In Other Words--Blemish

Welcome to In Other Words!!! I'm so sorry I am late posting. We returned from the States this morning and I forgot to hit publish. *blush* Anyway, welcome and here is the post to link to.



I follow the lines of the birthmark with my finger. It is soft. It's colours are distinctive. I lean in and kiss it gently. And I smile. This little mark, this blemish if you will, is so much a part of him. It is one of his identifying marks and is unique only to him. I believe that this little blemish is beautiful.

But I know that not everyone would agree. In the past, it might have kept him from entering worship at the temple as it shows a blemish that could be considered unclean. It could have put him in danger from those who saw marks as a sign of evil. Blemishes were dividers, separators and distinguishers. They were anything but beautiful.

When God looks at us, he does not focus on the physical blemishes. He is much more concerned with the spiritual blemishes. And they are anything but beautiful to him. Those things that we hide so well and call blemishes are often the very things that caused his son to have to go to the cross. Things that we may see as quirks that make us who we are, are often spiritual blemishes that are sin. Impatience, perpetual lateness, telling little white lies, procrastination, gossiping, etc are not blemishes that make us beautiful. They are marks of our selfish nature. God calls these things sinful. They mark us as opposed to him.

However, the good news is that he does not see those blemishes when he sees us! When we are covered by the blood of Jesus, he sees that blood. He sees us washed clean. He sees us without the blemishes. What a joy to think that he does not trace his finger around my spiritual blemishes and use them as a definer of me. He defines me by the sacrifice of his son! I do not have to fear his response because it is predetermined.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel."
Colossians 1:21-23a

What blemishes in your life have you used to define yourself? Let them go. Confess them to God and rejoice that he does not define you by your blemishes but by the sacrifice that covers them. Join me in letting go of definitions that limit us to marred images of who he sees. Let's view ourselves the way God sees us.

Father God forgive me when I define myself by my limitations, quirks and sins. Give me the courage to confess those things as sin and then to move forward. Thank you for seeing me through the sacrifice of Jesus and not the accusations of this life and world. Amen.

In Other Words host

 I will be hosting In Other Words on Tuesday. Please come and comment on the following words from the Apostle Paul.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
Colossians 1:21-23a

In Other Words--Out of Doubt...Faith

“Great faith is often at the end of the search that starts with doubt. We should be thankful for what God has revealed to us. He doesn’t belong in the package we have created for Him.”  
David Jeremiah

I remember clearly looking into the eyes of our newborn daughter and whispering, "I don't think we (meaning I) can do this." He whispered back, "Of course we can, we're bigger than she is." Filled with intense doubts I was looking to him for assurance. No matter the level of his own doubts, he demonstrated utter confidence that we were capable adults who could survive the transition to parenthood. Nine years later he continues to encourage that faith in him as he leads our family as God leads him. My faith in my husband grew immensely that first year of parenting as I watch him take my doubts and trust God with them.

Our faith walk has been much the same. We face things with the doubt that we can go further, and as we see God reveal himself one step at a time, our faith soars. I would much prefer that God just work out my doubts in a quick, easy-to-read manual for life. I want him to conform to my pre-conceived notions of how God should act in this situation when I express a doubt or fear. But he doesn't do that. He gives strength for each moment, guidance or wisdom for each decision, a little light for the next step. Then he does that again. And again. He does that until I reach a point that I wonder how I ever doubted in the first place. Faith has replaced the doubt. Confidence replaces the fear.

We are now a couple of years past the spiritual upheaval in a previous church setting. There were days during that year of crisis that German and I held onto one another with wild fear in our eyes repeating our mantra that "God is Good." I doubted every breath I took there for a while. I doubted that God could possibly care about us if the entire institutional church foundation I was standing upon was quaking. I doubted that I could ever walk into a church setting again with confidence of being vulnerable and authentic. But day-by-day, step-by-step we did survive. We found a new fellowship. We were given glimpses into how others' handle church conflict. We found prayer confidence again. We still held onto one another, but with less fear in our eyes. God continued to give us wisdom. He moved us to another place and another fellowship. He gave us further foundation of fellowship. I was thinking last week how I no longer remember the specifics of the harsh things that were said. The sadness and grief are still a part of me. But the intense hurt and fear have subsided. God has brought us through and we stand with a different, stronger faith than before.

I wanted an easy fix and to not experience the upheaval. But if that had happened, my view of God would not have expanded and deepened. He would still be God in a box of my conception. Instead, he became bigger than that. He revealed aspects of his character that I needed to know. My faith, my trust, is stronger because of the doubts that I screamed at him during that time that he answered. Sometimes our faith can grow in quiet waters. Other times, it develops muscles because of swimming in the choppy water of doubt. It's not my favourite way of developing faith muscles (I want easy), but I know these don't weaken because of troubles. They were borne of troubles. And for them, I am grateful.

Can you think of a time of doubt that God has used to strengthen your faith? Give thanks for the faith muscles that have been strengthened.

Our hostess this week is Karen at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus. You will find a blessing there.

In Other Words--Resurrection

There is so much of life in which we attempt to remain neutral. We hedge our bets, stall making real belief statements and attempt to keep the masses happy by making non-decisions. Our world is so afraid of offending somebody that we take no stands.

We don't have that option when it comes to making a decision about the resurrection. If we choose to not make a decision, in the end it is the same as denying it. If the resurrection is true, that non-decision denial is catastrophic.

For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
~John 3:34-36~

This Easter, I implore that you look at the resurrection and decide for yourself. Do you believe? Then don't be afraid to declare with confidence that "He is Risen Indeed!" If you choose to not believe, be willing to stand with those consequences. But, please, don't be a non-decider. The consequences are too great.

“No one can remain neutral regarding Jesus’ resurrection.
The claim is too staggering,
the event too earthshaking,
the implications too significant
and the matter too serious.
We must either receive it or reject it as truth for us.
To remain indifferent or undecided is to reject it.”
~Mark Driscoll

Loni at The Writing Canvas is our hostess today. Please visit and be blessed!

In Other Words--Scaling the Circumstances

Welcome to In Other Words Tuesday!  I pray that something that you read here today will bless you.  Please, if you have time, write on the passage and add your link at the end of this post.  I would love to read your thoughts.  If you cannot write on the passage, I still encourage you to follow the links.  I am sure you will find blessings in what this amazing group of women write.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.


The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.


Habakkuk 3:17-19

These were my Mom's favourite verses.  She called them the "farmer's wife passage" because so often it felt as if all the work was in vain, but that we were still to trust God.  It was not that the tender of the fields or grapes had not done the work, just that the crop failed.  Sometimes in spite of all of our effort we will not see the results we hope to see.  That does not give us an excuse to stop believing God. Actually it gives us more of an opportunity to demonstrate our faith and trust.

I am not a farmer's wife. I was, in fact, a pretty awful farmer's daughter wanting more security than the dependence on weather and land gave.  But I, too, have learned to love this passage. My "though the's" are quite different, but the end result is the same.

It comforted when we suffered through two miscarriages.
Though the womb remains empty...........I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

Watching events of 9/11 from a foreign land, it provided the refocus.
Though there is an ocean gulf between us, and the world seems to be falling apart around us....I will be joyful.

It gives stability in the ever-changing work field.
Though the job is ever changing and location is not stable....I will be joyful.

It provided strength during a serious crisis.
Though our friends desert us and we stand alone in our beliefs....I will be joyful.

And two years ago this last weekend, it provided the base for celebrating my mother's life. Her favourite passage read at her homegoing celebration.
Though my mother is called home and we experience the sorrow and grief....I will be joyful.

Trusting that God is our strength is a choice.  It is not determined by circumstance.  It is determined by intent in our hearts.  Intent.  We must determine that we will trust no matter what happens. In this year where I am focusing on intent, I am brought back to these verses time and time again.  I will be joyful. Not I am naturally joyful. Not the circumstance brings me joy. No, it is a choice. I choose to be joyful. I choose to trust. I choose to remember that God is sovereign, even when things seem dismal.

And when I make that choice, then I am able to scale the problem (the heights).  Then I am able to have sure-feet. It is my intent to believe that allows me to accept God's strength in the tough times.

Sometimes I need to be reminded of that.

I thought, maybe, some of you needed that reminder as well.

Father thank you for giving me sure-feet to scale the things in my life when I trust in you.  Help me to choose joy in all circumstances. Help me to keep my eyes on the source of my strength and not the source of my problems.  Give me your joy as I trust you more.  Amen.

In Other Words--Why my Mind needs Transforming

”Without the renewed mind, we will distort the Scriptures to avoid their radical commands for self-denial, and love, and purity, and supreme satisfaction in Christ alone.”
~ John Piper ~

This morning I gave Jewel a couple of chores that I wanted her to complete before we started school. She promptly passed the chores on to Flower, who set off to do them muttering under her breath the entire time. When I asked her what was wrong she said "Jewel makes me do everything." I reminded her (again) that Jewel was not the person in our house who could give her chores...but that if she chooses to take on the chores that Jewel tells her to do she is the only one to blame. Then I called Jewel and reminded her that I told her to do the aforementioned items. She then said to me, "you only said you wanted them done, you didn't say by who."

*sigh*

Why does she have to be so....human.

It seems at times as if it is wired into our human nature to avoid all responsibility. Eve did it in the garden. Saul did it to the sound of bleating sheep. Peter did it by a warm fire. I do it more often than I want to admit. Twist words. Play a semantics game. Push responsibility. Anything but taking Scripture at face value and simply following it.

God knew that we I could not read Scripture and put into action his calls in my original human form. He knew that my instinct would be to say "you said you wanted it done, but you didn't say I had to do it." Radically love? That is for those people specially gifted with patience. Sacrificially give? Must be a command for those folks down the street because I really need to save for (whatever). Tell others about Jesus? Nope, only gifted evangelists must do that. Semantics games to get out of the tough callings. But that is not the intention of God. So, he made a way to change my original form.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

The more I allow Him to transform me, the more I see the world's needs through his eyes. The more I get my eyes on the needs of others, the less I feel like I need to keep for myself. Transformation of my mind is the only way I am able to honestly read, understand and follow his word. and Reading his word and allowing the Holy Spirit to make it a living part of me is the only way to transform my mind. Guess I need to stop playing semantics games and spend more time allowing his word to permeate me. It is the only hope I have of not being so....human.

Father, forgive me when I use excuses to not follow your teaching. Holy Spirit come and illuminate the word to me as I read it. Make it a part of me. Transform my mind to see the world's needs as you do. Amen.

Urailak at Living for God is our hostess this week. Please visit and see what others are saying about this week's quote. Bless you!

In Other Words---Mission

“It’s not so much that God has a mission for his church in the world

as that God has a church for His Mission in the world.”

Christopher J.H. Wright

The Mission of God

"I wonder what God's will is for my life?"

It's a question that we often ask.  Especially as we near a year's end, we begin to think about the things that we feel we should be doing or that we dream of doing.  We put a lot of pressure on determining God's will in our goals and our plans.  We search for His mission, and often become frustrated when there is not a clear blueprint. 

I'm coming to understand more and more that there is not a clear 1-2-3 plan that I must follow as my mission in life.  More, I see that God has plans to have himself made known in the world and that we as members of his universal church are the conduits of that message.  In our daily lives, with the people we meet and see at work and play, we are presenting him.  Even when we don't feel like it and are not planning it, we are representing him. The church (as in the people not the building) are the ones who demonstrate his mission.  We don't have to search for what our individual mission is because we have the same mission.  We just have different people with whom we are to share it.

As you prepare to say good-bye to 2011 and hello to 2012, I urge you to reflect on the group of people with whom you have been placed to learn and worship and live. They are the ones you are to join with and live out the Mission of God.  May you find new and old ways to demonstrate his love for his world with that group of people.

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Psalm 33:10-11

Thank you for joining me for In Other Words today.  If you are able, I would love to read your reflections on the above quote. Just add your link below.  If you are unable to join in this week, I pray you are blessed by what you read. Enjoy these closing days of 2011 and I look forward to joining together with you as we live out His Mission in 2012.  God Bless you!

Hosting In Other Words

I am hosting In Other Words on Tuesday.  The quote I have chosen is:

“It’s not so much that God has a mission for his church in the world as that God has a church for His Mission in the world.”
Christopher J.H. Wright
The Mission of God

Please join me on Tuesday to reflect on the church and mission.


Praying you are having a joyful Christmas Day!

In Other Words--Showing that I'm Thankful

“Let us remember that, as much as has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”


Theodore Roosevelt

As I've watched news coverage over the last few weeks, I have thought a lot about personal and community stewardship. I have no desire to make this a political blog so my comments will be brief, but there has played out in front of us a drama of "have/have not". It is true that there is much inequality and injustice in the world. I don't dispute it and I believe that it breaks God's heart to see how his children treat one another. I believe that there is a higher calling of stewardship and sharing that many of us shirk. I have to wonder how much of the talk of inequality is a large serving of "lip service" which is not followed up or backed up by deeds.

I have been blessed with much. I have a nice home, security from German's job, clothing that meets the weather conditions, food in the larder, a quality education, access to medical care, freedom to worship how I would like, and freedom to speak out against the things I find unjust (to name a few). I can get just as caught up as the next person in comparing what I don't have to those who do, but that gets me nowhere. Any one of the things I do have is more than so many in the world. And I need to be thankful for them. I need to voice that thanks and this week is one that helps us to focus on that.

But our gratitude needs to be poured out in action not merely words. I can say "thank you" to God for giving me a gift of words (you may disagree) but if I never use those words to encourage anyone else they are a wasted gift. I can say "we've been blessed" with job and security, but if I don't share that with others who have less I've missed the point of the blessing. It is not to make me comfortable, it is make me able to comfort those who have need. I can be thankful for freedoms of worship and speech, but if I don't meet with fellow believers to worship or I don't speak out against things that are wrong, the freedoms are empty. I tell my kids all the time I would much rather they show me their love in the way they treat one another than just say the words. Words are easily empty. Action shows our true intent. I believe that God expects the same from me that I expect from my children.

As we enter Thanksgiving (those of you in the US at least), let's focus more on showing our gratitude than on just paying lip service. May our hearts be so full of gratitude that it spills out into how we share and relate to those around us.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

Tami at The Next Step is our lovely hostess today. Tami, thank you for opening your window of the blogsphere up to us. Please visit her today and be blessed!


Happy Thanksgiving Week!

In Other Words---No Complacency Allowed

Welcome to "In Other Words"!  I pray that in the words of one of the participating writers you will find something to encourage you and to challenge you. If you are able, I'd love for you to link to your own post regarding this quote--perhaps you are the one with the encouraging words!


I wonder if I am the only one who argues with Scripture God whilst I have my quiet time? I sincerely hope that I'm not! Sometimes the struggle is just that, grappling with what the text is saying and how to effectively make it a part of my life.  Other times, it is just arguing. Not liking the implications of what I'm reading. Often, I want my quiet time to be easy, ticking the box of meeting with God, but not really changing anything. *sigh* That is never what God wants. He wants to grow me, change me and make me more whole. To grow involves grappling.


When I read,

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."(Luke 9:23)<

I want to say "Really? Daily? And what exactly is this denying myself?" I struggle with what am holding onto when God is saying "Let it go and follow me."



Or, what about,

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)?

Does he really mean first. First as in before my tea or before I check email or before I settle into reading blogs? I know, personally, that when I give Him my first moments of the day, the day truly does flow more smoothly. But is it really a command?


In this way I'm grappling with how my relationship with God must be first and foremost. But what of my relationships with others? He has plenty to say about that as well.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

Ugh. That tone of voice that I used to make my point yesterday, probably not very effective in building up the children. Just last night when German and I were talking about something and I said that we were on the same page he responded with "Good, because you haven't been there in a while." Ouch. Wholesome talk. Encouraging talk.

Paul has previously reminded us to

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3).

Keeping unity because we belong to God. Sunday our pastor said something to the effect that there were probably people in the room with whom we really did not relate and may not even really like, but that was "tough cookies" because God said we had to get along and work together as the body. The statement got a good laugh, but there is much truth there.


Our Bible study should be causing us to grapple with the spaces in our life which do not align with God's spirit. It should be pushing us to become better. We should be asking questions and evaluating every step of the way. A complacent, easy reading of Scripture is not what God is calling us to do. He wants to see us changed.

“ We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.”

by John Stott

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

Father, God, take away the complacency of my attitude when I approach your word. Give me a heart that seeks to know you first, and foremost, and deeper than ever before. Transform me into a useful vessel for your love. Amen.


Again, thank you for joining us. Please link up your post below!

In Other Words--Can I Be Defeated?

I am easily embarrassed in social settings. I constantly worry about saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing, and not appearing to have it all together. Some years ago a friend challenged me that this type of worry is really a sense of pride. She said that it is prideful to think that others care that much about what we are saying and doing that they are watching that closely. She challenged me to focus more on others and less on myself, which allowed me to relax and be myself in those settings. That fear of embarrassment could no longer defeat me.

“He who has no sense of self-importance cannot be offended or defeated.”
~W. Phillip Keller

Although I have not read this quote before, perhaps that is a little of what the author is conveying. When we are less focused on ourselves, we are not as easily defeated by the thoughts and actions of those around us.

I confess, however, that his use of the word "offended" confuses me slightly. The things that offend me are not usually directed at me. I am offended when someone continually takes the Lord's name in vain. I am offended when others are callously mistreated. Perhaps, there is a sense of self-importance in my defining behaviour. Perhaps he means a different definition of 'offend' than I am thinking. I will look forward to reading the entries of other participants to get a better understanding of this. [Note that this is one of the reasons I love 'In Other Words' is to get perspectives that I would not have seen on my own.]

Father, as I interact with others in social settings, help me to not be prideful or carry such a sense of self-importance that I allow fear to defeat me. Use those settings to continue to mold my understanding of myself and to focus me on the needs of others. Lead me to situations where I can demonstrate your love and grace. Amen.

In Other Words is hosted this week at Living for God. Come and read what others are sharing around this quote.

In Other Words: Using My Own Voice

Welcome to In Other Words! I pray today in the words of one of the participating blogs you will find a note of encouragement.

“Don’t sing with a borrowed voice. The one he gave you is the one he wants to hear.”
by Jennifer Rothschild
via Twitter 17 Nov 2010

 It is so easy to get caught up in what we think we should be, rather than what we are created to be.  We listen to voices around us telling us to try this or be this or do this. But, often they are not the things that are designated for us. Or, we watch others excel in their gifts and we wish (covet) that gifting. We measure ourselves against another’s standard and we never seem to measure up. The problem is that we are not supposed to be measuring ourselves against others’standards. Our only measure should be God’s standard that he has given us.

I love to lead ladies’ Bible Studies. There is nothing that gives me more of a buzz than to see a group of ladies sharing their hearts around Scripture. As much as I might aspire for something bigger, my calling has always been small groups. I will never be a Beth Moore or a Priscilla Shirer or a Jennifer Rothschild. That’s okay. My goal should not be to emulate their voice, but to use my own.

Writing and blogging can be a huge trap for us in regards to losing our voice. We can read Pioneer Woman or BooMama or  Big Mama and believe that is how we are supposed to do this blogging thing. We can lose our own voice trying to imitate others that are out there in the blogsphere. Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that God has given them their voice for their audience. He has given us our voices for our own audiences. We may not know the reasons why one has an audience of thousands and another has an audience of a dozen. We don’t need to know the reason; He does.

Over the last few months, I have experienced God changing my vision of what my voice should be. I have grand plans for writing and ministry and home education and so many things. Yet he has reminded me over and over “the plans are fine, they just aren’t your calling in this moment.” When I chose the theme words of “ponder” and “treasure” at the beginning of the year, I had plans to be consistently writing of the things he would have me ponder. So many times, I’ve sat down to write about something I’ve been learning only to hear a quiet voice encourage me to “just treasure it.” I’m learning this year to use the voice he has given me—and sometimes that means to remain silent. I do not believe that I am called to go totally silent on the blog, but to listen more intently to when to write. I have found in the past that periods of silence often give birth to some of my most prolific writing. I will wait and see what God has planned.

May I encourage you today to listen to his prompting regarding your voice. Don’t try to be someone you are not called to be—you will only find yourself frustrated trying to speak with someone else’s voice. Follow his lead. Trust his gifting of personality and gifts in your life. Use those gifts and you cannot go wrong.

Praying you have a blessed day. Please visit the other ladies who participate in In Other Words. Leave comments and encourage them. And, please, use your voice to join the conversation!

Hosting In Other Words

Next Tuesday, I have the privilege of hosting "In Other Words" writing prompt. I have chosen something that one of my favourite authors tweeted recently. Please come and visit on Tuesday! I would be honoured if you would write your own thoughts on the quote and link up with us at that time.

“Don’t sing with a borrowed voice. The one he gave you is the one he wants to hear.”
by Jennifer Rothschild
via Twitter 17 Nov 2010

But this disappointment, those tears,
this heartbreak is God’s gift.
In this quiet empty ache, He enlightens.
By it, He plants and grows within me a certainty
that there must be more.
And that He is the More.”

by Jo at Mylestones

I can remember as a child, one time, my daddy stating his dreams. They were the dreams of what he wanted to accomplish on the farm. (I don't know how the subject came up, but I remember clearly the goals). Not long after that, there was one of those "perfect" farming years where everywhere you drove there were miles and miles of gorgeous cotton. Daddy met his "big" goals. In fact, he exceeded them! And yet....he wasn't really happy. Late one night I eavesdropped overheard a conversation where he said something to the effect of "I met my goals, where do I go from here?" It was the first time in my young life I remember thinking that there "needed to be something more."

We've all been there. We have reached the mountaintop only to discover that what creates the dramatic heights of the mountain is the valley floor below. So many of the climaxes of my dreams have found me wondering soon after, "is that all?" It isn't all, we are made for more.

The author of today's quote captures this feeling beautifully in her post (linked above). We are created for more.

There is a deeper hunger than that which we can satiate ourselves. There are more awesome wonders to explore. But they are not in the tangible of this world. They are found in the person of Jesus. He is the More. He is that which we continue to crave even when we achieve all we desire.

Feeling let down by your dreams? Feeling overwhelmed by life in general? Too many disappointments in succession? Know that this is not all there is! There is more. In Jesus, we will find the completeness that we crave.

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:10-11.

Loni is hosting today at Writing Canvas. Please join the conversation!

“Inevitably, the calendar crowds out the Spirit and the face of the clock hides the face of God. Prayer ceases to be the free breath of a ransomed soul and becomes a duty to be fulfilled."

From “Transforming Prayer” by Daniel Henderson

Prayer in my life happens in a variety of ways and places. Sometimes it is in a concentrated time, sitting at my desk with my Bible open and time to really spend time in the quiet with God. More often it is caught in moments between ferrying children to events, teaching school, doing laundry, preparing meals, etc. etc. Then there are those moments that all I seem to be able to do is send SOS prayers for help.

Thankfully, God hears all of those prayers. He understands the seasons of our lives and our circumstances even better than we do. He loves and accepts any communication that we offer him.

I know this to be true. But there are the moments when I find myself wondering if he is hearing anything. There are moments when prayer time just seems like something else to accomplish not something to relish. There are times that are just dry and energy-sapping. Frustrating. I've found that those are the times that my life has become the most crowded and I am letting the calendar/diary control me rather than me control the diary. They are the times that I am "fitting God in" rather than "fitting in with God." When my prayer life is stale I know that I need some concentrated time with him--regardless of how busy I am.

Being busy is okay. Times of life that mean less structured prayer time and more prayer on the move is okay. But God never wants us to just "fit him in." He wants our attention, and sometimes he uses a stale prayer life to wake us up. How grateful I am for those times to be drawn back to his presence.

Struggling with prayer? Perhaps some of the ladies writing today will bring you the encouragement you need. Visit Debbie at Heart Choices to follow their trail.

In Other Words: Choosing Gratefulness

“Non-eucharisteo, ingratitude, was the fall–humanity’s discontent with all that God freely gives. That is what has scraped me raw: ungratefulness.”

Ann Voskamp

As you will have gathered from reading here, the last couple of years have been fraught with struggles, disappointments, changes, challenges, and overall upheaval. Although not all of the changes have been bad, in fact many of them have been quite good, they have still brought with them uncertainty and adjustments. In fact, the only consistency in our lives these past two years have been this:

*When I focus on the circumstances and challenges, those challenges simply get bigger.
*When I focus on God and thank him for his presence in the middle of the changes, I find contentment.

I've chosen the former enough to know that the latter is much better!

Do I choose to be ungrateful that relationships had to be severed in order to follow God's leadership in a certain situation, or instead do I choose to be grateful that he led us to a small group that filled the gap relationally?

Do I choose to be ungrateful for a house lost, or grateful for the provision for the next house (which turned into such a blessing of space and neighbourhood)?

Do I choose to be ungrateful for a job provided because it obligated another move? Do I choose to be grateful for employment in difficult economy?

Believe me when I say that I have chosen, often deliberately and with eyes wide-open, the path of ungratefulness. Each and every time it has not led me to a state of contentment or understanding. Instead, it has landed me thoroughly and completely in the muck of the circumstance. Trying to get myself out of the muck just makes it worse.

Choosing gratitude on the other hand does not increase the muck. It does not necessarily decrease it either. It does not change the circumstances at all. But it changes me. It changes my perspective, my focus, and my expectations. It helps me to remember that God's promises are not to make things easy, to but to make me better through them. And, somehow, that makes all the difference in the world.

Father God, thank you for being with us every step of the way these past years of uncertainty and change. Thank you for the reminders of you when circumstances seemed bleak. Help me to always focus on gratefulness. Give me people in my life who have the courage to tell me when I'm focused on the negative and will help me find the positive. Thank you for not abandoning us to our selfish and ungrateful tendencies. Amen.

Tami is our hostess today! Go, visit, and be encouraged! Blessings on your day.

In Other Words---Trust Him in All Things

Hello out there! From a few emails of concern (thank you), I know that I need to assure you all that I have not fallen off the face of the entire earth. I haven't. Life is just happening fast and furious (with slow and frustrating moments in the roller coaster) and I had to make a choice: blog or survive the roller coaster whilst treasuring as many of the moments as I could. I chose to treasure and survive. But this week's quote resonates with me, so I am attempting to put words to screen again.

If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the “little” things of life?”

M.E. Howard

It would be easy for me to get lost in the busyness right now. We are in the midst of the most major move that we have made in ten years. No, we are not returning to the US, but we are leaving England for a two year stint in Ireland. There is the logistics of the move to navigate, the emotions of children who have never lived in another country to soothe, the culture of a new country to acquisition and day-to-day of life to still accomplish. It is crazy.

But we don't do it alone.

At our going away open house Sunday someone asked if we were worried. Without stopping to process an answer I said that I was sad to be leaving but that God was going before us, like he always does, and so I was not worried. I realised at that moment I truly meant that. I was resting on him in the day-to-day details. And I was not nearly as stressed as I have been in some past moves.

I may have had to give up my "little things" like blogging for a time to do something that seems very large at the moment. But to God, this is one of the "little things" that he asks me to trust him to handle. And he is handling it. And therefore so am I.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

I'll be back in full force in a couple of weeks, after the move is complete. Until then, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest with me in letting him handle the little things of our lives.  Blessings to you!

Please join us at a new home this week Living for God (and welcome Urailak to the hostess fellowship).

In Other Words--Still I will Praise

Welcome to In Other Words! I am delighted that you chose to join us. This week, I have chosen a oft-repeated verse from Job for us to discuss. I can't wait to see what you feel God has said to you in terms of these verses.

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:21b-22

On Sunday we were singing Matt Redman's chorus based on these words. I was reflecting on the many blessings we have been given this year--a home (twice), a church family, friends, a home education group. The list goes on and on. We have been given much, and we have given much praise for these things. Many of those gifts came at the result of having other things taken away--a home (twice), a church family, friends nearby. It has been a bittersweet year, but more sweet than bitter. We have tried to give God praise in the losses as well as the gifts. Sometimes that is easy. Other times, not as easy.

We are seeing God change the path we thought was planned for us here. Although we continue to praise God for those changes, I have found it more difficult this time. Sometimes the cut of the loss goes deeper than other times. The end of this verse has been challenging me. Job was not praised for not feeling a loss. He was praised because he did not "charge God with wrongdoing." What does that look like? How do we not accuse God of wrongdoing?

Does that mean we are not allowed to ask why or question how we got to this point? I hope not, because I have seriously asked how did we get on this detour. Honestly, it is probably not a detour, but it does feel like it. In my mind, however, asking the question is not the same as accusing God. In fact, it is more an exercise in being certain that I am doing what I need to be doing and hearing God the way I need to be hearing him. Questions look at my own obedience and surrender, not at God's culpability.

Instead, I believe that "not charging God with wrongdoing" is not forgetting that he has our best in his plans. We should not accuse him of leaving us open to harm or actively bringing our harm. Harm comes and bad things happen because we live in a fallen world. However, it is not God's intention to harm us, but to develop us for the future. We cannot see the whole picture of how what God intends the things in our lives to develop. What we see as detours, he sees as the best path to make us in his image.

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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
~Jeremiah 29:11-13~

You may be in the midst of a "detour". You may feel like more is being taken away than is being given. May I encourage you that he sees the bigger picture. He knows what this detour is developing in you. Be encouraged, you will not be in this place forever. The chorus repeats,

"He gives and takes away. He gives and takes away. My heart will choose say, 'Lord Blessed be your name."

Whether he is giving or taking away today, please join me as we choose to worship his name.

If you have written on the verse today, please add your link below.

Hosting In Other Words

Next Tuesday I have the honour to host the In Other Words ladies. In reflecting on a series of blessings and losses that I've recently experienced or witnessed, these verses have come to mind again and again. So, I thought it would be interesting to get everyone's take on them. ;-)

Please join us next Tuesday as we explore the verses. If you are able and inclined, please write your own reflection on them and come back on Tuesday to link. See you then!

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:21b-22

In Other Words--Finding Answers

How did all the animals fit into the ark?
Was Job really patient?
What happened to Jonah after the wilting plant and his temper tantrum?
Why did God chose purple for lilacs? Why not make them rainbow striped?

Questions.
We all ask them. As a child I asked lots of them.
I remember as a child some 'wise' adult answered one of my questions with "when we get to heaven you can ask God that."
I accepted that answer.
So the next time I asked one of those impossible questions, I got a similar answer. Which I accepted.
Until the day that I didn't. I just didn't accept that answer any more.
Instead, I replied, "when I get to heaven I don't think I'll care about that anymore."

With that realization, I took one more step on the journey of faith. So many questions will fade away in the face of Jesus.

"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?"

~ C.S. Lewis ~

I know so many people who get hung up on the details of seemingly unanswered questions. Yet they are afraid to look into the face of the Answer to their questions. They miss the big picture for the details.

What questions keep you from looking at The Answer? Maybe they are important questions and maybe He will lead you to a tangible answer. But maybe, just maybe, their purpose is to get you to gaze on him. Praying you find The Answer today.

Our wonderful hostess this week is Jen at Ponderings of an Elect Exile. Come, visit and be blessed.