Sunday, August 15, 2010
May gathering
We tell people that you do not have to be fully healed or "moved on" (whatever that means) before you can share what God has taught and is teaching. Nor do you have to be done grieving before you can bless another person. (Good thing, since we're never really done grieving!) In May, Cathy Bonnesen was proof of both those statements. A dear friend, she agreed to share with us her journey.
Her topic: girdling roots. A master gardener, Cathy has extensive knowledge about all things green. She had been working on their landscaping and noticed that one tree was not doing so well. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the tree was suffering from girdling roots. Basically that means that the roots grow around themselves, around the base of the tree, instead of going out in all directions. The problem is that over time the roots will strangle the tree, as they won't allow the tree to continue growing.
Cathy shared some of her story, which includes infertility and miscarriage. She read Psalm 103:1-2
"Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits"
She and her son Noah, whom she homeschools, had studied the elephant. Most of us were probably taught that an elephant never forgets. The above verses challenged Cathy to remember what God has done, to never forget the "benefits" He has placed in her life. The dictionary defines "benefits" as an act of kindness, something that provides well-being. Strongs Concordance defines it this way: to treat a person well, to bestow upon, deal bountifully, do good, reward, ripen.
Psalm 103 goes on to say:
"3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
What are some ways we can "forget not" what God has done for us, especially in the midst of tragedy, grief, or trials? Cathy suggested finding meaningful scriptures in the Bible and putting them in prominent places in our homes. Take notes over a teaching message and look over it periodically. Make a list of things for which you are thankful and review it regularly. Journal good things that happen.
Psalm 77:12 says " I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."
Meditate means to "murmur in pleasure or anger, to ponder, imagine, study" (Strongs)
At times we can over-meditate, or meditate over the wrong things. It's easy to meditate over what ISN'T happening, over the losses we have had, what someone else's life looks like, etc. It can be unhealthy for us.
Here's where the concept of girdling roots comes in. Cathy showed us some pictures of girdling roots, and explained that just as girdling roots on a tree eventually choke out the life of the tree, when we forget all of God's benefits we go round and round, and healthy growth cannot happen in our lives. Eventually we are at risk of emotionally and spiritually strangling ourselves. When we just keep circling over the same subject over and over again (infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, etc), it becomes impossible to focus on the bigger picture. Don't misunderstand - the Lord does direct us to focus on these areas for a season so we can work through what we need to in whatever timing is for each of us. But there comes a point when we need to look beyond what we see right in front of us. Sometimes we can't see it for ourselves - others can, and God may speak through them to try to get through to us.
Cathy shared the idea of a Victories List - she and her husband created a list of things that were good that happened in their lives. Many of them were relatively small, daily things that are so easy to overlook and very easy to forget. She shared how helpful it was to look over the list and remember what God had done, remember the small and big ways He showed Himself to them. It helped them to take heart and press on through trials.
all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits"
She and her son Noah, whom she homeschools, had studied the elephant. Most of us were probably taught that an elephant never forgets. The above verses challenged Cathy to remember what God has done, to never forget the "benefits" He has placed in her life. The dictionary defines "benefits" as an act of kindness, something that provides well-being. Strongs Concordance defines it this way: to treat a person well, to bestow upon, deal bountifully, do good, reward, ripen.
Psalm 103 goes on to say:
"3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
What are some ways we can "forget not" what God has done for us, especially in the midst of tragedy, grief, or trials? Cathy suggested finding meaningful scriptures in the Bible and putting them in prominent places in our homes. Take notes over a teaching message and look over it periodically. Make a list of things for which you are thankful and review it regularly. Journal good things that happen.
Psalm 77:12 says " I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."
Meditate means to "murmur in pleasure or anger, to ponder, imagine, study" (Strongs)
At times we can over-meditate, or meditate over the wrong things. It's easy to meditate over what ISN'T happening, over the losses we have had, what someone else's life looks like, etc. It can be unhealthy for us.
Here's where the concept of girdling roots comes in. Cathy showed us some pictures of girdling roots, and explained that just as girdling roots on a tree eventually choke out the life of the tree, when we forget all of God's benefits we go round and round, and healthy growth cannot happen in our lives. Eventually we are at risk of emotionally and spiritually strangling ourselves. When we just keep circling over the same subject over and over again (infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, etc), it becomes impossible to focus on the bigger picture. Don't misunderstand - the Lord does direct us to focus on these areas for a season so we can work through what we need to in whatever timing is for each of us. But there comes a point when we need to look beyond what we see right in front of us. Sometimes we can't see it for ourselves - others can, and God may speak through them to try to get through to us.
Cathy shared the idea of a Victories List - she and her husband created a list of things that were good that happened in their lives. Many of them were relatively small, daily things that are so easy to overlook and very easy to forget. She shared how helpful it was to look over the list and remember what God had done, remember the small and big ways He showed Himself to them. It helped them to take heart and press on through trials.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
April gathering - A Time to Fall
Amy blessed us this month with some of the lessons God has been teaching her lately. She began by reading from Ecclesiastes 3 - the "time" chapter. There is a time for everything. She challenged us to think about there being a time to fall. Falling is not the same as failing, even though most of us view them as one and the same. We too often strive to push through and be strong. People tell us to persevere, take heart, press on, keep going. While there is certainly a time for that, there is also a time to accept that God is inviting us to fall - right into His arms. We run out of ourselves, our strength, our will and determination, and fall into His waiting arms.
Amy always hated trust falls in group building activities. She has found it hard at times to honestly sing "I Surrender All," knowing that in her heart part of her is not surrendered completely. In a war setting, a soldier who has been captured by the enemy knows to surrender in order to save his life. Yet he is immediately planning his escape. This is not true surrender (nor should it be in this example!). Similarly, when Amy played kick the can with neighborhood kids while growing up, when she was captured she would be surveying her surroundings and planning exactly where she'd run next once a member of her team kicked the can, releasing the prisoners. Again, not true surrender. True surrender is like falling.
She read the children's book Billy's Attic Adventure to us. Basically, Billy climbs the ladder into the attic and starts to fall. His dad, on the ground below, tells Billy to let go and fall. It takes awhile for Billy to trust and just let go, but once he does, he lands safely in the arms of his dad.
Amy's mom passed away a year and a half ago after a 6 month battle with cancer. Six months after her death, her dad remarried. Two months after the wedding, Amy found out she was pregnant. With her long history of infertility and tubal pregnancies, conceiving had been about the last thing on their minds for quite some time. While she was more than overjoyed (and in shock!), she wanted to tell her mom the news...but she couldn't. She cried at all of her prenatal appointments, longing to share the news with her mom. The first two weeks after her daughter was born, she found herself in a spiritual battle, feeling trapped. She had a miracle baby, yet was almost in despair. She felt as though she was falling. Her heart was prepared for hardship and could not receive the blessing; she had not truly surrendered the loss of her mom, and she felt she was losing her heart to her baby. She did not feel she could possibly bear another loss - what if something were to happen to the baby? The easy answer would be to harden her heart, not allowing it to fully love or be loved. But in God's grace, that wasn't working.
Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
In what areas of our lives are we captured, think we have surrendered, but are afraid to fall? God sees you and promises to catch you. What might falling look like in your life?
Psalm 139:5 "You hem me in behind and before - you have laid your hand upon me." It is okay to unravel - God promises to sew you back together. You don't have to hold it all together. There is a time to fall.
There is a balance we must find between pressing on and letting go to fall. They are actually compatible actions. It's about our hearts, about trusting God instead of the decisions we make. The decisions aren't His goal as much as the condition of our hearts. If our hearts are honestly seeking Him but we make a "wrong" decision, He will still bless us for our motives and bring good out of our decision. Sometimes we have to make decisions to move to the next step, but that doesn't limit what God will do next. He can and often will override our decisions in order to fulfill His will and purposes in our lives. For example, if a couple decides to stop fertility treatments or stop pursuing adoption, that does not mean that God will change His plan for their lives if it included a child. We have to decide, and trust Him with the details and the results.
When I think about falling, I think of someone skydiving. If you jump out of a plane and have full confidence in your parachute, you are likely to fall gracefully, perhaps even relaxing or playing around with your movements. The fall will be enjoyable, exhilarating, peaceful even. Contrast that with a person who is terrified about what will happen next - they will likely flail about the whole way down. As Christians we can rest assured that when we are in a season that involves falling into God's arms we will be safe. We can relax and even find ourselves enjoying the fall. We know what waits for us at the end of the fall. We can actually find good things about the journey instead of being filled with dread, despair, and fear.
Are you in a season of falling? Trust the arms waiting to catch you.
Amy always hated trust falls in group building activities. She has found it hard at times to honestly sing "I Surrender All," knowing that in her heart part of her is not surrendered completely. In a war setting, a soldier who has been captured by the enemy knows to surrender in order to save his life. Yet he is immediately planning his escape. This is not true surrender (nor should it be in this example!). Similarly, when Amy played kick the can with neighborhood kids while growing up, when she was captured she would be surveying her surroundings and planning exactly where she'd run next once a member of her team kicked the can, releasing the prisoners. Again, not true surrender. True surrender is like falling.
She read the children's book Billy's Attic Adventure to us. Basically, Billy climbs the ladder into the attic and starts to fall. His dad, on the ground below, tells Billy to let go and fall. It takes awhile for Billy to trust and just let go, but once he does, he lands safely in the arms of his dad.
Amy's mom passed away a year and a half ago after a 6 month battle with cancer. Six months after her death, her dad remarried. Two months after the wedding, Amy found out she was pregnant. With her long history of infertility and tubal pregnancies, conceiving had been about the last thing on their minds for quite some time. While she was more than overjoyed (and in shock!), she wanted to tell her mom the news...but she couldn't. She cried at all of her prenatal appointments, longing to share the news with her mom. The first two weeks after her daughter was born, she found herself in a spiritual battle, feeling trapped. She had a miracle baby, yet was almost in despair. She felt as though she was falling. Her heart was prepared for hardship and could not receive the blessing; she had not truly surrendered the loss of her mom, and she felt she was losing her heart to her baby. She did not feel she could possibly bear another loss - what if something were to happen to the baby? The easy answer would be to harden her heart, not allowing it to fully love or be loved. But in God's grace, that wasn't working.
Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
In what areas of our lives are we captured, think we have surrendered, but are afraid to fall? God sees you and promises to catch you. What might falling look like in your life?
Psalm 139:5 "You hem me in behind and before - you have laid your hand upon me." It is okay to unravel - God promises to sew you back together. You don't have to hold it all together. There is a time to fall.
There is a balance we must find between pressing on and letting go to fall. They are actually compatible actions. It's about our hearts, about trusting God instead of the decisions we make. The decisions aren't His goal as much as the condition of our hearts. If our hearts are honestly seeking Him but we make a "wrong" decision, He will still bless us for our motives and bring good out of our decision. Sometimes we have to make decisions to move to the next step, but that doesn't limit what God will do next. He can and often will override our decisions in order to fulfill His will and purposes in our lives. For example, if a couple decides to stop fertility treatments or stop pursuing adoption, that does not mean that God will change His plan for their lives if it included a child. We have to decide, and trust Him with the details and the results.
When I think about falling, I think of someone skydiving. If you jump out of a plane and have full confidence in your parachute, you are likely to fall gracefully, perhaps even relaxing or playing around with your movements. The fall will be enjoyable, exhilarating, peaceful even. Contrast that with a person who is terrified about what will happen next - they will likely flail about the whole way down. As Christians we can rest assured that when we are in a season that involves falling into God's arms we will be safe. We can relax and even find ourselves enjoying the fall. We know what waits for us at the end of the fall. We can actually find good things about the journey instead of being filled with dread, despair, and fear.
Are you in a season of falling? Trust the arms waiting to catch you.
March gathering
We were thrilled to have three special guests share with us in March. Janet, Lynn, and Leslie founded Stepping Stones many years ago - a ministry that has since been picked up and expanded by Bethany House. They have a wealth of experience and wisdom, and we just soaked it up!! Janet began by sharing that suffering is never in vain if we turn around and encourage those behind us. That doesn't mean we are done with our journey, just that we look behind and help who we can see. Deuteronomy 8 talks about the importance of looking back and remembering what God has done for us - especially in times we are grieving or have lost hope. Janet's journey of infertility (7 surgeries) and failed adoptions (11) lasted 4.5 years - years she looks back upon and feels were at least in part wasted because she was angry and bitter about her circumstances. She was seeking the gift instead of the Giver. She went through a wilderness and eventually hungered for God more than she hungered for a child. She believes that God, in His mercy, caused her to hunger. After all, He is the only thing that will truly satisfy.
Janet shared with us an excerpt from Catherine Marshall's Adventures in Prayer. Here is a portion of the chapter on relinquishment:
Janet shared with us an excerpt from Catherine Marshall's Adventures in Prayer. Here is a portion of the chapter on relinquishment:
Prayer of Relinquishment
I Relinquish This To You:
“Father, for such a long time I have pleaded before You this, the deep desire of my
heart: __________________________________________. Yet the more I've clamored
for Your help with this, the more remote You have seemed.
I confess my demanding spirit in this matter. I've tried suggesting to You ways
my prayer could be answered. To my shame, I've even bargained with You. Yet I know
that trying to manipulate the Lord of the Universe is utter foolishness. No wonder my
spirit is so sore and weary!
I want to trust You, Father. My spirit knows that these verities are forever
trustworthy even when I feel nothing...That you are there. (You said, “Lo, I am with you
always.” Matthew 28:20) That you love me. (You said, “I have loved you with an
everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3) That You alone know what is best for me. (For in
You, Lord, “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3)
Perhaps all along, You have been waiting for me to give up self-effort. At last I
want You in my life even more than I want _________________________________.
So now, by an act of my will, I relinquish this to You. I will accept Your will, whatever
that may be. Thank You for counting this act of my will as the decision of the real
person even when my emotions protest. I ask You to hold me true to this decision. To
You, Lord God, who alone are worthy of worship, I bend the knee with thanksgiving
that this too will “work together for good.” Amen
Date:_________________________________
She shared that we will never win a battle against God. Matthew 6:33 says to seek first His kingdom, meaning His ways and His plans...and all will be added to you. That "all" is His all, not our all. But again, His is better. His is best. We must focus on the blessings He has given, not the ones He has not given. In all things, He is faithful to carry us through.
Leslie shared some of the history of Stepping Stones. Woven throughout the ministry was a focus on looking for the hand of God in the little things. Each of the three ladies can tell their stories - and each story is God filled. This is our goal, to get to a place where we see our stories as God filled. It certainly requires having a God perspective.
Leslie, Lynn, and Janet began talking years ago as an informal Christian support network. They asked Focus on the Family for resources on infertility and miscarriage, but were given the suggestion to start their own ministry, as there was very little available at the time. In time the ministry took off. They began to receive a multitude of letters from around the country and eventually around the world, from Christians dealing with similar issues. They created a newsletter that was sent out containing articles they either found or wrote, dealing with infertility and miscarriage from a Christian perspective. In time, readers began sending articles about their own stories about healing, growing, and walking the journey with God. They saw how readers began supporting one another. They ended up on Dr. Dobson's radio show, which took the ministry to a whole new level. They learned firsthand that in God's season/time/way He will meet our needs and desires. Leslie said "looking back, I wouldn't want to do it all over again, but it was good."
Lynn remembers the year that on Mother's Day the pastor acknowledged infertility and infant loss for the first time. She finally felt like a normal segment of the church population, not an awkward outsider. She shared with us that God gives grace as the need comes along - look back at His provision rather than wondering what trial is coming next. We can't get stuck in the past, wishing to have changed something, nor should we be paralyzed by the potential difficulties of the future. Rather, remember the blessings of the past, live now to the fullest, and look to the future with hope and anticipation.
For Lynn, she had to hold on to four pillars of faith.
1. God loves me unconditionally. I can't increase or decrease His love.
2. Because I'm in Christ, God sees me as totally clean. This circumstance is not a punishment.
3. God can do everything - just look at the virgin Mary and 90 yr old Sarah.
4. If God says no to this, He must have something better, and that is exciting.
Lynn chose to live with great anticipation and turn her circumstances and hopes over to God. Three years later she conceived, and lost the baby. Through that loss she learned that God cannot be reduced to a formula. Giving our hopes to God does not guarantee He will turn around and give us the original desires of our hearts. In time they had a daughter. Three years after that, she conceived again and had a high risk pregnancy. After many complications, she had a c-section. Her baby, Sarah, had a very poor prognosis, and died at 3 months of age. When they left the hospital, and later at the funeral, they saw how their testimony had affected others. For this they can be thankful and can now view that part of their life story as good - good because of what God did through it.
Janet was still in the middle of her most difficult season when Leslie became pregnant. She remembers not going to Leslie's baby shower because she had to set a boundary that she wouldn't go places where she would leave questioning God's love for her. This was a personal boundary, reflecting her walk with the Lord, not her friendship with Leslie. Too often, as Christians, we expect ourselves to handle everything perfectly, including going places we know will trip us up, saying that we "should" be able to handle it. Sometimes not going is the best option as God continues to work on our hearts.
Janet shared that God never works the way we think He will. She brought out the verses from Isaiah 28 that teach us that God does not thresh all grain the same way. Some is crushed and broken and used for finer things. God knows how much pressure to put on the grain (us) in order to produce what He wants to produce in us. We can trust His hand.
February gathering
Our special guest in February shared her story of infertility, failed adoptions, a successful but difficult adoption process, and the ongoing journey of trusting God through life's trials. Here are some of the ideas/concepts she gave us to ponder.
- Men just deal with infertility and disappointment differently than women. There's no getting around this. They may go back to work, looking as though they don't care about a loss or dashed hope, but this is part of how God made them. They compartmentalize. In vitro is difficult for husbands as well as (obviously) for the wives, largely due to the hormonal changes that occur in the wife's body and the man's inability to fix the situation.
- God is in the process of character building.
- Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit." - 1 Peter 5:7-11 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - Philippians 4:11-12 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
- She encouraged us to make good use of our present circumstances, reminding us that sometimes our plans are put on hold and we have to choose to grow in our present circumstances. The Biblical character Hannah, from 1 Samuel, was referenced as an example.
What are your present circumstances? Are you letting your life be on hold while you cling to the hope of what you long for? Or are you living to the fullest with whatever God has chosen and/or allowed into your life? Do you trust Him fully - do you trust that His plan for your life is better than your own plan? It is certainly a choice we make with our heads first, praying that our hearts will catch up and truly believe that His way is the best way.
- Men just deal with infertility and disappointment differently than women. There's no getting around this. They may go back to work, looking as though they don't care about a loss or dashed hope, but this is part of how God made them. They compartmentalize. In vitro is difficult for husbands as well as (obviously) for the wives, largely due to the hormonal changes that occur in the wife's body and the man's inability to fix the situation.
- God is in the process of character building.
- Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit." - 1 Peter 5:7-11 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - Philippians 4:11-12 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
- She encouraged us to make good use of our present circumstances, reminding us that sometimes our plans are put on hold and we have to choose to grow in our present circumstances. The Biblical character Hannah, from 1 Samuel, was referenced as an example.
What are your present circumstances? Are you letting your life be on hold while you cling to the hope of what you long for? Or are you living to the fullest with whatever God has chosen and/or allowed into your life? Do you trust Him fully - do you trust that His plan for your life is better than your own plan? It is certainly a choice we make with our heads first, praying that our hearts will catch up and truly believe that His way is the best way.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Perspective
We had some wonderful sharing at a recent Glory Babies gathering. We don’t expect people to share their experiences, but it is always welcome! One person shared about the recent stillbirth of their daughter, another shared about years of unsuccessful infertility treatments, another shared about repeat miscarriages. Afterwards I heard several comments that made me think about perspective. For example, one person mentioned that while their pain and grief was certainly real and legitimate, it seemed to pale in comparison to what another had experienced. It struck me that each of us naturally think our own journey is uniquely painful – and it is, but not at the exclusion of others having painful journeys as well. It is easy to believe that what another person experiences is more or less tragic than what we have experienced, but I’m not sure we can actually compare these things. Each person’s life, no matter how blessed or easy it may seem, contains at least a few areas of pain, disappointment, or loss. To one struggling to conceive or grieving the loss of a baby, hearing about a mother’s frustrations with her children can be maddening; someone grieving the loss of a spouse can become appalled at the disrespectful attitude another shows toward their living spouse. Yet we all have hard things in our lives. It does not do anyone any good to compare or attempt to measure pain. And what would we really accomplish if we were to somehow determine we have the corner on the pain market? How much better to instead turn to God, trust in His infinite wisdom, timing, provision, and love, pray for those around us who are also struggling, and focus on learning absolutely everything possible through the journey on which we find ourselves. One key of getting “unstuck” in the midst of grief is to look up, begin to accept our reality, and actively seek out the blessings that may currently be hidden. God’s love is constant, even in the midst of life’s turmoil. And ultimately, what more do we need?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Things aren't always what they seem...or what we expect
We were blessed beyond measure to have special guest Pam share with us this month. While her words were well thought out and put together logically, my notes seem to go many different directions. But I'll do my best to piece together the nuggets she shared:
Our first human response is to take charge and be in control. We need to give ourselves permission to let others help us. We wear many hats as women. Story of when Pam and her family were rear-ended by a drunk driver at a stop sign. Jaws of life were required to pull her out, and extensive therapy was required for her to regain movement. It was a humbling, while horrible experience, yet it was great to learn how to receive help. We should not try to manage emotions on our own, or difficult circumstances. While feelings, and the process of healing, vary from person to person, they remain very similar. We do not have to have identical circumstances with another person before we can walk with them, grieve with them, encourage them, and help them. Nor do they have to have identical experiences to ours before we can receive those same things from them.
So how do we get through hard times? Ecclesiastes 3:1 begins the section on there being a time for everything. We have many seasons of life, and they are rarely bounded by the roughly 3-month time frame as are our Kansas weather seasons. When Pam's mom passed away, that season in Pam's life was over and complete - even though Pam felt it had come too soon. It was at the perfect time from God's eternal perspective.
The more we need God, the more we depend on Him...the more we depend on Him, the more we love Him. Many Christians express wanting to love God more, or wanting to "be" more of the kind of person that is compelled by His love. Yet few people are signing up for needing God more. It is a package deal. God doesn't need my help, just my cooperation. The more we try to help, the more anxious we become. John the Baptist, in John 3:30, said that he needed to decrease so God could increase.
Pam brought with her a picture frame with three pictures inside. The first one was very clear, and you could see for miles. The second was more hazy, and the third almost looked like a picture that had not developed correctly, as it was so dark. She told us that the three pictures were of the exact same location, just taken at different times. Nothing had changed with what was out there from that particular vantage point, just how much the viewer could perceive. There were the same exact things in the third picture as in the first, you just couldn't see them - but that didn't change the fact that they were indeed there. The reality of God does not change, just what we can see of His plan changes in various seasons. He is who He is all the time. What we see, think, feel, or even believe, has no bearing whatsoever on who He is or what He is doing. We cannot define Him by circumstances or visibility.
Linda Dillow, the author of Creative Counterpart and Calm My Anxious Heart, had what Pam called a tea cup theology. To illustrate this concept, Pam brought two coffee cups. One was plain white, nothing fancy. The other was highly decorated and a more fun shape. Each of us has a "cup" given to us by God. One person's cup may look more fulfilled, more blessed, more beautiful or desirable, but we don't have any idea what is actually inside that cup. It may be filthy, filled with despair, or cracked on the inside. It is easy to look at the outside of the cups God has given those around us, and make assumptions as to how much God has chosen to favor those people. But we really have no idea. It is not for us to know or for us to judge. When we focus on God, rather than what our eyes can see, particularly what we see of others, it will be much easier to learn contentment with the exact cup and portion God has chosen to give us.
When Pam's younger daughter had her last miscarriage, it was hard for Pam to see other grandmas at church or out and about holding their new grandbabies. It brought pain. All who have lost babies understand this kind of pain. It seems through the Bible that there are many stories of women desperately desiring to have a child, and it is easy to assume that having a child meant the woman was blessed by God. However, their blessings, as are our blessings, were brought by knowing God and having an intimate relationship with Him.
To experience true peace and joy we have to learn contentment in this exact moment. We need to not put ourselves so much in center stage that we can't see God's power. He is weaving an integrating our paths, but we will miss it if we are so focused on ourselves. Few (if any) people have lives that play out as they'd expected. We are all in need of refining. Walk by faith, not by sight. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Fighting against what God has for us puts us at odds with Him and with ourselves. Surrendering to the Lord does not mean giving up all our hopes and dreams, but rather seeking how to walk in His way for us. It may include fulfillment of those hopes and dreams, or it may not. We won't know until we surrender and walk. As Jesus said on the cross, not my will but Yours be done. We desire to be a fragrant aroma to Christ and others, but we can't do that when we're fighting with Him.
It is not about what we've done wrong or how we are being punished, or how others are blessed - all of those ideas indicate that we're in control...and we're not!! Pam ended her time with us by reading a poem:
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty,like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
Each of must come to the place where we acknowledge and accept that "my life is what it is." If God was all you had, would it be enough? Your situation has purpose. But it takes courage and trusting in God to wade through the hard times to discover that purpose...and the blessings awaiting you as you grow closer to your Maker.
Our first human response is to take charge and be in control. We need to give ourselves permission to let others help us. We wear many hats as women. Story of when Pam and her family were rear-ended by a drunk driver at a stop sign. Jaws of life were required to pull her out, and extensive therapy was required for her to regain movement. It was a humbling, while horrible experience, yet it was great to learn how to receive help. We should not try to manage emotions on our own, or difficult circumstances. While feelings, and the process of healing, vary from person to person, they remain very similar. We do not have to have identical circumstances with another person before we can walk with them, grieve with them, encourage them, and help them. Nor do they have to have identical experiences to ours before we can receive those same things from them.
So how do we get through hard times? Ecclesiastes 3:1 begins the section on there being a time for everything. We have many seasons of life, and they are rarely bounded by the roughly 3-month time frame as are our Kansas weather seasons. When Pam's mom passed away, that season in Pam's life was over and complete - even though Pam felt it had come too soon. It was at the perfect time from God's eternal perspective.
The more we need God, the more we depend on Him...the more we depend on Him, the more we love Him. Many Christians express wanting to love God more, or wanting to "be" more of the kind of person that is compelled by His love. Yet few people are signing up for needing God more. It is a package deal. God doesn't need my help, just my cooperation. The more we try to help, the more anxious we become. John the Baptist, in John 3:30, said that he needed to decrease so God could increase.
Pam brought with her a picture frame with three pictures inside. The first one was very clear, and you could see for miles. The second was more hazy, and the third almost looked like a picture that had not developed correctly, as it was so dark. She told us that the three pictures were of the exact same location, just taken at different times. Nothing had changed with what was out there from that particular vantage point, just how much the viewer could perceive. There were the same exact things in the third picture as in the first, you just couldn't see them - but that didn't change the fact that they were indeed there. The reality of God does not change, just what we can see of His plan changes in various seasons. He is who He is all the time. What we see, think, feel, or even believe, has no bearing whatsoever on who He is or what He is doing. We cannot define Him by circumstances or visibility.
Linda Dillow, the author of Creative Counterpart and Calm My Anxious Heart, had what Pam called a tea cup theology. To illustrate this concept, Pam brought two coffee cups. One was plain white, nothing fancy. The other was highly decorated and a more fun shape. Each of us has a "cup" given to us by God. One person's cup may look more fulfilled, more blessed, more beautiful or desirable, but we don't have any idea what is actually inside that cup. It may be filthy, filled with despair, or cracked on the inside. It is easy to look at the outside of the cups God has given those around us, and make assumptions as to how much God has chosen to favor those people. But we really have no idea. It is not for us to know or for us to judge. When we focus on God, rather than what our eyes can see, particularly what we see of others, it will be much easier to learn contentment with the exact cup and portion God has chosen to give us.
When Pam's younger daughter had her last miscarriage, it was hard for Pam to see other grandmas at church or out and about holding their new grandbabies. It brought pain. All who have lost babies understand this kind of pain. It seems through the Bible that there are many stories of women desperately desiring to have a child, and it is easy to assume that having a child meant the woman was blessed by God. However, their blessings, as are our blessings, were brought by knowing God and having an intimate relationship with Him.
To experience true peace and joy we have to learn contentment in this exact moment. We need to not put ourselves so much in center stage that we can't see God's power. He is weaving an integrating our paths, but we will miss it if we are so focused on ourselves. Few (if any) people have lives that play out as they'd expected. We are all in need of refining. Walk by faith, not by sight. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Fighting against what God has for us puts us at odds with Him and with ourselves. Surrendering to the Lord does not mean giving up all our hopes and dreams, but rather seeking how to walk in His way for us. It may include fulfillment of those hopes and dreams, or it may not. We won't know until we surrender and walk. As Jesus said on the cross, not my will but Yours be done. We desire to be a fragrant aroma to Christ and others, but we can't do that when we're fighting with Him.
It is not about what we've done wrong or how we are being punished, or how others are blessed - all of those ideas indicate that we're in control...and we're not!! Pam ended her time with us by reading a poem:
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty,like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
Each of must come to the place where we acknowledge and accept that "my life is what it is." If God was all you had, would it be enough? Your situation has purpose. But it takes courage and trusting in God to wade through the hard times to discover that purpose...and the blessings awaiting you as you grow closer to your Maker.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Is JOY optional this Christmas?
This month's theme is JOY. Joy is central to Christmas, yet can be one of the first things to disappear from our lives when difficult times come. We're going to talk about how to give ourselves permission to have joy without fear of negating the losses we've experienced, and how to put on joy even when we don't feel joy.
1 Chronicles 16:27 Joy is in His dwelling place. We are called to be in His place. If we are in a joyless place, we can be sure we're not dwelling with God.
Joy and happiness are not synonyms. They cannot accurately be used interchangeably. True joy can only be experienced by Christians, as joy is a fruit of the Spirit and a gift from God. Happiness is determined by the happenings in our lives, and can change at a moment's notice. We can be unhappy, disappointed, etc, yet still have joy from God.
Galatians 5:22 Joy is a fruit of th Spirit. Just as we were given love, peace, patience...self control, we were given joy at the time of accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are promised to have joy. But as with the other eight characteristics, we must choose to daily put on that joy, choose to exercise it. For example, we've been given self control, but often choose to eat one more cookie, say the mean thing on the tip of our tongue, etc. Self control must be exercised. Joy also must be exercised. It is a decision whether or not to practice having joy. It's ok that it doesn't feel natural! That's why it is a fruit of the SPIRIT and not a fruit of the flesh.
Ezra 6:22 The Lord filled the people with joy. It reminds me of an example I used at a Bible study years ago. Picture a huge bowl of popcorn, pretzels, nuts, raisins, m&ms, granola, butterscotch chips, etc. If you were handed the bowl, you'd likely pick out your favorite pieces and eat them. But if you were required to finish off the bowl, you'd probably not enjoy the last several handfuls. Imagine that God has a similar bowl containing everything He has chosen and ordained for your life. Each day He carefully and thoughtfully scoops one serving from your bowl and gives it to you. If you could choose what would go in that scoop each day you'd avoid the hard situations, the losses, the disappointment. But then the latter part of your life would be completely miserable and void of any good things! We must trust that God gives us exactly the right mix each day. One thing we can be certain is in our scoop each day is joy. He fills us with joy each day. Is your life reflecting that joy? Is it simmering in your heart, permeating every area of your life?
Nehemiah 12:43 God gave the people great joy. He gave it. It is not a natural human response to have joy. It only comes from God. The desires of our heart won't bring us joy. It's normal to think that having a baby or another baby, or _____ will bring joy - and there would undoubtedly be joy within those experiences. But true joy only comes from God - not from circumstances.
Esther 9:20-22 Mordecai encouraged the people to not forget what God had done (delivered them from Haman's evil plan), when their "sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration." Joy and pain go hand in hand. They are two sides of the same coin. Without pain, we won't recognize the joy that comes. And when joy comes we only appreciate it by also remembering the pain. The are inseparable. God will flip the coin for you and show you the joy...but the pain side will always be right there. That's not a depressing thought! It goes along with October's theme of remembering.
Psalm 66 We are told to shout with joy, sing with praise. Sometimes we become so short-sighted and can't see all God has done that is worthy of praise - and really, everything He has done is worthy of praise! We must choose to shout for joy in spite of, and in the middle of our pain. Some of the losses you've experienced are very big. They're life changing. But in light of your entire life, in light of this century, in light of all time since Adam and Eve, and in light of eternity, right now is really short.
Psalm 71:20-24 Hard times have come, but God will bring blessings. We must hang on to these promises and trust that He has a good future for us. This psalmist is trusting God even before seeing the provision or the deliverance. Even before he feels like praising, trusting, or living with joy.
Psalm 126 Those who sow in tears will reap joy. Another promise to hang on to! There are layers of joy. First is the joy given us at salvation by the Holy Spirit. Second is the joy God fills us with each day. Third is the joy given to us in times of sorrow.
Proverbs 15:30 A cheerful look brings joy to the face. Good news brings health to the bones. Are we seeking good news or dwelling on bad news? Are we giving cheerful looks and good news to others? Even if the good news is small and seems insignificant - share it! This too is a habit worth developing. Focusing on the good things in life increase physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
John 15:9-11 "...so that your joy may be complete." When we remain in Christ, it is His joy in us that we experience. He makes our joy complete - wouldn't you love to have complete joy? Our job is to obey His commands and to remain in Him. This is a daily task.
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." The commentary in my Bible said that "the certainty of the Christian's hope is a cause for joy." We are certain of our eternal destination. That alone brings hope, and joy. If God did nothing for us besides save us from eternity apart from Him, we would have more than enough reason to have joy. Yet we've been abundantly blessed. This doesn't negate the losses you've experienced. But it's important to hang onto a Godly perspective.
Romans 15:13 My job is to hope and trust. God's job is to bring the joy.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." You want to know God's will? Do these three things. Sure, we'd like it to be more clear, more descriptive of our actual life happenings. But this is what God chooses to tell us.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Jesus...for the joy before Him...endured the Cross. This really stood out to me. Jesus found joy even in the terrible suffering of the cross because of joy - the joy of bringing eternal life to all of us. His eternal perspective was so firmly intact that He chose to endure the pain. His joy did not take away the pain, but made it worthwhile. Surely if Jesus could do that for us, we can choose to have joy in the midst of our trials.
Christmas is often a time that many find it hard to express joy, especially when also suffering a loss. It can be very difficult to rejoice with those who are sharing good things happening in their lives when you feel the good things have passed right over you. But others are called to find joy just as we are, so we must not rain on their parade. Yes, they are called to mourn with those who mourn. But we're all called to joy. And there is joy present in each situation for the Christian. It is promised. We can choose to practice it and reap its benefits.
Merry Christmas! Each one of you are a cherished treasure. While we would rather have met under different circumstances, we are so thankful and full of joy that you are in our lives!
1 Chronicles 16:27 Joy is in His dwelling place. We are called to be in His place. If we are in a joyless place, we can be sure we're not dwelling with God.
Joy and happiness are not synonyms. They cannot accurately be used interchangeably. True joy can only be experienced by Christians, as joy is a fruit of the Spirit and a gift from God. Happiness is determined by the happenings in our lives, and can change at a moment's notice. We can be unhappy, disappointed, etc, yet still have joy from God.
Galatians 5:22 Joy is a fruit of th Spirit. Just as we were given love, peace, patience...self control, we were given joy at the time of accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are promised to have joy. But as with the other eight characteristics, we must choose to daily put on that joy, choose to exercise it. For example, we've been given self control, but often choose to eat one more cookie, say the mean thing on the tip of our tongue, etc. Self control must be exercised. Joy also must be exercised. It is a decision whether or not to practice having joy. It's ok that it doesn't feel natural! That's why it is a fruit of the SPIRIT and not a fruit of the flesh.
Ezra 6:22 The Lord filled the people with joy. It reminds me of an example I used at a Bible study years ago. Picture a huge bowl of popcorn, pretzels, nuts, raisins, m&ms, granola, butterscotch chips, etc. If you were handed the bowl, you'd likely pick out your favorite pieces and eat them. But if you were required to finish off the bowl, you'd probably not enjoy the last several handfuls. Imagine that God has a similar bowl containing everything He has chosen and ordained for your life. Each day He carefully and thoughtfully scoops one serving from your bowl and gives it to you. If you could choose what would go in that scoop each day you'd avoid the hard situations, the losses, the disappointment. But then the latter part of your life would be completely miserable and void of any good things! We must trust that God gives us exactly the right mix each day. One thing we can be certain is in our scoop each day is joy. He fills us with joy each day. Is your life reflecting that joy? Is it simmering in your heart, permeating every area of your life?
Nehemiah 12:43 God gave the people great joy. He gave it. It is not a natural human response to have joy. It only comes from God. The desires of our heart won't bring us joy. It's normal to think that having a baby or another baby, or _____ will bring joy - and there would undoubtedly be joy within those experiences. But true joy only comes from God - not from circumstances.
Esther 9:20-22 Mordecai encouraged the people to not forget what God had done (delivered them from Haman's evil plan), when their "sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration." Joy and pain go hand in hand. They are two sides of the same coin. Without pain, we won't recognize the joy that comes. And when joy comes we only appreciate it by also remembering the pain. The are inseparable. God will flip the coin for you and show you the joy...but the pain side will always be right there. That's not a depressing thought! It goes along with October's theme of remembering.
Psalm 66 We are told to shout with joy, sing with praise. Sometimes we become so short-sighted and can't see all God has done that is worthy of praise - and really, everything He has done is worthy of praise! We must choose to shout for joy in spite of, and in the middle of our pain. Some of the losses you've experienced are very big. They're life changing. But in light of your entire life, in light of this century, in light of all time since Adam and Eve, and in light of eternity, right now is really short.
Psalm 71:20-24 Hard times have come, but God will bring blessings. We must hang on to these promises and trust that He has a good future for us. This psalmist is trusting God even before seeing the provision or the deliverance. Even before he feels like praising, trusting, or living with joy.
Psalm 126 Those who sow in tears will reap joy. Another promise to hang on to! There are layers of joy. First is the joy given us at salvation by the Holy Spirit. Second is the joy God fills us with each day. Third is the joy given to us in times of sorrow.
Proverbs 15:30 A cheerful look brings joy to the face. Good news brings health to the bones. Are we seeking good news or dwelling on bad news? Are we giving cheerful looks and good news to others? Even if the good news is small and seems insignificant - share it! This too is a habit worth developing. Focusing on the good things in life increase physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
John 15:9-11 "...so that your joy may be complete." When we remain in Christ, it is His joy in us that we experience. He makes our joy complete - wouldn't you love to have complete joy? Our job is to obey His commands and to remain in Him. This is a daily task.
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." The commentary in my Bible said that "the certainty of the Christian's hope is a cause for joy." We are certain of our eternal destination. That alone brings hope, and joy. If God did nothing for us besides save us from eternity apart from Him, we would have more than enough reason to have joy. Yet we've been abundantly blessed. This doesn't negate the losses you've experienced. But it's important to hang onto a Godly perspective.
Romans 15:13 My job is to hope and trust. God's job is to bring the joy.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." You want to know God's will? Do these three things. Sure, we'd like it to be more clear, more descriptive of our actual life happenings. But this is what God chooses to tell us.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Jesus...for the joy before Him...endured the Cross. This really stood out to me. Jesus found joy even in the terrible suffering of the cross because of joy - the joy of bringing eternal life to all of us. His eternal perspective was so firmly intact that He chose to endure the pain. His joy did not take away the pain, but made it worthwhile. Surely if Jesus could do that for us, we can choose to have joy in the midst of our trials.
Christmas is often a time that many find it hard to express joy, especially when also suffering a loss. It can be very difficult to rejoice with those who are sharing good things happening in their lives when you feel the good things have passed right over you. But others are called to find joy just as we are, so we must not rain on their parade. Yes, they are called to mourn with those who mourn. But we're all called to joy. And there is joy present in each situation for the Christian. It is promised. We can choose to practice it and reap its benefits.
Merry Christmas! Each one of you are a cherished treasure. While we would rather have met under different circumstances, we are so thankful and full of joy that you are in our lives!
November gathering - Give Thanks in Everything?
Thanksgiving is just around the corner...a time of mixed emotions for many people. We're commanded to give thanks in all circumstances. Was He serious when He said that? Surely He didn't overlook some of the enormously difficult situations some of you have faced or are facing, right? Yet hidden within each of God's commands are precious blessings and promises, and a way to obey we might not realize at first glance. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to gush with thanksgiving over a loss. That's not what it means. :)
Jesus ‘did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,’ and chose always to make Himself ‘nothing,’ to be perfectly obedient and submissive to His Father, even unto death – death on the Cross (Phil 2:6-8).
*have I chosen utter dependence upon God? If I depend on Him for everything, being thankful is all but automatic
In John 5, when Jesus healed the man at Bethesda, He required the man to pick up him mat and walk. The man had to take responsibility and take action or he never would have realized the healing that had taken place.
*until we reach the end of ourselves, we cannot fully realize His promise to sustain us, to provide for us, to meet all of our needs, or to be strength when we are weak. As long as we continue striving to take care of these things ourselves, we’ll be in the way and cannot see God work.
*Philiippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
*That’s a promise – He WILL meet ALL your needs. Will you believe this even when your circumstances seem to indicate otherwise?
When God calls you to a seemingly impossible task, your job is to give Him what you have. He’ll do the rest. (Example of feeding the 5000 from 5 loaves and 2 fish). We’re called to be thankful in everything. That seems impossible, right? But because God called us to do it, with Him it IS possible.
1 Thessalonian 5:18 says “Give thanks in all circimstances…” It does not say to give thanks for the circumstances. We are not expected to give thanks for the loss of a much wanted baby. If God commands us to find something worthy of being thankful for in the midst of that loss, He will enable us.
*Here's another reason: His love is unfailing. You won't find better than that anywhere.
Mark 8:7
They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.
They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.
*Jesus gave us this example to follow. He gave thanks for the little He had, and trusted God with the result. He didn't grumble or insist that the disciples find more food. He just gave thanks for what He had and went from there. If we're not thankful for little, what makes us think we'll be thankful for much?
Ephesians 5:19-21
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*ALWAYS giving thanks. If you look hard enough, or look outside of your own situation, you will find plenty of reasons to give thanks. This is a command, and you can be certain that God's blessings follow obedience in this command as with all others.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
*Command: do not be anxious. About ANYTHING! What to do when you're anxious - pray, give thanks, ask God. Amy shared her "formula" for applying this verse. Have you prayed? Have you really talked to God about this? Have you given thanksgiving? For what things? And have you specifically asked God to intervene?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
*This is not an easy verse to flesh out. But whenever God calls, He equips. He has called us to obey, to be joyful, to pray, to give thanks. So we are guaranteed that He will help us do these things. It's not a natural human response. It's supernatural.
When we look at the Psalms we see that the psalmists were honest. They are dramatic and transparent in their laments. But inevitably, the vast majority of the psalms turn a corner. When we cry out to God, He hears us then reminds us of what is worthy of praise. (Note: the circumstances do not change in the psalms. The person writing the psalm changes.) If we were to write a psalm of our current struggles, what would the second half of your psalm read like? Go ahead and try it! Write down or cry out your first half. List everything that is hard, disappointing, crushing, wrong, unfair and unjust. Then...take a deep breath and choose to remember God's promises, His faithfulness, His past provision, and the blessings you can count on that are coming. The first half of your psalm is still there, but now it is in perspective of the truth of the second half.
In these holidays when you are pressured to put on a ‘happy face’ it is best to be honest with God and ask Him to strengthen you with the truth of the Bible. There is much to be thankful for – while being transparent in our pain.
October gathering notes
In October our theme was on remembering. Many parents mention being afraid that their babies will be forgotten as time goes on. Sometimes they almost make themselves stay in grief to honor their babies. Yet we have been promised abundant life, so it has to be possible to remember and move on at the same time.
"Remember" is used 233 times in the Bible (NIV). Remembering is obviously very important to God!
Genesis 9:15-16 God will remember His covenant not to flood the entire earth. His sign - the rainbow. God made a covenant with Noah, and later with Moses. The covenant with Moses was broken by the people repeatedly, yet God did not forget His part. He remembered and stayed true to His word.
Exodus 17:8-16 The Amalekites were defeated by Joshua. Joshua was told to write it down so he would not forget. Isn't it easy to forget how God delivered us in the past when a new difficulty comes up in our lives? Write it down, tell you friends, figure out a way to remember. Seeing a pattern of His provision and deliverance will help next time you wonder if He's able to take care of a situation.
Leviticus 26:40-45 God WILL remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, etc. Again, the people forget, disobey, etc., but God does not, will not, and cannot change. He will keep His covenant. He remembers.
Deuteronomy 5:15 We are told to remember the Sabbath - a day set apart. We are to remember how God delivered His people from Egypt. Reread that story...if it was not in the Bible I'd doubt if it was even true! God's ways are so far above our ways. If He can deliver slaves from a powerful king, surely He can deliver us from our situations of despair.
Esther 9:26-28 The people were told to celebrate two days every year, to remember how God, through Esther, saved the Jews from destruction.
Psalm 77 Affliction...pain...but I will (choose to) remember God's miracles, mighty deeds, etc. In the midst of hard times we are called to remember His goodness. After all, He doesn't change, so we can count on His goodness to reign right now...even if we can't see past the pain yet.
Psalm 105:5 "Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He has pronounced."
Psalm 111:4-5 He causes us to remember His goodness; He remembers His covenant forever. If you're struggling to remember His goodness, ask Him - He'll help you remember.
Ezekiel 16:22-61 Even when we forget, and don't honor our promises to God, even then He will remember His promises to us.
Gospels Jesus often says to remember - remember miracles, promises, provision, etc.
Remembering God's goodness, provision, mercy, and deliverance is a great weapon against Satan's attacks. Find blessings in the midst of pain - it doesn't make you glad for the loss, just helps you gain a Godly perspective, and ultimately gives God the glory instead of the enemy.
"Remember" is used 233 times in the Bible (NIV). Remembering is obviously very important to God!
Genesis 9:15-16 God will remember His covenant not to flood the entire earth. His sign - the rainbow. God made a covenant with Noah, and later with Moses. The covenant with Moses was broken by the people repeatedly, yet God did not forget His part. He remembered and stayed true to His word.
Exodus 17:8-16 The Amalekites were defeated by Joshua. Joshua was told to write it down so he would not forget. Isn't it easy to forget how God delivered us in the past when a new difficulty comes up in our lives? Write it down, tell you friends, figure out a way to remember. Seeing a pattern of His provision and deliverance will help next time you wonder if He's able to take care of a situation.
Leviticus 26:40-45 God WILL remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, etc. Again, the people forget, disobey, etc., but God does not, will not, and cannot change. He will keep His covenant. He remembers.
Deuteronomy 5:15 We are told to remember the Sabbath - a day set apart. We are to remember how God delivered His people from Egypt. Reread that story...if it was not in the Bible I'd doubt if it was even true! God's ways are so far above our ways. If He can deliver slaves from a powerful king, surely He can deliver us from our situations of despair.
Esther 9:26-28 The people were told to celebrate two days every year, to remember how God, through Esther, saved the Jews from destruction.
Psalm 77 Affliction...pain...but I will (choose to) remember God's miracles, mighty deeds, etc. In the midst of hard times we are called to remember His goodness. After all, He doesn't change, so we can count on His goodness to reign right now...even if we can't see past the pain yet.
Psalm 105:5 "Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He has pronounced."
Psalm 111:4-5 He causes us to remember His goodness; He remembers His covenant forever. If you're struggling to remember His goodness, ask Him - He'll help you remember.
Ezekiel 16:22-61 Even when we forget, and don't honor our promises to God, even then He will remember His promises to us.
Gospels Jesus often says to remember - remember miracles, promises, provision, etc.
Remembering God's goodness, provision, mercy, and deliverance is a great weapon against Satan's attacks. Find blessings in the midst of pain - it doesn't make you glad for the loss, just helps you gain a Godly perspective, and ultimately gives God the glory instead of the enemy.
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