Are You a PeaceKEEPER or a PeaceMAKER?

 

One of the great things about working for a high school is that you get a lot of time off.  The pay isn't the greatest, but the people are amazing in Education and the time off is a bonus you won't get anywhere else.

Today is the first day of our Christmas break.  Unfortunately for me, I forgot to pray last night before I fell asleep that God would keep certain things from my hours of regeneration and peace.

I dreamed about David.  Ugh.

My prayers at this point in my journey are that God removes all traces of memories and love I have for David from me.  I can't carry the burden any longer for something that never truly existed, that "might" return one day in the future, or for a dysfunctional family wrestling with addiction and no real plan for recovery.

I normally pray before I go to sleep that God will not allow the devil to attack my soft spot or allow dreams of David, our past, or even our possible future to enter my mind.  I have to do this for my own sanity as well as to protect my heart and emotions.

It's just not healthy to "pine" for someone that has left you multiple times and by cowardly methods; lives in a state of addiction but does not seek counseling or help; and to keep hoping for a future that may or may not be healthy or ever come into existence.  God wants so much MORE for us as his children, and we need to make Him the focus of our thoughts and actions.

So, imagine my surprise when I began my reading this morning.  I don't even know why I am shocked or surprised anymore.  Even when God is silent, He is listening.  I am going to share what I read this morning in case it might help someone else through a tough period.

These words and thoughts perfectly describe my situation.  David (through his own admission to me) was a Peacekeeper; I am a Peacemaker.  You will see that the Peacekeepers operate from a point of dysfunction and unhealthiness.  They can never truly heal or form healthy relationships; they keep everything inside and absorb things like a sponge that never gets wrung out.

I, on the other hand (and certainly not to ring my own bell) am a Peacemaker.  I have learned, from working with and watching some of the smartest, calmest, and most savvy problem-solving educators the last 11 years, how to make relationships work and keep the peace.  These leaders have taught me so much by their examples.  I don't always succeed, but I at least try.

I will never be at their levels because they are constantly reading and attending classes on these skills, but just watching them create Peace is a blessing to me. I learn from watching their patterns of success.

So, without any more writing from me, here is what I read this morning.  A firm validation that God is in my midst, listening to all my prayers and supplications!

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

This verse is taken from Jesus' famous teaching in Matthew 5 - 7 called, “The Sermon on the Mount.” The sermon addresses how to live a spirit-filled life that pleases the Lord, full of mercy, grace, and love. 

Let’s dig a little deeper into today’s verse. Have you ever noticed this verse doesn’t say blessed are the peacekeepers, but instead it says blessed are the peacemakers? Aren't they the same thing? I don’t believe so, and here’s why . . . 

The Peacekeeper 

Peacekeeping on the surface appears to be a quality Christians should strive for. Keeping the peace applies really well to minor offenses. Wisdom teaches us to pick our battles. However, if one is simply keeping the peace at the expense of resolving an issue or addressing a sinful pattern, then we need to ask ourselves why. Do we do this out of fear of rejection? Do we believe we won't be accepted if we’re not being a people pleaser?

When we duck away from conflict, we are shying away from a revealing teacher. Conflict can bring to light our triggers, attitudes, and communication skills. It reveals where we’re holding on to sins such as bitterness and pride. It uncovers unresolved wounds, unmet expectations, or our deeply held resentments. Peacekeepers are more likely to suppress their emotions to avoid the uncomfortable feelings that arise with conflict. Uncovering the deeper issues of our struggles and moving toward conflict resolution can produce lasting spiritual growth.

The Peacemaker

Peacemaking is a far more vulnerable endeavor. Making peace requires much more self-sacrifice than just peacekeeping. Biblical peacemaking requires the courage to speak the truth in a gentle manner. As we read in Galatians 6:1 (NIV, emphasis added), “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

When we look at conflict less from the angle of winning and losing and more from the angle of problem solving, we promote a mindset of unity instead of division. A peacemaker works towards resolving conflict with the aim to provide healing and reconciliation. Jesus promised we would be blessed in our efforts to make peace. James 3:18 (NLT) states, “Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

None of us can create lasting peace without Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Apart from Him we can do nothing. When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will provide us with all we need to accomplish His will (Matthew 6:33). With His empowerment, we are able to be people who make peace in the midst of strife.

"Dear Lord, in order to have peace with others, I must first have peace with You. I confess my sins and repent. Your Word says if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Empower me to be more than just a peacekeeper Lord. Please help me to be a peacemaker, resolving issues in a loving and godly way. Amen.

I pray this morning that David, and other Peacekeepers, will learn how to MAKE Peace instead of stuffing their feelings deep down inside of themselves or absorbing them.  That they will learn how to work with grace and love to share their feelings, resolve conflict, and move toward resolving issues instead of running away from them.

Keeping the peace isn't healthy for any of us.  We must constantly strive to make the peace.  It's a battle, and one we must work on all the time.  Jesus wants us to be Peacemakers.  I pray we can do that daily!

"Lord Jesus, help me every minute of every hour to remember to make Peace, not just keep it.  There are so many valleys and battles in life.  We should be striving to resolve conflict and bring people together, not create bigger battles or argue with others around us.  I pray for David - that you will keep him safe today as he travels to do his job.  I pray that his heart will remain pure and turned toward you.  I pray that you will teach him your Words and your ways.  I pray you will keep him in church and with a pliable heart.  I pray for release from the strongholds and chains that bind him that he is unable to see right now.

I pray you would allow my heart and mind and emotions to fully heal.  That you keep me from sorrow and hurt and the trap of dysfunction.  Keep my eyes on you and in your Word.  Surround me with family, friends, and people who hold strong Christian morals and strength.  Open doors for me to new relationships at church where I can serve and learn more how to walk beside you better.  Please keep me under your wing and your protection.  I love you Jesus.  It is in your name I pray.  Amen."

Switching Your Prayer Life from ASAP to ALAT

 

Good Sunday morning.

It is the Lord's day, and wow - I've been waiting for this day to get here.  I love Sundays.

I love going to church and seeing familiar faces.  Friends and family.  I love seeing who the Lord has moved and motivated to attend service that week.  I love our Pastor Brian.  I love our worship leader Trace.  I love everything about our small, but quickly growing, church.

This is the first time since I asked Jesus into my heart, on July 2, 1989, that I have had family in church with me.  What a blessing!  I never, in 10,000 years, thought this would happen.

You see, I was born and raised in a big, Italian family.  EVERYONE was Catholic.  That's just how it was (and largely still is).  I was the first one, as my paternal Grandmother said to me one day, "...to leave the church." 

It was a big deal to her when I started attending Rehoboth Baptist Church with several of my friends in the 1980s.  At that time, I was going through a rough time in life.  I lived with my Mom, was dating a boy I loved, and was not living a lifestyle I should have been.

My boyfriend was struggling with finding (or getting or keeping) a job and was on the outs with his Dad.  My Mom had graciously said he could move in with us - in my room.  (Yes, "with" us.) When Pete and I broke up, it was devastating.

I called my best friend, who was attending Rehoboth at the time, and asked if I could go to church with her that following Sunday.  (Because I knew, even at that unsaved point in my life, only one thing could save me.)

She was so excited, and she immediately shouted, "Yes!" over the phone.

My girlfriend had been raised in a Christian home by two extremely loving and Christian parents, but she also was not walking or living a Christian lifestyle.  She may not have been walking with the Lord at the time, but she KNEW Christ and was working her way back into church.

How was I supposed to know that making that one phone call would forver change my life?

I attended Rehoboth on a Sunday morning and was immediately welcomed, immersed in, and falling in love with their large and loving culture.  I did not go off to college, so to me - I always felt like the Rehoboth years and the large community of young adults it contained were my "college years."

It was a HUGE church at the time, one of the two biggest in the Atlanta area.  It had a large Singles group.  So big, it was broken down into age groups.

I jumped right in.  I loved it. We were at church Tuesday nights (for visitation), Wednesday nights (for supper and Bible study), Friday and Saturday nights (not "at" church, but for fun outings with the Singles group), and of course, twice on Sundays (morning worship service and laid back Sunday night church for more teachings).

I think I learned more in those 20 years at Rehoboth than I have at any other time in my life.  At Rehoboth, we were so lucky and blessed to sit under lead Pastor Dr. Richard Lee.  Because Dr. Lee was very well connected and known in the religious community, he was able to bring in many gifted and knowledgeable teachers - special guest preachers that came periodically, as well as hired staff members.  We were surrounded by some of God's wisest men and women.  It was a tremendous time to be in church!

Dr. Ed Hinson was on our staff for many years.  I remember looking at one of my (now) prayer partners one Sunday night when he was going to preach and saying, "We are so lucky to have Dr. Hinson on staff."  We knew what we had in our grasp, and we always knew he wouldn't stay with us long.  God had greater and bigger plans for Dr. Hinson.

Of course, in the end (and as we suspected), Dr. Hinson didn't stay very long.  Liberty University came calling, and Dr. Hinson was quickly snapped up by Dr. Farwell.  God had much bigger plans for Dr. Hinson. (If you want to see an amazing Celebration of Life, Google Dr. Hinson's funeral service.  What an amazing life this man led!)

Those were the golden years of church for me.  I met my ex-husband there.  My children were dedicated there.  And my deepest inner circle of friends were founded there.

But - my family never accepted my time there or my switch from Catholicism to Protestant.  My Mom was always good, and she even hosted our Singles group at her home one time.

But my paternal Grandmother was furious and always let it be known.  ("If you love that church so much, I'm going to leave all your inheritance to it!") Of course she didn't, but that was her attempt to get me to leave.

My Father once told me I was in a cult.  Of course, he couldn't get out of Philadelphia and the Catholic church fast enough once he was married and living his own life - and rarely attended or took our family.  He didn't even really know what a cult was...

So for me to NOW have family attending church with me is a huge blessing.  It may have taken 30+ years, but every Sunday, I count my blessings my brother and his family attend the same church.

I love Sundays.  Family, friends, faith.  (I think I may need a t-shirt that says that...)

I want to apologize and make up for yesterday's post.  This blog is not very popular I know, and it really does not reach many people; therefore, I tend to use it as a (superficial) journal.

Yesterday was hard.  But I knew it would be.  In this busy season of celebrating Jesus' birth, yesterday was going to be the lone day I had this week to start decorating for Christmas.  

I prayed ahead of time for Saturday.  I knew it would be hard, so I wanted the Lord to prepare and protect me from Satan's attempts at taking me down.

My normal "hard" hours are somewhere between Noon and early evening.  The mornings are fairly easy, as are the nights (although, lying down to bed always makes me slightly weepy, as I ask God each night for the same thing -- "Good night David Michael ***.  I love you, and I miss you.  God, you know where David is right this moment.  You know what he is doing.  You know his innermost thoughts.  Please watch over him, let him know I love him, and bring healing to his heart.").

As the afternoon grew closer, and I knew I had to start decorating for Christmas, I could feel the sadness creeping in.  As I told my brother last night, "The 'at-home' days are the hardest because that is when I miss David the most."

People can give you advice and peer into your relationships from the outside, but only the people in the relationships know what happened and what emotions and tender moments existed between you.

For me, the "at-home" days are the hardest because everywhere I look, I see David.  The projects he did, transforming a house into a home.  Decorating for Christmas each year together.  Rainy days spent on the couches watching tv or cuddling with furry family members together.  So many memories of just being in a home I thought we were going to live in, create one life in together, and from which we would serve our families and God together.

Even when (looking back) I think of the hard times - times when we weren't kind to each other or might have felt alone or separate, I still felt like one with him.  It never crossed my mind we might reach a point of becoming two.

And for those reasons, the at-home days are just the hardest.  Because memories of love and commitment resonate within these walls.

I read something this morning that touched me.  It said, "Staying power means we fully believe God planted a seed in our heart, and we aren’t going to give up until we see what it grows into. In his book Draw the Circle, Mark Batterson says, “Too often we pray ASAP prayers — as soon as possible. We need to start praying ALAT prayers — as long as it takes.”

I've been on my knees a lot these past nine weeks.  And, to be honest, my prayers are a huge mixture of ASAP and ALAT.  I do argue with God, but I am also cognizant of who He is and staying within His will.  

I guess just reading ALAT out loud seemed to impress the idea upon me a little bit more though.

This morning's reading went on to say: "...pray[ing] ALAT prayers flips the script in our culture obsessed with instant gratification. It provides an empowering stance as we take an active and prayerful posture in our waiting journey."

I love that.  Waiting is not a passive activity.  God asks for it to be active.

"The Hebrew word that Isaiah uses for 'wait' is Qavah. It means 'to wait, look for, hope, or expect.' This doesn’t sound like an idle position. It is waiting on the Lord that brings renewed strength. This Qavah means we wait for Him, look for Him, hope in Him, and expect His goodness."

Who knew waiting could be an active activity?

"Establishing our focus and fulfillment in Him, rather than an outcome or a timeline, is what mounts us up with wings like eagles. When we fix the eyes of our soul on our Creator, we run without growing weary, walk without growing faint. This is training ground for our soul. When we make this shift, waiting no longer becomes necessary drudgery; it becomes a lifestyle of confident expectation in Him."

So, I have to apologize to myself and anyone that read yesterday's post.  I am not always (or much) negative, but yesterday was just hard.  I am thankful for a God that pulls us through the negative and hard times to give us a new day with a new dawn.  A new positive view, and another Sunday to gather together and worship.

I have no idea what the OUTCOME will be to my season of waiting.  I pray every day that God will press upon David to kneel at a family altar, ask God for forgiveness for his sins, and then ask Jesus into his heart.  I pray there is a day I can witness David being baptized.

I pray every day that eyes will be open to current situations that are going to require divine intervention, love, and support.  I pray for hearts to open and understanding to be granted.  I pray for a family's healing.  A family's salvation.  I pray that with the invitation and acceptance of Jesus into people's hearts and homes that grace can be extended and forgiveness granted, not withheld.

I pray that love spreads and grows.  Because that's what Jesus does.

Today is going to be a better day.  Christmas decorations are on their way, and of course, it is Sunday.  So - what more can a girl ask for?

Just remember this - we are going to have valley days.  Days when we are missing the people we love so tremendously that our Spirit grieves with us.  Days when the memories are just going to be too much and will overwhelm you.

But - then the dawn of a new day will come.  God may feel a million miles away at times, but Scripture tells us He is not.  He is always close, always near.

Stay strong; do not falter.  No matter how sad or broken you may feel in a day.  God is not a god of sadness or despair.  He is in the business of change, healing, hope, and rebirth!

"Lord, give me staying power. When I feel like I want to run back to what’s comfortable and familiar, give me the strength I need so that I can remain in your plan. Help me to look for and expect your goodness and my transformation as I seek you. Amen"

Waving the White Flag of Surrender

 

When I have nothing left inside me, God is faithful to hold me up.  Here are some words of wisdom, not my words - words I was given this morning.

"Today, I invite you to waive a white flag and surrender to God in your [relationship].

So many things make their way into the average [relationship]. Life together can often pull us apart. Days can seem like minefields full of in-laws, children, finances, traditions, and more. “Two shall become one” can sometimes feel like a battlefield. Caught in the crossfire are two imperfect people exhausted by the natural tendency to cling to their own perspective.

We often spend so much energy battling our [partner] that we forget the real enemy lives outside of our homes. What if we could learn to see our challenges (big and small) as enemy attacks that need to come under the direction of our commanding officer, God? Instead of waging war in our own homes, we could surrender to God, allowing Him to lead us toward real victory. Instead of rushing to the fight, we pause and look to God for guidance, perspective, and wisdom.

Lamentations 3:25 says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him” (ESV). That is a promise worth surrendering to. I want the Lord’s goodness in my [relationship], so I need to wait for Him. Waiting can be hard, annoying, and even heartbreaking. But, my trust in God must lead my heart to wait on His sovereignty. Our unmet expectations all seem so urgent and powerful. But God says: Wait for me; I have a battle plan that leads to peace.

When we surrender to Christ, we can trust in His goodness. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper” (NLT). If I learn to let God lead and set my heart to do good, I can count on Him to keep me safe and help me thrive. So much of life is not knowing what’s next. But nothing surprises God. He knows what’s coming. He knows us, our [partner], and every weapon the enemy will use to divide us. He is able to lead us toward peace and protection if we are willing to surrender to his leadership.

Recognize the mines in your [relationship]. They can be internal (pride and impatience) or external (kids and finances). Either way, the enemy is waiting to see where you’ll step.

Trust God. He knows the way through the minefield. Trade in self-reliance for God’s ever-loving leadership. Surrender to the faithful goodness of the Waymaker."

Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." 

What Do You Fight For?

 

I haven't really felt like writing much lately.  But this morning, I felt the familiar pull to sit down and give it a go again.

I'm not really sure what that means.  Just waiting for God to speak.

It's about 5AM on a Wednesday.  Been up since 4; read a little, scrolled a little; fed the dog and cats; made coffee; and emptied the dishwasher.  Nothing exciting.  Just the usual and normal routine tasks.

My heart has been hurting.  I have not shared my hurt with anyone, except for one close girlfriend.  I can't even speak about my heart hurt.  Feels like different day, same cycle.

Have you ever been in that type of situation?

It feels like your hands are tied.  Nothing more to say.  You have spoken your heart's desire; it has been denied.  You have shared something intimate and personal; it was mocked.  So why keep trying?  Nothing changes, and you end up feeling defeated, alone, and not worth any kind of place or fight.  So you retreat, pray, and hope for change.

Except change doesn't come.

You can't make people change.  You can't make people put you first.  I'm not even trying to create a change - that would be wrong in and of itself.  But sometimes, in our relationships - things need to be normal and right - and eventually the unevenness just won't straighten out.  And then, you can't hold your balance anymore.  You fall off the balance beam and this time, you don't put your hand up to ask for help to get back up on the balance beam.  You are just numb from being on the uneven balance beam for so long.  You just want to sit on the floor mat and be still for a minute.

And then you realize, while sitting there, no hand is reaching down to pick you up.  And that's where life gets tough.  It's just you down on the mat, by yourself, and under the beam of unevenness.

The person who was on the balance beam with you isn't reaching down to help you back up. Why is that?  I don't know.

Maybe they like the unevenness of the balance beam; they've grown accustomed to it and it feels normal to them.  That's the only footing they've ever known.

They want you on the uneven beam with them, but they want you to like the unevenness - adjust to it like they have.  They've lost the capacity to understand what normal really is, and getting off that balance beam is not an option for them.

So, when you get choose to remove yourself from this uneven beam and move to a more solid and steady ground, they will let you go.  They will let you stay there instead of choosing to go with you and enjoy the fruits of being on truly solid ground.

Some people are like that.  They will take the ups and downs of life and adjust to them, saying that is their normal.  They never understand that under that uneven balance beam of life is a solid and sturdy mat waiting for them where they can walk freely and be grounded. A place where they can enjoy life, serve better, and have more room to walk openly and freely.  A place where growth, joy, and serving others can be found all co-mingling with each other.

At times like this, when I am on the mat alone, I tend to turn inside myself and at the very same time, reach up to Heaven.  I pray, read, and seek answers.  Then, I pick myself up off the mat, dust off my britches, and keep going.  It's all I know how to do.

You can't make people join you on a walk of steadiness.  You can only say, "I have to get off this balance beam.  I can't balance anymore."  

It is my prayer that your walk - and mine - become more steady.  That the people I choose for my life - and you for yours - are steady as well.  I don't want to walk the steady path alone, but living a life of constant balancing isn't right either.  When you are living on a balance beam, you are one step from falling off.  You are always trying to maintain and stay atop the beam.  That's not healthy, and I don't believe that's what God wants for us either.

Peter tried balancing once.  He started to sink.

God gives us people in our lives, and He gives us our faith to ground us and keep us centered.  We have to be strong and keep our eyes on Him.  When we start trying to please everyone around us, we jump up on a balance beam and try to stay atop of it.  We precariously take each step, hoping it's a good one.  A right choice.  That we remain balanced and on top of the beam.  But it's always a guess and a calculation.  It's not freedom and sure footing.

I believe God wants us on the mat below the balance beam.  On the mat, there is solid footing.  We can take our steps with confidence.  We keep our eyes focused ahead and upward.

On the balance beam, we walk alone.  There is room for only you.

On the floor mat, we walk together.  There is room for all.

2 Chronicles says, "For the battle is not yours, but God's." I've had to learn that Scripture the hard way too many times in my 57 years of living.

I am so weary right now.  My heart hurts.

But - It's not my fight.  I have fought.  I have made my desires known.  I have shared intimate thoughts and feelings, but the battle is not mine.  

So this morning, I am on the mat - where there is solid footing.  My eyes are focused ahead and upward.

The only hand reaching down for me today is from Jesus.  I know He fought for me, and He continues that fight every moment of every day.  He has fought for all of us.  

Jesus left a perfect and Heavenly home to become one of us.  He was despised and rejected.  The world around Him killed Him.  But He fought and lived His life for all of us, because He loved us!

Jesus served so many people while He walked the earth.  He kept his feet on the mat, and solid ground, His entire ministry.  He never walked the beam alone trying to keep balance between all the things in His life.

He kept His eyes on the prize ahead of him.  The master plan His Heavenly Father had set before Him.  Death, burial, & resurrection!

There is so much going on in the world today, right now.  So much hate.  God's people are suffering again.  The Bible tells us Israel will always have conflict, and the whole world will hate them.  That doesn't lessen the hurt we are seeing daily across the internet.

Our hearts may be hurting and carrying much from within our own little bubbles, but keep your feet steady and on the ground.  God has a bigger agenda, and we are needed to not only heal our own hearts and lives, but to also help Israel.  They need our prayers.

In that respect, the International Mission Board has released an excellent resource for praying for Israel.  Thank you to First Baptist Cumming for posting and sharing the link.  Click PRAY FOR ISRAEL to visit the IMB website, download the resource, and to pray very specific Scripture for Israel.  Remember, "Where two or more are gathered..."

Have a blessed day.

Pray and Ask BOLDLY

I am sipping coffee this morning, in my Rae Dunn Christmas mug, sitting on my living room couch under my Christmas thrift store, Restoration Hardware blanket (you didn't really think I paid that much for a blanket, right?) draped over my lap.  

Fox & Friends Weekend on silently in front of me.  The hosts broadcasting live from the Army-Navy game (go Navy, beat Army!).  I cue up my devotion(s) for today, and I get the post below.  Right on target and a lesson I have had to learn (the not-so-easy way) this Fall as our Country moved through another season of voting and picking the way our Country would and should be governed.

Praying isn't always easy, is it?

I love politics.  I love America.  I love God's Word.  The last two make the first one hard sometimes.

Right now, we have leaders in place that believe life does not begin at conception.  They don't believe a baby inside a Mother does have a completely unique set of DNA.  They don't believe the heartbeat at six weeks is real.  They believe biological men should be allowed to compete in women's sports.  They believe elementary-aged children should be allowed to explore gender options without parental interference.

There are just a few of the many moral issues that come at us daily.  How many of these issues conflict with God's Word?

Here in Georgia, I am struggling.

God's Word tells us that Abraham argued with God over Sodom and Gomorrah.  God's Word tells us Moses "argued" with God over Him using Moses as the Israelite's new leader.  God's Word tells us Jacob wrestled with God.  

So, we do have precedent that we can argue with God - try to get an Almighty being to see our point of view.  And so, I do - and I did.  In tears in front of the Cross more than once.

Why would God allow a man that claims to be a PASTOR preach from and lead one of the most famous Baptist and conservative churches in America?  Why would God keep allowing a man to serve in Congress that puts out commercials about his faith and his church when he openly stands in direct opposition to God's Word and thus His principles?

I don't know.

Why would God not allow a man that openly professes to follow God's Word not lead our Country?  Why would God not allow a man that uses Scripture to call out the false witness of his opponent to lead our Country?  Why would God not let a man that admits his sin and his fails in life but then professes how Jesus saved him and he is trying to live a better life now serve his country?

Gosh.  I have no idea.

In my humanness, I see two men.  One in direct opposition to God and His Word and one openly professing God, his personal salvation, and God's redemption for mankind.

So - when my personal prayers were not answered last month, I had to accept God's answer.  "God, here is what I want, but I will accept whatever answer you give."  "God, I don't know why you allow evil men to run a Country with so many of your people inside of it or asking you for Godly leadership, but I will accept your answer and understand I can in no way know your plans for America."

So many times in life, God gives an answer we don't like.  And that's just how it is going to be.  God doesn't always heal.  God sometimes says no.  Take a few minutes to read this devotional from Lysa TerKeurst this morning.  It may help you understand a little bit better.  I know it refreshed my soul this morning.

I will keep praying for America and Godly leadership to be reinstated.  I will keep believing God will restore America and remove the evil he has allowed to rise in leadership and power.  If He never does during my time here on Earth, I will still accept His answer and know there is a greater plan in place.

My purpose in this life is to read God's Word, follow God's Word, and live (to the best of my ability) according to God's Word.  That's it.  So, I will keep putting one foot in front of the other until I arrive at those pearly gates of Heaven.

It's Saturday, so that means a day of activity for most of us.  I hope your activity is positive and productive and you accomplish much.  Tomorrow, we rest.  Happy Saturday my friends.

Am I Scared to Pray Boldly?

Sometimes I’m scared to pray boldly in the way King Hezekiah did when the Assyrian army was knocking on Jerusalem’s gate.

It’s not that I don’t believe God can do anything. I do. I’m a wild-about-Jesus girl. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God. After all, I think Jesus would rather rein in a wild stallion than kick a dead mule.

So my hesitation isn’t rooted in doubt about God. Instead, it’s rooted in doubt about my ability to discern the will of God. If his will is no while I am boldly praying for a yes, then I worry my prayers will get me off track.

Because I desperately want to stay in the will of God, I find myself praying at times with timidity: “God please heal my friend, if it’s your will.” I wonder why I don’t just boldly pray, “God, please heal my friend.” Then believe, whatever the outcome, that my prayers were not in vain.

I’m realizing prayer isn’t just about getting an answer from God. It’s also about changing me. It opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own and to see God in a fresh way. Praying boldly boots me out of a stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God.

So prayer does make a difference—a life-changing and earth-rattling difference. We can kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl’s prayers extend far and wide. This truth snuffs out the flickers of hesitation in my prayers.

What do you need to pray boldly about today? Go ahead and ask. Not so your prayers cause God to move, but so you can be in a position to see Jesus move in any which way he pleases.

Tuesday Thoughts

 

Good morning sweet friends.

I have no idea what to say today.  I just know I need to write.

I want to direct you to today's Proverbs 31 morning devotion.  It has to deal with grief, and maybe that's why my instint to write this morning is extremely strong.

Maybe you need to hear about grief.  If so, I hope you will click the link above and take time to pour a hot cup of coffee and read.  It will be so good for your soul.

As for me, my takeaway from this morning's devotional were a few lines that hit me particulary strong this morning:

"I once heard a Christian counselor give some advice I’ve been trying to live by ever since: 'Feel all your feelings,' he said, 'and then lay them at the foot of the cross. Give them to Jesus.'

Feelings aren’t selfish. They aren’t a weakness or evidence of a lack of faith. And we need not fear our feelings. We can lean into them, experiencing them all fully — without the dread of wallowing — by bringing them to Jesus, our Savior who understands.

Feelings.  Interesting.

"They aren't a weakness or evidence of a lack of faith."  Weakness.  Without fear.  Lean fully into them...without the dread of wallowing.  Bring them to the cross.

For me, this hits my thoughts and feelings right on target.  I'm older now (56 to be exact), and it seems by the time we (meaning women) hit this age, our hormones are shifting and moving (although - this is not specific to women; men's hormones shift and change as well).  One minute, I am up and happy and ready to interact on a high note with my friends.  The next, like this morning, I have a deeper feeling of sadness or uncertainty.  Feelings and modds ebb and flow.

We can apply our hormone cremes, but the creme doesn't ever really seem to stop the ups and downs.  So, as Scripture teaches in the Old Testament, we can be fully present in our feelings and then lay them down at Jesus' feet.

What are your fears?  I have extreme fears of failure - financial failures, parenting failures, career failures.  I question all the decisions I've made throughout my life.  I look at others. lives and put those same decisions in the column of wrong and inadequate. 

I'm a worker bee. A Type A personality, so my solutions are always to PRAY and keep working.  I love to work; I love to learn; I love to keep trying new things.  So, that's what I do when these valleys hit (or sometimes, I just binge watch tv and lay on my couch).

I've never been remiss about the blessings in my life.  I've never taken my "things" or my inner circle for granted.  I just wish for more - financial security; debt paid; better career options (meaning, I wish my current job - that I love - paid fairly and on a par with other similar jobs in my field).

I hope today's devotional will help you.  I have some more outside work to do today (annual scrubbing and cleaning of the front porch) - physical work and exercise always help me climb out of my funks, and I am also starting a new Masterclass today on e-commerce (you know how much I love that).  

Friends, I am praying for you.  Never be afraid to share your hurts and feelings.  If you need prayer, reach out.  I am always here to listen and pray for and with you.  I love you all.  

Let's wrap up today with the Proverbs 31 daily prayer:  "Lord, I surrender myself to the goodness of grief, knowing that You’re with me there. Instead of numbing or stuffing my grief, I will trust You to bring comfort and healing as I feel my feelings fully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

Levi Lusko: Bread and Circuses Prayer

 

Today's lesson - don't be distracted by the bread and circuses.

When we take our focus off things that matter and put them on things that won't last long, we become distracted and open ourselves up for attack.

Keep those spiritual lens focused!  God will give you the wisdom and strength you need!

Simple Friendship Prayer

 

I love this short prayer from today's YouVersion devotional.

Friendships are hard and yet they are so delicate.  Being a healthy friend can mean being honest or it can mean just listening.  Setting boundaries means not getting taking advantage of or not letting a significant other or your family fall to the wayside because of friends (trust me, I've had to learn that one the hard way).

So, I love that this prayer asks God to show us how to be a good friend as well how to set those delicate boundaries.  And I love that it states the obvious, "...no matter what, you are with me and my friends."

That is so sweet.  What a wonderful piece of information to grasp onto!  

Today, pray this prayer at some point in your day.  Pray for your friends, for yourself and your relationship with them, and then thank God for being in the circle with you.  Amen.