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