Unruly Problems

Everyone I know has been itching for spring to arrive. Even people who don't like to garden are celebrating the bursting forth of buds on the trees and tulips popping up their heads in response to warmth and sunshine.
About a month ago, as I walked in and out of my home, I noticed wonderful clusters of green showing up in various places in my garden. Even when a dust of snow would appear, the green would resist the elements and stay alive.
Oh how happy I was to see some green again!

My mind curiously began to wonder:  what perennial is now beginning to grow back?
Often from one year to next, I forget what perennial I planted where - and therefore spring becomes somewhat of a "treasure hunt".

In the past few years, I've discovered that if I allow a certain annual to remain in the garden right through the fall and into the winter, it will leave copious amounts of seeds that regrow in abundance the next year. What a pleasant discovery! Not only that, but this annual resists cold and continues to deliver lovely white scented flowers mixed with large tufts of green  right into the first harsh cold days of winter.

Between a busy fall and the decision to leave a certain annual... I neglected to fully clear out my gardens as we moved into late fall. I actually liked the look of the various tones of all the browning leaves and the artistic expression they created on the canvas of my garden soil.

Yesterday I finally got to cleaning out my garden.

The small cute, delicate bundles of green that were a welcome sight just a month ago, were out in large groups to greet me. Some even had lovely white flowers to entice me. Problem was.. for the most part, they were all WEEDS.

As usual, my perennials were also popping up, in the carefully planned locations that they had been originally placed. These bright green bundles though had decided it was time to dominate, multiply and take up the real estate of my precious black soil.


Weed - noun

• a valueless plant growing wild, especially one that grows on cultivated ground to the exclusion or injury of the desired crop
• any undesirable or troublesome plant, especially one that grows profusely where it is not wanted: The vacant lot was covered with weeds.

One of the ways God speaks to me is through metaphors. Since becoming a professional coach, the value and message of metaphors has only intensified for me and it has become an incredible tool in my practice. 

Metaphor - noun

•  a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally      applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” 
• something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.

Did you know that a metaphor has the ability to actually create a shift in your thinking and perspective? 

It can actually alter certain neural pathways in your brain.

Metaphors give us a picture of what is, or what could be. Often knowing reality or truth in our head isn't enough for us. We often need to see it in action in order to get a picture of the real impact. 

The right metaphor at the right time can kick start us from knowledge - into experience, action and impact.

Jesus Christ used the power of metaphors in the parables he told. He told allegorical stories to paint a picture in our minds to illustrate and teach a truth.

My garden clean out day, became yet another opportunity for tremendous illustration that drove home a truth and caused me to shift my perspective and make new choices for the future.

And here it is in a nutshell:
 Leaving what seemed like a "beautiful thing" a "last glimmer of life and beauty" in my garden became my excuse not to give my soil the necessary preparation for winter. 

As I write this post, I stop for a moment and google: "importance of cleaning out gardens in the fall"

Oh boy... now it's really hitting home!

Within 15 seconds I see pages of links on this important gardening step. Here's the first thing I click on:

It’s important to clean up all the dead foliage every fall, because garden pests and plant diseases can overwinter in garden debris and cause problems in the garden next year.

No kidding!!! 

Yesterday as my husband and I gardened, we were muttering and complaining about these "unruly problems". What was supposed to be a fun discovery of spring and preparation for growth, ended up being a weed extraction on the mammoth scale!
Not only had these unruly problems taken over real estate on my beautiful black soil, they had creeped onto the lawn. 

By the end of it all, I had a garbage can full of pests  -   a garden that had holes - lost alot of precious soil AND some nasty, pesky roots still trying to hang onto it's turf.

Lesson learned. Metaphor burned into my mind, my spirit, my memory.

As I dug and picked out weeds, I kept asking myself:

What "good or beautiful things" have I decided to keep present longer than what is best? 

What "healthy steps" or "principles" or "processes" have I avoided that are impacting me now?

What are the necessary steps I must take as I exit one season and move into another?

Great questions, and lots of great truths that I am taking away from my time in my garden.

Every choice we make today impacts us in our future. 

Wisdom and truth can become our friend and support structure for future success. 

Doing what feels right or enjoyable in the moment, can be a set up for future "unruly problems" that rob the landscape of our lives and can cost us and take "seasons of time" to bring back into a healthy balance.

What might this metaphor be speaking to you?

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security  - Proverbs 2

1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul

Shantie Songs

This week my family and I went to Trinity Baptist Church to see the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and Glenmore Elementary School perform "How Canada Came to Be: A Story of You and Me"

It was wonderful. I love live music, especially the orchestra type. Those musicians amaze me with their dedication to their craft. I also received a history lesson by song and story. The kids at
Glenmore Elementary School did any amazing job. It was obvious they spent many hours learning and preparing. There was some tremendously gifted kids there.

At one point in the presentation, the kids told stories and showed pictures about how the railroad finally came to BC and how it opened up the ability to send lumber to other provinces. So, loggers would go deep into the woods and sing "shanties" to help bring light hearted joy to their day.

Shanties are the work songs that were used on the square-rigged ships of the Age of Sail. Their rhythms coordinated the efforts of many sailors hauling on lines. Much loved by modern sailors and folk musicians, they are rarely used as work songs today. This is because modern rigging doesn't require many people to be working in the same rhythm for long periods. Loggers sang shantie songs as well as they were deep in the woods of BC.

Monday night I realized, singing while working has been in our DNA since Canada started. 

When I heard this, my heart immediately said, "Yes, Shantie songs!"

There were no radios and ipods and itunes back in the 1800's. All they had was each other and their imagination. Music is a gift in so many ways. It can keep you focused,  remind you of a truth, keep you cheerful and even bring a smile.
One of my "quirks" is that I sing.... all day long. I try to keep it quiet and in my head... but often it bursts out into the atmosphere. Luckily I have very patient co workers who tolerate my continuos singing and humming. I often say: "I just can't help myself!"

Often, I will sing one line, over and over and over as if my subconscious is trying to get me to learn something. Of late, its been only a few lines:

"I've got a feelin, today's gonna be a good day.
Today's gonna be a good day, today's gonna be a good good day."

I even have it as my alarm ring, and I'll tell you what, I awake happy and humming this to myself and my family as I prepare for another day.

"whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think (sing, hum) about such things."

What "shantie song" are you singing of late? How has it helped you?

Habits

Habits. I have a few.... well maybe more than a few. We all have them. Some are ridiculous, some are a tad bit eccentric and others came because our mothers, mothers, aunt did it.
Some habits, when done repeatedly, bring forth great fruit in our lives. Others....well, they are downright nasty. They lead to death.
Anyone who knows me well, knows my eccentric and familiar habits. Like when I really enjoy something, I talk about it, over and over and over again. Its good because this habit causes me to REALLY appreciate or notice something. The annoying part is that those close to me hear it over and over again to the point of annoyance. That's when I hear snickering, and things like: "Yes mom, we know, you LOVE these flowers. Yes we know they have such beautiful little petals. You already told us 5 times!!!"

Now, I'm being kind to myself on this blog, by not mentioning all the nasty habits I have that don't bear any good fruit at all. Let's just say there are lots.
Tonight, as I was reading and pondering on Psalm 130, I came across a revelation.
God has a habit too!!!

Psalm 130 says:
^3-4 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that's why you're worshiped.

When I read this and I chuckled to myself. "Hey! God has a habit!!" And what a profound one it is. I only wish it could be mine. I often intend for it to be a habit of mine, much like I intend to make exercise a habit... ahh, but alas, I haven't done anything to start the exercise habit. Why? Because I don't like the discipline it takes. I like the results, but I don't want to do the hard work.

Some times I choose forgiveness, but I wouldn't say its a habit of mine. I'd like it to be but it is not always my natural response. Sometimes it takes me a few days of harboring unforgiveness and feeling its deathly effects before I realize I could be free if I just would forgive. I guess it will take more discipline to choose the way of forgiveness first. Then, maybe after time, I will find it to be a habit of response. Wouldn't that be great? In the mean time, I'm grateful God is in the habit of forgiving me, and his kindness makes me ask for help and want to offer the same gift to others.

Its Time To Ask

Why are we so afraid to ask God for things?

Do we think He won't like it?
Do we think it is too "unimportant" or trivial to ask Him for things that are on our heart?

Are we afraid of the answer, so much so, that we don't even ask?
Is there something wrong with asking?

These are questions on the mind of many of us. Sometimes we get so stuck considering asking, that we don't even bother. Somehow we think we have to know the outcome before we ask.

What is your perspective?
What do you think is God's perspective?
How big is God?
Have I asked enough questions yet?

Listen to words of Jesus found in Matthew 7

Matthew 7:7-11 (New International Version)

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

It's time to ask. He is waiting to create "God stories" in your life

Start Singing!

This morning I awoke to an amazing gift. Not only did I get to sleep in, but the melodious sound of one solitary bird, caused my ears to perk up, and caused an immediate reaction in my heart.

I went from sleepy, to hopeful, and happy in an instant.

This meant that spring will soon be coming!

After a long winter of silence. One solitary bird, singing a melody, awoke me from my slumber.

In that moment I was reminded that February is known as the "darkest month" It is a month where many struggle with depression and the symptoms of it are exacerbated and cause many to fall prey to its damaging pressure. Some even consider suicide.

Each of us have an ability to "sing" songs of hope. Not only with a tune, but in a myriad of ways.
I believe that our lives are a reflection of worship. This is why I have this blog. Its to remind you - of your great purpose.

True worship is outward expression of an inward reality.

I want to remind you today, even in this moment, to SING!
Sing, to help draw others out of darkness and into light. Sing to remind others of the hope and promise of spring.

Now, I don't mean you literally have to sing (although personally I love it) For some of us, people around us may not appreciate our vocal talents, but they sure would love to be reminded that the winter season doesn't last forever!

Sometimes, when the days are dark, we need just one simple little "bird" to remind us of the promises that are available to us, and freely given by a loving God.

You are destined to live a lifestyle of worship, and the greatest thing you can do is share the joy and remind others of who God is.

You get to display His character, promises and kindness to others whenever you choose to.

It can come in the most amazing "unique-to-you" packages! Like, writing a note of encouragement, or opening a door with a smile for a frustrated young mom with screaming babies. Or, it could be shoveling a driveway, or sharing a word of encouragement, or being kind even when you don't want to be.
The possibilities are endless!!

If you ask God, don't worry, He'll show you how to "sing", and it will not only bring you a sense of purpose, but it will bring life and light to someone who is desperately trying to push back the darkness.

So, my friends... START SINGING!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter.

When Fear Comes Crawling Your Way

This past Sunday I had the privilege of leading worship. Oh how I love to play music and sing songs that speak of the faithfulness of God.
This week - I had clear orders from God. He wanted us to focus on Him - in the midst of trial.
Each song had a theme. A song of overcoming - praising in the midst of a storm - an acknowledgment that He is with us - He is holding on to us - He will NEVER let go.
When we are in the midst of trial, fear loves to come creeping our way. Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear and faith both believe in something that has not happened yet. One brings death - and more fear - the other brings life, hope and peace. Funny thing - yesterday as I was leading worship - there were a few moments where we hit "a lull" A spot - where it "felt - flat"... "like it wasn't going anywhere"

We all have them in life. Times where we "feel" nothing, or we "feel" like we are going backwards or we "feel" opposition or trouble creeping our way. Jesus said: In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."


Right at the moment when things hit a "lull"... a spider crawled over the top of my keyboard.

Now, anyone who knows me - knows that I HATE spiders, and I mean HATE.

They have this ability to cause fear to rise within my heart. Why?.....because I let them. I let them create fear in me.



This big ugly spider crawled around my keyboard for the next 10 minutes. Every time I lifted my hands from the keys to try and push it away.. it would crawl off - only to reappear.

I had an object of fear trying to crawl all over my object of worship. It appeared right when I was at a crucial point in worship. In this moment I had to decide to partner with the "feelings" and resign myself to its effects, or to choose to press into the things He had spoken to me in preparation for the morning. It was my choice.

We all have crossroads - or intersections in our journey with God. Circumstances and roadblocks come our way- and then fear creeps up and present itself. Partnering with fear can stop us from advancing on the path that He has for us. Fear will always try to hinder us from moving forward. It brings with it two nasty friends called doubt and unbelief. Both pull us off the path that God has for us.

If we become distracted by fear - we can stop advancing and never see the future that only faith can bring us. In these moments, we must lay our feelings aside. We must advance in faith. We can't get side tracked by the things that fear brings. Fear brings distraction from His divine purposes.

Normally, a spider would completely distract me. Normally I would recoil at the sight of spider and squeal in disgust and fear. Usually it involves reactions like - jumping- yelling, screaming and a big EWWWWWWW! and a shutter. (if you don't believe me- just ask my husband)
I certainly would not want to come back to that keyboard until I was sure it was dead and gone. But I couldn't do that.... I was operating in my assignment from God, I was engaged in His kingdom activities, and I had to say NO to fear.

This spider was just an outward picture of what was actually happening in the spirit realm. God had an assignment for me. It would require faith and courage even when fears comes crawling my way.

As I stayed focused on what He told me - the spider kept crawling in and out of my sight. Right when we advanced as a body in the spiritual realm - the spider came crawling right next to my fingers. In the moment of worship that brought spiritual breakthrough - I took my index finger and with all my energy flicked it right off the keyboard - and the power behind it - smacked that spider dead! Ha!

I was an over comer!
I believe that an overcomer is one who faces fear and turns to Jesus with eyes of faith and sets their focus on the ONE who brings peace and security despite what we see with our eyes, or feel with our emotions.

What is the assignment God has before you this week - this month?
What is the fear that keeps crawling your way?
What strategies is He giving you to overcome and advance?

Perspective

Recently I had the privilege to go on a Worship Tour to Europe.
One day near the end of the trip we had an opportunity to take an adventure through the roads of Switzerland.
It was an overcast day, and we were wondering if we would be able to see the top of the mountains.


After touring a bit, we took a gondola ride right through the thick clouds, to the top of Santis Mountain.The view from the top was breathtaking. Here the clouds were way below us, and here the sun was shining. Here the air was fresh, all it was overwhelmingly quiet and peaceful.

As I walked along the top and took in the view, I was reminded once again of the majesty of God. At the top, there was great peace, sun - above all the clouds - and a sense of awe.

All of a sudden, all the "cares or concerns" that had been floating through my mind the past few days.... disappeared.


All of a sudden they weren't so important anymore. They seemed small in comparison to the vastness of these majestic mountains.

Immediately God reminded me of how small my concerns were in light of the greatness of His power and provision.

In these moments the phrase,"Don't sweat the small stuff" all of a sudden had meaning.



In this moment, God reminded me that He has a greater perspective about my life, than I do.
He sees things from a different perspective.

Its not that my cares or concerns are unimportant, but more that they are not "big mountainous problems" to Him.

Sometimes when we focus on our problems, needs, concerns, or even perspectives so much.... they become greater... larger... sometimes insurmountable.
Sometimes, we think our concerns, or views are huge..... like a huge mountain. Sometimes we see only clouds all around..... we only see in part.

Yet... God sees all things.... not just our part of the world. He sees things universally. To Him, nothing is impossible. Nothing is beyond His watchful eye. Nothing is insignificant, nor overwhelming for Him.

That day, and every day I see this mountainous picture I am reminded that He is the Creator of the universe. I am reminded that His heavenly perspective is always much greater than mine. I am reminded to take His view, and leave mine behind. There I will find peace and perspective.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9

The Power Of Preparation

God is teaching me lately to NEVER underestimate the power of preparation and servant hood.

There have been many many areas where I have volunteered over my lifetime, and there have been days, when I have wondered, "Why am I doing this?!! I'm not getting paid!! Am I wasting my time?" In these moments of "soulish" thinking, God always reminds me of the scripture in Ephesians 6:7-8

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

He always reminds me that He is the one who led me to serve in those areas, and that ultimately it was Him that I was serving, and He always keep an account of our servant hood before Him. We do however have to be careful that we are not serving to gain recognition, or affirmation from others, but if God has led you there, then He will reward you in it. He has a plan of preparation for your life that is not your thinking, but His divine plan.

The word PREPARE means:

To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson.
To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defense;

God will use even the most difficult of situations to prepare us. He may not intended for those difficult situations, however He will teach us and give us strategies in these circumstances that will prepare us even more for what He has in store for us. Eph. 6 says that He will reward EVERYONE for whatever good he does.

Gods reward system doesn't look like the world's reward system. I have not been able to completely understand His reward system, however, I have been able to experience some of it.

Often His rewards look like, peace, or an increase of knowledge, an understanding of His character or a certain attribute, or learning the value of servant hood. The list is endless and custom tailored to what you need.
If God has asked you to serve in an area, then it is never a waste of time. During seasons of servant hood, He is working deep lessons into your spirit man, and having you partner with Him to sow seeds of righteousness that may not surface a bear fruit for a time. But make no mistake, they will bear fruit. God cannot go against His laws of sowing and reaping.

Of late, God has been showing me all the skills that I have learned while serving and volunteering. He has been showing me that all this time, He has been training and preparing me for His ultimate purpose for my life. He has had a "custom-made destiny" set up for me, and all the preparation, and days of serving have been in His plan. How exciting!! All this time, He has been setting me up. He is setting you up. No lesson or experience is a waste of time in His kingdom.
So today, if you are a little weary in well-doing, remember that you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ and he always keeps an accurate record. And He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He's the best investment plan that I know.

For I know the plans I have for You, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

God, today we choose to submit to Your plans for our lives, recognizing that wherever we are serving right now, is part of Your plan for preparation. Help us to remember that all we do is for you. Our lives are a reflection of worship before You, and You see it all.

Feelings.........Nothing more than feelings

One of my husbands favorite topic to speak on is the difference between soul and spirit living.

The soul consists of our mind, will and emotions. If these 3 things are not in subjection to the Spirit of God .............. we can get ourselves in serious trouble.
One of these 3 would love to rule our lives, and for women, it seems that the emotions would love to rule. We are emotional beings and this is a gift, and something that makes us extra-special, however, if our emotions are allowed to rule, it makes us "extra-especially difficult to deal with!!" I should know! I've done it way to often.

God has had me on a journey of learning to allow His Spirit to rule my emotions. Some days I really blow it. On these days, I allow myself to go on the unpredictable roller-coaster ride that only emotions can take you on.
Remember the old song..........."Feelings, nothing more than feelings......... trying to forget my feelings............. Feelings......... woa , woa, woa, feelings..............
Being ruled by our feelings makes us go woa, woa, woa and moan and get stuck in a mucky mire what I call Stinkin Thinkin. So far, this road has never taken me anywhere but on a downward spiral. That's why we need the word, we need to listen to His Spirit and we need honest friends that we can dialouge with, and will tell us honestly if we are only leaning on our emotions.

I recently read something that said, " The way I see it, is not the way it is, it is just the way I see it. " Emotions can cause thing to appear different that what they really are. It can cause a word turn to a criticism and it can cause hope to turn to discouragement, and confidence into insecurity. It can also stir up feelings of love, tenderness and kindness.
There are benefits and negatives to emotions. The thing we need to remember is that God's Spirit needs to be the plumbline that we bring each emotion to. We cannot allow our emotions to rule how we feel. We are not what we feel. We are who His words says that we are, we are who His Spirit says that we are.
Sometimes our emotions will choose to agree with this, and other days, we will have to function and press in knowing that we are not our feelings. These too will pass, but His word remains the same.
When you are faced with a day full of feelings (and we all have those days!), remember to stop, ask Jesus what He has to say about those feelings. His Spirit will bring them into the light and stop any wrong thinking that have been ruled by our feelings. Just one word from Him can realign those "feelings" into faith and believing for what His word says is true.
"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

Been Thinking Again!

Yes, I'm a bit of an introspective thinker. Anyone who knows me really well would know that I'm over the top with thinking inwardly. My mind is always a flurry of thoughts.

My mission with this blog is to encourage others to understand that Worship Is A Lifestyle, not just something we sing or when we take in a church service. It is an outward reflection of an inward reality.

Lately God has been speaking a message to me that I have not unpackaged yet, but here is the beginning stages of it. I know that He is asking me to declare this to His body at large, how.... I have no idea. (That will be His problem to work out) It is not a new message, but one that needs to be said again.

The body of Christ needs to hear, listen and receive that Ministry Is A Lifestyle.
Ministry is not about working full time in a church! You have not arrived in "Ministry" when you are working part-time or full-time for a church or ministry, or even volunteering or leading something.
You are The Ministry!!!
Your life carries the fragrance of Jesus 24 hours a day. Listen to what 2 Tim 4:5 says,

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you.

Only you can fulfill the ministry that God has given you, and it started the day you met Jesus.

It doesn't begin when you take a position to lead or take a job in a ministry. The moment you awake and place your feet on the bedroom floor, your ministry has begun. Only you can fulfill it. He has divine appointments set up and waiting for you each day. The problem is, we often miss them because we have a mindset that "Ministry" must happen in a certain forum or venue. NO!!! It happens daily, at whatever you put your hands to.

Please forgive me if I sound agitated, but well............ I am. The Holy Spirit is agitating my spirit man and prompting me to seek Him out for a clear message about this. We need a paradigm shift on this matter. Precious time is being wasted. It doesn't matter where you work, you are the work of the ministry.
Your paycheck doesn't really come from your boss, it comes from Him. He's your boss, and He has you set in place to reveal His character. Right where you are, Right Now.

He has a calling of ministry on your life, and it involves whatever you are doing today. You are not on hold waiting for your ministry. Its here, right now.
Col. 3 admonishes us in this.

16 Let the Word of Christ - the Message - have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17 Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24 confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ.

Beholding and Becoming

Recently I was reading from a new book by Bill Johnson. Something he said jumped out at me, I've heard it before, but it stuck in my mind and spirit.

"We always become like the one we worship" How thought-provoking?!

I'll have to meditate on this for a while and wonder who I look like.

Do I reflect the one I worship? Is it a reflection of God or am I reflecting something else that I have set my attention or affections to?

I wonder if we often reflect things other than God. It is easy to get sidetracked and have the object of our attention be on something other than Him, or His perspective.
Many times I can focus way more on my needs, my worries or concerns, than on the only One who deserves my worship, and my attention. When this happens, it is often reflected in my countenance and my disposition.

Thank God that He is the business of redeeming us and setting us free and setting our affections back on Him.

Col. 3:1-2
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you.
Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Worship is all about looking up and looking to Him.

I am learning that what I focus on , I empower in my life. As I spend more time living a life of worship with Him, I will become more like Him.
Worship is a lifestyle and requires that we invite Him into even the most mundane tasks of our day. We may think that God would find it boring, or that He may not be interested, but the Psalms says otherwise.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me, You know when I sit and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Ps. 139:1-2

God, thank You that You know everything about our lives. You know about all the little details and You are concerned. Help us to focus on who You are.
This is true worship; living and believing in who You are, and leaving the problems with You.
Help us to focus more on beholding who You are and out of that place, we will become more like You. We want become like You and reflect Your heart.

Remembering

Lately, God has been reminding me of past promises.

Often these promises come in the form of Him speaking directly, or in His word, or through a prophetic word. I have learned that each prophetic word must be weighed and tested against His word, and by taking it to Him and asking Him if this is a good fit. We must always recognize that prophetic words often come through human filters, and we need to take it back to God and put it through His filter of His word, and His Spirit.

There are many words that have been spoken to me by God or through others that God has been reminding me of lately. You see, words that are truly from Him, He NEVER forgets. He is the one that orders our steps.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Is. 49:15-16


Frequently situations arise in life that seem to be the direct opposite of our promises. Recently I had a situation arise, that caused me to doubt His promises for me, because it seemed the opposite. This is when He reminded me and said:

"Nothing and no one in heaven or earth can stop you from doing what I have called You to be. If I want you in a certain place, it will happen."

He reminded me that only my choice can stop His promises from being fulfilled. He is a gentleman and will not make me choose His plan and strategy for my life. I must choose to partner with Him on this.

He already knows our hearts desires and has plans to fulfill them. Where we get stopped dead in our tracks, is when we assume that it will happen a certain way, or at a certain time. We can even go as far to think that someone else will help make our destiny happen.

There is only one creator of our destiny, that is God. Our choice to partner with Him, sets us on the course for the release of His perfect timing. Success is not in attaining the goal, but in growing with Him and learning from Him along the journey.

Many of us waste countless hours and gain ulcers or wrinkles over remembering our past mistakes, or hurts or injustices. This type of thinking does not come from God. Love does not keep records of wrongs.

God wants us to remember His promises. There are many promises in His word that are meant for all of us, and there are plans that He has, that are custom-molded just for us!

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, Ps. 105:5


Do you trust Him to present your desires to Him. Do you trust Him to remember your promises?

Are you willing to forget your past mistakes? Mistakes are only opportunities for us to go to God and learn new ways from Him. Our only mistake would be if we don't turn to him in times of disappointment or failure.
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Ps. 103:12

Do you believe that He has plans and intentions to fulfill them?

Do you believe that nothing can stop you from His purposes, save your own choice?

Are you willing to lay aside, or forget situations or thoughts that hold you in captivity and make you feel like a failure?

Are you willing to ask God to remind you of His promises that are meant just for you?
I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jer.29:11

Today is a brand new day. Ask Him to remind you of His plans for your life, and thank Him for the journey that you are on towards fulfilling His plans. Focus on what He is doing, what He is saying to you, and ask Him where He is, and how can you join Him.


But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The Antidote For Fear

Fear is an enemy of love. It takes us captive and makes us a slave to its bitter effects. It is what stops us from walking in the understanding of His love. Fear will become your companion in an instant, and will be difficult to get rid of.

The effects of fear are doubt and unbelief, anxiety, worry and dread. Fear takes us away from His divine purposes for our lives, and can limit our thinking.

For over a few months now, I have been reading, meditating, and listening to God and allowing Him to show me how I have chosen to allow fear to operate in my life. Here are some definitions of fear.

Fear

---

A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm.

---

To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.

---

To be anxious or solicitous for.

---

To suspect; to doubt.

---

To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.


Fear can become a way of living, due to the environment we were raised in, or difficult things that have happened to us, or because we have chosen to believe our opinion, over the truth of His word, and that His love is enough.

The bible says that nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love, and yet we often choose to believe the lies that fear tells us.

Fear has damaging effects, and for centuries it has ravaged relationships, has destroyed confidence and most importantly our belief in who God really is.

Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fear does not come from God, and He cannot be a part of it. It is anti-love.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound judgment 1 Tim 4:7

The only thing that can drive out fear, is God's love. There are no other solutions that will work.
Positive thinking alone will never bring lasting change and deliverance from fear. It will only cause us to lean on our own abilities to push away fear, and brings exhaustion, striving and eventual failure.

God has good news for all of us. There is an antidote to fight fear.

The remedy, is in knowing and accepting His love as enough, and the only answer. God's love brings confidence and an ability to see our lives, and others lives from His perspective.

Lord, help us to truly receive and walk in the revelation of Your great love.
Help us to see that as we continue to walk in this truth, Your love will drive out the fear in our lives.

Help us to see that Your love alone will bring with it great spiritual and emotional rewards.

The Secret To Success

I am discovering the power of ancient secret. Its free, and available to us all.
It carries the key to success in every area of our life.
We do not need an education to have it, and you cannot fail with it.

It will bring power, freedom and joy to all who use it.

The bible says that LOVE NEVER FAILS.
For those of us who struggle with issues of perfectionism, or desiring to be right, this is a sure-fire route to success. Love, never fails.


When we feel like we are failing or others are failing, is this because we are not choosing to look at ourselves or others with eyes of love? Are we failing to love?
Jesus felt that the issue of love was so foundational that He made it a first commandment.

Matthew 22:34
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

The love of Jesus compelled Him to come and pay for every sin we will ever commit. His sacrifice is enough.
God wants us to change our perceptions of love in for His. We are worth what God paid for us. Our limited view of love, has caused us to function in limited beliefs that only cause us to fail.

God's word is the absolute truth. The truth is that love carries great rewards.

LOVE

1. Keeps us connected with God (John 15:19)
   
2. Does no harm to its neighbor (Romans 13:10)
3. Helps us function in the benefits of 1 Cor. 13
4. NEVER FAILS ( 1Cor. 13:8)
5. Is the greatest gift (1 Cor.13:13)
6. It compels us (2 Cor.5:14)
7. It is the first fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)
8. Surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:19)
9. Holds the body of Christ together (Eph. 4:16)
10. It is a virtue that brings unity (Col. 3:14)
11. Brings encouragement to others (Phm. 1:7)
12. Makes us a child of God ( 1 John 3:1)
13. Makes us know God ( 1 John 4:7)
14. Drives out fear and punishment (1 John 4:18)
15. Causes us to love our brother (1 John 4:20)
16. Makes us known to the world

God, Help us to know that You chose to love us first. We cannot escape Your precious love.

Help us to lay down our wrong perceptions about love and accept it first for ourselves.
We know that Your love will teach us how to love ourselves and then love others.

Help us to truly accept this ancient key, so that we can walk in all the great rewards that only Your love has to offer.

A New Day - A New Perspective

Well, the official 21 Day Reformation is over, and yet it is just the beginning of a new way of life for me.

God has been speaking to His Bride for a while now about what we focus on , and what we speak about. Everyone that I have talked with lately is being transformed by His mighty power.

I believe that if we choose, we are on the precipice of a brand new season.

I have been meditating for over a month now on judgements. They come in various forms. Self judgements, judging peoples hearts, motives and actions, judging God and why He does what He does, etc.
It all comes from not really knowing and believing His love and the truth of His word. This inability is formed when we are children, and have learned a lense to percieve love.

After focusing for 21 Days, I am even more aware of my great need of Him, of His transforming power, and my need to understand and recieve the fullness of His love as He perfectly intended it for me.


"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

New Every Morning

Every day that we awake is a day of new chances. An opportunity to partner with God, and see Him work. You see, either way, God is at work, but if we choose, we can join with Him and He will show us what He is doing.

Does that mean our day goes smoothly with no problems? Absoluetly not, often it seems the opposite.

Lamentations 3:21-36 says

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

When we approach each new day, remembering His goodness from the day before, we have the right to ask Him to show us what He is doing, and what He wants us to learn and where He wants us to go, do and say.

John 5:19 "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Today is a day for you brimming with endless opportunites to view things His way, to see things from His perspective, and to do what He wants you to do.

Where you go, I'll go, What You say, I'll say God, What You pray I'll pray.

What's Your Handicap- A lesson from the least of these..

I have been blessed with a special needs child. Her name is Lindsay and her life message to me has been - Grace. She is my greatest teacher. To say that these past 17 years have been easy would be an outright lie. We have helped her endure 14 surgeries, countless illness and overwhelming obstacles, discouragement, and set backs. She has a very rare chromosome deletion, of which she seems to be one of the most severely affected. Her mental capacity is that of a 6 month old. Her physical body and mind are severely affected, yet she is one of the most pure, loving, tender, cheerful, optimistic people I have every met on the face of the earth. Each day her very presence confronts my wrong thinking.

Although she has huge weaknesses according to the worlds standards, I cannot help but absolutely adore her and cherish all the special things about her, like her ability to smile, the fact that she unconditionally loves me and everyone else around her. She thinks the whole world loves her, and she exudes a level of joy and trust that is beyond anything I have ever experienced. I have this special shirt that I love to wear on her. It says, "Spoil me rotten, because I'm worth it" One Sunday during worship the Lord showed me that this is a message for his church. You see, we all have weaknesses, we are imperfect, we are handicapped. The way of the world is to reject anything less than perfect. God reminded me that all of us are like her, some of us can’t see well, some of us are stinky, or walk funny etc, and despite all that, He wants to "spoil us rotten" because His love is what make us worthy. He has an ability to see the unique hidden treasures that only you possess.

The word Handicap means "thing that makes progress or success difficult; a physical or mental disability, disadvantage"

So, what is yours? We all have them, some of us more than others. Does that make us less likely to be loved, accepted or successful? No, it makes us more in need of Jesus.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 says,
"My grace is sufficient for you (not everyone but you), for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake , I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong"

May this simple message penetrate your spirit and speak truth to the lies that you have been believing about yourself. May the level of His power increase in Your life and may you in turn, share this lesson of acceptance and grace to all those "less than perfect ones" around you, and find the hidden treasures that they possess.

The Cup Or The Pitcher?

The other morning as I was getting myself ready for the day, God gave me a picture and said, this is for you and its for My people. He showed me a picture of a cup and said,

"You (Cheryl, my people) are the cup. You spend a lot of time, looking at how empty, or almost empty the cup is, how it is not the size you want it to be, how it isn't as nice as someone else's cup, or how cracked the cup is. I really want you to stop focusing on the cup! Instead, you need to focus on the Pitcher. I am the Pitcher, I am your Fountain. Even if your cup is completely cracked, it doesn't matter, because I have an endless supply for you."

Listen to what Jesus says to us in John 7:37-38

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."

I'm sure you've often heard the statement........ Are you looking at the glass being half full or half empty? I feel like God is asking me to take an even greater step, and just stop looking at the cup all together. Whenever I look at my weaknesses or my limitations, or the things that are not going well for me........ I end up on a really quick downward spiral that ends up in discouragement, lack of courage, fear of failure, insecurity, and definiely no sense of trust. That's because I am looking to myself, and quite frankly, I'm not God and I don't have all the answers!
If we continue to look at ourselves, we are truly not worshipping. Well, we are.......... but the wrong person! You see, what we focus on, we empower.

God already has all the power, but we have to activate it in our lives, we have to place our affections on the One who will sustain us. God is so in love with us, that He wants to do more than just sustain us, He wants to bless us, above and beyond all that we can ask or even think of! Now some of us have really active imaginations and we can dream big, but even for those............ there is more.

We all know the familiar scripture in Jeremiah 29:11 that says,
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I have been really challenged to come to Him and focus on Him. I need to focus on His attributes, His character, and what He has to say. I need to keep my head under the fountain, I need to look to the source, to the Pitcher. This is where I will find my strength, my supply, and the strategies for every area in my life.

The Stabilizer

For the past 2-3 weeks, I am continuously drawn to Psalm 124 and Psalm 94. Here David is in the midst of tremendous stress, opposition, and running from his enemies. The phrase that has jumped out at me the most, has been........
HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD.
I am becoming keenly aware, that Had it not been for the Lord......... There through ever circumstance........ Through every trial, and every decision............ Where would I be? A lot worse off that is for sure.
The Everday bible quotes Ps. 124 this way - "What if the Lord had not been on our side?" In Psalm 94 it says - "If the Lord had not helped me, I would have died in minute"
The Message quotes Ps 124 this way - "If God hadn't been for us..." And Psalm 94 reads - "If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it"

I get so charged up reading these words. Why? Because it is a statement of Who is in charge.

He is our stabilizer, He is the one who ultimately decides our outcome.

Sure, we get to make choices of whether we want to live lives of integrity and character, but we don't get to decide how people respond to us, and sometimes, the things that happen to us. Even when we blow it, and we make a mistake, and we are in over our heads................. God is there for us!
I have to tell you that if God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it!
Reality is, we all mess up from time to time. Not because we mean to, but because maybe we made a wrong choice. The beauty is, its not about what you did wrong, or who is in the wrong............ The real question is, Who do we run to when things are going wrong?

"Our help is in the name of the Lord. Who made heaven and earth"

He is the only one who has ever been able to truly help me, sometimes He helps me through the listening ears of a caring friend, sometimes its in a warm hug, sometimes its in correction and instruction, but ultimately, it comes from Him.
He is the One who stabilizes every situation, the One who brings clarity, refuge, He becomes a hideout, our defender, our confidant, our Help.......... And the list goes on. Who is He to you?