being the hands and feet of Jesus

compassion: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it (emphasis mine)



i thought this was a great devotional this morning and wanted to share it. this comes from Joni Eareckson Tada's book Diamonds in the Dust.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3

What word best describes the way you feel when you watch a dear friend in agony? What is the word you wrap around your feelings when you see pictures on television of starving refugees in Africa, or earthquake victims in Armenia? It probably is the word "compassion."

We use that word frequently yet hardly give its true meaning much thought. I looked up compassion in the dictionary and discovered that the first part of the word means "with", and the second part means "that which relates to the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross." Amazing what you find in some dictionaries!

When you feel compassion, you experience what Christ feels. And when you say you have compassion for someone, you are standing with that person, agonizing with him, and suffering as though you were in his shoes. Just as Christ placed himself on the cross on our behalf, we are demonstrating compassion when we take on the cross that someone else is bearing.

God doesn't want you to merely feel deeply about a person in heartbreaking circumstances. Aren't you glad that Jesus did more than just "feel bad" about your sin? He went much further than pitying our sad situation. He put himself in our place, and His love has given new meaning to the word "compassion." "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18).

Father of compassion, please use me today to reach out to someone in need. Help me not to just feel hurt and pain for their situation, but use me to help lighten their load. Jesus carried my cross so please grant me Your compassion so I may carry the cross of another who needs Your hope and encouragement.

that really challenged me today as i thought of those hurting around me. is it simply enough to pray for that person? prayer is definitely needed and is an act of compassion but i believe we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are hurting...using our gifts and our resources to meet the very basic and practical needs of those who need it the most. phrases like standing with, agonizing with and suffering as if you were walking in their shoes...causes me to redefine my original thought of compassion and brings me to the point of genuine compassion.

this one's for the girls

one of the most meaningful times at the familylife weekend to remember was when it was just the women. it was great to be with my husband and hearing what God has for us as a couple and for our marriage but at just the right moment, girl time was needed. i'm going to share with you what was shared with that group of ladies...embracing God's wonderful design in our lives.

1. How do you become the wife and/or mother God has designed you to be?

A. Ordering your life according to God's priorities: growing in a relationship with God first,respecting and supporting husband second, teaching and training children third.

B. Ordering everything else in life: job, volunteer work, activities

2. A discerning woman chooses God's design rather than other influences

A. She intentionally pursues a relationship with God: praying and reading Bible, actively involved at church, spending time with other women who share her faith in God.

B. She welcomes God's design for marriage: man to be leader, woman to be man's helper and completer, having equal value but different roles in marriage

C. She actively works at being the best wife she can be: marriage most important human relationship, marriage takes priority over relationship with children, other family members and friends

D. She gives significant attention to her responsibility and call as a mother

3. A strong woman demonstrates love for her husband by respecting and supporting him

A. Men have a longing for his wife's respect and support

B. Respect is a choice to receive your husband in spite of his weaknesses

C. Communicating respect involves your attitude, your words, and your actions

D. Support is a choice to follow your husband's leadership

4. An effective mother lovingly teaches and trains her children

A. She looks carefully at the wisdom for parents that God provides in the Bible

B. She lovingly and intentionally guides and instructs the next generation: introduces them to God, communicates family's values, models godly womanhood, provides regular instruction, does not allow the home to become child-centered

C. She specifically guides children in identity, character, relationships, and purpose

D. She helps to shape the future by equipping and influencing the next generation

5. A wise woman depends on God

A. Marriage and parenting is hard work

B. Remember your priorities

C. The Holy Spirit will empower you

D. Trust God's design. Follow His plan. Leave the results to Him.

it's often easier to read this than to apply it. i know after sitting in the women's session i felt very overwhelmed...thinking i'm not where i should be as a wife and mother...the weight of the world on my shoulders to raise a godly child...etc. i know i'm not the only one with those thoughts, but it's always reassuring to know that i have help from my Father in heaven. His Spirit is with me always and enables me to do what needs to be done according to His will and that's what i pray for every day. life as a wife and mother can be very tough but we have a refuge, we have a source of power on our side to help us be all that God wants us to be. praise the Lord for that! that gives us hope, ladies!

moving toward oneness or drifting toward isolation?

"Every marriage is either moving toward oneness or drifting toward isolation." this was the first point i read when i opened my book at the Weekend to Remember conference. wow! that was convicting. i knew i was in for an honest look at marriage and myself as i entered the weekend.

we had terrific speakers. Dennis and Jill Eenigenburg and Bobby Conway. i appreciated their openness and their desire to see couples grow and see marriages restored.

the first topic discussed was "Why Marriages Fail". several ideas were shared on the threats that work against our marriages today.

the first was difficult adjustments as you come into marriage. things like backgrounds, motivations and expectations can cause rifts.

the second was our culture. our culture tends to emphasize relationships should be 50/50. that causes us to have more of a performance based relationships.

thirdly, there are always going to be difficulties in life...our response to difficulties will either drive us apart or bind us together.

the fourth threat that was discussed blew my mind. the speaker got up and said something along the lines of "everyone in this room has had an extramarital affair". whoa! what are you talking about? he was quick to elaborate. "an extramarital affair is an escape from reality or a search for fulfillment outside of marriage." wow! once again...straight to the heart. how convicting is that?!? we all could say we are guilty of that. whether it be our activities, materialism, careers, family, fantasies or a love affair. we try to live for the next best thing that will bring happiness and fulfillment. we are seduced into believing that we deserve complete fulfillment and perfect happiness (lie!). one of the things i know i spend too much time on and escape to is facebook. you can spend hours reading people's postings and looking at pictures all in the name of catching up and keeping in contact with loved ones. but when the hours pass and meals aren't made and laundry isn't done and our families aren't taken care of...what do we have? we have put something else in place of our husband...our children...we are guilty of an affair.

lastly, the fifth threat discussed was selfishness. we all are self-centered and have the tendency to be destructive in our relationships. it seems the longer we're married the less we give. early in our relationship we are more than eager to give approval and appreciation but after we're comfortable...we no longer seem to care. our selfishness robs our relationship of its romance because we are focusing on ourselves and becoming critical of our spouse's weaknesses, mistakes and failures to meet our expectations.

whew...just reading and looking at these points again have me out of breath. it's a workout. a relationship workout. marriage is work...hard work. up to this point in my life, marriage has been the hardest thing i've done but i wouldn't trade it for anything, for through it i've experienced the unconditional love my Heavenly Father has for me and has for my husband. i've learned to love more like Christ because of His love for me. and i have had the opportunity to have a closer and more meaningful relationship with my Savior than ever before.

my weekend to remember

recently my husband and i had the privilege to attend a Weekend to Remember by FamilyLife. i didn't know what to expect or what we were getting into, but i just prayed that we would have open hearts to receive what we heard. besides, it was a weekend getaway! who doesn't want one of those?!?!

the theme of the weekend was "oneness". Merriam Webster defines oneness as:

the quality or state or fact of being one: singleness: integrity, wholeness: harmony: sameness, identity: unity, union

what great words to describe what we should have in a marriage. each session was poignant and powerful. some of the topics included:

why marriages fail
communication
intimacy
unlocking the mystery of marriage
what every marriage needs
conflict survival
God's plan for marriage
how marriages thrive
leaving a legacy

at times the information was overwhelming and very challenging but how else do we grow? i walked away with even more of a desire to be the wife and mother God created me to be. i'm still trying to process all that God showed me. i'm hopeful by writing about it that it stays fresh in my mind and also encourages others in their relationships.

Broken & Beautiful

As I was flying to Ohio, I was listening to my ipod. I usually let it shuffle but this time I was listening to Mark Schultz. He has a song called "Broken & Beautiful". I just love the imagery in this song. Once again, it is a song that stirs deep emotions within me. It's overwhelming to think of how I am so undeserving of God's love because I am a sinner. Knowing that I sin, I continually sin, but with God's grace, I am not broken but I am beautiful to Him. This song has such a positive message of redemption. No matter what we have done in our past or present or future, we can come to Christ just as we are...

I hope this song ministers to your heart as it does mine.

slow fade

i posted this song back in october but wanted to post it again. this song really touches a chord in me. this morning as i was listening to it, i was struck by tears. the powerful words of this song ring so true. as i think of bringing a child into this world, it hits me even harder. my husband and i are to be an example.

in today's world, affairs and divorce are common place. it truly takes God at the center of a marriage to make it work. i remember a friend i used to work with. she was older and she eventually went though a divorce. her and her husband were a godly couple who were very active in their church and ministry. you wonder how do people who are walking with the Lord get to that place? i remember her telling me it was a slow progress over a period of time. it started with missing a few sunday's here and there. then missing devotional time...it was a "slow fade". he was then at the point of giving himself away because he was no longer focused on Christ individually or as a couple. through God's amazing grace we can be picked up by His outstretched arm and be brought back to His side, but we still face the consequence. this song for me, more or less, is a warning...an encouragement to "be aware". don't let yourself slide. don't allow the black and white to turn to gray. be a lover of Christ. have Christ as the center of each and every relationship. be aware of those who look up to you as an example. whether it be brothers, sisters, friends, children, etc. be an example of Christ and of His relationship with His bride.

many of us remember the song "oh be careful little eyes what you see"..."slow fade" ties that song in beautifully in order to convey the message in such a poignant way. i hope it speaks to your heart like it does mine.

east to west

this song by casting crowns is one of my favorites. it really is such a picture of how God forgives and how we as humans struggle to understand just how far those sins have been removed and will be forgotten.

psalm 103:12

"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (NIV)

"and as far as sunrise is from sunset,he has separated us from our sins." (MSG)

Psalm 23

I received this text in an email today. I really liked the comparison.

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!


I shall not want = That's Supply!


He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!


He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!


He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!


He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!


For His name sake = That's Purpose!


Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's Testing!


I will fear no evil = That's Protection!


For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!


Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!


Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope!


Thou anoints my head with oil = That's Consecration!


My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!


Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing!


And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!


Forever = That's Eternity!


Face it, the Lord is crazy about us.

My oldest sister

I wanted to finish my tribute to my siblings and of course Gwen is the last of my siblings. We have an 11 year age difference. So by the time I was really growing up, she was away at college. I didn't really get to know her better until I was older. Gwen was and always has been a popular girl. She was a cheerleader in school and was in the musicals. She had a lot of friends and people liked to be around her. She is still that way today...very personable and friendly where ever she goes. She is a free spirit and enjoys doing as much in life as possible. She has an adventurous nature.

I know all siblings tend to have rough patches and I did with Gwen. It wasn't until I was older and more mature that I took a hard look and realized whatever our differences, whatever the choices we've made, she is my sister...my family...and she always will be and I will always love her. It's hard to ask forgiveness from people but I think it's especially hard to ask it of a family member. It is what restores relationships and if you have Christ, allows you to move forward and not look back. Sure as humans, it's easy to keep a record of wrongs and to bring those back to mind. But as a Christ follower, I need to love and forgive as Christ loved and forgave...sending those wrong doings, thoughts, etc as far as the east is from the west! It's a continual choice to erase those thoughts and feelings but with God all things are possible.

I know Gwen and I are very different but I still appreciate every unique difference that she possesses and I'm thankful for God allowing me to have such a diverse group of siblings. Each special in their own way, each bringing a different perspective on life than the other. What a blessing!

It's been a long, long time

Well, I managed to get behind in my blogging again...seems rather typical. : ) However, I have a good reason. Since I've announced my pregnancy, I've been rather sick. It seems like I've had it all! Along with all of that, I haven't much energy to do much of anything, let alone talk on the phone or type on the computer.

This pregnancy has been quite a journey. I've experienced happiness, sadness, frustration, depression, loneliness, joy and a myriad of other emotions. It's been a time when I've had to totally depend on others and depend on Christ. It's not easy for me to ask for help...I would rather not ask. But through this experience so far, I've realized that when I need help, I need to ask. There are people in my life more than willing to lend a hand. It's true of my heavenly Father. He is there no matter what...and He wants me to go to Him for help. Even though He already knows my needs, He wants to hear it from me. Of course it's easy to go to God in times when there is pain and suffering and ask for healing and for things to be restored but He wants to hear from me as a friend, a child...I've had so many good conversations with my parents during this process and I think, "do I talk to God the same way?" God wants that from me and I need to remember that He is interested in every part of my day, every part of my pregnancy, every part of my life.

I hope that encourages you too...do you speak to your heavenly Father in the same way each day? Meaning you say the same words or pray for similar things? Or do you just talk to Him like you would your best friend or parent? My most meaningful prayer times are those not when I'm closing my eyes, but when I'm sitting, driving, cleaning, etc and just talking out loud in a conversational tone like I would do with someone that is right there with me.

Boys & Girls for Jesus

When I was growing up we used to listen to the Children’s Bible Hour on the radio. I really remember hearing it Sunday mornings while we were getting ready for church. Uncle Charlie and his cast really made an impact on me and that’s why I think so fondly of them even now. I remember the opening song, “Boys and Girls for Jesus”. I used to get their kids devotional called, Keys for Kids. I actually still have one! As I was walking down memory lane the other day, I decided to look up the Children’s Bible Hour on the internet and lo and behold I found it! Not only is their ministry thriving today but you can also take a step back to the days gone by. They have a link where you can actually listen to the older radio programs on your computer! The other cool thing is that they have the old programs on CD’s that you can buy. I just thought this was such a neat thing and really got me excited! I love how I can go back and hear things and experience things that I did as a child and experience them again as an adult.

If you have kids or if you remember listening to the Children’s Bible Hour, go back and check their website. It’s exciting to see what they are doing now with technology and the new devotionals and story times for kids.
http://www.cbhministries.org/home.php

wholly to you

This is a song that I've enjoyed ever since I heard it. It's really a prayer and testimony of what I strive for in my Christian walk. To give myself wholly to God and allow Him to use me in the way that He sees fit...less of me...more of Him!

All I have, all I am
And all I ever hope to be
I give it all, all to You
Watch and see, I will be true


Chorus:
Lord Jesus, You are Holy
Lord Jesus, You are Mighty
And I give myself wholly to You


All I've said and all I've done
Has been erased by Your blood
And I am amazed by Your grace
I raise my hands and praise Your name


Now I stand alone before
You and Your kingdom, Lord
And I want to see Your blessing through
Less of me and more of You.

The song should start on it's own...if not you can play it here.

my soul must sing

Don't you just love to sing praises to the Lord? Being a person who loves to sing, that is my main form of worship. Every time I sing I try to make it a time of worship with my Savior. It doesn't just have to be on Sunday's during service. Worship happens all week long. I praise the Lord when I'm driving, when I'm getting ready in the morning or even when I'm cleaning house. God is so wonderful, amazing and truly beautiful and my soul must sing to Him for all He has done!

He Knows My Name

It's so comforting to know that God knows each of us individually. He knows our thoughts, our dreams, our struggles and He cares! This is a great song with an encouraging message.

Encouragement for Today

A great reminder as we move forward as a country...GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Ten Truths That Will Still Remain After Today...

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

GOD WILL STILL BE CONTROL!

hearing for the first time

We tend to get used to singing the same songs and hearing them played over and over again that we often just tune out to the words. I know I've done that with a lot of songs. Especially if they are played a lot or sung a lot. Yesterday in church we sang "Shout to the Lord". That is a song I've heard hundreds of times and have probably sung it that many times as well. It became one of those songs for me that I just sang and rarely thought about. Yesterday I felt as if I was hearing it and singing it for the first time. I was so thankful that the Lord used that song to touch my heart once again. The line that stuck out to me the most was "I sing for joy at the work of your hands...nothing compares to the promise I have in you." Wow. When was the last time you genuinely sang for joy at the work of God's hands? It's a challenge to all of us to really sing from our hearts and mean what we sing. We shouldn't just sing because others around us are singing and people might look at us funny if we stand there not opening our mouth. We need to be coming into the presence of the Lord with a heart of worship and truly meaning the words that we sing. I know a lot of you have heard this song just as many times as I have. I would encourage you to listen to it again. In a moment of meditation, close your eyes, listen to the song and think of the amazing privilege we have in praising our Lord.

have you had your devotions today?

The past couple of days I’ve really been thinking about my grandparents. I didn’t know my mother’s parents well but I was blessed with knowing my father’s parents. They lived not too far from where we lived. We actually could ride bikes to their house!

All of my grandparents have passed on but they have left behind an amazing godly heritage. I am so thankful for the Christian values that my grandparents instilled in my parents and my parents in me. We called my dad’s parents, Nan & Pop.

I want to take some time and write down some memories I have with Nan & Pop.

I remember as a child going over to their house and sitting on Nana’s lap. Even as I grew she would want me to sit on her lap. I told her I would break her (because she was the tiniest thing) but she insisted even as a teen to sit on her lap.

I remember when my parents went away on a trip, I stayed at Nan & Pop’s. I actually think I had pneumonia or some other ailment during that time. They always took such great care of me.

I remember the organ that sat in their back room. This was the organ my dad played in church. I would go back there, turn it on and play. Also in that back room we did a lot of reading…Nan had those wonderful Bible story books…they were Arch story books. We would sit and read together and one of the highlights was getting recorded on the tape recorder! As a child I loved hearing myself or others on tape. What technology!

Another memory I have are playing games…Pop loved Chinese checkers and Tri-Ominos. We had a blast playing those games. They also had a Bugs Bunny puzzle that I loved to put together…I actually still have it!

Often times I would eat at Nan & Pop’s. Nan would make pot roasts and potatoes and served salad with her homemade 1,000 island dressing. I would help her set the table.

Pop was a great gardener. I loved smelling all the magnificent roses that Pop grew.

These are some wonderful memories and I’m so thankful I can still remember them but there is one thing that I remember most about my grandparents….they were amazing godly people. They were faithful in church, faithful in prayer, faithful to each other, faithful to their family, faithful to God.

There is one thing that Pop used to do every time he saw me and I know he asked it of other family members as well. He would ask, “Did you have your devotions today?” I can’t tell you how many times as a teenager I would make some response up. I think I did that because I didn’t want to disappoint him but at the same time why lie about something like that? We are all human and we all have days when we don’t spend time with the Lord. We should strive for that daily relationship continually. It wasn’t until later, as I matured, that I really appreciated Pop asking that question and to this day I really miss hearing it. I think Nan & Pop would be pleased to see where I am with the Lord today. I can’t wait to see Nan & Pop again when we are reunited in heaven, praise the Lord! I just can’t wait to tell Pop how much I appreciated him asking that question of me and how much it has influenced my daily walk with the Lord.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

HE IS ABLE

A couple of songs for you today. On my walk this morning I was reminded of a good song that I haven't heard in a very long time. The lyrics go like this:

He is able, more than able
to accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able
to handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able
to do much more than I could ever dream,
He is able, more than able,
to make me what He wants me to be.

You can search for the song and play it here.


As I was searching for the song on youtube I found this other song by the same name. It's actually a song I used to sing as a special in church. I haven't heard this song in years as well. It was so encouraging to hear again. Interestingly enough the song is sung by one of my favorites, Whitley Phipps. He just has the most magnificent voice. The ironic thing is that he is singing this amazing song filled with unbelievable truth on the Oprah Winfrey show. Of course this was many years ago but to see this Oprah show of yesteryear and compare it to what her show is now, the two are very different.

Here's the video clip:

turning back the hands of time

I must say as I’ve gotten older I’ve become one of those people who long for the “good ‘ol days”. I know I still have a lot of life left to live if God has that for me but as I’ve aged I’ve experienced more. As a child, I remember feeling so safe and secure. I recall being able to play outside and riding my bike all over…I would walk over to the school across the street and play on the playground. I even remember as I got a little older, walking down to the drug store and grocery store! Some of those things kids can’t do today because of the world in which we now live. The thing I long for the most when I look back is the innocence. I hear people that are older than me talking about more innocent times when they were growing up and really those days were more innocent.

Things weren’t talked about as widely as they are today (i.e.: teen pregnancy, homosexuality, abortion, etc). Nowadays we fight over these things. We stand firm in our beliefs on these topics whichever side it may be. We vote on these issues. We look to leadership who believe the same things we do. Life seems to have gotten more hectic as the years go on. I know there is nothing new under heaven. Nothing is a surprise to God and shouldn’t be a surprise to us.

There are days when I wish I could turn back the hands of time. Go back to my more innocent days when I didn’t have the realm of knowledge I do today. But where does that put me? As nice as it would be go back to those days it is our future that has the hope and promise! I know during these days of uncertainty it doesn’t seem like there is a lot of hope but God does promise that to His children.

During this election period I just keep reminding myself that God is in control regardless of the outcome. People are scared. They want someone to save them and to make everything better. Neither of the candidates can do that only Christ can! Christ came so that we could have life and live it abundantly. Christ promises us that His plans are the best for us…they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us. What great truth! Why do we as Christians often forget this?

Christians can certainly get caught up in the “woe is me” feelings…the economy is crashing; our nation is headed into a socialist society, etc, etc. But remember…Christ already came to set us free! He has been and always will be in control. As we count down the days to Election Day, let us not stop looking to the one who holds our hope, who holds our future. May we earnestly go to God in prayer, asking, begging for His mercy on our nation.

IN GOD WE STILL TRUST!