2009: What about those Resolutions?

Here we are again, on the verge of another New Year.  If you are like me, you start off the year with good intentions - resolutions for how you wish to change or improve your life.  Last year I blogged about my resolutions.  So I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the resolutions to see how many I actually accomplished.  (You can read last year's resolutions at http://bloggin4god.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-resolution.html.)

My Top 10 Resolutions for 2009:

#10 Exercise & Eat Right!  Okay, I failed miserably at this one.  I had 'spurts' of excercise and eating right.  That pretty much went down the drain after my kidney stone back in the spring - brought on by the diet I was on.  And it didn't end well, either, me and my stupid broken foot!  Oh well, there's always 2010!

#9 Simplify - give up my perfectionistic ways! (ha, yeah right!)  Well, I think I did make some headway in this area.  However, I think it was due more to time constraints and having to just let some things go - allowing things to be a little less perfect than I would have liked.  Definitely room for improvement in this area.

#8 Don't take on so many projects/tasks! Delegate!  Again, some improvement in this area but still much more work needs to be done. 

#7 Less Stress!  Okay, so I can truthfully say that this is the most difficult one I've had to deal with. 2009 was a year of surprises for me.  I had no idea when I wrote these resolutions last year that God would call me to step down from children's ministry.   I can say that did reduce my stress levels, but don't worry, I found other things to stress about.  However, I am doing much better than in the past with God's help.  I've still got a ways to go, though!

#6 Live More! Laugh More! Love More!  I can truthfully say that I am enjoying life far more than I have in many, many years.  Since stepping down from ministry, I'm not working 24/7.  I praise God that we are working on our marriage, our family relationships (both immediate and extended), and friendships.  I am thankful for the years I did serve in children's ministry.  We grew as a family and as individuals.  But now I am thankful for the precious time I have with family and friends.  Since my family lives so far away, we are able to travel more to be with those we love.  We have freed up our time to be able to hang with our family and friends.  We are not so overcommitted in our lives that there is no room to live life the way God intended.  There needs to be flexibility in our schedule so that we can respond to crisis and help our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

#5 Hang more with my friends!  See #6.  In addition, I have a great group of ladies that I am in Bible Study with.  Love our little group!

#4 Make a difference in the lives of others for Jesus Christ!  To be honest, I don't know if I have done enough in this area.  I was surprised at several facebook messages I've received from friends, highschool classmates, and former students who said that I had been such an encouragement to them in 2009.  Not tooting my own horn because I really didn't realize I had that kind of impact.  I'm thankful that God gave me the right words at the right time for the person who needed them most.  I still need to work on this area BIG TIME.  However, we must ensure our motives are righteous, that our serving is a fruit of our love for Christ and others.  Too often, I can become a workaholic, allowing the work to be the focus instead of people.  Our works don't make us worthy, Christ does.  A lesson I learned was that not all good works is really of or for Christ.  Sometimes we have to say 'No.' even to good works.  Saying "No." to many good things means a bigger "Yes." to those things that God has truly called us to do.  I don't want to be a Jack of All Trades and Master of None.  I want to do my best in those things Christ has truly called me to do!  (More on this later.) 

#3 Spend more time with Scott, Mathew, Michael, and Brittany!  Being a good wife and mother requires time. After Christ, our families are our priority - they are our ministry.  One of the reasons I stepped down from children's ministry is because the ministry to my family was suffering big time.  They had been neglected of my time and focus for many years.  It was difficult to work a full time job and lead a growing ministry the right way.  I was working myself ragged.  But it wasn't just me, it was my family as well.  So often, they would step in when we were shorthanded - plugging in the gaps when at the last minute, volunteers couldn't serve.  God made me realize that it's now time to focus on the family.  So, with God's help, this is an area that there has been significant improvement.  I am thankful for that.  I love my husband.  I love my children.  And though I love my church and the children in the ministry, my kids are growing up fast and time with them at home is a precious commodity.  I only have limited time to be an influence in their lives and their walk with Christ.  Though this may sound selfish to some, it isn't.  It's fulfilling the first ministry that Christ called me to and that I spoke vows to follow - the ministry of a wife and mother.  Though not limited to just this ministry to my family, it is the priority after my relationship with Christ. 

#2 Continue to seek God daily! (Prayer, Bible Study, worship, quiet time, meditation).
For the most part, I believe that I have done well in this area.  However, like all relationships, there is always room to grow.  There are days that I struggle, just like everyone else - whether it be due to getting up too late to have my morning quiet time, having a busy schedule, or just not feeling like it.  However, I ask Christ to help me overcome the obstacles in my life that would keep me away from Him.  I look forward to the time I spend in quiet prayer, worship, and Bible Study.  I look forward to church and fellowship with other believers.  I pray that I always seek Christ first each and every day of my life, in every moment of my life. 

And my #1 Resolution: Let My Lifesong Sing to YOU, LORD!  I pray that my lifesong sang to others in 2009.  After all, it's all about Him!

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

In His Love, Cathy

Return to Me

Today's post from Proverbs 31 Ministries is a gentle reminder that in this upcoming New Year we can return to God.  No matter who you are or how far away from God you think you are.  He's simply waiting and watching for your return.  If you have wandered, return to Him today.   He desires you more than you can ever know.
In His Love, Cathy



Return to Me

30 Dec 2009
Marybeth Whalen

"Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty." Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

At first glance, this verse might seem like God is stand-offish and distant. Why do we have to make the first move? But actually, this verse depicts His great love for us. Like the prodigal's father, He waits patiently for our return. He doesn't find us, shake us and demand us to account for our whereabouts. Instead He scans the horizon for our return.

Hoping, but not forcing. Waiting, but not pressuring. Ultimately He gives us free will. We choose when and if we return. And when we do, He promises to return to us. He is a gentleman who doesn't force Himself upon us . God has to see us move of our own free will. That element of choice is intrinsic in His relationship to us.

Returning to God is a practice we will have to engage in over and over in life. The point is not how many times we return to Him, but that we make the effort to do so each time it is necessary. Perhaps you need to return to Him physically—recommitting to meeting with Him in church on a weekly basis. Perhaps you need to return to Him emotionally—determining to trust Him in a difficult time. Perhaps you need to return to Him spiritually—committing to regular prayer and time spent in His Word.

Whatever your return looks like, don't put it off any longer. And don't doubt that He will return to you. Don't believe lies that you are the exception or that you are asking too much of Him. His Word tells us differently. Hebrews 7:19 says, "…a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God" (NIV). God made the ultimate way for us to return—through His Son, whose death on the cross allowed us to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). By Him we draw near to God. Not because we are worthy, but because He is.

God wants us to return to Him. He stands waiting with open arms, at the ready to return to us. When He sees us coming, He runs to meet us. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20b, NIV).

Are you ready to make that first move today?

Dear Lord, I need to return to You. Thank You for making it my choice because You love me and want to be in a real relationship with me. I thank You for waiting for me with open arms. Today I am choosing to fall into those open arms again. Thank You that You gave Your Son so that I can always return to You without shame. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Visit Marybeth's blog – Cheaper by the Half Dozen
Becoming a Woman of Influence Marybeth Whalen
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby

Application Steps:
Using your Bible concordance, look up the word "return." Spend time today reading what God has to say about returning to Him. Write down some of your favorite verses in a journal.

Reflections:
Do You Know This Great Love?
Do you need to return to Him? How will that look for you? What is holding you back?

Power Verses:
James 4:8a, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)

Joel 2:12-13, "'Even now', declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'" (NIV)

&cop y; 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

On the Road Again

Making our second trip this Christmas break.  This time to Tuscaloosa to visit Matt's girlfriend Katie and her family.  They are such a sweet family.

Once we get home and settled down for Christmas I'll be able to blog more consistently!  God bless, friends, and prayers for safe travels for all who are on the road(or in the air) this holiday season!

In His Love, Cathy

The Christmas Gift (inspired by Isaiah 53)

It lay wrapped neatly under the Christmas tree along with the other packages.  It was small in comparison to all of the other gifts.  It's wrapping plain - cheap dollar wrapping paper with a standard bow from a bulk package of bargain bows.  While the other packages glistened under the tree lights with their glittery bows and brightly decorated paper, this gift was lost among the others.  There was nothing that would attract anyone to this particular gift. It didn't stand out among the other gifts.  It didn't cry out for attention.  It simply lay there, humbly tucked away, often overlooked by those admiring the beauty of the tree and it's littering of smartly decorated packages.  This simple gift lay there, awaiting the day it would finally be opened.  It had so much to give, if only someone would pick it up and open it.

After laying there under the tree for what seemed like an enternity, Christmas Day finally arrived.  It was time to open the gifts that were scattered beneath the lighted branches of this tree.  One person after the next ripped through the beautifully decorated gifts with great anticipation.  For some, the elegantly wrapped gifts were wishes fulfilled.  For others, the beautiful packaging only held disappointment.  One by one, each gift was opened.  Yet, no one reached for this nondescript little package.  As it witnessed the other gifts being opened, it wanted to scream out, "Open me!  I have something wonderful to give, too!"  Yet, it kept silent, hoping for someone to notice.  It knew that there would be those in the group who would not open it.  After all, who would believe such a small, plain package could have any thing of value to them. 

So, the little gift sat, waiting patiently for someone to reach for it, for someone to finally open it and discover it's contents.  As the gifts under the tree dwindled down, people began losing the excitement they had when they first began opening the gifts.  As the number of unopened packages thinned, so did all of their hopes and dreams for this Christmas morn.  Surely there wasn't much left to look forward to.  Finally, after all other gifts had been opened, it was the plain, little gift's turn.  Someone reached for it.  "Funny," the person said, "The nametag simply says, 'To Everyone, With all My Love, God.'"  Those opening the gifts laughed.  "Okay, who is the wise guy!" said one.  "How could such a plain, small package be a gift for everyone?"  said another.  Still one said, "I don't believe this is from God.  A gift from God would be big and flashy!  It wouldn't be so plain!"  Yet another stated, "Well, I just don't believe in God.  Very funny, guys!"

Curious, the person who had picked up the gift slowly opened it.  It was light as a feather.  He shook it to determine it's contents.  As he ripped off the paper and peeked inside, what He saw amazed him.  It was a simple, wooden cross with a verse scratched on a ragged piece of paper.   "“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16(NLT)

As he read the verse, a hush fell over the room.  After a few moments, the stillness of the room was interrupted by an obnoxious laugh.  "Are you kidding me?", said one.  "I just can't believe that!  It's just not logical!"  Another followed suit, "You're right!  I don't believe that this Jesus guy was God's Son.  Didn't you see that TV special that said that Christ was just some guy who hung on the cross for three days and survived?" 

But among the littering of paper, bows, boxes, and gifts, some in the group realized the truth of that simple verse.  They  knew without a doubt that the greatest gift of all didn't come in a beautifully wrapped package.  The greatest gift of all gave up His throne in heaven, came as a lowly carpenter, and hung on the cross and died to save mankind from His sin.  They realized the greatest gift of all rose from the dead in three days, appeared to the apostles and others after His death before ascending to heaven to claim His throne.  Realizing the error of their ways, some accepted Christ right there in the midst of that Christmas morn.  For them, the true meaning of Christmas was found and their lives were never the same again.

And so, we too, can discover the most wonderful gift of all, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Trust in Him today.  He won't disappoint.   

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)

 

1 Who has believed our report?And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

3 He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

4 Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,

Yet He opened not His mouth;

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,

And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

So He opened not His mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment,

And who will declare His generation?

For He was cut off from the land of the living;

For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

9 And they[a] made His grave with the wicked—

But with the rich at His death,

Because He had done no violence,

Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;

He has put Him to grief.

When You make His soul an offering for sin,

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

11 He shall see the labor of His soul,[b]and be satisfied.

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

For He shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

Because He poured out His soul unto death,

And He was numbered with the transgressors,

And He bore the sin of many,

And made intercession for the transgressors.   

Isaiah 53 (NKJV)

God bless you and yours!  Share the love of Christ with others this holiday season. Merry Christmas, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Travel

In case you were wondering, we are visiting my family over in the Carrabelle, FL area.  It's the first time in years where we have been able to see them at Christmastime.  It has been a most enjoyable and memorable visit.  For the first time in about 20 years, we were able to attend church with my mother in my hometown.  It is also the first visit we've been able to make since Granddaddy passed away 1 1/2 years ago.  In addition, it is the first time in years that our visit didn't entail some type of family medical emergency or crisis.  This visit has been a wonderful time for family to fellowship, worship, and simply enjoy time together. 

I'm thankful this Christmas for the miracles I see God doing in my family.  Long standing prayers for lost family members are being answered.  My Mom actively attends church and ensures my young nieces are there every single Sunday, Wednesday, and are actively involved in children's ministry.  I see God working on my brother and his wife as well as my brother in South Florida.  I am thankful this Christmas for answering prayers over my sister.  I am thankful for my family - though we make look a little nutty to the outside world (me included), this is my family and I'm thankful for them...and truthfully, we aren't any nuttier that anyone else's family.  I love each and every one of them, I'm thankful that Jesus Christ does too. 

I ask prayers for my Dad.  He may have melanoma.  It has gone on untreated and undiagnosed for a while now.  Please pray that he will go to the doctor and that he will be completely healed.  Please pray that he will trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  I am very concerned for his health and his spiritual state right now.

I will post more this week after we arrive home.  Until then, God bless you and your loved ones.  May you have a most blessed Christmas.   

In His Love, Cathy

Feeling a Little Confused

Have you ever experienced relationships where you felt a little confused about where you and the other person really stood?  You know, you just can't quite figure the other person out and what the friendship/relationship is really about.  Something just doesn't quite fit right.  It's like a square peg in a round hole.  It may be that trust is missing in the relationship, or respect, or true concern and compassion for one another is missing.  It may be that you sense the other person is using you.  That they only show care or concern when they are wanting something out of you, you just aren't sure of their motives.  We all experience relationships like this in our lives.  To be truthful, I am not comfortable in such confusing circumstances.  I suspect that none of us are.  I surround myself with friends who are transparent and down to earth.  I chose to build personal friendships with people who are rock solid, trustworthy, and with whom I know where I stand. 

Confusing relationships are not good to be in - whether it be a friendship, a love-interest, or even a marriage.  I'm not a counselor nor a pastor, but a person who has experienced life and relationships - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  So what I'm about to say is from my heart.

We've all heard that trust and respect are major factors in any successful relationship.  And this is true.  In addition to trust and respect, each person in the relationship must value the other person - their feelings, their opinions, their interests, their hopes, their dreams, etc...Each person must have a sincere concern for the well-being of the other person. In fact, the Bible says we are to look to the interests of others before our own:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:"  Philippians 2:3-5

What I am advocating is actively working on any confusing relationships in your life, praying over those relationships, and seeking God to help remove the uncertainty in the relationship.  And, it might not be just the other person who is causing the confusion.  You need to prayerfully consider if you have contributed toward the confusion as well. 

Life is far to short to play games.  Our actions, even in relationships, have eternal consequences.  Therefore, there's no need to tip-toe around in our relationships.  Make Christ the center of your life first (love God first), apply Philippians 2:3-5 to everyone (love your neighbor as yourself), and then commit all of your relationships to Him.  Nothing confusing about that!

In His Love, Cathy

Show the Love!

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25

I love our church.  I love the people of our church.  Our church is more than just a church, it is a family.  I love seeing what God is doing through our church - His people.  And  God is doing some pretty amazing things through this body of believers.  We experience life - together.  We meet together.  Worship together.  Pray one for another.  Pray over each other's children.  Stand by one another through good and bad.  We do our best to encourage one another and show patience one for another.

Even so, we are not perfect.  We are still human and prone to making mistakes.  I for one am not perfect in any way, shape, or form.  Therefore, since we are imperfect ourselves, we must be be patient with one another.  Forgiving of one another. Not discontinue meeting simply because someone made a mistake or because we think someone wronged us. 

At the same time, though, we are to have an attitude of love for others -especially those who are in the family of faith.  We are to have compassion and do good works, not for our own credit or glory - but for His glory and honor.  We are to show love first and foremost to God and for our neighbor.  But at times, we need to check our attitudes towards others.  Sometimes we place more importance on the tasks at hand than loving the people.  It is in those moments that we loose sight of the true mission of the church, spreading the Gospel and loving others, that damage is done. 

And if you are wondering what I am referring to, it's this - I lost my patience this morning with two of my children at church.  I was wrong.  I didn't show compassion and love, but I should have.  I hurt my children who were just trying to help me.  Then someone lost patience with my daughter and fussed at her over something minor.  These two incidents combined affected her very deeply.  She is a good, godly girl - even though she isn't perfect.  I should have been more patient and forgiving.  The other person should have also.  And though this is first and only time anyone has fussed at her at church (or school for that matter), Britt's experience this morning wasn't positive.  It hindered her worship.  It hindered her heart from receiving all that God meant for her to hear.  It hurt her to the point of tears.  It embarrassed her in front of her friends.  I didn't mean to hurt her or my son and I'm sure the person didn't mean to, either.  They could've been having a bad day as well and should be afforded forgiveness too.   But these experiences combined wounded Britt's precious heart.  In her words, "Today has been a bad day."  And that shouldn't be the way anyone should feel after church.  It was my fault. 

So what's the point?  We need to show patience, compassion, and love for others - most especially for our family and those who come walking through our church doors.  What if Britt was an unbeliever?  Then her mother's own words could have turned her away from hearing God's Truth this morning.  Then the person who fussed at her over a minor fau paux could have turned a young person off to our church or even Christ - potentially FOREVER.  Our actions, good or bad, can have an ETERNAL impact not just on us, but others as well!  The impact could be eternally positive or eternally negative!

We have to check our attitudes.  Yes, it's hard to always be 'on' for Christ, but people, reaching out to the lost and to seekers is just way to important!  Winning family to Christ is even harder - we have to LIVE IT in front of our children!  We preach the importance of reaching people, especially young people for Jesus Christ, and then we, their parents, grandparents, and church family fuss at them over some pretty silly stuff.  And that turns them off faster than anything else!  Where's the love in that?  I'm not talking about disciplining our children.  What  I am talking about is showing authentic love that doesn't sweat the small stuff!  I'm talking about approaching others with the right attitude of love!  Praise God, members of our church family do show authentic love to one another and that really shows among each other and to the community.  So lets keep on in these good works.  And, if you feel that you don't have patience and love with your family, friends, and others, maybe it's time to take a time out and ask God to help you in that area.  I have to do this at times myself - even today!

Here's the bottom line, if we can't show love, patience, and compassion for the loveable, then how can we love the unloveable?  Christ commands us to 'love our neighbors,' the loveable and the unloveable.  Think about it.

I've asked for my children's forgiveness this morning.  I'm praying for God to help me be more patient, loving, and compassionate so that I don't offend or hurt others.  I don't want to be the reason that anyone turns away from Christ.  I don't want to be the one who hinders anyone's worship or church experience - not even my children's.  We all loose it sometimes and make mistakes.  But when we do, we can seek forgiveness from God and from the person.  We shouldn't be to proud to admit our mistakes, even to our children, and ask for their forgiveness when we mess up.  Let's patiently love one another, continuing in good works!  Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Ferro Family Fire Relief Fund

Terri Ferro and her girls, Lexi (10), and Ellie(7),  are the family whose home burned down last night.  Terri lost her husband Jeff to cancer back in September. 

Pace Community Church has set up a relief fund for the Ferro family.  If you'd like to give to help this family you can do so at http://www.pacecommunitychurch.com/.  Click on the Terri Ferro Fire Relief Fund and follow the instructions to donate.  It has also been suggested that gift cards would also be a help to this family right now.  These may be dropped off at SS Dixon Intermediate and at the church, from what I understand. 

God has truly been amazing throughout all of this.  Our church family and the entire Pace community have come together for this family.  Please keep Terri and the girls in your prayers.  God bless you all.

In His Love, Cathy

Beauty from Ashes

He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,

and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

3 To all who mourn in Israel,

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,

repairing cities destroyed long ago.

They will revive them,

though they have been deserted for many generations.

Isaiah 61:2-4

I sit and type this after receiving word that the home of a dear friend of mine is being ravaged by fire.  This dear friend has been through so much this year, losing their spouse only a few months ago.  I cannot imagine what my friend is experiencing right now.  Our care team has already lept into action, covering this family in prayers and making initial plans to help this family.  Praise God that He has people in place standing ready to help!  Many of us have been on our knees in prayer before our Lord from the moment we heard about the fire.  How my heart breaks for this family!

As I prayed God immediately brought to mind Isaiah 61:2-4.  So I am asking everyone who reads this blog to please pray this verse for this dear friend and her family.  Please pray for the Lord to bring forth a crown of beauty from the ashes for this family.  Please pray for Him to bring them joyous blessings and festive praise!  Please pray for God to grow them into oaks of righteousness, planted for the Lord's glory and able to stand against the ravages of this world! 

Please pray for this dear, sweet family.  Thank you, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

In Keeping the Sabbath

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14 Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Isaiah 58:12-14

Go back over the passage above.  Read it out loud, slowly.  Soak in it's truth. 

I read this passage yesterday in my daily Bible study.  I've read it a thousand times before but  yesterday the Holy Spirit convicted me.  I realized that I wasn't keeping the Sabbath day holy!  I was allowing things to creep into the Sabbath day that robbed the Lord of my attention, my worship, and my focus!  I was persuing my own interests, hobbies, and desires.  I was allowing outside activities to pull our family in different directions on the Sabbath!  Sure I was going to church and worshipping God in fellowship with other believers.  But what in the world was I doing the rest of the day?  The Sabbath didn't start the minute I pulled into the church parking lot and it certainly didn't end when I sped out of it, either! 

Keeping the Sabbath holy is extremely important.  Too often, I am guilty of minimizing it's importance and allowing exceptions to rob God of His Sabbath day with us.  The Sabbath is an opporunity to spend a lot of quality time with our DADDY.  It is family time for God's children.  It's a day of fellowship and worship with other believers.  A day where outside interruptions and worldly activities do not dictate the day.  Our Father has claimed this time with us.  He scheduled this weekly appointment at the dawn of creation and He expects us to keep it!    We should look to this day with great anticipation and desire!  It is a day to break free from the daily stresses of life, where we can gather together to worship and reflect on our wonderful God and Savior!  It's a day to reclaim our family from the past week, building up our children in their faith, and strengthening the family ties.  The Sabbath is God's day - not ours to claim for ourselves!  So often we think that going to church is enough.  We think, "Okay, I've gone to church.  God, we good, right?"  Listen, God established a SABBATH DAY  - NOT a Sabbath HOUR!  Going to church, worshipping with other believers, and listening to the preacher is part of observing the Sabbath.  The rest of the day should continue that observance as a day of rest, a day to enjoy, a day to delight in the Lord! 

God established the Sabbath at the creation of the world.  He spent six days creating the universe, the earth, and all of the living beings.  Then He rested on the seventh day.  "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation."  Genesis 2:2-3  God declared the seventh day holy.  This holy day is the Sabbath.     

God not only established the Sabbath, a holy day of rest, but He commanded us to observe it.  It is such an important command that it is named in The 10 Commandments. "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you... Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day."  Deuteronomy 5:12 & 15b   God gave us this commandment because it is what is best for us!  We are to work the other six days of the week, but we are to rest on the Sabbath, to honor Him, to keep it holy.  God established the Sabbath day because he knew we needed a break from the daily grind, a day for spiritual and physical renewal.  This break from our daily routines and responsibilities also gives us a full day to honor and worship our Lord. 

We should observe the Sabbath with a proper attitude - an attitude of worship.  It is a precious day, a special day, a holy day.  It is our day to spend with our perfect Heavenly Father and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Make it a family day, a day of worship.  God established this day of rest to also refresh us spiritually and physically.  God wants us to enjoy this day and to delight in it!  Don't go to the office.  Don't grade those papers.  Don't worry about cleaning house or raking the yard.  Set priorities for your family to honor the Lord's day.  Don't allow outside forces to pull your family in different directions that day.  Make it a family day, a day of fellowship with other believers.  Share in meals together.  Break bread together.  Honoring God in your relationships.  Go to church.  Worship.  Pray.  Hear God's Word being taught.  We can honor God with an attitude of worship even when we are unable to attend church or devote the day to God.  However, these times should be the exception rather than the rule.  Keep the Sabbath holy, ..."I the Lord have spoken." 

As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord!  Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Stress Fractures!

Three years ago, I had a really bad ankle/foot injury.  I proceeded to the doctor and was told that it was just a bad sprain.  No x-ray was done.  No other possible diagnosis was explored.  Over the last several years, I've had repeated problems with this left foot and ankle.  Over the course of the first year after the injury, I continued to have problems.  When my foot would hurt to the point it kept me up at night, I would schedule an appointment to see my doctor.  I was told that once you have a sprain, you are susceptable to repeated injury over something as minor as stepping on a pebble.  Again, no x-ray was done.  No other possible diagnosis was explored.  After the first year of hearing this I accepted this answer as the fact for all of the pain I continued to deal with.  Everytime I did anything requiring physical excercise - walking, running, dancing, etc...I would be in pain.  So I quit trying to excercise.  Which is not good.  At VBS and on Sunday mornings, whenever I lead children's worship, I would reinjure my foot and thus always wore an ankle brace.  Though it didn't stop the pain, it kept me going.  

My old injury resurfaced this week.  I have no earthly idea why.  I don't remember any specific event that would have caused it to flare back up again.  I didn't do the power shopping on black Friday.  I didn't walk, run, or dance.  All I did was clean house, decorate for Christmas, wrap presents, and teach.  Normal everyday activities that should not end up causing any type of foot injury.  But it happened.  The pain and swelling returned, so much so I have not slept for three nights.  I can't bear to put weight on my foot nor did prescription Loritab stifle the pain.  It all came to a head last night when bruising appeared on my foot in places, my veins starting popping out, the swelling became more, and patches of bright red appeared.  Scott and I were fearful of a blood clot so he rushed me to the ER.  Thankfully I didn't have a blood clot.

My foot was x-rayed, for the first time ever since I injured it, and they did discover a broken toe that I didn't know was broken.  After a thorough examination my foot was diagnosed with Stress FractureS!  In fact, the attending doctor felt that had been my problem all of this time.  Basically, I didn't stay off of my feet long enough for them to heal completely and kept reinjuring my foot.  In addition, because of my medical condition, they felt that my bones are under duress which is what is making my foot so prone to injury.  So today, in about two hours, I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.  GREAT!  Just what I wanted for Christmas!  However, I can't tell you how relieved Scott and I are that it wasn't a blood clot!  Praise God!

So I'm home today, elevating my foot.  Restricted to walking on crutches for at least this week - maybe more, taking Ibuproferin and icing down my foot.  As I lay here completely bored out of my mind - because I'm not one to sit around - I began thinking about these stress fractures and how if they had just had a chance to heal then maybe I wouldn't be in this predicament.  Then I began thinking about stress and how stress in our lives fractures so many things if we don't deal with it in a healthy way.

Stress, fractures!  Unchecked stress fractures our relationships, our families, our marriage, our jobs, our homes, our future.  Unchecked stress fractures our physical health, our mental and emotional well-being, and our spiritual condition.  When we don't deal with the stresses in our lives in a healthy way, we are allowing that stress to dominate our lives.  We become anxious and maybe even fearful.  We feel overwhelmed and out of control.  We shift our focus from the ONE ABOVE to these stressors in our lives.  For many of us, we are under multiple stressors at the same time.  It also seems that once we get one stressor out of our lives or under control, another soon appears to take it's place.  And if we don't deal with this stress in a healthy way, the fractures will never heal.

Did you know that when we constantly worry and fret over these stresses, we are basically telling God that we don't think He can handle it!  Hanging on to worry adds to the stress.  Hanging on to the fear adds to the stress.  The fractures become worse.  Trying to deal with stress on your own is sinful - it's prideful.  Since stress will affect all of us throughout our lives, as God's people, we need to learn to deal with it in a godly and healthy way.  God gives us a way to deal with the stress in our lives.  Psalm 119:47 gives us the way to begin to deal with stress.  It says,

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.  Psalm 119:47

At the point we are feeling stressed and pressured, we are to FIND JOY in God's commands!  If our focus is on HIM and finding JOY in HIM, then we are filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding!  In fact, Philippians 4:4 commands us to "Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say rejoice."  This isn't a choice, it's a command for us to rejoice in God!  We are to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS - not just when we 'feel like it', not just when things are going our way, not just when we are at church -  but ALWAYS!  When your boss criticizes your work - REJOICE in the LORD!  When your coworkers get swine flu and you have to take on their workload as well - REJOICE in the LORD!  When your foot stress fractures go undiagnosed for several years - REJOICE in the LORD!  We are to ALWAYS carry a joyful spirit that celebrates the LORD and HIS PEACE that resides in our hearts.   So the next time stress causes you to be worried or anxious, meet it head on.  Claim the joy God has promised.  Say the words of these verses, aloud if you need to, "LORD, I chose to rejoice in YOU!  I find JOY in YOUR COMMANDS!  God, I give you this stress - YOU can handle it better than me!"

We are to place our TRUST in God and HIS PROMISES and no matter the outcome, HE will help us through our troubles and trials.  But we MUST LOVE HIM, OBEDIENTLY SUBMIT TO HIM and TRUST HIM.  Don't allow stress fractures in your life to worsen or go undiagnosed.  Don't ignore the stress, instead give it to Him. 

In His Love, Cathy

God Generously Forgives

Seek the Lord while you can find him.

Call on him now while he is near.

Let the wicked change their ways

and banish the very thought of doing wrong.

Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.

Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

Isaiah 55:6-7

The first two sentences of this passage (verse 6) seems to suggest that God may be going somewhere.  It makes it sound as though God isn't always with us.  However, the Bible is also clear that He will always be with His people.  "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you."  John 14:16  We can ALWAYS count on God to be there.  He promises that. 

So, when there are times that you feel as though God isn't there, if you are a child of God, it's not because He has left you.  Most likely, quite the opposite has happened.  You have left Him.  When we abandon the path of righteousness, our detour takes us through the route of sin.  Unconfessed sin builds a wall between us and God.  The longer we go without confessing that sin and seeking His forgiveness the thicker and higher this wall of sin becomes.  The further we are from Him because of sin, the more we are apt to sin.  So the wall continues to get higher and thicker.  The more we sin, the more ashamed we become.  The more ashamed we become, the more we want to 'hide' from God or ignore Him.  After a while, it seems harder for us for us to ask for His forgiveness.  Soon, we are caught up in a vicious cycle of sin.  If this happens, then the enemy has us exactly where He wants us - ineffective and shutting out God.  Therefore, when God seems so distant and far away to us, it's because we're the ones who have distanced ourselves from Him and not the other way around!  Yes, there are times in Scripture where God became angry with His people and turned His face from them.  However, He doesn't abandon us.  He patiently awaits our cries for mercy and for us to turn to Him!  Once we turn to Him, He is right there by our side.

Holding on to unconfessed sin is spiritually unhealthy.  It hampers our relationship with our loving Savior who SUFFERED and DIED for these sins that we so tightly cling to!  Instead, we should be quick to see His forgiveness, sincerely repenting from that sin.  Procrastinating is the worst thing we could do!  The longer we procrastenate in confessing our sins and asking for His forgiveness, the harder it will be to do so.  In addition, no one knows when Christ will return.  We need to seek His forgiveness now, while we still have an opportunity in this life to do so!  So don't get caught with your Long Johns down!

God forgives generously!  However, that doesn't mean we are to sin generously!  What it means is that when we do mess up, He is ALWAYS ready to forgive.  It means He has infinite patience with us affording us infinitely many chances.  It means that He willingly sent His BELOVED Son to pay the price for our many sins.  Accept Him as your Lord and Savior TODAY!  No matter what you have done in your past, HE WILL FORGIVE YOU.  He will send HIS Holy Spirit to abide in you!  He loves you just that much!

In His Love, Cathy

Boast in Your Weaknesses!

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

How do you think of yourself?  When you think about who you are, what are some of the words that you would use to describe yourself?  Now, who does the world say you are?  I mean, in the context of your life, how do you think the world views you?  Quite frankly, in the eyes of this world, I'm a nobody.  I'm not famous, rich, nor powerful.  I don't hold a political office nor do I ever want to.  By the world's standards, I'm just an average person.  I'm a person of no consequence.  I've even got some hangups and problems? What about you?

If you are just an average joe like me, that's okay.  You are in the perfect position for God to do great things through you!  Yes, YOU are prime pickins' for God's work.  You see, God doesn't think like the world. God isn't concerned with worldly wealth, power, or success. His goals are ETERNAL, SPIRITUAL, and INFINITELY greater than that of this world. He often chooses those the world overlooks - the weak, the powerless, and foolish -  to do His work. And being that I fit right into that foolish category, I'm looking for Him to be using me a lot!  (LOL!)

 He loves to use those whom the world considers unimportant.  Why?  Because His GLORY is revealed through our weaknesses.  Our weaknesses become His greatest assets.  He may give us talents and gifts to use on His behalf, but it is when HE works through our weaknesses that His greatness shines through!  In fact, God's power works best in our weakness.   Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

Because of our weaknesses, we can tell others about what God is doing in our lives!  We can and should boast of our weaknesses. In doing so, we are giving God all of the glory!  In 2 Corithians 11:30  Paul writes, "If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am."  Boasting about our weaknesses is counter to our culture.  This world says opening up makes us vulnerable.  To boast about our weaknesses might even make us look foolish.  However, that is exactly what we are to do.  Why?  Verse 31 tells us why - to give God glory and praise.  "God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying." 

God also uses the weak and despised of this world to shame those who refuse to follow Him.  To see this, we need only to open the pages of the Bible.  Throughout the Bible, we see how God time and again used those the world considered 'nobodies' to do His work.  He promised Abraham and Sarah a family so vast it would outnumber the stars in the sky - even though they were childless and in the golden years of  life.  He helped a shepherd boy kill a giant, later on making this shepherd the King of Israel.  And when it came down to choosing the woman who was to be the earthly mother of His One and Only Son, He didn't pick a queen in a lofty palace... he picked a lowly peasant girl who bore His Son in a stable.

Though we may not be anyone of importance in this world, we are someone of importance to God.  He loved us so much that He gave the life of His One and Only Son so that we who believe in Him will have eternal life.  We who accept Christ are adopted as God's very own sons and daughters.  We are children of The King!  Therefore, know who YOU are in CHRIST!  Then go ahead - boast in your weaknesses for His Glory!

In His Love, Cathy