“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Ahh, the dreaded question every teenager and child hates to be asked. “Where is my place? Where am I supposed to be?” Those are the dreaded questions we ask ourselves. Some people, from the day they are born, know what they want to do. It becomes a consuming life passion. But not all of us are that lucky. The Bible tells us we all have a purpose.

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ~Exodus 9:16

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” ~Proverbs 19:21

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

Sometimes, finding our place in life can be difficult. We may have a desire to serve in our church or the desire for a certain job, but that may not be God’s desire. Finding our place is like trying on clothes. Let’s say, you have an important event you know you need to go to and you know you need to find that one special outfit. You have an idea in your head of what your budget is, what your style is, what you want this outfit to look like. You search through the sale ads in that morning’s paper and look online for more ideas… then; you get into your car to start the search. You stop at the first department store, walk in and are immediately amazed at the amount of choices surrounding you. You walk even further into the store and start looking at the racks of clothes until you find an outfit that catches your attention. It’s the right size, the right colors, the right style….then hesitatingly, you look at the price tag, not only is the price within your budget, it’s marked down 50% off!

Amazing! Everything fits the criteria you have placed in your mind about what you want. So then, it’s time to go try it on…you get to the dressing room and put the outfit on, not looking in the mirror yet. As you put on the outfit, you start feeling that something just isn’t right…the material doesn’t feel right on your skin, you realize that this amazing outfit feels tight in places where it shouldn’t feel tight and loose in places you really don’t want it to be. But, hey, it is the right color, style and price, so you think to yourself, well, maybe I can make it work…until you look in the mirror and realize that nope, this outfit isn’t for you.  Crushing! So, now you have to start the search all over again. Maybe, if you are lucky, you have brought in a few more options…but you still have to try them on. In the end, you walk out of the store, either with an outfit that works or you walk out empty handed and move on to the next store to start the process all over again.

For me, finding my place in life is just like that – especially when it comes to serving the church. I have this overwhelming desire to serve in the church, and I have tried on a few “different outfits” but so far, none of them fit, but I know that perfect outfit is waiting for me to slip right in to. There are times where we find the outfit that fits only to find out later that we have outgrown it. Sometimes, our place in a ministry may be only for a season so that we can learn and grow, other times, the door may be closed completely. We may have to go through 3 or 4 or even 5 different ministries or career options before we find the right fit. God provides us an opportunity to learn and grow with each experience. If where you are now is not a right fit, then don’t be afraid to take the outfit off and return it to the rack. Ask God to lead you to where He wants you to go, not where you think you should be. God’s plan for our lives is perfect, but sometimes, we just need to be patient and wait.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

Taking a day off from life…..

Really, it’s not that bad…but sometimes, life can get really overwhelming. I’m a fighter and I am usually pretty good about not letting things get to me, but even I have my limits and I have to admit there are times where I just want to pretend I am ostrich  and hide my head in the sand. 

But, as I am gazing out into my hard, looking for the perfect place to dig a hole for my head, I am reminded of others that had a rough patch. 

I am lead to the book of Job. Talk about a man who had a bad day….This man lost his home, his lands, his animals, his wife, his family….and if that wasn’t enough, Job got sick to the point where he had sores all over his body. In the midst of this, his wife tells him
“⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 (NIV) but Job replies to her “¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10 (NIV)

…Shall we accept good from God and not trouble! Wow, how that spoke to my heart. As you read on about my friend Job, you’ll find that things proceed to get even worse for him. His friends judged him, claiming he had brought all his troubles upon himself and he was in pain and definitely suffering. Although Job has strong faith, he took his frustrations, fears and anger to God. He laid them at His feat and cried out to him. He questioned everything that was happening in his life and he questioned God. 

How easy would it have been for Job to just bury his head in the sand? How easy would it have been for him to just give up. But, he didn’t. He stayed strong in his faith and woke up each day to face the day head on.

 ^“12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.” Job 42:10 (NIV)

Job received the Lord’s promise of blessing. Job trusted God and God rewarded him. I don’t expect the Lord to reward me with rich’s and gold and such. God has already blessed me with family and friends and health and many more things….But, I do know that from this story, no matter what happens, no matter how hard life gets, I have a God who loves me and believes in me! 

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
“He restores my soul” Psalm 23:3a (NIV)

I look to God for strength and help. He is always at work and always nearby. So, for today, the hole in the backyard will have to wait and my dreams of mimicking the ostrich and sticking my head in the sand will have to stand aside. Today, I will hold my head up high and face anything that life sends my way with confidence and peace that I can only get from God.

Life happens…and this is how I fight back.

 
Let me set the stage…It’s payday…We are a single income family. I’ve paid all the bills and realize that we only have $100 left now that the bills are paid and i still have to figure out how to get gas for the Bike and the Jeep, groceries, my husband’s meds and the last of Karmann's school supplies...I make my grocery list and only put the bare essentials on it…bread, milk, butter…forget the eggs, too expensive. “How am I going to make this stretch for 2 weeks? Leo’s next check is the rent check so we won’t have much left over after that one either…how am I going to make this stretch for an entire month?”

Then it happens, I feel the wave of emotion come over me. Panic has struck. I keep reminding myself how lucky we are. My best friend just lost her mom and my other dear friend will be alone after her husband deploys in 2 days. There are riots in England and women are being victimized in Ethiopia and India and here I am having a panic attack over making $100 last 4 weeks! But it doesn’t help, the emotion is there, I’m going to lose my mind!!!

I repeat 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give you the spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND!” Did you hear that satan, I have the power of a Sound Mind so you can’t take that from me.

I then am reminded that “I can do all things through Christ that Strengthens me” ~Philippians 4:13

However, even as I keep telling myself over and over that God is on my side. He won’t leave me, He won’t forsake me…and all of this is in His hands, my emotions still seem to be more powerful than the thoughts and words.

Then, I do something that I know the enemy didn’t count on. I reached out to my prayer warriors for prayer. I swallowed my pride and gave them the details so that they could prey over the specifics. I admitted to them that yes, I was feeling full of the “Woe is Me’s” but that I knew God was bigger than this situation.

I allow myself to cry and as the tears are flowing, I turn my emotions over to the Lord. I cry out “Lord, I praise your name…Lord you are so good to me…Lord you are my rock and you are my Savior…Lord, take these emotions from me and lift this cloud from my eyes”. Once the teas dried up, I began to fight back.

I said “Lord, your word says in Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not bring you harm.’ Lord, this is your promise to me. Thank you Lord, for this promise and for not giving up on me. Lord, thank you for whatever happens from here. Lord, Thank you for the $100 that I do have left. Lord, thank you for giving me exactly what I need and for knowing that I can go another month with my bills being paid on time.”

Then, He reminds me of Psalm 29:
“1 Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   worship the LORD in the splendor of his[a] holiness.
 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
   the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
   the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
   Sirion[b] like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes
   with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
   the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks[c]
   and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
   the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people;    the LORD blesses his people with peace. “ ~Psalm 29 (NIV)

And, as I am reading this Psalm, my daughter walks in, carrying her Sholastic Book Fair fundraiser from school…”Guess what Mom, we have until next Friday to order ok??” I had to laugh…Good try Satan, but it didn’t work…God hears my cries, He hears my prayers. Prayer is God’s language between Him and I. God’s voice breaks through everything. His voice gest us through the problems of life…it’s just up to me to listen.

Lord, I praise your name and I Glorify it. I am full of joy and thanksgiving! Thank you for showing up in my life! ~Amen

Don't define yourself by what happened in the past

Don't define yourself by what happened in the past. Define yourself by the hope you have in Jesus.

“I, even I, am He who blots out
   your transgressions, for My own sake,
   and remembers your sins no more.” ~Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)

When we ask for forgiveness, it is granted. We need only ask once. Why would we want to hold onto it? When we don’t forgive ourselves after asking God for His forgiveness, it’s like we are telling Him what He is offering is not good enough. Don’t live in the lie of the enemy. God has forgiven you and He has blotted it out as promised in His word!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ~1 John 1:9 (ESV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” ~Romans 8:1 (ESV)

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” ~Luke 15:7 (ESV)

We all have a past. There is a phrase that says “My past has come back to haunt me”. I think this happens to everyone…I know it has happened to me. When that happens, when those memories come flooding back, it’s so easy to get pulled into the emotions that are triggered in me. But, it’s those emotions that steel my joy. Do not let the enemy steal your joy!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (ESV)

The last thing the enemy wants is for us to recognize the forgiveness that has been extended to us. He doesn’t want us to know:

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  ~1 John 2:1 (ESV)

“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” ~Micah 7:19 (ESV)

God loves us so much, that He sent His Son to die for our sins. That deserves praise. I know it’s hard to praise God when we are feeling guilt…. Yet, the one thing we should cry out in thanks for every day is the fact that Jesus died for our sins and because of the blood shed on the cross, we have been given grace and mercy and forgiveness. If you are living in guilt and beating yourself up over some choice or action that you made, let it go. Lay it at the cross because God has forgotten it already….and so should you. Praise His name today!!!

The Domino Affect...

Domino's...have you ever seen a group of dominos lined up in perfect order? There is often an intricate design and hundreds of dominos are used. Then, out of the blue, you see a finger reach out and knock the very first one in the row over...then before you know it, there is a change reaction of falling dominos. 

Think about that chain reaction as you read the following verses on encouragement:

Acts 20:1,2 “¹ When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. ² He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,,”

Philemon 1:7  “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

Romans 15:5 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,”

Romans 15:4  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

2 Thessalonians 2:16  “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,”

As you can see, there are a lot of verses on encouragement in the Bible. I have only listed five, but the Word of God is filled with so much more! Sometimes, encouragement can be a smile at a stranger walking by on the street. It could be complimenting the grocery store clerk on her earrings or it could be a 3 hour phone call with a friend on the other line of the phone.

 

Encouragement comes in many different ways. Often, we can discourage others with just a look or our body language. Just as easy as encouragement can come, it can be taken away as well.

Often, many people feel that in order to do the work of God, they need to address a mass group of people…and if that is God’s calling on your life and His will for the moment, then many people will hear His Word and be encouraged, however, one thing that is easy to loose sight on is the domino affect we have when we touch just one person’s life. If one person has a change of heart, that can affect everyone around them…so for today, let’s try and make a difference in just one person’s life and like a domino, watch God’s love and glory flow from there!  Amen

Trust Me....Don't Let Go...Hold On.

Trust Me....Don't Let Go...Hold On...a BRIEF look into Habakkuk

We have all been there. Maybe you are there now. That time in your life where you cry out to God and the Universe "Why!!!???!!!" Why do bad people get to do bad things to good people? Why do good people have to suffer? Why to bad people get the rewards? When will it be my time? When will life be fair for me? Will I ever catch a break???

“How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” ~Habakkuk 1:2

Valid questions, I think. Heaven knows I have been known to cry out those same things. During those times, it feels like I have been wrestling with what I know and what I feel. My faith versus my flesh. My heart versus my mind.

I am human. I have doubts. I have anger and I have sadness. But, those aren't the only emotions that I have. I have happiness, I have accomplishment, I have forgiveness.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” ~Galatians 5:22-23

Sometimes, there are days where I forget about the Fruit of the Spirit and in turn, I feel more like Habakkuk surrounded by Job's friends. I think we all feel like Habakkuk. Many don't know who he (Habakkuk) is but I guarantee everyone can relate to them. You don't have to be a Christian to relate to this man...it's like we are walking in his shoes.

Habakkuk was a minor prophet. He was a man that God chose to speak to. Many people have no idea who he is or even care. After all, how good can he be...he only has 3 chapters in the bible. However, from what I learned today, those 3 chapters speak loudly to me.

His story is simple. He was a man with a lot of questions...directed specifically towards God. Not simple happy questions either...He was frustrated and angry. He was living in a time, much like ours today, where bad things happened to good people, where it seemed like the evildoers were the ones reaping the reward. Everyone was getting blessed but him. "Why God, I am a believer, I do what you say, yet Life keeps beating me up!!" "When will I catch a break??"

" Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. " ~Habakkuk 1:3

Sound familiar? Well, God answers him back...they have this great dialogue that we can all relate to over the next 2 chapters. The fact of the matter is, Life isn't fair. It never will be.

We all have to endure hard times and good times. I think it's ok to cry out to God and to take our anger and frustrations to Him. In fact, I think I talk more to God when I am feeling those things than when things are going well. But, at the same time, I also make the choice to allow Him to comfort me. To get me through the times when I am to weak to make it.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ~Philippians 4:13

Yes, I always push through, even when I would rather wallow in self pity. BUT, it's at those times I am closest to God because it is those times that He shows me just how wonderful He can be if I keep the faith, if I hold on and don't let go..

That was how God answered Habakkuk's questions. 

“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days  that you would not believe,  even if you were told.". ~Habakkuk 1:5

 In the end, despite his questions and his human feelings, Habakkuk did trust God. He did hold on and he did not let go. He encourages me to move from doubt back to faith.

Life is not a bowl of cherries or a sweet cup of tea. Life has hills, valleys, sunshine and tornados...but, they all pass. They all teach us and build our character and yes, there are times where I wish God would give me a break from character building. But, in the end, the truth is, once I am through the fire and the darkness and see the light, things are brighter, tastier, sweeter, and more loving than ever before. I have so much to be thankful for and it feels like my cup is truly running over! Praise His name!! God is good and He is just!!!

So, if you feel life is unfair, read the book of Habakkuk


“yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. ¹⁹ The Sovereign LORD is my strength; “ ~Habakkuk 3:19-19

Hold on, Don’t let go….Trust God and let Him work in your life! Thank Him for being faithful and constant! Amen

~de