Pursuing peace

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into the grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1&2


Sitting here in the quiet of our canyon retreat, listening to soft music, I could easily disappear here permanently. The troublesome news concerning the current state of our nation being played out before our eyes is disheartening.  The enemy of our souls knows his time is limited, and he is pushing hard to distract and discourage all who are willing to listen. I must make a concentrated effort to look away from the distractions and close my ears to his discouraging lies. I  remind myself that he is a thief and a liar and his only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. (see John 10:10a)
Although I find it is increasingly more difficult to avoid the negative noise, I am comforted in the truth that God is still in control and He has come so that we can have abundant life (John 10:10b). Experience has taught me I can choose what to give attention to and what to ignore  I have learned to seek after the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) In doing so, my anxieties subside and peace reigns.
My encouragement to each of you is to do the same. Find that place where you can disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with the Word of God.  Let His peace wash over you as you stand in the waterfall of His grace that abounds for all who seek Him. Pursue peace. Pursue righteousness. Pursue joy.
Let the light of His truth flood your soul to overflowing so that others might be encouraged.
Stand firm.
Our redemption is on the horizon.

                             

Renewing my strength

"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

I haven't done much today other than sit and enjoy the beauty of our canyon home.  It's been some time since I've had the opportunity to simply enjoy the peace and quiet.  Busy times at work, a fun but fast visit out of state to see family and deal with the remnants of my brother's estate, and just the day to day dealings with life had left me a bit drained. I needed today to refresh and reboot.

Even though I needed the down time, I found I was fighting not doing anything.  The tendency to fill empty time with projects made me feel restless and uneasy as the day began. Even though I knew I needed to spend time in quiet reflection of the majesty of God's provision and allow Him to refresh my spirit, I wrestled with myself to sit and be still. Finally setting aside the "things I need to do" list, I began to simply listen.  The quiet in the canyon can be a bit overwhelming at times, making one incredibly aware of aloneness.

Yet as I relaxed into the stillness of the day, I felt all the kinks and worries begin to wash away. Instead of listening for some sound, any sound in the quiet, I began listening to hear my Savior speak to my heart. He knows the things that have been troubling my soul.

The more I listened, the more aware I became of His deep and intimate love for me and those I love. My concerns and weariness began to slip away as I focused more acutely on His presence and the power of His words. Once again, my time alone with Him became beautifully intimate and personal. He was listening to me as much as I was listening to Him. All the things that concern me were laid at His feet in complete confidence that He can handle them. 

Now as the end of the day draws near and my one on One time with Him, there is a deep longing to listen ever more carefully to what wisdom He might impart to me.  Times like this are precious and I don't want to miss a word. I long to linger with Him a bit longer, but life beckons.

So as I pull away from the resting place beneath the shadow of His wing, I sigh with contentment and peace. My soul is refreshed and I feel refueled, once again able to go back into the fray. 

There are so many who still need to hear of His love, so many hurting souls who need the healing touch of His grace. Having rested at His feet, I know I am now able to continue to do the work He has called me to do.

May His grace shine brightly through me and may others be drawn into His embrace.

This little light of mine

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine

Won't let Satan blow it out I'm gonna let it shine

Won't let Satan blow it out I'm gonna let it shine

Won't let Satan blow it out I'm gonna let it shine

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine 'til Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine 'til Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine 'til Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

Tonight while sitting on my front deck enjoying the cool evening air, my heart was heavy with sorrow for those whose lives have been rocked by tragedy. As I watched the fading daylight, my thoughts turned to how dim and without hope the world must seem to so many.  Everywhere you turn there is news of some type of trouble. Even if the news isn't filled with the violence of man against man, it is still overrun with stories of people who appear to have lost all regard for anyone but themselves.
It wearies my soul.
Perhaps I am feeling it a bit more today because I spent a greater amount of time on social media than I normally spend. I am appalled by the mean spirited responses that fill so many posts.  What happened to kindness? Post after post are inundated with people's thoughts on whatever given subject. Hiding in the obscurity of social media, many feel free to belittle others opinions and take pot shots at those with whom they disagree. It would appear that gentleness of spirit and kindness have simply disappeared. Rude statements and behaviors take the front row seat caring for no one other than self.
What a sad, sad commentary on today's society.
Now it's not to say that there aren't pockets of goodwill and kindness. There are scattered posts of God's goodness and grace, and people showing others through Christ like behavior and speech, that there are better ways to approach things. But they are definitely in the minority. I can only pray that the words of grace and truth will penetrate the most hardened heart.
All this to say, stand courageous my fellow followers of Christ. The enemy of our souls is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking those he can steal, kill and destroy.  Don't let the negative world around you draw you into the snare.
I am deeply thankful that even in the midst of the troubled sounds of chaos and hatred, I can still distinguish the still small voice of peace that reminds me God is still on His throne and still in control. My heart rejoices in the reality that this world is NOT my home and a better one is coming.
As the darkness of the night removes the landscape from my eyes, the solar lights pop on, twinkling brightly. When it is the darkest, their light shows up the best.
A good reminder that even though darkness of soul has littered the landscape of humankind, the light of grace and truth shines most brightly against the backdrop.
I will hold this little light of mine high, reminding all I encounter that there is hope that shines in the darkness.

I will let it shine until His kingdom comes.

When your pastor's wife looks like a fashion model...

Our pastor's wife is one of the most beautiful women I know.  Not only does she look like a fashion model, but she models the Proverbial woman as well.

It can create a bit of a challenge.

Years ago when we were considering her husband and her for the senior pastorate position at our church, someone asked me what I thought about Rhonda.  Having known Rhonda and Steve for years prior to them being considered for the pastorate, the answer was easy. "When I grow up I want to be just like her." I could see the surprised look on the face of the one asking the question because Rhonda is nine years younger than me.

You see, for as long as I've known her, she has been a living example of the Proverbs 31 woman and an amazing prayer warrior.  She is gracious, loving and kind beyond words. Not only that, she is strikingly beautiful.

The challenge for me was knowing, as the older woman, I should be the example for her.

Our friendship goes back many years, and I have enjoyed watching her in her marriage and as she raised her children.  Being nearly a decade older, I was able to see some things I had done right in my own marriage and child rearing, and many things I had done wrong.  Seeing her dedication to God's word and her willingness to follow her husband's lead, has often humbled me and made me examine my own attitudes and behaviors. Although I love God's word, I'm afraid I haven't always been as best example of the Proverbial woman and submissive wife to those who are younger than I am.

Now that we're both grandmothers watching our children serving the Lord and raising their own families we marvel at the work of God's hand in our lives and thank Him for the opportunity to serve alongside one another.I am especially grateful that He placed this delightful younger woman in my life to help remind me of the joy and beauty that comes from loving our Lord Jesus Christ passionately and allowing Him to do His work through us.

What is it like serving alongside of a pastor's wife who looks like a fashion model and models the Proverbial woman?

A blessing beyond measure!

To get to know Rhonda Stoppe a bit better, I encourage you to look into the books she's written. She has two great books (available through Harvest House Publishers or Amazon) 'Moms Raising Sons to be men' and 'If My Husband Would Change Then I'd Be Happy(and other myths women believe), and has just finished writing her third book 'Real Life Romance' releasing in January2018.

#thevelveteengrandma #blessedbeyondmeasure #canyounlife #lifeinthecanyon

Comfort for a hurting world

"Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by

God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Have you ever hurt for those you know and love, or the world around you?  Not just a little, "Oh I'm sorry they're going through a tough season." but the gut wrenching sorrow that makes you wish you could take away their pain and suffering.

The events of the past few weeks have made me cry out in tearful prayer.  The tragic death of a friend's two year old granddaughter, and the chemical attacks in Syria where children and adults were poisoned and left gasping in pain are just two situations that have driven me to my knees in intercessory prayer.

Sometimes living in this broken world is harsh.

As I have prayed and pondered over the things that cause me to wince in sorrow for others, I find I am continually drawn to the verses from 2 Corinthians.  I am so deeply grateful for the times I have been comforted by God through the kindnesses of those around me, who are paying forward the comfort they themselves have received from God through the hands of others.

I was only 17 when my nephew (front in center in the picture above) was dying from lymphoma at eight years old. The Vietnam war was still in full swing and many of the young men I knew were being drafted to go fight on foreign soil. In addition my Dad was beginning to show signs of declining heath.  Life simply didn't make much sense, but it was especially difficult when my nephew lost his battle with lymphoma.  I didn't understand how a merciful God would allow an eight year old child to suffer and die, nor how He would let people senselessly kill one another in another war that made 18 year old boys cringe at the thought of being sent to fight. Even though I knew there would be a time when my Dad would no longer be with me, the thought was terrifying in a world that seemed to get crazier by the day. 

In looking back, I realize it was his and mom/s steadfast faith in God being Sovereign that helped me navigate a very difficult passage of time. Their confidence in His plan, even when they didn't understand it, helped me to begin a deeper journey of trusting Him as I grew into adulthood. When my own son became gravely ill many years later when only 15 moths old, their same steadfast faith and confidence in God's Sovereign will, once again brought comfort to my hurting heart. Wrestling with the reality that God allowed my son to live, when my brother's son had not, sent me deeper into God's word,and honed my faith even more.

Not long after my boy was healed from kidney disease, I was given the opportunity to comfort a young mother whose daughter had suffered a massive head injury after being accidently run over by the child's aunt. I knew I didn't have anything of my own to offer, other than the comfort God had given me so many times in the past. Many prayers were lifted on their behalf, and I witnessed God comfort the family during their long season of the testing of their faith.

And that's exactly what difficulties in life do, they test and hone our faith. They cause us to try to run away from God and the hurt and sorrow, or carry us into a more intimate relationship with Him. If we try to run, we find we are hounded by questions and doubts as our faith is assailed. Yet, when we choose to accept the comfort that is offered at the hands of those who have been comforted by Him, we are drawn deep into His embrace and experience a peace that is beyond explanation as our faith becomes just a little bit stronger.

Nothing is wasted in God's economy. He uses everything for our good and His glory.

Let me say it again.

Nothing is wasted in God's economy. He uses everything for our good and His glory
Nothing wasted! EVERYTHING for our good and His glory!

When DT was desperately sick and hospitalized so many times for nearly two years, Romans 8:28,31, and 35-39 became some of my favorite verses:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."(vs 28) "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (vs 31) and "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter" (Ps.44:22) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other created ting, shall be able to separate us for the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (vs 35-39)

What comforting thoughts. If God is for us nothing can be against us, and nothing can separate us from His love. And isn't that what we all want the most, the knowledge that we're not abandoned or forgotten, and the comfort and peace that we are deeply loved and cared for and protected by the One Who created us?

It is that amazing and deep rooted confidence that carries me through the rough patches in life and grants me the ability to offer that same confidence and peace to others who are in need. The wonder and joy of His presence as I lean into Him and invite others into His embrace, surrounds and holds me through the stormiest seasons, and I rest in His mighty hands.

May He forever be glorified in all I say and do.

Living a life of peace, contentment and joy

"See to it that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all." 1Thessalonians 5:15

While I doing my Bible study today, I came across notes I'd written on 1 Thessalonians 5:11-22. At the very bottom of the page is the line "The beauty of a life well lived for Christ - Peace, Contentment, Joy".  There is a simple drawing of a butterfly next to it as my personal reminder to continue living a transformed life.

For me, living the transformed life is a daily choice.

Each morning, and throughout the day, I must decide if I am going to live in obedience to God's will, or recklessly pursue my own. The path I choose determines my destination.  When I choose my own selfish will, I discover I bump along the road frustrated (and often angry) with those near me.  The beam in my eye (see Matthew 7:3) prevents me from seeing clearly as I try to perform spiritual surgery on the world around me. More often than not, in my blinded pursuit of self-will, I stumble and fall, hurting not only myself, but others as I grasp for a hand hold on anything that might save me from myself.

On the flip side, when I deliberately and actively choose to pursue the path God has laid before me, I find peace of spirit is my first companion. Coming quickly up beside is contentment, which ultimately brings joy.  I'm not sure why I would ever want to stray from His path, but I know the enemy works to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10) so I must constantly guard my heart and daily prepare for the battle (Ephesians 6:10-18) that will always ensue.

Once I am fully prayed up and prepared for the day, I am better able to do that which I've been called to do; share Christ's love with those around me.

To do so, taking note from 1 Thessalonians 5:11-22 I find it easier as I joyfully anticipate His return.

• Verse 11 tells me I am to comfort and edify, which reminds me I am to be an encouragement to others. My job is to build up, not tear down, to comfort with Christ's presence, always remembering I am responsible for my affect on other people's lives.
• Verses 12-14 urge me to respect those in leadership roles. God is dealing with me through those He has put in authority over me. My response to them ultimately shows my response to God. I am reminded to warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, and to be patient with all.
• Verse 15 reminds me to pursue grace, always seeking after that which is good. A reference verse in my notes is Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory." On my own I am unable to do what God calls me to, with Him, all things are possible.(see Philippians 4:13) Christ demonstrated strength in His ability to initiate good in the face of evil. He is the One Who will empower me to do the same.
• Verses 16-18 are the reminders that joyful thanksgiving is a necessary part of the journey.  Learning to give thanks in every situation takes practice, but it is possible knowing God is in control. He never looks down and says "Oops!" By determining to pray without ceasing, with an attitude of gratitude for every situation helps me to focus on God's sufficiency in all things. In thanking Him, even in the difficult times, I demonstrate my willingness to trust Him without reservation or hesitation. He is always faithful.
• Verses 19-20 reminds me a yielded spirit is one that is totally surrendered to God's plan. I am most victorious when I am completely obedient to Him. His word is the lamp that lights the path He places before me, and strengthens me for the journey.
• Verse 21 tells me to be discerning.  I am only able to do so as I search the word and ask God to grant me a discerning spirit.
• Verse 22 the reminder to abstain from every form of evil. I must continually protect my eyes, mind and body from the enemy. He is subtle and sly and will use every weapon he can to distract and disrupt me from doing God's will.  A good verse to remember is "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." Isaiah 54:17 Memorizing God's word isn't just an activity for children in Sunday school, it is the protective armor that keeps us safe from the lies of the enemy.