Want a Little Coffee with that Sugar?

Posterity will serve him;

future generations will be told about the Lord.

They will proclaim his righteousness,

declaring to a people yet unborn:

He has done it!

Psalm 22:30-31

Some things are just genetic when you get right down to it.

For instance, my Nana's younger brother, James, loved a good cup of joe - with 1/4 of a cup of sugar!  In other words, he liked a little coffee with his cream and sugar.

His son, my cousin Jerry, also enjoys a good cup of coffee with lots of sugar and cream, preferably half-and-half.

And, yes, I also enjoy a well-sweetened cup of coffee with lots of cream.

What is interesting is that I did not grow up around Uncle James or Jerry.  Our families would visit one another over the years, but we weren't around each other that much.

So I found it interesting that Jerry and I enjoy a very rich, sweet cup of joe, just like Uncle James.  Some things are just genetic, I guess.

Oh the things you discover about yourself when you get together with your extended family.

But what was even neater, was to bear witness yesterday to a heritage of faith that spanned multiple generations of our family.  As we celebrated Nana's life yesterday, there sat generations of our family - representing many different denominational backgrounds. My heart was touched when all sang Amazing Grace together - loud and strong.  We prayed the Lord's Prayer without missing a beat.  Voices of multiple generations of the same family, worshipping and praying together. It gave me a glimpse of what heaven will be like one day - the day when all believers will worship our God in unity.  Simply amazing!   

We shared with each other testimonies of love, generousity, and faith.  Family stories spilled out.  And intertwined in the midst of our discussions and reminiscing were statements of faith - testimonies of God's enduring love through generations. I was struck by God's faithfulness throughout our family history.  The evidence is undeniable. 

Though our family is not perfect - we do have a few sketchy characters and a few skeletons in the closet  - there is no denying the fruit of those in the family who faithfully followed Christ.  What a legacy of faith these Christian ancesters left to us. What a tremendous responsibility we have to teach future generations of God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ.

In His Love, Cathy

God Given Skills

"'Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. … And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make.'"


Exodus 31:2–3, 6

encouragement for today

"Notice what God does: First he creates us with natural talent, then by his Spirit he adds special skill to that so that we can carry out his purposes. And he does it in community. What natural talents were you born with? How might God use them to accomplish his purpose of bringing people to Jesus? How might you team up with others? Any talents can be empowered by the Spirit and used in community for God's purposes. Pray about it!"
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

My morning devotion shares a truth that has personally impacted my life.  In fact, I would like to spinoff this devotion on a situation that I often see happen in church and in ministry.  Too often, people use 'gifting,' or their perception of a lack thereof to keep them from serving in ministry.  We've got it all wrong when we think this way.  We have natural God-given gifts and abilities we are born with.  But then God can add to that special skills to serve His purpose.

For example, when I was children's director, the number one excuse people gave me as why they could not volunteer in children's ministry was because they just weren't 'gifted' to work with children or teach. Now granted, there are some people who certainly should not work with children.  I get that.

However, teaching younger children isn't my natural gift or talent either.  My degree is in mathematics and I spent 10 years as a computer programmer before teaching high school math.  I felt totally uncomfortable around younger ones yet I volunteered with that age group - 18 years to be exact - from the time my children were born.  And you know what happened?  God gave me the gifts and talents needed to serve younger children as both a volunteer parent and later in children's ministry leadership. 

Parental involvement in the church and in a child's spiritual training is so critical.  Children are only in church one hour a week.  The other 168 hours of a child's week are spent outside the church. So if you aren't teaching your children about God during those other 168 hours, then who is?  And if parents aren't willing to serve in children's ministry, who will?  God will bless you with the skills you need if you yield yourself to Him.  It will require effort on your part as well.  But our children are worth the effort.

And reaching the lost is worth the effort as well.  So, the next time you have an opportunity to serve or minister to others, don't whip out the old "I am not gifted" excuse so quickly.  Before giving an answer or responding, pray.  Get God's direction on the matter.  And if the answer you are led to is "yes," then God can help you overcome any hesitations you may have. 

Oh yes, I am also not naturally gifted as a writer.  Math is my forte.  In fact, my standard response to having to write anything is, "Writing isn't my thing.  It is not my gift." Seriously, I have absolutely no writing skills on my own.  But look at what God has done.

Who knew?

Peace and Blessings!
In His Love, Cathy

When We Stumble: Forgiving Yourself

"Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time."  Daniel 11:35 (NIV)

I often wonder why I seem to stumble so much. I wonder why, how no matter how hard I try to be faithful or do the right thing, I seem to fail and fall flat on my face.  Though I know I am not perfect and that I struggle in the flesh like every other believer on the earth, I tend to beat myself up for stumbling so often.  I wonder why this life is such a struggle for me while others seem to glide effortlessly through it - seeming to never fall or even stub a toe.  Then I read Daniel 11:35.  It spoke truth in my heart on the matter.  You see, sometimes we stumble not because of sin, but because God is refining us, purifying us, strengthening us so that, in the end, our impurities are pressed out of us.  Our stumbling is for our own edification and growth - spiritually refining us into the men and women God desires us to be.

And when my stumbling is due to my own sin and shortcomings, I know that I can seek God's forgiveness.  Yet, I have a difficult time forgiving myself. I'm so very hard on myself.  But this is counterproductive to God's work in me and can lead to a state of spiritual paralysis.  Instead, I need to cut myself some slack - trust that God has truly forgiven, forgive myself, and understand that He is refining me in the process.   

God forgives - and FORGETS.  He wipes the slate clean.  That is His promise to those who repent and seek His forgiveness.  Jesus took care of it...so if He - who bled and died for our sins - can forgive me, shouldn't I learn to forgive myself as well? 

Jeremiah 31:34b, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (ESV)

In His Love, Cathy

Enduring Love

"The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.' …

Many sorrows come to the wicked,

but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

Psalm 32:8, 10–11

Don't you love it when God says exactly what you need to hear when you need to hear it?  The passage above was my morning devotion.  It's timing is incredibly perfect.  You see, my Grandmother passed away yesterday - on Christmas Day.  She passed away in church, worshipping her Loving Creator, in a place she loved to be, with people she loved and who loved her.  It's comforting to know that she went to be with the Lord in such a sweet way.  It's comforting to know that God's love for her was enduring and her love for Him lasted her whole life...to the very end.  Though she experienced some very tough, harsh times in her life, her faith and love never waivered.  She always trusted in God. He was her source of joy and strength. If only I could live for Him as faithfully as she did.  What a legacy of faith to leave your loved ones with.

Yes, Nana had an enduring faith.  My morning devotion was not only timely, but adeptly described the faith that Nana lived out.  When we rejoice in Him, when we obey Him, and when we have hearts that are pure (are in Christ) - He promises to guide us along the best pathway of our lives.

Though the wicked are guaranteed to experience sorrows, His unfailing love SURROUNDS those who TRUST in Him!  And though God guides us along the best pathway of our lives, this passage does not say we are immune to sorrows along the way.  However, when we do encounter sorrows, we have God's promise that He will be there, surrounding us with His ever faithful love.  God's love will help us endure those sorrows.  And sometimes, it is by enduring sorrows that our faith grows the most. So, in the end, we come out better and stronger with a faith built to last.  

So when we encounter sorrows in this life, we are not without hope - we can count on His enduring love to get us through.  We can choose to experience His gracious love today...it simply requires us to turn away from our sin, turn to Christ, and let Him be in charge of our hearts.

Peace and blessings!

In His Love,

Cathy

This post is dedicated to my Grandmother, Mildred Goodson Rudd.  Nana, you are loved and will be dearly missed.

Change

Change. 

Change can be good.  Change could be bad.

But most often, change isn't necessarily all good or all bad.  Change is usually nothing more than, well, change.  It's a mixed bag sometimes eliciting just as many supporters as naysayers.

We often resist change because we fear the unknown.  We like things the way they were before.  We knew what to expect.  But then change comes along and our world is different. We can't as easily predict what will happen.  We have a new learning curve .  We have to adjust our thinking, our way of life, how we do things, or even our schedule.  We become afraid of what might be.  And if we are not careful, our inflexibility can prevent us from enjoying positive change. 

Yet, as unsettling as change is, we can always count on change.  Change happens.  It's  a given in this life. 

Change can take flight in the wind just as we think we've got it by the tail. Or it can dig in and stand it's ground, demanding it's way.  Change is always just around the next corner, waiting to happen. 


How we face change reflects our character and convictions.  In some cases,we fight change kicking and screaming but sooner or later, change still comes. We might have victory over change, for a little while at least, but it still comes.  We may mold change into what we want it to be or think it should be,but it still comes. 

Change is inevitable.  But ultimately, change must answer to the Only ONE who holds real power for change.

If you are facing a lot of changes in your life and you are feeling as if you have no power over those changes, know that Christ does have the power.  In Him you will find strength and power to overcome change (or anything else that is thrown your way)! 

Trust in Christ today!

"...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." ~Jesus (John 16:33)


In His Love, Cathy
PS - There's been a lot of change in my life over the past several years but Jesus Christ has been my rock and fortress throughout it all.  You can count on Him...I guarantee it!

It's Back to Work...

How appropriate that this would be my e-devotion this morning on the second day of teacher preplanning.  God is good and as always, His timing is perfect!  Have a blessed day!

"On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, 'Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?'
'Yes, he does,' Peter replied. Then he went into the house.


But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, 'What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?'

'They tax the people they have conquered,' Peter replied.

'Well, then,' Jesus said, 'the citizens are free! However, we don't want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.'"

Matthew 17:24–27


"Jesus knows we have to live in this world of nitty-gritty, everyday realities such as paying taxes. He wants Peter to see that if one is part of the Kingdom of God, one is free and owes allegiance primarily to that Kingdom. We still must pay taxes, so God provides for that too. He provides through Peter's obedience and Peter's occupation in the world: fishing. Our earthly needs are provided for as we work at our occupations. As we do the work in obedience and with the perspective that we are primarily citizens of God's Kingdom, we experience true freedom."
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions






In His Love, Cathy

Walking on Storm Waves

"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.


"Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. …

"Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.'

"'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus."

Matthew 14:22–25, 28–29

view in context



"Jesus sent the disciples away—into a storm. For a time, he left them alone to battle the fierce storm without him. While they struggled, Jesus was praying. Then he came to them, walking on water. He calmly walked on the very water that was causing so much trouble and fear for his loved ones. Remember this: When you battle a storm, Jesus is praying for you. Then Jesus comes to you on the choppy waves of your distress. And, if you keep your eyes on Jesus, as Peter did, you too can walk on the waves of your storm."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Sometimes we wander far away from the shores of our faith.  This happens when the waters seem calm and clear.  We think, "Okay, I really don't need God's help right now.  I've got this."  But then, out of nowhere, a storm quickly arises, dangerously rocking our boat - threatening to capsize us in the middle of our circumstances.  It's in the midst of our storms that we realize just how much we do need Jesus.  And when we cry out, our always faithful Savior walks on the tumultuous waters to our sinking ship.  Jesus has power over our storms.  Some storms He may calm.  Others we may have to go through.  But no matter what, if you keep your eyes on Him, you can walk on the waves of the storm! 

Our part is to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. No matter how far from shore our hearts are tempted to wander...with Christ's help we can step out of our boat in faith. 
In His Love,
Cathy




In His Love, Cathy

Creative Freedom

God is working some good things in our lives right now.  He is always good and faithful, but we've really seen Him come through in some unexpected ways lately.  But isn't that the way God is?  He is always doing something new and wonderful.  That is, when God moves in your life, He doesn't just reinvent the wheel, He totally reengineers it down to its molecular level.

That's just the way God works...always creating something new and wonderful often from nothing!  One word and the entire universe was created!  One breath and man came to life.  He can not only create something from nothing, He can take something that already exists and create something completely new!  He can create hope from despair.  He can create love from hate.  He can create healing from pain.  He can create beauty from ashes!  That's just how awesomely creative our God is!

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"  2 Corinthians 5:16-18  

When we ask Christ to become our Lord and Savior, we become a new creation...a totally new person.  Our old self is totally replaced by the new person we have become in Christ.  The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, comes to live inside of us.  God doesn't just rearrange the furniture to make us appear prettier to others. He does an extreme makeover, tearing us down to our very foundation and rebuilding our inner core from the ground up.   

Sure, we still have a lot of our old selves to overcome. However, from the moment we are saved, we have this new power to help us overcome.  This new power is now available to us through Jesus Christ!

Even though we become new creations in Christ, our own willingness to yield completely to God determines how much of a spiritual makeover can be accomplished.  If you are unyielding in some areas of your life, you can bet that God will continue to deal with you in those areas until you finally 'get it' and give it to Him.  But once you surrender wholly to God, even in those stubborn areas, you'll experience a relief like none other...a freedom that you never thought was possible! 

Surrending it all to God gives Him the creative license to work freely within you...creating the beautiful, new being He desires you to become!  But, the choice is yours.  He doesn't barge in univited.  Accepting Christ as Savior is the first step.  Once you do, you are a new creation in Christ!  The next step is to allow God to continue this new work within you. 

Allow Him to search your heart, revealing areas where you aren't allowing Him to do a new work.  Give Him creative freedom and watch what wonderful things He can do within you.
        
In His Love, Cathy

My Morning Devotion

"I love you, LORD;

you are my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and he saved me from my enemies."

Psalm 18:1–3

"In uncertain times, what a comfort and strength these verses are! Meditate on the images of God here: rock, fortress, savior, shield, the power that saves you, and place of safety. Call on this God today to rescue you from anything or anyone that oppresses you."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions







In His Love, Cathy

Storms

"Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'

"Jesus responded, 'Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!' Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.



"The disciples were amazed. 'Who is this man?' they asked. 'Even the winds and waves obey him!'"

Matthew 8:23-27


"The disciples were terrified. A fierce storm kicked up, and that's all they could see. They did not reason that nothing would happen because Jesus was in the boat with them. He was asleep. Sometimes it feels like Jesus is "asleep" when we go through our storms. We think he's asleep because he's unaware or he doesn't care. That's "little faith." In reality, he's asleep only because he's not worried. If we believed that, we'd have "more faith" and would feel peace in our storms as well. It starts on the inside, with faith in the one who is not worried in our storms because he knows he has them under control"
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions


There's a saying that goes something like this, "Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell your storm how BIG your GOD is!"  Our God has power beyond compare.  HE is in control.  And GOD can take care of anything we face.  The disciples were seasoned fishermen.  They were not afraid of some small thunderstorm.  This storm must have been fairly severe for these veteran seafarers to be in fear of their lives.  But Jesus wasn't worried.  Instead, he REBUKED the wind and the waves.  He was in control  of this storm and not the other way around.

So when the storms arise in our lives, we can turn to the one who can REBUKE them with only a word or thought.  We can trust that GOD is in control of our storms and not the other way around.  Trust in Christ today!  He will guide us into safe harbor...he will see us through the storm!

Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

On Temporary Blogging Reprieve

So I'm having to take a few days of blogging reprieve...why?

Because my life has been and will be crazy for a few days. 

The reason - my child is running for Senior Class President and we've been running around and working on her campaign stuff - you know, signs, posters, banners, etc...

Hope to be back on the old blogger posting again like usual in a day or so.

In the meantime, please pray for Britt and her campaign.  She wants to be good leader for her classmates...to be a leader of integrity and serve her class in a Christ honoring way.


Thank you for your prayers for her as well as all of the candidates running for SGA and class offices.  They are all great kids. 
Grace and peace, friends.

In His Love, Cathy

DAY EIGHT: Planned for God's Pleasure

"You created everything, and it is for your

pleasure that they exist and were created.

Revelation 4:11



God takes pleasure in me.  I was planned for God's pleasure.

God takes pleasure in you.  YOU were planned for God's pleasure!

God created each and everyone of us for his own enjoyment.  He loved us from the moment He conceived of us in His mind.  Therefore, we are to bring enjoyment to God.  Living for His pleasure is our purpose in this life.  But not only does God love us, He wants to keep us with Him for all eternity.  Even after the fall of man, God worked out a way for us to be with Him forever.  "Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children - this was his pleasure and purpose."  (Ephesians 1:5) 

God wants the best for us, even when we don't want it for ourselves and rebel against Him.  He gave us a way to be with Him for eternity - through His Son, Jesus Christ.  We simply need to seek His forgiveness, Believe in Christ His Son - His death and resurrection on the cross, and ask Christ to live in our hearts. 

But God also wants us to be able to enjoy this life as well.  He created us to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch of our surroundings.  We were created with emotions that help us to love and feel in ways His other creatures can not.  We were created in His image.

The most poignant idea conveyed in today's devotion was that God has emotions, too.  Quite frankly, I can get so wrapped up in myself and my emotions that I totally forget that God has emotions and feelings.  He feels things very deeply.  He is love therefore He loves us with a perfect love.  And when you love someone as deeply as He does, all of the other emotions come into play as well...joy, gladness, happiness, compassion, sorrow, and sympathy just to name a few.  God FEELS deeply...and we can bring either disappointment or pleasure to Him.  Just the thought of disappointing my loving Heavenly Father floods my heart with pangs of guilt and sorrow.  He deserves so much better than that.  And though I am imperfect, my goal is to live from this point on in such a way that I bring Him pleasure.

And how can we live to bring God Pleasure?  Psalm 147:11 says, "The Lord ispleased only with those who worship Him and trust His love."  This verse outlines the two ways we can bring God pleasure - through worship and trust.  Rick Warren writes, "Bringing pleasure to God is called 'worship.'"  Most people think that the worship of God involves music.  However, there is far more to worship than just that.  When it boils down to it, worship is living your life in a way that honors God.  Worship doesn't happen just on Sunday mornings at church.  To be truly pleasing to God, we worship Him throughout each day.  Sure, prayer, singing spiritual songs, reading the Bible, attending church and Bible study, giving, serving are all facets of worship.  But true worship goes beyond just these activities.  True worship is loving God so much that you are not only aware of Him throughout each day, you are doing everything as if it were for Jesus.  1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  And Colossians 10:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  We are to also "pray without ceasing."  That means we should be talking to God continuously throughout our day.  Everything we do, no matter how mundane, can be worship if we do it for God's glory!  EVERYTHING!  It's a matter of our heart being in tune with Our Father's.  Worship is a 'life-style' (for lack of a better term).  Our lives are to be an act of worship!

Trust is another key to pleasing God.  No matter the relationship, if there is no trust, there is no relationship.  We must trust completely in God in everything and with everything.  Everything we have belongs to Him anyway, so we can trust Him with what is already His.  We can even trust Him in our circumstances.  His plan is for our good, and not for evil.  And His plan WILL prevail in the end.  It takes a lot of faith to trust in the unseen.  God understands this about us.  That is why He sent His Son.  That is why He's sent men and women of faith before us, to show us how to trust Him.  That is why He's given us His Word, the Bible filled with Truth about His character and the testimonies of those before us.  He answers our prayers with awesome deeds, He bends down to hear our cries of mercy, and He sent His very own Son - His One and Only Son to save us.  How can we not trust a God like Him after all He's done for us?  1 Peter 1:7-9 says of those who love and trust God, "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls."

He loves us so very deeply! I imagine it hurts Him deeply to know when I don't trust Him.

I want to bring God pleasure instead of pain. To do so my life must become an act of worship and my heart must trust God implicitly.  I won't be perfect at it either.  But then again, none of us could be.  It's a matter of having our hearts set right.

I was planned for God's Pleasure.

Verse:  The Lord takes pleasure in His people.  Psalm 149:4a

Question:  What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?

In His Love, Cathy
(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life.  Zondervan. 2002. Print.)

DAY SEVEN: The Reason for Everything

Everything comes from God alone.

Everything lives by His power,

and everything for His glory.

Romans 11:36 (LB)

The LORD has made everything for His own purpose.

Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)



There is a reason for everything...it is all for Him.

I was asked to do something today.  I was asked to consider playing a role in a summer children's ministry.  Although I 'retired' from children's ministry about two years ago, here I was being asked once again to get involved.  But not only was I asked to get involved, I was asked to help pull it together.  My first reaction surprised me.  I was excited!  Had I been asked a year ago, I probably would have bolted.  I was still exhausted from the years I served as children's pastor.   

About a month ago, I was asked to step back into children's ministry as a volunteer teacher - a host.  I was excited about that offer as well, but at the time, after much prayer, did not think the timing was right for me to step back into such a role.  But yet here, less than a month later, I'm being asked once again to get involved in children's ministry.

My gift is teaching.  Whether that be young or old, that is the gift God gave to me.  But I have a confession to make, other than being a high school math teacher, I haven't really used my teaching gift for God since I 'retired' two years ago from children's ministry.  Sure I've emulated Christ's love for others as best I can, even toward my students...but I haven't used my teaching skills specifically to teach others about God and His Truth since I left the children's ministry.

Here's my confession...I've not adequately used my gift of teaching in direct service to God since.......

So today, after prayerfully reading Day Seven of The Purpose Driven Life,I am convicted of holding out my abilities and talents.  In this chapter, Warren talks about our reason for being is all for God's glory.  And one way of bringing God glory is to serve others with our gifts.  Warren writes, "Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills, and abilities.  The way you're "wired" is not an accident.  God didn't give you your abilities for selfish purposes.  They were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit."  In fact, 1 Peter 4:10-11 says,

"God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you...Are you called to help others?  Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.  Then God will be given glory." 

I had been holding out on God.  I had not been using my talents fully God's glory.  But this conviction came grudgingly over time through a series of events which culminated with a heartfelt discussion with a concerned friend last week.  The conviction was further affirmed with today's reading and a second request to use my gifts for ministry.  You see, God has been working on me for a while about using my talents for Him.  I just thought I wasn't of any use anymore.  I had made too many mistakes and wasn't good enough.  I felt my health situation limited my ability to serve.  You see, I had excuse after excuse.  The enemy had fed me lie after lie.  And I believed every one of them!

But what's more is that I was in sore need of being reminded that my very existence and how I live are to be in response to and reflect His glory! And THANK GOODNESS He is also a God of great love, mercy, and FORGIVENESS!  Even though we mess up, He forgives and offers us each opportunities to serve Him again! 

We don't have to be perfect in order to serve our perfect God!  He takes care of our imperfections, shoring up our weaknesses with His power.  Our job is simply to go about loving Him and living for Him! 

But there is more to bringing glory to God than just serving Him with our gifts and abilities.  We bring God glory by doing everything He tells us to do.  Jesus said to the Father, "I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do." (John 17:4)  Fulfilling the purpose for which we were created brings God glory.  Warren says that:

• We bring God glory by worshipping Him.
• We bring God glory by loving other believers.
• We bring God glory by becoming like Christ.
• We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts.
• We bring God glory by telling others about Him.

I am once again at a crossroads.  I have a choice to live for my own purpose, or live to fulfill God's purpose.  Living to fulfill God's purpose will not be easy.  It will mean sacrifice.  It will mean discomfort at times and maybe even pain.  But it also means serving Him by serving others with my abilities and talents. 

I need to get off my backside and start using my gifts for His purpose.  I've been stagnant for far too long. 

And as I prayerfully consider some things, I must remember that it's all for Him.

VERSE:  "For everything comes from God alone.  Everything lives by his power, and everythingis for his glory."  Romans 11:36

Question:  Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?
   
In His Love, Cathy

(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life.  Zondervan. 2002. Print)

DAY SIX: Life Is a Temporary Assignment

LORD, remind me how brief my time

on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are

numbered, and that my life is fleeting away.

Psalm 39:4

I am here on earth for just a little while.

Psalm 119:19



"Life on earth is a temporary assignment." (Warren)

Life is temporary.  When compared to eternity, life is oh so very brief.  At this point in my life, I can see just how true both of these statements are.  We are only on this earth but for a little while.

This life is our temporary residence...not our permanent home.  We are but traveler's, aliens in a foreign land.  For those of us who belong to Christ, our home isn't of this world.  So we shouldn't get too comfortable here.   But we become acclimated to living only for the things of this life without a thought of the eternal impact our choices and actions have on the eternal.  So often, I place such priority on the temporal things of life instead of investing in the eternal things that will last.  Jesus said to store up our treasures in heaven where we are ASSURED of their eternal value in lieu of temporal riches which moth and rust can destroy.  It's hard to keep that eternal focus sometimes when in the pressure cooker of life.  Things go wrong, problems arise, and it's as if our world will come crashing in.  Life has a way of making it's demands, rudely interrupting any good thing we are doing for God, distracting us from our eternal purpose.  Our enemy knows how to cause the temporary to crowd out the eternal in my life...and I seem to fall for it far too often than I should!

Our lives are brief.  The Bible says our lives are but a mist...gone in a moment of time.  I'm about at the halfway point of my life, at least I hope I've got at least another 44 years to go.  I've reached middle age.  Yet, deep down inside, I still feel like I'm that 16 year old girl who was excited about life.  It seems like it was only yesterday that our oldest son, Mathew, was born.  Now 21 and in the Air Force, I wonder where my little blond hair, blue-eyed baby went off to.  I wonder why time seemed to pass so slowly during the years our children were in diapers, yet travel at warp speed once they hit high school. My sister has recently become a grandmother (ha ha, sis, you beat me to grandma status), I have several friends who have also recently become grandparents or who are about to...and I taught their children who are married and having children!  I know that I'll be next, but I still hope that grandmotherhood is a little bit away...no, a LONG time away.  What I'm trying to say here, is that life is BRIEF!  When I was younger, time seemed to pass so slowly.  Now that I'm older, my perception of time has sped up.  I hope the next 44+ years passes a little more slowly than the last 20 have!  

Life is temporary.  Life is brief.  We'll never feel completely satisfied on this earth because this world is NOT our permanent home.  We're only passing through...hopefully leaving it a little better than we found it.  Lighting a fire for Jesus Christ on our journey through it.  

No major revelations for me today as I read Chapter 6 of The Purpose Driven Life.  Just a big reminder that I need to keep my gaze upon the eternal, not the temporal.

Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from today's devotion:

• Your identity is in eternity, and your homeland is heaven.  When you grasp this truth, you wills top worrying about "having it all" on earth.
• In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life - longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity.
• You will never feel completely satisfied on earth because you were made for more.
• Eternal values, not temporal ones should become the deciding factors for your decisions.
• It is a fatal mistake to assume that God's goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it.  The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a carrer or even ministry.
• In God's eyes, the greatest heroes of faith are not those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life, but those who treat this life as a temporary assignment ans serve faithfully, expecting their promised reward in eternity.  

I must remember that this world is NOT my home.

VERSE:  So we fix our eyes on not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:18

Question:  How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now? 

In His Love, Cathy

(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan. 2002. Print.)

We Are What We Eat

Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,  whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virture, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8



I'm on a diet.  I'm not on this diet necessarily to lose weight, though I could stand to lose a few pounds.  I'm on a diet to help control my high blood pressure and osteoperosis.  Over the past year, my blood pressure has been slowly creeping up, with the systolic pressure running between 120 to 140 and the diagnostic pressure consistently running between 80 and 100.  A couple of months ago I was finally diagnosed with high blood pressure when it reached 168/116.  I'm on blood pressure medication - a beta blocker that is supposed to also help migraines.  This newest health development along with being diagnosed with osteopenia (early stage  of osteoperosis) prompted me to make some serious life changes beginning last summer.  I began exercising regularly last summer for the sake of my bones.  I also began watching what I ate, trying to ensure I ate foods that would build up my bones and not eat foods that were notorious for interfering with bone development.  I did lose about 9 pounds in the process.  However, I didn't completely eliminate junk food from my diet.  I LOVE my junk food.  And what didn't seem to hurt, I ate. What I realized was it wasn't enough to minimize the foods that were detrimental to my bones.  I also had to select foods that were all around healthy...for all of me. 

When I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, I took drastic measures.  I realized that if I wanted to remain healthy and live to see my grandchildren (which I hope is a VERY long time away) then I would have to change my eating habits.  But not only that, I realized my family needed to eat healthier too.  So I began buying fresh fruits, vegetables, whole graines and meats.  I am relearning to cook with minimum canned or sodium/sugar laced foods.  We are drinking healthier at home as well- no sodas - juices, milk, water are the drinks of choice around here.  And you know what?  I have begun to feel so much better!  And you know what else?  My family LOVES it!  Scott has lost a few pounds without trying.  I think it's simply due to switching from eating processed foods prepared with processed products to the fresh foods.  Brittany especially loves it.  She's always been my little health nut - she's always exercising (running, lifting weights, playing basketball, badminton, etc...) and she's always careful about eating healthy.  Michael is adjusting.  He still loves his Mac N Cheese, but now I make it using whole grain macaroni.  He's never been much for sweets - he's always chosen fresh fruits for snacks over junk food.  In fact, from the time he was little, he was the odd ball kid who would eat the cake and leave the icing. Not me, I ate the icing and left the cake!  

As I pulled out my Kashi Heart Healthy Cereal instead of the Fruit Loops for breakfast this morning, I began thinking on how much my eating habits have changed in recent months. To this day, I am a junk food junkie...that will not change even though my eating habits have.  The difference is that I am deliberately making much healthier choices about what I eat.  The temptation will always be there for me to chose junk food over the healthy.  However, I know that it's not what is best for my body's health.  I must choose what is best if I'm to remain healthy, strong, and live a good life.  

Then I realized that this is also true of our spiritual lives.  It's so easy for us to reach for the 'junk food' of this world...the carnal influences are always around us pressing upon us.  But we must make spiritually healthy choices so that we can remain strong in our faith and live a good life according to God's plan for us.  We must choose to reach for heart healthy spiritual foods (praying, reading the Bible, fellowshipping with other Believers, listening to Christian praise and worship music, watching appropriate shows or movies, choosing Godly friends, etc...) instead of reaching for the junk food of life (songs that encourage ungodly behavior, shows or movies that are inappropriate, trash romance novels, etc...).

Remember, this life is a TEST...the temptation to eat junk food will always be there.  We just need to determine up front to make more spiritually heart healthy choices. 
        

In His Love, Cathy

Intermission

This blog series has been temporarily delayed due to a badly needed trip to Publix. 

The cupboard was bare...that's DEFCON 1 in the Denny home!

We are now restocked and ready to go.  All is now right in Scott's world. 

I'll be posting Day 6 either later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

Blessings!

In His Love, Cathy

DAY FIVE: Seeing Life From God's View

What is your life?

James 4:14b



I don't even know where to start today.  As I read Chapter 5 it was if I was reading recent events in my own life.  I was able to relate to so many of the points that were made.  So let me just go ahead and dive in.

First, let me begin by saying our own perception of life is limited to our finite view.  We are who we view ourselves as.  Our perception of life determines so many things about our lives - our morals and values, our beliefs, our priorities, our expectations, and our relationships just to name a few.  In other words, our lives mimic our views of life.  If we think life is a party...well, guess what?  We'll live the partying lifestyle.  In psychology, there is a term for this - it's called self-fulfilling prophecy.  We live according to what we perceive life is. 

Warren asks if you were to picture life, what image would come to mind?  Whatever image that comes to mind is your life metaphor.  So right now, before you read any further, close your eyes and picture what life looks like to you.  Whatever you pictured just now is your life metaphor...it's a glimpse of how you view life.

I don't know what your image is but I'd love to share mine with you.  It even surprised me.  When I pictured life, I pictured a young Mom in a white dress swinging a young child around in a green lawn next to a lake.  (I know, I had a very detailed image but it was the image that instantly popped into my mind.)  What I felt as I pictured that scene was love, joy, and laughter.  Yep, that's the image of life that immediately came to my mind.  I bet psychologists would have a field day with that one!

But God's perception of our lives is quite different from ours.  His view isn't limited by the here and now.  He has infinite perception across all of eternity.  He knows that life is so much more than what we often make of it.  Unlike us, His view of life is undistorted.  He sees the true picture.  Our life image is influenced and often tainted by this world - the experiences we have, the influences all around us, and the people in our lives can distort our perception of life - thus creating a faulty view.  To fulfill our purpose, we must get a proper perception of life.  We can turn to God's Word to find that proper perception.  Paul writed in Romans 12:12 "Do not conform yourselves to the standard of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.  Then you will be able to know the will of God."

Whatever your view of life is, according to Warren, the Bible outlines three life metaphors: 

• Life is a test.
• Life is a trust.
• Live is a temporary assignment.

For me, these three things are not really new concepts.  I've heard these concepts before I ever read The Purpose Driven Life.  However, I just never heard them stated together quite so succintly and quite from this 'view.'  

Life is a Test:  "God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart."  2 Chronicles 32:31 

As I read this verse I was convicted.  This past year has been no joke for our family.  Money is very tight - the tightest it's been since we first married.  I've had ongoing health issues.  Our first child left the nest.  And Scott's Dad is declining rapidly.  And to make matters worse, during a majority of this time I felt that God was so far away and I was all alone.  I can pointedly remember one occassion in particular where I was so overcome by it all.  I simply couldn't take it anymore.  I curled up in a ball, my body wracked with grief, sobbing incessantly, and crying out to God - yet I felt nothing.  I knew that God had promised to never leave nor forsake me.  But I just didn't sense Him there like He's been before.  It could have been my own spiritual state that caused Him to withdraw.  But then He does withdraw from us at times to test our hearts.  In retrospect, I now know that this past year has been one BIG, FAT, HAIRY MOTHER of a test.   The Bible says, "God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you a way out."  (1 Corinthians 10:13)  I'd love to say that I think I passed this test with flying colors, but that simply would not be true.  I failed...and I failed miserably.  When I couldn't sense Him there for me, I fell back and leaned on the visible - the things of this world.  In other words, I returned to my 'Egypts.'  God had provided the grace, but this weakling little sissy girl just didn't have the guts to step out on faith!  Looking back, I know I must have disappointed my Lord and Savior.  That grieves my heart to no end.  But the wonderful thing about our God is that He is the God of infinite chances...He has FORGIVEN me, given me additional opportunities to 'get it right', and in recent months, things have started to finally turn around.  I guess it's taken a year for me to finally show signs of the character He was trying to develop in me to begin with.  I'm just so hard headed that it took a long time to relearn how to TRUST Him even in seasons of drought:) 

Which leads to the next life metaphor...

Life is a Trust:  "The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD; the earth and all who live in it are His."  Psalm 24:1

God has entrusted you and me with all that we've been given.  Everything you and I 'own' is not ours...it all belongs to God.  He's just loaning it to us during our time here on earth.  We are only stewards of what He has given us.  And as stewards of God's property, we are to be responsible, wise, and care for that which we've been given.  God has trusted us.  But we must trust Him in return.  Boy, did this really hit home to me.  I can't say that I've exactly been a good steward with anything lately - though I've tried to be, past mistakes and bad decisions undermined the stewarship side of things.  But what I've got to realize is that everything I have is not mine to begin with.  So in essence, when I don't trust Him with money, relationships, jobs, etc...I'm acting like a little child who won't return his friend's toy.  I am hanging on to things for dear life shouting, "Mine!  Mine!  MINE!"  when all along it belongs to HIM!  I stand convicted! 

Life is Temporary:  

I've written to this life metaphor in a previous post.  This life is temporary.  It is the preparation for eternity.  What we do in this life will carry over into eternity.  So I must live wisely, being a good steward of that which I've been given, and living a life of character, faith and integrity.          

One day, we will be evaluated and rewarded according to our life here on earth.  I may not had done so hot on this last section of the test, but I pray that with God's help, I will do better from here on out.

Life is a test and a trust.

Verse:  "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones."  Luke 16:10a

QUESTION:  What happened to me recently that I now know was a test from God?  What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life.  Zondervan. 2002. Print.)

DAY FOUR: Made to Last Forever

"This life isn't all there is.  Life on earth is just a dress rehearsal for the real production.  You will spend far more time on the other side of death - in eternity - than you will here."  (Warren)

So often I live life for the here and now.  I let the busyness, the pressures, the worries choke out what is truly important in life.  So often the temporal things demand attention, shifting my focus from eternity.   What I say (or what I don't say) and what I do (or what I don't do) matters in this life...it carries over into eternity with me.  What a fool I have been, living as if all that mattered were the immediate without considering the eternal.  It is not like I didn't know this.  I've just been out of tune lately and let the cares of this world choke out the reality of eternity.

Reality isn't just our life on earth.  Reality is eternity.  We'll be spending a lot more time on the other side of death than we will in life on this earth.  So why is it that I forget that important fact and cave into the pressures and desires of this world?  It's because I'm human, capable of bad judgement, making mistakes, and being just plain out demanding.  I am capable of sin.

But that isn't how God originally created us to be.  We were created in His image...meant to last for eternity!  Where we spend eternity is up to us...for those of us who love and place their trust in Jesus Christ,  we will spend eternity with Him.  Those who reject salvation through Jesus Christ will spend eternity apart from God...in a place of eternal condemnation. 

I was reminded in today's devotion that if God didn't exist, if this life was all there was, then there would be no purpose, no meaning to life.  There would in essence be no right or wrong, no good or bad.  We could do what we wanted, when we wanted and not suffer any eternal reprocussions.  However, death is not our final termination.  There is life after death.  And we are held responsible for our words and deeds in the hereafter. 

I've realized that lately, I've just been winging it through life - you know - shooting from the hip.  Sure, I've been responsible and done the best I could to be a good person.  However, God expects more from us than that.  We must live our lives on purpose - for His purpose.  In 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul writes, " So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing."  In other words, we aren't to wonder through this life aimlessly.  We are to have purpose in every step we take.  Superior athletes take their training and practices seriously.  This life is our training ground for eternity.  It's not enough to sit back and watch from the stands.  It's not enough to jog around the track a time or two.  We are IN the race  so we must train diligently and finish strong. 

I must remember that there is more to life than just the here and now.

Verse:  "This world is fading away along with everything it craves.  But if you do the will of God you will live forever." 1 John 2:17

Question: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing that I should start doing (or stop doing) today?    

Grace and peace:)
In His Love, Cathy

(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life.  Zondervan.  2002. Print.)

DAY THREE: What Drives Your Life

(Got a little off track the last few days due to a family beach trip on Friday and then Michael's soccer tournament this past weekend in Perdido Key.)

"What drives your life?" was the title of Chapter 3 in The Purpose Driven Life.  The question glared at me from the top of the page.  It immediately captured my attention.  Before even reading a single word of the chapter I was already prayerfully considering what my answer would be.

"Everyone's life is driven by something." (Warren)  So what was driving my life?  Was it God or was it me?  After taking a long, introspective look I decided that at times, it was God driving my life.  However, quite honestly, lately it's definitely me.  I seemed to have no problem shoving God out of the drivers seat...like a little child demanding, "Hey, I want to drive!" 

But as I read further through the chapter, I began to learn more about myself.  I learned that my desire to 'drive' my life stems from areas in which I lack trust in God.  For example, when I'm stressed, facing a problem, or dealing with pressure I tend to want control.  Sure, I pray about it but at times, even after praying, I hold onto the problem.  I even recognize that I have a tendancy of turning something over to God, completely trusting Him at the moment I do so, only to later attempt to wrestle it right back from Him. I have control issues.  I like to drive.

So, what drives my life?  Warren outlines five of the most common emotions that can drive your life.

• Guilt
• Resentment and anger
• Fear.
• Materialism
• Approval

I must admit at various times I've been driven by each and everyone of these.  Fear, materialism, and approval are my biggest three weaknesses.  I admit, I'm a scardy cat.  I think that's why I like to have control and why it's hard for me to yield things to God sometimes.  Materialism is another weakness.  I like clothes.  I like shoes.  I like shopping.  I'm an impulsive shopper.  It is a weakness that I've learned over the years to yield to God.  Though not perfect yet, I have improved the most in this area thanks to some hard learned lessons.  My need for approval is probably the biggest driving force in my life.  I simply want to please everyone.  And though I know I can't, I will kill myself trying to.  It's only been in recent years that I've learned that the approval of others is fleeting.  Instead of seeking the approval of men, I should instead focus on pleasing God.  But still, it is hard for me to do so.

Recognizing what drives your life is like an addict facing the root of their addiction...it's the starting point for fulfilling God's purpose for your life.  Understanding what drives my life forced me to face up to the fact that I wasn't exactly the Christian I thought I was.  I had in my mind that I was free from some of the problems that seem to drive the lives of others.  I never thought that there might be something other than God driving my life at this point in my Christian walk. After all, I considered myself a 'mature' Christian.  Though I knew I wasn't perfect, I thought that I had developed a more complete and trusting relationship with God that I actually had.  In other words, I was a legend in my own mind!  The reality was quite different than my perception.  I still have stuff...lots of stuff.. to work on!

Understanding what drives your life is an important step in knowing God's purpose for your life.  You can't live a life on purpose for Him if He's not the one driving!

Living a life on purpose for God has some pretty amazing benefits.  Of course, our motivation for living for God should be first and foremost because He is God, He is glorious, and He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place for our sins.  But there are some other benefits for a purpose that are intertwined with His wonderful character.  Knowing your purpose:

• Gives meaning to your life.
• SIMPLIFIES your life.  (Boy did this speak to me!  This would define what you do and don't do.  Before making choices or commitments, ask yourself, "Does this activity or choice fulfill God's purpose for my life?)
• Focuses your life.  (You can concentrate your efforts on what is important.)
• Motivates your life.
• Prepares you for eternity.

Wow, I had no expectation of what God would reveal to me this morning through this study.  I had a head-on collision with truth.  It hurt to realize that I didn't have it all together like I thought.  But I'm now on the road to living the life God purposed for me.  I'll admit, I'm a piece of work.  It will take time.  And I will mess up.  But God can do wonders!  I've just got to let Him drive. 

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot...after reading this devotion as I was on my way to work this morning, KLOVE was playing Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel."  I think God was really trying to 'drive' this point home.  Gotta love how our wonderful God works!

By the way, what drives your life?

VERSE:  You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."  Isaiah 26:3

Question to Consider:  What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life?  What do I want it to be?

Praying for you, friends!
In His Love, Cathy

(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life.  Zondervan.  2002.  Print.)

DAY TWO: You are Not an Accident

My husband, Scott, is adopted.  There was a lot of pain and hurt surrounding his birth.  From a secular standpoint, you could say that Scott's conception was an accident, a terrible mistake.  A lot of people were hurt by the circumstances surrounding his birth.

However, from God's perspective, Scott was no accident.  His birth was not a mistake.  God planned Scott's existence before He ever created the universe.  Scott may have been unplanned by his parents, but he was not unplanned by God.  "While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children...God's purpose took into account human error, and even sin"  (Warren).  

God created Scott on purpose for His purpose.  You and I are not accidents, either.  Whether our parents planned for us or not, God did.  We were concieved in God's mind before the universe was made.  God is love.  We are the product of that love.  He didn't need to create us but He wanted to in order to express his love.  Think of it this way. A couple marries. They know going into the marriage they want to eventually have children.  So they set up a home, begin saving, and planning for children.  They discuss how many children they will have, possible names for their children, and even wonder what their children will look like.  They know in advance that they will love their children.  Then the day comes when they have their first child.  They are elated.  They didn't need a child, but they wanted a child to share their love with.  This love between parent and child emulates the love that motivated God to create us.  God is love.  We, His creation, were created in His image...the image of His love.  We were in His thoughts from before creation.  He planned everything from start to finish with us in mind.  He knew us, before He ever began his preparations.  And He loved us before we ever existed.  That's a pretty powerful thought. 

God made each of us for a reason - to express His love.  We can only discover our purpose by making God the reference point of our lives.   

The following poem came from today's devotion from The Purpose Driven Life.  It is by Russell Kelfer:

You are who you are for a reason.

You're part of an intricate plan.

You're a precious and perfect unique design.

Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.

Our God made no mistake.

He knit you together within the womb.

You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,

And no matter how you may feel,

They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,

And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.

And God wept that it hurt you so;

But it was allowed to shape your heart

So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,

You've been formed by the Master's rod.

You are who you are beloved,

Because there is a God!

I am not an accident.  Neither are you.  We are the objects of God's love and affection.  We find our purpose in Him.

"I am your Creator.  You were in my care even before you were born."  Isaiah 44:2

Question:  I know that God uniquely created me.  What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?  (Warren)

God has loved you since the day He conceived you in His mind.  Live in confidence of His love...live on purpose for Him today.

In His Love, Cathy

Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan, 2002. Print

Day One: It All Starts with God

Aside from the Bible, one of the most influential books in my Christian walk has been The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  I was introduced to this book by a Christian friend at a critical point in my faith.  I had been a Christian for many years, however, looking back I was not a very mature one. 

I would have continued down the path of Christian immaturity had God not orchestrated some heavy hitting changes in my life.  At the age of 32, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  I've got to say that certainly got my attention.  I began reflecting over my life.  I realized that I had been selfishly living for myself when it came right down to it.  God really began speaking to my heart, showing me the things in my life that I needed to change.  After I began to totally yield to Him, spiritual change began taking root.  My newfound faith began to bloom and grow, prompting even more life change.  I realized life was too short to not live for Him.  I took an inventory of my life and realized that God was leading me in a totally different direction than I had been going.  I had been following the career path...a path that took up much of my time, leading me away from Him, my family, and church.  But once diagnosed with cancer, I was ready for Him to lead.  He led me away from a well paying computer programming job and into teaching high school math - and I LOVE IT!  He led our family away from our church of ten years, where my husband had grown up in, to a new church.  There was nothing wrong with our old church, but it was in our new church that both my family and I learned to serve selflessly, growing more in our faith than ever before in our lives.  And it was in our new church that God called me into children's ministry for a time - something I certainly never dreamed I had a gift for nor thought that I could ever do. 

It was in this season that I picked up The Purpose Driven Life.  God revealed just how selfish I had been living...and that was not His purpose for me.  I was created by God's purpose and for God's purpose.  I was made for God.  I was starting at the wrong place to find purpose - looking at myself  instead of looking to my Creator.  Misdirected attention on ourselves blinds us to our REAL purpose...our divine purpose in Christ!

I am once again at the crossroads of change in my life.  My children are growing up and out of the house.  Our parents are getting older and my father-in-law is suffering from Alzheimers.  My Dad has health and other issues that he refuses to address.  And tied into all of this, unexpected financial circumstances have demanded much attention (and concern) in this past year - though God has answered and is still answering prayers over this area in a BIG way.  (I am at peace about it all!)

Once again, God has captured my attention through the changes in my life.  I've realized that I've allowed circumstances to consume my attention, redirecting my focus from 'He' back to 'me.'  I've realized that at times I've not handled things as one who fully trusts in the Lord - returning time and again to the 'Egypts' of my life instead of stepping out in faith.  Thankfully, God knows this weakling's heart -  loves me anyway, forgives, and forgets.   

I wouldn't say that I've been adrift in the faith, simply beat and banged up quite a bit. So today, I picked up my Bible to read as usual.   But I also decided it was time to remind myself of what my purpose in life is.  I hope God will bless the next 40 days as I dive into His Word and renew my faith, my commitment, and living life for His purpose. 

Why we are, who we are, who we will become...our complete identity starts with, ends with, and has purpose in God.

Today, I'm thinking about my purpose.

And I'm reminded, it's not about me.

"Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him."  Colossians 1:16b

Question for the Day:  In spite of all of the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?  (The Purpose Driven Life) 


In His Love, Cathy

Motivation

"'Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.


"'When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.'"


Matthew 6:1-5

Our motivations matter a lot to God, and they determine the kind of reward we will receive. Jesus assumes we're always motivated to seek a reward .We may like to think we're "above" motivation for reward. We're not. We always seek a payoff. The question is, reward from whom? If from other people, then whatever they give us is what we get. If we seek reward from God and do everything for "an audience of One," then God himself pledges to reward us. What kind of rewards do you seek for the things you do, even spiritual things like prayer?
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Motivation comes from the heart.  I believe that Jesus is reminding us here that our primary motivation should be to please God.  And as we go about doing good works, giving, or praying, we should keep a low profile...not seeking or desiring earthly rewards or attention for ourselves, but instead seek first to please God.  Our lives should be a beacon of hope and light to the world through which God shines...a heart that seeks reward and attention for itself only dims that light.  We are not to draw attention to ourselves for our own sakes. Instead our motivation should be to point others to Jesus Christ regardless of whether we will be rewarded or not!   And, if God chooses to reward us in the here and now, let's thankfully accept those rewards with grace and humility, using them to point others to the ONE who is so very deserving.

In His Love, Cathy

What a Month!!!

CRAZY doesn't even begin to describe this month! 

To begin with, our son Matt celebrated his 21st birthday this month.  It's hard to believe he's that old...that doesn't make me old, does it?  He's doing great in tech school...still loving the Air Force.  We received the graduation DVD from His Basic Training in the mail last week.  Watching it gave me goosebumps...it really was an impressive experience!

Our daughter Brittany and her friend Dylan (now her boyfriend) survived a very serious accident a week and a half ago.  The fact that they both survived with nothing broken or internal injuries is a miracle...Dylan had to be cut out with the Jaws of Life and suffered a head injury.  They were t-boned on the driver's side.  Dylan was driving and took the full brunt of the force.  He suffered a head injury and was knocked unconcious immediately.  Brittany said the truck they were in kept going but she couldn't reach the brake to stop it.  She had to turn the ignition off to stop the truck.  She said it scared her to death because she didn't know at first if Dylan was alive... but then she heard him breathing.  Brittany is still having some back and knee pain from the accident but she was thoroughly checked and we've been assured she's okay. She was put on medication and told it will take a couple of weeks to heal.  Bless their hearts...God had His Hand of protection all over both of them.  There are two sets of very, very thankful parents.  A week after the accident, Dylan asked Brittany out.  I guess the experience brought them closer together:)

 Two weeks prior to the accident, our little dog Sasha got out of our yard and was hit by a car.  She died instantly.  She was primarily Brittany's dog.  We sure do miss that spunky little mess of a dog.  Fortunately, her brother, our other dog, Beauregard didn't get out. He is home, safe and sound.  Brittany is spoiling him rotten.  He won't even eat now unless she is standing by his bowl.  Poor little thing!

I was also diagnosed with high blood pressure this month (go figure, I wonder why?).  So we are trying to eat healthy, fresh foods with low sodium, continuing to excercise, and taking blood pressure medication.  I've also started cooking a week's worth of meals on the weekends.  That's been a huge help to our busy week day schedules.  It's just nice knowing that I'm able to feed my family fresh, healthy meals.  Although my blood pressure issue prompted the change in my diet, I felt that we all would benefit from eating healthier.  

This month also marks a change on some other fronts in our lives.  We've had a very tough financial year due to health care expenses and other issues outside of our control that totally blindsided us.  But God has been faithful and good.  Things are really starting to look up.  It's a huge relief to see things starting turn a major corner - I really hope and pray! 

Our SGA hosted the State SGA conference this past weekend in Pace for the first time ever.  It was a HUGE production that our community came through BIG TIME to help the students put on one of the best ever conferences.  Brittany enjoyed it enormously even though our Pace students were working behind the scenes.  We've got wonderful SGA advisors whose leadership and vision have made a tremendous impact on the students and community.  

Michael also had a tournament this weekend as well...they won their first soccer game in a tournment ever this past Sunday.  They were so excited.  They are a very young, newly formed select team.  Seeing their excitement after winning was priceless!

Well, we still have a few days left in the month, but I hope this month ends a little bit quieter than it began.  And I thought March is the month that comes in like a lion...let's hope not.  I don't think I can handle anymore excitement!

In His Love, Cathy

Children's Ministry Matters

But Jesus called the children to him and said,“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Luke 18:15

My interest and heart for children's ministry still leads me to reading and researching the newest ideas and trends on the topic.  I was recently asked consider serving once again in children's ministry.  Though it is a volunteer position, it sparked serious, prayerful consideration on my part.  This request also sparked a renewed interest in reading up on children's ministry...getting other's perspective on such a CRITICAL and IMPORTANT ministry of the church.  It is my deepest belief that one only has to look to the children's/youth ministry to gauge the health of the church.  Although it is the primary repsonsibility for parents to teach their children of spiritual things, quality age level ministries is just as important.  Healthy children's and youth ministries attract families - and those families become excited and invite other families, thus creating new opportunities for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship. 

"Making children's ministry an investment priority is good — no, great — for the primary goal of every church: growth. Halcomb can't be emphatic enough when he says, "Churches obsessively talk about growth, growth, growth…well you'll have church growth if you do this part right." Fridsma agrees. "Many churches have experienced dynamic growth through a new, exciting children's ministry area. When an environment is created that children pull toward, they'll run ahead of their parents. They'll want to be there!" And they'll want to come back, bringing their parents with them. (Then they'll bring their friends…and their friends' parents…) "Most churches should reconsider spending $20 million on a state-of-the-art sanctuary if they can't also afford quality children's environments," Fridsma concludes. It's about reaching the children effectively that matters. "They're open to the message," he says, "with willing hearts and minds."


Children's ministry must be more than an afterthought. And the teaching must entail more than putting kids on the receiving end of the message. Children must be the investment priority — in structure, design, and format. And church for them must be an interactive experience that lets them hear, understand and apply the Truth.

(Kid Ministry Matters: Creating children's ministry spaces that make a difference.  Jan/Feb 2007)

http://www.worshipfacilities.com/go.php/editorial/4409

Children's Ministry Matters...it's not a babysitting service...it's not for the faint at heart...it's a REAL ministry, reaching REAL people with the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST!!! The importance of reaching children and youth is ETERNAL!!!

In His Love, Cathy

Me vs. the Empty Nest & Aging: A Menopausal's Woman's Rant Against Middle Age

One thing I know is true...life is never dull...it never settles down.  At least that's the way it is in our lives right now.  Sure, we come up for air every now and then, take a deep breath, and then DIVE back into it.  There are times that I long for simpler days...the days of diapers and bottles, when the kids were all at home and our schedules simply consisted of work, day care, and church.  Unrealistic?  Sure.  And though I have no desire to change a diaper ever again, my longing is for a simpler life...a life where family time was the only activity on the agenda. 

I guess I'm feeling the pangs of an impending empty nest.  Matt is gone...he graduated from USAF Basic Military Training back in January, is now in tech school for 5 months in San Antonio, and will be stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California (Northeast of Los Angeles) when he finishes tech school.  We are so proud of his accomplishments in the Air Force - there is no doubt that this is his calling - he LOVES it!!!  This child who hasn't ever held a gun (aside from a BB gun) qualified his very first week of training as an EXPERT marksman with an M9.  All of those years of investing time and money in sports for him, band, etc... to help him find his interest when all we needed to do was put a gun in his hand!  (I'm saying this jokingly - we're not 'gun' people!)   But it's hard to let him go - especially so far away. Our always so quiet Matt is now a very confident and outgoing young man - volunteering for leadership roles in tech school and highly respected and looked up to by his peers.  And what's more, he's speaking more openly about his faith - faithfully attends not only Chapel but Bible Study.  Yes, Matt is sorely missed.  While at home, he was my right hand guy - dependable, always helpful, responsible, and always there when we needed him.  He loved to volunteer and help out at church, especially on the set up crew when our church met in the school - he would help set up and take down for BOTH adult church and children's church.  Yes, we miss him.  But he's doing what all parents want for their children - for them to grow up and be able to live and succeed in the world - and not end up as a 40 year old bachelor still living in Mom's basement!  I just thought we had a couple of more years with him in college, coming home on weekends, holidays, and summers to live.  His sudden change of plans was a good thing for him, but my heart wasn't prepared for him to 'move out' so soon.

Then there is Brittany.  She graduates from high school next year.  She's already looking at going away to college...Auburn, Troy, Florida State, or University of South Alabama.  You know it wouldn't be so bad except she is my right hand girl (even though she's a leftie).  Plus she is considering going into the medical field which translates to longer schooling.  What am I going to do?  She's been my ally in this houseful of men for all these years - able to take all of them on at once - taking them down with a single disapproving look, defiant bob of her head, one hand on her hip, and the other pointing an accusing finger in their face!  She can get just as physical with them as well...she's learned to survive in this man cave of a house!  All I can say is some young man one day will be very lucky, she will be that one of a kind wife who loves to watch sports (any kind), understands them, and can ACTUALLY PLAY them (except for volleyball...I guess it's not her forte...but football...she loves playing corner back and stopping the offense...I guess she gets that from her Dad ... he and his friend Dale called themselves quarterback killers back in the old middle school football days.)  But I digress. Back to the empty nest.

But wait, you say, there's still Michael!  He's only in 6th grade!  Let me tell you friends, based on experience, it seems like elementary school lasts forever.  Once a child hits middle school, time flies.  And it seems to fly by faster and faster for each successive child.  In a blink of an eye, little Michael will be crossing the stage receiving his diploma.  It won't be long before our funny man will be moving on as well.  He already has decided his future - he wants to join the Air Force just like big brother! 

And as if the empty nest syndrom isn't enough, I'm getting old on top of it all!!!  You may think I'm not old, but let me tell you friend, my body says otherwise!!!  I've had health issues since my early 20s and had just about every organ removed that a person can humanly live without (Scott says I'm half the woman he married...I told him that's okay, he's twice the man I married:) ....)  ... after having a respite of good health for a few years, these past two years have seen a resurgence of issues.   My diagnosis...OLD AGE!  Now before you roll your eyes, let me explain...I have NO THYROID due to thyroid cancer.  Yes, I know I'm sounding like a broken record on this thyroid stuff, but I swear, it seems to be the root of all issues...and my body is experiencing double jeopardy because I've had a total hysterectomy, am post menopause which equals to this:  My body thinks I'M OLD!!!! 

I was diagnosed with early Osteoperosis (initial stage which is called osteopenia).  Found out that little jewel this past summer.  Then this week (Monday) I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (my blood pressure got up 163/119 but leveled out this week around 140/82-98 which is till a little too high).  So now I'm on blood pressure medication and taking my blood pressure several times a day (yes, I had to buy a blood pressure machine)!  This is DESPITE my exercise regimen that I started this past summer almost faithfully (walking and yoga) and eating better.  And my baby turns 21 on Tuesday, which doesn't help me feel any younger!  Stupid AGING process!!!  But then again, maybe if I didn't use so many exclamation points when I write, my blood pressure would go down!!!

So, it's me vs. the empty nest and aging.  I'm being double teamed!!!  I may not win, but I PROMISE YOU ONE THING, I'm not going down without a FIGHT!!!  Hallelujah!!!

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

he is mine forever.

Psalm 73:26

Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy