Category: Mind

God of Mountains Topples Walls of Fear

 
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1

From the breathtaking mountains of Colorado . . . back down to the foothills of Mount Neverest (laundry).  I didn’t want to come home.  I wanted to stay there and stare at God’s art work all day, every day!

What did I come home to, besides lots of dirty clothes?  A busy autumn schedule, a spiritual battle, and a wall of fear . . . it looms over me. 

  • How am I going to ____? 
  • What if ____ happens? 
  • I don’t feel good about ____.   
  • Am I going to be able to be ____? 
  • Am I ever going to be content with an imperfect life and house?  
  • What about my friend’s hurts? 
  • What if ____ happens to my family?
  • What if my dreams for Women On God’s Mission are too big? 
  • What if I’ve bitten off too much with my schedule?
  • How can I continue to make the 45 minute commute to church 2-3 times per week? 
  • Do my goals match God’s plans for me? 

Fears like a dripping faucet nag at my heart – that loved ones who do not believe in Jesus, as the Way the Truth and the Life, will lose their opportunity with God. And fears for precious friends facing persecution around the world . . . on and on, the walls of fear could rival the Wall of China.

Thankfully, peace is not inextricably connected with time, place, vacation, God’s beautiful creation, nor with anything I do or don’t do! C.S. Lewis said, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.  There is no such thing.”  Where God is, there is peace.  Even in the midst of hectic real life!  I thank God that He uses these fears to draw me to Himself.  If I had no fear, there would be no need for God. 

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15

If I am carrying fears around, I am accepting a “gift” from the father of lies, Satan.  After I lift off the enticing wrapper I drag around a back-breaking, heart-wrenching, rash inducing time bomb.  Through me Satan disrespectfully flaunts a small victory in the face of his and my Creator God, while he designs to do everything he can to destroy me, my family, and any godly influence from my life!  In contrast, our wonderful God sweetly yet powerfully assures, “I have it all under control.”  He calms the storms around me, giving me freedom to breathe, freedom to sleep sweetly, and the assurance that He is working on ___ and ___.  God understands!  God cares! 

Are you in a fearful place?  Surgery is scheduled, your biological clock is ticking, you lost your job, your baby has cancer, loved ones are moving away, your house won’t sell, your husband is being called up for another tour of duty, you don’t know if you are on your way to heaven when you die (see above under Lovely Links to get help), your very life is at stake in a land where there is no freedom of religion . . . whatever it is, Satan would love to tie us up in ropes of fear – he wants to snuff out all of the big dreams that come with following a big God!

Like my Indonesian sister in Christ told me tonight, “I just need to meditate more on His word and draw myself even closer to Him. This cloud of uncertainty and doubt has been a thorn I need to get rid of FAST!” 

And when we are too weak to cast off our fears, He can and He will!  Will you kneel with me right now and commit our fears to God?  He has all the answers we need.  He is the answer.  Pray and watch the walls topple.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10

by Categories: Faith, Fear, God Appointments, Military Families, Mind, Motherhood: The Preschool Years, Prayer, Rest, Stress Leave a comment

Just God and Me

“Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16


On Saturday I listened to an inspiring Christian woman speaking about godly priorities while cleaning my room.  Later that same day, while I was folding underwear and sorting socks, I heard another famous woman interviewed on a highly revered Christian website.  As her voice streamed through my laptop, my hopes for a meaty message quickly faded.  I was left feeling parched.  Yes, she mentioned God, spoke about prayer as well as other true and good things, but never communicated God’s own words.  Most of her words were about her. 

More than any other time in human history, we have countless opportunities to hear and learn from God’s Word: radio, television, internet, books, church, CDs, Sunday school, small groups, conferences, magazines, DVDs, blogs, YouTube, email, Facebook, etc.  Certainly there are messages and interviews worth hearing that point us to God.  It takes some work, but we can wade through fluff and find solid biblical teaching.

My concern, as I get to know myself better and listen to others around me, is that we too easily depend on the testimonies of other humans.  Before realizing it, my own quality time with God slips away.  Unless the words of others springboard me toward further personal study in my Bible, munching from the crumbs of other people’s spiritual meals soon leaves me depleted, hungry. 

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.'” John 6:35

If I allow this spiritual malnutrition to continue, my starved self turns to my husband and children, friends and pastor, to feed me, to fill me.  I open my refrigerator, go shopping, listen to music.  My emptiness echoes in my soul, and when women come to me for counsel I give them my helpful opinions and good ideas instead of God’s.  At times my family feels the brunt of my ugliness.  I’ve allowed the potential fruit of the Spirit to wilt and rot.  Then finally, after the damage has been done, I end up where I should’ve been in the beginning: on my knees and in His Word.

Do you have a daily quiet time with God alone?  I understand, it can feel nearly impossible at times with the busyness of life.  Do you enjoy listening to Christian radio but sometimes let that take place of your quiet time?  What about church – do you tank up on the sermon and small group lesson, hoping it will carry you through your stressful week? 

Dear sister, we need “just God and me” time.  If it means getting up earlier, staying up later, shutting down the computer, getting away from the house for awhile, turning on a good video for our kids, declining an invitation from a friend, hiring a baby sitter . . . we will only be PEACEFUL and USEFUL when we spend time with God.  Alone.

“His (her!) delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he (she!) meditates day and night.  He (she!) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he (she!) does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:2-3

Stay tuned for ideas to help you develop a quality daily meeting with God.

Special thanks to The Narrow Gate for the picture above.

by Categories: Bible Study, Church, God Appointments, Mentoring, Mind, Parenting, Stress, Time Leave a comment

I Like Salt


Do you have a sweet tooth or a salty one?  I am blessed with both.  But, if I had to choose between a restaurant appetizer or dessert … I’d probably pick cheesy fries over cheesecake. 

This past week, salt took on an entirely new dimension for me.  My sister Sharon highly recommends sea salt and vinegar potato chips dipped in Trader Joe’s salmon pate’.  Intense!  It was a pretty good mix, once I got used to the strong punch.  When I told Sharon about my startled reaction to her delicacy she laughed, using her waving arms to demonstrate, she said “I can feel the spray of the salty sea air blowing on my face when I eat those chips!” 

The Power of Salt
Our assorted palettes are fascinating. The blandest foods I’ve ever eaten were in Sweden and England.  When I visited Sweden, I was surprised to find that at most hamburger stands mashed potatoes are a popular option!  Swedish people typically like more bland foods: I am not a typical Svenska flicka (Swedish girl – my Mom is 100% Swedish).  If my taste buds are any indication, I must be a classic combination of Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Indian, and Mexican.

But, some flavors are too much for me.  For three years I lived in an apartment above a nice Vietnamese family.  For months the fragrance of their spices around dinner time gave me a headache and made me feel sick to my stomach; I could only imagine how their food tasted.  An Indonesian friend told me that his people tend to love spicy foods and that most Indonesian women like their food even hotter than what the men can handle, smiling as sweat pours off their face at the table.  My apologies if you are the exception: I’m sure there are varied taste buds in every culture.

What Flavor Am I?
Jesus said to His followers, 

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13

          In God’s eyes, am I salty? 

                   And if I am salty, am I 100% salty? 

                          And if I am not 100% salty, am I still salty? 

Clearly, salt can lose its flavor. If it is contaminated with dirt or dust, it is no longer of value.   The contamination of sin in my life diminishes the saltiness God calls for in me.  My saltiness (Christlikeness) should cause those around me to feel as though they’ve eaten a tasty, savory snack when they are with me, causing them to thirst for Living Water.  Jesus is the only One Who can fill our deepest cravings and quench our thirsty souls.

Everything we eat (with the possible exception of plain rice cakes) has a flavor.  And most every food leaves an aftertaste. Compare how you would feel after tasting cod liver oil versus your favorite dessert: strawberry shortcake.  Quite different, right?!  And which one do you prefer?  That’s a silly question!

What kind of taste do you leave in people’s mouths after they spend time with you? 

Worth Your Weight In Salt
For a moment, imagine spending a day with Lot’s wife.  I can’t say that she’s on my “Top One Hundred Women I’d Like To Meet” list.  She looked for satisfaction in earthly things, and was no doubt left wanting.  She loved her earthly possessions more than God – walking by sight instead of faith.  As a result of Mrs. Lot’s poor choices, she became too salty, or salt of the wrong kind: frozen in time as a pillar of salt, alone and of use to nobody, including herself, herself and God.

We can become pure delightful saltiness by allowing God to refine us into 100% pure godly salt!  And our saltiness shouldn’t attract people to us … rather to Christ IN us. The savory flavor of Christ should be tasted in our:

1.   Words
“[Let] your speech always [be] with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6

2.   Attitude
“Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” Mark 9:50b

3.  Influence
“Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, ‘Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” 2 Kings 2:21

The next time we munch a lip-smacking snack, let’s remember to thank God for the opportunity we have to be salt for Him!
Pretzel image courtesy of Microsoft Office Free Images Online.

by Categories: Evangelism, Health and Beauty, Mentoring, Mind, Ministry Ideas, Missions Leave a comment

How To Get Better ZZZzzzzs


Do you have trouble sleeping peacefully through the night like I do?  For me the cause can be a busy mind, not wanting to slow down (party time!), worries, or a physical ailment.  I know this problem can either wear and grind, tempting me to whine and grouch at my family.  Or, it can draw me to God in prayerful dependence.
God has a purpose in sleeplessness and restlessness.  That purpose is greater than our need for sleep.  One of my favorite poets, George Herbert (1593-1633), imagined what may have occured when the triune God planned our creation.  I love this ancient poem:
The Pulley
When God at first made man, having a glasse of blessings standing by;
Let us (said he) poure on him all we can:
Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way;
Then beautie flow’d, then wisdome, honor, pleasure:
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all his treasure
Rest in the bottome lay.
For if I should (said he)
Bestow this jewell also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts in stead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature:
So both should losers be.
Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessnesse:
Let him be rich and wearie, that at least,
If goodnesse leade him not,  yet wearienesse
May tosse him to my breast.
George Herbert, 1633

There are many practical ideas to help one sleep better.  I’d love to hear what works for you! Here are a few I’ve picked up along the way:
Don’ts
– Don’t eat after 7 p.m.
– Don’t be too active just before you need to sleep (walking or stretching is okay).
– Don’t eat dairy products late – they take at least 4 hours to digest.

Do’s

– Ask God to relax your mind and help you sleep.
– Turn off the TV and computer at least one hour before bed time.
– Exercise (earlier in the day)
– Keep your room organized and beautiful = a restful oasis.
– An idea from my Dad: beware of pride – your ideas aren’t so important that they can’t wait until tomorrow. 🙂
– For a mind that won’t slow down, listen to the radio on low volume all night.
– Have a regular bed time, and don’t deviate from it more than 30 minutes on the weekend.
– Read or do something that relaxes you, saving a Bible verse for just before you nod off.
– Try lettuce tea.  Pour a cup of boiling hot water over a handful of lettuce in a mug, and let it steep for 30 minutes.  I’ve tried this once, and it was amazing how it relaxed me.  One of my friends quipped, “It worked for Peter Rabbit!”
– Journal before bed.  This especially helps me if I direct my entry to God, telling His all that’s on my heart.
– Pray down your mental list of needs, remembering not just your needs but the needs of others.
– To relieve your mind, keep a notepad next to your bed to jot down thoughts.
– Quote Bible verses you’ve memorized.
– List your blessings by going through the alphabet, or list characteristics of God and thank Him for Who He is: Almighty, Beautiful Savior, Counselor …
Rest isn’t a right – it’s a gift.  Let “The Pulley” of restlessness draw you to God.
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4:8

by Categories: God Appointments, Health and Beauty, Mind, Rest, Stress Leave a comment

You’re On!

“…that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:22-24

My word for February is “On.”  (to find out more about my word for the month, look above at God Appointments – Chocolaty Choices article).  What do you think of when someone says “on”?
– Turn on the light
– Turn on the radio
– Supper is cooking on the stove
– Workable, energized
– Accessories
– You’re on! (a challenge)
– On to bigger and better things
– It’s always greener “on” the other side
– The best words after a power outage: “Power’s on!”
– On Friday we are going to the basketball game
Taking on new habits to replace poor discarded ones can be exciting!  This morning I woke up early, brainstorming about what I need to “put on.”
Putting On New Habits
I started with facing my need to be more organized in my homemaking.  Thankfully there is a terrific resource already out there for people like me: http://www.flylady.net/. Along with great cleaning tips, I found a great article that gave me a quick recipe for keeping your hair shiny … it involves apple cider vinegar – check it out!
Putting On New Attitudes
You know what?  I’ve realized this week that I talk negatively to myself all the time!  That’s got to stop!  With God’s strength I can accomplish what He wants me to do, and I don’t need to beat myself up all the time.  I need to sift all thoughts through Philippians 4:8 …
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
One of the best books I’ve read about the mind is by Dr. Caroline Leaf – The Gift In You.  In a clear biblical manner, Dr. Leaf describes from a medical point of view how it really is possible to renew your mind.  Very encouraging.
Putting On Creativity
I’m custom designing a personal notebook with a sheet for every week.  Some things I need to include on my list are:
– Menus
– Calorie intake
– Exercise log
– Daily diary
– Grocery list
– To do list
– Bible verse of the day
That’s just the beginning!  I’m praying as I go along, and God is giving me wisdom and creative ideas that are best for my family.  I know He can do the same for you.  Praying for you today!
 
P.S.  Here is one of my favorite passages about putting off/on …
Colossians 3:1-17 
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Image source: unknown
by Categories: Homemaking, Mind, Stress Leave a comment