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May 1, 2011 By
100_5214

We are beginning a “How-to month” here at A Martha Heart–instructional pieces from all the authors. Here is a post I wrote a while back on quiet times and have updated it to reflect my current quiet time. But before you read it, I want you to know that the words “quiet time” get mixed up in our brains–and become another thing on the long, laundry list we fill and are overwhelmed by each day. Sometimes, like a friend of mine, there is no way on earth she can have what she considers a true quiet time. However, 24/7, she is abiding in Christ. She is praying, leaning on Jesus and learning. So if you find yourself in a time like that, know this–abiding in Christ is a daily and wonderful place to be. It is His best for us–not a list of “to-do’s.”

These are my quiet time materials: Beth Moore’s A Heart Like His devotional journal (about David), My Partner Prayer Notebook by Becky Tirabassi, a three-divider notebook, and my Bible (an ESV study Bible, and I am loving it!). I have been reading Ruth and am about to finish 1 Samuel and will start 2 Samuel this weekend. This is something I try to do every morning before going downstairs. I do it because I need it–not to check off a list…not to say that I did it…not really even to share it with others. I spend this time because I NEED it.

Also, I have some devotionals that I change out every year.  My current ones are Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman and Tozer on the Almighty God (A VERY GOOD ONE!!) a great compilation of AW Tozer’s writings.  I stagger reading various books, too, that challenge my walk with the Lord.  The ones that have blessed me lately are Ann Voscamp’s One Thousand Gifts and Lysa Tyrkeurst’s Made to Crave.

Finally, I read fiction–I love to read fiction and often am spurred on in the faith from various writers. I am re-reading Tolkein’s The Hobbit right now and then diving into his Lord of the Rings series, which I have never read (LOVE the movies!).  I will work up a list of recommendations for authors, devotionals and studies before the month’s end, if you are interested. Many of these materials have so marked my life that I am truly different because of taking their words to heart.

I have heard different Bible teachers and pastors say that any trouble you are facing at any given moment, the Bible has something to say about it. It’s timeless and has an answer for these troubles. That is true…BUT not until you begin to read it and find out. A Bible concordance is a great place to find answers to various topics. It really is! However if you do not take time to read what the Bible says, the value of topical words is diminished. Read beyond one scripture…read the whole chapter and book.  If you are wanting to grow in the area of studying the Bible, Beth Moore wrote a blog post here that goes beyond your wildest imagination and will show you tools to begin and get deeper into study of the Word.

I cannot count the times when I have been reading along in the Bible and found that a certain theme would begin in my mind about a certain something I’m dealing with–be it people, situations or even myself. I know this is because of the Holy Spirit. When I asked Christ in my life to save me and forgive me, He entrusted me with His Spirit. So anytime I am reading the Bible or discussing something with a friend, I will hear a MESSAGE from Him. It may be like this, “stop this conversation now, you are walking down the wrong road.” Or I may read and hear, “go and call this person now, ask about their family.” Now I know I didn’t just come up with these things. They happen! And because I heed His voice in these matters, I find that the messages get louder and clearer each time–kind of a practice makes perfect kind of deal.

So when I have a quiet time, I have found that sometimes I face an inner struggle. My mind will focus on the to-do list that day or I can’t seem to “take-in” what I’m reading. Sometimes, I struggle with sitting still and being quiet. So I buy fresh new, brightly colored materials–I love a blank page! I try to trick myself into thinking that it will make a difference. But it won’t. It doesn’t. That is when I hear His message to me again, “Just Me, Holly. Just take time in my Word. Keep it simple. You are trying to do too much at once and for the wrong reason.”

And He is right! I don’t know if it was being pregnant with our fourth child or having a fourth child, but I have struggled with doing the amount of things I did before. I have taken a couple of Bible studies and for the first time in 10 years, I’m having a hard time getting the homework done. I am a blank “filler-inner.” I cannot stand the feeling of going to class with unfinished work. But I go anyway and feel terrible.

When I have asked the LORD to give me a fresh start. He does and I am then faithful to my time and try not to fit so many Bible studies in and devotionals in that I am not reading His Word. Sometimes reading the bible is all I do–and it is more than enough. At these times, I read the Bible, pray a lot and journal a bit.

When Chris and I married in 1991, 20 years ago, I was faithful in my quiet time every single day. I could spend over 2 hours doing a word study or Bible study each day. I had more time, even with a 16 hour school load. When I began to work, while Chris got his masters, my quiet time was about an hour a day. When Chris began to work and I still didn’t have children (seemed like I couldn’t have children), I had quiet times that lasted about 4 hours. It was amazing! It was life-changing! By the time Noah and 21 months later Kylie were born, I had about a one and a half hour quiet time a day. When Tabor was born, I still had a long quiet time. I remember spending the whole nap time on the roof of our old home, talking with the Lord and singing and journaling, reading my Bible and finishing Bible studies. I have no idea why it worked so well, except by the grace of God.
During these years, sometimes I get in a slump in my quiet time. I have had a hard time being still and not falling asleep! I have been behind in everything that mattered…housework, cooking, grocery shopping and even deadlines for the kids school. But for some reason, I will see the bright light at the end of my quiet time tunnel….which is why, I guess, I spend a part of every day singing “There’s a light at the end of this tunnel…there’s a a light at the end of this tunnel” in my head. No kidding.

In every season, I am ready to see what it will be like. I get excited! I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn each new day!

All in all, I think that God looks at my heart the whole time…and He sees the times I struggled because of things in my life that I couldn’t control and He sees the times when I struggle because I was refusing to be face down before Him. (By the way, I spent the best $4 this week! Here is what I listened to on my mp3 player on Monday–scroll down to “Face Down.” Whoa! It’s is something I will listen to regularly. And it is the crux of my past rebellion–humbling myself in the sight of the Lord. I will keep it on my player, for sure!)

We all need a time when we re-boot our systems. Get rid of the junk that has accumulated and start again with the basic programs to run more smoothly. I think the Lord comes in an enlarges our memory, as we spend time with Him. I think He is quite good at getting rid of those nasty viruses of self: pride, self-importance, greed, jealousy, gossip, and simply getting our priorities mixed up. I need that! Sometimes, I need His gentle reminder to me and sometimes He gets in my face about what attitudes I’m choosing. And I say, Yes, Lord. You’re right, Lord. AGAIN Lord, I come to you with hands upturned and mouth ready to be filled with good things in your Presence.

Exodus 33:14
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 89:15
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

REST-JOY-BLESSING: I need these every day, don’t you? Get in His Word and keep it simple. You will be so glad you did!

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Impact

March 31, 2011 By
bible coffee

Wrapping my mind around the past 2 1/2 months is a difficult thing to do.  The depths of pain and intercession, which had before been untapped have become springs of maturity and understanding for me.  On January 11th, my friend Joanne fell from her treadmill due to a massive stroke–her description of the event reminds me of fire and ice, but I will leave it for her to tell someday. I sank into a desperate place of prayer.

Without thought, I began to act, to pray, to be bold and to hold fast to some rope that seemed to be attached to God in a way I had yet to experience.  I felt distinctly that I was a player in a battle, a battle that I will never comprehend this side of Heaven.  I battled in prayer day and night–petitioning God for the life of my friend.  Deep down, I knew my place…to pray and to tell. I did both.

A deep sleeper, I was awakened through the watches of the night for weeks on end.  I woke and prayed–tarried in prayer until released.  It was as if I was connected to a place of action being carried out on Joanne’s behalf.  The exhaustion I felt is nothing–nothing–compared to Joanne’s close family and friends. I knew that I was at the bottom of the symbolic mountain, praying, as they battled at the precipice.  I also knew that my connecting point at the base of that mountain was to tell others within my sphere the story and to rally them in prayer for Joanne–and ultimately, I believe prayer for themselves.  That is not to say there were not others at the base of the mountain with me.  Oh, God set up connecting points with others, too.  He has the best system!

Two and a half months later and with much of the story in-between left unspoken, I sit today with pen and journal in hand to let this portion of the story be told for this time.  It is the right time.  There is much of the battle for Joanne’s fullness of life still to be fought and forged.  I ask you to pray for her and her family.  Pray that she will take back every inch of ground she lost–to regain everything.  Pray also for her family and friends, who daily minister to her and urge her on. Finally, pray for her story to be a tidal wave around the globe. Many, maybe including you, need to know that God is at work on behalf of all people, that He hears us, that He answers and that He invites our participation in the unfolding story all around us.

We can choose to believe Him on the darkest of days. We can trust that He can hold our weighty worries.  We can embrace Him, knowing that He is for us and loves us unconditionally. We can relate with Him, for He knows how to speak our language.  And if we get really still and listen, we can hear His voice speaking love and truth over our day-in, day-out lives.  He speaks over us saying, “You matter. You are significant.”  Whether at the top of the mountain, the base or somewhere in the desert perimeter, we have a place of great significance in the story God is writing–planned before the foundation of time.  We have a part to play and a choice to carry it out or not.

Joanne and I have shared many texts over the past weeks (so much so that I had to increase my plan!  And that with JOY!!!).  In every one I receive from her, I thank God for her ability to remember, to relate, to connect and to feel.  She is dreaming wide awake!  Now she is even dreaming in her sleep, which is a miracle. Most of all, Joanne is humble, a fighter, discerning, poetic, fun and able to do everything that is placed before her.  She is able to do, because she holds tightly to the Hand of her God.  She said herself in one of the texts, “When I am afraid, I will trust in Jesus.”  And later, “On the way in a couple of hours, anxious, scared, but choosing to trust Jesus, who loves me.”  Oh indeed He does, dear Joanne!

Friend?  He loves you, too.  He is worthy of your trust.  Just today, I read this from Streams in the Desert by Mrs. C.E. Cowman, “Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He has never promised you an easy passage, only a safe landing.”

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Bitterness

March 31, 2011 By
Trish sig

Bitterness: a feeling of anger and resentment, caused particularly by perceived unfairness in suffering or by adverse circumstances.

Grace (in human relationships): undeserved favor or kindness, mercy, compassion and generosity. Strongly encouraged in Scripture. See examples: Ru 2:10; 2Sa 9:1-7; Acts 28:2; Gen 33:8-11; Jos 2:12; 1Sa 15:6, 24:18; 1Ki 2:7; Ps 37:25-26; Ac 4:8-10; 1Co 4:13

It seems so easy for us to become bitter. At times we don’t even know it’s happening. We just keep stuffing those unwanted feelings (that we may believe are inappropriate) way down deep inside, burying them where we hope they’ll stay in darkness and never resurface. At other times we feed our bitterness as though it were a plant or a pet. We knowingly, even purposefully, bring to mind some perceived slight, or an event that upset us or made us angry. We rerun that tape in our head, over and over again ~ and the hurt, the anger, the bitterness, grows larger and larger, until our heart begins to harden. The worst part is that whether we consciously feed the bitterness or not, it is still there, growing ~ and we run the risk of being consumed by it.

When bitterness threatens to overtake me, I must remember that I have a Lord and Savior who understands. Would it not have been exceedingly easy for Jesus to feel bitterness toward those whose desire was to harm him? And those who crucified him? And what about Peter, who, in just a matter of hours after telling Jesus, “I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37) denied and disowned Jesus three times ~ on the day of Jesus’ death by crucifixion, no less!?

Jesus was not bitter ~ after His resurrection from the grave He even restored Peter and commanded Peter to feed His sheep (teach about Jesus).

God’s Word tells us,

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4: 31-32

 

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ~ Hebrews 12: 14-15

Extending grace to someone who has hurt me is not easy. At times it seems a difficult and almost impossible task. It’s work. Too often it’s work I don’t want to do. But it is necessary. That root of bitterness will never be dug up, eradicated, killed, and not allowed to grow or possibly even consume me unless I willingly do the work.

Jesus already did the most difficult work of all ~ He died, and rose again, that I, that we, may have eternal life with and in Him!

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins……But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ~ Ephesians 2:1, 4-7 (emphasis mine)

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Our Home: God’s Territory

February 17, 2011 By
gate for front

Our home is God’s territory.  And we are marking it as such.

We have been in the throes of an entire kitchen remodel in our home.   I mean a rip everything out and take it down to the studs gut and remodel. 

Part of the demolition process of this remodel included chipping up 450 square feet of ceramic tile.  And if you don’t know anything about chipping up tile, it was quite the messy project.  However, when it was all said and done and we were about to have the new tile installed, I realized I had a great opportunity.

We have been involved in several construction projects both at church and at our kids’ school where we have written various things on the building’s foundation before the finishes were put in.  I realized that we had an opportunity to do the same thing.

So the night before the new tile was to be installed, we gathered on the bare concrete floor of our gutted kitchen and the four of us each wrote a scripture on the foundation of our house. 

You see, a while back I read a book* that has really challenged me to go further and do more in terms of parenting my children and teaching them our faith.  One chapter, in particular, talks of marking the home as God’s territory.  

Now, that idea can be taken symbolically.  Or it can also be taken literally.  I have felt the need to take it literally.  At least in some ways.

In Deuteronomy 6, as Moses is conveying to the Israelite people the commandments of the Lord, he finishes off the first section in verse 9: “Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” 

In that day and time, I imagine their floors were pretty much just dirt.  So for some reason I am picturing the door frames being one of the stronger “foundational” parts of the house.  And I picture the gate being a thing of protection.  So, to put it in the New Donna Version, “Make my Word and commandments visible in your home.  Make it the foundation of your home.  Allow it to protect your home. “

Now, I’m not saying that there is something mystically protective about some words written somewhere or hanging on a wall. What I am saying is that there is power in recognizing that your home is God’s territory and doing intentional things that remind your family and anyone who walks into your home of that fact.

We can accomplish this in a variety of multi-sensory ways.  In other words, engage all the senses. By doing so, you will create triggers to memories of you home when your children are older that will remind them of the faith that they were taught in your home.

Sight:  Have artwork that reflects God, Christ and His Word.

Hearing:  Provide Christian music and a stereo in your children’s rooms and have it playing in the house.  And if I might put in a plug for some of the older hymns of our faith here…  There are treasures of theology in many of those hymns that need to be passed to the next generations.

Taste and Smell:  Make your meal times a time of gathering as a family to build one another up and even discuss things of your faith.  Make certain meals a tradition around certain religious holidays or gatherings.  For instance, we always have lamb at Easter in our house.

Touch:  Encourage your family to do “faith.” If your children take music lessons, they should learn to play some Christian songs.  If they like to paint or sculpt, encourage them periodically to make something Christian in nature for an art show. If you sew, then sew something for the needy or for a mission project.  The bottom line here is to get their hands involved in something faith related.

You know, we all have triggers that bring back memories.  If I have a roast cooking at home, that smell and taste can take me back to Sunday lunch during my childhood like nothing else.  Roast on Sunday was a given in our home.  Of course, so was hand-washing the dishes afterward.  So, maybe not all the memories are pleasant.  But in my rebellious late teen and early adult years, just the thought of roast, potatoes and carrots with gravy (oh yes, you must have gravy) would remind me of lunch around the kitchen table after Sunday morning at church. 

Certainly it was the Holy Spirit that drew me back to himself during those rebellious years, but the memories that I have of growing up in a Christian home couldn’t have hurt one bit.  And as a parent, I feel a responsibility to do anything and everything I can to give my children the opportunity to remember things that draw them toward their faith. 

So as we wrote out verses of scripture on the foundation of our home, we engaged the senses of touch and sight as we demonstrated to ourselves and our children that Christ and the Word of God are the foundation of our home.  And I gave myself and hopefully the rest of my family a memory trigger of that fact each time we walk through our kitchen and over those scriptures each day.

Engage the senses. Create triggers for memories. And mark your home as God’s territory.

And just in case you were wondering, the scripture that I chose to write on the floor was John 6:35, “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’”

*Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.

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You are not alone…

February 16, 2011 By
MP900227501

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.      2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“I’m not the first mother to lose a child and I won’t be the last.”

These words said to me, by one of my best friends just a few days after her 18month old son was buried.

I had flown in to the States from Peru, where we were missionaries at the time, for a child’s funeral.  I arrived to a church body grieving and broken, asking deep questions of how a good God could allow such a senseless accident that would take his life, a life loved by a dear family walking closely with Him and serving faithfully in His work.  I must have had 50 conversations that week, all asking the same things.  And these were my own questions as well.  God…why???

But my friend, the child’s mother, while not the picture of stoicism at all, honestly spoke truth that has stayed with me even these several years later.  She was not the first mother to lose a child and she would not be the last, and while that in no way trivializes the trauma, it does speak to our tendency to think we are the only ones suffering a particular difficulty, tragedy, at a particular moment.  And the truth is, there is nothing new under the sun.  Everything that we have gone through or will go through, someone else in space and time has gone through as well and someone else will go through it in the future.  And that comforts me.

None of us live under the illusion that life this side of Heaven is, well..heavenly.  It is hard and frustrating and yes, even tragic at times.  But God, who never said we would not face trials, but instead tells us how to encounter them (James 1), also comforts us in our times of difficulty and tragedy.  He comforts us with His Spirit, and he comforts us, with…us- those of us who have walked that difficult and tragic path have the privilege of serving as comforters to those who are called to follow behind us.  And while we wish no one would have to endure anything so hard, we know that it will happen.  And so we wait, and keep ourselves available, seeking help for our own grief and struggle from those who have gone before us.

A year later, almost to the day, my mother called me in Peru.  My brother had died in his sleep. It was hard to hear, hard to walk, but my friend had already been walking the path of grief, so I knew that while it was a difficult road, it was doable with the grace and comfort given by God through his Spirit and His people.

A few months after that, when we had moved back to the states, my friend and I were walking and she was telling me how she has had several women who have lost children seek her out to talk with.  She told me, “This is not a ministry I would have asked for, but it is a ministry that I now have.”

Yes, my friend, and it is a ministry with which I myself have been graciously served.  And I love you for it.  Thank you.

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Lifting My Eyes

February 3, 2011 By
100_5401

Reviving this post from my old site, Crown Laid Down, in honor and celebration of our first-born’s 13th birthday.  This very day, 13 years ago, we witnessed a miracle. His life and who he is today is a testimony to the set-apart son that he is.  Happy Birthday, dear Noah Christopher. You are a blessing among blessings to us!

My Chris and I married in college. I was 20 and he was 21. I even transferred from one rival school (University of Texas) to another (Texas A&M). We finished at A&M and headed to Little Rock for my Chris’ grad school at University of Arkansas, where Chris says I got my PHT (Put Hubby Through). I had a wonderful job and we loved living there. During this time, we began to talk of having children–it had been about 3 1/2 years into our marriage.

We began to try for our first child. During this time, we moved back to our home in East Texas, where my Chris began to work at Libbey Glass. We rented a little, log cabin right off the interstate on a blueberry farm. During this time, I didn’t work, for I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Many people fussed at me for not working, at least until I got pregnant–they told me I could quit then. Financially, maybe, it was a good idea. But we knew ourselves. If we had broadened the level of income, once we did get pregnant, it would be very hard to go back.

For a very short time, I did get a job and realized quickly that I had stepped out of God’s will. Still, I could not get pregnant. The doctor said I had PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). My very first ultrasound was to look at the cysts and no baby, which caused a gnawing ache in my soul. I remember the days of very, long quiet times in God’s Word. I cried out to God. I cried. I prayed. I felt inadequate. I felt such sorrow. I remember looking out over the blueberry fields and longing to see a child running through them. I remember prayer walks through those very fields.

At night, I often cried myself to sleep in my Chris’ arms–wailing really. He was sad, too. We were at the point where people, with good intentions I guess, began to ask questions. Why don’t we have a little one? And it broke my heart. All of my friends had little babies or toddlers. I would often be in charge of the baby showers. It was bitter-sweet.

Later in life (about 3 years ago), I would find out that not only did I have PCOS, but also I had a birth defect–partially empty sella (sella turcica). Both together should have made it impossible to ever have children.

I lifted my eyes to the Lord, and I well remember showing up to my prayer group one day in May–no one else came that day. I read through 1 Samuel about Hannah and I cried out to God, “I am like Hannah. Lord, please give us a child.” That day I also was fasting (it was national day of prayer).

That evening, my Chris and I went to a movie and I broke the fast and had popcorn. Do you know?? I got SO sick that night. I blamed it on the fast and the popcorn together. One week later I got sick over my morning coffee…and the rest is history. From that point on, I always knew I was pregnant if I got sick on coffee.

Four children now…and today? Well today I celebrate the birthday of our first born–an ever-living miracle. Today our Noah is 13. This is my son, whom I prayed for…and prayed traits into his life. He is truly a set apart child. He is unusually caring and outwardly-focused. He loves Jesus. He loves life.

I tell you this story today for you to not only celebrate with me, but also to spur you on to lift your eyes to the Lord. I don’t know the plans that He has for you. I don’t. But He does! They are plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope…Hope! And a future…long-term plans of hope over your life (Jeremiah 29:11).

If you struggle with infertility, please know that I am setting aside this day to pray for you. I know! It hurts. It is so hard. But we serve a God, who does the impossible. He is the “too hard” God over your life. He hurts with you and loves you so. I dedicate this song to you.

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Tearing Down or Building Up

February 2, 2011 By
Kissing Newlyweds on the Beach

Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. -Proverbs 14:1

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I pray every day that God would allow me to be wise and never foolish when it comes to my household. I wanted to share with you today some practical tips on how “not” to tear down our house and how to build up those that are closest to us.

  1. First, we should never tear down our husbands. Second only to God, our husbands are the next and most important foundation of our house. They give us love, support, and security. Our husbands need to feel love and respected. When we constantly tear them down by nagging, rejection, sarcasm, bitterness, pride, and sometimes even hatred, they no longer become a solid foundation for our house, but they become a mound of sand, beaten down by our negativeness towards them.
  2. We must never tear down ourselves by saying that we are “only a housewive” or “only a mom” or “only” anything else. We are nurturers of our homes, lovers of our husbands and children, friends to the friendless. I am so blessed that my job description is that of being a homemaker.
  3. There are so many opportunities to build up our homes when our sole responsibility as a woman is to care for her family and her home.
  4. We must never tear down our children. As mothers, it is our job to love and be a nurturer to our children. In the past, I have been just that kind of mother to my children, tearing them down and not even realizing it. We have to encourage them to be a child and not to grow up too fast, and to be who God wants them to be and then help them achieve that. Nurture and love your children. That is what they need more than anything!
  5. Last but not least, never tear down your relationship with Christ. As a wise woman, we must know that ALL our strength to care for our homes and our families come from none other than Jesus Himself. Strengthen your walk with Christ and your family will thrive daily!

Today, as you make a decision to either tear down or build up, I pray you choose building up. God will be proud, and your family will definitely love you more for the encouragement you offer them. Look at the list above and choose the one thing that needs the most work and begin working on that this week.

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Discontent and Whiny

February 1, 2011 By
Old Bible

This week I have done nothing but whine and complain about so many things to God. I can just imagine God holding his ears this week as I have whined and complained about every little thing I could think of. Good gracious, I’m even tired of hearing my own whining! Things have just been so hectic that all I’ve done is whine and complain! Here is kinda my run down list to God this week. Take a peek and see if you have said any of these things to God lately:

  • God, I am so tired of being overweight. Can’t you just suck the fat out and from now on I will make better choices about what I eat
  • God, I am so sleepy and I could use a nap but I know if I don’t play this level 83 of this game then someone will come behind me and get ahead of me and then I will have to start all over again
  • God I am so tired of cooking and cleaning up after these half grown people you call my family. Can’t you just make them magically pick up after themselves and wait on me hand and foot for a change?
  • God I am sick and tired of doing Math. Why do we need math again? Now how many cookies did they each get again?
  • Lord, when do I get to have me time? I mean when I get out of this 45 minute bathtub soak, I have to go into the living room and sit and enjoy some family time watching our favorite shows and I just don’t have time for me. When God when?????

As you can tell by my list, I have been full of “whinyitis” this week. But to be honest, we get whiny when we are no longer content with the things that God has us going through.

God does not allow us to go through those things in order to punish us or to harm us, but we go through those things in order to build character in us.

A while back, my son went through a character building stage. He sprained his ankle and is not used to this kind of “building process”, so he had to readjust some of the things he normally does in order to accept with a challenge those new things that God was doing in his life.

What about you? Does God have you going through some things and instead of accepting them, you happen to be complaining about them? I challenge you to embrace those hurdles and overcome them! Enjoy the day and remember…..less whiny, more shiny!!!

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Jehovah Nissi, The Lord My Banner

January 31, 2011 By
31 Days Day 31

When I was thinking about the word “banner” two images came to mind. The first was that of my beloved Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. The front row has a group of seniors who have 12th Man banners hanging from their horns. I remember standing in Kyle Field watching the band go through their routine at half time. I can also remember what it sounded like. I can hear those banners pop as they are put through the motions. Crisp, clean pops. They sounded like  ”battle ready” snaps.

I also pictured my friend Nikita. She would dance before the Lord at our church and women’s events, and many times she would use banners. They would flow ever so gracefully in her hands. I have seen those same banners draped around women who were just broken before the Lord.

Whether the banner the Lord places over me is one of battle preparedness or one of comfort in my pain, it says the same thing….I am His.

I am His.

As a sign to the enemy from the onset of our warfare, I belong to God. As a bandage for the wounds I have incurred, I am God’s. Regardless of the color, the material, or even the size, the banner over you and me, we who are in Christ Jesus, says clearly that we belong to Him and He loves us.

Father God, I am so grateful that You are my Jehovah Nissi. You are my banner. You are the Who and the What I can stand confidently under, regardless of my circumstances. Lord, I am ever thankful that Your banner proclaims Your love for me and for others. Help me today, Jesus, to walk under that banner, finding strength in its covering and comfort under its shelter.

 

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