Where Does Your Hope Come From?

Do you need to be reminded today of where your hope comes from? Think about King David. Finding himself surrounded by thousands of soldiers led by his own rebellious son, Absalom, David could have despaired. Instead of thinking that ever...everyone was against him, however, he remembered that God was FOR him. Psalm 3:1-3 declares his hope in God: O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, "God will never rescue him!" But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high. David wrote Psalm 3 while he was fleeing, running away from, Absalom. With his own son turning against him, David seemed to be surrounded by enemies. Those on every side expressed pessimism concerning the outcome, no one though David could do anything, they doubted God could save him. Certainly David could have become utterly discouraged and without hope.

Yet he confidently wrote that God would protect him, destroy his enemies, and restore him to his rightful place on the throne. David had no idea how it would happen, or when, he was devastated politically, physically and emotionally. But he knew who was in charge of his life and his destiny. David's hope rested no on his abilities or the strength of this armies but on his sovereign God!

Many times we spend our lives running around hiding, fearful, upset about the past, anxious about the future and worried about today. We need top remember that God is our shield too! Trust Him. Put our full hope in Him, and He WILL meet our needs and give us the confidence and strength we need in this life in order to live victoriously now and in eternity with Him.

 

 

Being Happily Depressed!

 

 

I was diagnosed with clinical depression many years ago. When I speak I like to tell ladies I am the happiest depressed person you will find! LOL When it comes to my situation I do have to take a medicine that helps with the chemical balance. However, I also make a choice every day, sometimes minute by minute, how I am going to react to things. When reading the Bible I am always encouraged because David received God's healing from depression. In Psalm 30:11, he praises God for turning his sorrow and grief into joy! God's Word can bring joy into the midst of distress. He encourages us in Psalm 119:143 to turn to God and His Word for healing and comfort. Revelation 21:3-4 holds words of promise for those who feel hopeless about their emotional state. The apostle John describes a place where there will be no death, pain, sorrow, crying or depression. Believers will enjoy eternity in this perfect place with God forever! So when it comes to my depression I allow the Lord to work through my doctor and the medication I take. I take one pill in the morning and I take as many verses from the Word of God as needed throughout my day. That is a prescription I can live this life victoriously with!

 

 

From Glory to Glory ... That Is His Promise To Me!

 

It was time for my "annual" doctor's exam yesterday. So I bravely marched myself into the exam room and patiently waited for the doctor's arrival. As I sat on the exam table, all around me, at eye level were pictures of brand new babies. So sweet, innocent and absolutely adorable. I carefully studied each one's little face and found myself imagining what each little life might become.

By the time the doctor entered the room I had a few tears streaming down my face. She quickly asked me, "what's wrong, Karen?" I told her that at my age, and stage of life, it is bittersweet to sit in an exam room like this one. It serves only as a reminder to me that my "baby days" are a distant memory and my "babies" are now all grown and living their own lives. I will never again experience the intense joy of finding out I was pregnant, nor will I ever experience that miraculous moment of feeling my baby kick for the very first time inside of me. All of that is now over. I told her that it might be worth considering a special exam room for the woman of my age group, a room that doesn't have baby photos covering every inch of painted wall space, but instead perhaps it would be nice to place some pictures of some accomplished and beautiful “older women” on the wall, or maybe some inspiring quotes? My doctor was very empathetic and agreed that would “be nice”, but after all, she is only in her mid 30’s and she has not experienced what I, and so many others, have experienced yet.

On my drive home from my appointment I was thinking about how we, women, transition from child into teenager. Teenager into a young woman. A young woman into a middle-aged woman, and finally, a middle-aged woman into an old woman. Each transition brings with it new joys but each transition also brings with it new challenges and obstacles to overcome. Yet transitioning into each new “season of life” is as normal as a beautiful butterfly taking off from one flower and floating through the air and landing on the next.

 

 

As I am now transitioning into my final “flight” there are days I do find it difficult. Yet there are days I also find it incredibly satisfying and I rejoice in seeing the “fruit of my labor” in watching my sons and their families grow and thrive. There is a peace that comes with this last transition, a peace that I know comes from heaven. A calmness that in my heart I know is the voice of my Savior telling me to continue on because the race is not over yet, my time has not yet come and there is still much to do for the Kingdom. There is also a gentle reminder to me that I had forgotten one “final transition” …the transition from “old woman” to “glory”!

So, lesson learned today….1: celebrations from my youth are to be remembered and cherished, but there are many more celebrations to take place with family and friends. 2: God is with us through each season of our lives and He is very kind in showing us how to “transition” season to season gracefully. 3: it ain’t over until it’s over, so don’t give up, you are not finished yet. Life (and your body) may look different today then it did yesterday but different isn’t bad. We are just beautiful butterflies floating from one flower to another! 4: "You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you. Song of Songs 4:7

#iamthebrideofchrist



 

    

PARTICLES IN THE WIND....OR, SEEDS OF FAITH?

Do you ever feel like you are a simply a sculpture made out of sand, and if one more thing falls on you, you will crumble into a million pieces? Then the wind will blow away every tiny particle that was once you, and there will be no evidence that you ever even existed?

I suppose some could say,"yes" and others would say "no, not at all and this post is extremely depressing!" But the fact of the matter is, that we all get discouraged, we all wonder if our life will leave any sort of a positive legacy. It is in those moments that I am so thankful I can go to my Father and hear Him tell me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The apple of His eye. His beloved. That He will be my strength when I need it the most, and He catches every tear that falls and promises to replace the hurt with healing.

Everything we do in His name, no matter how insignificant to the world, if we do it to glorify Him,our lives will leave behind a mark, a legacy, the scattered seeds of faith!

 ARE YOU WORKING WITHOUT A NET?

Last night I was listening to an interview with Nick Wallenda and the reporter asked him, "You are a husband and the father of two children. Why would you do these stunts without any net or tether?"

Nick responded, "I have learned that if you know you have a safety net you will not try your very best to stay focused and complete the task. When there is no net, trust me, I stay very focused and give my absolute best!"

At the moment I thought about us, as followers of Christ, Christians. Do we give our very, very best each day? 150%? Do we stay focused on Christ throughout each day in such a way that no matter what the enemy throws at us we can still praise God for ALL he has given to us? Do we resist sin and temptation with everything we've got and focus on the Holy Spirit living within us?

When it comes to our eternal life, there will be no "safety net". There is a heaven and a hell. The tightrope we are walking today is called "life" and what can give us balance and success is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christ will also ensure a victory celebration for us in heaven...the "other side".

If you have not given your life, or this day, to the Lord, do so right now! Live for Him. Focus on Him. Do it with everything you've got. You will be victorious and not fall! 

 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.  ROMANS 6:13

BE AUTHENTIC!

Over the weekend I spoke to a woman who had just sold her home. I asked her what the key was to selling it so quickly and she told me she had a "stager" come in and "stage" the home. In other words, arrange it and present it in a way that is not the norm. That made me wonder, how many of us "stage" our lives and attitudes to appear in such a way that we may "appear" to be Christians. But on the inside, in the heart and mind, we are still holding on to sin. We "stage" ourselves to look good to everyone on the outside, but behind closed doors at home, where "normal" is, there is quite a different picture.

Those who are "in Christ" have been "bought" for a price. God gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross as payment for our sins! I pray that God gives me the grace I need to be authentic...not "staged.  Staging may be acceptable when selling and buying a home.  But when it comes to our souls, Jesus knew exactly what He was paying for, and He bought it anyway. 

 

 

The Last Step In Parental Love

The last step in parental love involves the release of the beloved; the willing cutting of the cord that would otherwise keep the child in a state of emotional dependence.

  LOUIS MUMFORD

Over the past two years I have had watched my friend, Angela, celebrate the college graduations of all three of her children, celebrate her daughters' marriages, and today she and her husband, Darren, witnessed their son become a junior officer in the U.S. Navy.  Wonderful events and celebrations and as parents, very proud moments.

These celebrations are bittersweet for a mother.  On one hand, you are so blessed to know that your children are moving forward and fulfilling their calling and destiny according to God's plan. But on the other hand, your heart is breaking because you realize that no longer will your babies be living under your roof and, in Angela's case, they will not even be living in her community or part of the country.

It is in these "celebrations" of milestones that we realize our children no longer need us to teach them to tie their shoes or how to write their ABC's. These little ones, we have loved since the moment we knew we were carrying them inside of ,will no longer need us to wash their team uniforms or bring snacks for the team to the next game.  We are no longer needed to sew Halloween costumes, bake cupcakes for their class, put toys together, or take them to kids' church and  Sunday School.  We won't be needed to remind them to wear their seat belt or not text and drive.  It becomes painfully obvious that we, the moms, are no longer needed.  Or are we?

The reason we did all of the above was to prepare our babies for adult life.  To demonstrate love, commitment, faith and family in front of them.  The goal and objective from the very first moment they placed that beautiful child in our arms, was to "teach them the way they should go, so when they are older they would not depart from it."  Isn't that still our goal?  Just because we aren't "physically" needed at every moment, doesn't mean our love and teaching stop.

At one point today I noticed Angela wrapping her hand tightly around her Navy son's finger.  I instantly went back to when my sons' were born and one of my favorite memories of them is when they would wrap their little fingers around my pinky.  There was a bond.  A commitment. A blessing.  These things go on, even after our children are grown and away from our watchful eye.

Are we still needed?  YES!  We are needed to support them as they move forward.  We are needed to love them unconditionally as they continue to learn how to navigate through this world.  We are needed to encourage them when this world mistreats them and life doesn't seem fair.  We are needed to offer wisdom  when asked, forgiveness when required, and comfort as only a parent can do.  They are still counting on us to be there.

True, "being there"may now mean skyping; phone calls; emails and/or the occasional visit, but their location is just geography.  The heart strings are still attached and it amazes me how God allows them to,not only stretch the distance between, but to become stronger in the stretching!

My friend, Angela, has demonstrated with such grace what it means to "hold their hand for a little while, but their heart forever".  Our jobs, as mothers, has not ended, the method in which we "mother" has merely changed. <3

INSPIRE SOMEONE TODAY!

 

Have you ever had the opportunity to inspire someone?

 

 

 

 Sometimes we try and keep all our wisdom, experiences, and gifts to ourselves because we are afraid to allow someone else to succeed. Afterall, they might get more of the "spotlight" then we do, or be better at something than we are, and that frightens us. But it is truly a sign of strength and love when we can inspire others to be the best they can be, without any fear or worry of how it might affect us.

 

Think about Jesus. He inspired back when He walked this earth and He inspires today. Not once did He ever say, " I don't want to share this information/love/healing with someone else. They might think they can do it better than me! People might start liking them more than me." No, Jesus always loved and cared enough about those He met that it was His mission was to leave them better off then when He first met them. May that be our mission as well today!

 

 

Hebrews 10:24
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

 

A glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

PROVERBS 15:13

 

 

 

If your face was a blank canvas, and you were to paint a picture of Jesus on the front of it, what would He look like? Remember, when you go ...through your day, people are watching your face. Our expressions, the words coming out of our mouths, the reflection of our eyes. Let's make sure we are a portrait of the Lord's truth, love, compassion and joy today! Sometimes the only bible a person will be exposed to is us!

 

 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you

John 15:12

 

 

 

"The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart."

 

I have a beautiful bouquet of red roses on my dining room table. They started out as little buds, then they opened so beautifully, and this morning I noticed that the petals and leaves were beginning to fall to the table. Interestingly enough, as the roses are falling apart, they are the most fragrant! The entire dininig room smells like roses...but the roses themselves are dying. 

 

I tend to believe that this is how Christ sees us. When our lives are going well we tend to not think we need God. But as our lives begin to fall apart and we become fearful and in need, that is when we turn to Him in prayer. 

 

When we are falling apart, and dying to ourselves, and realizing that we need a Savior, Jesus Christ, we must smell so sweet in the nostrils of God and in our brokeness we must be so beautiful to His eyes, for He knows that, now, He is able to reach down and put us back together in the way He intended us to be. ♥

 

JOHN 12:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

CHRISTIAN OR DISCIPLE ?

 

 

 

It seems that in today's world "christian" can mean whatever you want it to mean. It has become more of a label and not a way of life. The word "christian" was the name given to those who followed Jesus, back in biblical times, by those who did not follow Jesus. 

 

The bible uses the word "christian' three times only. No where will we find directions in the bible on how to be a christian, however, Jesus does tell us how to be His disciples. Unfortunately, shen we hear that we are called to be disciples fear rises up in us. That means we will be required to "do" something. That means we will have to "go out and make fishers of men". That means we could be uncomfortable. We will have to walk the walk and talk the talk if we want to be known as HIS DISCIPLES.

 

Jesus said, " By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35. Hmm, disciples have to "love one another"? The believin and the heathen...we are called to love. So my challenge for all of us today is to begin to leave the label of "christian" behind and live a life as a "disciple" of Christ. ♥

ARE YOU DELIGHTED TODAY?

PSALM 37:4-9 4 Delight yourself in the LORD ; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. ♥

I love that all I have to do is "delight" in the Lord. To "delight" means to enjoy. I enjoy His company and fellowship with Him, through Jesus, and it says HE WILL give; HE WILL bring forth; HE WILL do it. Isn't that wonderful?? No more are we bound by laws we cannot keep, we are saved through the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross and all God wants from us is to be with us and enjoy one another's company! ♥ So get your "delight in God" on today and tell others why you are so joyful! ♥



This past Sunday I attended a church where a friend of mine is the pastor.  His sermon was right-on and resonated with me, personally.  One of the things he shared was how it saddens him when people say "I have lost my joy!"  Pastor Randy, (Bible Baptist Church-Jefferson CIty, Mo.), then said the following, "I have not learned alot about joy from theologians, however, I have been reminded of many things I have forgotten and taken for granted by new converts!"  I LOVE THAT!  New believers are always filled with such joy and passion about Jesus.  They finally have peace and comfort within them because of the Holy Spirit.  They know they can rest now, assuredly, because their sins have been removed by the blood of Christ and are no more.  Great reason to be filled with joy.  But the more mature we become in our faith we seem to forget that miracle and joy of our salvation.  We tend to learn more theology (which is good and which is needed) but we forget the source of our joy.

Many times when we begin something in this life, there is much fan-fare and applause, but it is when we finish something that many times we will find less accolades, and we realize we stand alone.  When a person proclaims Christ to be his/her Savior and is baptized into the Kingdom, we clap and praise and encourage them to move forward in their faith.  Then there comes a time in that journey that the "believer" realizes it is still difficult to live life in this fallen world.  All the problems have not gone away.  People still hurt people and disappointments still come.  They feel they have lost their "joy".  But they haven't, they simply have discovered that Satan is still out there and the battle is still raging.  The joy and the peace and power of Christ is still in them through the Holy Spirit.  So what truly has occurred is we have discovered a more determined enemy, and forgotten our all-loving, all-powerful God!

Today my "to-do-list" contains some difficult tasks, things that have been a burden on my heart. But...I will continue to keep walking and singing and move forward with joy (even though the fibromyalgia keep...s the moving part a little slower then I would like. LOL) Being a christian does not mean we don't have struggles, or are never disappointed, or even sad. But it does mean that we have a great hope and passion for Jesus Christ, who makes ALL things possible! So speak truth today and allow the love of God to wash over all of you! ♥

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Pastor Randy Dignon airs "The Listening Heart" on The Christian Television Network (CTN) and on KNLJ-TV in Jefferson City, Mo.

 

http://bbcjc.com/Pastor.htm

 

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRandyDignanPage

 

www.ctnonline.com

 

Pastor Randy Dignon and family.
 

IN A WORLD OF HAMANS ... WE NEED MORE ESTHERS!

THE FEAST OF PURIM:

The Purim story is found in the biblical book of Esther, which tells of God’s amazing deliverance of the Jewish people from a corrupt and hate-filled leader.

The King of Persia had chosen a beautiful young woman named Esther to be his queen, unaware that she was Jewish. Esther’s Jewish cousin Mordecai, who worked in the royal household, told her that the king had entrusted the fate of Persian Jews to Haman, the king's top adviser. The problem was that Haman hated the Jews, and issued an order to kill them all.

At great risk to her own life, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish and plead with him to save her people. He agreed to do so, and, in a fitting twist, handed down to the evil Haman the same death sentence Haman himself had planned to give the Jews.

Today Jews celebrate Purim by sharing a festive meal, attending a special service in the synagogue, participating in a noisy reading of the book of Esther, giving gifts to friends and to the poor, and dressing in elaborate costumes. This is by far the most festive holiday on the Jewish calendar.

Tonight, at sundown, the feast begins for Jews all around the world.

Esther's life is one that I find very inspiring and think of often.  Esther did not seek out this appointment by God, but she was obedient when He called her and she trusted that she would be anointed by God to carry out His purpose through her life.

I think each of us are asked by God to do specific deeds that will further His Kingdom and fulfill His purposes in our lives, but we are afraid we will fail, or we are afraid someone might tell us we aren't worthy to attempt such "Godly" works.  

Today, on this Jewish Feast or Purim, let us remember Esther.  How you courageously went forward and put at end to the evil Haman's plan to destroy the Jewish people.  Afraid?  Hesitant?  Insecure?  I am sure she felt all of these things,at one point or another, but she did it anyway because she knew it was what God wanted.

Is God calling you to stand up for Him and for His people within your circle of influence?  Is He asking you to do something that looks impossible but reassuring you that it is possible with Him?  There are alot of "evil Hamans" in our world, what God is calling for are more Esthers!

To celebrate the Feast of Purim the Jews will prepare little cookies, called Haman cookies.  They are fashioned after the three pointed hat, Haman would have worn. Inside the three sided cookie is a sweet jam.  Some wonder why they call these "Haman Cookies" rather than focusing on   Esther.  I believe (at least for me) that the outside of the cookie represents Haman: his hat, the hardness of his heart, evil.  But the inside of the cookie, which is soft and sweet, reminds me that even when evil or chaos is all around me, Christ lives in the center of my heart and life and His sweet mercy, love and compassion will help me to accomplish all He has called me to do in His name.  Who knew a little cookie could hold such a message?  Who ever dreamed a little Jewish girl names, Esther, would grow up to save her nation with God's help?  Who knew you and I could bring the message of salvation to a hurting world?  God knew.  He always knows.

Perhaps you and your family could prepare these cookies for dessert one evening and then read the Book Of Esther and talk about the lessons we can learn from her life!

Here is the recipe for Haman's Cookies:  

2/3 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup orange juice (the smooth kind, not the pulpy) 1 cup white flour 1 cup wheat flour (DO NOT substitute white flour! The wheat flour is necessary to achieve the right texture!) Various preserves, fruit butters and/or pie fillings. Blend butter and sugar thoroughly. Add the egg and blend thoroughly. Add OJ and blend thoroughly. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating white and wheat, blending thoroughly between each. Refrigerate batter overnight or at least a few hours. Roll as thin as you can without getting holes in the batter (roll it between two sheets of wax paper lightly dusted with flour for best results). Cut out 3 or 4 inch circles. Put a tablespoon of filling in the middle of each circle. Fold up the sides to make a triangle, overlapping the sides as much as possible so only a little filling shows through the middle. Squeeze the corners firmly, so they don't come undone while baking. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes, until golden brown but before the filling boils over!

GUARD YOUR PEACE! TRUST GOD!

Here is a picture of the Sea of Galilee. I had the privilege of being there this past fall. Every time I feel overwhelmed I pull out this picture and I remember that my Jesus WALKED on this water! My Jesus calmed the storm raging around their small fishing boat. When I look at this picture I just get a peaceful feeling. Maybe it will do the same for someone else! ♥

At the Sea of Galilee is a boat that has been carbon dated back over 2,000 years ago. This means this boat could have actually been a fishing boat used by Peter, James, or even Jesus! This boat was very small and certainly the storm would h...ave tossed around those on board and you would become fearful. But Jesus was right there with them and when they asked Him, He called upon God and calmed the storm AND their fears. Jesus promised that He is still "with us". When going through the storms of life and we feel tossed about, like those who were riding in this little wooden boat, remember, the power that calmed that storm is with you still today! Cry out to God and He will, in His perfect timing, bring the storm to an end.

 

 

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

CALGON TAKE ME AWAY....RIGHT NOW!



The other day I was so stressed out over several things going on in my life and with my family that I just became very overwhelmed and discouraged.  As I sat on my couch sobbing there was a moment of clarity when I asked myself, "Karen, what are you going to do now?  Obviously, you cannot throw your hands up in the air and give up.  You have to calm down, eventually, so you might as well get after it!"

One of my favorite ways to de-stress is to first, clear my mind.  The way I do that is by locking the bathroom door and stepping into a warm bubble bath with aromatherapy oil.  So that is exactly what I did.  As I closed my eyes and slid down into the bubbles, I asked the Lord to please renew my mind and strengthen my heart so that I could resume my life refreshed in Him.

Later that evening, God spoke to me about Abraham, Sarah and Isaac.  I picked up my Bible and began reading their story.
(Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7)

These are the thoughts that came to my mind as I read:

Did Sarah make things better by trying to control her situation herself, or would she have been better off waiting on and trusting God?  Obviously, waiting on God and His promise would have been best.

When Abraham was told to sacrifice their son, Isaac, did he tell Sarah that was the plan?  My guess is, he did not.  Because if he had, do you think that bit of information might have stressed his wife out?  Do you think she would have gone along with this plan?  I know that if my husband came to me and said, "Hey, God told me to kill our son as a sacrifice, cool?"  I most definitely would have said "NO THAT'S NOT COOL!" 

And what about Isaac?  Did he know what was going to happen when he left with his father that day?  What were Isaac's thoughts as they made their way to the alter, knowing they didn't have anything to offer?  When Abraham told his son to get on the altar do you think Isaac did it voluntarily or do you think Abraham had to force him?    What do you think Isaac was feeling when he was tied there, his father's hand lifted in the air holding the knife, and tears running down both of their faces?  Do you think both father and son might have felt a little bit stressed?  How did they feel when they both heard that goat/sheep in the brush?  Relieved?

When Abraham and Isaac went back home that day, was Isaac angry? Confused?  Was Abraham grateful and filled with joy because God had provided?  Did Sarah ever know what really happened that day?

My mind sort ran the gammit over all the conversations and feelings that could have taken place in just this one family and this situation.  Eventually, I came back to my own feelings of stress, being overwhelmed and sadness.  This is what I felt God showing me:

1.  I don't control everything, nor do I control everyone.  The only thing I can control are my actions and words.  If I am going to act out in fear and speak without faith then the outcome will probably be less than what God would want me to have.  It is better to follow and trust Him always, to do what I know He calls me to do, and then patiently wait for the storm to pass.  And, it will pass, eventually.

2.  I don't have to have all the answers.  Sometimes I may not have all the information either.  But I trust and know that my God does.  Knowing that He cares for me, loves me with an everlasting love, works all things together for my good, and is right there beside me, is really all I need to know. 

3.  When things are spiraling out of control around me I can either keep my focus on Him or I can focus on the problems.  Isaac knew his father's hand held a knife and was raised over his heart, but I believe he was probably staring at his father's face, staying focused on his father's love for him.  Isaac may have felt anxious during those moments, but I believe his eyes didn't leave his father's. 

4.  When the crisis has passed and God has once again proved Himself faithful do we rejoice or are we angry that we had to go through any of it in the first place?  Do we gripe and complain and tell everyone about all that we had to endure? Do we allow our hearts to harden and become calloused and bitter from the experience or do we rest in Him and then learn from the ordeal, something that can help us in the future?  Or do we give thanks to God for, once again, coming to our rescue in His way and in His perfect timing? 

No doubt I came away from this lesson with alot of questions and not as many answers.  Abraham, Sarah and Isaac were alot like my family.  They had troubles and moments of doubt and insecurity, but they loved God with all of their hearts and God loved them, even with their flaws.  On this particularly stressful evening this was all I really needed to know....

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

ROMANS 5:8

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

 

ROMANS 8:28

 

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

 

MATTHEW 11:28

The Prodigal Mother

As I woman, wife and mom, I have wondered many time about the prodigal son's mother.  In the Bible we read the story about the prodigal, the father and the son (Luke 15:11-32), but there is no mention of the wife and mother.  As I read the parable over and over my imagination begins to put together the story for me.

Where was the prodigal's mother when her son approached his father and asked for his inheritance early?
She was there, standing beside her husband, disappointed that this conversation was taking place.  Wondering "why?" "Why does my son want to do this? What will his father say?"

Where was the prodigal's mother when her husband agreed and gave their son his money and sent him on his way?  I believe she was right there, trying to convince him not to go.  I believe she was right there tenderly kissing his face, hugging him, and taking one long, last look at him as he left.

Where was the prodigal's mother after her son left their home?  I would imagine she was there, in her bedroom, crying herself to sleep.  Wondering if her baby boy was safe.  Crying out to God asking for His mercy and protection over her wayward child.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I believe she was there each long day, waiting and wondering what her son was doing.  I believe she would look out her kitchen window as she prepared meals and watched her husband and their oldest son working in the fields, with tears streaming down her face because she knew there should be three men out there, not just two.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I think there were mornings when she would come to the breakfast table and plead with her husband to take her into the city so they could check on their son.  Make sure that he had enough to eat, a place to sleep and was safe.  I think when her husband responded with a stern, "No, we can not, for he has chosen his way and we must let him go", she turned away and tried to cover her face so he wouldn't see the tears welling up in her eyes.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I imagine she may have been on her knees praying for her son when she began hearing yelling from off in the distance.  She jumped to her feet and looked, once again, out her window, and this time she saw him!  Her baby. Her son making his way towards her husband in the field.  She watched as her husband began giving orders of celebration.  She saw her husband's arms embracing their boy and welcoming him back home.  Her heat pounded with excitement and she breathed out in relief that her prodigal was home and safe once again.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I believe her eyes left the sight of the reunion for a moment as she watched their oldest son taking in all of the celebration.  As his mother she felt his pain, after all, he had stayed.  He was loyal to his father and family.  Where was his reward?  Where was his celebration.  She knew his heart was broken, his spirit grieved and jealousy was brewing.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I believe she found herself back in her prayer closet, on her knees.  Praising the Lord for one son's return, and interceding for another child's healing of heart.

Where was the prodigal mother?  She was doing what mothers do.  Loving.  Praying. Trusting. Waiting.

If you are a prodigal's mom, don't ever give up. God is with you, He loves you and He loves your children.  Do not allow the enemy to fill your heart and mind with fear, or steal your joy and peace.  The devil has no victory over those who are righteous in Jesus Christ!

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

PSALM 37:35  

I WANT A DIVORCE!

I WANT A DIVORCE!       

The story goes like this...

One minister tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even! Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has hurt me!"

The minister suggested an ingenious plan "Why don't you go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him. Make him believe you love him. Then — after you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, drop the bomb. Tell him you want a divorce. That will really hurt him.

"With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful! Boy, will he ever be devastated!" And she did it with enthusiasm. For two months she showed love and kindness, she listened, served and reinforced. When she didn't return to his office, the minister called. "So.are you ready now to go through with the divorce?" "Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered that I really do love him."

This woman's actions changed her feelings. Whether it's a tough relationship, a long-time fear, or a task that seems too big for us to accomplish, sometimes we need to act in faith in order to see it conquered for the Kingdom!

Whatever it may be, let's give it to the Lord today and ask Him to motivate us to go forth with strength and passion — for His sake!

ROMANS 12:17-21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a] says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[b]

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.