Cottonwood Women

Redo, Repurpose, and Restore

2012-02-06T09:29:00.002-06:00

My husband and I like to redecorate. We always have some kind of project going on, sometimes big, sometimes small. We do not like to spend a lot of money doing it. We actually don't have a lot of money, but, if we did we would not want to spend it decorating.

One thing we enjoy is taking something we have, making changes to use it in a new setting. The first piece of furniture we bought was a small desk with one drawer we found for $2.50 at a garage sale. We painted it burnt orange (hey, it was the 70's) and used it for a side table in our living room. I do not even know how many colors that desk has been; red, white, I think it was green for a time, and my favorite, tourqoise with pink details for Melody's little girl room. Oh, yeh, then I faux finished it dark red with gold. Now, our daughter Libby has it in her garage stripping layers of paint off to paint it for her daughters room.

The first NEW thing we ever bought was a set of lamps for our living room. The apartment we were in did not have an overhead light in the living room, so after several months, when we got an income tax refund, we bought lamps. Simple, ginger jar style glass lamps in a nice shade of yellow. They were beautiful. During our early years of moving around a lot, I would not let anyone else carry my lamps. I took them with me in my car to the new place. After many years of use, they were out of style and did not match our new decor. It was the 80's and we painted them country blue, to go with our blue and peach living room. The next decade, we painted them tourqoise, then green. They were in a guest room, then moved to the garage. Last night, Les brought one in and painted it to go with our current living room. We then made a new shade for it from fabric that matches the shears on the living room windows. Not only did we get a "new" lamp, we get to continue using an item that we bought as newlyweds. That is special.

Les is pretty creative. When he painted the living room and hall recently, he decided to spruce up the ugly air intake registers and the light switch covers with metallic bronze paint. They turned out great, from eyesores to added interest. (Those pictures were right side up before I uploaded them, sheesh.)

My sister recently gave me a couple of special items also, a table that is over 100 years old that belonged to my grandmother, and a picture that was my mothers, that hung over the couch for many years when I was a child. Les put it in a new frame, and it looks terrific. I am using both of those now.( OMG why are the pictures turning sideways??? Sorry, but just tilt your head and you can see them.)

I enjoy looking around my house to see things that have great memories, but have a new look.

A Samuel or a Samson

2012-02-03T23:11:00.001-06:00

In our Wednesday night class, we are going though the Old Testament. We just completed a study of the judges, concluding with Samson, and this week, started 1 Samuel.
I was struck with the way Samuel started life much like Samson. Samson's mother was visited by an angel who told her that she was going to have a son, who would be dedicated to the Lord, and she should not cut his hair, a sign of a special dedication.
Samuels mother prayed for a baby, and promised that she would dedicate him to the Lord and never cut his hair. Both babies were special, set apart, devoted to God before birth.

Samson's parents did not seem to follow up the dedication with teaching and training. Based on Judges 13-16, it seems that Samuel had no regard for God or the laws of God. Samson saw a Philistine woman he liked and wanted to marry. His parents had a problem with this, since God had said specifically to not marry the women of the surroundding nations, and, the Philistines were the enemy nation who ruled over Israel at the time. Samson's answer to this? "Get that woman for me! She is the one I want!” (Judges 13:24) that was the beginning of the record of a life controlled by lust, anger, and selfishness.

Samuel's mother dedicated her son to the Lord, but she understood that just dedicating her baby to God would not make him godly. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him to the temple and gave him to God to serve Eli, the priest. Samuel ministered in the temple, where he learned the Law and the ways of God. He was needed at the temple because Eli's own sons were wicked. They cheated the peoplw who came to offer sacrifices, they were immoral and greedy. Samuel cared about the things of God. He listened to God and obeyed Him. Samuel served Israel as a prophet, a judge, and a priest his whole life.

For several days, I have contemplated the stories of these two men. Samson had everything, a special calling to deliver his people, divine strength and ability. He threw it all away and lived his life controlled by passion and lust. In the end, his enemies captured him, gouged his eyes out, and forced him to do the work of a beast (there are so many spiritual applications there, I won't even start with them). Samuel served God and his people well, was respected and honored, and lived a long and meaningful life.

Dreams and visions!

2012-02-01T22:19:00.000-06:00

I have had a month of techno troubles. First, my laptop crashed. It was still within the extended warranty, so Dell gave me a new hard drive, great!...with no software on it. My terrific son in law Brad took my old hard drive and got the data off,or. I downloaded all my data, but, no good. The computer doesn't have the software to read it. I can't even open my documents. SO, I put my data on the old desk top computer, and have been able to do some of my work on it. Monday, we lost the Internet on the desk top. My laptop has Internet, but nothing else. I can creat documents on the desktop, but can't send them to anyone, and the desktop has no Bible software. A long phone call to century link did not help any. SO, I spent two hours on our ipad, working on a January calendar to turn in on Wednesday for a monthly report, but couldn't print it. At 11:00pm, I needed to prepare two Bible studies for Wednesday, plus wanted to do my monthly reports! I also was concerned about several troubling situations in the church. I went to bed around midnight feeling pretty frustrated. I had trouble going to sleep, finally got up and did some Bible study, went back to bed and slept until 4:00. I got up, had a good time in prayer, did my daily study, then, miraculously was able to complete everything else I needed. At 7, I relaxed in the recliner for a short nap.

Before I fell asleep (I'm pretty sure I was awake), I had a vision. I saw myself on the floor in a large room with very tall ceilings. The room was very pretty. The walls were gold with a really nice faux finish. Not sure why that is important, anyway, as I was there on the floor, I began to rise up, float into the air. At first, I was afraid, but I continued to float higher, to the ceiling. I floated around the room, and I began to feel complete peace. When the vision ended, I knew that I could rise above the frustrations and worries. God will lift me up and carry me if I trust Him to.

This whole day, I have walked in such peace and trust. Whether that was a vision or just an old fashioned dream, I know that God gave it to me and spoke to me through it.

Easy New Recipe

2012-01-24T08:01:00.000-06:00

I rarely share a recipe here, (in fact I dont think I ever have), mainly because there are so many blogs,with great new recipes, but I cooked up something last night that was easy, cheap, delicious, and HEALTHY! So, I wanted to share it. My husband loves eggplant Parmesan. I can make it, but it is a little bit of trouble, and turns a healthy veggie into a high fat meal. I decided to try a healthier version, and I was happy with the outcome.

One eggplant- cut ends off and chop it into pieces

Pour about 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9*13 pan, sprinkle in some rosemary, oregano, thyme, garlic (fesh chopped or powder, salt, pepper. Stir in the eggplant until it is coated. Add more olive oil if you need to, just to coat all the pieces very lightly.
Add about a half of an onion, sliced.

Put this into the oven, set on 400, cook about 30 minutes.
While that cooks, cook some pasta. I actually used whole wheat spaghetti, but that is not my usual choice.

When the eggplant is a soft and browned, but not mushy, remove it from the oven, add 1/2 can diced tomatoes with garlic, (or Italian spices). Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese, serve over the pasta.

Easy, my husband loved it, and I still feel healthy this morning!

New insight from a Troubling Passage

2012-01-20T14:42:00.000-06:00

I planned to write this post today, and then a rather strange thing occurred. You see, a friend shared some insight on a passage we studied in our Tuesday morning Bible study which I thought was brilliant. I shared her insight with several people and marveled at it, and planned to blog about it today. Last night I told her that I thought she had the best explanation for a difficult passage that I had heard. She said that she did not come up with the insight,that it came from a Bible study we did years ago, she just remembered it when we got to the passage this week, but that originally I was the person who told her. We both got a good laugh about that. I have often said that Teressa remembers things I say that I do not remember, and apparantly this is one. So, now it is a little strange to post, because I was apparantly the one who first shared it, but, still, I felt that it was helpful, so here goes.

The troublesome passage is Acts 15. The gospel has spread to the Gentiles, many have believed, and churches have been established in many cities. Then, some men from Jerusalem began to tell these new Christians that to follow Jesus, they had to first be circumcised and follow the Jewish laws. This caused a great uproar, and the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to find out. The leaders had a big conference,where some "Pharisees who were believers" argued that new followers truly must submit to circumcision and obey the law. Peter stood up and reminded the group that God had opened the door to the Gentiles, sending Peter to a Gentile home and showing him that God indeed meant for Gentiles to come to Him without having to be Jewish first. Then Paul and Barnabas shared their experiences of seeing many Gentiles put their faith in Christ, and seeing God perform miracles among them.

NOW we get to the problem. James, the half brother of Jesus, who by this time seems to be the leader of the church in Jerusalem, stands up and says this:
“And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.
-Acts 15:19-20

That bothers me. Paul strongly says that we are free from the law, so why does James demand that Gentiles do these things, and the other leaders agree. Our study had a possible explanation, that these would help with unity because Jewish Christians could freely eat with Gentile Christians. That is ok, but what about pork, or all the other unclean animals? I read other commentaries which made sense, but did not quite satisfy me.

On Tuesday, Teressa said that all three of these things were associateed with the worship of idols. In their idol worshipping past, these Gentile Christians would have sacrificed food to an idol, then eaten the food as an act of worship. Sexual activity was a part of idol worship throughout the Roman Rmpire, with temple prostitutes part of the culture. And the use of blood sacrifice was a common part of pagan idol worship, which sometimes included drinking the blood.
These practices would have possibly been a normal part of life for the new Gentile believers, with strong ties to idolatry. It was the thought of James and the other leaders that, because of past of the Gentiles, it would be healthier for them to refrain from these things.

That is the best explanation I have for this passage, that James was concerned for the well being of the new believers, not for the protection of the Jewish law. I feel much better about James now.

Helpful tips

2012-01-14T22:31:00.000-06:00

Here are a few helpful tips, some I have used for years, some from other sites, I thought you might enjoy.

Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

"Boil" eggs for salads in the microwave. Crack the eggs into a small dish, puncture them with a fork, microwave for a minute, cut through and move the done edges to the inside (don't actually stir or you end up with scrambled). Microwave another minute or so.

Roast your vegetables for great flavor. Any fresh vegetables, just,toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, roast uncovered on pan in hot (425ish) oven, cook about 20 minutes, until as done as you like them, delicious.

To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip to eliminate static cling. It works; you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... Ta DA! ... Static is gone.

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

De-fog your windshield: Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Re-opening envelopes: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Goodbye Fruit Flies: To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup an d gone forever!

Drop a small object on the carpet and can't find it. Place panty hose over the end of the vacuum hose and start vacuuming. The panty hose will trap anything to large to fit through the tiny hose and keep it from getting sucked into the vacuum

Stuffing a dryer sheet in you back pocket will repel mosquitoes.

If you place a wooden spoon over a pot of boiling water, it won't boil over.

Ten reasons you should come to the Cottonwood Ladies Retreat

2012-01-13T16:00:00.000-06:00

Ten reasons you should come to the Cottonwood Ladies Retreat

10. You get to go away for 24 hours to a nice hotel where you don’t have to cook or clean.

9. You can have a LOT of fun; laugh, visit, relax in the indoor, heated pool or hot tub.

8. You can go early in the day and shop before the retreat.

7. You will make new friends.

6. You can invite your mother or your daughter; your sister; or your best friend for a special weekend getaway.

5. You will meet and connect with some wonderful Christian women.

4. You get to hear a godly woman share her testimony of God’s faithfulness.

3. You can participate in exciting, uplifting praise and worship.

2. You can focus on the things of God, without all the distractions of everyday life.

1. You can hear from God.

For all these reasons and more, come be a part of this special weekend

Yes, Mercy Triumphs

2012-01-09T23:22:00.000-06:00

We started our new Bible Study tonight, James, Mercy Triumphs, by Beth Moore. Really? When I think of the book of James, I don't think of Mercy. I usually think, "faith without works is dead", or "true religion is caring for the widow and orphan". I love that she used that title. James is not really all about legalism and works. Mercy and grace, faith, good works, caring for others, they all work together.
James was the biological half brother of Jesus, same mother, different father of course. Think about it. That in itself would be enough to make you a little up tight. He probably grew up hearing, "James, why can't you be more like Jesus?" When someone said, "Wow, your big brother is perfect", it was really true. That had to be hard. James did not believe in Jesus before His death (Mark 3 and John 4,but sometime after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to James, according to 1Cor. 15:7. Jesus made a special visit to His little brother before He ascended to His Father. THAT is mercy. James believed. THAT is triumph.

New Year's Resolutions? NOT me!

2012-01-05T08:09:00.000-06:00

It's the first of January. Many people talk about making resolutions, which, as someone said, are really a to-do list for the fist week of January. I had some ladies over for lunch on Monday. For content, I thought we would discuss "our" resolutions. (by our I obviously meant their, since I don't do resolutions.) Well it turns out they don't either, so the discussion was short. One friend said her resolution was to study the Bible more, another said she was going to pray more, but those things are pretty constant goals, so they just barely count as resolutions.

Maybe it's our age, ranging from 40 something up. Maybe we learned long ago that resolutions don't last long. Still, although I don't do resolutions, I do love the feeling of the clean slate, fresh start that the new year brings. I feel like Im starting a new lap in a race. I want to pick up the pace; pray more, study the Bible more, share my faith more, love God more, love other people better, serve better, spend more time with my grandchildren. I want to live my life fully, with great joy and gusto. I hope to shine this year! I hope that my life will cause someone else to want to follow Jesus.
So, welcome 2012!

Happy NEW Year

2012-01-01T08:34:00.000-06:00

Dont you love new beginnings? I always look forward to the start of each new year because we have the opportunity to say goodby to the year before and open a new page. When God created our earth, he established a lot of do-overs, because He knew we would need them. Every day is a do -over, we get a new start. Every Sunday brings a new week, every month we can start over, but the first of every year is a really big new beginning.

God has an affinity for things that are new. Look in the Bible. God says that He will make a NEW covenant with us, He will give us a NEW heart, and a New spirit. He provides NEW mercies for us every morning, and He puts a NEW song in our mouths. He makes you a NEW person, with a RENEWED mind, and a NEW life. Jesus provided a NEW and living way to go to the Father. God even says that everyone who comes to Christ is actually a NEW creature!

God will create a NEW heaven and NEW earth, with a NEW Jerusalem. And finally, He says, "Behold, I make all things NEW."

I do believe, however, that when God uses the word new, He means more than we understand. We talk about getting a new car, but the new new car is the same in essence as the old car. It is new In the sense that's it has just been made, but in essence it isn't new at all. A new baby is the same as billions of other babies that came before.

When God makes something new, It is new in it's very essence. When Jesus was born, he was a new baby in every way. Before Jesus, there was God, there was man, and there were angels, and fallen angels. Jesus was a brand new thing. He was fully God, and fully human, NEW.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." When we give our lives to Christ, we are born again. Not just get a fresh start at life with our sins washed away (although we do get that, Hallelujah). We become a NEW creature, New in essence, a human being with God living inside. Before Jesus came,that was some thing never before seen. NEW! Don't Forget, you are a NEW creature, a very special kind of being, not just human, but a human with God mixed in!

Home made cleanser frenzy

2011-12-30T21:23:00.002-06:00

In the last few weeks, I wrote many posts in my head, clever and inspirational things about Christmas, but I was busy, and then my computer crashed, I mean really crashed. It's ok, Dell gave me a new hard drive, but I have not yet been able to retrieve my data from the old one. What that has to do with this blog is this; all of my usernames and passwords were saved on the old hard drive, not so much in my memory. So, I finally figured out how to write and post something. I have plans to wrote something about the new year, but I can do that later.

I have become obsessed with making cleansers! yes, I have. I have always used the newest , strongest chemicals for cleaning. Generally, I have felt that if I could still breathe easily and was not dizzy, then my house could to be truly clean. But, Pinterest has changed my life. I saw a shower cleaner that had rave reviews. I made it and used it, and my sinks and tubs sparkle. I am especially happy about finding this natural cleaner to use on my fiberglass jacuzzi tub that I am not supposed to use chemicals on.
Ready? Here is the secret recipe: (from food.com)
12 oz vinegar
12 oz Dawn dishwashing soap
Heat the vinegar in the microwave, put it in a spray bottle, add the Dawn, shake. USE it on everything. It's like magic.

I was so inspired I tried a few more.

Stain remover. Two parts hydrogen peroxide, one part blue Dawn dish liquid. This worked great on some stains on the carpet, and took grease stains from a dressy tshirt.

Detergent (a little more complicated, but really good and cheap), from Being Creative to Keep my Sanity.
76 oz box of Borax
4 lb box of baking soda
55lb box of Arm and Hammer washing soda
2 bars pink Zoe soap or 3 bars Fels-naptha soap, grated (I tried several things, ended up using my salad shooter)
1 or 2 small containers of powdered oxyclean.
Mix everything together. I used my big Tupperware cake taker and it completely filled it.
Use 1 or 2 tablespoon per load. I got all of the ingredients at Walmart for les than $15, and it will last a loooong time.

While at that blog, I checked out a recipe for dish detergent:
1 box Borax
1 big box baking soda
3 cups Epsom salt
24 packages unsweetened lemonade mix ( yes, those little koolade type packs)
Mix together in a LARGE bowl. se 2 tablespoons.
Important NOTE- you MUST use a rinse aid such as Lemi shine with this. If not, all the dishes have a film. It still saves a lot of money.

Then, I cleaned my toilets; I shook some baking soda in, poured some lemon juice, then some vinegar and scrubbed! Clean and shiny!
And, for furniture polish, I mixed a little olive oil and lemon juice, beautiful.

I am pretty excited about using these natural cleaners. A note to my daughters, this is really me. Michelle Dugger didn't take over my blog!

Journal from Zanzibar

2011-11-30T18:02:00.001-06:00

Cottonwood sent a group to Zanzibar recently to visit our missionaries there, distribute mosquito nets, and to connect with the Zanzibari people. Belinda Koestle shared a little snipet from the trip which was so meaningful, I asked permission to share it on the blog. Below is an entry taken from her journal on while she was in Zanzibar.

When we were getting ready for this trip,Dave gave us some insight into making this trip as meaningful and pleasant as possible. Besides stressing the value of being flexible, he wanted to prepare us for all the very noticeable differences we would experience while we were here, compared to life in the United States. He encouraged us to see this difference not as bad or wrong – but to view it for what it really is – it is just different. I wanted to be a model team member so I decided I would be very intentional on this trip to be very flexible and embrace different – even enjoy the differences. I wanted God to reveal more about himself to me in the differences. So, as we were flying in, I thought about God and his creation. He created the seasons, 4 very different seasons. He created diverse terrain. Mountains like Mount Killamenjara, which we flew beside, talk about seeing God’s majesty on display. God created the rain forest, the desert, even land below sea level that cities have been built on. All of this is God’s doing. If God delights in different – I should too! I was ready to go out and soak in all the differences in the Zanzibar culture yesterday while distributing mesquite nets. So Dave really caught me off guard yesterday while at the village he asked me if I saw any similarities between village life in Zanzibar and my life in Stephenville, TX, USA. My first thought before I answered him was “Is this a trick question?” Wasn’t he suppose to ask me about the differences I had so boldly noticed and accepted as just different, not bad or wrong – just different? I could have given him 25 examples just off the top of my head if he had just asked me that question. But God knew that I was missing seeing Him by not looking at what I needed to be focused on. So Dave did ask me the correct question and I thought about Psalm 139:13-16. This passage is David expressing who God is for him, but these words are true for every single person whether we know it as truth or not.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

No matter where you live, what you look like, what you have, or who you know, God’s character goes into the creation of every person, and he desires to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. So those of us who have experienced that relationship – how can we not share and desire that for all people? Yesterday, I saw men working to provide for their families, I saw mother’s caring for their babies. I saw children playing in the school yard. The people here feel the pain from a pulled tooth and want relief from that pain just like I do. I saw women washing clothes, cooking a family meal and cleaning house. We talked to a man whose face lit up with joy when he talked to us about his children and his desire to have a total of 13 kids. He joked with Dave about only having 3 kids. Yes, the people here even have a sense of humor, and you don’t have to understand their language to enjoy their laughter. I see an island full of people who need a savior and I see Jesus dying on the cross, being buried and rising on the 3^rd day to be their savior. I see a people God loves and longs to walk with. Each person is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, he knew each one of us before we were born, whether we live in the United States, Zanzibar, China or anywhere else in the world. We are all created by God and we’re really not so different after all.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T20:42:00.001-06:00

This is the family picture from our Thanksgiving today. Our gathering was smaller than usual, with several family members were missing, but we had a great time. I am very thankful for this family. My parents are in the middle, my 95 year old Dad in the gray suit, my 96 year old Mom in the white shirt and black slacks. I am standing behind my Dad, and my three sisters are lined up next to me. My daughters, sons in law, and grandchildren are scattered around. I am very thankful for a wonderful family, and I am grateful to have them so close.

Dealing with Pain

2011-11-22T08:19:00.001-06:00

We just completed a study of When the Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Arthur. This book is filled with principles from God’s Word, and with insights that Kay has learned from living through pain in her own life. At the end of the book, she has an appendix called A Few Practical Helps, which I felt was worth passing on. If you don’t have time to read the whole book, maybe you can get a little help from these practical tips which I have summarized.

How do you get through the day and the night that follows when the hurt runs so terribly deep?

1. Make sure you consciously inject, include, acknowledge God in every situation.

In Philippians 4:13, Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” In Thessalonians he told the Christians who were suffering persecution to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything. These verses tell us to draw strength from God, take everything to Him, acknowledge that He is in control and working in every situation, and to take joy in Him.

2. Find what lifts your spirits.

Many people recommend journaling during times of deep pain. That is a great idea, if it works for you. You may pour your heart out through poetry or writing songs. Kay Arthur wrote that her greatest help and comfort comes from quietly bathing herself in God’s word, just reading and letting it wash over her. She also is helped by reading biographies of other Christians. For me, I can lose myself in study, reading a passage and looking up words, running references, searching for other verses that relate. Find what works for you and do it.

3. Make sure you give your body what it needs.

Hurt, stress, and anxiety all affect us physically. We need to take good care of our bodies during difficult times. Rest, proper nutrition, exercise, and sunlight are important to our health. It is hard to think clearly or keep together emotionally when you are tired. Getting out of your house to walk in the sunshine. Sunlight triggers your body to lift its mood and secrete the chemicals you need.

4. Resist the tendency to isolate yourself.

As tempting as it might be to close yourself off from everyone else, you can’t stay there and get well. Galatians 6:2 says we are to “bear one another's burdens”. Ecclesiastes 4 tells us that two are better than one because if one falls, the other can help him up, if two lie down together they can keep warm, and two together are stronger. You may have to call someone. Don’t sit and wait and feel sorry for yourself if no one comes to you. Take the necessary steps to get out among people, call someone to share your burden.

5. Master your thoughts, or your thoughts will master you.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Bring all of your thoughts into line with God’s Word. You are in warfare, and your enemy, the devil, wants to direct your thinking, to fill your thoughts with lies, deceptions, and tormenting thoughts. Refuse to accept his attacks on your mind. Proverbs 23:7 tells us ?For as he things within himself, so he is.” Your emotions are fed by your thoughts. You can master your thought life, but it takes discipline and hard work.

6. Read the Psalms.

Whatever pain and brokenness you have experienced, the Psalms will minister to you. The writers of these songs pour out their deepest heart hurts, their praises, their thanksgivings, their questions, even their anger, through genuine, raw emotions. Reading them is salve to the soul and strength to the spirit.

7. Play music, sing, and (if you can) laugh.

Listen to music that sooths or lifts your spirit. Put on your favorite CD and dance. Sing along, even if you don’t feel like it. Laugh. Even when the hurt runs deep, find a reason to laugh. Read funny stories. Watch a movie that is uplifting and funny. Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A joyful hear is good medicine”. Laughter releases God-created feel-good chemicals.

8. Hug someone.

Touch is healing. Researchers have found that safe, caring touches are good for the mind, body, and spirit of an individual. Touch reduces stress, boosts immunity, lessens the blues, and eases pain as it stimulates the brain to produce endorphins.

Walk Right In

2011-11-15T20:11:00.002-06:00

Heb 10:10, 19-23 We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

I have been thinking about this verse the last few days, really appreciating the fact that because of the sacrifice of Jesus, I can go into the presence of the Most Holy God with confidence! Confidence! No fear, no guilt, no shadow, no anxiety, no quesy feeling in my stomach. That is really an amazing fact.
When Les and I go to a movie or anything that requires payment to enter, he usually goes ahead of me and pays for both of us. I walk in without paying, but I am not afraid or worried that I will be thrown out, that I don’t belong there. I did not pay my way, but someone else did.
Even if we went to the best museum in the world, like maybe the Louvre in Paris. If Les paid for my ticket, I could walk right in without paying. I would be in awe of the beauty of the building. I would be respectful of the art work. But, I would walk around freely and with confidence that I belonged there. I would enjoy being there, and want to fully experience the beauty and the majesty there. I would not miss one minute of enjoyment by worrying that I would be kicked out because I did not deserve to be there.
Because Jesus “bought my ticket” by the shedding of His blood, I can go into God’s presence any time. God beckons me to walk right in and enjoy everything about Him.

What I see may not be what actually is!

2011-11-11T10:37:00.001-06:00

There is an interesting story in the Bible.

Mark 8:23-25
And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" 24 And he looked up and said, "I see men, but they look like trees, walking." 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
I find this story fascinating. First, Jesus spit on is eyes. Wow, why that? But that is not my point here. After Jesus touched him, he said, “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” The objective fact is that he was looking at men. But, because he could not see clearly, to him they looked like trees walking around. Jesus touched him again and he saw everything clearly.

The fact is, without a new, fresh touch from Jesus, we don’t see people clearly. All of us see things through very personal lenses. We perceive the things that are spoken and the circumstances of our lives based on our past experiences, on our individual personalities, our teachings, our culture, our family culture…

If you had a teacher who was unkind to you, you think that teachers are unkind. A teacher can make a very innocent comment, but you perceive it as unkind because of the lens you filter it through.

OK, I have written another paragraph 5 times, and deleted it. There are just too many examples. I will leave it to any reader to look into your own life and mind and see if you agree.

Helping or Trying to Fix?

2011-11-08T20:40:00.001-06:00

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” Matt 7:3-5

As Christians, we care about people. We see our friends having problems and we want to help them out. Often, our desire to help becomes a need to fix. It is not our job to fix anyone. We think that if we see a problem, then we need to point out to our friend what the problem is and how that can be solved. The thing is, people don’t respond well to that, they usually become defensive, angry, or depressed. What we need to do is create an environment in which people feel safe, a place where people feel loved and accepted, where they can face their problems. When we express God’s love to other people, we help them have the courage and strength to go to God and allow Him to reveal their problems and issues, and show them how to deal with them. Only God can truly help anyone solve their problems, get over their issues, and repent of sin.

2 Cor 3:18 says that as we look at Jesus, we become more and more like Him. The fact is, people become like whatever they focus on. People who focus on their faults don’t overcome those faults. If I spent my time with people pointing out their faults, I would be hindering any progress they might make. Instead, if I point them to Jesus, and help them keep their eyes on Him, I am truly helping them.

Jesus calls us to follow Him, which means looking at Him, listening to Him, focusing on Him. Jesus is the center of our lives. As we focus our attention on Jesus and experience His love and acceptance, we will become confident people without the need to find and fix another person’s faults. Then, the love and acceptance that flows from our lives will be the catalyst for other people to look to Jesus for themselves and become more like Him.

Free from Judgment, and Free from Judging

2011-11-07T14:50:00.001-06:00

Recently, my thinking has been challenged on Matt 7:1-2 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

I have always understood this to mean that if I judge other people, then God will judge me. The verse does not actually say that. It just says I will be judged. The next verses deal with human relationship; don’t try to take a speck out of your brothers eye, don’t give dogs what is holy. Maybe this verse means that if I judge other people, then other people are going to judge me.

Luke 6:37-38 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

This also may be dealing with human relationships. In dealing with people, if I judge and condemn, then other people are going to judge me and if I forgive, then other people also will forgive me; and the way I treat others will come back to me pressed down and running over. When I am harsh and critical with someone, they usually return even more harsh and critical. If my treatment of other people is gentle and merciful, that is what I will get in return.

Judging may be negative, but not always, mostly, to judge is to decide what is the inner motivation of a person, to think I understand why a person does the things that he does. It is not judgmental to have a thought like, “That person is really dirty.” That may be an observation with no values placed on it. We can’t help but observe the things that are around us. The judgment comes when I think, “He should have put on clean clothes before going out” or even, “I bet he works really hard for a living.” I don’t know why he is dirty and I don’t need to have an opinion about the fact. Then, there may be the temptation to think, “He just does not care what he looks like in public”, which would be to judge the persons heart or mind based on what I observed. I really can’t know what is going on inside a person.

I have really worked hard to stop making any kind of judgment on people, and I will say it is really freeing. I am training myself to just observe the facts and recognize when I cross over into making judgments by placing a value on what I see.

National Orphan Sunday

2011-11-06T16:27:00.001-06:00

You may not know this, but today is National Orphan Sunday.

Estimates vary, but between138 million and 163 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents. There are 500,000 children are in foster care in the United States; 118,000 are eligible for adoption

These are heartbreaking numbers, and there are more; 18,000 children die every from starvation, another 6,000 die from preventable diseases related to poverty. Of course, not all of these children are orphans. Many are in areas of the world suffering from severe drought and famine where entire families are starving, but the plight of the orphan is especially severe.

What does that have to do with us?

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means
caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let
the world corrupt you.”
James 1:27 (NLT)

God cares about the orphans, and He has called us to take care of them. This is something that is very dear to my heart. I have 4 grandchildren who would have been orphans, who God placed in our family through adoption. Three of these precious children were born in Korea and came to our family through international adoption, one came to the family through the Texas foster system.

I cannot imagine that any of these 4 could have been left in distress, living without hope for a better future.

If you want to see their stories, here are blog posts from their moms.

http://cherrycokecruising.com/?p=1489

http://psalm139verse14.blogspot.com/2011/02/2-years-ago-email-changed-our-family.html

I know not everyone can adopt, and you probably want to know other ways you can help the orphans. One way is to help through a good organization. We sponsor children through World Vision. I know that almost all of the money really does go to help the children and the communities they live in. I also have pictures and we get updates and even letters from the children. Here is the link.

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/pages/sponsor-a-child?open&campaign=1193512&cmp=KNC-1193512

You can encourage families who want to adopt, and consider helping them out. International adoptions cost around $20,000 and many families need help to cover that.

One last thing you can do is not be too quick to decide that you can’t adopt. Maybe God has a child somewhere who belongs in your family. Katie Davis is a 23 year old American who now lives in Uganda and has adopted 13 children. I know, that’s pretty extreme. A family in our church has adopted 14 children through the foster system. Families with more than one biological children have adopted. Adoption is not a last resort option. Adoption is one very wonderful way that God brings people together to build families.

No Comparison

2011-10-26T17:05:00.001-05:00

As children of God, we tend to be tempted to compare ourselves with others; compare our faith, our obedience, our walk, our circumstances. Jesus speaks about this to Peter in John 21.

John 21:15-23

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." … 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."… (Peter turns to look at John)…21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

First, Jesus asked Peter about Peter’s love. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these.” Peter brought the others into comparison in Matt 26:30-34. “ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."

Peter not only asserts that he would not deny Jesus, but seems to indicate that he considers that he will be more faithful than the others. So, I wonder if Jesus was reminding Peter of that attitude. I’m just “thinking out loud” here, but I wonder if Jesus was asking Peter, “What do you say now, do you still think that you love me more than the others do?” Maybe Jesus is reminding Peter that he is wrong to ever question another followers love for Him or faithfulness.

Back in John 21, Jesus told Peter that there would be a time that he would be taken where he did not want to go. Peter asked Jesus, “What about John?” Jesus said, “Don’t worry about John, just follow me yourself.”

In this conversation, Jesus directs Peter to keep his eyes on Jesus, to pursue greater love for Him, and to be faithful in following Jesus without being worried about what his friends were doing.

Ladies “13-103” Dinner

2011-10-09T22:27:00.001-05:00

Tonight was our second annual “13-103” dinner. The women under 30 did all the work! They planned the event, cooked, served the food, lead worship, entertained with a game, and cleaned. The purpose is to encourage fellowship among the younger and the older women. We had a great time. I love that the younger women want to do this. A big Thank you to Tara Gower for leading and planning this both years.

Here are a few pictures of our event.

Some of the workers.

Signing in. Great worship team.

Yahoo, It’s a Celebration!

2011-10-07T10:35:00.001-05:00

Last night at Celebrate Recovery we had a real celebration. We had a great pot luck dinner to comemerate our two year anniversary.

After our dinner and fellowship time our great little C.R. Praise Team led us in a few songs, beginning with a couple of surprises.

First song, think back to 1982ish and see if you can remember where these words come from:

Making your way through the world today

Takes everything you’ve got.

Taking a break from all your worries

Sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,

And they’re always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see,

Our troubles are all the same.

You wanna be

Where everybody knows your name.

Recognize those words? It is the theme song from the TV show Cheers. Hope no one is offended by that, but the words are perfect for C.R. That is exactly how we feel about coming to C.R. where we know each other and are always glad to get together.

Now, for the next song, first you have to get the tune in your head. Back to the early 80’s again. Kool and the Gang…Celebration. Now, sing these words to that tune:

Yahoo! It’s a celebration Cel-e-brate Re-cov-er-y! Cel-e-brate Re-cov-er-y!

There’s a party goin on right here. A celebration that’s lasted two years. So bring your heartaches, and your hangups too We’re gonna celebrate recovery with you, come on now

Celebration..Let’s all shout aloud “He’s setting us free!”

Celebration…Just let Him love you—that’s the way to be.

It’s time to come together, It’s up to you—life a treasure Where everyone is Family, come on

Yahoo! It’s a celebration Cel-e-brate Re-cov-er-y! Cel-e-brate Re-cov-er-y!

Thanks to Les Maxwell and the C.R Praise team for two great new songs!

Celebrate Recovery; the words that describe it

2011-09-30T15:39:00.001-05:00

We are celebrating two years of Celebrate Recovery at Cottonwood this week. I've been thinking about that all week, ready to share some thoughts with you all.

When we started Celebrate Recovery, we did not know much about it. A friend told me about it. I checked it out and felt that God was leading me toward this. I went to the elders, shared my burden to provide ministry for those struggling and hurting, got permission and support. A few of us went to the CR in Brownwood to visit, spent some time with the leader there. It was mid summer, and we felt that we couldn't waste any time, we needed to get this started. That August, we began preparing and training. I was overwhelmed with the number of people that showed up to help, this seemed to strike a chord with many people. We learned what C.R. is and how to do it, we prayed and did everything we could to prepare, then we opened the doors. And we have been blessed!

There are a number of words that come to mind when I think of C.R.:

Grateful. I am so very very grateful to be a part of this ministry. I am overwhelmed when I consider everything that God has done in these 2 years. I am grateful for every one of our volunteers. Many of the people who help with C.R. now were at the very first meeting. I appreciate them all sooooo much. That includes my husband. He had no burden for CR, no idea of what it is or what it would be, but he was willing to join me and lead worship. I am grateful for every person that has come to CR these last two years grateful for new friendships, soooo grateful for having the opportunity to see God at work, to see people being transformed, growing, being set free, restored...

Family. I had few expectations of CR. Really, only that God would work because I knew He had put it on our hearts. One thing I did not expect was the sense of family we have. Since the very beginning. In those first weeks, before we really started, when it was just us volunteers coming together every week, we experienced being family. Very precious.

Acceptance. This was the key word from the beginning. We made the decision that every one who comes through those doors would know that they are accepted, welcomed, no matter what. We committed to receive without ever judging or condemning. I have heard many people say that the first time they came, they felt accepted for who they are, without the need to put up walls or pretend to be something they are not. The result is that every one of us feel it. When I stand up to teach, I feel completely comfortable. I am going to do my very beat to follow God and share what he gives me, and do it the best way I can, but I’m not perfect, not great, just willing, and I just feel accepted.

Commitment. The first week we met with just volunteers, I said that we would be here every Thursday night until the Lord comes back! I have heard people repeat that many times. I have seen a level of commitment that is rare. The leaders are here every week. If someone is sick or out of town, I know about it. I know that many times we have leaders, including worship leaders, who are here when they don't feel like it. Tired, sick, down, frustrated...but they are here. Man, that is amazing.

Love. Love is a word that is so overused that I almost didn't use it. But I have to. We love each other. Not a mushy, "Love you!" kind of love, but a love that is profound, deep, and real. I have seen this demonstrated over and over. Many times, I hear of a need of one of the CR family, in the context of what is being done to meet the need. “Someone needs a car, so a few of us are getting money together to try to help him get one.” “Someone is moving, so we are meeting Sat.morning to do the work”...”I was worried about Wilbur, so I called and found out he is not doing well”...amazing how love is shown in very practical ways.

Tools. I have learned that to walk in freedom we need tools. Jesus promised freedom, and He is ready to help us walk in it, but it is sometimes not so easy. CR steps are tools. CR share group is a tool. I have learned a lot of tools in these 2 years. CR curriculum has been very helpful, provides a lot. I have seen the need for more help, found a lot of tools out there that are helpful for specific issues. These tools have helped us go deeper and further in some areas.

Newness. There is a freshness and newness about CR. Often, we see a new person walking up the sidewalk, looking like they don't want to be here, looking tired and weary. After a few weeks, they are walking with a spring in their step, a smile on their face, ready to come, excited. Not healed and whole and free, but making progress. They are experiencing something new. God said that he is in the business of making everything new, and we are seeing Him do that.

Of course, freedom, health, recovery. I believe that we are finding new freedom every week. Jesus said that He came to set us free. He came to give us a life that is abundant. He wants each of us to be free to be the person that He created us to be. He died so that we can live, but not just exist. LIVE. He said that he will give us his joy, that we can have full joy with Him. He promises a peace that passes understanding, a life that is full of purpose, that is satisfying. He plans for us to have confidence. He said that perfect love casts out fear. His love is perfect, so he came to cast out all fear. He said to come to him when we are tired and weary and our load is too much for us. He said He will take our load and give us rest. CR brings to mind all of I shared those things at our last CR meeting of the year (CR year begins Oct 1, so this week was the end of the CR year.) I asked if there were other words that describe Celebrate Recovery, and here are some of the answers.

Home Base. When we were kids and played Hide & Seek, you hide and you’re scared, until you get to run to home, and you are safe. That’s what CR feels like.

Valued. At CR everyone is valued for who they are.

Unstuck. I’m not stuck in my addiction any moren.

Fulfilled. Serving in CR makes me feel fulfilled.

Real Church. This is what church is supposed to be.

Forgiven.

A buffet. Everything you could want is here, and lots of it.

Learning to love.

Hope.

Fun. We didn’t expect that!

Refreshing. Sometimes I am really tired when I come and I feel great after our worship.

Transparent. No hiding, we are open and honest.

In the past two years, I have seen God work in our lives. I have seen some be saved; receive the gift of eternal life by giving their lives to Jesus. I have seen many people set free from addictions. Some who were depressed, grieving, and broken hearted are walking in joy. Some have been freed from fear, from worry, from anger, from bitterness. I am so excited, so happy, so grateful. I am so blessed to be a part of CR. God is not through. He has plans for next year that we can't even imagine yet.

We are all ready to start the new year!

I KNEW Laughter was good for you!

2011-09-25T21:07:00.001-05:00

I just finished a very interesting book by Dr. Caroline Leaf, The Gift in You. The book deals with how our brains operate, how “toxic” thoughts create a chain reaction with emotional and physical responses that make rob our health and happiness. Maybe I can write more about the book another time, but right now, I am eager to share her great insights on the health benefits of laughter.

It releases an instant flood of feel-good chemicals that boost the immune system. Amost instantly, it reduces levels of stress hormones. A really good belly laugh can make cortisol drop by 39%, adrenalin by 70% and the “feel good hormone,” endorphin, increase by 29%. It can even make growth hormones skyrocket by 87%! Other research shows how laughter boosts your immune system by increasing levels of immunity and disease-fighting cells…

In fact, according to research, laughing 100 to 200 times a day is equal to 10 minutes of rowing or jogging!…

Laughter quite literally dissolves distressing toxic emotions because you can’t feel mad or sad when you laugh. When you laugh and have fun, endorphins are released which make you feel so great and at peace, those toxic thoughts can’t get out of your brain fast enough. Fun protects your heart because when you laugh and enjoy yourself, your body releases chemicals that improve the function of blood vessels and increase blood flow, protective against heart attack. Fun reduces damaging stress chemicals quickly, which, if they hang around in your body for too long, will make you mentally and physically sick. Fun and laughter also increase your energy levels.

Scientific proof that “A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

Special Earrings

2011-09-23T14:13:00.001-05:00

Lately, I picked up some old earrings and began wearing them regularly. There is a sweet story that makes these earrings special.

For ten years, when we were a young family, Les and were in a VERY strict, conservative, legalistic church. I often refer to this as our cult years. Maybe it was a cult, maybe not, but we found ourselves under a great deal of pressure to conform to certain standards.

In this group, the women dressed in an ultra conservative manner. We only wore dresses or skirts, wore no make-up and no jewelry, except simple wedding rings. Even using products like skin cream seemed a worldly thing to do. The worst part of this environment was the extreme focus on the church. At a time when we should have been learning to love each other and nurturing our children, all of our energy went into serving this church.

One day, right in the middle of our years with this group, my husband Les walked in with a gift for me. (We did not celebrate Christmas or birthdays for adults, so receiving any kind of gift was very unusual.) When I opened the small box, I was shocked to see a pair of diamond post earrings. This was shocking to me for several reasons. First, I did not wear jewelry. It was against our religious beliefs! I surely did not wear expensive, fancy jewelry. Besides the religious things, there was also the money. We didn’t have any. It took everything we had to raise three children on one income. We barely could pay our mortgage, car payment, and other necessities (which included tithe and offerings). The diamonds were tiny, but, still, diamond earrings were certainly a very extravagant gift.

Les was so proud of that gift. And I was so proud to wear them. I wore them every day, and with no guilt whatsoever. So what if no one else wore earrings, my husband gave them to me and he wanted me to wear them. A few years later, he bought a pair of hoops that go with the posts. I haven’t worn them much the last few years, because, since we left the superconservitivecultishkindofchurh, he has bought me a lot of other, more flashy earrings. But, recently, I brought them out and have been enjoying them again.

When we can’t look up

2011-09-19T05:37:00.001-05:00

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your disability." And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. Luke 13:10-14

Here we are told of a woman who had been sick for eighteen years, bent over and not able to straighten herself. She was destined to look at the ground, to see the dirt, the rocks and stones, the feet and shoes of the people. Looking up was hard. She was bent over and looked down all the time. This woman was suffering. Jesus saw her. He noticed her. He didn’t stare at her because of her disability. He didn’t look at her and wonder what she had done wrong to end up in that condition. He saw the person inside the bent body. And he spoke to her. He called her over. He told her to come to Him.

Then, He said words that she never expected to hear. “Woman, you are freed.” What amazing words to hear, after eighteen years of bondage. Then, Jesus laid his hands on her. The words of Jesus, now the touch of Jesus. He required nothing of her. Sometimes, Jesus asked questions of people before He healed. Sometimes people had to take some action; touch His garment, call out to Him, show faith. This woman was not able to do anything. Jesus had so much mercy, called her over, spoke to her, laid hands on her. Immediately she was made straight. After eighteen years, a word from Jesus, and a touch, and she is free. The Bible says, “…and she glorified God.” Almost like an afterthought. Oh, yes, and she glorified God. After eighteen years of being bent over, unable to straighten up, I bet she made some noise in her praising God!

Sometimes we get bent over in our soul. Sometimes pain, suffering, illness, hurts, worry, stress…cause us to be bent over, weary, unable to help ourselves. Sometimes we are not able to even look up. Our eyes are downcast, only seeing the things that are on the ground; the dirt, the rocks, the ugly and hard things of this life. We only see the feet of our friends and family. We can’t look them in the eye, we look down when we see them. Hurt, pain, and shame cause us to keep our eyes downcast. When we get into that place, we can’t help ourselves. We get stuck in that position. People may tell us to “look up”, but we are just not able to do that.

Then, Jesus comes along. In His mercy, He calls to us, he says, “Come to me.” That is all He requires. Just get to Jesus, limp, stumble or crawl to Him. Jesus speaks to us. He speaks words to us that bring freedom and strength, and He reaches out and touches us. His touch heals. Suddenly, we are able to look up! We can see the sky, the beautiful things around us. We can look people in the eyes. The pain may still be there, the problem, the struggle; but we are free from the bondage of being bent over. The shame and fear are gone.

And then, we glorify God. We are set free from bondage to praise our God.

God missed the walks in the Garden

2011-09-15T14:16:00.001-05:00

I started a new class last Wednesday night, a study on the major stories of the Old Testament. Of course, we began with the story of creation, in Genesis 1-2.

Last night, we studied Genesis 3-5. I have loved it. You know, these are very familiar stories, but God has shown me lots of cool new things already. The material is not real familiar to some of the women. They are hungry and excited, and it is so much fun to see the Bible through their eyes. The discussion we had last night about the two trees in the garden was priceless.

The best part, though, was at the very end.

Gen 5:21-24 “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”

We read those verses, and I said that Enoch walked with God every day, and one day, God said, “Just come on home with me today.”

One of our really excited women, Jennifer, said, “Oh, it was because God missed that. You know, how Adam walked with God in the garden in the beginning. No one had done that since.”

I have thought about that ever since. God missed having a human walk with him. Of course, she is right.

A New Name

2011-09-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

Last night at our Kick-off, we talked about names; how we got our names, what we like and don’t like about our names, what name we have wanted to be called, and what our names mean.

I like my name, Jeannette. I think it is a pretty name. It means gracious, or gift from God, and I like that. BUT, somehow, it does not seem right for me. It is too long and sounds too formal. Often, when I hear it, I feel like I am in trouble, because it sounds harsh.

Our names are important, but they are given to us by our parents before they know what kind of person we will be. The name may not reflect the person at all.

According to the Bible, God has a remedy for that.

Isa 62:2…and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.

Rev 2:17 To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

God often changed the name of people in the Bible. He gave them new names that reflected their new character or their new calling. Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul. I think that God has a new name for each one of us. I imagine that at the time of the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth, that He will tell each of us our new name. It will be a special name that only He knows, a name that will perfectly reflect each of us, a name that will connect with your heart. Each of us will have a unique name. In heaven, if I say Nancy or Emily, I won’t have to say which Nancy or Emily. There will be only one. God has infinite wisdom and infinite creativity, so there is no end of names, so He won’t have to repeat. Each individual person, with unique gifts and abilities, unique ways of thinking and processing things, each one will have a unique name that God made up just for you!

I love thinking about that.

“I Really Like It When People Compare Me To You”

2011-09-11T07:47:00.001-05:00

Today is the anniversary of 9/11.This week, I watched a moving program on ABC called The Children of 9/11, about the children who lost their fathers in the attack on the World Trade Center. Diane Sawyer had done a show focusing on these children shortly after the attack, interviewing some of them and their mothers, and taking a group picture. Many of these children are close friends, with a profound bond brought about by a shared tragedy.

I was immensely impressed with these children, who ranged in age from 10 years to early 20’s. Of the ones interviewed for the show, most were mature, grounded, and articulate. There seemed to be an amazing lack of anger and bitterness. But, the one thing that came across more than any other was their desire to be like their fathers. Again and again, these children said that the thing that made them most proud was when someone would say that they were like their father in some way. Many played a sport that their father played. Seventeen children became firefighters, many younger ones plan to be, because their fathers had been. These children and young adults strive to be like their fathers. They smiled as they talked about the things they have achieved that they know would have made their fathers proud.

I have thought about that show for a few days, considering the words of 1 John 3:1-2.“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Patrick Mate Lyons, who was born Oct. 7, 2001, wrote this in an open letter to his father, Patrick, one of those killed in the World Trade Center:

“I want you to know that Mommy is doing a great job of loving me and raising me in a happy home," Patrick said. "I play flag football in the same league as you, and in the same position as you, as quarterback. In baseball, I pitch, just like you did. I really like it when people compare me to you."

Some Senior Adult Humor

2011-09-07T22:13:00.001-05:00

On Monday, Les and I went to Ft. Worth and picked up my parents to take them to see Melody’s new house. As we drove, my 94 year old Dad said, “The lady from Wheel of Fortune came by last week and told us that we qualify to have a nurse come and check on us every couple of months.”

I thought, Vana White came to their house? That can’t be right. Is my Dad’s mind finally going? Up to this point, he has had a clear and keen mind. NO, I get it. I said, “Daddy, I think you meant that the lady from Meals on Wheels came by, right?”

My dad is not a funny man. He has always been conservative, cautious, dependable, you know the type. But, has he has gotten older, he has loosened up and developed quit a wit.

A few years ago, he was walking in the mall and was approached by a salesman from a jewelry kiosk. Daddy said he was not interested in buying anything. The man said, “Wouldn’t you like to take something home to surprise your wife?” My dad replied, “I’m 83 years old, my wife is surprised when I come home alive.”

Spa Day Pictures

2011-09-04T22:02:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday was our annual Single Mom’s Spa Day, and our great photographer, Melissa Sones brought the pictures to me today.

Of course, we have great refreshments to properly pamper single moms.

Professional haircuts, exactly what each woman asked for!

FANCY manicures!

The ultimate in pampering…pedicures!

Facials…where are the facials, no pictures??? Facials were in a restroom on the far side, I guess the photog didn’t know! Sorry.

So, after the facials, make up!

Single Mom Story

2011-08-31T22:21:00.001-05:00

Sunday was our annual Single Mom’s Spa Day. This has become a very special Cottonwood tradition. It is one way that we reach out to the local community to share the love of God in a tangible, practical way.

This year we had 26 single moms, less than the last few years, but still very good. The number was a bit more manageable. The women looked beautiful when they left, all fixed up, and happy and refreshed. They were so grateful for the special day.

I would like to share one woman’s story.

This woman’s daughter was killed in an accident 2 years ago, and she was given complete custody of her granddaughter. When her daughter died, she called 4 different churches in Alabama where she lived, looking for support; not money, just emotional and practical support to deal with the loss of her daughter and the reality of suddenly having a 2 year old. By every church, she was told that they could not help because she was not a member of their church. She has not been in a church since then. She was very moved by our care, and said that maybe she should give church another chance. That kind of story makes the effort worth it.

The Best Years

2011-08-25T13:58:00.001-05:00

Today is my man’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Honey! (He won’t see this, he never reads this blog.) Anyway, he won’t mind if I tell you he is 62 years old (I am not anywhere near that old.) I admire him a lot. He is a man of great integrity, he is dependable and faithful. If you need something done, he would be the one to call. He would take care of it.

Two years ago, I asked if he would lead worship for Celebrate Recovery. Wow, did he ever take that job seriously. He is always listening for new songs that would be good for C.R, then he learns them, then teaches them to the C.R. praise team. Les and the team have been such a blessing. But that is not what I was going to write about.

About 7 years ago, Les started thinking about what the next years of his life would look like. He determined that life was not ending when he reached retirement, that these years are the “available years”, a time of life when we would have more free time to do greater things for God’s kingdom. When we were raising four children, he had to work a lot of extra hours to provide for us. Even after I started working full time 20 (what??) years ago, it took a lot to keep the household going.

This year, Les has decided to officially retire. That does not mean he will quit working. We aren’t set up for that yet. He will draw Social Security, but keep working to supplement our income. That leaves him more free time. Free time to work on music and to serve in new and creative ways. He is a very talented musician and has written several songs. His dream is to write more songs. He dreams of having someone help him get them out to bless God's people.

Les is determined that the next years will be the best ones, that God would use the wisdom and experience he has gained to minister to other people, and that we would have new, exciting adventures. I am pumped to see what God will do with us in the next season of our lives.

A Few of My Heroes

2011-08-24T18:08:00.001-05:00

Our new building is complete. God provided waaaay beyond our expectations to give us a beautiful, although certainly not extravagant building. We had excellent contractors, who we are very grateful for.

However, we would not have this building without a lot of extraordinary volunteers.

We have 2 men who volunteer to oversee our building and maintenance needs. Tim Parke and Ricky Salyer devote so many hours every week without any compensation, I am sure as many hours as many paid maintenance personel at other churches.

My true heroes are Ricky Salyers wife and daughters. Teresa, 13 year old Tamara and 11 year old Tara put in more hours of HARD physical labor than most men would be able to do (at least in my estimation).This picture is not very clear, but it is Ricky, his wife, and their 11 year old daughter. They are spreading concrete for a new sidewalk.

Here is Teresa hard at work. After working hard all morning spreading concrete, Ricky, Teresa, and their girls had to go home and milk cows for the family dairy they own. I worked 2 days with Tamara at the new building. One Saturday, Tamara was given the job of scraping the grout of the concrete. She worked until she had blisters on her hands. I took over for her, but I did not last very long. When I stopped, she went right back to work. She worked until her mother made her quit. Those girls work without complaint, doing work that is hard. When I met with some women to wipe down chairs, I asked little Tori Salyer if she wanted to help. She was thrilled to stop riding her tricycle and have a job to do. So, my heroes today are the Salyer women; Teresa, Tamar, Tara, and Tory.

…”They are Precious in His Sight”

2011-08-21T23:07:00.001-05:00

God cares about orphans. He does. The Bible is clear that he cares about orphans, widows, and the needy.

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place…He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the Lord. Jeremiah 22:3-4,16

God is very serious about the responsibility of His people to take care of those who are not able to take care of themselves. Here are a few more verses to back that up.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

"You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. Exodus 22:21-24

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

There are app. 163 million orphans in the world today. Children without parents, children on the streets in Mexico City, in the garbage dumps of Cairo, in orphanages in Romania. I can’t picture 163 million of anything. That number is too huge. 26,000 children die every day from preventable diseases related to lack of food and clean water.

God says we are supposed to do something about that. I know, you and I can’t adopt all of those children. But we can give money to worthy organizations that help them. Cottonwood supports Kids Across Cultures. My family sponsors children through World Vision. Check out their websites for information, or pick another one.

Closer to home, in Texas, there are over 5000 children waiting to be adopted. Parental rights are already terminated, they are waiting to for a family. I checked out the internet site and looked at some of these children’s pictures. My heart broke. You can see them here; http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Child_Search/default.asp.

Maybe you can’t adopt, but maybe you can be a foster parent or help someone who is. I don’t have a lot of answers, just a deep sense that God cares about these children and we should too.

WAS THAT GOD SPEAKING TO ME?

2011-08-13T22:30:00.001-05:00

I have such a great life. Really. I mean, I get paid to do things that I would want to do if I did not need to work. Is that not the best?

Last week, I spent Monday through Friday, all day each day at the Gateway Church Freedom Ministry Training. AMAZING. And, I attended with 4 close friendS, and 3 of us stayed at my daughter Katy’s house and got to visit with her. We learned so much. So many tools that will be very help us lead people into more freedom.

One of the biggest tools we learned was to listen to God. God has not stopped speaking. I love the Bible and know that the Bible is the ultimate word of God. But, God is still speaking to His people.

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith comes by hearing. Faith does not come from us. We don’t work up faith. That does not say, Faith came by having heard. Yes, we heard the Word of God and that produced faith, but we still hear God speak, and every time we hear, we grow in faith.

Luke 4:4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"

Living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, both the Bible and personal speaking from God. We have to tune in to hear God.

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

God speaks to us, He infuses us with spirit and life. That is His goal. We go to God and ask, “Tell me what to do and where to go.” God wants to talk to you about what you believe and who you are. He does often want to tell us things He wants us to do, but God is concerned much more about your believing the truth about God, and about who you are. When we tune it to hear His voice but all we want to hear is direction, we will miss Him.

Hearing God’s voice is the primary way we disconnect from the old source and connect to God as our source. He gives much more than information and instruction. The word of God is living and active, and delivers what we need. When God speaks “Peace” He brings peace. God calls things that are not into being. His word contains the very thing that makes us what we are. Peter told Jesus, where else would we go for words of life.

Recognize the voice of God.

It is a Spirit to spirit exchange. He communicates from His heart to our inside person. It may not be words, but a sense or a picture. Some people learn best by visual, some by words, some by doing. God speaks to our inner man in the way that we can understand; picture, words, or a sense.

Discerning the Voice of God.

So, how can you be sure that what you hear really is God?

1. Does it line up with scripture? It may be that it agrees with scripture, but may not agree with your interpretation or your doctrine.

2. Does it line up with the nature of God revealed in the Bible?

3. Does it produce the fruit of the Spirit ((Gal 5:22-22 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)? In you and in people you share it with.

4. Does it bring freedom? Not necessarily freedom from a circumstance, but from being controlled by the circumstance.

And sometimes, I just use the process of elimination. Like this. If I have a sense that I am supposed to give money to support a ministry, but I am not sure if it is God, I figure that Satan does not want me to support a ministry, and I figure that my flesh sure does not want to give my money away, so it must be God speaking. Same process if I feel I am supposed to start a conversation with a stranger, or offer to pray for a friend… Makes sense to me.

I suggest you try an exercise.

Be still, be quite, get comfortable. Close your eyes. Ask God a question, then wait quietly for Him to answer you. Be silent and wait, and just listen for God to speak. Give yourself enough time to work through the process, to sort through all the thoughts and voices in your head. Probably you will go through thoughts like this:

“This is stupid. I am embarrassed. What if I don’t hear anything? How long do I just sit here? Was that God? No, probably just me. Wait, I heard it again, maybe it is God. I felt something, maybe that is God. No, just indigestion. No, I feel really good, comfortable. I think God is speaking. I see in my mind…could that be God?”

Lots of thoughts will float through your mind. Just ask God to clear your mind and help you to hear from Him.

Ask God:

1. What do You want to tell or show me about Yourself today?

2.What do You want to tell or show me about myself?

3.Is there anything in my heart that you want to talk to me about?

Leave a comment and let me know what you heard!

Theology of a Child

2011-07-31T22:33:00.001-05:00

I love to hear children talk about God. A friend recently told me the sweetest story. Her son Lewis, (I think he is 6) told his mother that he knows what God looks like. He said that God is REALLY big, and He is full of light, shining everywhere, and He has red hearts ALL over Him. He takes a red heart off and reaches out to a person, takes the persons black, sick heart and gives him the new, red heart in exchange.

Wow, what a great concept. What great insight, and very Biblical. Don’t you love the simple theology of children.

This reminds me of one of my favorite childhood stories of our daughters. When Katy was 3 and 4, she listened well to her Sunday School lessons and would often tell us the stories. One day, I asked her what the lesson was that morning. She said that the story was about George and the Gypsies. I did not remember a story about Gypsies, or even a George in the Bible, so I asked her about it. She said that George’s father made him a beautiful coat with a lot of colors. His brothers were jealous and sold him to the Gypsies.

Well, sometimes kids don’t get it right, but it is still fun.

Winning the Battle

2011-07-28T23:05:00.001-05:00

I am so grateful that Paul did not end his letter when he finished Romans chapter 7. Even though it ends on a high note, it leaves a lot of questions. After reading the long discussion about his struggles, I am always excited when he gets to the end and says, “Thank God for Jesus.” (well, that is the gist of it) But I almost am left thinking, “But Paul, I’m still struggling. I get it that I can’t do it on my own, but do I just sit and wait for Jesus to deliver me?” Pretty sure that is not what Paul means. Then, I go to the next chapter, which is FULL of practical tips on how to live a life of victory. Here are just a few things that I see in this wonderful chapter.

1. Do not live under condemnation

Romans 8:1 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I believe that the biggest hindrance to living in victory is condemnation. Guilt will rob you of joy and confidence. If you belong to Christ, you have given your life to Him, you are not condemned. When you do something that is disobedient to God, you realize it, you feel bad about it, you should be genuinely sorry; but you confess it and accept His complete forgiveness. When you feel guilty, you just want to hide. You walk with down and your relationship is damaged. You are powerless to make healthy changes.

2. Gain control of your thoughts

Romans 8:5-6 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the SPIRIT is life and peace.”

When we set our mind on anything, we dwell on it, think about it all the time. I might think about eating an Oreo…and I keep thinking about how the Oreo is sweet and delicious, the wafers are crisp and chocolaty, the inside is creamy and sweet. That is setting my mind on the Oreo. BUT, maybe I decide I WILL NOT eat the Oreo. I consider that the Oreo is not good for me, it is full of sugar and preservatives, it will make me gain weight, the chocolate will get all over my teeth…I am still setting my mind on the Oreo.

Dreaming about committing a sin brings mental and spiritual death. Dwelling on NOT committing that sin also brings mental and spiritual death. Instead, determine to think about things of God; verses you know, the things that God is doing, what God is speaking to you or asking you to do.

3. Let God take control and follow Him

Rom 8:9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) Rom 8:12-14 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

You do not HAVE to do what the flesh wants to do. You choose. God wants to help you. Let him lead you. Make a commitment to just obey.

4. Cry out to God when you are in trouble

Rom 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."

Abba is the Greek name that we would use “Daddy”! That is the first cry of a child in trouble. The almighty God is ready to come when we cry out, and He wants us to call Him “Daddy”. When tempted, cry out.

5. Believe that God has plans for you

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

You may have a lot of bad choices in your past. You may have a lot of hurts in your past. And you may have consequences that are painful. But, God still has a plan, and he will use all of those things to work together for your good.

6. Be confident that God is FOR you

Rom 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

God, God who created the universe with his voice, God who controls the oceans. God who put the stars in the sky. God is FOR you.

7. Believe that God loves you

Rom 8:35-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God loves you all the time. He never stops loving you. Even on your worst days, he still loves you.

A Losing Battle?

2011-07-27T22:43:00.001-05:00

“ I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree with what is good…So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?”

How many times have we all had those thoughts, and often wondered, “How can I be a real Christian and struggle like this? Am I the only one who does this?”

You probably recognize that paragraph as the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. The Apostle Paul battled with sin. Wow. Possibly the greatest follower of Jesus who ever lived. He evangelized much of the Middle East and Europe. He wrote 14 letters which are books of the Bible…and he battled with sin.

The strain of trying to do things in your own power is exhausting, and that is what Paul is talking about in Romans 7. This chapter is about the defeated life. We have all been there. The defeated life is exhausting . And, there is a huge emotional cost we pay when we live there. A few of the emotions we deal with are;

Confusion.

Verse 15, “ I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Did you notice the number of times Paul used “I” in that verse, 6 times. I…I..I. Paul had to learn, as we all do, that “I” can’t live a victorious life.

Paul did not have all the answers, so it is ok if we don’t. Sometimes we just don’t understand why we do the things we do. Struggling to do what you can with your own will power causes confusion.

Guilt and shame

“I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking.” Vs. 16

Paul said he knew what he was doing was wrong, so he had a bad conscience. You know what you are doing is wrong. I know I shouldn’t eat this, say this, look at this, do this, use this, go there…but I do it anyway. That causes a problem with your conscience, which causes you to have guilt and shame.

Compulsions and Addictions.

A compulsion is a habit that you do so often that it gets out of control. You do something so much that you can’t NOT do it.

“But I can't help myself because I'm no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am, that makes me do these evil things.” Vs. 17

Paul is not making excuses, he is just stating the fact. We have a natural inclination not to do the right thing, but to do the easy thing, the comfortable, the popular, the quick.

We start the day saying, “Today is going to be different. I am not going to do… or today, I am going to…” but, at the end of the day, we find that today is just like yesterday, another failure. So then, we end up with:

Self condemnation.

“I know I am rotten inside as far as my old sinful nature is concerned.” Vs. 18a Paul is condemning himself. There is a difference in confessing your sin or your problem, which is healthy, and judging and condemning yourself. Some of you are really good at this. Because you still have the same struggles, you begin to condemn yourself. “I am no good.” “I am hopeless.”

Frustration.

“No matter which way I turn I can't make myself do right. I want to but I can't! When I want to do good, I don't; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway! Now if I am doing what I don't want to, it is plain where the trouble is: sin still has me in its evil grasp.” Vs. 18b-20

The law of sin pulls you down. Like gravity pulls you down.What if I decided to fly, I could flap my arms all day and never fly because the law of gravity is stronger than my arms. Same as trying to change by will power. I decide to change and I try to change and I may do it for a while, but eventually I am going to fail. Just as the law of gravity is stronger than my arms, the law of sin is stronger than my will power. This lack of victory causes frustration, which leads to discouragement.

Discouragement and despair.

“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong…In my mind I want to be God's willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.” Vs. 21 +23

Paul is desperate. He has been fighting and fighting and losing. Finally he says, I GIVE UP. I can’t do this. That is when we get to the answer.

“Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Rom. 7:24-25

Paul said “WHO” because the answer is not a thing, but who. The answer is not a program, a book, a method…the answer is Jesus.

Surprise! Meals!

2011-07-25T12:11:00.001-05:00

I just read my daughter’s blog about meal planning (http://cherrycokecruising.com/. She gave detailed steps to careful planning for 2. I realized that weekly meal planning is long gone in my life. When I was a stay at home mom raising 4 children planning meals, making careful shopping lists, and clipping coupons were all important duties.

Now, my life is just not quite so organized. As the Women’s Minister, I host various dinners, showers, brunches, and lunches very often. So, I have leftovers which we eat for a while, then I recycle some into new dishes, and freeze some to use later. (sometimes I remember to label the things I freeze, sometimes I don’t).

And, I also lead Celebrate Recovery. We serve snacks every week, a meal once a month, and regular special occasion dinners. So, the word around the church is, when there are leftovers from any event, “Give it to Jeannette. C.R. will use it.” So, my freezer is full of strange food items all the time. In fact, after reading Katy’s blog, I found some unidentified meat in my freezer. I plan to cook it and find out what it is! I need to go look for recipes now!

ZIP LINE

2011-07-22T18:48:00.001-05:00

It has been a busy summer!

Our trip to Costa Rica was wonderful. The highlight of the trip was the zip line. Flying through the trees a hundred feet in the air, looking over beautiful green valleys and mountains was exhilarating and exciting. We have not always been “thrill seekers”. We want this stage of our life to be the best.

A couple of years ago, my husband was contemplating the first miracle of Jesus, found in John

Jesus was at a wedding feast when the couple ran out of wine. Jesus commanded that the servants fill pots with water, which He turned into wine. The wedding host tasted the new wine and said "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now."
Les felt that God was speaking to him, that although the world thinks that the best time of life is youth, that God is saving the best for last, that our best times are still ahead of us.

That has sort of been our motto since that time. In the last few years, we hike more than ever, we canoe when we can, we travel more, we make time with friends a priority, we sit on the front porch a lot, we try new things, and, given the opportunity we zip line!

God’s Sweet Gifts

2011-06-01T12:09:00.001-05:00

A few months ago, I realized that I had a a lot of advantage miles with American Airlines, enough for 2 round trip tickets. After a lot of discussion, we decided to go to Costa Rica for our 40th anniversary, a free trip. Les checked the points he had on business credit card. We found a bed and breakfast that accepted the points, and we booked it, free lodging! That was exciting. We have been planning the trip for these months, planning to do at least 2 canopy, zip line tours, hopefully go white water rafting, and do some rain forest hiking.

(At this point, I am probably going to share more than I should on a public forum, but I have to tell this story. It’s just too good.)

This week, we are ready to go, with money set aside to take with us for meals and fun things. Yesterday, I realized that I had a big expense that I had not paid, that is now due (not related to the trip). That payment took almost all the money we had set aside for the trip and the money to cover expenses when we get home. (I will just say the economy has not been good for a small business owner in a small town the last 2 years, so there’s not a lot of extra) After paying all the bills, we could manage about $200 to cover a week in Costa Rica!

This morning, as I prayed about the situation, God reminded me that we had a stash of savings bonds. I checked, and sure enough we still had several bonds hidden away. When I worked for the state in the 90’s, I had money taken from my check every month to buy a $100 bond. We still had several in our “important papers box.”

GRATEFUL! I am sure there were a lot of times we would have used those bonds if we had thought of it. I am so glad we didn’t. After finding the bonds and getting them out, I went to my special hiding place of cash. When I get paid, I get cash for the month and put it away. I went to get the last 2 $20’s, and LOW AND BEHOLD one of the 20’s was a $100. SURPRISE!

Now, we are getting ready to leave for a week in Costa Rica, a special gift from God. So sweet, not a necessity, not deserved, just a very sweet extra gift from our loving Father.

Swimming Pool Saga

2011-05-27T22:38:00.001-05:00

I really, really like to swim. Actually that’s not really true. I really, really, really like to float. I so enjoy laying on a float in a lake or a pool. I just find that so relaxing. So, last summer, I talked Les into buying a pool, not big or fancy or expensive. It is big enough for me and a couple of friends to lay on floats, big enough for the grandchildren to have a great time swimming and playing in, just big enough.

Well, we worked very hard it putting up last year. First we pulled all the grass, treated the ground, leveled the ground, spread the vinyl out as smooth as possible, (which turned out to not be very smooth, after we filled it, it had a lot of little ripples in it). Then, we began to fill it with water. We pumped the ring around the top with air and, as the water went up, the inflated ring went up just like it was supposed to. After the pool was filled with many thousands of gallons of water, we realized that the inflated ring had a hole in it, not a big hole, but it did leak air. Since we had already filled the pool with water, we chose to keep the defective pool, and put a patch on the small hole. Les patched it, but the leak was on a seam and the patch did not work well. Every day we pumped up the ring, enjoyed the pool, pumped up the ring again, and so forth.

Another thing was that the ground was not quite level. It wasn’t real bad, but if the kids held on to the low side of the pool, the ring would drop down and the water would flow out.

We had a great time with the pool, although we had to be a little careful.

At the end of the summer, we decided to take the pool down and start over this year.

So, the first of May, we leveled the ground again, this time really, really level. We spread out the vinyl (this time we really got it smooth!) We put some water in the pool, and we pumped up the inflatable ring around the top. The ring immediately began to lose air. During the taking down, storing, and putting it back up, it had gotten a lot of little holes in it. We used the little vinyl patches that came with the pool, we used heavy vinyl from the shop to make patches. We used the vinyl glue from his shop. We used heavy duty waterproof duct tape. The ring kept drooping.

Today, we decided to fix it with a little creativity. Les made slits in the ring, and we stuffed it…with styrofoam, packing popcorn, sheets of plastic crumpled up, Walmart bags. IT WORKED. The ring is full, although a little lumpy, and the pool is up!

Mother of All Living

2011-05-13T13:57:00.001-05:00

Last week, I was looking at some verses that speak about women. I had the opportunity to speak some at church for Mother’s Day and I wanted to share some positive things that the Bible says about women. One verse that I was really interested in was Gen 3:20, “ The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”

At creation, Adam said, “this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

After the fall, God told them of the consequences of their sin, which was death and all the pain and hardship that death brought, but within the consequences was also the promise that the woman would have an offspring who would bruise the head of the serpent.

Immediately afterward, Adam called his wife Eve. This was before Eve had born children. She was not actually a mother, but Adam said she was the mother of all living. Eve actually means “life-giver”.

I am intrigued by the fact that after the fall, Adam called his wife “life-giver”. I’m thinking that he could have called her “death-bringer”, but he did not. Adam was speaking in faith. God had promised that the woman would bear an offspring who would restore them, who would crush the head of the serpant. Adam was looking forward to the fulfillment of that promise. The woman had brought death into the world, both physical and spiritual death, when she disobeyed God. Now, the woman had the opportunity to bring life back to them, both physical and spiritual life. At this point, God had pronounced the consequences of their sin, ending with the statement, “for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return." (Gen 3:19). This had to be the lowest moment in the short history of humanity, but the very next verse brings hope, “ The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living”. Adam was declaring that he knew there would be life.Life would not be the same. Their lives were forever changed.

Woman was created to be in relationship. The consequences of the fall made relationships hard. From the time of the fall, men and women have struggled to live together, they rarely understand each other and often hurt each other. The man would have to work a ground that was cursed. Work would be hard and painful. These were the very real, unchangeable consequences of their actions.

But, that is not the end. God had promised an offspring who would restore them. When Adam called his wife “life-giver”, he was speaking in faith. The woman had brought death into the world, both physical and spiritual death, when she disobeyed God. Now, the woman had the opportunity to bring life back to them, both physical and spiritual life.

This speaks to me of a responsibility to bring life to every situation; to speak words that would bring life, words of encouragement, hope, faith, and love; instead of words of complaint, criticism, and grumbling that would bring discouragement and death.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

Prov 18:21

Mother’s Day Thoughts

2011-05-06T21:45:00.001-05:00

Actually, I’m not sure this is about Mother’s Day. I just wanted to blog something light.

Actually, I am a really light hearted, fun loving kind of person, in case anyone out there reads this blog who doesn’t know me well. I take writing blog posts too seriously. I feel compelled to write something meaningful, but not tonight.

First of all, I have my 2 year old grand daughter Aspen for the weekend. I picked her up Thursday because her mother Melody was asked to spend that night at the children’s hospital with an 8 month old who has cancer so that her mother could spend one night at home with the rest of the family. This baby has been in the hospital fighting leukemia for 4 months, and will be there another 3 months. (Well, that’s not light hearted is it).

Anyway, I was happy to keep Aspen. She is a delight. So, today, I picked up my 1 year old grand daughter Kylie so the two could play together. It did not go well. The two fought more than played, but I still enjoyed it. While I don’t like to see children fighting, toddlers fighting skills are not well honed and they are pretty funny.

This afternoon, I had both the girls in the car. Kylie looked at Aspen and said, “Eeew”. I don’t think she meant anything by it, but Aspen was offended. Aspen said, “Kydy, no say eeew me.” Kylie enjoyed that response and replied, “Eeew.” Aspen; “Kydy, top make eeew noise me.” Kylie, “Eeew.” Aspen had to appeal to me for help, “Mammo, Kydy make eeew noise me.”

Overall, we had a great time.

Now, really, I am at the computer working. On Sunday, I am going to be able to speak a little bit for Mother’s Day. We have decided to celebrate women, not just mothers, and I can share some. OK, so I am writing a little bit about what to say. The thing is, I have so much to say, I don’t know where to start. I believe that women are wonderful creatures who have a great ability to love God deeply, to nurture relationships, to worship with freedom, to be passionate about God’s work…well…maybe that is a place to start.

The End of an Enemy

2011-05-02T15:02:00.001-05:00

Last night, it was announced that Osama Bin Ladan was killed by the U.S. military. I feel that this was a necessary action. Most Americans probably agree.

However, it seems that beyond that, there is a lot of disagreement.

My first thought was some relief that this leader and terrorist who have murdered many innocent people around the world is gone. My second thought was that this was a man, a human being who just died and went to spend an eternity in hell.

I saw on the news many Americans who celebrated. There were impromptu gatherings in Washington D.C, New York City, many college campuses, and other major cities, where people chanted and sang the National Anthem. One person said, “This is V-J for our generation.” That expressed the feeling of many who felt that the death of this man represents a great victory.

I have heard people say they don’t believe it. Some Americans are so suspicious of our government that they think the military would pretend to kill an enemy and lie to the people about it. They think this is part of some kind of conspiracy. I guess we have been lied to so many times that many of us just don’t believe anything. Our government has lost the trust of the people.

There are some who immediately made comments that made political points; some praising the President for the action, others making disparaging remarks about him.

Today, many people were quoting Bible verses in response to those who celebrated this death, verses that declare that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, and we are not to rejoice in the death of an enemy. This is truth. I wonder, though is it spoken in love? How would it feel to have lost loved ones on Sept. 11 or in the war in Afghanistan, or any of the other terrorist attacks the Bin Ladan planned.

Amazing how many different responses there can be to one action, and each person feels so sure that he or she is right, and justified, and reasonable.

I am not trying to vindicate or criticize any of these responses. I’m just thinking in blog form. America is a funny place. I am often shocked by responses of people. What seems perfectly reasonable to me, someone else thinks is naive or simple. A friend will say something that to him is flat-out truth, something that to me sounds like outlandish foolishness. We need to treat each other with so much compassion, understanding, and respect.

Bottom line, it seems that an enemy is gone…unless you think it is a lie, then the truth remains to be seen.

Pressing On

2011-04-25T21:56:00.001-05:00

I am still working on posts from our Cottonwood Ladies Retreat. This is the final session, but, since I am writing from my own notes, I might just break it into a few posts. Here is a start of the final retreat session, A Life Of Pressing On

Phil 3:13-14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Paul speaks very specifically about his own philosophy of life here;

Paul uses terms that were commonly used referring to athletes running a race. These terms were very familiar to the readers of his letter. They were terms that refered to running a race in the Olympics.

“Forgetting those things which are behind and straining forward to those things which are ahead”, straining forward is used for a runner who is stretching, reaching, straining running hard to win a race. Press toward the goal means to pursue to drive, to persecute. Think of a runner who is running to win. She strains forward, stretching herself, reaching for the finish line, trying to be the one who breaks the ribbon to win the race.

Imagine a runner, an athlete who competes. When he runs, he only runs. He is not thinking about a lot of other things. He tries to keep from being distracted. He looks forward, straight ahead. A runner does not turn around and look behind him in the middle of a race. He doesn’t look to see what other people are doing. That will only slow him down. He is focused on the finish line.

Paul speaks of the Christian life as a race several times.

1 Cor 9:24-25 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Here Paul tells us that there is a winner in this race. This is not running for the fun of it, but running with purpose, to win the prize.

Paul tells us that we are running a race that counts, that is important. Paul also tells us how to run the race. If we want to run the race to win, then we need to know the way to do it. Paul is an expert runner in this race, so we need to follow his tips:

1. Leave it behind

“forgetting what lies behind”

Paul says to forget the things behind. He does not mean that we are to not remember, but to not be held by the things of the past.

Paul uses a Greek word: epilanthanomai (ep-ee-lan-than'-om-ahee); to lose out of mind; by implication, to neglect:

There are a lot of things that I have lost out of my mind. Paul says that is what we are to do with all the things of our past. No, you can’t make them leave your mind, but you can put them in the back corner somewhere and not dwell on them. "To forget" in the Bible means "no longer to be influenced by or affected by." Forgetting those things which are behind" does not suggest an impossible feat where we try to erase the sins and mistakes of the past. It simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past.

The good and the bad, the successes and the failures, the rewards and the humiliations, all of them can hold you back. To forget does not mean to deny they every happened. Your past is part of your story, part of the tapestry of your life that has made you YOU. You don’t pretend the past never happened, but you get God’s perspective on it.

Isa 43:18-19 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing;

God wants to do new things in your life. If you are holding on to something of the past, your not going to go where God wants to take you.

2. Lay it Down

We see this in Hebewa, where Paul again used the metaphor of a race.

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

We are to set aside every weight, lay it down.

Think about what an Olympic runner looks like when he is ready to run a race. He takes every measure to be as light as possible to run his race. Imagine an Olympic runner comes out to run, and she has duct tape wrapped around her legs, carrying a bunch of suitcases. She does not have a chance to win the race. We all come to the starting line with all kinds of weights we are holding on to. There are so many things that weigh us down. Let’s talk about some of the things that can weigh us down.

1. Weight of guilt, condemnation.

I am convinced that one of the biggest weights that keep us from running the race is guilt. You cannot really go on with the Lord, you cannot live in freedom, or have full joy or peace if you carry the weight of guilt. Remember you are forgiven.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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

We are forgiven. Our sins are washed away, thrown into the sea, put behind His back, and thrown as far as the east is from the west. So, right now put down that weight of guilt. There is no place for it and it just slows you down.

2. Weight of regrets

It is so easy to think about the mistakes that we have made, or even the choices that just could have been better. Those regrets become weights when we spend our time feeling sorry, thinking that if only we had done better our lives would be better.

Remember, God is sovereign

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

God has a purpose, and He will use all of your decisions to work together for that purpose. Don’t regret. Remember that God is sovereign. Don’t regret your past mistakes and choices, and don’t be bogged down by sorrow over wrong things that may have been done to you.

3. Weight of fear

The Bible is full of verses that tell us not to fear. I have heard there are 365 of them, but can’t prove it. Still, we know that we are not to fear. We tend to fear so many things; fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, fear of something happening to us, fear of separation.

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

God has not given us a spirit of fear. God has said that we are not to be afraid. How many times are we robbed of an experience because of fear. Remember the Israelites. When God delivered them from slavery and led them to the promised land. The land held everything that they needed or wanted; flowing rivers and streams, fruit trees, grape vines…but the land also had giants, which the Israelites were afraid of. They chose not to enter the land because they were afraid. What did that cost them? They missed out on a life in a new country, a life that would be rich and abundant and full. Instead, they died in the wilderness. They missed so much because of fear. I don’t want to miss out on anything because of fear.

4. Weight of selfishness

What a lie from Satan that the only way I can be happy is if I make sure I have my way. We have believed that we are the center of our own lives.

Matt 16:24-25 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

The only way to have the life that we truly want is to quit fighting for it. Can we trust Jesus with ourselves? Will we trust him to give us a life that is rich, abundant, full of joy and peace, if we will just stop fighting for our own rights…stop working so hard to have everything we want.

5. Weight of Pride

1 Peter 5:5-6 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Pride is a hard weight to strip off. I have often said, Lord I want to be humble, but I don’t want to be humiliated! I don’t like to be humiliated. I want to be humble without having to go through that painful process of humbling.

I have had some humbling moments. There have been times that I have been criticized for some things, or confronted for not doing something that should have been done. These are opportunities for God to humble me. When that happens, I can choose not retaliate or defend myself. By the grace of God, I can choose to say I am sorry, please forgive me. When I do that, it feels really good. I feel lighter and freer because of that…more able to run the race, with a lighter load of pride.

6. Weight of bitterness

We have talked about forgiveness. If we don’t forgive, we will have a root of bitterness that becomes a weight that will hold us back. The weight of bitterness actually produces more weights. You can’t run the race held back by bitterness.

7. Weight of insecurities

OK, we don’t want to carry the weight of pride, but neither do we want to be insecure. How many times are we held back because we just think we can’t do what Jesus calls us to. Well, God is saying, of course you can’t, but I can.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am,

We are all so precious. Each one created by God for a special purpose, loved and valued, with special gifts and abilities. Don’t let insecurities keep you from pressing on into the plans and purposes God has for you.

These are some of the weights that we are told to take off and lay down. These are things that will keep you from running the race well. We lay aside every weight, every burden.

Resurrection

2011-04-23T22:05:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is Easter, the day that we celebrate the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead. Praise God He is alive! What does that mean to me? A LOT!

In resurrection, Jesus defeated death. Romans 6:9: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” Before Jesus was raised from the dead, other people experienced resurrection, but they all had to face death again. Jesus was raised, never to die again.

Because of the resurrection, Jesus intercedes for us in heaven before God. Romans 8:34: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Ephesians 2:6 says that when God raised Jesus from the dead, He also “ raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Don’t get that, but it is the truth!

Because Jesus is resurrected, Jesus will be with us, everywhere, all the time. Matthew 28:20: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

In resurrection, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”Philippians 2:9-10:

Because Jesus was raised, he has poured out the Spirit on us.

Acts 2:33: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”

It was by the resurrection that we were made right with God. (Romans 4:25)

Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

2 Corinthians 4:14: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:35-55 , Paul tells us that in resurrection, we will have a body that is heavenly, spiritual, imperishable, immortal, glorious…” 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

Jesus resurrection is the victory. We all live today in hope because He is ALIVE!

What did Christ accomplish through His death on the cross?

2011-04-22T05:47:00.001-05:00

Today is called Good Friday. It is the day we celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As I considered His death last week, I began to consider what the Bible teaches us that Christ accomplished by His death.

The first thing that comes to mind is what Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:7-8, that Jesus death brought us redemption and the forgiveness of our sins.

That is a good place to start, but it is certainly only the beginning.

Galatians 6:14 says that through the cross of Jesus, the world was crucified to me and I to the world. So, the world no longer has any draw to me because it is dead.

Ephesians 2:14-20 makes it clear that Jesus ended the hostility between Jews and Gentiles by breaking down the barriers on the cross so that we now have peace. We are now all fellow citizens of God’s kingdom and members of His family.

In Colossians 1:19 Paul tells us that we are reconciled to God by the blood of His cross, brought back to live in peace with God.

According to Colossians 2:13-15, Jesus cancelled our record of debt by nailing it to the cross. His death said that the debt that we owe God is paid in full. On the cross, he also disarmed the demons and evil spirits, triumphed over them, and put them to open shame.

Romans 6:6-7 says that our old self was crucified with Jesus, and because we died with Him, we have been set free from sin.

Romans 5:9-11 says that we have been declared not guilty and saved from God’s wrath.

Hebrews 9:24-28 states that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice who was offered once to bear the sins of us all, so that there is no need for any further sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:10 says that we have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

In Acts 20:28, Paul said that Jesus paid for the church of God with his own blood.

And finally, in Revelation 5:9-10, John heard a new song which celebrated the fact that by the blood of Jesus, he ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and made them a kingdom and priests to our God.

I am overwhelmed by the wonderful work that Jesus did by the one simple act of laying down His life.

A Life of Passion

2011-04-14T22:23:00.001-05:00

Cottonwood Ladies Retreat “Pallette of a Woman’s Life” continued!Session 4- A Life of Passion, Katy Davis

Katy shared her revelation of what true passion is, which she received while on a mission trip. She received this revelation “In a van, on a mountain, in Bulgaria, at midnight” as the group travelled to minister to women who have been rescued from the sex slave industry in Greece.

Passion must come from a place of freedom. You cannot be truly passionate about God or about helping other people when you are not free. You have to minister out of freedom. When you are unhealthy, you cannot minister health to others. In order to help anyone, you have to help yourself first.

Real passion has nothing to do with enthusiasm and excitement. Passion is based on “ownership”. Many people live their own live like a renter. A renter does not invest into the house they rent. You don’t save up to buy a new oven for a rented apartment. You don’t sacrifice to upgrade. A home owner invests their money and their time to upgrade and take care of their home. As a Christian, if you live your life like a renter, you might go to church on Sunday, maybe an occasional Bible Study. An owner is ready to give themselves completely to the Christian life. A person with a renters mentality considers their life to be a result of things that happen to them. They shy away from dealing with hurts and wounds, they don’t set healthy boundaries. Giving of themselves generously doesn’t make sense. Ownership mentality steps into their own life with boldness. They seek healing for emotional and physical hurts. They say, “I own this life. I’m going to change.” They go out on a limb to be obedient. They partner with God to overcome bad habits and life patterns. Decide, “This is my one chance to live here on earth, so I am going to step into it.”

How do you get into the life of ownership.

1. Know who you are. If you have submitted your life to Christ, you are royalty, a daughter of the king. You may “feel” lie a servant, but you are still royalty. You don’t have to scrub the kitchen floor until it shines to earn favor from the King, because He is your Father. You have a crown on your head, so get out of the dungeon and back to the castle. Understand that you don’t serve to gain acceptance. Serving to gain acceptance is really slavery, but serving to help others to find freedom is true servanthood. If you agree to serve in anyway because you feel obligated or to gain acceptance, you are actually in slavery.

2. Know the Father. Passion flows from the heart of God. You pump yourself up enough to have passion. Our earthly father paints a picture of what our heavenly Father is like. Unfortunately, our earthly fathers are human. They may reflect God in some ways, but in other ways, they fall short. We attach a string that says our Heavenly Father is like our earthly father. We need to cut that string. We often define truth based on our experiences, but we have to understand God by knowing the truth from the Bible. Here are a few truths about who God is…

God is…with you in everything you do, near us, merciful, faithful, mighty, awesome; God is our rock, our refuge, our strength; God is wiser than any human wisdom, my help, the one who sustains me, my portion forever; God is holy, truthful, the bread that came down from heaven; God is love; God is the one who fights for you and gives you victory over your enemies; He takes great delight in you, and will rejoice over you with singing.

Cottonwood Ladies Retreat: A Life of Purpose

2011-04-09T21:48:00.001-05:00

I am still working on blogs about the ladies retreat, not keeping up very well. In fact, I started this post a couple of weeks ago. I can’t seem to find time to sit down and write these days. Anyway, here goes.

In our second session, Libby Skaggs shared experiences from her life, which is truly a life of purpose.

1. Acknowledge

To live a life of purpose, you have to know where you derive your purpose from. God reveals Himself as the source of all purpose.

Ps 139:14-16
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
Eph 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God uses people who are not perfect. God called Moses to lead His people. Moses felt unqualified, made excuses. God asked Moses, “What is in your hand”. God used what Moses had in his hand. That is where we start.

God has a plan for every person He created. Libby has an 8 year old son with several special needs. People might think he is not useful to God, but God has a special purpose for him. Dillon is a worshipper. He loves to worship. He does not know that it is not cool for an 8 year old to dance in the aisle at church. He also has a gift of encouragement. Dillon makes every person feel like the most loved. Although he has some limitations that might cause people to overlook him, it is a fact that God has a great purpose for Dillon.

2. Accept

Every member of the body is important, none more than others. A big hindrance to living out your own purpose is trying to fit into someone else’s mold.

One tool to help understand what your purpose is is from Rick Warren. We all must understand our SHAPE.

Spiritual gifts: God gives every believer spiritual gifts to be used in ministry. These are special God-empowered abilities God gives each of us for serving him. His plan is that each of use our gifts together. so that everyone benefits.

Heart: There are certain subjects you feel passionate about. Follow that passion. God wants you to use your natural interests to serve Him and others. People rarely excel at tasks they don’t enjoy doing or feel passionately about.

Abilities: Your abilities are the natural talents you were born with. All of our abilities come from God, and every ability can be used for God’s glory.

Personality: Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. God made you with a distinct personality for a reason. Don’t try to mimic someone else, just be yourself.

Experiences: You have been shaped by your experiences in life. In determining your shape for service, you should examine experiences from your past. Your greatest ministy will most likely come out of your greatest hut.

3.Activate

Acting on your God given purpose is a step of faith. Libby has adopted three children. Each time, there was not complete assurance. There was an element of of faith.

ps 119 105 one step at a time

Sometimes what God calls you to seems like an inconvenience. Two years ago, Mike and Libby had an email about a 15 month old baby in Korea who needed a family. It was an inconvenient moment, but it was a divine moment. That baby became their son, the third adopted from Korea.

When God reveals his purpose, He always promises His presence. God may use you in a way that may seem crazy, but He promises He will always be with you.

God may be calling you to serve near or far. As a wife and mother, Libby’s family is her first priority. It is important to take care of our own families, however, having young children at home is not a reason to never serve outside of the family.

Libby and her husband Mike were both formed by life experiences to care about other people. After the birth of their first son, they discovered they were not able to have other children, so adoption was an easy next step. After adopting their daughter Abby from Korea 10 years ago, their eyes were opened to the severe problems of the orphan world wide. When they adopted Dillon 2 years later, then found that he had special needs, they became very aware of the special plight of orphans with any kind of disability.

The fact is that there are 147 million orphans in the world. Every day, 26,000 children die of preventable disease. The need is so great, and Libby has realized that helping to meet the needs of the orphan is one purpose that God has given her; through adoption, through teaching about adoption and advocating for the orphans, and through trips abroad to help with the care of orphans.

Palette of a Woman’s Life: Perseverance

2011-03-27T17:13:00.001-05:00

In this session, Melody Warmerdam shared her personal experience of what it means to persevere and the keys that she found to persevere.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

How do we persevere?

1. Relate

Through the heartbreak of years of trying to have a baby and dealing with infertility and finally a devastating miscarriage, she found hope and healing through a support group in her church, a group that was created to bring women together who were dealing with the same struggles. We need healthy relationships to help us persevere. You need someone to speak the truth to you, to remind you when you are believing a lie. You need someone who will be honest to tell you when you are off track, someone who will pray for you, someone who will be there for you, walk with you through the hard times; someone who will lift you up, encourage you, build you up, energize you, give you Godly counsel. Relationships are hard, but they are meant to be life-giving. Relationships are important, but they are not meant to replace the Holy Spirit. While each of us need to have strong relationships, we must make sure that

2. Relent

Relent means to become less severe, harsh, or strict, more forgiving.

Forgive God. It is so easy blame God for our problems.

It is not wrong to ask questions. Jesus said that we are to be like little children. One characteristic of children is that they ask a lot of questions. Children ask questions not to get answers but to engage in conversations. It is ok to ask questions, but understand that God does not have to explain Himself, He wants to exalt Himself.

Forgive yourself. Let yourself off the hook. Satan accuses us all the time, and we are too often quick to accept the responsibility, even when we are not to blame. Melody shared that she struggled with blame and shame after she miscarried. The miscarriage was not her fault. She did nothing to cause it and could have done nothing to prevent it, but Satan caused her to take on shame and blame. She had to let go and understand that she was not at fault.

Forgive others. Resentment is poison to our soul. We have to forgive to get rid of it. Forgiving allows us to love in a fallen world. Forgiveness may be a process, a decision that we have to make over and over. We must choose to forgive, and ask God for the strength to do it.

3. Rejoice

Phil 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We are tempted to compare. Comparing opens the door to discontent, and is rooted in envy.

James 3:14-17 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Comparison causes you to shake your fist at God and tell Him I’m not happy with what you gave me.

The way to fight comparing is to be thankful. Keep a Thanksgiving journal.

Another key is to sing praises to God, or listen to praise music.

Our journey brings us to know God.

You have to be sick to know God as healer.

You have to be in a storm to know God as your refuge.

You have to be alone to know God as your friend.

You have to be wounded to know God as your comforter.

You have to be broken to know God as Savior.

Ladies Retreat Reviewed

2011-03-07T15:25:00.001-06:00

God really blessed our time at the retreat last weekend. I want to blog a little for just an overview of each speaker.

Emily did not think she would be able to go at all, because she had to take her art students to the one and only UIL art contest, which was scheduled for Saturday after we had already scheduled the retreat. So, on Friday night, she ran in and spoke about 15 minutes, then ran back to Stephenville, to get up early Saturday to take students to an art contest. But, the short time she was there, she was brilliant.

As an art teacher, she used painting as an illustration of the Christian life. Painters do not use paint straight out of the tube. The colors are too bright, too defined. She showed a canvas with stripes painted with paint straight out of the tube. The edges were too severe, and the colors were not interesting. Painters always blend the colors. The experiences that we have, the hard times, the difficult relationships, the problems we deal with are the things that God uses to blend us. We need the blending. As young Christians, we often have very strict ideas about what God would do, and about what people who are following God should do. We often see things in terms of what is right or wrong without regard to a persons experience, feelings. As God uses our experiences to blend us, we come to know God better, and are more understanding of others. We become less severe, more compassionate, more interesting, easier to “look at”, less judgmental, more grounded.

Even with the colors blended, still there is no definition or depth in the picture until the painter adds white. Even just a tiny bit of white on the paintbrush added to a color changes the color and the whole picture. Jesus is the white that brings the depth to our life. With the light of Jesus, we are changed.

Getting Ready for the Retreat

2011-02-25T23:29:00.001-06:00

RETREAT IS NEXT WEEKEND. I am trying to get everything ready. I turned in a room list to the hotel 2 weeks ago, but I will have to send another one in on Monday with revisions (nothing unusual there). We have women working on some fun games for late Friday night, other women working on snacks. I have not put in an order for our lunch yet. Still a lot of things to do.

I am spending every minute that I have studying for my part of the speaking, and I am really getting stirred up! Paul spoke some great words in Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

14 Paul uses terms that were commonly used referring to athletes running a race. Just listen to the terms he uses.

“Forgetting those things which are behind and straining forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal” straining forward is used for a runner who is stretching, reaching, straining running hard to win a race. Press toward the goal means to purse to drive, to persecute.

Paul was running a race to know Christ and to become more and more like Christ in every way. He did not just pick one way to follow Christ. He experienced Christ in deep ways; through deep personal times of prayer; in new revelations; in great visions; in suffering persecution, in doing mighty works, in spreading the news of the Kingdom, in close personal relationships with other believers.

Let’s run the race together. Let’s encourage one another to run the race. I have seen

Smiling is Really Good for Your Health

2011-02-21T15:48:00.001-06:00

I am a big advocate of smiling. I smile a lot. Even when I am at home alone, I smile a lot. I like to smile at strangers in stores and I try to smile every time I greet my husband. Even if I am not feeling especially happy, I purposely smile because I have found that when I make myself smile, I begin to feel more “smiley”.

Now, I have scientific proof that smiling is really good for you. I have lifted some information from the website of Dr. Caroline Leaf:

Did you know that the mere act of smiling could stop a negative toxic mindset? In fact, research shows that smiling a lot helps towards rewiring the circuit in the brain that helps you keep a positive attitude to life! This means God has designed us in such a way that when we smile with our eyes and mouth…a real deep meaningful smile (called the Duchenne smile), the part of your brain involved in decision-making, intellectual pursuit, shifting between thoughts, and thinking things through rationally becomes stronger and more effective. Simply put, smiling makes you happier and more intelligent!

Some researchers have even shown that a smile lowers stress and blood pressure and stimulates the immune system. In fact our brain pays attention to cues from the rest of our body to determine our moods and emotions (Okun et al, Damasio, Stibich, Jorgenson, Duchenne). So smiling increases our health as well!

And just watch the effect on those around you because smiling, like attitude, is contagious. In fact it’s almost impossible not to respond to a real smile: the mirror neurons God has so graciously wired into our brains are designed to respond with a burst of feel good chemicals being released lifting our spirits and intellect.

If smiling has such a profound affect on the kinds of experiences we have with other people and how they treat us, why don’t you stop a moment and practice a smile? Maybe it will take 7 attempts or more to create that real smile that involves all the muscles…but watch how you feel and watch the response of those around you as you go through the day smiling at everyone.

This is true to the proverbs: “ A merry heart doeth good like medicine” 15:13

Yawning is Good for You !

2011-02-17T10:45:00.001-06:00

I just read this from the blog of Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist who has great credentials and knows what she is talking about, so I thought it was worth passing on.

Can you believe that yawning is great for your brain…and you thought it was bad manners to yawn in public!

In fact, neuroscientists are telling us that yawning has 12 neurological benefits the sum of which increase our intellectual functioning as well as decreasing toxicity in our minds (pubmed.gov). It basically activates an area in the brain called the precuneus, which is involved in consciousness, self-reflection and memory. Yawning also helps regulate the temperature and metabolism of your brain.

Yes we do yawn when we are tired or bored or when we are exposed to light, but neuroscience shows that yawning actually has a type of reboot function, which helps to increase our alertness making us more cognitively aware. It sort of wipes out the tiredness and refocuses us.

Yawning activates an amazing pathway in the brain dealing with empathy and the result is an increase in the quantity and quality of loving empathy and an increase in conscious self-reflection.

Yawning, as I am sure you are aware, is neurologically contagious: when you see someone yawn, you yawn too.

I find it absolutely fascinating that God has designed every part of us to work towards manifesting the qualities of Jesus…we are truly wired for love.

Some of the other benefits of yawning include increasing memory, improved introspection, improves your sense of timing, enhances pleasure and lowers stress.

So stop what you are doing and yawn 7 times…your eyes may water, but it’s worth it!

The Power of a Negative Influence

2011-02-15T07:25:00.001-06:00

Galatians 2:11-13 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

This passage was part of a lesson that I taught for Sunday School last week. As I studied, I kept thinking about the fact that Paul called Peter a hypocrite. The APOSTLE PAUL called the APOSTEL PETER a hypocrite. Wow.

Most of us would rather be called just about anything else but a hypocrite. I sometimes hear that word applied too broadly. When someone falls, that does not make her a hypocrite. A hypocrite is an actor. Peter acted one way with one group, another way with another group. When he was with the gentile believers, he acted accepting. When the brothers from Jerusalem came, he totally changed his behavior.

Here was Peter, who came to visit the Christians in Antioch, Gentiles who had become believers in Jesus. Peter had been the first Apostle to share the wonderful news of salvation through faith in Jesus with Gentiles when God sent him to the home of the Roman Centurian Cornelius. He stood up to the other leaders in Jerusalem and defended the right of the Gentiles to be Christians without first being Jews. Now, he is visiting with Gentile brothers in Antioch, eating with them, fellowshipping with them, accepting them; until men from Jerusalem come, when he drew back from them.

Peter led others astray with him. Even Barnabas was involved. Barnabas had been one of the spiritual leaders of the church in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26), so his disobedience would have a tremendous influence on the others in the fellowship. He had actually been with Paul, preaching the gospel of faith to the gentiles, establishing the churches. This shows the great force of bad examples, especially the examples of great men and good men.

I imagined these scene at Cottonwood. Say a man came to visit with us, someone who was recognized as a leader among Christians, someone like Billy Graham. He comes and visits, we all are eating together, having a great time. Then, some men from the Southern Baptist Convention come and suddenly Billy Graham gets his plate and leaves us and goes to eat with them because we do not adhere to the convention standards and he questions if we are truly Christians. We would be very hurt and confused. That is the kind of situation that Paul saw. Then, even Barnabas followed Peter. Barnabas was one of their own. it would be as if our Pastor got his plate and joined the crowd with Billy Graham. We would be crushed. We would wonder what was wrong with us, if we truly were followers. Probably, some would be angry and leave, some would fall away.

I guess we often think of the power or peer pressure when dealing with “moral” issues, but this story shows the power of peers in a new light. The APOSTLE PETER, brave, bold, strong Peter, and BARNABAS, who was with Paul when he preached the gospel to the Gentile people and established churches among them were subject to it. These two men were lead astray by what other people thought. A whole new level of power of peers.

What About Her?

2011-02-09T13:55:00.001-06:00

John 21:18-23

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

Jesus and Peter had a moment together. This is after Jesus died and rose again. After Peter denied Jesus and was received and restored by Jesus. Jesus gives Peter a glimpse of what his life was going to be like, that he would die as a martyr. Jesus immediately wants to know, what about John? That is our nature. If God speaks to me that I should sell my house and give the money away, I want to know if he is going to tell some other people to do that too. We want it to be the same for everyone. And, if God does not do the same thing, we want to have a reason why.

God has His plan for us; He also has plans for our Christian friends and associates. How He works in their lives is His business. Our business is to just follow Him as He leads us.

Jerehiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I have to learn to be content with the plans that God has for ME, and not be concerned about the plans that he has for YOU. That is both in a negative sense as well as a positive sense. We have to learn to just trust that God’s plans are good, His ways are good, and that we don’t always understand.

We want a formula. We want to know that if we do this, God will do that. We would like to think that we have some guarantees with God. Of course, we have some, but not all that we want. We can know for sure that when we believe in Jesus, allow him to be our savior and our Lord, our sins are forgiven and we are saved from their penalty. We also know that Jesus is living in us, he is working in us, and someday we will live in heaven with him. That is certain for every one of us.

Those are the things that we can be sure of, that we know are certain. But, there are many other things that we would like to know. We would like to think that if we pray for one person and they are healed, that it would work like that every time. When we hear a testimony about God’s work in someone’s life, I want it to be that God would do the same thing in my life in the same situation.

Christians want a formula that we can follow. For example, we want to know how to pray for healing. We may go through several steps:

I pray, God heals.

If that doesn’t work, we want a solution, so we try different things.

I pray with faith, God heals.

I pray with enough faith, God heals.

I pray with enough faith and deal with any sin in my life, God heals.

I pray with enough faith and deal with any sin in my life and get other Christians to pray, God heals.

I pray with enough faith and deal with any sin in my life and get other Christians who also have enough faith to pray, God heals.

It is so hard for us to not always look for these solutions.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" Rom 11:33-35

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

If we pray for healing, and God does not heal, I believe that it is right to go to God and ask if there is a reason. That is not wrong, but we have to learn that ultimately, God is God and we cannot understand everything He does. Whether we pray for healing, for financial needs, for friendships, to have a husband, for a new job, whatever the need is, we have to have peace to know that God is still God. He is in control. We don’t make God do anything. There are no formulas in place to make God act in a certain way. What one person does is not the formula for everyone else. If I sit in a certain chair every day and pray, and God gives me what I was asking for, that does not mean that you need to find a similar chair to sit in every day and pray. Whatever formula that you think worked, is not the answer at all. God loves us, each one of us individually. He deals with us individually, in the way that He knows is best for us.

Join us-Cottonwood Ladies Retreat

2011-02-08T19:49:00.001-06:00

Generational Strongholds

2011-02-07T15:14:00.001-06:00

I was introduced to the idea of generational iniquity recently at a Kairos event at Gateway Church. I spent some times studying that idea last week while I was snowed in. I found it very interesting, and thought I would share what I found.

Sometimes, you may have dealt with a sin or stronghold in your life, confessed, repented, made the choice to turn away from it, been a part of a group for accountability, taken every step to be free, but still struggle. When that is the case, it is possible that there may be a generational stronghold on your family.

Ex 34:6-7 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."

Generational strongholds come from actions that perpetuated in a family in a number of generations. Generational curses do not impose eternal judgment. They bring judgment or bondage during an individual's life, reducing the quality of life, until that individual addresses the sin issues that put the curses into place.

Moses addressed this issue when the Israelites were preparing to enter the promised land. He told the new generation that was preparing to enter in that they would not enter unless the dealt with their own personal sins and also the sins of their fathers. The account can be found in

Leviticus 26:39-42 "Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their fathers' sin they will waste away. But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers - their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies - then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land

God is not punishing you for the sins of your parents or grandparents. There is a principle of reaping what is sown. This is a law of nature designed by God. But, because of the sin of man, the same law has a negative influence. You see this in your life. When you eat healthy foods, you feel healthier. When you eat cake for breakfast, French fries for lunch, and pie for supper, you feel sick, and if you do that for long, you will really be unhealthy. God does not punish you for eating poorly, it is just the natural consequences. If your mother fed you junk food all the time when you were a child, you have the natural consequences of that.

The choices that your parents made do have a huge impact on you. We see this in scripture.

David, the great king of Israel who wrote most of the Psalms, who loved God and had a very special purpose from God, had a problem with lust; he had several wives and many mistresses, even took his friends wife and had his friend killed to cover up. David’s sons had the problem, but even bigger. His son Solomon actually had 300 wives and 700 mistresses.

Another example is Abraham, father of the Jewish nation, chosen and called by God, faithful and obedient to God. But, when he was in a tight situation, he lied. His son Isaac had the same problem. He lied when he needed to. Isaac’s son Jacob did not just lie when he was in a fix, he was a liar. He lied and cheated as a way of life.

We are all impacted by the propensities of our parents.

Sometimes our parents or grandparents opened a door to a sin that became a stronghold, a sin that the family falls into easily. Once the door was opened, it may have opened wider and wider by generations. Of course, every person has the opportunity to make their own choice. It may be that when you were born, a door was already open. You did not have to allow the evil in. You had a choice, but it was a harder choice.

I can see all around me families that deal with the same root sin for generations. I don’t know all the theology concerning this topic, but I feel like it is an area that we certainly need to seriously question.

SNOW DAY

2011-02-01T18:40:00.001-06:00

I woke up this morning to a snow covered yard and street. I was surprised and excited. Not that I didn’t know it was coming. The weather people have been telling us about it for days. Yesterday, my friends and I discussed weather we would have Bible Study at church today because of it. Yes, I knew it was coming.

But, snow is always surprising and exciting! I have been out of school a LONG time. Heck, my youngest child has been out of school a long time (7 years?). I have a job I love, which does not involve reporting

to an office everyday or anything like that. I really did want to have Bible Study this morning. So, I have no reason to be excited about a snow day, but I am.

I think that Snow Day means take a break, stay in the house. If you go outside, it should only be to play. Bundle up the children and take pictures. Do things you enjoy. That is why God made snow days. Am I right?

I spent the day in the chair with my lap top in my lap. I had a catch up study day. I do that for fun, really I do. I read and studied most of the day. I am sure this is too much information, but it was 3:00 when I showered and brushed my teeth. It was that kind of day!

When do we reach enough?

2011-01-24T15:33:00.002-06:00

Right now in Ladies Bible study, we are reading the book Radical, by David Platt. I am reading it for the 4th or 5th time, and it is ever bit as “radical” and inspiring as it was the first time, and convicting.

Today I read chapter 6, which I think is the one that touches me the most; “ How Much is Enough?” Americans are wealthy. We are wealthy beyond the dreams of most of the people in the world. American Christians are wealthy and complacent. We are blind to the extreme, deadly poverty of most of the world. We live our lives, give our tithes, maybe add a little offering to World Vision to help a child in Africa, and feel pretty good; unaware that a billion people in the world live and die in desperate poverty, trying to survive on less that a dollar per day; forgetting that today 26,000 children will die of starvation or preventable disease. Caring for the poor is not an “extra” for the Christian. We are commanded to provide for those in need.

In Mark 10, Jesus told a wealthy young man who wanted eternal life to sell every thing he had and give to the poor, then to come and follow him. Most of us read that story and immediately explain that Jesus knew that the man’s heart was tied to his things (which is true) and that Jesus does not really ask his followers to sell of their belongings and give to the poor (really). If Jesus told one person that, maybe he would tell more of us. Are we willing to ask God if he wants us to sell everything that we have and give the money to the poor? And, are we willing to wait for an answer from God before we answer for him?

The Bible tells us in Mark 10:21, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Jesus was not telling the man to give away everything he had because Jesus wanted him to be miserable and in want. Jesus loved the man and knew that his best interest was found in getting rid of all the stuff.

Will I trust Jesus enough to give away all that I have if that is what He tells me? Maybe more practical, will I trust Jesus today if He tells me to not buy a new bathroom rug but instead send that money to World Vision?

Retreat Promo Video

2011-01-22T17:46:00.000-06:00

Obedience is its Own Reward

2011-01-20T12:43:00.001-06:00

I am not sure when I first said that, or if I heard it from someone else first, but I know that phrase comes to mind a lot, and I speak it a lot. Sometimes, I obey the voice that I believe to be God speaking, and there is nothing outward to show for it. Sometimes it is a simple thing, like I feel God telling me to make a phone call, or go visit my neighbor. I obey, thinking that she is in the midst of a crisis or needs me for some reason, but everything is fine. There does not seem to be any specific reason for the visit.

I am desperate to do only the things that God is leading me to do; what Bible study to lead, what topic to teach, what special event to plan, or just how I will spend my day. Sometimes, the results are amazing, sometimes less than hoped for. Those are the times that I remember, “Obedience is its own reward”. I don’t have to see results, if I do what I believe God is leading me to do, then that is enough. God wants obedience, and He doesn’t promise certain results. I want to obey, so I must be content with knowing I was obedient, and not worry about results.

I recently ended a season of ministry in a persons life. I felt called to reach out; I loved and served, and did my best to share Christ’s love. The response was not at all what I hoped. Eventually, I felt that I had reached an end and God told me to let go. I made the decision with no regrets and no guilt, just a real sorrow at the way it ended. I continue to pray, but I know that any good outcome is only up to God. So, I am at peace, encouraged to know that even if I never see any result of my labor, I obeyed, and that is enough.

It is hard to not look for outcomes when we serve. I think of stories I have heard of missionaries who serve for years without seeing anyone come to Christ, Pastors who preach God’s word faithfully without seeing any growth in the church they serve, people who share their faith with coworkers diligently and never see fruit. Those are the times that we have to be content to know that obedience is the reward, regardless of outcome.

I hope this post does not sound discouraging. I am not discouraged, just contemplative!

Blog Confusion

2011-01-11T23:17:00.001-06:00

Blog’s are rather mysterious things. You write something, you send it, it floats through the internet atmosphere, appears as a post in a blog. You never know what happens from there.

My name is Jeannette and I am in control of this blog. I don’t know who reads it, but occasionally someone mentions a post, so I know that someone out there in internet land is reading.

This is officially the blog for a ministry, Cottonwood Women's Ministry. I am the blog writer for this, so I consider this “my” blog. Sometimes, I will think about a post and decide it is too personal to put on a blog that is really a “ministry” blog, not a “personal” blog. The problem is, sometimes I don’t know where “ministry” ends and my “personal life” starts.

Today I am writing a “personal” blog. Today I am feeling a little stressed. It has been a stressful season. I don’t want to explain (I am not willing to get THAT personal!) but just understand there have been some extra stressors in my life the last few months.

Yesterday was my birthday, and God gave me a verse, sort of my verse for the year.
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 4:7-11

I know that Peter was telling the believers that the end of the age was coming, the time when Jesus would be returning. But, the word that God gave me was that the end of all things would be coming. No circumstance will last forever. Every situation will come to an end. In the meantime, I am to be disciplined to pray. That is the source of strength and power to persevere through the difficult time. And I am to love earnestly, which also means fervently, and without end. When relationships are difficult, we have to decide to love anyway, to commit to loving. Then, Peter says to show hospitality, to remain open to people, receiving, accepting others. And continue to serve in the gifts that God has given me. If I do these things, I will get through the hard times, the times of stress; and in the end, God will be glorified.

Cottonwood Spring Retreat

2010-12-28T18:56:00.002-06:00

Palette of a Woman’s Life

A life of Purpose, A Life of Persevering, A Life of Passion, A Life of Pressing On

March 4-5, 2011 Elegante Suites Hotel, Abilene

God created each of us to have a life that is rich, abundant, and full.

A life of Purpose: Presented by Libby Skaggs

Libby desires to chase after all that God has in store for her life. From mundane mommy moments to following God's call to third world countries, to advocating for orphans worldwide, Libby wants to live everyday with the purpose that God ordained for her life.

A life of Persevering : Presented by Melody Warmerdam

We know that James 1:2 states, “Consider it all joy whenever you face trials”, but we all wonder... How? Melody has learned to persevere in her walk with the Lord through years of infertility and loss. A life of perseverance will bring freedom and joy, even in the midst of pain.

A life of Passion: Presented by Katy Davis

The dictionary describes passion as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, but what does God say about passion? Hear Katy as she shares her insight on the passionate life God is calling us to and how we all can choose a life of passion in obedience to God.

A life of Pressing On: Presented by Jeannette Maxwell

Jeannette believes that we should always live a life of pressing on, leaning forward, ready for whatever God has for us, never satisfied with life as it is today or held back by anything of the past. Be inspired to live, "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward the goal.”

Times of celebration and worship in music led by Ashley White.

The retreat is a wonderful time to connect with other women of all ages and all walks of life, providing a great opportunity to make new friends. More than that, it is a time of true ministry from God’s word, and worship that will encourage and strengthen your faith. Be sure to invite your friends. We love having guests with us, and this is a relaxed time that anyone can enjoy.

Cost:

Discount if paid by Feb 01

4 per room: $60 per person

3 per room: $80 per person

2 per room: $100 per person

1 person in a room: $140

After Feb 01

4 per room: $70 per person

3 per room: $90 per person

2 per room: $110 per person

1 person $150

Price includes room, full hot breakfast, lunch, and all retreat expenses. Retreat price does not include supper Friday night. There are a number of good restaurants near the hotel.

In order to get the reduced rate, be sure to turn in the registration form with payment by February 1.

This retreat is a special time for the women to get away together, so we ask that you not bring your children, with the exception of very young nursing babies.

Girls at least 16 are invited to register.

You may check in at the hotel any time after 3pm on Friday, March 4. The First Session will begin at 7:00pm.

We will end around 4:00pm Saturday.

Bring your Bible and whatever you need to spend the night. Plan to dress for comfort.

This is a great hotel, with an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center. All rooms are suites, with refrigerators, microwave ovens, hair dryers, and extra sofa beds.

For information, contact Jeannette Maxwell 254-485-6539 maxwells2565@embarqmail.com

To register, complete the form and return it with payment: Mail to Jeannette Maxwell 273 CR 527, Dublin, TX 76446 or turn it in to church office, or put it in the box labeled “Ladies Retreat” on the buffet at church.

Make checks payable to Cottonwood, with notation, Ladies Retreat.

__________________________

Cottonwood Ladies Retreat 2011

Registration form

Name ___________________________

Address _________________________

Phone___________________________

Email____________________________

Number in room______________

Amount included $ ____________

Room-mate request (not required)

______________________________

Jesus Came to Reveal the Father

2010-12-27T07:52:00.001-06:00

During the month of December, as I continued to contemplate and study about the reasons that Jesus came to earth, one wonderful reason for His coming was to reveal God to us, and to make the way for us to come into relationship with Him God the Father. Before Jesus came, very few people knew God. Abraham and Moses were described as being friends of God. God said that He spoke to Moses face to face, personal and intimately. Those were the exception. In the Old Testament times, God was not easily accessible.

Jesus came to change that.

In Matthew 11:27, Jesus said, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

John 14:7-11 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Even more amazing is that Jesus came to make a way for us to come to the Father.

Every religion has the goal of trying to get to God; through works, ceremony, sacrifice, rituals…they try to get to God by their own means. Jesus came and said, I will take you to God. I will make the way for you.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.?

Do we know how much we need him? Have we become so used to the idea that God loves me and Jesus died for me that we have forgotten that we were hopeless and helpless without Him?

Paul describes our condition in Ephesians 2:1-4“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Dead…following Satan and his ways…living in the passions of flesh…carrying out the desires of the body and mind…children of wrath…not a pretty picture.

Isaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Without Jesus we were dead, separated from God, living a life of futility, without hope. Jesus came and to change all of that. When He paid the penalty and took away our sins, He opened up the door, and said, “

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Rom 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

SINCE we have confidence…SINCE we have a great high priest…LET US DRAW NEAR. Jesus has done it. We can come to God. We don’t have to grovel. We are not worms. We come with confidence, boldness, as dearly loved children.

I am reminded of pictures taken when John Kennedy was President. It is often said that the President of the United States is the most powerful man in the world. That was probably more true in 1960 than it is now. As President, Kennedy was surrounded by security. He was important. His time was very valuable. Not just anyone could get in to see him. If even another head of state wanted to see him, he would have to go through security points to get to him. But, there were 2 people who had easy access to President Kennedy, his young children Caroline and John. His children did not have to go through security. They were welcomed into his presence because they were his and he loved them. If you look at pictures taken during that time, there are many pictures of Kennedy sitting at his desk, with a small boy sitting next to him.

That is the picture I have in my head right now. God is (of course) the most powerful person in the universe. The Bible says that He dwells in inapproachable light. Yet, we have access to Him. We are His children and He loves us. So, let’s enter in. Come into His presence with confidence and joy!

Christmas Confusion

2010-12-17T15:46:00.002-06:00

I love Christmas. However, I am confused about Christmas.
I love going to Christmas programs. Last Sunday, I watched two of my grandchildren perform in a children’s Christmas musical in a church, which was so fun Friday, I watched Lexi, our kindergartener sing in her school program. (You should hear a bunch of 5 year olds sing Feliz Navidad. “Falee Navida, Falee Navida, Falee da du dum num falee nevah”…VERY cute.)We also went to Gateway Church to see their wonderful presentation of a very Christian version of A Christmas Carol.Our Women’s Night of Worship was very moving and sweet. I love all the Christmas programs.

And, I like Christmas movies, even the ones about Santa Claus. I like Christmas movies about a grumpy old man who learns how to love and be happy because a sweet little girl with cancer reaches out to him, or something like that.

I like Christmas lights, and Christmas trees, and Christmas packages…One of our favorite traditions is looking at Christmas lights in the richest areas of Ft. Worth.

I really like buying Christmas presents for the grandchildren and then watching them open them when the family gets together.I LOVE the special time to get together with my family.

Now, the part that confuses me.
I don’t quite understand why we feel pressure to buy things that we cannot afford. A single mom with very little money feels horrible if she cannot put a tree in her living room and decorate it. An unemployed father gets an ulcer from worrying because he cannot buy his son a bicycle. Why is it necessary to do these things at this certain time? You understand what I’m saying.

I get emails that I am supposed to boycott certain stores because their employees have to say, “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. People tell me that we should remember that “Jesus is the reason for the season”. Really?
I love Jesus, and I am very glad that we have a time set aside to celebrate His birth. Still, we don’t know when Jesus was born. Jesus told us a lot of things to do, but He never told us to celebrate his birthday. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we SHOULDN’T do it, I’m just wondering.

Another thing, why do lonely people feel so extra lonely during this month? That is pretty sad. This is a time when we are supposed to be extra happy because Jesus came to bring peace on earth and good will to men. People who are depressed tend to sink into deeper depression, addicts struggle a little more with their addictions, the suicide rate is higher than at any other time.Stress levels are higher than usual.

I get letters and phone calls constantly asking for money for different organizations wanting to help someone have a better Christmas. What about the rest of the year? Nursing homes are bombarded with groups who want to sing Christmas Carols or bring cards, groups that don’t think about nursing home residents any other time.

I am not a grinch, and I don’t go around saying, “Bah, humbug.” I am just sorting my thoughts.
Sunday, we will have a special Christmas service at Cottonwood. The children are going to sing, and the service will be centered around the birth of Jesus. That is the part of Christmas that I love. I love that we do have a month when there is some extra attention given to the God who came as a baby “to save his people from their sins”.

Jesus came to give us LIFE

2010-12-16T13:25:00.001-06:00

I am still pondering the reasons that Jesus came. After looking at the fact that Jesus came to “save his people from their sins, (you can read that post from last week if you want to) my mind immediately went to what Jesus said in John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”.

When Jesus said that He came to give us life, He used the Greek word “zoe” which means life as a principle, the essence of life, the life of God, life that is eternal, indestructible, divine.

Jesus was not promising just a better human life. He was offering to give us the very life of God, the eternal, indestructable, incorreuptble, divine life.

This is the life that is in God Himself.

John 5: 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

John 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

We get the Divine life when we come to Jesus

John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus does not just promise that we will live forever, but that we will receive the life that is eternal

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is life that is like nothing we have had before.

Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Paul said 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. We are a new creation, new to this world, new like nothing that has existed before. New creation does not mean just a new person. We are new in a sense that we are no longer just human, but we are now human with the life of God inside.

This zoe life is active within us

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

A Dream from God?

2010-12-10T22:25:00.001-06:00

I can’t say for sure when God speaks in a dream and when it is just an active subconscious imagination, but I do believe that sometimes He does speak to me in dreams.

Last night I had a dream that just might have been from God. I was having a kind of nightmare. In my dream, a kind of homeless man was trying to kill another homeless man. The bad man was laying on top of the good man, with a rock between their stomachs, pressing the rock into the stomach of the man on the bottom. (Of course that was not truly life threatening, but it was a dream, ok). Other homeless men were shouting for the bad man to stop hurting the good man, and finally pulled him off. The good man got up and began to try to get away. The bad man picked up a rock and began to shout after him, threatening to hit him or throw the rock at him. He just continued to pick up rocks and threaten, and the good man kept walking and trying to find a way out. The dream felt like a nightmare, and when I woke up, I felt afraid.

When I was fully awake and thinking clearly, I realized that the dream was really not scary at all. It was rather funny the way the bad man picked up a rock and threatened but never actually did anything.

Now, for the reason I think that God was showing me something. I have been keenly aware lately that we are in a battle. The dream reminded me that Satan uses threats, fears, and accusations. He has no real power.

One area of attack lately has been Celebrate Recovery. We have had computer problems, a plumbing leak that caused a flood in the auditorium, illnesses, misunderstandings; just a lot of problems. God has been faithful and we are not discouraged, but, still we recognize that things have not been easy lately.

Then, this Thursday night, a young man gave his heart to Christ. He became a follower of Jesus! Proof that Satan can’t stop the work that God is doing.

Why Jesus Came

2010-12-10T07:56:00.001-06:00

Several weeks ago, I began to ponder this question, thinking it would be a good thing to study during the Christmas season. I picked up my Bible and began in Matthew, and just jotted down statements that explained reasons for Jesus coming. The first one I found was in Matt. 1.

Matt 1:18-22

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

There are many reasons given in the Bible for Jesus coming, but the very first one mentioned is that he will save his people from their sins.

God always planned to come and save us.

Isa 35:3-6 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

Zech 9:16 On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.

I especially like that verse, because it says that we will be like jewels that shine on his land!

Then Jesus came to save us from our sins

From the guilt of sin by his death,

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Gal 1:3-4 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Ps 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Isa 38:16-17 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live! 17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.

He also saves us from the bondage of sin

John 8:34-37 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Rom 7:15-8:3 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

PRAISE GOD! He has set us free…free from guilt, declared us not guilty! Because of His death, I am free from the condemnation that my sin would bring.

AND free from the trap. As Paul said, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Because of His life inside of me, I am free from the cycle of sin that held me.

Mary’s Prayer

2010-12-07T09:35:00.001-06:00

On Sunday night, we had a beautiful time of worship with the Cottonwood Women. We enjoyed wonderful music led by a group of college women, worship expressed through painting and through dance. I cannot express how meaningful and moving the evening was.

As part of the worship, I had asked a number of women to read Scriptures and other writings that proclaimed the wonder of the birth of Jesus. One of those was a reading of the following piece written by Max Lucado, entitled Mary’s Prayer.

God. O infant-God. Heaven’s fairest child. Conceived by the union of divine grace with our disgrace. Sleep well.

Sleep well. Bask in the coolness of this night bright with diamonds. Sleep well, for the heat of anger simmers nearby. Enjoy the silence of the crib, for the noise of confusion rumbles in your future. Savor the sweet safety of my arms, for a day is soon coming when I cannot protect you.

Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works more precious:
      to touch a leper’s open wound,
      to wipe a widow’s weary tear,
      to claw the ground of Gethsemane.

Your hands, so tiny, so white—clutched tonight in an infant’s fist. They aren’t destined to hold a scepter nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.

Sleep deeply, tiny eyes. Sleep while you can. For soon the blurriness will clear and you will see the mess we have made of your world.

You will see our nakedness, for we cannot hide.

You will see our selfishness, for we cannot give.

You will see our pain, for we cannot heal.

O eyes that will see hell’s darkest pit and witness her ugly prince . . . sleep, please sleep; sleep while you can.

Lie still, tiny mouth. Lie still, mouth from which eternity will speak.

Tiny tongue that will soon summon the dead, that will define grace, that will silence our foolishness.

Rosebud lips—upon which ride a starborn kiss of forgiveness to those who believe you, and of death to those who deny you—lie still.

And tiny feet cupped in the palm of my hand, rest. For many difficult steps lie ahead for you.

Do you taste the dust of the trails you will travel?

Do you feel the cold seawater upon which you will walk?

Do you wrench at the invasion of the nail you will bear?

Do you fear the steep descent down the spiral staircase into Satan’s domain?

Rest, tiny feet. Rest today so that tomorrow you might walk with power. Rest. For millions will follow in your steps.

And little heart . . . holy heart . . . pumping the blood of life through the universe: How many times will we break you?

You’ll be torn by the thorns of our accusations.

You’ll be ravaged by the cancer of our sin.

You’ll be crushed under the weight of your own sorrow.

And you’ll be pierced by the spear of our rejection.

Yet in that piercing, in that ultimate ripping of muscle and membrane, in that final rush of blood and water, you will find rest. Your hands will be freed, your eyes will see justice, your lips will smile, and your feet will carry you home.

And there you’ll rest again this time in the embrace of your Father.

“God’s Word is True”

2010-11-26T20:24:00.001-06:00

It is the day after Thanksgiving. It has been a long day, and I am feeling pretty introspective, just thinking about things.

I am thinking about Thanksgiving. I really like that we have a holiday that is specifically for expressing gratitude.

I am thinking about all the that I am thankful for.

I am thinking about something that I had the honor to witness recently.

Last week, we had our annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Cottonwood. Levi and Kasha Lewis were at the dinner, and had been asked to share a short testimony. Levi and Kasha are 30 years old, parents of a two year old son and infant daughter. Just 4 weeks ago, Levi went to the hospital with a severe headache and found out that he had a tumor, which tests showed was cancer. The tumor was removed, but further testing showed that the cancer was melanoma, and the doctors have said that the melanoma absolutely will come back. Everyone who has had melanoma in the brain has had it return. Levi is considering possible treatments, but the prognosis is bad.

So, last week the whole church family was moved just to see Levi and Kasha walk to the stage. Levi spoke with such courage and confidence about the great, amazing grace that he has experienced. He is confident that God is fully in control. Even when the circumstances seem hopeless, he is full of hope because his hope is in God.

As Kasha began to speak, she was a little shaky, seemed nervous, and trying to not cry. She shared that, as we come close to Thanksgiving, she was considering the things that she is thankful for. Every year, she is thankful for her family, her husband, and her beautiful children. This year, she is thankful for those things. Her voice grew stronger and she spoke with deeper conviction as she said, “This year, what I am really, really thankful for, is that God’s word is true. God’s word is true.” As this young woman faces a trial that none of us is prepared to face, she is holding firm to the fact that God’s word is true. She continued with great strength and conviction, “God’s will is perfect. God’s will is perfect.” GOD’S WORD IS TRUE. GOD’S WILL IS PERFECT.

So, as I have prepared for a big Thanksgiving feast with my big family, as I cleaned house and cooked turkey and ham, as I visited with my parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and so on, as I cleaned up after the dinner, and now as I still am thinking about all that Thanksgiving means, I am rejoicing in the fact that God’s word is true, and , no matter what I see, I can be sure and confident that God’s will is perfect.

Fighting Human Trafficking; here and there

2010-11-15T20:44:00.001-06:00

HERE

This Sunday, at Cottonwood, we are planning a special day to find out how we can help fight human trafficking in simple ways, every day, right here at home.

In America, we are able to purchase goods at extremely low prices. One reason for this is that we import goods that are very cheap. The sad thing is that many times, we unknowingly are buying goods that are made by slaves; yes, men, women, and children who are slaves; who are paid nothing for doing very hard work in incredibly difficult and unsafe conditions. Or, maybe they are paid, but they are paid only pennies a day for long hours of labor. We abhor the thought of exploiting people who have no hope of a decent life. Yet, we often have no idea what to do about it.

On Sunday, November 21, at Cottonwood, we will have a Fair Trade Meal, serving only food that is grown using fair labor practices. After the meal, a speaker will share practical ways that we can purchase every day items that are guaranteed to be produced or manufactured by people who are paid a fair wage for their work. We will get more information on Co-operatives such are Fair Trade, Equal Exchange, and Trade as One which work to

Employ the poor with dignified work and a living wage

Eliminate abuse and slavery

Eliminate child labor

End dependency and poverty

THERE

My daughter Katy is right now in Greece, with a group of women serving with the A21 Campaign, which helps to fight sex trafficking of girls and women in Europe. They work to rescue the victims, and provide a safe, loving, and comforting environment, access to medical care and psychological assessment, vocational training, assistance in university education, life guidance/counseling, and access to legal assistance.

Katy’s husband heard from her this evening. The group has arrived in Thessaloniki, Greece.She said a woman was rescued from the red light district and taken to their shelter while they were eating dinner. Praise God!

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-07T07:18:00.001-06:00

This is not original. I took this from my daughter Libby’s blog. Most of you know her, many have already read this post, but it is worth reposting. She is one very committed advocate for the orphan. I hope you enjoy her post about “Orphan Sunday”.

Somewhere between 147-163 million orphaned children around the world including

500,000 children in the US living in foster care

with 120,000 of those children legally available for adoption
Just reading the numbers makes you numb. Can you really even comprehend those statistics?

Mike and I have traveled to several countries. Just between the 2 of us we've seen first hand rows of orphaned babies in a nursery in Korea

63 children with 2 adult caregivers living in a concrete orphanage in Haiti,

orphans in Puerto Rico

orphans in Costa Rica

orphans in Nassau

orphans in Nicarauga

orphans in Jamaica

watched and prayed as our beautiful neice went from being a foster child to a forever child of my sister and her husband......we

know the reality of orphans!
You know, there is a very interesting few verses in the Old Testament. God had set up a way for the Isrealites to take care of the needy.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
I wonder, what if we all followed this principal today? What if every person who claims they are a follower of Jesus Christ didn't go back over their harvest and glean? What if they always saved the surplus from their jobs for the poor, the orphan and the widow? BUT, here is the reality.....we don't have a dime to spare do we? We spend every bit we make on US. Not only do we spend every bit we make, but we overspend and charge beyond what we make(believe me, I'm preaching to myself here, we don't have any left either!!!). We can't care for the poor, the fatherless, and the widow because our cars, houses, over fed bellies, and giant inflatable Santas riding Harleys in the front yard at Christmas
cost so much. Have mercy on us Father God. We are consumed with ourselves. Forgive us!
I'd truly love to hear from some of you about what your church and/or orphans ministry did for Orphan Sunday. Leave a comment or email me.

Celebrate Recovery is Messy

2010-11-02T17:13:00.001-05:00

Celebrate Recovery is an unusual kind of ministry. We reach out to people who are the most in need of help. We focus on people with addictions, depression, anger, relationship problems, chronic illness, stress and anxiety, grief, insecurities, fears… In Celebrate Recovery, we try to be real. We try to not hide our faults and our fears. We encourage people to open up and share their struggles.

We believe that it is path to healing and freedom. The problem? The problem is that healing and freedom don’t always come fast or easy. People make progress, then sometimes they stumble, and they may fall. Hopefully, they get up and try it again. Just about every day, I get a phone call or email concerning a minor emergency or “situation”. I don’t feel equipped to handle all the things that come up. I have never experienced a lot of the things that the C.R. family has had to deal with. I don’t have any training in recovery programs.

At Cottonwood, we just felt that God lead us to start Celebrate Recovery, so we did. Now, after a year, we truly celebrate the great things that God has done. It is messy, but that is not bad. I have taken care of my home for many years. The worse messes we ever have around the house is when we are making some major improvements. When we have remodeled, we have had to live with messes for a number of weeks. When I see the mess and I feel frustrated, I have to remind myself that the final result will be worth it, and it is.

Celebrate Recovery is a wonderfully messy ministry, and the mess is worth it.

Danger in Mexico; God at Work

2010-10-26T20:19:00.001-05:00

We all know that Mexico is a dangerous place right now. In 2007, the new president declared war on the drug traffickers. Since that time, close to 30,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico. The United States State Department has warned against travel to Mexico because of the dangerous conditions.

A few weeks ago, my dear friend Carolyn told us that she was planning a trip to Durango, Mexico. Carolyn and her husband spent 47 years serving in Mexico and she planned a trip to visit friends there. She was warned of the dangers, but was not concerned, flew to Durango, and came home safely this Sunday.

Today, I was thrilled to get the report on conditions in Durango. Carolyn said that it was, indeed, dangerous. Army and police personnel were everywhere, and the people are very cautious. In the midst of the danger and turmoil, God is bringing revival. Carolyn said that in the 47 years she was there, she never saw people coming to Christ in numbers like they are right now.

Carolyn visited a friend in prison, who introduced her to many “brothers” who have come to faith. She met an inmate who is acting as the pastor, who shepherds the believers and leads times of worship and prayer meetings several times every week. They even have a building that has been designated for their use. While visiting, Carolyn participated in sharing the gospel with an inmate. She told him that he could be free, even while living behind bars, and he chose to give his life to Christ.

A few weeks ago,Ministers from the U.S. held a series of meetings in a stadium with over 10,000 people attending each of 4 nights, with the full support of the local government. Many Christians in Mexico are beginning to come out into the open with their faith. Lawyers, doctors, government officials, and prominent businessmen participated in the crusade. Their boldness brought encouragement to the Christian community and interest from non believers. Everywhere Carolyn went, she was able to speak to people about her faith. People were open and willing to listen.

Carolyn was beside herself with excitement as she told us that God is at work in Mexico. The darkness and fear have caused people to turn to God like never before.

Choosing Joy in Trials

2010-10-19T21:19:00.001-05:00

James 1:2-7

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

I heard some great teaching last weekend from James McDonald at the True Woman Conference in Ft Worth. I don’t want to repeat the things that James taught, but I have been thinking about what I heard and want to just share my thoughts. The verses listed are from the New Living Translation, which I chose specifically because of the wording, “consider it an opportunity for great joy”. The word “consider” is from the Greek word that actually means “command, to lead, count, esteem, judge, or rule”.

What this tells me is that troubles will come. We all have problems, no way around that. When I have troubles or trials, I am to make the definite decision, make the command, the rule that I will think of it as an opportunity for joy. A choice I am to make, but with a good reason, because of what the trials are going to do.

The original word translated troubles actually means “putting to proof by experiment”. James (the writer of the letter) goes on to say, “when your faith is tested”. So, the trials that we have put our faith to the test. Most of us don’t like tests, but we know they serve a purpose. A test in school shows the student what they learned and where they need to improve. So, we can have an appreciation for our problems because they show us how our faith is.

James continues by saying, “ when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” Endurance is from the Greek word “hupomone” which means “abiding under.”

Verse 4 says, “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. “ Endurance is the first step in becoming perfect and complete. All the christian virtues begin with endurance. We have to learn to stay put so that God can do the work He needs to do.

When I have problems, I can choose to kick and scream, gripe and complain, try to run away or squirm to get out of it. But, I can make another choice. I can choose to take the grace that God offers and go through the trial with peace and joy.

This week, as I have dealt with the little trials that come in normal daily life, I have thought about this. I have said, “Lord, I know that this little problem is helping me get to the goal of being like you. I choose to think of it as an opportunity. I am learning to stay under the circumstances that you have allowed in my life so that I can learn what I need to learn. This trial is speeding up the process and I am going to become more like you today!”

Yes We Can, because He is Able

2010-10-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

God has planned for us a life of freedom, a life that is rich, full, and abundant; a life that is special. He has promised us a deep peace and joy that is indescribable; also much more. God has planned this for us, and He has promised that He will do it. The question that we have is, “How do we get there?” We will get there because God is Able to do it.

Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I can do ALL things. I can live in freedom. I can be free from addictions, from anger, from moodiness, from neediness, from depression, from low self esteem, from fear and worry…I can do it, through the God who gives me strength.

Rom 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

God loves us, He is for us, He is able, He gives us strength so that we can do all things, and we can conquer overwhelmingly. We can live in victory. Still wondering how?

1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

The key to victory is faith. We overcome by faith.

Eph 1:19 speaks of “the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”

The word for power here is dunameoos. What does that word sound like to you? Yes, it is the word that we used to form the word dynamite. That is a good way to remember the power of God that is within us, it is a power like dynamite; explosive power that breaks up hard rocks and makes a path where there was only a barrier. We have that kind of power. That power is to us who believe.

Do you believe?

Do you believe that you have the great power of God?

Do you believe that God has promised that you can be free, that you can have a life that is rich and full, that you can have a deep peace in your soul, that you can have a joy that is beyond description that does not depend on your circumstances? Do you believe that God does what He says He will do?

Recently, our television died. We knew it was coming, it was having problems. We can live without TV, but because we show a DVD at Bible study on Monday nights at our house, we need to have a TV that works. So, on Tuesday, I bought a TV and brought it home. Les looked at the instruction booklet and was frustrated. I called the satellite co. I was frustrated. We decided that the new TV would not work with the old satellite box. I decided to upgrade our satellite service so it would work with the new TV, but that would not happen for a week. We gave up and watched “Dancing with the Stars” on the tiny old TV in the guest room.

Wednesday, I decided that I would at least hook the TV up to the DVD player. When the TV turned on, I saw a button on the screen that said “TV”, which I had not seen before. I hooked the cables up and punched that button, and IT WORKED. Really, Tuesday night we had everything we needed to make the TV work. We just decided that we did not have everything we needed and we gave up. We had this big nice TV sitting in the living room not hooked up because we did not believe we had what we needed to make it work. So often, that is what we do in many areas. We decide that we don’t have what we need to make changes. We think, I don’t have the patience, the strength, the power, the endurance, the diligence…I don’t have what it takes. Then, we just give up. Nothing is going to happen until we realize that WE DO have everything we need.

Yes you can!!!

2010-10-04T17:32:00.001-05:00

God has great plans for us, plans for abundant life, indescribable joy, peace beyond understanding, and complete freedom. Can we live that kind of life?

YES, WE CAN. We can do it, because God is able. Paul said that our God is able to do superabundantly all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us. God is able. What does it mean to be able? He has the capability to do a work in us. He has the tools, the power, the wisdom, the knowledge…He has everything that it takes. Our part is to believe. I am not asking you to believe in yourself, or in some vague “power of the universe” I am asking you to believe in the God who is able. You have to put your faith in the right person.

My friend Jose is able to fix cars and trucks. He has the tools, the wisdom, and the strength to do it. If I have a car that needs to be fixed, I am not going to ask Les to fix it, because he doesn’t have the tools, the wisdom, or the strength to do it. I have to ask the right person.

God is able to do what we need. God is able to do a work that is exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. He is able to do even more than we have the nerve to ask. He is able to do even more than we can imagine. We can because God can, and He is at work within us.

Phil 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

God is able. God is at work. God will complete the work. He does not plan to do a partial work in us. If you have come to believe in Jesus, and have put your faith in Him and given your life to Him, then He has begun a work in you. He doesn’t stop. You may stop your progress for a time, but He does not stop. He does not give up. God never says, “You know what, this is harder than I thought it would be. I did not know she was going to be this stubborn. This is just too hard, I give up.” NO. We do that. God does not. He will never give up. He has the power, the ability, and the determination to do His great work in us.

What is the work that He is doing?

2 Cor 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

We are being transformed into the image of Christ. Think for a minute; what will it look like to be transformed into the image of Christ? I think John nailed it when he said we don’t know exactly what that will look like. He said “we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him.”

We are being transformed, changed, to look like Jesus. That is a big change, and we cannot fully grasp what it will look like.

I used to want to become my friend Jean. Jean is the sweetest person in the world. I know I don’t know everyone in the world, but I am sure there is no one sweeter than she is. So, that is the image I had in my mind that I wanted to be. I wanted to be transformed to be like Jean. That is not what God has in mind for me. He is transforming me into a person who reflects Christ. I will still be me, but more free, more whole. Paul speaks in Galatians about the work that the Spirit of God does, and what it looks like; (Gal 5:22)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; So, when I am transformed, I will still be me; I will be enthusiastic, zealous, passionate, laughing, fun-loving; but with the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control;

Imagine the you you are, the you you were born to be, but whole, free; without fear, anger, hurt, worry, depression, bitterness, moodiness, addictions, lust, temper…That is what God has planned for you, and He is more than able to do it!

Radical Faith

2010-09-28T17:06:00.001-05:00

I have mentioned a few times the book Radical, by David Platt. It is a profound, life altering book. I wish I could make it required reading, but I can’t. I do want to share another short passage from the book. Maybe that will make someone interested enough to read it. I am starting in the middle of a thought, but I think it is easy enough to catch.

We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with.

A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn’t mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would not expect us to forsake our closest relationships so that he receives all our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all, he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who, for that matter, wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream.

But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with. And the danger now is that when we gather in our church buildings to sing and lift up our hands in worship, we may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves.

Radical

2010-09-25T14:02:00.001-05:00

I am reading the book Radical, by David Platt for the third time. It is a book that everyone should read, one that is guaranteed to shake you up. It will inspire, ignite passion, or possibly offend.

I have been anxious to blog about the book, but have not been sure where to start. I am putting in a short quote that maybe will get someone to thinking.

I am convinced that we as Christ followers in American churches have embraced values and ideas that are not only unbiblical but that actually contradict the gospel we claim to believe. And I am convinced we have a choice.

You and I can choose to continue with business as usual in the Christian life and in the church as a whole, enjoying success based on the standards defined by the culture around us. Or we can take an honest look at the Jesus of the Bible and dare to ask what the consequences might be if we really believed him and really obeyed him.

I invite you to join the journey with me. I do not claim to have all the answers. If anything, I have more questions than answers. But if Jesus is who he said he is, and if his promises are as rewarding as the Bible claims they are, then we may discover that satisfaction in our lives and success in the church are not found in what our culture deems most important but in radical abandonment to Jesus.

The Principle of “Buoyancy”

2010-09-24T13:55:00.001-05:00

Les and I were sitting on the porch swing this morning talking about how we can know when God is telling us to do something, and he reminded me of a really good illustration. When God speaks to you about something, it has buoyancy, it keeps coming up.

Years ago, when we lived in Ft. Worth, we decided that we were supposed to move to Stephenville. We were in the middle of making plans to do that when we discovered I was pregnant with our fourth child. For some reason, that seemed to mean we were not supposed to move, so we decided not to. However, after several weeks, we began to think about making the move again. We decided that God still wanted us to move, so we again began to make plans, which included trying to sell our house. The house did not sell, so we again put our plans on hold. Again, we began to feel that we were supposed to move. We rented our house to a family who planned to buy it in 6 months, found a house to rent in Stephenville, and made the move, while I was 7 months pregnant.

There have been other times that I thought God spoke to me about something, but decided it was not from God. Sometimes, that was the end of it. But, at other times, the thought kept coming up. That’s what we mean by buoyant. It’s like a beach ball. Have you ever tried to hold a fully inflated beach ball under water. You can keep it down for a while, but eventually, it pops back up. It’s because it is buoyant.

When God speaks about something, you can push it down for a while, but it keeps coming back up.

Reckless Faith

2010-09-18T20:38:00.001-05:00

I read a new book this week, passed along by a dear friend who knows me well (many thanks, Carolyn). Reckless Faith, by Beth Guckenberger is a compilation of stories from the authors experience ministering to orphans, mostly in Monterrey, Mexico. It is a wonderful, inspiring book that really touched my heart. I am quoting a page from the book where she defines what she calls “reckless faith”.

As a child I used to sing songs about the Refiner’s fires. The analogy is of silver and dross. As the fire heats the silver, the impurities come to the surface and are skimmed off, leaving the silver more and more refined. In the analogy, refined means “pure, and naturally I want the impurities of sin to come to the surface, so that my faith can be ever more pure. That kind of refinement is part of what the Holy Spirit draws us to with each conviction and subsequent confession.

But refined can also be defined as “cultivated” and “fastidious”. That kind of “refined faith” is the opposite of the reckless faith I’m writing about here. That sort of “refined faith” is predictable and resistant to change; it pretends to know what God will do a hundred Sundays from now. It is most comfortable with rules, consequences, and baby steps. It likes control and people who agree. It fears what it can’t see. A truly reckless faith, however, always expects change, and as a result, it’s eager to risk more and fear less! A reckless faith knows there is more to the story, more we can’t see, more than I experience now. It is hungry.

Reckless faith always has one foot in eternity. It measures people by their actions and not their belongings. A reckless faith believes when there is no evidence and hurls itself at what is unseen but promised. A reckless faith isn’t “refined” in the least. It does not make sense to the world, and yet, the world often seems fascinated by it.

“Lots of Saving”

2010-09-14T12:49:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, we had a Women’s Ministry Kick off event for the new fall session. As part of the event, I gave out papers with a few questions to use as ice breakers for small discussion groups, defined by little stickers on our name tags. Among all the women, there was one young girl, about 10 years old. She was charming and was totally comfortable mixing with the ladies, and participated in the group discussion.

Today, I ran across some of the papers that we had used that night. I was delighted by the child’s answer to the last question:

5. Is there anything that you would like to see added to Women’s Ministry; an activity, study, or event?

“lots of Saving”

What a great thing to want. I hope that we are able to add “lots of saving” to our Women’s Ministry activities.

Our Church Soccer Team, “Los Leones De Dublin"

2010-09-12T21:23:00.002-05:00

Cottonwood has a sort of “accidental” soccer team.

A couple of years ago, I was with a few women after Bible study, talking about all the land the church owns, land we bought to build on, but have not used. We thought it would be great to put in softball fields, soccer fields, picnic tables, things to make the vacant land useful. We got very excited about it, and I shared with the rest of the staff the idea. Since Scott and Chance were planning a soccer camp for the kids, they went to work creating a soccer field, which they used a few weeks later.

That is really all that happened with the land. Eventually, we noticed a group of Hispanic men playing soccer on the field a few times. They were members of a local team, using our field for practice. Someone spoke to the men and told them that we were happy to have the field used and they were welcome to practice there any time. A few weeks later, the men asked if our field could be their home field, to play games on regularly. With that, they became our soccer team. Their shirts have “Cottonwood” on the front.

The team plays in other small towns in the area, and continue to use our field as their home team. Last year, the team won second place, and gave the giant trophy to the church. Well, today, the team was invited to come to church, where they were introduced. We clapped and cheered for them, and we prayed for them. They stayed for the worship service, using our headphones for Spanish translation, since most of them do not speak English. It was good to have them with us. I hope that they felt welcome and at home with us.

Ladies Bible Study

2010-09-11T21:31:00.001-05:00

WOO HOO Ladies Bible studies start next week. Monday night at my house, Tuesday morning at Cottonwood.

Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer together; three generations of ladies Bible study teachers. I was in Kay Arthur studies in the 1980’s, have done all of Beth Moore studies, and I love Priscilla Shirer. I watched the first DVD today, and it was FABULOUS. One key quote from Kay Arthur, “If you have time for ANYTHING, and you don’t have time for God’s Word, then you need to rearrange your priorities.

So, if you are reading this, and you live anywhere near Stephenville, Dublin, or Deleon, try to join us.

10 Things I love about Ladies Bible Study

1. I like the discipline. I have something specific to study every day.
2. I enjoy new insight. Every study we do brings new insight and understanding of the word.
3. I truly love to be with the other women.
4. We always laugh and have a good time.
5. Being in Bible Study with other women builds our relationships.
6. I know that time I spend studying the Bible with an open heart and mind helps me to become more like Jesus.
7. The other women in the study always have great new things to share.
8. Every study draws me into new experiences with God.
9. The more I learn about the Bible, the more hunger I have to learn.
10. The Bible is God's love letter, and I love Him more when I study it.

Just one of Those Nights

2010-09-10T11:29:00.001-05:00

Sometimes things just don’t seem to gel. Tonight, something just seemed to be a little “off”. We have Celebrate Recovery every Thursday night. Almost every week, it is wonderful. We have had over 50 people for the past several weeks. The atmosphere is charged. We have great music. There is a sense of family.

Tonight was not the same. First, we had a smaller number. Several people who are there every week were not there tonight. There were no new people there, and we have at least one new person almost every week. The music seemed a little off. The praise team had some personal problems they had to deal with. The congregation was not as enthusiastic as usual. There seemed to be a lot of distractions going on when I was teaching. During small group time, I ran into two young girls running around unsupervised and had to send them back to the child care area. We DID have plenty of food for refreshment time, so that was one good thing.

I felt like it was just a night when things seemed to not go right. When we finally headed home, a woman who was with us began to tell us how much the night had meant to her, that God had really spoken to her through the lesson. God had been telling her to let go of some things, and when I spoke about yielding to God in our daily lives, she realized that she has to yield to God in these certain areas. She shared how she has failed in the last weeks, but that without Celebrate Recovery, she would still be lost in a world of severe drug addiction, with no hope for sobriety or a better life. C.R. has brought her into a relationship with God, has given her hope, and has helped her to make some great changes in her life.

You know, one person touched is all I can ask for. So the night was not what I had hoped for, or expected. It was not the glorious, joyful time that we usually have. God is still at work. AMEN

God’s Great Mercy

2010-09-02T12:13:00.001-05:00

Psalm 119:156 Great are Your mercies, O Lord; The psalmist here is praising God for His great mercies. The Hebrew word used for mercy is rechem, which was originally the word for womb. That is interesting, that the Hebrews used their word for womb to express the characteristic of mercy.

I have heard that “Mercy is when we do not receive what we deserve (punishment), grace is when we receive what we don’t deserve (blessings of any kind). That always made sense to me, but it does not fit with the word “womb”.

When I did a search on the word mercy, I noticed that in the New Testament, it was used often by people who cried out to Jesus, “Lord, have mercy.” When they cried out, it wasn’t because Jesus was about to hit them and they had to cry for mercy to not be punished. They cried out for mercy because they were in need.

I read where blind men begged for mercy. (Matt 9:27-31; 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-39). Lepers pled for mercy to be healed (Luke 17:11-19) and parents asked for mercy for children who were demonized (Matt 17:14-16, Matt 15:22)

In every one of these instances, Jesus met their needs. He did not just refuse to punish them, much more, He took care of them. The actions of Jesus seem to reflect the meaning of that Hebrew word for mercy, or womb.

The same Hebrew word rechem, is often translated compassion, as in Neh 9:19 You, in Your great compassion, Did not forsake them in the wilderness; and Neh 9:27 But when they cried to You in the time of their distress, You heard from heaven, and according to Your great compassion

Jesus is often said to have been moved with compassion.

Matt 14:14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matt 15:32-37 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, " I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 33 The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?" 34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied,
Matt 20:33-34
They said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
Mark 6:34-35
34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

In each of these instances, Jesus was moved with compassion, or mercy, not just to rescue the people from punishment, but to meet whatever the need was. He healed some, fed some, taught some. By God’s mercy, I am not only saved from the penalty of my sin, but I am lifted to a place where God is meeting all of my needs.

Single Moms Spa Day

2010-08-31T20:41:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, we had our annual spa day for single moms, with free hair cuts,

facials,

manicures

and pedicures,

plus activities for the children,

and refreshments.

We served 43 precious women who needed some love and pampering. We did serve them, visited with them, and prayed with some. We were blessed.

What amazes me is the volunteers that give their Sunday afternoon to do this. They serve with smiles, and are eager to do the same thing next year.

What a WEEK!

2010-08-27T22:29:00.002-05:00

I realize that I have not posted this week. It has been quite a week.
We now have two sisters living with us. Natie is 17, moved in 2 weeks ago tonight. Last Saturday, Les and Natie drove to west Texas to pick up her 15 year old sister, Jolee.I am so glad that they are with us. We have had a lot of people stay with us through the years, Les says it has been over 100 people. Some for a week while waiting on a house to be ready, several college students who lived with us for a year, a few single mothers with their children, three foreign exchange students... We have just always felt that our house is God's house, and He has brought a lot of people to share it.
We have been blessed by all those that God has brought to our home. We have relationships with people that are eternal. When you have people living in your home, you become close, you make special memories and share special moments. Also, when you have people living in your home, you can't become angry and just decide not to be friends anymore. You are exposed. You see your selfishness, pride, pettiness, bad temper, moodiness, everything that you want to hide. So, here we are, becoming temporary parents to two precious teenage girls...a new adventure.

Safe in His Arms

2010-08-18T19:24:00.002-05:00

Right now, we have a 17 year old girl living with us, a very sweet girl who needed a place to live. She moved in on Friday and we enjoying getting to know her. Last night, she told us about a 15 year old girl who is in a worse situation than she was in, and needs a home.

A 15 year old is not the same as a 17 year old High School senior. A 15 year old is a long term commitment. A 15 year old will need parenting. She may need rules, discipline, training, a lot of love and encouragement, a lot of time. We did say that we would be open to having her come and live with us.

This morning I was up early. As I prayed for the 15 year old, I felt that we could not turn away from her. I know there are thousands of young teenage girls around who are in difficult or dangerous situations. When I hear about one, I usually feel helpless because there is nothing I can do. This time, I can do something. When my husband got up, I asked him if he had thought about the girl. He said no, but that a new song that he is working on for Celebrate Recovery kept playing in his mind, and he felt that it was because of her. The song speaks of being safe in the arms of Jesus.

In the Bible, James says that if someone is in need of food or clothing we cannot just tell them to “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,"
(James 2:16). We have to actually do something to help.

How can we tell someone that they will be safe in the arms of Jesus and not reach out. We are the arms of Jesus. So, we have made the offer to provide a home and a family for the 15 year old girl. It has not worked out yet, we are waiting to find out if she will be allowed to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWJrV6dN7zA&feature=related

Safe

To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think you're on your own
But you're not all alone
Have you heard of the One
Who can calm the raging sea
Give sight to the blind
Pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong He'll never let You go
Oh you are not alone

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
The hands that hold the world
Are holding Your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Did you know
That the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you now to rise
Hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone
These are the hands that built the mountains
The hands that calm the sea
These are the arms that hold the heavens
They are holding you and me
These are hands that heal the leper
Pull the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
To break our chains and set us free

CCLI Song No. 5653241

Murder and Mayhem

2010-08-17T19:55:00.001-05:00

I finished reading the Bible book of Judges yesterday. It is a HARD book to read, with murder, rape, torture, war, rebellion, and treachery. In the book of Judges, even the heroes are bad. Remember Samson? He was a judge, which would be a ruler of Israel, but he was immoral, had no respect for God, for God’s law, even no respect for his own gift of miraculous strength. Gideon lived out a great story of God’s deliverance, but then made an idol which the people worshipped. These seem to be pretty big “character flaws”. The last story of the book is the one that I hate the most. A man is travelling with his concubine and spends the night in someone’s home. The men of the city come to the home and demand that the guest be handed over so that they can rape him. This is exactly what happened in Sodom and God destroyed it. Anyway, the man pushes his concubine out and the men rape her all night, and she dies. I don’t know what disturbs me more about this, the horrible inhuman treatment of the woman, or the total lack of care by the man. It is really disturbing. The whole book is so full of bad things, I don’t even know what I have to say about it all. I don’t watch movies about this kind of stuff!

I guess the final verse of the book sums it all up. Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Where there is no king, and every one does what he thinks is right, the end result is bad, sometimes really bad.

BUT, there is something good about this book. God never turns his back on his people, a people that can be rebellious, proud, arrogant, immoral, ugly, mean, uncaring…wow, God is really kind and loving and really merciful.

A lesson on peace

2010-08-15T21:18:00.001-05:00

Today’s sermon touched on the story of Peter in prison, in Acts 12. Herod began to persecute the Christians, and had the apostle James killed. Since that made the Jews happy, he arrested Peter during the Feast of unleavened bread and put him in prison, under the guard of 4 squads of soldiers, planning to kill him after Passover.

Acts 12:6-10 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

Peter was about to go on trial. This would not be a long trial. He would stand before Herod who would find him guilty and sentence him to death, with the sentence being carried out immediately. Peter has no reason to believe that the outcome would be anything else. Herod had killed James already. Peter would be the next martyr. So, the last night that Peter would live, while he is chained between two soldiers, he lays down and goes to sleep. This is pretty remarkable. How does someone lay down and go to sleep the night before he is going to be killed? Maybe he had the same attitude that Paul had.

Phil 1:21-23 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

Maybe Peter laid down, thinking, “Tomorrow may be the day that I get to be face to face with Jesus”, and he just fell asleep. That’s peace.

When there is no answer

2010-08-13T20:49:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a sad day. My daughter found out the baby she was carrying was not going to ever be born, that there was no heartbeat. This baby was a surprise. They have one biological son and three children who are adopted. At this point in life, they did not think they would or could have another biological child. Libby had plans; plans for mission trips and ministry; plans for family trips; not plans for another baby. There were a lot of reasons that a baby at this time in life was not a good idea. But, way above all those things was the overwhelming joy and excitement that God had seen fit to perform a miracle.

As a grandmother, I was not at all concerned about any of the hard things, I was just excited and happy about a new grandchild, and thrilled that God was working in this way.

Right now, I am a little sad, but not very much. My emotions are usually delayed. I don’t have an emotional reaction right away. At this point, my head knows that this is sad news, but the news has not reached my heart yet.

Mostly, I am confused. God came in and did something wonderful. He created a life in a miraculous way. We rejoiced and praised Him. Now, that life is gone. The baby is in heaven with Jesus, without ever living here with us. Why did God do that? I have no answer to that question. I am even hesitant to write what is in my heart right now, because it might sound trite. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

I have no answers to the big WHY, but, I know that God is good, and, for now, that is enough.

Single Mom’s Spa Day

2010-08-11T22:34:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, August 29, Cottonwood Women’s Ministry will host our 5th annual Spa Day for single mothers. This is one of our favorite events every year.

We provide a free hair cut and style,

manicure, pedicure,

massage, and facial for every single mom who signs up. We serve wonderful refreshments beautifully arranged.

While the single mom’s are treated like princesses, volunteers take care of their children.

I love this time. I am not good at doing many of the services, so I usually “float”… help wash hair, do a couple of pedicures, but mostly just help the women get from place to place, help serve refreshments, and visit. While I do those things, I hear conversations. A volunteer will be sitting on the floor rubbing lotion on a mom’s feet and just visiting with her, asking questions, showing concern. Another volunteer will be cutting a mom’s hair, working very hard to make it just like she wants it. Another volunteer is going around taking punch to women who are having pedicures, visiting with each one as she does. We usually have about 15 volunteers, just pouring out love on some weary women. We have had up to 40 single mom’s , some of them lonely and feeling rejected. Many hurting and struggling. None of them would have spent the money to have a special “spa day”. Every one of them are thrilled and moved by what we are doing. Every one of them feel special and loved, and that is what the day is for.

The call to fight

2010-08-08T06:35:00.001-05:00

I finished reading the book of Joshua last week, and one thing I noticed was that the people did a lot of fighting. God immediately told Joshua that He would give the Israelites the land He had promised, and that Joshua would lead them.

Josh 1:1-4 , 9 After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

But God did not say it would be easy.

Remember Jericho? When we think about the battle of Jericho, we usually remember that the Israelite army marched around the city every day for 7 days, then blew their horns and shouted and the walls came down. That is right, but, that just gave the warriors the opportunity to fight.

Chapter 8 tells the story of the defeat of Ai. According to God’s plan, Joshua sent a portion of the army to sneak around behind the city. Joshua led an attack on the city, then pulled away in retreat and drew the army to follow them. The Israelite army in hiding went into the city and set it on fie, then all the army joined in defeating Ai. That battle was won by military strategy.

In chapter 10, the Israelites fought against an alliance of several kings in the south. The battle was going so well that Joshua prayed that the sun would stand still so that they could complete the victory. As the enemy ran away, God sent hail that killed more than the fighting did. The story continues as Joshua leads his army to defeat the enemy in the North, the East, and the West. Even after Joshua died, the fighting continued. God promised the land to the Israelites. He promised them victory over all of their enemies, and He helped them with strategy, with strength, even with miracles, but the army still had to fight.

I was impressed by this because I realize that I have a battle to fight. God has promised me victory.

Rom 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
1 Cor 15:57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:4-5 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Like Joshua, I have that promise of victory, but God says that I still have to fight. I cannot sit back and wait for God to do it all. God is SO faithful to do what He promised, but He tells me to do my part.

1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith;
2 Tim 2:3-5 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith,

One person's impact

2010-08-03T07:07:00.002-05:00

As I read in Joshua this morning, I was so impressed with the sad story of Achan.
Joshua chapter 6 recounts the wonderful story of the Israelites miraculous defeat of the city of Jericho. The people were instructed to utterly destroy everything in the city; every person, every animal, every item. Only silver, gold, and bronze would be saved, and those things would all be given to the Lord's treasury.
When the wall of Jericho tumbled, the warriors went in and destroyed the city, killing everyone but Rahab's family. But Achan saw some things that he wanted. He took them and hid them in his tent.
The next town the Israelites were to attack was Ai, a tiny village that would be easy to defeat.
Joshua 7:4 "So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5 chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away."
Joshua went before God in desperation, and eventually, God led him to Achan, who admitted that while fighting in Jericho, he saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon, two hundred silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. "I wanted them so much that I took them" was his explanation. After finding the stolen items hidden in his tent, the leaders took them, along with Achan, his sons, his daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, tent, and everything he had. All of the Israelites stoned Achan and his family, then burned their bodies and all of his belongings.
This story really sobers me, as I begin to consider how much my actions may have on my family, and on God's people. Look at all the negative impact Achan's action had.
1. His sin brought defeat to the Israelites.
2. His sin caused the death of 36 innocent warriors.
3. His sin caused the people to be afraid, to lose faith in God.
4. His sin brought shame to the Lord. After He had done so many great things for the Israelites, brought them so far, given them a great victory over Jericho, now He deserted them. Because of Achan, God looked either weak or unfaithful to the nations.
5. His sin brought death to his sons and daughters.

When I see something that I want, and I am tempted, I want to remember that my sin will have serious consequences, not only for me, but for the people that I love.

From Complaining to Rebellion???

2010-07-28T14:52:00.002-05:00

Last week I read the book of Numbers
In Numbers 11, the people of Israel complained about how bad the conditions were. They had to travel around, following God, pulling up camp when God decided to move, and setting camp wherever He stopped. They apparently got tired of that and began to complain. When God heard them, He sent fire to consume the outskirts of the camp. The people cried out to Moses, who prayed for them, and the fire died out.

Then, they complained because they were tired of the manna that God gave them to eat every day. They wanted meat. God sent a wind that brought quail around the camp, three feet deep. They had more than enough quail to eat, but, while they were eating, God became angry with them and sent a plague upon them.

In Numbers chapter 12, Miriam and Aaron began to complain against Moses. The Lord defended Moses.

In Numbers 13, Moses sent spies into the promised land. All we men agreed that the land was wonderful, fertile and beautiful, but 10 men discouraged the people by saying they could not take the land because of the giants. Even though Joshua and Caleb reminded the people that God would give them the victory because He had promised the land to them, the Israelites rebelled against God and refused to go into the land.

Here is what I have been thinking. The children of Israel grumbled and complained; about God's leading, about God's provision, and about God's appointed leader. They developed a habit of complaining. Then, when the big test came, they rebelled; open, complete disobedience. I am wondering how often unrestricted complaining eventually leads to rebellion. Grumbling and complaining about the things that God has provided for us or has allowed to come our way, undermines faith. Eventually, a complaining mind-set might lead into an open rebellion.

More Camping Pictures

2010-07-24T21:05:00.003-05:00