Why not give God a chance?

It had been a challenging week for me. I felt weary and drained. It had been one of those teaching moments. Once again God showed up and proved His faithfulness. Just like He does every time. 

So why do I give in to doubt and fear? Do I forget so soon? 

Ironically, in the middle of this trial, God showed me a powerful example in His Word. He seems to always point to something in His Word that is relevant to me. He’s good at that. 

When the Ethiopians great army came against Judah, King Asa immediately cried out to the Lord. I so love his prayer in 2 Chronicles 16:

“There is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us Lord our God for we rely on You and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” 

Don’t you just love his prayer? God responded powerfully to his sincere prayer and thoroughly defeated the mighty Ethiopians. 

Now look ahead ten years at another incident:

King Baasha of Israel threatened Asa. Not exactly catastrophic like the Ethiopian invasion, but still alarming. The situation could percolate into trouble for the King and his people. 

So did he seek the Lord again? Unfortunately no. Instead of relying on God, he “fixed” the problem himself. He bribed the King of Syria to break their covenant with Israel and help him. The King of Syria was only too happy to comply. 

Ben-hadad the king of Syria attacked Israel in the North and conquered some of Israel’s cities. So did the bribe work? In a manner of speaking yes, King Baasha backed down and was not a threat anymore. 

This is what happens sometimes when these not so catastrophic issues pop up. I feel threatened and anxious about the possible troubles that may arise.  The Bible calls them “False imaginations”. 

Instead of seeking God’s face and relying on Him, perhaps I can “fix” the problem. You know, “help” God. Funny how that never turns out good. It sure didn’t work for King Asa. The Syrians proved to be an annoyance in the years to come. 

God sent the Prophet Hanani to speak to Asa. “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the King of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, He gave them into your hand. 

For the eyes of the Lord run and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. 2 Chronicles 16:7-9

In the middle of my challenging week, my husband asked the question, “Why don’t we give God a chance? Let’s pray about this situation. I don’t think we should give up on this.” 

Now don’t get me wrong, I had been praying. But this situation was different. So would it be harder for God? Silly I know. But I can be pretty dense sometimes. 

My husband’s wise words were like a breath of fresh air. We prayed and sought God to intervene. Well...guess what? The Lord showed us the way and He truly intervened on our behalf. No surprise right?

Will we give God an opportunity to intervene?

Will we rely on Him, or just try to work it out in our own strength? 

What great miracles do we miss out on because we refuse to rely on Him? 

I urge you today not to give up on God. He’s looking for someone to believe so He can show Himself strong in their life. Why not be that person?


Link your blog to:Testimony Tuesday
Thoughtful Thursdays

Rambling Thursdays

Football is over. Now I am in the cold clutches of winter. There is snow on the ground and more is coming. It's going to be brutally cold the rest of the week. I'm not sugar coating it. I don't like this time of year. 

I've seen around social media lately people sharing the things that help them survive the winter. So for today's blog I will share my own:  

*My bird feeders. I am a bird lover and have many feeders around my house at strategic viewing spots. They truly brighten my day. 

*Coloring. Yes I'm all in the coloring book craze and love it!  

*My office/study.  I love sitting at my desk, gazing out the window at the bird feeder, studying my Bible, writing and reading.  It's become my favorite place in the house. 

*TV. Everyday before I go off to work, I DVR any potential shows and enjoy them at my leisure. I so love DVR. It has totally transformed my TV viewing. 

*Midweek dates. My husband and I have set a Wednesday lunch date. It's been a great way to break up the normal, mundane week. 

*My Bible study group. I am blessed to be a part of a great group of ladies who meet every Thursday. I love the fellowship and digging into the Word. It's been a lifeline. 

All in all, it really hasn't been such a bad winter. But this time of year I really begin to dream of warm, sunny days. I miss sitting on my porch. 

You know, it's just the little, simple things like I've listed above that get you through. I don't need a trip to the Bahama's to survive the winter, (although I wouldn't mind it, don't get me wrong!) 

What about you cold weather people? What gets you through? 

Secrets of an enduring, happy marriage

This Sunday is Valentine's Day and also my anniversary. We will be married 29 years, which seems hard to imagine. I posed a question on my Facebook page asking those who have been married for a long time their secrets. This is what they share:

*Don't bring up past offensives. Don't be a book-keeper. Agape love keeps no record of wrongs.

*Honor and respect each other.

*Don't go to bed mad. Resolve anger, forgive quickly. Resentment can and will develop poisoning your relationship. Agape love is not easily angered.

*Give grace freely. After all you need it too. You've been forgiven of much.


*Make time for each other. Be intentional. Sometimes you even have to fight for what is priceless. It is worth it always.

*Make your spouse feel special, needed. Again, don't you desire the same thing?  Well, he does too.

*Never, ever put them down in front of other people. This is downright ugly and demoralizing.

*Choose battles wisely. You don't have to be right all the time. Sometimes it's best just to drop it.

*Humor is very important. Laughing together is surprisingly intimate.

*The D word should never be mentioned. It's never an option. Unless of course there is abuse. Agape love always preserves through the lean hard times. Marriage is not a sprint, but a marathon.

*Communicate!  Your spouse can't read your mind. I don't care how long you've been married.

*Concentrate on making each other happy, by doing this you'll make yourself happy. Agape love is not self seeking.

*Pray together and for each other.

*Understand that your fulfillment is in Christ alone. Take the pressure off your spouse. They are just a human, not God.

*Be thankful for what God has given you. Learn contentment. The grass is not greener on the other side.

All Fall Down

Jericho. A city surrounded by massive walls, so massive that houses were built on them and chariots could travel side by side. Strong and impenetrable, they blocked the Israelites. Beyond lay the Promised Land, but first Jericho had to be taken. 

The walls of my personal Jericho seemed just as impenetrable, immovable.  They loomed over, casting a shadow over me. 

The Israelites were geared up to take Jericho. The mighty warriors were poised, their swords glinting in the sun. Joshua, their fearless leader stood before them to give the battle commands. Yet these were strange commands. 

They were to march once every day for six days around the city walls with the Ark of the Covenant leading. On the seventh day, they had to march seven times. They had to keep silent the whole time-no charging the city, no shouting, just silently marching. 

They certainly didn’t understand why it had to be done that way; it didn’t make sense. Yet patiently and silently, they circled the walls as commanded. On that last march around the walls, they shouted, and the immense walls fell flat. God delivered Jericho into their hands. What looked impossible became possible because of their obedience and trust in the Great I Am.

My personal Jericho was my prodigal husband. Three years into our marriage he told me that he wasn’t going to church with me anymore. He was dealing with habitual sin that was threatening to take him and our marriage down a dark path. My heart was crushed, it was so hard to accept. It hurt so badly. 

I struggled and resisted, rushing the walls with my sword, cursing them. I wanted the walls to collapse now! Yet the struggle went on, in vain for years. 

I reached a breaking point and in the end I slumped against the walls, battered and bruised. My sword was broken off at the hilt; my knuckles were bloodied. Emotionally spent, I crumpled to the ground, tears of frustration filling my eyes. 

Why won’t the walls collapse? I’ve done everything possible to make it happen. Now my strength is gone and all I’ve accomplished is to make a mess of things. 

In my despair I cried out to Jesus and I felt His sweet presence near. I felt His gentle touch. But oh, He had to be disappointed at my pitiful efforts. I botched up everything. 

He spoke kind and comforting words to me. My child, you have exhausted yourself needlessly. Are you ready to do it My way now? You cannot bring the walls down in your own strength. It is beyond your capabilities. I spoke the universe into existence; don’t you think that I can do this? All I ask you to do is circle the walls with prayer. Be patient and let Me work. Be still and know that I am God. I will deliver this city into your hands in My time and in My way. My presence will go before you. 

His strength entered my body. I felt His peace deep within. 

The walls were still standing, but they didn’t seem so intimidating anymore. My circumstances had not changed, but I had changed. My focus was on Jesus now, not on the walls, not on myself. I became determined to see this situation through, but I resolved not to rush ahead of God.

I give my husband into Your hands, I told Jesus, You take over now. I’m so weak, I can’t fix this, but You are strong and able. My confidence is in You. 

I began to bombard the walls with prayer as I circled them. I followed the battle plans God gave me, even when I didn’t understand them. I kept my eyes on the One who led me. 

At times I still messed up. I’d take my sword and rush the walls screaming. These incidents happened less frequently as my faith grew stronger. I circled the walls many times. Sometimes I felt like giving up, but Jesus always encouraged me so I could walk on unwavering. He would feed my faith through HIs Word. 

Then I began to see cracks form in the walls. This drove me to pray harder. 

One glorious day, on my final lap around the city, the walls crashed down. What seemed impossible and immovable was now flattened. I shouted with triumph to my God who promised deliverance. I learned firsthand that whatever His lips promised, His hands will perform. 

My husband’s surrender to Jesus was a miracle. It was impossible for me to break down my husband’s spiritual walls. Only Jesus could change his heart. I only had to get out of the way and let Him work. I am overwhelmed at what God has done in my husband’s life. But also what He did in me.

This was a refining tool for me. Through this my life was forever changed as well. God desired my devotion, my trust and my heart. 

Do you have a Jericho in your life? Are you failing as you try to bring the walls down? You cannot do this through your own efforts. Get out of the way and allow Him to do the impossible. Be still and know He is God. The walls will collapse. 


Link your blog to:Faith and Friends Friday

Rambling Thursdays, Meno-prose

In today’s Rambling Thursday I’m sharing a few thoughts on the lovely experience of menopause. 

Fan, how do I love you? Let me count the ways....I’ve used a fan while sleeping for years now. I can’t sleep without one humming in the background. Slowly it has progressed to desperation. Yet there is a fine line I cannot cross before my husband gripes. It’s strategically placed so that it blows only on me. And Lord help us if a puff of air blows on him. 

Now it’s spiraled to a new level of dependency. We are positively joined at the hip. A fan sits in the living room pointed at the love seat where I sit. I’ve even contemplated handhelds but it’s not to that extreme yet.....Yet. 

Layer, layer, toil and trouble....I love jackets, hoodies, turtlenecks, sweaters, cardigans, etc... I would open the closet and throw them on with nary a thought. Now I hesitate with trepidation. When the burning ball ignites within my chest, my striptease begins. First the outer layer, then the sleeves pulled up. It’s a dilemma. 

I love scarves. It’s kind of like a women’s tie. Love the various colors, how it dresses up any outfit. Now at times it suffocates like a boa constrictor. And oh how the new ponchos allure me. But wrapping a blanket around me would probably be a bad idea. Layers are a must for survival, and for not indecent exposure. Thankfully we are in the midst of winter. We won’t think about summer for now. 

Sleep, Sleep, O how I yearn for thee....I remember a long ago time when my son slept till three in the morning, and we were positively giddy. Previously I was up about every two to three hours feeding him. Oh how wonderful it was to sleep uninterrupted hours of blissful sleep. 

I love sleep. I heard a woman say she wished her husband would carry her into the bedroom, throw her on the bed, take her clothes off, tuck her in and then leave to do the dishes. Oh yes, sleep is such a wondrous thing. Due to the nightly ball of fire in my chest, (And I don’t mean a passionate ball of fire), sleep has become a fleeting thing. It’s no wonder I’m walking around in a zombie state for most of the day.

That reminds me...As far as I can recall...If memory serves me correctly....Oh forget it!!!

This is probably related to the sleep issue, but I’m finding myself doing questionable things. Once I tried to place the milk jug in the cabinet next to the cereals. I’m forgetting names terribly. True conversation between my husband and I about an upcoming TV show: I can’t wait to watch that new show next week. It has that one actress who sings also? Oh really, what’s her name? At this point all I can remember is it starts with a J. I rack my brain for any clues. No help there. Oh forget it, I can’t remember her name. 

Another lovely conversation: What is this payment for? Husband questions me...I petition my lethargic brain for any clues. I believe it’s for my credit card payment. No, it’s for this book I bought. Husband implores me: Well you need to write this down in the check balance sheet. I remark back: That’s what an online back account is for. It’s asking too much to write it down when I can barely remember it the next hour. 

Now don’t get me wrong, we are not approaching financial ruin, but it certainly adds a certain excitement to an otherwise mundane conversation. 

So there’s nothing left to say now, except to see the humor in it all, to laugh at the absurdity. It helps to know millions upon millions of women have gone through this and come through the other side. I will also. 

I leave you with this today: Chin up soul sister!

Link your blog to: Shine
Thoughtful Thursdays
Grace and Truth

A New Years message for you

A year ago, I was slogging through some ugly emotions. Anger simmered within. I felt stuck in a job I was unhappy in. I had been praying for God to change my situation. Yet God didn’t exactly answer my prayers the way I expected. The year ahead didn’t hold much promise. As you can see I’m not sugarcoating my thoughts today. 

I know I appreciate it when people share their raw honest emotions with me. Oh, you feel this way too? You’re struggling with the same stuff? 

Where are you in your journey right now? Are you feeling stuck in a bad situation? Are you angry and hurt? Do you look ahead at this year without a glimmer of hope?  Sit down with me today. Can I encourage you? 

You know there have been times in my life when I have let the “Twisted Sister” out. Unfortunately most of the time it happens it’s not when I am blessedly alone if you know what I mean.

I really try to appear to have it all together. But truthfully I need Jesus so badly. Many, many times He has pulled me back from a pit or even out of one. I have fallen on my face at His feet so many times and each time He lavishes His grace on me. 

I share this, because last December I threw a fit and played the martyr. Woe is me, I have it so bad!  Gloom and despair! It was ugly. I didn’t like what I was seeing in the mirror. Yet it became a turning point for me.

Do I want to turn into a bitter woman? I would certainly morph into one if I continued on this path. 

So I let go, I forgave the one who treated me unjustly. I settled in my job and found contentment. I cultivated a deeper relationship with Jesus. This did not magically happen overnight. Nothing really does. But the outcome has been worthwhile.

This year has been a surprise. In other words, God did much more than I expected or imagined. I didn’t have much hope, remember. All my fears and dreads never materialized. 

If He can do this for me, He will certainly do it for you. He will turn that situation you feel “stuck” in, into a beautiful place. He will breathe life into those dry bones and revive you. 

Dear friend, you are at a turning point just as I was. You must let go of the angst and hurt. Lean into His beating heart, allow Him to hold you close. Let Him do His great work in your life. Don’t limit Him by your circumstances, emotions, etc... You can’t limit a God who created the universe. 

This coming year I guarantee you that God will surprise. This time next year, you will look in wonder at what He did in and through you. 

Bless you my friend. Happy New Year. 

Related Blog: A Good Attitude?

Link your blog to: Thoughtful Thursdays
Unite
Tell it to Me Tuesdays

"Will God really dwell on earth..?"

“But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” 2 Chronicles 6:18-19

Will God really dwell on earth with humans? Not possible. Can’t happen. But the Almighty God did indeed dwell with His people Israel in the tent tabernacle and then the temple. He brought them out of slavery, fought for them, brought them into the Promised land and made them a nation.  

Will God really dwell on earth with humans? No, not possible. Can’t happen. But the astonishing truth is that He dwelt among us as a human. God Almighty, the Creator of the universe walked around in human skin.   Our God is not distant or unapproachable. He felt our pain, hurts, betrayal, and weaknesses. He has faced temptation. He experienced it all. 

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us....John 1:14

 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. Colossians 2:9 

Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me, has seen the Father.” John 14:9.  

Why would God do this? Why would He go after a wandering, straying sheep? Why does He love me so much? I will never know. He gives Himself so lavishly, does not hold back. What a beautiful mystery this is? 

Christmas is such a wondrous season. I love giving gifts to the ones I love. I want to show my appreciation and love to them. What a warm feeling that gives me. 

Multiply that by perhaps thousands and thousands. Perhaps then we can catch a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has by giving us His precious Son, Jesus. Immanuel, God with us. 

I hope you have a blessed Christmas my friends. 

Link your blog to: Unite