WELL

Today, I have been spending some time in my Bible and my eyes fell upon John 4 and Jesus meeting the woman at the well. It is a story many of us have heard and many pastors have preached about. Today as I read the story again my eyes kept going back to the word "well". I decided to do a quick definition search on-line for the word. Some definitions included: "a deep hole or shaft" ; " a container, or reservoir" ; "an abundant source or open space" ; "an enclosed space for receiving or holding something".

I then went back to my Bible and read the story again. As I am sure you know, God has a plan and a meaning for everything. It was not by chance that Jesus met "this woman" at a "well". It was not by accident that their conversation revealed her past and current situation, in regard to her husbands, or her live-in boy friend. Obviously, this woman was very troubled and was looking and longing for something more, although she really had no idea what it was she needed in order to complete her and bring her the kind of life she truly longed for.

Suddenly, the word "well" jumped off the page again to me. THAT'S IT! God KNEW her hurt was so deep, so buried in a hole inside of her heart that He sent Jesus to meet her at the "well". The way Jesus spoke to her "well" , her "situation", He showed her that He knew and understood her need for something else, something that was life-giving and eternally satisfying. He told her how she could fill up that "reservoir", that "container" , with a "living water" that would refresh her soul and bring her new life! The deep well of hurt, confusion and disappointment could be healed and should could instead have an "abundance" of peace, hope, joy and love for eternity!

John 4:25 & 26 records the conversation between Jesus and the woman at the well and her accepting Him as the Messiah. At that moment her heart changed. She went back to her village and told the people, "Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?" And they went to see for themselves.

The Bible goes on to record how MANY of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to Him because of THIS woman's witness. They asked Jesus to stay longer so Jesus stayed an extra two days. Alot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what He had to say. They said to the woman, "We're no longer taking this on your say-so. We've heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He's the Savior of the world!"

All of this brought me to my own "well" experience. I had been married five times, and the man I was living with then, was not yet my husband. I had been looking for something, someone, to fill the "deep well" of hurt and disappointment in my own life. I had become an outcast because of my choices, I was alone. But Jesus met me right where I was and in a little church in Quincy, Il., the pastor preached a message that I knew was Christ talking directly to me. It convinced me that He did know me, inside and out, and it was time I knew Him.

What is the "deep well" of hurt in your life that is holding you back from experiencing His complete hope, peace, joy and love?

What does your heart "hold or contain"? Is it anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, or fear? Do these things need to be replaced with an "abundance of Jesus, The Messiah?"

God does not do anything with it having a purpose or meaning. A little word like "well" really got my attention today.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.

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.