Hoarding Worthless Things

The house was filled with junk! My friend was one of the men hired to clean it out. They couldn't just throw everything away, they had to search for valuables amongst the trash. Things had been put in strange places. A ring was found in an old medicine bottle. A couple hundred dollars in a candy box.

The job took several weeks. You see, one of the owners had passed away, and the other was now in a nursing home. Their children needed to take care of the estate, but dare not venture into that house. You had to wear a mask just to go in.

The house had a few dozen cats in it. Seven were found dead. These animals had wrecked almost all of their belongings that actually had value. Besides that, their smell had soaked into everything. Only metal could be salvaged.

At one time the home owners were antique dealers. They had an eye for value. They collected some beautiful pieces. However they also began hoarding. Hoarding random things of no value to them or others.

There were lots of clothes and shoes, some never worn. Their bed was piled as high as possible with clothes. They definitely weren't sleeping in it. One of the kitchen drawers had hundreds of empty sugar packets in it. There were tons of empty ice cream cups from a fast food place, that had been washed and stacked. So some of their hoarding had been "organized", but how long can you organize trash that is taking over your life and your home?

My friend said that there were times he would have to leave the house just because of the emotional heaviness he was feeling. It was hard for him to imagine people living in these conditions. How could people who at one time collected what was valuable, and had purpose, let worthless things take over?

My friend had to ask himself...is this how God sees us?

Does He look at what we are "storing up" and grieve at the waste we find so valuable? Is our perspective skewed? Are we letting "stuff" take over? Do we let what actually has value, get ruined because we stop caring...being overwhelmed by what we have created?

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing  up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." (1 Tim. 6:17-19 ESV)

I want to store up what cannot be seen. (2 Cor. 4:18)
Cannot be shaken. (Hebrews 12:27-29)
Cannot be burned. (1 Cor. 3:13)
Eternal treasures. (Matt. 2:20)

The Strength of my Heart

On three different occasions this past week, God gave me the opportunity to share about the trials and triumphs my family experienced in recent years. As I spoke I found myself near tears, with a renewed sense of awe. The hand of God is so beautiful!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." -Psalm 103:2-5 ESV  {SONG}

He has certainly done all of those things for me. But in Him giving me all these gifts, I've been drawn closer to the Giver. I don't just want what He has to offer, I want Him!
I'm so thankful for forgiveness. I love the Forgiver.
I'm astounded by His healing. I love the Healer.
He's redeemed me in more ways than one. I love the Redeemer.
He crowns me with love and mercy. I love the good King.
I am satisfied and renewed in Him. I love Him! 

I have had times, when this seemed my reality...

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's; He makes me tread on my high places."-Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV

At times when everything seemed wrong, when I had no answers, when I was extremely weak...
He was with me. He literally was my strength. He was the only solid rock for me to stand on when my world was crumbling. He held me together in His mighty, loving hands. How could I not be absolutely in love! He Himself is enough.

"Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:23-26 ESV  

Photo credit: tungphoto

Fruit of the Lips

Last night I read a scripture in Isaiah that used the words "fruit of the lips". Then just this morning I read "the fruit of lips" in Hebrews. Both times, those phrases stood out to me. How odd that I would read that before bed, and then immediately when I woke up...once in the Hebrew Scriptures, and once in the New Testament.

I was intrigued, so I grabbed my Amplified Bible to see if it would help me understand those verses a little better. Both scriptures (in this version) included thankfulness and praise.

"...I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise]." -Isaiah 57:19 

"Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name." -Hebrews 13:15

God is really doing a work in me, cultivating thankfulness in me. I find that I am praising Him more and more. But thankfulness is something to be practiced. It doesn't always come naturally.

My friend read this to me last night (from: A Holy Experience - How to find God in the Messes?)
"The discipline of thanks only comes with practice. When we practice giving thanks, we practice the presence of God, stay present to His presence, and it is always a practice of the eyes.
We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see."

I want the fruit of my lips to be beautiful and real. Full of thankfulness and praise...constantly! I pray that they will crowd out the worthless words. Words of ungratefulness and complaining. I think that as I focus on thankfulness, that will happen. Overcoming by replacing. And all of this, by His grace!

Life is Happening!

I feel like with every child I have, time goes faster! I'm pregnant for the fifth time, and can hardly believe I'm almost into my second trimester already. I better make a doctor appointment soon :)

To be honest, I don't think much about the details of the miracle happening inside my body right now. I mostly notice that I am really hungry and tired, and my clothes are getting tight.

A couple days ago I stood in my pajamas looking at my profile in a full length mirror. It's really true...there's a baby growing in there!

I have one of those books that tells you what is happening to the little person developing inside your womb. It actually lists daily events.  So today my baby is 63 days old. He or she is currently developing fingernails, toenails, and hair follicles. And it says that the baby's facial expressions are already similar to mine and my husband's.

Whenever I read from this book, I am so enamored with all that is going on. I suddenly feel more connected with this person...that is very literally connected to me! It makes me want to eat well. Pray more. Slow down to embrace the miracle.

SweetHeart chasing a rainbow...on St. Patrick's Day :)

I had to ask myself...do I this often enough with my other children? Slow down to embrace the miracle of life happening all around me? Do I still study my children and what is happening in their lives as they grow and mature? Am I nurturing them with intention?

Of course I notice how the laundry piles up, the dishes need to be done, and there's food to be made! Sometimes I need to remind myself that it's because I'M MOTHERING A BUNCH OF BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN FOR THE GLORY OF GOD! Those messes can serve as reminders. Just like my expanding waist reminds me...LIFE IS HAPPENING!

Christ the Only Way

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 ESV)  For some, this seems unfair. Why would God only provide one way of salvation? 

Please watch the entire video. There is a long pause near the end.
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"Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them,'Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." (Luke 24:45-47 ESV)

God of Comfort

Scripture calls Jesus a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief". Through Him we receive real comfort, because He understands. God is full of love and compassion.

Photo credit: Evgeni Dinev

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." -2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV

One of the beautiful things that has come from experiencing hardship in my own life, is the love and compassion that He has developed in me for others who suffer. I feel like I can now genuinely speak true words of comfort from my heart, not just my head. And there are times when I don't have to say anything. Just be there. Or as scripture says, "weep with those who weep".

I am thankful to God for the people that He surrounded me with when I needed that kind of comfort. I am thankful for the way He comforted me in those moments when only He could really minister to my deepest needs. And I am thankful for opportunities to encourage others, with the love of Christ.

Written for Me

This morning I was reminded of a time several years ago. I was a new mom with a precious baby girl...and I was really missing my mom. She had passed away just a few years before my SweetHeart was born. I so badly wanted to hear her voice, and to touch her hands.

Somehow I came across my first journal, which I had started just before my 8th birthday. I was having fun reading all the things an 8 year old would write about. After I had finished reading a story I wrote about a piece of bubble gum...I turned a few pages to see my mom's handwriting! I couldn't believe it. I had no idea that was even in there.

I excitedly began reading, as tears poured down my face. She wrote it as if she were speaking to me. I could hear her voice in my head as I read of her great love for me. I can't tell you what a huge blessing that was. I knew without a doubt, it was a gift from God. Only He knew the desire of my heart. Only He knew what was in that journal. I am stunned at His love. He cares! He delights to give us good gifts.

So this morning I was reading John 17. Jesus praying. Praying for me.

I want to read His words as if they were written for me...because they are. I am so thankful that He has given me His Word, and the Holy Spirit. To guide me. To speak to me. To love me.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory," -1 Peter 1:8

me holding SweetHeart's hand

I can't even fathom seeing my Savior in the flesh. To touch the hands that were pierced and made new, to give me eternal life. The hands that have been holding me together all this time.

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself and my eyes behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" -Job 19:25-27  

You Revive Me

Yesterday my husband had me listen to this song. It is so beautiful. Because he was the one who gave it to me...I loved it even more :) As I listened to the song, I reflected on the trials we have walked through together. My heart was flooded with thankfulness to God that we could both sing this song. That He has done such good in the both of us. We've grown together, not apart. And together, we've grown closer to Jesus.

I love to worship the Lord with music! I love the way He ministers to me through music. So I just had to share this song. I really hope that you can find time...a quiet moment to listen. Worship Him.

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Seeing Clearly

I got my first pair of glasses when I was 8 years old. At that time, I could only see clearly within two feet of my face. I have terrible eyesight. I am extremely nearsighted.

Me in my first pair of glasses :)

The funny thing was that I didn't even know my eyes were bad. I just figured everybody saw the way I did! I remember the day my older sister got her first pair of glasses. I wanted to try them on for fun. I was completely shocked with what I saw! I couldn't believe all the fine lines on everything. Until that moment, I had no idea what I was missing.
   
Shortly after, I got my own glasses (which were actually much stronger than my sister's). I vividly remember walking outside for the first time with 20/20 vision. It was fall. The leaves on the trees took my breath away! I could see each and every leaf distinctly. The colors were amazing. It was a whole new world! At school I could actually see what the teacher was writing on the board, without having to walk up to it! I could go on and on, but what I'm getting at is seeing clearly changed my life.

I've been thinking about this lately in spiritual terms.  The more I read God's word, grow in intimacy with Him, trust Him, obey Him, the more I know Him, I SEE that HIS WAYS ARE RIGHT & GOOD! The fruit of righteousness brings real peace and joy...the kind that never ends.

For some reason our flesh wants to be our own God. We think we know what's best for us. And God must certainly be keeping good from us. Why else would he give us all these commands? Somehow we can make God a power hungry dictator who just wants to ruin our fun. Nothing could be further from the truth! 

He made us! He knows what is good for us. He wants to protect us. We are like children who want to go run out into the street...having no idea the danger. OUR NATURAL EYES DON'T SEE. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see the Truth and to love it...love Him. Only then do we see "a whole new world".

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law." -Psalm 119:18

Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is Your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Remember the Persecuted

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." -Hebrews 13:3 ESV

This scripture is specifically referring to people imprisoned for their faith in Jesus. This verse is still very much relevant, but sometimes hard to remember if you live in America. However people are currently being persecuted in places all around the world...because they love Jesus and serve Him as Lord.

Most of us don't really want to think about it. It's disturbing. But actually, as I have read these people's testimonies and heard of their experiences, my faith is encouraged. It's not just about the terrible things that happened to them. They declare God's goodness and power even in those horrendous circumstances. In my last post I shared just one of Corrie ten Boom's many testimonies of His love, which nothing and no one can stop. Corrie's sister Betsie, who was with her at Ravensbruck concentration camp, used to always say, "No pit's so deep that God's great love will not be deeper still--His great love will endure." In fact these were Betsie's last words. She died in the camp. 

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, not things present not things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:35-39 ESV

Richard Wurmbrand-Imprisoned 14 years-Founder of VOM

One good resource that I have found, which shares current stories and offers MANY ways to help, is "The Voice of the Martyrs". Their website is www.persecution.com. Please check it out! You can subscribe to their free newsletter here.

Again, the stories can be hard to hear. But what is even greater than the suffering, is the glory that they give to God! That is what I always come away with. That is what really sticks with me...encourages me. It doesn't stir up fear, it increases faith!

"For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise His own people who are prisoners." -Psalm 69:33   Pray for your brothers and sisters around the world, and see how God might lead you to help them.

Solitary Confinement

The following was taken from "Clippings from My Notebook" written by Corrie ten Boom:

I Was in Prison, but He Was With Me
 "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9 NASB

Do you ever feel alone? What a question! Of course you do. But I know from my own experience that the worst loneliness is that of solitary confinement. Years ago I was alone in a cell for four months. One day for the first time a beam of sunlight shone through the window. I jumped up and stood so that the sunshine touched my face. Slowly it moved on and I moved too, just to enjoy that beam as long as possible.

That was one of the moments when I realized my loneliness as never before. I cried to the Lord, and He answered; "Have you forgotten that there is always, under all circumstances, the sunshine of My love? Have I not said; 'Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world' [Matt. 28:20]? I am your peace. I can give you joy now also."

I started to sing, first softly, later more loudly:

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear.

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

I waited a moment, and then I heard from another cell:

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

It was an answer from a woman who also was in solitary confinement. Her husband had been shot before her eyes, then she had been put in prison. But she too knew Jesus as her Friend and Savior. I answered her by singing:

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

A guard banged on the door and shouted: "If you do not stop singing, I will take you to the dark cell." I stopped singing and threw myself onto my dirty bed. There was peace in my heart. The guard did not know when I sang so softly that only my Savior could hear:

Are we weak and heavy-laden

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Not only in solitary confinement can one feel alone. Often in the company of many others with whom you have no real fellowship you can be lonely. But Jesus is with you also. Have you asked Him to come into your heart? Then you can talk to Him without saying one word aloud. He hears and He loves you. You are very precious in His eyes. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

There is hunger in our heart that is never satisfied, but by Jesus. Do you feel lonesome, hungry? Do you have problems that you can't solve? Do you feel chased and you don't see a way out? Come to Him.

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.    
[END QUOTE]

The song she was singing:
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More Than You Can Handle?

I have a little pet peeve about the phrase, "God won't give you more than you can handle." I have often had more than "I" could handle.  So I have a sign on my wall that says, "God doesn't give us what we can handle; He helps us handle what we are given".  I guess I like to be precise.

I read this in Streams in the Desert, and felt it very much describes the point here:
     Why should God have to lead us thus, and allow the pressure to be so hard and constant? Well, in the first place, it shows His all-sufficient strength and grace much better than if we were exempt from pressure and trial. "The treasure is in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
     It makes us more conscious of our dependence upon Him. God is constantly trying to teach us our dependence, and to hold us absolutely in His hand and hanging upon His care.
     This was the place where Jesus Himself stood and where He wants us to stand, not with self-constituted strength, but with a hand ever leaning upon His, and a trust that dare not take one step alone. It teaches us trust.
     There is no way of learning faith except by trial. It is God's school of faith, and it is far better for us to learn to trust God than to enjoy life.
     The lesson of faith once learned, is an everlasting acquisition and an eternal fortune made; and without trust even riches will leave us poor. (FROM DAYS OF HEAVEN UPON EARTH) [END QUOTE]

"For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)

God is good...all the time! And He is very gentle and intentional in His ways, just like a potter with clay. Without the pressure of the Potter's hands, the clay would be merely a lump! Not only is He preparing me for works on this earth, He is preparing me for His eternal kingdom! This life is extremely short, but eternity is forever. I want to live in light of eternity. I am learning to trust. I am also learning that the joy He gives me is so much richer than the fleeting enjoyment the world has to offer. 

Photo credit: dan

Don't Forget His Love

Nothing is better than the love of God. Nothing is greater...no circumstance, no pain, no one. That's why He can be praised at ALL times. Recognizing His goodness always helps bring peace to my soul. Listen to the song below, and let yourself rest in Him today.

 
(This song comes from Psalm 103:1-5)

Do I Have Enough Time?

"I speak it to God; I don't really want more time; I just want enough time. Time to breathe deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and sing joy and just enough time in a day not to feel hounded pressed, driven, or wild to get it all done-yesterday."- Ann Voskamp

I've been thinking a lot about time. I know I'm not alone when I say that often it feels like there's just not enough time in the day!  But that simply isn't true. Since the beginning, every human being has had 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. God didn't make a mistake with the rising and setting of the sun. The problem isn't time, it's how I view it.

So what is the truth about time? There is NOT enough time for me to do everything that everyone else wants me to do.  There is NOT enough time for me to accomplish all that I think I need to. But there is definitely time to do all that God has planned for me!

"Frustration is the by-product of attempting to fulfill responsibilities God does not intend for us to carry. Freedom, joy, and fruitfulness come from seeking to determine God's priorities for each season of life, and then setting out to fulfill those priorities, in the power of His Spirit, realizing that He has provided the necessary time and abilities to do everything that He has called us to do."- Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Photo credit: domdeen

He Is Holding Them

My heart is breaking for my dear sister and her husband who are at Children's Hospital for the second time this week. After horrendous circumstances, and their sweet baby boy pulling through, they thought the trial was over. But they are back again today.  They don't know why he is having seizures. I so badly wish I was with them, but I can't be.  I take comfort in knowing that HE IS HOLDING THEM! 

"Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in You." (Psalm 33:20-22 ESV)