Crying Out to God

After the MSU shooting last week, I had no words.  I think like many others, I was in a state of shock and distress and I had absolutely no idea what to say.  So instead, I spent a lot of time in prayer, and yes, I even cried out to God asking Him why?  Why did He let this happen and why didn't He stop it?  Why do these kids and their families have to suffer, and why do so many lives have to be affected by this tragedy and others like it?  "I just don't understand, God, why?"

As I sat with these questions all week long, my heart was broken because there are no answers as to why this happened, none at all.  So, we are left with these feelings that weigh us down and fill us with sorrow, and that is why I was so grateful for the time that we had to lament on Sunday.  I feel like I was in the beginning of that process already when I cried out to God during the week, but as Pastor Matt said on Sunday, "We are not immediately comforted." "We are still left without answers, but we now know what to do with our pain and our grief, and that is to cry out, and bring it before an All-Powerful God, because even in our crying out, we experience His faithful presence."

So, with that being said, I encourage you to cry out as well when you are hurting and give it to God. Remember that it is OK to question Him and it is OK to be honest with Him about how you feel.  He wants to hear you and He will respond.  I actually feel like I received a response from Him this morning when I came across this verse from Psalm 91:1-2:

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

I find great comfort in this verse because it is a reminder to seek God when we are in need of refuge, and for me, it is a reminder to trust Him.  It is also comforting to me because when I read it, I can actually close my eyes and physically feel His presence all around me.  I can imagine His shadow covering me, keeping me safe, and giving me the peace that I so desperately need.  I hope that this might bring you some comfort too.

Change

When Pastor Matt talked about New Year's resolutions on Sunday and told us that only 20% of people make it until February and only 8% make it the entire year, I could definitely relate.  I thought about all of the resolutions that I have made in the past that didn't make it, and about how I didn't make a resolution at all this year just for that reason.  I also thought about how most of the time when I got into trouble as a kid, it was a reaction to some kind of change going on in my life either at home or at school, and I think about the kids that I watch at school now, and it seems to be the same thing for some of them too.  We just don't do well with change, not as children and definitely not as adults. I don't know about you, but the older I get the more set in my ways I am.  Change is scary, change is taking a chance on something when we don't know the outcome, and change can feel really overwhelming at times.

So why is that?  Well, in Pastor Matt's words, it is because we fear loss and we sometimes begin to lose trust and start to doubt that the change is good.  We think to ourselves, "Do I really need to do this?"  We even question change when we are the ones that wanted to do it in the first place. 

So, with that being said family, I would just like to remind you to think about the question that Pastor Matt asked us toward the end of the service on Sunday, and that was, "What is God calling you to trust Him with, and how will you respond?"  Are you willing to change and try something new?  Are you willing to trust God and follow Him even when you feel afraid or unsure? 

When Moses was leading the Israelites through the wilderness and they were learning to trust God, the Lord said to him, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14) Rest means to be at peace, to be still, or to be calm, so when you are feeling unsure or anxious about a change in your life, I encourage you to remember that God is with you just like He was with the Israelites.  I also encourage you to dwell in His presence, surrender to Him, and remember that God promised the people of Israel a life of peace in the Promised Land, but this restful, peaceful living depended on the Israelites remaining faithful and obedient to Him alone, and your rest depends on this too.

The Definition of Grumbling

Boy oh boy was I surprised to hear the definition of grumbling on Sunday: Rebellion against God, failing to trust Him, doubting His abilities, and questioning His motivations.  Can anybody relate? I hate to admit it, but I can.  When Pastor Matt talked about God parting the Red Sea to save the Israelites, and how they celebrated afterwards, only to grumble against Him 3 days later when they became thirsty in Exodus 15:24, and then again when they became hungry in Exodus 16:2, I think to myself, "Oh, what people of little faith!" But who am I to judge?  The reason I say this is that I have also experienced the miraculous work of God in my life on more than one occasion and then turned around and questioned His motives just a few days later, even after all that I have seen Him do.  

So, I encourage you to keep the definition of "grumbling" in your thoughts today, remembering that it is not just complaining when it comes to God, it is actually a lack of faith in Him, and a failure to trust.  I would also like to remind you of something that Pastor Matt said on Sunday when he was speaking about the Israelites, and that was, "They had to learn to trust, God had already delivered them and He had already come to their rescue."  With that being said, we must also learn to trust because God has already come to our rescue and delivered us too!  Thank You Jesus! 

God's Wonderful Creations

I went to Moores Park this morning to sit with God before coming into work, and as I sat there enjoying the view and the sun that was shining on my face through the window, I looked over at the water and noticed a duck that was floating there and I wondered to myself, "Why is it that ducks feet don't freeze while they are in the water that is still so cold at this time of the year?" Yes, I know that this is an odd thought to have while I am supposed to be spending time with God, but that is how my wandering mind works sometimes, and I just had to have the answer, so I pulled out my phone to Google it and this is what I read:

"Those bright orange legs are equipped with an amazing counter current exchange system.  The counter current exchange system is a unique alignment of blood vessels, with veins and arteries lying next to each other, that allow for the exchange of materials.  In this case, the system allows for the exchange of heat. In a nutshell, warm blood from the body, in the arteries, going into the duck’s feet is used to warm the blood coming from the feet and back into the body, in the veins. This has two advantages. First, it ensures blood going back into the body is warm. Second and more importantly, it conserves body heat by minimizing heat loss."

Now you're probably wondering why I am telling you this, and the only answer that I have is that I found it to be absolutely amazing!  I mean look at God's handiwork!  He actually created these little ducks so intricately that they have a heat exchange system in their feet allowing them to be in the water for great lengths of time, even in the cold!  I just think that is so cool, and I also think that if God spent so much time and paid such close attention to the details of a duck, then imagine how much more time He spent on you and me!  So, with that being said, I invite you today to think about this, and I encourage you to give Him the praise that He so greatly deserves for all of His wonderful creations, including yourself!

It's Easy When You're Comfortable

As I listened to Pastor Matt's sermon on Sunday, one thing that he said really resonated with me, and that was, "It is easy not to doubt God when you’re comfortable."  He said this when he was talking about "Testing Moments", moments when our faith is tested.  Moments when the outcomes are uncertain, and the future is unknown, or in Matt's words, "Moments when we embrace our weaknesses and lean on the strength of an All-Powerful God."  This resonated with me because when I think about it, it is easy to trust God when things are going well.  I mean I can sit here and thank Him all day long for the good things that happen in my life, but when things go sideways, what is my immediate reaction?  Is it to get angry or frustrated and ask god "Why?", or is it to pray about it and trust in Him? 

Well, as much as I would like to say, "Pray about it and trust in Him", I have to be completely honest and say, that is not always the case.  Instead, I probably rant about it to the first person that will listen, or I will cry about it and retreat to a dark place inside myself.  So, with that being said, I was very grateful for this reminder on Sunday to trust in the God who has delivered me, and to remember that I HAVE seen the mighty hand of His work in my life many times.  How easy it is to forget until once again we find ourselves in a situation, crying out to Him and asking for help.

So,  with that being said family, I would just like to remind you once again that faith is "Hoping amidst uncertainty", and that when we are in these "Testing Moments", they are being used to form us so that God can use us for His plan and His purpose. 

Last but not least, I would just like to quote Pastor Matt one more time because I think that this is also an important reminder, "We cannot stay in our old lives and follow Christ into our new ones." 

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.

I am an Evangalist

A while back I took a test to find out if I am a pastor, a prophet, an evangelist, an apostle, or a teacher and I was surprised to learn that according to the test I am an evangelist. I thought for sure that I would score as a teacher, but I guess in my mind a teacher and an evangelist can work together because how can you invite somebody into the kingdom of God without first teaching them about who He is? Or, better yet, living as an example of Him and His good works so that they can see for themselves.

You see, when I went on to read about what an evangelist is, this is what I read:

·        “You make the stories of Jesus’ remarkable goodness and love famous.”

·        “You are the carrier of good news, and partner with Jesus to celebrate people’s transformation.”

·        “You stir curiosity and desire to know Jesus.”

·        “Your life is a living invitation for ALL to join the family of God.”

·        “You are an Evangelist.”

So, needless to say, after looking at it in this light, I can wholeheartedly say that I agree with the fact that I am an evangelist because even though I am not out there knocking on doors like you might picture, I am out here making the stories of Jesus remarkable, and so are you! We make the stories of Jesus remarkable when we tell of what He has done in our lives. We make the stories of Jesus remarkable when we tell of how He saved us from death, suicidal thoughts, depression, illness, heartbreak, danger, financial crisis, and so much more. We make the stories of Jesus remarkable when we tell of how we have experienced these things and still came out on the other side because we knew that He was with us, and sometimes even when we didn’t know He was. We make the stories of Jesus remarkable when we tell people of the peace that we find in Him, and the comfort of His love. We make the stories of Jesus remarkable when we offer this kind of healing to others, praying that God will open their hearts to Him so that they can also experience the kind of love and healing that no doctor or medicine can provide.

I am also an evangelist because I am the carrier of good news and I do get to partner with Jesus in celebrating people’s transformation. I get to send out weekly emails and share the good news with all of you. I get to announce baptisms, marriages, anniversaries, birthdays, prayer requests, and praises. I even get to share the good news of our missionaries from different states and countries around the world! I get to create bulletins with announcements, answer phones and have conversations with people in the community, and I get to say, “God bless you” to them when they stop by my office for personal need items. I am an evangelist because God uses me to speak to people in so many ways to relay His messages and what He wants to say, and sometimes I just sit here and wonder to myself, “Who would have ever thought?” “Shy, quiet, introverted Stacia, being used by God to speak.”

I will also admit that I do stir people’s curiosity and desire to know Jesus. There have been times that my nieces and nephew have come to me to ask a question about Him, and they say, “I’m not sure if I believe or not because I don’t really understand it all, but I would like to know more.” Two of my nieces even asked for a bible, and a few of my kids have come to church with me on more than one occasion. The biological ones and the ones that I have adopted in my heart, and this is where I think the teacher part comes in. You see, I think that God puts people in your path, adults, and kids alike, according to your gifts and His plan for you and for them. For me He brings kids, teenagers, and young adults, but for somebody else it may be senior citizens, young businessmen, or women, or maybe you are really good at connecting with people who have experienced some sort of tragedy that you can relate to. Or, maybe it is a connection that you have because of sports or some kind of hobby. I don’t know for sure, but what I do know is that God puts people in your path specifically for a reason, and that nothing happens by accident.

And the last point, “Your life is a living invitation for ALL to join the family of God.” Well, I am still working on this one, but I can honestly say that I am getting better. Do I still slip up and say a swear word or two when I am angry? Yes, all the time, I even do it when I’m not angry, but I have learned to be more patient. This was something that I have asked God to help me with several times, and I continue to ask Him to help me do better with each and every day.

All in all, I do my best. I live my life looking for people in need and wondering how I can help them, but to be honest, I don’t really have to look that far. There are people in need everywhere. Some are just in need of a hug or a listening ear and some are in need of much more. So, it is important that we ask God to show us what their needs are and also for the means to help them because we cannot do it on our own.  

Prayer:

Father thank You for Your words as You speak through us today and every day. Thank You for reminding us that no matter how we score on a quiz, a questionnaire, or who we think we are, we are who You say we are.

Thank You for helping us to meet people where they are and then lead them to where they need to be.

Thank You for helping us to remember that people don’t live in your church building, but out in the community where they interact with non-Christians every day.

God, please send them our way so that we can show them something different.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

December 22-24, 2022

Well, how about those few days before Christmas (December 22-24)?  When we woke up Thursday morning, the hustle and bustle of the season was in full effect.  Most of us were in a hurry trying to get last minute Christmas gifts, or fighting the crowds at the grocery store to get food for Christmas dinner.  There were Christmas parties to attend, baking to do, presents to wrap, cleaning to do etc., all on top of our regular every day activities, and I don't know about you but I was tired!  I can honestly say that I was OK, but life just seemed a little rough at the time, and Christmas was on the way! No matter what, it just kept getting closer and closer, and then Thursday night came and we got a snowstorm.  Not only did we get a snowstorm, but we got high winds as well so it became dangerously cold outside and I think most of us stayed in the house unless we absolutely had to go out.  So why do you think this happened?

Well, in my mind, I think that this was God's way of sitting us down and forcing us to slow down. He forced us to reevaluate our plans and prioritize what needed to be done and what could wait, because if we did have to go out in that cold, we were going to get everything done all at once.  He also gave some of us a chance to catch up on laundry, or on the dishes after all that baking.  He allowed us to sit down, take a break, and breathe for a minute, and maybe if you're like me, you even had a chance to catch up on some of your TV shows that you've been missing.  I even had time to organize the spice cupboard in the kitchen and clean it out.  It was a relief to have this time, and it felt pretty good after the last few weeks of chaos that flew by so fast!  

I also believe that God gave us this time to slow down so that we could refocus on Him. After all, He is the REASON for the Season, and His birth is the reason that we celebrate!  I have to tell you that He actually turned the TV off on me Christmas Eve Day and reminded me that we needed to spend time together.  The show that I was watching actually turned off and wouldn't play again for a couple hours afterwards.  At first, I was disappointed and I sat there looking crazy for a short time wondering, "What do I do now,?" and it was in that moment that God spoke to me and gave me the words to write down that I am typing today.  So, with that being said, lets join together and thank God today for that much needed break, one that He provided by sending a storm! 

Do Not Underestimate the Power of Connection

As I scrolled through Facebook the other day, I came across a picture of 2 candles next to each other.  One candle was lit and even though they were not touching, the other candle wick was smoking and starting to light just from the heat of the flame next to it.  Underneath the picture it said, “Do not underestimate the power of connection.”   

This concept made me think of God’s word that we have seen in our sermon "Bumper video" on Sunday mornings lately, from Matthew 5:14-16.  It says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

So, what does this mean exactly?  Well, in my mind I think it means that we can be an example to others.  We can “Be the light”, by being kind, caring, and thoughtful.  We can also “Be the light” through service and good deeds, loving people unconditionally, and praying that others might just fall in line when they see us doing so.   

For example, last summer, I purchased a package for unlimited car washes at Mister Car Wash on Saginaw.  I drove through there at least once a week for a couple months to get my truck washed, and not once did I think about giving the car wash attendant a tip. I just drove right up to the gate that opened automatically when I approached it, and then straight through to the wash without having to speak to anybody.   

Then, one afternoon when I went to get my truck washed, I noticed the driver in the car ahead of me roll down their window and hand the attendant some cash for a tip.  In turn, this caused me to quickly search through my purse and find some cash because then I wanted to leave a tip too!  Well, at the time, all I could find was a $5 bill, which is a little much for an $8 car wash, but something prompted me to give it to him anyways, so I did, and his eyes lit up!   

His eyes lit up and he thanked me in such a way that it brought tears to mine, and my heart exploded with joy! I call this "The kind of joy that only God can give" because there is nothing else in the world like it, and it all started with the person ahead of me setting that example and me wanting to follow.  It was a connection, a simple act of kindness, or a flame that was lit by the driver of the car in front of me that carried on to the vehicle behind him, and hopefully to the cars that were behind us.  A chain reaction you could say, a blessing to the attendant, and a power that we should never underestimate.   

Now I leave a large tip everywhere that I go, including the car wash, just to see the light in people’s eyes when they receive it, because to me, that is a reflection of God’s love and appreciation looking back.  

Praising God from Revelations

As I studied in the park Sunday afternoon, I was reading through the first 3 chapters of Revelations and I noticed that as John wrote to the angels of the 7 churches, he was always told to begin with, "These are the words of...", and then he would go on to say something that described Jesus. For example, when he wrote to the angel of the church in Ephesus, he was told to say, "These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands, and to the angel of Smyrna, he wrote, "These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again." So, I went on to read how he began his letters to the other churches as well, and as I read, I wrote down all of the ways that our Father in Heaven was described in these passages. Here is what I came up with:

• The First and the Last, who died and came to life again. (Rev. 2:1)
  

• The words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. (Rev. 2:12)
  

• The Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. (Rev. 2:18)
  

• Him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. (Rev. 3:1)
  

• Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. (Rev. 3:7)
  

• the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Ruler of God’s creation. (Rev. 3:14)

I also went back to John's "Greetings and Doxology" to the 7 churches in the beginning and wrote down Rev. 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty”, and after writing all of these down, I realized that I had the perfect praise list! It made me think of the Lord's prayer and how we have been taught to begin with praise, so having this list in front of me was powerful, and that is the reason why I share it with you today!

With that being said, I ask you to take a moment each day and read over this list, or maybe add to it, or come up with one of your own, and then praise Him! Praise Him for dying for us on the cross, praise Him for His wisdom, praise Him for open doors providing new opportunities, and for closing doors that needed to be shut, and praise Him for being faithful and true, and for keeping His promises, just praise Him!

An Introspective Gardener's Thoughts...

The terrible intruders! 

Those thistles, I pulled out last year, and the year before, and over and over again keep coming back! I think I have them out, root and all, but NO! 

And what's so pernicious is they grow right in the MIDDLE of the Iris bulbs! Digging them out requires injury to the bulbs, but it must be done if there is to be a weed free plant. 

Is this a metaphor moment? 

Am I seeing my sins? Maybe, the ones I confess over and over, that keep me on my knees?  

What's worse is that when I’m done with one, another takes its place, growing right in the middle of what I'd hoped was good fruit, or flowering beauty. 

Only You, Jesus, I give You my ground, weeds, and all.

Pernicious, what exactly does that mean?  I wasn’t sure, so I looked it up, and it means “To have a harmful effect, especially in a gradual and subtle way”, or in my mind, I would describe it as, “You don’t even see it coming.”  It is something that happens so slowly over time, that you never even noticed it until it had already done damage.   

Some examples of these things could be harmful habits that destroy your body and affect your health over time, self-defeating thoughts, lack of confidence, or fears that hold you back from doing great things, and the things that eat you up inside that nobody even knows about.  These are some of the thistles that we think we have gotten rid of at the root, but then in certain situations, they seem to pop back up, and these are the thistles that can break our hearts and hurt for a time, but the strength that remains after they are removed comes from God alone.  It is His strength, and He is the one who empowers us to overcome the world!  

Sometimes Our View is Just Obstructed

As I sat at the park Sunday morning before church, I looked out of the passenger side window of my truck and I saw so many trees, and I couldn’t help but think to myself, “These are same trees that were here when my grandpa played at this park, and that brought me a sense of nostalgia. 

Then I turned my head and looked out of the driver’s side window, and I saw rocks of all shapes and sizes piled up along the side of the riverbank, and I saw the water flowing steadily downstream with the sun reflecting off of it, making it sparkle, and I thought to myself, “God your creation is so beautiful!” 

Then I looked up and I saw the 3 towers that hover over the Dam, and I thought to myself, “God you are so mighty!”

And then I think back to another time that I sat here in this park, almost in the same spot, and things were not going so well in my life then, so I thanked God in that moment for saving me, and then I shifted in my seat, and I closed my eyes to pray. 

When I opened my eyes afterwards, I was looking out of the windshield of my truck, and my view of the river was obstructed. The frame of the truck that goes around the side of the windshield split the river in half from that angle, and it blocked the rocks all together.  I could also see the blue city of Lansing trash can that sat directly in front of my parking space, and I thought to myself, “What the heck?”, and then I thought to myself, “God, what are you trying to tell me?”  Then, as I sat there, I heard His still small voice and He said, “Sometimes your view is just obstructed, you can’t see everything right away.” 

So, I thought about that for a while, and I realized that when I sat in that same spot a little over 2 years ago, all I could feel at the time was pain and heartache, sadness, shame, and regret, and I wasn’t really sure how life could go on at that point, but what I didn’t realize then was that my view was just obstructed. 

I couldn’t see myself sitting there praising God like I am today and thanking Him for the joy that I find in His creations. I couldn’t see myself shifting positions and looking out of one of the other windows for a better perspective, but now I can, and that is why I am thanking God today for all of the many different views and perspectives that He gives us, even the obstructed ones because these are the ones that make us appreciate later on, what we have been through, and how far we have come. These are also the ones that show us that God’s promises are true, and that even in our painful seasons, He will make beauty out of ashes, just we are told in Isaiah 61:3, where God’s word says that He will “comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”   

You see, our sorrow can leave us feeling defeated, but when we fully give ourselves over to God, our view of these sorrows will change, and even though the circumstances might remain the same, we can change the glass that we look at them through.

A Posture of Humility

Sticking with Pastor Matt's theme of humility this week, and the tool of repetition, I would just like to begin today by reminding you that your greatness is based upon what you give up to serve others, and not what you gain for yourself. This really stuck a cord with me as Pastor Matt was preaching on Sunday because there have been so many times that I have heard somebody say things like, "Why should I do that for them when they never do anything for me?, or "Why should I help somebody when I can barely afford to help myself?", and when I hear these things as a Christian now, they make me cringe. You see, I have had this mindset in the past, so I understand it, but now that I know Jesus and seek to be an imitator of Christ, I know that that this is the way of the world, and not God's way. For in His word He says, "Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.

So, with that being said family, I encourage you today to keep this particular scripture verse in your mind every day, especially on the days that you find yourself in a worldly mindset, thinking that things just don't seem to be fair, and you wonder why you should help anybody at all. Remember, start with a posture of humility, just as Pastor Matt said on Sunday, because doing so brings us closer to our Creator, strengthens us in our transformation, and helps us be a witness to others who do not yet know Christ and the love that He has for us.

Are You a Real Christian?

While reading an article on Christianity.com titled, "Are You a Christian?', I came across the question, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" and by evidence, I don't mean how many Bibles you own, or how many bumper stickers you might have on your car with Christian sayings on them. I mean hard evidence. If your family members, neighbors, and coworkers were interviewed and asked the question, "Is (your name here), in your opinion, a real Christian?" what would be their response?

Well, I thought about this for a minute, but in my mind, I came up with no clear answer. The reason for that is that when I think about who I am, and the way that I treat people, then yes, I would like to say that their response would be "Of course she is a Christian!" "She talks about God often, sharing the Good News, she helps people in need, and she goes to church regularly." But then I think about some other things that I do that may not be so "Christian Like", and then I'm not so sure of what they might say. Things like getting angry at other drivers on the road and speeding up to go around them, judging people who make poor choices like I haven't made poor choices myself, swearing, and not loving my actual neighbors who live right next door to me like I love myself because they frustrate me. So, am I a real Christian? Am I setting examples and living in a way that everybody that knows me can honestly say, "Yes, she is?" That I am not so sure of. Actually, I think that the answers would vary, depending on who you asked, and that is not something that I am proud of.

So, with that being said, let's make a conscious choice today to think about the examples that we are setting about being Christians, and what that really means. Are we being patient with others? Are we thinking before we speak? Are we taking the time to listen to others so that we can serve them in ways that are meaningful to their situations? And the hard one for me, Are we loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, or better yet, are we loving our neighbors the way that Jesus loves them? Now I know that none of these things are easy to do, but I think that if we make a conscious choice every day to be a better example of who God has called us to be, then we can most definitely do better today than we did yesterday, and each day after that!

A Reminder of God's Faithfulness

I had a thought this morning that crossed my mind and it went a little something like this...

The other day I saw that the National weather service predicted that we were going to get 16 inches of snow! Then yesterday, I saw that that prediction had changed to 6-8 inches, and then this morning I heard 3-6 inches, and I thought to myself, "Do they really know what they are talking about?" "I mean, how can we rely on them when they keep changing their minds and throwing different numbers out there every single day?'' and then I had another thought that came to mind, and that was, "God never changes." So, that means that if He says something, then we know that it is the truth." But is God predictable? Can we predict what He is going to do day to day, just like we try to do with the weather? Do we always know exactly what He is going to do next? No, we do not, but we do know that He is faithful!

So, with that being said family let's use these thoughts today as a reminder of His faithfulness, even in the midst of a snowstorm that may or may not be coming, and even when our hopes have been dashed for 80 degrees and sunny this week! Let's also use these thoughts today to remember that God's plan is not our plan, and even though we would like to tell Him what to do and how to do it, the most important thing to remember is to trust Him! Trust in His goodness, trust in His promises, and trust in His word that "In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 NIV).

Choose Joy by Seeking God's Face

Psalm 27:8, where God's word says, My heart says of you, “Seek His face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.

How do we choose joy? We do it by seeking God's face. We choose joy by seeking a relationship with Him, because when we walk closely with Him, He will place His own desires upon our hearts that will bring us joy. You see joy is provided by the Holy Spirit. Joy is found in answered prayer. Joy is also produced by hope in the anticipation that God is going to do something good and will continue to do good according to His promises. Joy also fills our hearts when we remember all of the good things that God has already done for us, and most of all, joy is found in God's presence as we think of His great kindness and celebrate how wonderful He is! Joy is something that God can restore, making our hearts smile, even when things seem to be falling apart, and joy comes when we trust in the Lord, knowing that He loves us more than we could ever even imagine! So, with that being said family and friends, I encourage you to choose joy today! Choose joy over worry, choose joy when you feel frustrated, and choose joy when you're feeling sad. Choose joy by seeking God's face every single day and let His Holy Spirit create in your heart the kind of joy that only He can give.

Things Our Parents Said to Us as Kids...

Things Our Parents Said to Us as Kids…

·        If you sit that close to the TV, you’ll hurt your eyes.

·        If you eat to much candy, your teeth are going to fall out.

·        If you don’t wear a jacket outside, you’ll catch pneumonia.

·        This hurts me more than it hurts you.

·        Santa is real and so is the Easter Bunny.

·        The tooth fairy only left dimes when I was a kid!

·        There are starving people in Africa who would love to eat your supper.

·        And my moms favorite, “I have eyes in the back of my head.”

Why did we believe our parents when they told us these things?  Because we trusted them right?  Because we believed that they knew what was best for us, and because we knew how much they loved us and always had our best interest at heart.  We had complete faith and trust that what our parents said was true because they were our parents, and that was the only reason that we needed to believe. 

Do you have this kind of faith in Jesus Christ?  Complete trust?  The kind of faith that we had in our parents when we were just children?

When I think about this, I think about how children function mostly on emotion, rather than reason.  When a child is upset, they automatically run to the adult that they love and trust the most.  Do we automatically run to God with our problems when we are upset?  Do we trust Him the most, or do we trust our best friend first?

When children are afraid in the middle of the night, they automatically call out for their mommy or daddy, do we automatically call out for our Daddy, God?

When children are happy, who is the first person that they want to tell?  Their parents.  Do we automatically tell God first when we are happy and thank Him for the circumstances that led up to it?

When children are sad, they automatically want to be held, and when a parent says, “It’s going to be OK”, they believe it.  Do you believe it?  Do you believe that God holds you when you are sad and feeling down?  Can you close your eyes and feel His arms around you?  Can you hear Him telling you that everything is going to be OK? 

Can you put your reasoning aside for just a moment, and concentrate on your childlike emotions?  How does this make you feel?

God’s word in Matthew 18:1-3 says:

At the time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?’  He called a little child and had him stand among them and He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

Being childlike means that you are content because you trust God, and you trust Him because You have complete faith in Him, no questions asked.  You just know that He loves you unconditionally and that He always has your best interests at heart. 

Here are some characteristics of childlike faith:

·        Forgives easily

·        Does not hold a grudge

·        Full of love

·        Worry free, not full of doubt

·        Marvels at creation (Butterflies, frogs, nature)

·        Dreams big dreams

·        Eager to learn new things

·        Creative

·        And uncomplicated

Now, apply these qualities to your Christian faith, and when adult life seems to be taking you down, revert back to this list, and to your childhood, and know that Jesus always has your back.  All you have to do is believe in Him, and unlike some of the things your parents may have told you, you can always trust that what He says is true!

God's Beauty and a Full Moon!

Did any of you stay up late last night and see the moon shining bright in all of its glory, or wake up early enough this morning to see it? If so, then you know how absolutely beautiful it was! As a matter of fact, as I was driving to work this morning, I felt like a kid again as I watched it follow me when I turned left and then right, and then I watched it disappear for a moment, and then reappear as I made my way on to the highway going west, and I was in awe!

As I drove, I thought about how so many people, even people who are thousands of miles away from me, could see the same beautiful moon, and I wondered to myself, "How is this even possible?" I also wondered how one minute I could see it shining bright right behind the 3 stacks as I passed by Moores Park, but when I got on the highway, it was directly in front of me and nowhere near the park. How is that possible? It's just something that I cannot explain any other way except for the fact that it is God's magic! I mean who else in the world could make a moon that so many people can see at the same time, and who else could make a moon that follows you and guides you no matter where you go? Only God! He is so amazing, and His beauty is awe inspiring!

I couldn't help but to cry out to Him this morning as I drove and thank Him! I thanked Him for the beauty that only He can create in this world. Nobody else can make a sunset so beautiful, or a rainbow shine bright after the rain. Nobody else can create a billion stars that twinkle in the night sky, or a full moon that follows us all the way to work on our morning commute, nobody but God.

So, with that being said, let's remember to thank Him today and every day for the things that cannot always be explained but fill us with childlike wonder and awe, and most of all, let's thank God for sharing His beauty with us this morning and in all of the days to follow.

Questions

What would the world look like today if every person followed your example? What if the words that they spoke carried the same tone and message as yours? What if their responses echoed your responses? What if their actions mimicked your actions? Would people look more like Jesus? Would relationships reflect His forgiveness and compassion? Would the world be any different?

These are all questions from a devotion discussed in our staff meeting this morning called "Like You", taken from leadlikejesus.com, and although we were talking about leadership qualities in our meeting, I think that these are good questions that we can ALL ask ourselves. Now I will be honest and admit that I cringed at some of these as Joey read them aloud to us. I imagined some people following my example when I get angry or frustrated in traffic. I imagined my tone when I speak to my kids sometimes and I've had it up to my wits end, and I imagined my responses when I am short with them because I am "busy". I also thought about my very close friend that I haven't talked to in months because we had a falling out and I'm just not ready to forgive her yet, and after thinking about all of these things, I certainly am not ready to compare myself to Jesus, but I want to.

So, with that being said, I think that these are questions that we should ask ourselves every single day, not because we are always going to have the right answers, but because they are a great reminder of who we want to be. They are a great reminder of who Jesus is, and they are great way to strive to do better. They are also a great start to making the world a better place, after all, as Christians, we lead by example, and pray that others will come to know Jesus because of how we do it!

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

My Church Family

When I think of my church family, these are just a few words that come to mind:

LOVING:  Supporting each other unconditionally.  My church family greets me with a smile, hugs me, and asks me how I am doing, and means it. Their creative notes and cards that are left on my desk are gifts of love. Their words of appreciation are like rays of sunshine that make my day brighter.

FAITHFUL:  Praying for each other during the good times and the bad, having faith that God hears us and will answer. Faithfully show up seeking to serve God in our community, our church, and the world that we live in, asking Him for wisdom and guidance.

SERVANT HEARTS:  Willing to go the extra mile, supporting each other.  Giving rides, doing yard-work, going on mission trips, and providing food.  Hosting events that bring us together alongside of our community, praying, and lifting needs up to God who is the Caretaker of all.

JOYFUL:  Happiness and Laughter. We experience joy when we share answered prayers. We weep happy tears when we listen to miraculous healing stories that those in our congregation have shared.  We celebrate milestone birthdays together with cake and fellowship.  We enjoy potlucks, bon fires, game nights, small groups, and serving together, all of which bring joy to our hearts and happiness to our souls.

PATIENT:  Growing, learning, imitating Christ.  Forgiving one another when we offend, hurt, or just don’t get it.

GENTLE:  A deep care for each other. Small groups meeting together to have conversations about God and life.  Cards of encouragement sent to those who may need their spirits lifted, or ones that say, “Get Well Soon”.  Phone calls that are made asking, “How are you doing?”, or “Do you need anything?”  Meals when somebody is not able to cook for themselves, and most of all prayer.

KIND:  Loving connections.  Nurturing Children and Youth.  CONNECT Wednesday nights that bring families together, Mt. Vernon reading and food ministry, Cumberland Elementary School backpack food ministry, volunteers, flowers on Sunday, and simple “Hello’s”, these are all examples of the kindness that radiates here.

PEACEFUL:  Immanuel Community Reformed Church is a safe place where you can be just who you are. The passion and pain that we witness each week can sometimes be overwhelming, but our church family is understanding and there to lift you up with prayers and encouragement. We find peace in each other, but most of all, we find peace in God and in His promises. 

This is Why I Thank God for My Church Family Today!

Where is God?

I didn’t expect to wake up the other morning and have an argument with my daughter and I didn’t expect to go home last night and end up arguing with my sister either.  I didn’t know when I woke up this morning that I was going to lay in my bed all day feeling sorry for myself, and I had no idea that the difficult conversation that I had with my dad over the weekend would keep replaying in my head and hurting my heart.

I didn’t expect any of this to happen when I went to bed Saturday night, or when I woke up Sunday morning, but it did, so where do I go from here?

What do we do when unexpected things happen that weigh heavy on our hearts?  Do we turn to God right away, or do we first try to get through it on our own accord?  Where do we find peace and comfort in our afflictions?     

I have sometimes asked, “Where is God when I am hurting so bad?” “Where is God when my heart feels so heavy in my chest that I feel like I can’t breathe?”  “Where is God when I feel afraid or have questions that need to be answered?”, and “Where is God when I don’t feel Him near me?”  “Is He far from me, or have I moved away from Him?”  “Where is God when I need Him the most?”

Well let me tell you, HE IS HERE!  He is always here!  

God’s word in Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

And in Acts 17: 27, God’s word says, “God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us.”

You see friends and family, God is always close to us, and He never leaves our side.  So, why does He sometimes feel so very far away?  Well, it could be for many reasons…

Perhaps it is because of our behaviors.  There are times in our lives when God withdraws His presence because He wants us to pay attention to the destructive path that we are on. God loves us, but He’s a holy God and He’s not going to indulge us when we’re living in a way that contradicts His Word.

Or maybe we are not seeking Him the way that we should.  Have you ever wanted to pray, but you just couldn’t find the words or the focus to do so? I know there have been times that I wanted to pray, but all I could do is sit there in silence and hang my head.  Well, my advice to you is to keep trying!  Don’t give up, and if you can’t find the words, then just call out to Him, and hold on to the knowledge that He is there, He hears your cries, and He knows your heart. 

As a matter of fact, God’s word in  Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.”  This  verse means to me that the Lord takes account of all of our sadness, all of our pain, all of the teardrops that have flowed from our eyes, and every silent groan from our hurting hearts because of His love for us. Remember He has scheduled every day of our lives and He knows the tears that will result from the afflictions of His people.

Our times are in His hands, and we have a God who knows and loves and cares for everything that causes His children pain, but like our Savior, we gain a closer intimacy with our Father through the things that we suffer in obedience to His will.  The wonderful thing is that through it all, we will gain a closeness to His heart of love, and a depth of understanding of our God that we never imagined possible, for God has promised that the day is coming when sorrow will be turned into joy and tears will be turned into laughter – a day when He Himself will wipe away every tear that has fallen from our eyes.  Thank You Jesus!

 Prayer

Abba, thank You for the hope that we have in You.  Thank You for loving us so much that You actually keep track of our tears and our sorrows.  Thank You for using these afflictions to make us stronger and to draw us closer to You.  Abba I pray today that You continue to remind us of our destructive behaviors when we are on the wrong path, and we thank You in advance for reaching out to bring us back from them.  Thank You also for hearing our cries when we cannot find the words to say what is wrong.  Thank You for being our healer and protector and thank You for Your promise that one day all of our sorrows will turn into joy and our tears into laughter.  We look forward to this day Abba, our hope is in You!  In Jesus Name, Amen.