Be Ready!

1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

I have an emptiness inside when I don't study the Bible. My mom personified this verse in her life. She had made a lifetime of studying the scriptures to know what she believed to be able to share with others. You know, it occurred to me that this is the reason we should know the doctrines of our faith--to be able to share it with others. I know people who think their doctrine gives them power, esteem, helps them know more about God than others and that they're endowed to be able to set the rest of the world straight. But this verse says that we should be able to tell others why we believe what we do.

It doesn't have to be boring. And it doesn't have to be so deep you can't understand it. And you don't have to be a theologian to study the Bible. Jesus came to the common person, He came with hope and promise and love. I want to be a student of hope, promise, and love. So that I can share with others who feel NO hope, promise, or love.

Lord, help me understand and absorb as I study Your Word!

I Need to Blog

Psalm 119:57 "You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words."

I'm back. I need to blog. Why? Because I feel like it's a conversation I've been missing. One I have with God (and of course, anyone else that wants to listen). Maybe someone out there needs to hear it. That's what's pulling me back. Even though I haven't updated since October (I didn't realize it had been that long) I have still had "visits" to this blog. I don't know who and why, but I think God has been telling me that it can't be a bad thing if it causes people to "connect" with God.

So I'm back.

My Eyes and My Heart Will Always Be There

There is a beautiful passage of scripture in 2 Chronicles where Solomon and God are having a dialogue. Solomon has dedicated the Temple to the dwelling of the LORD. And The LORD promises Solomon that if His people "will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

He goes on to say that His eyes will be open and His ears attentive to their prayers offered in the Temple, that His name will always be there. AND "My eyes and my heart will always be there".

The New Testament teaches that when we accept salvation through Jesus Christ that we become a temple for the dwelling of God. So this Old Testament scripture speaks to me too. And I love the visualization I get when I read about His eyes and His heart. The eyes are the window of the soul, you know. It is hard to read or know another person without looking into their eyes or heart. I love thinking about God's eyes and heart always dwelling with me. I love to close my eyes and picture actually/physically looking into His eyes. And I feel His heart when I bask in His love. All the cares of the world aside, just bask. Remember how much He loves us. Remember love never fails. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love. Love. Love.

When we soak up His love, doesn't that cause us to love others more?

So the words for today? He sees and He cares! That will get us through anything!

Through the Watches of the Night

Psalm 119:148 "My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises."

Now that sounds like a cure for insomnia. I've had trouble sleeping the past few weeks. I've never had that problem. I could go to sleep anytime, anyplace. Power naps were a staple for me. But lately, I've found myself wide awake in the night. That's rather unnerving. There's something about sleep that we all think we need lots of it :-)

Anyway, this morning the Lord brought this verse to me. It made me think of David and this longest chapter of the Bible. Maybe he wrote it during a bout of insomnia. Maybe he learned to cope with his sleeplessness by meditating on God's promises. Hmmm...interesting. Maybe those times of seeming darkness in the night can become rays of light in my life as I dwell on being in His presence, bask in His goodness, and ponder His promises.

Maybe it's not "wasted time" after all. Maybe, just maybe He will refresh my soul and spirit so much that my body will not notice a lack of sleep.

Thank You, Lord, for Your promises!

From the Inside Out

Last night I made a yummy taco cornbread casserole. I kind of made it up on my own. But there are similar recipes around, I know. I just season ground beef like I would for tacos, but add a can of tomato sauce to make the meat juicier than for tacos. Spray a 9 x 13 pan, layer the meat/sauce, then 8 ounces (or more if you like) of cheese (I used Mexican) and then on top of that put cornbread batter (I mixed up 2 Jiffy cornbread mixes with eggs and milk just like the instructions say). Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and edges are turning golden.

Then we dish this up on our plates, add salsa, sour cream, a side of tortilla chips, and whatever else you like (cilantro, chopped onions, etc.) It's yummy and I love the sweet cornbread taste with the spicy Mexican.

HOWEVER, due to the new way I am learning to cook (this involves being used to cooking for growing children and now they are grown and gone most of the time leaving fewer people to cook for) I made this same recipe in a smaller dish. That made the cornbread thicker and when I took it out of the oven and cut into it, I realized that the cornbread was not done in the middle. YUCK! It was still batter. I should have made it the same way, but put it in a larger pan which would have been thinner and baked in the same amount of time. I put it back in the oven and baked it awhile longer.

This a.m. when I sank my teeth into my pumpkin donut, the same thing happened! There was still a center of pumpkin dough in the middle that wasn't cooked all the way through. It was a grocery store donut, so I wasn't at fault, but it seemed odd to find the same problem. You see, it can look good and complete on the outside, but be far from it on the inside. I think that's the same way with us. We can look like we have it all together, but if you look real deep, you see parts of us that is not as "done". What's wrong with that, you say? Nothing. Nothing at all. But let's be honest with one another. None of us are done-finished. We all have our gooey spots. That's why we need a daily walk with our Lord. By taking a few minutes each day to grow in Him, we are heading towards "living a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10).

Thank You, Lord, for not giving up on me! Thank You for working with me every day to show me more of Your wonderful awesomeness!

Hope and a Future

Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

This scripture is so often shared with kids graduating from high school or college. But it's true for anyone at any age. God was talking to the Israelites that had been carried off into exile in Babylon. He was reminding them that He still had a plan for them. That after 70 years He would come to them and fulfill His precious promises.

We must remember that God's timetable is not ours. We may feel less youthful or more tied down than ever. But God always has a plan for us. He never puts us on the shelf or finishes with us.

Thank you, LORD, that I can look forward to my future with You!

Fun Experience

I had a really fun experience this past weekend! I thought you might like to share it. I had a story featured on a blog that I've been reading for a couple years. As I stated in my personal notes in the story, Sandy's blog The Reluctant Entertainer has inspired me to look beyond my limitations. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Joy and Gladness Will Be Found In Her

Isaiah 51:3 "...Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing."

This verse really made me think. Now I know that this scripture is referring to the everlasting salvation for Zion, but many times I feel like it could be talking about me too. I have faced ruins and desolation of sorts, and in verse 1 of chapter 51 it says, "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD..." - I certainly fit that description.

So back to 51:3. If I make this verse personal, it says that joy and gladness will be found in me, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Is that what others see and hear? Or do I whine all the time? I believe in being "real", but honestly, what positive outcome can there be from whining? Is my joy and gladness buried underneath my stress, busyness, and self-centeredness?

Hmmm...more food for thought (notice how we always bring it back to food, haha).Maybe a thankful heart is the basis for the singing to burst forth. Starting today I want the people around me to be able to say (instead of whining) that joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the sound of singing can be heard from Chris. Want to harmonize with me?

Every day I will praise You!

Psalm 145:1 "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts."

Every day I feel more and more like I'm at a crossroads. Friday, my youngest child turned 18 years old. I overheard a friend tell my son, "now you don't have to do what they tell you to do or eat their food any more" (believe it or not it was a friend my age, not his). So, needless to say, I feel less and less "needed" these days. I know many of you can identify with me, and for those who don't know yet, there will come a day when you have a lot of feelings to deal with. Feelings you've never had to confront before. It will probably be a few years before my kids "need" me again. You know, they're 23, 20, and 18. They're in that stage where "they know it all". Now my daughter would be hurt to hear me say that. It's not so much that she "knows it all", but right now - she's got it all together. She's almost finished with college and knows what she wants to do next. We've grown into that "friendship" stage more than her needing me to mother her.

Oh hummmm....after dedicating 20 or so years of my life to mothering, I'm pretty much retiring. And mothering I did. Three in 5 years, and when my youngest started school, things turned around to where I started homeschooling all three of them. They have consumed my every thought and most of my energy.

But you know what? I've decided to dwell on what I have, not what I have not. I have 3 kids that are becoming independent and sufficient on their own. That's good! And while I don't do the same things at home, church, or work that I did just five years ago, I'm going to try to be faithful in what God has given me at this point in my life. I'm not done (not by a long shot), but my "realm of influence" has certainly changed. This morning before I got out of bed, I started listing the people and activities in my life. I'm going to write it down and put it in my Bible and work at being faithful with all those God has put in my life right now. But mostly, I'm not going to look a week, month, or year down the road. I'm going to strive for a day's worth of faithfulness. I'm going to "commend God's works to the next generation" whenever I get a chance. And I'm going to try my best to show people that God is faithful at every stage of life. Even at the crossroads!

True Contentment

Thought for the day: "The source of true contentment is a Person, not provision." (Alicia Britt Chole in her book Sitting in God's Sunshine...Resting in His Love)

I'm working on the contentment level in my heart. I feel like I probably think that if I had this or that, I'd be more content...if I didn't have this problem, or that problem...

Paul in the Bible said, "I've learned to be content whatever the circumstances" Philippians 4:11. In Chole's books she also writes, "Contented hearts always know satisfaction even before they finish their prayer."

Hmmm...if you're like me, I've never really thought about it that way before. To be honest, I think I pray with a sense of urgency, asking God to provide such and such, because if He does, I will be more content. I now feel enlightened about my contentment barometer. I think contentment goes hand in hand with trust and peace, but I am going to work on mine.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

"Your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

Wait a minute! I can't help it, I'm drawn back to this blog. If you're out there, I hope it helps you in some way to look up. Because I think I'm just going to keep writing and encouraging. It encourages me as much as you. :-)

Isaiah 54:2 says "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

Alicia Britt Chole writes, "When we spend the best of our energy seeking God, we find ourselves sufficiently provided for in every area of our lives."

I have my mind on food a lot these days. I've been trying to lose weight and have read so much about using food (or lack of it) to minimize inflammation in my body. I am still struggling with the effects of full-blown sciatica and am looking for non-surgical ways to deal with it. So I think a lot about food. This verse emphasizes that seeking God is even more important than the food we eat or don't eat. And Alicia Cole's quote affirms that peace in all areas of our lives is ours when we seek God first.

Peace...salvation...resting in Jesus...comfort...sustenance...my soul delighting in the richest of fare! Thank You, Jesus. my soul delights in You!

Blog Update

After discussion, we've decided to suspend the blog for the present time. We're looking for ways to apply our energy to help the women of Crossroads connect. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let us know. Women stay very busy, don't we? But it's important to stay connected to God, and to stay connected to each other.

Hope to see you at church! May God bless!

Give me some feedback

Hi everyone. The Volun-"tour" was a huge success, wasn't it? I love the display boards. Everyone put a lot of time and effort into them. I loved the meal. It was nice to see so many people signing up to help in new ways!

We represented the blog at the Volun-"tour". We were hoping to get more members. I don't have any idea if people picked up a card to check us out. But I really need you to do me a favor. I need some feedback from you. You can see we have 14 members; we may have many more readers. I was in hopes that this blog would be a place of connecting. But to be honest, it's mostly my sharing devotions and Bible studies--which is great--if it's meeting needs! Please give me some feedback! Let me know your comments either here on the blog, or call me, or see me at church. Over the next couple of weeks I will be gathering these comments to determine what direction we want to go with the blog.

Here's a thought for the day that I read on one of the blogs I read:

Charles Spurgeon said, if you are a Christian, goodness and mercy follow you “always” - “the black days as well as the bright days. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins.”

Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and mercy!

Honor the Message

2 Thessalonians 3:1 "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."

I believe we would all agree that this shared prayer by Paul to the Thessalonians is still pertinent to us today. We don't know how long we have before we see Christ, but according to the Bible it can't be long. We are busy with things of this life, but we must remember that it is temporary. Eternity is just around the corner. Therefore, we must pray for the message to be spread rapidly-quickly-and not lose sight of that vision.

But I also like Paul's prayer that the message be honored. We live in a day that people are losing honor for the message of God. Let's pray that we all honor the words of God, that we place God at the highest place in everything we do. Let's pray for each other in this endeavor.

Have a great weekend and hope to see you at the Volun"tour"!

We Have Peace

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

We haven't had very much really hot weather this summer. I don't know if that's good or bad. But last week our air conditioner at home broke and we went several days without any. Now the one at work is broken. Now I know that there are many, many people who do without it all the time. But I have never handled heat well. And I handle it worse at this point in my life (it makes my foot swell and feels tighter on my pinched nerve). Anyway, I try not to let it make me irritable. Did you get that word - try...

More importantly than the outside is my inner peace with God. To think that I could have peace with the Almighty God is so....I truly can't think of a word to describe it! Awesome, overwhelming, uplifting, joyous, etc.

So despite whatever is going on with us on the outside, let's remember the peace we can have with God through Jesus Christ. That's so cool!!! (that's just what I need - something cool!)

"Pray Continually"

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray continually;"

Sunday night at Youth Group, we set up prayer stations and prayed for the new school year and all the ways it affects our lives. It was a time of reading prayers and offering prayers. A time to remind the kids that God cares about every aspect of their lives. I'm sure there was a variety of responses to this from the kids. But I wanted them to be exposed to prayer.

How can you feel any less than overwhelmed at the thought of going before the Creator of the universe, spending time in His presence, and talking to Him about anything - anything - that crosses your mind?

Let's not forget to take advantage of this life-sustaining opportunity that He's freely given to us!

Don't forget the Volun-tour Sunday, Aug. 23. Hope to see you there!

The Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

This scripture is one that is taught to reinforce the eternal existance of Jesus and His "oneship" with God the creator. Those of us who have accepted Jesus understand that He is the light of the world. The last phrase of verse 5 reminds me of Pastor Eddie's sermon yesterday when he mentioned relationship evangelism. He said that a lot of people won't get on board with you to do a church activity, but they will rally for a community project like working on a rundown house. He said we should do those activities with people to give them a chance to get to know a Christian, so that we can be an example of Jesus to them. Unfortunately, many people are blinded by the darkness and don't understand Jesus can light their way. We need to come along beside them and love them to Jesus.

Then I started reading a devotion this morning and it was on the same subject. Okay, God is speaking to me. I need to look to see who I need to get to know so that I can show them Jesus. I'm sure I need reminded to be purposeful about relationships in my life. It's easy to stay on the surface without really going any deeper.

Lord, help me to be a friend to someone who needs me and to show them how wonderful You are!

All Day Long

Psalm 25:4 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Most mornings, one of the first things I do is open my Bible. But by the end of the day, I must admit that I'm not still focused on what God said to me that morning. This verse reminds me to let Him carry me through the entire day. And since this is Friday - through the entire week! Hope you have a blessed weekend.

Connect with me on Sunday with a word, a recipe, a devotion, a scripture...

"let His blood..."

Matthew 27:24 "When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said, 'It is your responsibility!'

25 All the people answered, 'Let his blood be on us and on our children!'"

How ironic! As I was reading this scripture this morning it struck me that the very people who cried "crucify him" also stated, "let his blood be on us and on our children". They didn't have the conviction that, in fact, that was truly what they needed--the blood of Jesus to rid them and their children of their sin and make a way for them to enter heaven. I am so thankful that my children and husband and I have accepted Jesus. And I want to literally pour myself into ministering in ways that will help people know Jesus.

Thank You, Jesus, for being willing to shed your blood! Thank You!

"It was not you...but God"

Genesis 45:8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."

Last night in youth group, we finished the major characters of Genesis. Joseph (the coat of many colors) was our last discussion for the night. Joseph, being the favorite of his father, should have had a "charmed" life. However, he endured much suffering -- betrayal, rejection, being a victim, imprisonment, false accusation, long periods of waiting, serving outside his comfort zone...he had every reason to be angry and bitter. But he wasn't. How could he not take advantage of the chance to get back at his brothers? How could he not gloat over the fact that there came a time when they were pleading with him to save their entire family? I could go on and on. If you have not read this passage of scripture for awhile, you should. Genesis chapters 37 - 45 inspires us to remember that God doesn't forget us during the dark days. No, he takes all the valley time and weaves it into the plan for our lives that will eventually bring Him glory. If we let Him.

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good. Rather than lashing out at those around us, or blaming others for the circumstances of our life, we need to look to God. He's in charge.

Don't we want Him in charge?