Stinkin' Thinkin'

Deliberate according to Websters means; studied or intentional, careful or slow in deciding, slow and even; unhurried, to weigh in the mind;consider.
I believe that God is speaking to me about being deliberate. It is necessary to gain victory in my life.
I have been deliberate about getting on the treadmill everyday. I am also deliberate in doing things to improve my marriage. My husband Wade and I are taking a marriage course. We have been intentional about spending time going to it and in doing our homework together.
As I have sensed the conviction in these areas of my life, I realize more and more how unintentional or not deliberate I am in other ways as well.
How studied or intentional am I at learning God's word. How much do I consider in my mind to actually be obedient to it? How often do I allow my thoughts to just go on unhindered?
2 Corinthians 10:5 says, 'We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'
Being obedient is not a passive act. See the action needed in this one verse alone. Demolish...take captive....make it obedient....
I am guilty of passive thinking that ends up stinkin' thinkin' as its been said. A place where I follow my feelings and thoughts to a pit of untruth. When I am not deliberate about giving my thoughts to God, it can lead to disobedience.
For example, last year through a series of events I knew in my spirit God called me to write. Then just as easily thorough a series of doubt, I allowed myself to become discouraged and confused. It started by looking around me and comparing myself with others. I chose doubt instead of the truth.
Being deliberate is a decision. I am choosing to think about what I am thinking about. I need to arrest or take captive those thoughts that don't line me up with God's thoughts about me.
It is hard work! I have been passively thinking for many years. I cannot do it alone. This is where God comes in, I make the choices after He has prompted me, and He makes the changes.
'For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.' Hebrews 4:12
Thank you Lord for helping me be deliberate about you. Please renew my mind with your Word and Spirit.
What are you thinking about?

Standing Ovation

I was infused with breath. A 24 hour injection of familiarity. Now I realize this does not always bring life. There is an idiom that states ' Familiarity breeds contempt', which means the more you know something, the more you start to find fault with it. This was not the meaning I sought.
We have lived in Regina 8 weeks today and I was in need of something familiar in the midst of all that wasn't. So my son, Owen and I traveled to Saskatoon Wednesday afternoon for a dose of something known.
I felt this was part of the process to accept the new things. You see, I sense this separation from what is familiar is completely in God's plan for myself and my family. I just never expected the impact that it had on my heart with so many changes.
I made a decision on the way back home as I sang praise music to God. I could either determine to let the changes be an opportunity to trust God more or let it swallow me up. The swallowing part was not an option and so I promised God I would try not to 'figure out' why things looked or felt the way they did. I would merely ask Him to inhabit the things going on and give me His sight to see Him in it.
A song by Mark Roach playing at the time confirmed His desire to show me that. It is called Surrounded.
'You are here in spite of everything I am>And everything I'm not>When my tears seem like my only water>Fill me with your song Oh God> And I lift up my hands to praise You>I lift up my voice>And I'm surrounded,I'm astounded By Your presence in this place, I can hear you, I feel so near You, I can almost see your face,I am clothed in love, surrounded by Your Grace.
The beautiful thing about our trip was that I realized God has released me from Saskatoon. Funny, I looked up familiarity in the thesaurus and one synonym was freedom. So although there are still people there I long for, I feel free to be in a new city and be who He wants me to be here.
Owen and I both received life from those we saw and love and who are familiar. Strength to press on.
Thanks to my daughter Tessa, my friends Florence and Arlene and all of Owen's friends and his teacher at his old school.
As Owen said when he walked in to spend the day with his old classmates, ' I got a standing ovation!'
Thank you Lord for giving our hearts a 'standing ovation' to encourage us on the journey.
What about you? Is there something that is unfamiliar in your life at this time where you can determine to trust God with the outcome?

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Smoke on the Water took on a whole new meaning for me today. It was my first day of guitar lessons. I was so excited and proud of my progress after just thirty minutes of instruction. I couldn't wait to show my son, Owen, what I learned when he got home from school.
"Check this out, "I said excitedly and picked off the notes.
"Oh, I know that song," he said as his eyes lit up. "Can I try?"
So with the lesson fresh in my mind, I passed it on to my eager nine year old. And in five minutes, he was playing it better than me.
What is up with that? Well once I properly placed my stolen moment in my humility bag, I marvelled at Owen's ability to pick things up so quickly. This verse came to mind as I thanked God for his gifts.
Deuternomy 4:9 'Only be careful and watch yourself closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.'
And also in chapter 6:5-7 ' Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.'
I was reminded by Owen's quick study how impressionable children are. And how God has given me a great responsibility to impress Him on my children's hearts. Owen said they talked at school about being careful what they watched. I wondered if while he watched me, does he see Jesus in the things I do and say.
I need to remember that his brain is like a sponge and to talk about my love for God as we sit at home and when we walk and when he goes to bed and when he awakes. His love for God is simple and pure and I pray that I do not get in the way.
Are you loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength in order to pass this on to your children? How are you impressing the things of God into their hearts? Make a decision today to add one part of God into your routine and watch your child lap it up. Bless you in this great responsibility.

But......

"Just start." my daughter said.
She'd been asking me for ideas to get her photos and art 'out there' to possibly sell. I became a fountain of inspiration for her and so I asked in turn, perhaps you have some ideas for my writing.
Hence the response, just start.
What a novel idea I thought. Why is it so easy for me to come up with 101 ways for someone to accomplish their desires? And I can come up with 101 things I 'need' to do before I just start?
This seems to be a repeating theme in my life and in many different areas of it. It is not as if I haven't heard these words of wisdom before. It just resonated differently in my heart today. I was ready.
Joyce Meyer said on her program today. "Nobody on earth has more authority over yourself than you do. What are you saying to yourself?"
I need to challenge the doubts, rise up to the discouragement and trust God for this part of my journey. I keep saying if I don't put my heart into my writing now at the season I am in, then when will I?
So, you are now witness to my putting my pen where my mouth is. I'll do what I can, so that God can do the rest.
'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13
What do you need to 'just start' today?

God In The Rocks

Fistfuls of rocks. This is what I acquired as I emptied my son, Owens’s pockets after his week at camp. I was doing laundry and thought I had better double check before I threw in his shorts. As I looked through his collection I smiled. He had been a rock collector ever since he could pick them up I think. In fact, all of my children collect rocks.

I used to be annoyed by this seemingly useless gathering of stones. The older they get though, the more I appreciate their pleasure in doing this. You see, I believe that they see God’s creation in each stone they discover. It is an art for them to find just the ‘right’ ones or the very unique ones. They do not only gather for their own pleasure but for those that they love.

My oldest Keshia is on a missions trip in Alaska and she has gathered stones there with much meaning. She also tried to send her brother one, but alas it broke through the envelope to hopefully be admired by someone else. I am sure it won’t be the same though as each stone given is picked with careful consideration of the receiver. Keshia knew her brother would be amazed at the rock picked from an Alaskan mountain.

Tessa, my middle child, just returned from a trip to BC. She was amazed by God’s creation in all that she saw there. She brought us all a gift from her trip. Guess what it was? Rocks! Her brother got one in the shape of a sword which made her think of him. I got one that was green, my favourite color. Wade, my husband, got a multicoloured rock. Her sister, an orange one with crystals that sparkles. Her boyfriend found her one in the perfect shape of a heart.

I can’t help but think of the significance that God attached to stones for remembering the things He had accomplished. He also used stones or rock as symbolism for himself or Jesus. Isaiah 28:17 says, ‘So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’

Isaiah 26:2 says, ‘Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.’

I think one of the most amazing references in scripture to stones is one spoken by Jesus responding to the Pharisees. Jesus was entering Jerusalem and the people were praising Him loudly. In Luke 19:39&40, Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Jesus was telling them that even His creation speaks of Him, but they had chosen not to listen. The Pharisees and many others did not recognize the Messiah. I like to think that the stones speak to my children. My heart is for them to stand on The Rock, God eternal and that each stepping stone toward Him is significant. I know that they have recognized their redeemer, their rock and I hope that their hearts of stone continue to become hearts of flesh.

Each rock my children find has great significance for them. I also know that my children have great significance to the One who created them and the rocks. And so as they continue their journey I will be excited to gather with them, their stones of remembrance. Each one with a little piece of God embedded inside.

Texas In July

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, 21

These verses keep going through my mind as I continue to unpack my trip to Texas. As I have shared before, I am in a mentoring program called BLAST, Building Leaders, Authors, Speakers & Teachers. Author and speaker Shannon Ethridge is sharing her multi-faceted experiences and knowledge with 40 of us from around the world. It has been an incredible experience.

We have small groups that communicate and help us stay accountable within the course. Debbie from North Carolina is one of the women from my small group. In May we were doing our monthly call and we felt moved to step out in faith to start praying, Texas in July. It became our motto when we talked in June and we asked Kristin, from Wyoming if she would join us.

As we moved closer to the time of the July class, God amazingly started to open doors for this to become a reality. The more we believed on Him doing it, the more things started coming together. It is so amazing as I remember this process in hindsight. So before we knew it Debbie and I had our flights booked within minutes of each other arriving and departing. We booked rooms and a car rental. We discovered Kristin would not be able to join us, although we were disappointed, we were trusting that God had a plan even in that.

July 9^th arrived through a whirlwind of a new job and a nasty flu I ended up catching from my son. Before I knew it I was on a plane at 6 in the morning off to Texas. I just made my connection in Denver after going through customs and then security again. God’s mercy I am sure. As I stepped off the plane in Dallas, I looked to the right and there to greet me was Debbie. She said she recognized my voice first!

It felt like meeting with an old friend. God blessed us with a connection right from the start. We found our rental car and started off on our journey to Garden Valley. Thank goodness for GPS. (whatever did we do without those?) We stopped to have lunch at a place where I could experience a southern bbq, but alas Debbie said it was not like true bbq. They are all about the meat down there in Texas!

We arrived at the Anchorage Cafe at Mercy Ships ministry base an hour ahead of schedule. We sat down on the patio with lemonade in the muggy Texas heat. It was glorious! I could feel myself winding down already, just ready to rest in whatever God brought our way.

Shannon arrived extending her invitation to stay at her house. Another unexpected blessing. She drove us around the area explaining all of the rich ministries that were based there. Mercy Ships, Teen Mania, Youth with a Mission. Keith Green, a forerunner in Contemporary Christian music, had started Last Days Ministry before his life ended in a plane crash. Paul Baloche, Christian songwriter and worship leader is Shannon’s friend and the worship leader at their church.

I could hardly take in how richly blessed this area of East Texas was. Obviously God’s hand and favour were upon many things here. It was beautiful countryside as well. I had pictured Texas as dry and hot, little tumbleweeds blowing in the wind. This land was lush and green with many trees and flowering shrubs. Another gift.

I won’t go through every detail of my trip but I will say that each part of it was more than I could have asked or imagined. It was a privilege to meet some of the people we had been watching on video for 10 months. It felt like we knew them already. I must say it was a humbling experience to watch others do presentations and hear of what God is doing in their lives. I felt quite ordinary but I believe that too was a gift from God. I just wanted to take in as much as I could without the hindrance of thinking I was something. I get in the way much too often.

My expectations were in the right place for a change, in God alone. To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!

What kind of experiences has God given you that were more than you imagined? Take a moment to recall these times, the building blocks of faith God has planted in you.

Father, thank you for blessing me with this opportunity to experience you in a new way. Help me to trust you in all things and with every opportunity that comes my way. I want to live in the power of God and not in my own strength. I want to humbly accept all that you offer me. Remind me of your faithfulness when I forget. I will always praise You.

Soul Solitude

The current flows quickly down the river. It is full of life and purpose and direction, the wind helping it along. In front of me a huge boulder peeks its corner above the surface. It beckons me to wade out and sit on it, dangling my feet in the rushing water. I am fascinated by the pattern of the river around it. The water rushes up about ¾ of the red rock and pools down in seeming whirlpools of spinning bubbles. It left the top ¼ of the rock exposed to the hot sun. The current is diverted only temporarily though as it bubbles on the other side like volcanic lava. Finally the swirling loops escape as though a valve were opened to continue its flow down the river. Occasionally a stick or leaf is drawn into the boulders’ curious bubbles. The pull of the current doesn’t contain them for long though.

All of a sudden it strikes me that I am like this rock. The river symbolizes God which is life. I am like this boulder buried deep in the bed of the river, a child of God. The currents are the circumstances of life rushing in at me, sometimes trying to cover over me. The wind is like the enemy hurrying things along, trying to overwhelm me. And sometimes, like now when I haven’t sunk deep into the riverbed, I spin into the whirlpools. I twist and turn trying to free myself. My flesh says fight, my spirit says rest.

The dry rocky place is reminiscent of my heart; Scorched by the heat from no protection. It is hard and weathered, parched for a breath of life.

I realize suddenly that I have been a temporary reservoir. I have been a place to hold things and spin them around trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I am becoming educated way beyond my level of obedience. This is a dangerous place reflecting in self-discovery.

God means for me to be a channel for His life to flow to others. Not a collection place that bears little or no fruit. I believe to be free of this self-discovery I need to proclaim what is right with me. And it has NOTHING to do with me!

John 15:3&4 states,’ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.’

I look up at the trees above me and their long trunks are curved and bent over. It is as though their leaves are parched for a drink from the river. It reminds me of Jesus as the vine, how I need only to hang on it. As my soul longs for God and all He has for me, I bend my knee surrendering to rest. My parched soul is filled again with a drink of life. I desire to obey Him, just to get Him. Nothing for me. All that is right with me is Him.

Thank you Lord for your patience with me as I spin around in my own whirlpools. Help me to remain in you when the wind and the currents come rushing in. Thank you that you desire for me to sink deep into your riverbed and be overcome with your love.