Still Small Voice

40 Days of Reflection 

Although Zachary and I were home sick today, our Small Group Children's Church lesson was the conclusion of the story of Elijah. This is one of my top five favorite Old Testament stories. Last week we learned about how Elijah stood for God against the prophets of Baal, Ahab and Jezebel. He was the catalyst for God to prove before all the people that He was the TRUE God of Heaven. This week was the lesson was that even after all that, Elijah felt alone and afraid and went off by himself. God took care of him and Elijah waited to hear from God. Elijah saw many loud and powerful signs, but God was not in them. Finally, God sent a still small voice and Elijah heard from God.

 (‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11-13‬a NLT)

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. Then Elijah heard it,"

Many times we search for God in the BIG, extreme signs. Sometimes, God speaks in the quiet that causes us to really be listening. Recently, God has spoken to me about BIG things, but He has spoken in very subtle ways.

Sometimes we are discouraged when we think God isn't there. We think we can't see Him at work or hear Him, but He is there. 

Just like Elijah, sometimes in that discouragement, God speaks in a still small voice - after the BIG event has seemed to pass.

I see that Jesus also experienced something similar. After his "Big Reveal" into ministry, his baptism, God spoke through the Holy Spirit, announcing that this was His Son in whom he was very pleased. Then Jesus was sent into the wilderness, alone and tempted by the devil. I'm sure it was very quiet and maybe God's voice wasn't easily heard. But God sent His Angels to comfort and attend to him. Even though, Jesus may have felt alone and and tired, God was there and taking care of His needs.

Mark 1:9-13

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted[a] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

There are many unknowns in my life, just as there are in others. Sometimes I feel like for every exciting "Mt Carmel" experience , I then feel alone and scared. Or every time, I feel like God may be pleased with something that I've done, the devil tempts me to believe that I am a failure. I'm thankful that like Elijah and Jesus and a host of other spiritual ancestors that have felt the same way, God was always there!!

This Lent I want to listen, so I can hear the still small voice. I pray you can do the same!

A New Start

40 Days of Reflection

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ HCSB)

This has always been one of my favorite verses. It is such a promise and encouragement. We sin daily and knowing that we can be forgiven and cleansed is an undeserved blessing, that we should never take for granted. As a teen, I had a teacher who referred to this verse as the "Christian's Bar of Soap". Just like real soap and bodily cleanliness, we have to use it to get clean! 

Many times we live in our sin, instead of confessing, receiving forgiveness and moving on to do better. 

During this time of Lent, I pray that God will reveal any hidden sins and that I will confess, receive forgiveness and be clean!

This prayer has been included in one of my Lenten readings and the more I pray it, the more God is showing me.

Help me, Lord Jesus, die to self this day. (silence) 

Light of the world, shine into my darkness. (silence) 

Jesus, show me how to serve the members of Your Body. (silence) 

Enliven my spirit as I reveal myself to You in written word. (silence)

I pray that something I share on this Blog will help someone to grow closer to God. Then Easter can be a glorious celebration of our risen Savior and the newness of life we can have in Him! 

All In

40 Days of Reflection

"This lenten season, let’s do more than suspend our vices—let's run to Christ. Let’s be brave, come out of hiding, and be reconciled to Him." Rebecca Faires

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. She Reads Truth - Day 3: Springtime   #shereadstruth

This was in one of my devotions today. It spoke so loudly to me. I don't want Lent to just be another thing I do. I want it to matter and make a difference. With reckless abandon, I want to run to Jesus, press into His holiness and hang on with all my might!!!  

Over the last few weeks and especially yesterday, there have been several prayer concerns that have gripped my heart. Real needs. Health, spiritual, job, future plans, huge decisions, even some matters of life and death.  I'm so thankful that I have a relationship with Jesus that allows me to pray directly to Him with every need. But God isn't just an umbrella for tough times. Our relationship with Him needs to be "all in". Not just during Lent, or at Christmas or at Easter. ALL the time.

So, I am praying that right now, during Lent and every day of my life, I will "run to Christ. Be brave, come out of hiding, and be reconciled to Him." 

I hope this is your prayer too.

Nothing That I Could Have Done

40 Days of Reflection

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬ NLT)

During Lent I find myself looking inwardly and trying to reflect on what God's grace really means. I'm not sure if it's the season, the fact that I give up some distractions or that I am truly seeking God, but it always seems like the reflection always leads to the realization that I am nothing without God. No matter how many good things I do or say. No matter how many "random" acts of kindness, I perform. I will NEVER earn God's grace. But the awesome thing is that I don't need to - it's FREE!!! 

Without a lot of embarrassing detail, let me just say that I know what it's like to live in sin. I even know what it's like to live in sin and go to church every Sunday. I'm not proud of that, but it's helped me be the person I am today. I realize what God saved me from. I can see how others are longing to find peace with God, but try to fulfill that void with everything but God. 

I am so thankful for God's grace and forgiveness. I'm also thankful that NOTHING, that I could've done would be enough. My efforts are flawed at best. God's plan is perfect. He can ALWAYS save a willing heart that accepts His free gift.

Here are words to 2 of my favorite songs - I think they say it better than me.

My prayer is that this season of Lent will draw your closer to Him.

Cornerstone 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone

Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love

Through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all

Who Am I?

When I'm reminded of His words
I'll leave Him never
If you'll be true I'll give to you life forever
I know there's nothing that I could have done
To deserve God's only Son
To fight my battles until they're won
For who am I?

Who am I that The King would bleed and die for
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thy Lord
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
But to that old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?

Ash Wednesday

40 Days of Reflection - Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday. As a child growing up, we could join with the local Catholic Church to participate in the placement of ashes on our forehead to begin Lent. This was by choice and then we had the option to give something up for those 40 days. I didn't really understand or appreciate this until my mid twenties or early thirties. I have always been protestant and we just didn't put too much emphasis on the "liturgical" or "ritual" practices. About 7 years ago, I came to Grace church and over the last 6 years, some traditional things have been observed and .... I am so thankful!!

Two years ago we did an Ash Wednesday service with our Student Ministries and it was beautiful. I believe it was meaningful to all involved and it was probably the first time some had ever participated. Last year we had one with our Grace Kids and it made an impact on those kids. We encouraged them to "fast" from something or do something positive to show kindness throughout Lent. Due to snow and ice causing our area to be "shut in" tonight, we've postponed our "Ash Wednesday" (well at least the service) until next week. 

As for me, I've given up things that occupy my time like Bejeweled and Yatzee. I hope to use that time for reflection.  I've also chosen 2 different readings for Lent and to do 40 days of reflection on how God has blessed me, despite circumstance and sometimes despite my stubborn sin nature. I've also decided to spend more time in prayer and to make my acts of kindness not so random. Today, as I reflect, I refer back to "timehop". I know that sounds strange, but as I looked back at this day in "my history", I was reminded of how truly blessed I am. From year to year, we sometimes forget what God has done. I am thankful for the small reminders and the big ones too! Whether you participate in a Lenten practice or to whatever extent you do, I pray God's blessing as you reflect, possibly repent and allow God to restore!

Songs, Sharing and Scripture

I mentioned in a Facebook post that I was requesting prayer for a new adventure. Today, that adventure began!!

I'll start at the beginning....20 years ago this year, I moved to Columbia. I started going to Loyal Chapel FWB church. I met a family that had two young daughters. Flash forward to Grace, about 15-16 years later. One of those girls is grown and married and has her own young daughter, and she's one of my Grace Kids! She works at a local Assisted Living Center. Through our Grace Students Deeper Weekend, we worked together for our Students to do a day of service at the Sterling House.  Fast forward again and I was asked yesterday to do a devotional twice a month....starting today!!!!!

This is a little out of my comfort zone and I haven't led singing for a long time, but I anxiously accepted and today was awesome!!!

So for at least the next few months, I will be going to to Sterling House for a bi-monthly time of "Singing, Sharing and Scripture" with some of the sweetest Seniors in town!

Today, we had about 20 seniors and they loved singing and sharing. We sang about 5-6 of the sweet old hymns and shared a little about ourselves and then I spoke about the comfort in God's Word. It was a blessing to me and they expressed that they were blessed, as well.

Please pray for me as I continue in this ministry. I did not see this coming, but I'm excited about this new adventure!

30 days of Thankful

30 Days of Thankful

During the Thanksgiving holiday, we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them. But thanks should be on our lips every day. We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends, leaders, and especially to God. When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and humble.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, (‭Psalms‬ ‭92‬:‭1-2‬ NLT)

 

Every year since the boys were little, we've made it important to take the 30 days of November to remember to be thankful.  I'm sad to say that this is the first year that they haven't been willing participants.  This, however, has not stopped me from being thankful.  I hope that at some point they will join in :-)

 

  Day 1 - I am thankful for my salvation.  I am also challenged this year more than I have been for a while to make sure that everyone knows that Jesus is my Savior.  Not just my friend, prayer partner, umbrella for when times get tough or the guy I think of in church on Sunday.  He IS THE ONLY way for me to have fellowship with the Father and make Heaven my home!!  I know this isn't popular in today's thinking, but it doesn't change that it is the truth.  Jesus is the BEST thing that ever happened to me. He IS my best friend.  I DO call on Him when I am praying and He IS a help in times of trouble.  But all of that is possible, because when I was 10 years old, I asked him to save me and come into my heart (By way of the Holy Spirit),  I have not been perfect and I've still failed Him, but I have tried to live for Him most of my life.  THAT is why He can be all those things to me.  If you don't know Him in a personal way - Today could be the day!!

 Day 2 - Today I am thankful for my boys - ALL of them.  Andrew, Zachary and Anthony have changed my life, over and over again.  Drewby waits in Heaven for me and I can't wait to see his face.  Zachary and Anthony have grown into fine young men (not perfect, but they are a work in progress).  This season of my life is new.  The boys are grown and although in my life that may look a little different than in others, it is still a change from when they were little.  Many of the "growing up" traditions have changed and especially Anthony has begun to develop his own life.  So my life at this point is a single woman, who can no longer work, but isn't free to just do as I please.  My sons are grown, but I am not fully able to just leave them on their own.  It's a strange dynamic, but one that I am sure I will adjust to.  No matter what the future holds, I will always be thankful that in 1998, I went from a newly married woman to a mother of 3 - 2 of which had just started school!  It's been a crazy ride, but I don't think I'd change very much, if I could.

 Day 3 - I am thankful that Heaven is my real home!  This world is just a holding place while my Father prepares my mansion.  I don't really care about the mansion, but I do know that God is preparing a place especially for me.  One day He will send Jesus to take me home.  This is a promise that I can depend on! In John 14, verses 1-3, Jesus tells us that we shouldn't worry, because He's coming back for us and taking us home.  What a great thing to look forward to!!!  Now, that being said, they is lots of work for us to do, while we are here!  I pray that I will do the work God has called me to do, to the best of my ability.  I don't want ANYONE to say that they missed heaven, because "I" didn't tell them!!  I challenge you to do the same!

 Day 4 - Today I am thankful for my 3 closest friends on this earth, Kimberly, Debbie and Rachel.  To say that we have been through a lot together would be a gross understatement!!!  Our friendship had crossed state lines, weathered, sickness, death and all kinds of tragedy.  We have experiences, single life, married life, divorced life, births, adoptions, teenagers and just plain joy along this journey together.  I am truly blessed with many friends.  I am thankful, as some cannot say that.  However, these 3 woman share my heart.  I can't imagine the last 20+ years without them.  For that matter the next 20+ either!!  We don't get to spend as much time together as any of us would like, but I know that any time of day or night, I can depend on them and I hope they feel the same.  I love you, my Tennessee Golden Girls!!  Can't wait to see you all this weekend!!!!

 Day 5 - Today is Anthony's 19th Birthday.  WOW, it's hard to believe that almost 17 years ago, he entered my life as a 2 year old.  We've been through a lot.  He's my first child, but yet my baby.  That whole birth order thing didn't seem to be as important at the time, but I've learned a few things along the way!!  Anthony struggles.  He has low self esteem and unresolved anger.  He is Bi-Polar and ODD,  He has many challenges.  He's come a long way, but still has trouble excepting who he is in Christ and why that makes the difference.  I love all my boys with all my heart.  I don't know how to be any other way.  But I guess like most mom's our attention goes to the one who seems to need it the most.  Zachary and Anthony have competed for this spot most of our lives together.  Right now, Anthony is the focal point.  I don't love him more, I just see his struggle is greater at this time.  Please pray for him - and me!!  I know that he needs me and I know that in some ways, I have to let him go.  This balance has proven much harder than I ever imagined.  God has big plans for Anthony.  Sometimes Anthony forgets that we need to patiently wait and runs ahead with both barrels blazing, only to find out that it was God, but Anthony that wanted that path.  These are the growing pains that we all experience.  The ones that made our parents concerned and sometimes lay awake at night praying or in tears.  It seemed easier to be on the child end then it is on the parent end.  It makes me appreciate my parents so much more, but that's another post ;-).  Mainly, I just want to say that I AM very thankful for Anthony and I covet your prayers on his behalf and on mine.  I know God has a plan and like the comforting words to an old Twila Paris song, "I Will Listen" and I pray Anthony will too.