times of crisis, struggle and pain:

Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. 2 Samuel 10:11

Paul to Timothy: Do your best to come to me quickly, 2 Timothy 4:9

but also the moments of shared joy of laughter, conversation, and experiences--all the things as Lincoln says that make up "the better part." If you want to know God's plan for human friendships, please take time to read about Jonathon and David in 1 Samuel, or, my favorite, the example or Ruth and Naomi contained in the Book of Ruth.

Yet, as much as I love my family and friends, I know moments will come when the only friend who can help me is my very best Friend, Jesus Christ. His friendship is the best part of my current life and will be my sustenance in eternity. I love spending time with Him, telling Him about my love for you, Girlfriends, as well as my family and people I just met. I love taking walks with Him, spending quiet moments at sunset enjoying His artistry, and laughing over His sense of humor. My relationship with Jesus is in every aspect a friendship, a bond of mutual affection. He accepts me as I am; He is always a prayer away.

Ladies, as much as I love our moments, our friendship, Jesus loves you infinitely more, and He is reaching out to each one of you. I urge to accept His friend request! (A little Facebook humor there for those of you non-social network gals!) I am praying for you today as you read; He stands at the door knocking. Will you open up and invite Him inside?

Love to you all!

Todd & Katy (Part Two)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV)

Girlfriends, I hope your Friday is off to a fantastic start with the simple knowledge that you are loved!

Today, I will conclude my story of Todd and Katy, so if you missed the last two days, please go back and read before continuing.

In the years since Katy's accident, hurdles have been cleared and mountains moved. Katy battled deep depression but now lives to help others recognize the signs, realizing they are not alone and urging them to  reach out. With Todd's assistance, along with help from a wonderful school, Katy finished her degree and graduated from Trinity Christian College. She now works part-time at the local high school. Todd continues to serve as a fireman and paramedic. He also speaks publicly about their ordeal, attempting to reach the youth within his sphere of influence. His passion for speaking God's truths into their lives is evident with every presentation. He devotes much of his free time to attending various youth groups and high schools with Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddles. By all evidence from the outside, their life appears "normal." And God's promises remain unchanged.

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

But what is "normal"? Katy recently began speaking to groups about her ordeal. She states that many people do not realize the severity of her trauma nor her persistent symptoms because her appearance is "normal." Yet Katy admits to simply losing her balance and falling over sometimes; not something normal people do.  As she is in the middle of her speech, an alarm sounds on Katy's phone--it's one of the many reminders she has to set for herself. She also gives a shout-out to post-it notes, without which she would be completely lost. Perhaps this does not sound so foreign to you, but remember Katy is only 29 years old! Katy's memory issues cut across the spectrum from daily tasks to the fact that she never regained her memory of those precious years of falling in love with her husband. "Normal" is not the word for Katy's life.  Yet Katy will be the first to tell you: God's promises remain unchanged.

"Job answered, 'You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?' Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God." Job 2:10 (GNT)

And then there is Todd, a wise man who surely must have built his house upon the rock because the waves have come crashing down and yet he stands, glorifying God and trusting in His providence. In a world where many men would advise him that he has every "right" to leave and pursue a new relationship, Todd has remained steadfast and true to his marriage vows and commitment to Katy.  Recently in a conversation, Todd honestly admitted that yes, he could sit around and contemplate how life should be right now: how he should have more happy memories and fewer painful ones from his first years of marriage; how he should have a wife who is attracted to him and feels the crazy love she once recorded in her diary; how they maybe should have already started a family; how, how, how...and the list could go on. However,Todd quickly points out, making those assertions is trampling upon God's Sovereignty. Basically, it is like saying, "Hey, God, you know my plan is a little better than your plan" and that, my friend, is a dangerous ground upon which to tread. How many "normal" people do you know who think like this man? His grasp of the truth amazes me!

I believe Todd and Katy have a true "1 Corinthians 13" love story. God wrote the book on love, and He desires that we embrace His plan, loving one another by the definition His promise gives. All evidence points to Todd and Katy's understanding of God's plan as they love according to these verses:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Todd and Katy go forward, one day at a time, in trust and reliance upon one another and upon the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. They both have a heart to reach the youth with their message of hope and salvation. I have firsthand experienced the way God moves through a crowd when one or the other of them speaks. Truly, the Lord is working out something good from this tragedy. Even in my own family, just last night at 2:30 am, I was able to minister to my daughter, Joslyn, through her excruciating pain and suffering by reaffirming God's faithfulness through the examples of Todd and Katy.

Girlfriends, what I have written here is only a small snippet of this couple's life story. Yet the lessons they impart are monumental if you will open your listening ears and seeking heart to what God has to speak to you through them. I pray for Katy's continued healing and for the restoration of her physical health and her memory. I pray for Todd's strength, patience, kindness, and commitment to remain strong and unwavering. I pray for their marriage, that they may grow in love and devotion with Christ at the center. I pray for their ministry as they continue to speak and spread God's message to a hungry and hurting world. And, my sisters, I pray that you will meditate upon the verses in 1 Corinthians 13 which speak of God's perfect love for you and which teach you how to love others perfectly. God promises surely do remain unchanged!

Enjoy your weekend!