Happy Halloween!!

"Man's extremity is God's opportunity"

"Why does it seem easier to finally turn to God for help when hopelessness has overwhelmed us?  We get 'on our knees' only when the pain is intolerable.  Having nowhere else to turn, we meekly surrender our struggle to God.

It's never too late to change our habits for handling upsets that occur in our life.  In fact, turmoil - silly or serious- would disappear if we comfortably relied on God to take charge of our life every moment.

We have all met people who seem less troubled than ourselves.  It's not likely they have been spared the prickly problems that trouble us.  It's more probable that they let God help them handle each of their problems.  We differ from them only in our willingness to let God have total charge of our life.  If we do, we will know a new peacefulness- immediately."

I will let God be in total charge of my life today.  I'll not be controlled by fear.  God will smooth my way.

(post today copied from: "In God's Care-Hazelden Meditation Series") 

Saturday Morning Scriptures and Stuff ... "Better Days"

If you follow me on twitter, you may be wondering about my posts this week with the hashmark #BetterDaysChallenge.  Last week our pastor, Pete Wilson at Crosspoint Community Church, gave a very inspiring and informative sermon that stuck with me all week.  Pete started with these 4 True or False questions. 

1. Extreme poverty is worse than it's been in recent history.  T or F
2. The average American is less healthy now than any other time in history.  T or F
3. There are more deadly natural disasters these days than any other time since weather records have been kept.   T or F
4. Crime rates have risen over the last 30 years.  T or F

I'll bet most of us would answer "True" to all of those questions, however, as Pete pointed out, every one of them is a big "False".

Why is it that our perception of what's happening in the world today seems to be much different that what is really happening in the world today?    

So much of how we feel about our world and even our personal situation is related to our attitudes and what we believe to be truths.  We are constantly fed the message that "Life is Bad.. and it's getting worse".    We are fed that by the media, blogs, friends, and even some of our churches.  All of these are trusted sources, right?  So why would we NOT believe what they are telling us?  No one would tell us lies on purpose, right?   Well.. maybe. 

If you have time, you should watch or listen to this sermon because I think it's really eye-opening.  You can go to the main Crosspoint website here... then you will see the "Audio-Video" button on the bottom left corner.  That will lead you to a link to download the sermon.  You can easily watch or listen in I-Tunes.  

Back to my #BetterDaysChallenge hashmark..... Pete ended the sermon with a challenge for us all.  Try to find 3 things that you can list each day that you are grateful for.   Some days it's easier for me than others.  Some days I have big things to be grateful for, and some days only a little thing like "pizza delivery" is all I can squeak out.   I want to encourage you to try the "Better Days Challenge" with me.  Try it for one week.  Don't go to bed without sitting down and listing 3 things you are thankful for.  It sure helps ME keep things in perspective. 

Gratitude not only leads to more happiness... it leads to hope.  When has pessimism ever changed anything?   When has cynicism ever breathed new life into a hopeless situation? 

I Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming."

There are 3 more weeks of the "Better Days" series at Crosspoint.  All the campus sites and times of services are on the website.  If you are feeling down about what's going on in the world these days.  If you are having trouble finding hope.  If you are struggling with believing that there ARE better days ahead... please join us this Sunday at Crosspoint.   I think you will leave with a smile on your face!

Have a great week friends! --- M

Thank you Lord....

Saturday Morning Scriptures and Stuff ... "Words of Life"

"For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life...."  -- Deuteronomy 32:47

I started reading my bible again this week.  I mean REALLY reading my bible.  A slap in the face came from the Oct. 19th morning devotional from "Experiencing God Day by Day", a book that my friend Kim gave me recently.  All the words in italics below are directly from that book.

It's puzzling that so many Christians try to live the Christian life without reading their Bible, except for sporadic perusals of God's Word, seeking a pithy thought for the day.  The Word of God is not merely a source of helpful suggestions preventive warnings, or inspirational thoughts:  It is life itself!

OUCH.  That one stung. Guilty as charged.  I have become horribly remiss at spending time in God's word.  Yes, I crack open the Bible several times a week, randomly looking for something that will speak to me, but probably not as urgently as I should.  No, definitely not. 

God commanded His people to bind His words on their hearts, to teach them diligently to their children, and to regularly discuss them in their homes.

Oh MAN.... I am really getting knocked around here today.  "Diligently" and "Regularly"??  We have a long way to go around our household.  For sure.  Major reality check here.

Our reverence for God's Word is revealed not only by what we say but also by what we do.  Spending more time reading and studying the words of people rather than the Word of God reveals our hearts' condition.

WOW.  The words of people.  Yes, I have been spending more time lately studying the words of people.  And I have been learning ALOT from those wise words.  However, I realize that doing that at the expense of having time to read God's words is not a healthy thing to do.   I need both.

SO.... I went here:  www.youversion.com   They have several different choices of bible reading plans.  I picked the Robert Roberts 1 year reading plan.  Not really sure WHY I went with that one, but I did, and I'm liking it so far.  Cool thing is, there is an app for my phone so I can read or review my daily passages while waiting to pick up Sam from school, or at the gym on the treadmill, or standing in line at the grocery store.  I don't have to be near my bible to access the verses that should be on my mind and heart for that day.   I love it!

It may seem like a random time to start a new reading plan.  And my first instinct was to make a resolution to start reading the bible daily on Jan 1st.... then I realized "Why wait?".   Let's start NOW.

If you feel you have been missing out on God's words for you, I'd love for you to join me on my one-year plan.  It will be fun to do it together!   Can't wait to dig in deep into God's words again.  To see what He wants to implant into my heart.  Remembering His promises and reminding myself of His constant presence.  I'm excited!!   

Hope you all have a great weekend..... Much love... M

Rock Island State Park.... Beautiful October afternoon!

Interesting drive through DeKalb County this morning....

Saturday Morning Scriptures and Stuff ... "Listening"

 "Listening means an unhurried time when God really can have a chance to imprint His thoughts in your mind."  

I know that I'm not the best sometimes at "listening".  Not to God.  Not to my husband, children or friends.   "Did you just hear what I said?", is a common question that I'm ashamed to admit my husband or son asks me way too frequently.   There are 2 things that prevent me from being a good listener.

1.  I'm too busy talking, sharing MY side of the situation to really hear what THEY are trying to tell me.

2.  I'm too distracted by something that I think is more important for me to focus on at the moment, so I don't turn my attention completely to the person who is standing before me trying to have a conversation.

I'm ashamed to say that I can't even begin to count the times I've made my son stand before me, waiting to talk to me while I finished composing an email that I felt the need to prioritize before whatever he needed from me at the moment.

I'm embarrassed to admit how many times my husband has had to answer the question "So, what are you doing tomorrow?" more than once because the first time I asked him, I didn't even listen to his answer.  Maybe I got distracted by something on tv, or a funny email that just showed up on my laptop, or a text message from a friend.  So I initialize a conversation by asking him the question, "So honey, what are you doing tomorrow?", then I DON'T EVEN LISTEN TO HIS ANSWER.  That leaves me having to ask him the question again, which usually begins with him shooting me a dirty look and saying "I just TOLD you what I'm doing tomorrow.  You weren't listening again, were you?"

How many times do I do that with God?  Oh-boy.  
Here's an excerpt from one of my devotional readings this week:

      "How can we know God's will if we don't listen?  If we dedicate time to God each day, interesting results are possible, almost certain.  When we first awaken, for instance, if we turn our attention to God and even if we experience nothing but God's presence, we will start the day right.   
      Some days, if we listen, thoughts will come to us of what God want us to do.  Some days it may be just a sense of peace and rest.  Or it could be a need to get advice from a friend, or to help someone in need.  It takes practice, but if we keep listening, we'll be able to distinguish God's voice from the chattering voice of our own ego."

So... anyone else have trouble listening?   I just CAN'T be the only one struggling with this, right??

How do YOU listen?    When do you feel like it's the best time for you to "hear" God?   Do you do something to prepare to listen?    Do tell... I'm all ears.  :-) 

Beautiful Feet Update...

http://www.beautifulfeetgo.blogspot.com/

I love everything about this organization.  I love the woman who started it and runs it on a daily basis with a passion that is both rare and inspiring.  I love the bible verse that is connected to it.  I love that it's about helping kids. And I love that it's a small way for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus' to those who are in need.  Please consider helping us make a difference. 

Saturday Morning Scriptures and Stuff...."Fear of Failure..."

So... today I'm reviewing a chapter from Angie Smith's new book "What Women Fear" that my small group is reading together.  We talked about Chapter 4 this past week which is about the Fear of Failure.  Holy Cow, could I relate to that, or what??
Angie tells the story of finding her father's painting easel up in his study one morning after years of not having time to paint.  There was a fresh canvas up along with a pile of art books stacked on his desk.  When she expressed her excitement to him about his venture back into painting, he seemed hesitant. 

(from Angie's book)
"So you're just reading about it, huh?  Not really ready to do it yet", I said.
     He shook his head.
"No, babe. I'm way too rusty. I mean, I haven't held a paintbrush in years.  I need to study it first and then I'll just...."  He trailed off as I made a face that told him I could see right through his act.
     "You're scared it's not going to turn out right, aren't you?" I smiled.
"Well, you can't just pick up a brush and start painting.  You won't know what you're doing and then it'll..."
"It'll be what, Dad?"  He shifted his weight and looked me in the eye.
"Well, it would be a mess."  He kept his hand on the books while I grabbed the brushes.
"You need to just do it, Dad.  You're so worried about failing that you're going to read yourself right into oblivion.  You're not ever going to actually do anything with all this knowledge you're gaining, so it's kind of useless, don't you think?"
So easy to say about some brushes and tubes of old paint.
Not so easy to hear as a statement about your fears.

How many times have I wanted to jump into something I felt God was calling me to do, but let the fear of failure get the better of me?

How many times have I hestitated to take on a great opportunity because I was afraid I would fail?

Sometimes the fear of failure steals the beauty we were meant to create.

To me, failure means it doesn't turn out the way I wanted it to.
To God, it means I didn't pick up the brush.

"Walk humbly, boldly and gratefully in the direction you are being led, and the Lord will surely never let you fail.  At least not failure as HE defines it.  And what other definition should matter?

Good stuff Angie... good stuff.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6

Saturday morning scriptures and stuff.... "Being compassionate"

It's easy to be compassionate, right?  I mean, most of us have no trouble feeling sympathy for someone who is having a hard time.

Who doesn't feel badly for our friend who's marriage just failed?

Who doesn't feel sorry for our neighbor who just lost their job?

Who's heart doesn't break a little bit when we see the homeless man standing on the corner? 

But what do we DO about it?  Having compassion and Being compassionate are two different things.

God tells us to be compassionate with our actions.  This is something I've been personally working on.  I don't want to just feel badly for someone who's struggling, I want to DO something that will actually HELP them in their struggles.  Sitting on the sidelines and thinking "Oh man, that's awful... sure wish there was something I could do" while not actually finding something to do.  I'm afraid that has been me way too many times.

On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. – Obadiah 1:11

That verse hit me like a ton of bricks this week.  When we see an injustice and don't step in and do something to help, it is like WE are just as guilty of the injustice being done.   When we see a need that needs to be met and don't step up and try to meet the need, we just aren't being compassionate.  And God requires us to do that.

I have so many friends who inspire me on a daily basis.  They are truly compassionate with their lives.  They look for ways they can make a difference, not just sit on the sidelines, feeling pity for those they see who are hurting.  They take action.   

"When action-oriented compassion is absent, it's a tell-tale sign that something's spiritually amiss."

The sad fact is that too many Christians sit on the sidelines.  They go to church, put their 10% in the offering plate, maybe even read their bibles each day, but are they doing the work that Jesus requires of them?  Are they taking care of their fellow man? 

I had 2 different instances this week where someone went out of their way to help me.  It was just a couple of little things to them, but to ME, they were HUGE.  It meant somebody cared enough to notice me.  It meant somebody cared enough about me to DO something about my need.  And it made a big impression on me that stayed with me all week. 

I've been guilty of thinking of something little that I could do for someone, and then NOT doing it, because I think it's too little.   I convince myself that it wouldn't make enough of a difference, so why bother.  I think if I don't do something BIG for someone, then it doesn't matter.  ---I'M NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THAT LIE ANYMORE.  

The little things DO matter.  I'll bet those people that did those things for me this week have probably completely forgotten about them.  They were so little to them.... but they have lingered with me.  They meant ALOT to me. 

I'm going to try to look for little things this week.  Little ways to be compassionate.  Little pokes of God's love to my friends.  Little words to say to someone that might be exactly what they need to hear.  If we ask God to guide us in the little things, I am sure they will end up as HUGE things.

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous."  I Peter 3:8