February 8, 2010
Don't Just Eat the Marshmallows!
"DON'T JUST EAT THE MARSHMALLOWS!" I print this on a banner and wave it madly over the breakfast table. Every time I buy Lucky Charms, it's the same. The kids beg to eat it and then pick out the fluffy sugary sweetness and leave the cute oat shapes floating aimlessly in the bowl. You would think that I'd wise up and quit buying it. But as I decidedly march down the cereal aisle looking for healthy, low-sugar, proves-I'm-a-good-mom cereal, there he is. His cute little leprechaun face luring me in - promising gold at the end of the rainbow and before I know it I'm in the check out line with yet another box of Lucky Charms.
The next morning, I stand perched over the breakfast table, banner in hand, chanting, "Don't just eat the marshmallows. The little oat shapes are good for you. They're oat. And that makes them - good for you." The cereal is meant to be eaten with sugary-sweet and good-for-you-to-eat together. It's a partnership. You can't have one without the other.
Just like…us with God. We always want to eat the marshmallows or blessings but want to leave the oat shapes or growing in the Word in the bowl of life. Sometimes we are unwilling to partake of the things God gives us that are good for us and help us to grow. We only want the marshmallow mountaintop. We'd prefer to leap from mountaintop to mountaintop munching on marshmallows. But, friends, I've learned we can't always be on the mountaintop. We have to spend some time munching on that which makes us healthy. We have to spend time in God's word, listen for His voice, and allow Him to grow us.
When we do that, we will get to eat the marshmallows. But we'll eat them together with the crunchy oat shapes - the way God intended. So, next time you find yourself hovering over a bowl of Lucky Charms, enjoy the goodness in all of it. You'll be glad you did!
Filed under Carol, Devotional by Carol
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February 5, 2010
Cleaning the Mess
Saturday night was rough. I held hair back. I washed sheets. I listened as my daughter told me she hopes she gives me the flu. Yes, she said those words.
“I hope I give this to you.”
I laughed at the time, but wasn’t laughing so hard the next day when I doubled over with stomach pains. The whole experience reminds me of what I once heard a pastor share. He explained how Jesus coming to earth was in some ways the equivalent of a parent caring for a sick child. *Excuse the graphic example, but trust me I have a point.
God came into this sin-soaked world. He saw us mucked up with perversion, greed, lust, anger, jealousy…and he stepped near. He held us in our unlovable state. By his death on the cross he bathed us clean. I’ve thought of this example of a holy and pure Jesus immersing himself in our sick world prior to my Florence Nightingale shift with my daughter. But a particular message resonated as I thought about my daughter’s wish.
She wanted me to have her sickness. She wanted it away from her. She wanted to be free from the pain. At the time of caring for her I didn’t keep my distance. I wasn’t cautious to stay back, worrying I’d get infected. I cradled her. I rocked her. I wiped her face time after time. I kept her close to me. I love her. That is what love does.
I don’t know why she said those words, “I hope I give this to you.” But because she said them I understood the analogy of a holy Jesus entering a sin-drenched world with a deeper perspective.
He could have stayed back. He could have opted not to be touched by our mess.
But he didn’t.
He came into it. He even went so far as to become it. On the cross He became our mess so we could be free from the pain.
“Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death…” Philippians 2:6-8
Filed under Devotional, Wendy by Wendy
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February 2, 2010
This Is The Day
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
I am sitting in my office gazing out at yet another cold rainy day in the Midwest. I have a full day of writing ahead of me leaving me little time to play.
One of my assignments for today is writing a post for the Woman's Day Happiness Blog, and truthfully, my level of happiness is feeling a little less than inspiring at the moment.
Wait a minute! It's not about me. It's not about the weather. It's not about my circumstances. Let's take a look at a few more verses from Psalm 118.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1,4-8,14, 28-29
Praise God! I do have many reasons to rejoice and be glad! I have many reasons to give thanks and be happy!
Filed under Deb, Devotional by Deb
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January 29, 2010
Speak Without Words
This week I attended a woman's Bible study at my church. It wasn't my regular study group. I was surrounded by new faces. Each one took their turn sharing their prayer request and slowly they made their way to the young lady sitting beside me. She was an adorable mother of two, all smiles and sweetness. But, the moment she opened her mouth her voice cracked and her eyes misted over. “Could you please pray for my marriage?" She asked. "With our newest little one, I am finding no time for my husband. And quite frankly, I don't want any time with him. By the time I go to bed, I am exhausted. Could you please pray for me?”
After our meeting, I made my way over to her. As the mother of four, I knew exactly what she was talking about.
When I went home that afternoon, I emailed this young mom and encouraged her to attend a marriage study that my husband and I will soon be hosting in our home. What I thought were originally tears from an exhausted mother, ended up being much more…
"I would love with all my heart to do this study with my husband and maybe someday we can. But you see, one thing I didn't tell you today is that he's not (yet) saved."
Not the answer I'd expected. My heart hurt for her. But, I was grateful she typed the word “yet”. She still had faith. She was believing God for a miracle. I knew how she felt. I was once the only Christian in my marriage. Thankfully, it was a season of less than a year. I know of many who suffer much longer in a relationship where the Lord dwells in only one spouse. I shared with my new friend, the words of encouragement given to me when I was walking the same road. The verse I shared with her was this…
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. –1Peter 3:1-2 NLT
I went on to encourage her more in the email:
"And if I can share just one more thing with you…don't talk to your husband about Jesus, show him Jesus. Remember, Jesus loved and served the undeserving. On those days you want to scream or cry, or throw in the towel, or throw the towel at your husband (something I'd want to do), ask Him to give you the strength to get through one more minute, one more hour, one more day. He will. He is the one true and living God, and He lives and dwells inside of you. When you call on Him for help, stand back, because girlfriend, He will help."
Friends, if you feel like you are standing on solid ground alone, reach out for Him. He is there. And remember, He desires to live inside your husband more than you will ever know. Release your worries, anger, frustrations, disbelief, and impatience to the One who can bear it. Then show your husband the merciful, grace-filled love of Jesus Christ.
Lord, I pray for each woman hurting today without a spouse to share in the saving grace of your son Jesus Christ. I ask that you would dry their tears and fill their hearts to overflowing. Remind them of the days when they too walked alone and ignorant of your love. Place Godly people in the path of their loved one so that they will feel their burden to guide their loved ones into the Kingdom lightened. Remind them Holy Spirit, that only you can turn hearts toward Christ. Remind them it is your work alone, and that you are working even now as they read these words.
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January 27, 2010
"I Know That"
I hear that often from my 4 year old. If, in the course of a conversation, I happen to share a tidbit of knowledge that he's heard before, I get a teen-sounding, eye-rolling, "I KNOW that!" Frankly, after the first time (where it was surprising and amusing), I find it more than a little annoying.
They say we're most annoyed by traits in others that we also possess. I'm sure that over the course of my life various people have considered me a 'know-it-all.' They might not have said it out loud, but considering my own motives at various times, it must have been thought.
From childhood, I felt the only thing I had going for me was being smart. My sister was the cute, funny one. I was scrawny and plain and boring. I had no athletic ability nor other interests that made me interesting. But I knew stuff. Lots of stuff. Especially Bible stuff.
I won all the Sunday school contests because I had perfect attendance (thanks to my parents for being at church any time the door was open). I always brought my Bible and had the 20-minute drive to church to complete my lesson and learn my memory verse. Even as I reached high school, I loved Bible quizzes and trivia games because I was really good at them.
But at one point in college, God was really dealing with me on my pride and I no longer wanted to be the first to raise my hand with the right answer. I didn't need people to know how 'smart' I was. I didn't want to lead. I wanted to sit back and learn and grow with everyone else.
So for one season, I went to a Bible study at a church that I didn't usually attend. It was a good move, for lots of reasons (not the least of which is that's where I met my husband!). Another benefit was that it was a chance to be a little anonymous. I had some friends there, but no one really knew me as "Mary the teacher" or "Mary the Bible study leader."
One particular evening though, instead of our usual study, the leader decided to have us play a rousing game of Bible trivia baseball. I'd probably have been ok hanging back still, but they divided the teams into "boys against the girls." I really did try to give other people the chance to answer first, but I couldn't stuff my competitive side altogether. So if none of the other girls on my team seemed to know the answer, I'd pipe up. Purely for the good of my team, of course!
As I've grown–older for sure, wiser I hope–I've learned that knowing stuff that's in the Bible is not the same as knowing God. And being able to answer all the Bible trivia questions in the world is useless if I don't know why those facts matter to begin with.
God doesn't want me just to know what His word says, he wants it to make a difference in my life. I don't want to be a petulant 4 year old in my spiritual life, rolling my eyes and God with a big "I know that."
Lord, I don't want to be a spiritual know-it-all. Help me be sensitive to your word and to what you want me to know to grow in your likeness.
"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." 1 Corinthians 8:1b
Filed under Devotional, Mary by Mary
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January 26, 2010
Chasing Birds
Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 NIV
“Come back here!” I scolded my son as he darted across the Wal-mart parking lot.
“But, Mommy I almost caught one,” he told me, referring to the tiny birds always found hopping between the cars looking for cast-off French fries and other tasty morsels. I watched as my seven-year-old crept closer and closer to the bird standing next to our oil covered wheels.
Step. Step. Step.
“Aww, man.” He wasn’t fast enough. The bird darted away in search of a safer place to glean.
Do you ever feel like my son? Something you want is in arm’s length and as you reach out to grasp it, it’s gone. Maybe it’s a child you desperately desire. For some, it may be a new job. A new house. A clean bill of health. A happy marriage. The list could continue. We’ve all felt the hopelessness of not getting what we want.
But friends, I have some good news. I know something better than any of those things. It’s within reaching distance. And beloved, this one won’t slip out of your grasp. It’s the love of God. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:8 NIV) God will not flutter away and leave you with an oily wheel. He will not step back when you step forward. And as fast as you can run to Him, He will run to you. He will march straight into your arms. The closer you get, the closer you will become.
So what are you waiting for? Step. Step. Step. “Amen.”
Filed under Carol, Devotional by Carol
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January 22, 2010
What God Wants
Israel, what does the Lord your God want you to do? He wants you to fear Him, follow all His directions, love Him, and worship Him with all your heart and with all your soul. The Lord wants you to obey His commands and laws that I'm giving you today for your own good. Deauteronomy 10:12-13 (GW)
Have you ever wondered, what does God want from me? He doesn't need anything. What does He want?
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— Psalm 138:8
The Life Application Bible Notes for Deuteronomy 10:12-13 read as follows:
Often we ask, "What does God expect of me?" Here Moses gives a summary that is ismple in form and easy to remember. Here are the essentials:
1. Fear God (have respect for Him).
2. Walk in all His ways (follow Him).
3. Love Him.
4. Serve Him with all you heart and soul.
5. Observe his commands.
How often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on His real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, and obey.
We can spin ourselves into frustration attempting to "do it right," when what our Heavenly Father wants is a heart that responds to Him in love. The Lord reaches out to us with His extreme love, and wants us to rejoice over His amazing gift. His purpose for us: to live in love. When we love Him, we want what He wants and the rest will follow.
Filed under Deb, Devotional by Deb
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January 20, 2010
Grace is…
Grace…
is the unexplainable hope
that washes away
the accusing whispers that dance in the darkness
and hide behind the mirror
and say, “You need to be thinner
and thinner
and thinner.”
Grace…
is the light that calls you
toward something so good that you’re scared to trust it.
You might even ignore it at first,
thinking it’s not for you.
Instead,
you try to get better
and fix things on your own.
You try to be strong.
Confident.
Perfect.
But hours of 3:00 a.m. sit-ups,
calorie counting,
dieting,
scrutinizing,
and hiding,
will make a person fall.
Yet Grace…
is the mighty hand that will catch you
and promise you
that you don’t have to be
perfect.
That you are loved
exactly
the way you are.
Grace…
is the gentle voice that lifts your chin,
tugs at your heart,
and encourages you to believe.
And when you do,
Grace rains
and pours
and washes away
moments,
days,
years,
of worry and trying,
trying,
trying,
on your own.
Grace…
restores your dreams,
fills your heart,
melts your fear,
and opens your eyes
so that you are once again able to see the beauty
in the world
and in yourself.
Grace…
is the free gift from God
that has the power to heal,
to renew,
to deliver,
no matter what your struggle is.
If only you’ll let it.
Grace…
is the cross.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8
Thank you, God, for your grace that set me free from my struggle with an eating disorder those many years ago. What has grace set you free from?
(This post was also featured on (In) Courage)
Filed under Devotional, Genny by Genny
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January 18, 2010
Worship Anyway
A while back, I read Joyce Meyer’s book The Battle Belongs to the Lord. It was a great little book and a quick read about overcoming life’s struggles through worship. What I took away from it is I need to worship God not because of what He does for me, but for who He is!
Joyce sites men and women of God in the Old and New Testament who worshiped God first before facing the enemy. Gideon, Elijah, Paul, Jesus to name a few. All worshiped God despite their circumstances, and God moved!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6
Worship in the midst of my circumstances, despite how I feel. That's what I need to do instead of complaining about them. I admit, sometimes it's hard. Okay, most times it's hard, but I'm getting better at this. Instead of focusing on my problems and what I don't have, I’m trying to visualize them as I know God wants them to be and trying to be content with knowing God has me right where He wants me whether I understand or like it! And it really has changed my attitude about the situation, when I've done that.
The toughest part is remembering to praise God and thank Him for what I know He will eventually accomplish. I have no idea when He will bring certain things to pass, but I do know if I focus on the future and the will of God for my life, it will happen.
Worship God for who He is despite my need. That’s what I’m trying to do. What about you?
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January 16, 2010
Wii Fit Faith
The only gift I asked for this Christmas was Wii Fit. One of my goals for 2010 is to incorporate more activity and exercise into my daily schedule. I asked for Wii Fit hoping that I could make exercise fun, knowing that if I think it's fun, I am more likely to stick with it.
I took some time this past weekend to get it set up and give it a try. Two of the aerobics activities I liked were stepping and "running." (I used quotes because it is much better described as jogging in place.) I thought it was fun! I followed a character who ran ahead of me, setting the pace as we trotted past other individuals on the path–dogs, waterfalls, and other entertaining graphics.
The rule at the beginning of the run is to keep pace with the person you are following; don't let her get too far ahead or don't pass her.
What a perfect analogy for the way we are to follow Christ! Don't lag behind wallowing in the past and don't rush ahead of Him hurrying into the future. We are to simply let Him set the pace and follow Him wherever He leads.
My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:11-12
"Come, follow me," Jesus said. Matthew 4:19a
When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow him because they know His voice. John 10:4
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21
May your 2010 be filled with blessings as you follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Filed under Deb, Devotional by Deb
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