Join Me On the Journey

Some of you are like me…you say what you’re thinking. But, many of you aren’t. You keep a LOT inside.

It’s our personality. It’s our life experiences. It’s our maturity level.

We’re all aware, though, that we have an outer life and an inner life.

Our outer life is what people can perceive; our outer adornment, our facial expressions, the words we say, the things we do.

But, our inner life is ours alone…or is it? We may think that our thoughts are private; that no one knows what we’re thinking. And for the most part, that is true.

But, God…

for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Sam 16:7 (KJV)

Now I don’t know about you, but I find this sometimes a comfort…and sometimes a fear.

God doesn’t look at us the same way others do. God is concerned with what is on the inside because what’s in will come out.

For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45b (NKJV)

Whatever you’re thinking in your heart will eventually come out in some way…either in the words that you say, or in your actions. The secret life of the inner man…that’s where God wants to work.

Take some time today and listen to what God hears.

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I have such a hard time with balance in my life. It is something that I struggle so much with.

When I have a new interest, I throw myself into it 180%. And then, everything else in my world gets out of balance.

It’s such a frustration to me, but I’m working on it.

Right now, my passion in quilting and I have been focusing on quilting every spare moment I have…not that there are many spare moments in my life. (Yesterday, my oldest daughter and I went to a quilt show in Fargo…just the two of us. It was so wonderful to have one-on-one time with her. It’s so rare.)

School is in full swing (I homeschool) and I have also taken on some new volunteer responsibilities with Faith Lifts.

I feel like writing is taking a back seat right now with everything that’s going on and I’m really frustrated.

But, I’m working on it. I’m praying about it and I know that God will help me to balance things out because He loves being involved in every part of my life…even those parts that I struggle with.

This is part of my journey.

God Bless You on Your Journey.

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My brother-in-law sent me the link to this video and I’ve watched it several times. It’s very powerful and it really spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you.

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Journaling is a powerful tool to help you make lasting change in your life. There are many types of journals, but I think that the most important is what I call the quiet time journal.

I recommend that you keep your quiet time journal in a 3-ring notebook. You will have different sections in your quiet time journal and these sections will grow at different rates. Ideally, you should have tabs, but they are certainly optional. I have also found the using a 5½ X 8½ 3-ring binder works better for me. It is easier to handle because it’s closer in size to my Bible.

You will find the need for several different sections. Some of the sections in your quiet time journal, or notebook would include but not be limited to:

1. Prayer
2. Bible reading and Bible study
3. Application

How many times have you been asked to pray for someone? You soberly promise that you will pray. You have every intention of praying; and then you forget all about it. Later, when you see that person, they thank you for praying for them, and you feel badly. Having a prayer section in your quiet time journal helps keep that from happening.

The prayer section can be as simple as a list you jot down in random order. Make certain that you write down the date you add the request to your list. (I haven’t always been very good at this and I always regret it later!) Also, it’s fun to highlight your prayer request when it is answered and jot down the date of the answer as well.

The prayer section of my quiet time journal is subdivided into several sections. I have a section for my husband and myself; a section for each child; a section for my extended family; and a section for friends. You will probably find that you will have different sections. Just start somewhere and you can expand or change it as needed.

The Bible is God’s love letter to you. We all know the benefits of reading and studying the Bible.

However, reading the Old Testament is difficult for most of us. I recommend reading through the OT chronologically as it helps you to acquire an overview of the history. There are many chronological reading plans online.

I recommend using one of the modern translations when reading through the Old Testament. The modern translations are more like a story and it really helps you to get more out of your Bible reading. There was a time in my life when I would only read from King James Version, but now I use many different translations and use the KJV as my gold standard.

Something else that is interesting is a Harmony of the Gospels. Google it; there are great resources. It is enlightening to see the different perspectives of the same event.

Another great resource is the One Year Bible. This Bible breaks your daily Bible reading into an Old Testament reading; a reading from the New Testament; a passage from Psalms; and one or two verses from Proverbs. There are also several different translations of the One Year Bible.

Pick some kind of Bible reading plan—even a devotional book. There is no rule that says that you have to read the Bible cover to cover. Honestly, few people do. It takes a lot of discipline. Pray about it and ask God to give you the desire and discipline to read the Bible through.

There is a difference between Bible reading and Bible study. I was truly set free when I finally realized that. Bible reading is best done on a regular basis; for example, consistently reading three chapters per day. Bible study should be done when you have a chunk of time—at least 30 to 45 minutes or more.

Again, there are many different ways to study the Bible. Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word by Rick Warren is a wonderful book that introduces you to different Bible study methods. I have really enjoyed learning each different method and I highly recommend the book.

The last area that I would like to touch on is application: application of your prayer and application of your Bible reading and study. This is the part of your quiet time where you listen to your Heavenly Father and ask Him what He wants you to work on in your life.

There are numerous ways to make application in your quiet time. Focus on a verse that speaks to you during your Bible reading. Ask God to help you apply the verse. Listen for God’s gentle correction during your prayer time. Allow Him to reveal those areas of your life that you are trying to hide from Him and from others. Confession truly is good for the soul.

There are several systems that serve to pull all the above aspects together. One of the “oldies but goodies” is ACTS. In fact, I couldn’t find the original source of this system online. The acronym ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. There are many online sources to explain this system. Becky Tirabassi also has a complete quiet time system which you can read about in her book Let Prayer Change Your Life.

It is okay to pick and choose areas to focus on. There are seasons in your life and it is okay to focus on different aspects of your spiritual life during different seasons.

In the same token, it is not necessary to do the same thing every day. You can concentrate on different disciplines on different days of the week. You may have some days that you have more time, for example, on the week end. Your schedule may be more flexible on different days of the week. You may also break up your quiet time throughout the day if this works better for you. The important thing is to have your quiet time regularly.

Your quiet time journal is a personal record of your spiritual journey. Keeping this journal will help you to focus and it will also afford you the ability to look back and see how far you have come. I promise you it will become a priceless tool in your journey toward obedience and consistency.

Recommended Reading:

Let Prayer Change Your Life by Becky Tirabassi

Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word by Rick Warren

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When I was a little girl and my sister would call me a name, I would taunt back, “What you say is what you are, and you’re more of it!”

Well, Jesus declared something similar 2000 years ago.

For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. Matthew 12:34-35 (Amp)

The words that come out of your mouth reveal the condition of your heart so really listen to them.

Today, pray about it in your quiet time. Ask God to help you to listen to your words. You need help because most of us don’t really listen to the words we say in our everyday lives.

• Do you find yourself flinging forth gossip at work or at church?
• Do you spout acidic words that eat at the hearts of your husband and children?
• Are you cutting yourself down with your words and even thoughts?

One thing that has helped me to think about what I’m saying is to wear a bracelet.

Now, I don’t wear jewelry. In fact, I only own one bracelet. When I look down and my wrist and I have that bracelet on, it reminds me that I’m meditating about something.

If you always wear jewelry, you may have to choose something else out of the ordinary to jog your mind throughout the day; like a bracelet that you only wear on special occasions or a bracelet that you bought especially for this purpose. You need something that will register with your brain when you look down and see it; something that will remind you that the bracelet is supposed to remind you of something.

Each time you look down and see your bracelet, ask God to help you to stay vigilant and examine your words. The bracelet becomes a physical reminder to take note of something you often don’t notice…the words that you say all day.

Try it today and take the time to examine what your words say about the condition of your heart.

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Yesterday in church, we were singing this chorus when I started thinking…

There is a difference between the Jewish temple and a Jewish synagogue. The Jewish temple is one building which was built (and rebuilt and rebuilt and will be rebuilt again) in Jerusalem. It has great spiritual significance to the Jewish people. In Biblical times, unless you lived in Jerusalem, you only visited the temple only on special occasions. The synagogue was a local place of worship.Some Jews lived close enough to the temple to visit often. Some Jews visited the temple once or twice a year. Some made one pilgrimage in their whole life, and, I suspect, some never set foot there.

I tried to imagine what it would be like to travel–on foot–many miles just for the privilege of coming so close to the presence of God, the Place where He dwelt physically.

Just think of it.

The presence of God, here on earth. Something that didn’t exist where I lived, it only existed in the Holy of Holies.

Of course, I cannot imagine it because I have the presence of God wherever I am. The moment of Jesus’ death, the temple veil was rent in two and the presence of God flooded the earth. Then Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to earth as our Comforter and when we accept Him, He comes to reside in our spirit. What an awesome privilege!

There is, however, something powerful when believers come together. Is it a concentration of the Spirit? I don’t know. But, it’s awesome, and I know I should have a longing for His presence as the Psalmist longed for “a day in thy courts.”

However, it is a part of human nature; familiarity breeds contempt.

I pray that I don’t become so familiar with the presence of God that I don’t feel a deep longing to spend “a day in His courts.”

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Probably the most common reason people give for not having a regular quiet time is, “I just don’t have time!” But, have you ever stopped to think about what you’re really saying when you give that excuse? You’re saying that you have filled your life with other activities and you’ve pushed out God. Each of us has the same amount of time. We all have 24 hours in our day.

How you spend your time is an indication of what really matters in your life.

“What we love to do we find time to do.” ~ John L. Spalding

Of course, there are seasons of life when others control how you spend your life to a large degree. If you are a mother to several small children, there are many legitimate demands on your time throughout the day. However, even in those times, you often have more control than you may think. You have control over whether and when they nap. You have control of when you get up in the morning and when you go to bed. You determine whether you take the time to establish a routine, or whether you just let the day happen…day after day.

If your children are older, and you still feel that others are controlling how you spend your time, you may need to stop, reevaluate, and take control. It is easy to become a slave to what others consider important.

One thing that has helped me is to understand the difference between urgent and not urgent; important and not important.

Urgent means something that needs to be done RIGHT NOW. For example, when your six day old baby needs to be fed, that’s urgent. A six day old baby must be fed often. However, it’s not as urgent that your six month old baby be fed the moment he cries. By that time, he is able to go longer between feedings. And, your six year old can wait an hour until dinner. He may just be bored instead of truly hungry. At any age, though, their cries of hunger smack of urgency.

Urgent tasks can be important, or not important. When your telephone rings, it is urgent. The telephone screams to be answered. However, the importance of the phone call is directly related to the person on the other end of the line. If it’s your sister calling to tell you she just had her baby, that’s pretty important. If it’s a telemarketer calling to tell you about the latest home equity loan you qualify for, that may not be as important.

Tasks that are not urgent are those things that don’t call out to us for our immediate attention. For example, quality time with God, or your husband, or your children. Non urgent tasks can be very important, but they don’t contain the urgency.

These things can become urgent when your marriage begins to fall apart, or your child is troubled. You should strive to take care of the non-urgent and important tasks before they become urgent.

Spend as much time as possible performing tasks that are important. These are the stuff that life is made of. If you spend the day performing tasks that are important, you have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day that is worth all the hard work and planning.

I’d like to leave you with one last thought:

“The bad news is times flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” ~ Michael Althsuler

Time is the currency of life and you can determine how you spend it.

God Bless You on Your Journey!

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The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isa 61:1-3 (KJV)

What ashes do you carry?

Ashes are the end product of something that has been destroyed by fire. So, what do I mean when I talk about the ashes in your life?

Statistically, it is safe to say that if you are reading this post, you have suffered abuse of some sort, at some time in your life. You may have been emotionally, verbally, physically, or sexually abused by a parent or caregiver. You may have suffered neglect; a failure on the part of your caregiver to supply your basic emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. You may have been a victim of a violent crime such as rape. You may have been abused in a bad relationship of your own choosing. Hurting people hurt people…and there are a LOT of hurting people out there.

When you are hurt by others, a part of your life is destroyed…and turned to ashes. You may react to that destruction in many ways.

• anger
• grief
• hopelessness
• depression
• shame
• guilt
• regret
• anxiety

You recognize these emotions. These reactions to abuse and neglect can burn your heart to cinder and ash. Often, like me, you may hold on to those ashes far longer than needed.

We just can’t help it sometimes. That human tendency toward self-pity is just too strong. Or perhaps, we’ve never been shown another alternative. Well, I’m here to tell you that there is an alternative. And like many of the most important things in life, it’s simple, but it isn’t easy.

Just give it up.

I know, that sounds too simple. I know it is difficult to do. But, it can be done. I am living proof. And you most certainly have given some of those ashes to God in the past.

How do you give those ashes over to God?

I have known of a few people who had a miraculous encounter with God and were forever changed right there on the spot. But, this is the exception rather than the rule.

The rest of us must make a conscious decision to hand over those ashes. You have to acknowledge that the ashes are there and exactly what they represent. You have to take them out, scoop them up in your hand, and give them to God. You do that by journaling, or sharing with a trusted friend, or working with a counselor…or through prayer which is simply talking with God. You cannot change what you do not acknowledge.

And, most of us do this gradually over a period of time. I know for me, I have had crisis points in my life when I have scooped up a big handful of ashes and given them to God. But, mostly, I give him a little pinch here and a little pinch there. I’m stingy with them. I don’t know why.

But God is faithful. He gives me so much beauty in exchange for my ashes. He makes a great exchange.

Today, why don’t you take some time to sit down and think about the ashes that you are carrying in your life. Write down your thoughts in a journal; or talk to a friend; or talk to the greatest Friend of all. Scoop up some of those ashes and exchange them for His beauty.

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Did you know that you are surrounded by television signals? It doesn’t matter where you are, there are television signals coursing through the air. You could say, “Well, I don’t believe they’re there because I can’t see them!”

But, I could prove to you they are there by taking a television set, plugging it in, and tuning it in. Then you would hear and see that the waves are there whether you perceive them or not. The broadcast was there before the set was turned on and tuned it; it didn’t start when you turned on the TV, it originated whenever that station opened its doors and began broadcasting. However, you only began receiving that broadcast when you began to utilize a device designed to receive that signal.

Now, if you’re watching TV and all of the sudden, the channel you’re watching goes dark, what do you think? Do you automatically think that the station stopped broadcasting? No, probably the first thing you’ll do is turn to another station. If all the stations are black, you know that there’s something wrong with your receiver, but the signal is still being broadcast.

We can apply this analogy to God. God has the transmitter. He built the transmitter. He is broadcasting. He is the giver of all earthly and spiritual blessings. Everything comes from Him.

He has already transmitted those blessings and if you aren’t seeing them manifest in your life, it’s not time for you to pray and ask God to fix His transmitter. It’s time for you to fix your receiver.

Most of us, when we’re not feeling the joy of the Lord, we go to Him and we say, “Oh God, where’s my joy? What’s wrong?” We may lament, as David did,

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psa 51:10-12 (KJV)

There’s a song that many of us have sung in church that is based on this passage of scripture written by King David; and it is a beautiful song. But, it is based on the Old Testament covenant.

When you or I pray this prayer, it makes what Jesus came to do for us on the cross of none effect (as it says in I Cor. 1:17). David did not have a New Testament covenant that God would stick with him through thick and thin. There were times when God took His hand of protection off the Old Testament man. The Old Covenant was based on performance (sacrifices, etc). Old Testament believers were not born again as we are today.

What we have is infinitely better. Jesus said:

…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matt 28:20b (KJV)

This is a covenant promise of the New Testament and if you’ve been born again but you don’t feel the presence of God, there are a couple of possibilities.

1. you may not truly understand the benefits of the covenant that you have with Jesus
2. or, you may be in unbelief

Instead of praying, “Where are you, God?” try praying,

“Father, I don’t feel Your presence. It seems like You’ve left me. There’s no indication of Your presence in my life…But…I know that You are here with me. I know that Your Word promises that You will never leave me or forsake me, so I know that You are here. Whatever is causing me to feel this way, I know it’s not You that’s forsaken me.

So, Father, I’m not going to pray the prayer of David and say, “Don’t leave me! Don’t cast me away! Don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me! Restore unto me the joy of my salvation.” Father, I know it’s already here. And if I’m not feeling it, it’s not Your transmitter, it’s my receiver.

Help me to fix my receiver and release the blessings that reside in me…in my spirit.”

This is a prayer of faith.

Now, what do you do if you aren’t receiving the signal from God; if you aren’t receiving His blessings? What do you do if your receiver is broken?

You go to the owner’s manual and figure out how to fix it. Can you guess what the owner’s manual is?

When we pray and read and study God’s Word, we are studying the owner’s manual.

If you’re struggling to receive the signal from God, spend some time studying the owner’s manual and learn how to repair your receiver. God is so faithful.

God Bless You on Your Journey!

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Offenses come in all sizes, don’t they?

There are the little things: your husband drops your favorite dish, your daughter spills her milk for the third time during dinner, your son rips his last pair of jeans that fit, your teenager forgets to take out the garbage.

There are the heavier, medium-sized packages of failure that hurt a little deeper: your daughter sasses back, your children promise to keep their room clean, and then go back on their promise, you’re expecting a family heirloom and your great aunt gives it to your cousin instead.

Then there are the cumbersome and heaviest of situations that leave you feeling crushed: a divorce, unfaithfulness, an estranged relationship, a rebellious teenager who thinks he is always right, physical or verbal abuse.

How do you deal with the small and the largest of offenses in your life?

First of all, be honest with yourself. When you’re hurt, admit it. Talk to your Heavenly Father about it. He is so faithful. He loves you so much and He wants to be a part of your everyday life.

Father, I know that he didn’t mean to break that dish, but I REALLY LOVED THAT PLATTER!

Lord, I know Aunt Betsy didn’t mean to hurt my feelings, but that tea set meant a lot to me.

Jesus, I don’t even know what to pray, I’m so hurt!

Second, the Scriptures teach that we must forgive others. Forgiveness is not an option in the Christian life. We are commanded to forgive because we have been forgiven.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Eph 4:31-32 (KJV)

To forgive someone means you give up the right to punish them. You no longer hold the offense against them. You may still feel the feelings, but you make a decision to forgive anyway. Thank God for His willingness to forgive you, and pray for a heart willing to forgive those who fail you.

But what about when you’ve been deeply hurt?

I have found that when dealing with a major offense, there are some steps that help me get through.

1. Humble yourself and repent for any contribution you had in the offense. Ask God where you were wrong, how you contributed to the situation. Repentance softens your heart and allows God to begin healing it.
2. Forgive out loud before the Lord. Since your heart is already softened, the forgiveness “sticks” better.
3. Pray for that person. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but God would never give a command He didn’t provide the ability to accomplish. That would be unjust.

Look to Him when you are offended and He will heal your heart. He will provide the strength to forgive.

God Bless You on Your Journey

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