God is Working it Out

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

This verse has been going over and over in my mind the past few weeks. God has done amazing things for Steve and me and we feel so blessed. We have experienced the truth of this verse in our lives on multiple occasions and thank God for his love and faithfulness. The following are just a few of the big ones!

Before our life together began, Steve and I experienced other heartbreaking relationships. When God brought us together, he gave us double blessings for our trouble. Because of our former experiences, we vowed to never take each other for granted and have always tried to treat one another with respect and honesty. Having never really felt loved in my former relationship, God blessed me with a man who makes me feel loved and cherished. I know he always has my best interest, and that of our family, at heart. God worked out our past pain for good when he blessed us with each other.

Three years into our marriage, when our son was 6 months old, we were in a terrible car accident on I-75. My back was broken, one of Steve’s hands was broken, and his other was cut up very badly. Thankfully our sweet Nathan was completely unharmed. I had always dreamed of staying home with my children while they were babies, but I had to work part-time to help pay some bills from my past. I do not believe God caused the wreck; Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that “the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy…” What Satan meant for harm, God worked out for our good. We were able to pay off those bills with the insurance money, and I became a stay-at-home mom. After 3 months, my back had mended and we got our lives back. Sixteen months after the accident, we added a baby girl to our family.

Most recently, Steve and I felt the need to change churches. To some this may not be a big deal, but to us it was huge. Church has always been a very important part of our lives. This decision did not come easily nor did it come without tears, lots of prayer and careful consideration. Our church was going through some trials and our hearts were burdened for it. We were active in many different areas. Steve was a lifetime member, and our children were 4^th generation Shaws. It was there that our children were dedicated to the Lord as babies and baptized as new Christians, and we had friends whom we loved. For months we struggled with the decision, but we resisted. We didn’t want to hurt anyone or let anyone down. But the time came when we both knew we had to let go. It was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do.

God lead us to our current church. In fact, looking back, it seems he was leading us there all along. We loved it immediately! After visiting for about five months, Steve was offered the position as church administrator. We felt honored (and shocked). Since Steve had been at his job 23 years, it was definitely a leap of faith. We prayed fervently for the answer in whether he should take the position or not. We were riddled with nervousness about making the right decision. Proverbs 3:5-6 kept coming before me. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” There was no doubt that we wanted God’s will to be done. There is no greater peace than being in the center of God’s will.

Over the next couple of weeks, it became very evident this was God's plan. Excitement began to take over. We were overwhelmed with gratitude and amazed at how God worked this all out. We felt so blessed to be given this opportunity to be part of what God was doing in and through this church. Again, God worked things out for our good. He had a plan all along; we just had to trust him.

So, whenever things arise that seem out of your control or it seems like God isn’t working in your circumstances, trust him. Romans 8:28 says God works things out for those who love him and are called for his purpose. God has a plan for you. (Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11) Love Him. Trust Him. Seek Him. 

“’Cause you stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes,

There may be pain in the night

But joy comes in the morning….

‘Cause you make all things work together for my good….”

From “Your Love Never Fails” - Jesus Culture

No Paybacks

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

My son, Nathan, and I have been reading through the Chronicles of Narnia books together. After we read the second, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” we watched the movie. That was probably my fourth time watching it, and every time I do, I see a new aspect of it that I have never noticed before. (If you have never watched it, you should)

The symbolism between Aslan, the Lion- King of Narnia, and Jesus Christ, is unmistakable. After young Edmund betrays his family and returns showing remorse, Aslan speaks to him privately and then tells the others, “we shall speak of it no more.” However, the only way to appease the law of Narnia for treason is by the shedding of the guilty party’s blood. Aslan sacrifices his own innocent life to save Edmund. To watch him take the beating and mocking without saying a word and lie there while the witch laughs as she kills him breaks my heart. But to see him alive again in all His glory makes me want to shout!

There was something else that I noticed this time though. At the end of the battle when Edmund is healed of his wound and is embracing his family, he sees Aslan. Edmund’s smile fades. It’s a look of fear and uncertainty. He doesn't know what to say or think. When the camera turned to Aslan, his huge brown eyes were implying compassion and complete forgiveness. “It’s alright,” They seem to say. I could not hold back the tears while watching this touching seen. There was absolutely nothing Edmund could do to repay Aslan for the sacrifice he had made for him. 

This was such an amazing depiction of Christ, our Savior. Though sinless, he gave his own life for ours. He forgives us completely, and there is nothing we can do to repay him. He gave it freely. This makes me want to give him my own life even more. It makes me want to serve him out of love, not necessity or guilt. When Edmund fixed his eyes on the one who had saved him, it made me long for the day when I can see the face of my Savior and look into his eyes full of mercy and compassion. How amazing that will be!

“This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You'd lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me “ 

The Real War on Women

I don't usually write posts this intense. I try to be encouraging and helpful.  Sometimes, however, one gets tired of nonsense and the truth just needs to be laid out there. Even Jesus called out the pharisees in Matthew 23 when he called them  "hypocrites and vipers".

I have heard the term “War on Women” used a lot lately. I’ve heard it used mostly concerning the abortion issue. Apparently, pro-abortionists think that those of us who are pro-life are somehow anti-woman. That’s funny considering how many of the ones fighting the battle to save the unborn are, in fact, women. But there is more to it than abortion.

I recently read a couple of articles that left me fuming. The first one was where Scout Willis and several other young, well-known women are protesting for the right to show their bare chests in public. They say it is discrimination for a man to be able to do so and not a woman. Now, I know this is absurd in every sense of the word. There is a reason why the industry of promoting nude women is so lucrative (although morally wrong). Women and men are not the same. However indecent this idea is, it is the mindset behind it that bothers me more. Here are publicly known women with more wealth than most, who could use their celebratory status and monetary means for good and this is how they use it?

If they want to fight for women's rights, why not be productive in areas that are actually important? Human trafficking is at an all-time high and the majority of these enslaved people are women and girls. The ratio of sexually abused children is 1 in 5 girls vs. 1 in 20 boys (both are way too high). Girls are purposely aborted or abandoned in China (and other countries) and put out on the streets of India like they are dogs. 90% of the millions of homeless children in India are girls. Many of these girls are then abducted and forced into awful, unmentionable labor. Because of the terrible conditions and abuse they endure, the average life expectancy of these girls is 15.(“Child Labor” via “No Longer a Slumdog”) In many countries, girls are victims of child marriages, sometimes as young as 8 and 9 years old, married off to older men. In our own country, statistically, 1 in 4 women are victims of domestic abuse. These are valid issues against women. These women and girls have real problems. Having to wear a shirt is not a problem.

Then I saw another article where Linda Rosenthal, a state assembly woman in New York, is trying to pass a law to ban having cats declawed. If this weren’t so ironic, it would be laughable. This same woman is pro-abortion, even for late-term abortions. She applauded former senator Wendy Davis of Texas for her 13 hour filibuster (which failed) to try to stop the ban on abortion after 20 weeks along with measures to make abortion clinics safer for women. (Though passed by a wide majority, the ban is being challenged by the Supreme Court) 

Ms. Rosenthal says that declawing cats is like having a limb amputated. At the same time, she’s ok with babies being dismembered in the womb. I am sure she calls herself a feminist. Why doesn’t she stand up against gender-selective abortion where the majority of these aborted babies are girls? These precious babies are not wanted and not allowed to live simply because they are girls. How much more anti-woman can you be? There are 62,500 girls aborted every day. But it’s more important that a cat not feel pain. The cat will heal and live. The baby will not.

If these women really want to be “pro-woman” and fight for women’s rights, they will begin to actually care about the issues that are suppressing women and girls, not only in this country, but world-wide. They could use their influence and wealth for worthy causes instead of for ridiculous things that don’t really matter.

Immanuel, God With Us

Immanuel. Even the sound of this name has a beautiful ring to it. The Bible tells us that the blessed son of a virgin would be called, Immanuel, which means God with us. When you take the time to actually consider that fact, that God is with us, it truly is humbling and brings such comfort at the same time.

Last fall was a very difficult time for our family. The deterioration of my Dad’s body due to ALS had left him completely paralyzed and unable to communicate. Even though he was paralyzed, he was still in constant pain. My mom was his primary caretaker and she was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. My heart had become so weighed down with sadness. It was heartbreaking to see my parents in so much pain, emotional and physical. Not only that, but my brothers and sisters were feeling helpless and sad too.

Sunday morning, on the 8^th of December, I sat in church in a broken state. The message that day was Immanuel, God with us. As my pastor spoke, I could feel the words going straight to my heart. As I listened to how God is with us even through the deepest pain and times of trials, I couldn’t keep the tears from forming in my eyes. It’s not that I didn’t know this already, but that day it was specifically what I needed to hear. I felt like it was meant just for me.

Sometimes we feel like God has turned a deaf ear to us, but we know, according to his word, that isn’t true. He does hear us. (John 9:31) Sometimes, we feel like he has simply forgotten about us and left us to deal with our pain on our own. That’s how I was feeling that day. That isn’t true either. Hebrew 13:5b says “For He himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Even when we don’t feel Him, He is there.

At the end of the message, my heart was pounding. I knew I had to talk to God right then. As I knelt at the altar, the tears I had tried to hold back became a flood. When I stood and prayed with my pastor, I told him that I felt like God had forgotten my family. Even though I knew it wasn’t true, the pain was still present. I needed to feel God’s peace more than anything.

Five days later, my dad passed away. What a long day that was. My family and I stayed with my mom that night. As I lay in my childhood bed, I began to dread the next few days, days of planning a funeral and saying a final goodbye to my dad. I prayed that God would be with us over the next few days. Before I even finished my thought, I felt him speak to my spirit, “I never left you.” It was so strong and clear, there was no mistaking it was God. It gave me such peace and comfort. He had seen my anguish and consoled me. I knew God was not only with me but with my mom and the rest of my family as well. 

Immanuel, God with us. We think of this name at Christmas because it goes along with the Christmas story. But this is a truth we can hold on to all throughout the year. I’m so glad He is with me, even when it doesn’t feel like it. He never leaves His children alone.

Quiet My Soul

“The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

I absolutely love this verse! One morning I was feeling exceptionally overwhelmed and really needed some encouragement. I took the kids to school and came back home to steel a moment with the Lord before work. (Something I should have already done) Normally I don’t do the open your Bible and read where it falls technique, but this particular morning, I had no idea where to go. I asked God to speak to me through his word and desperately just opened my Bible. 

It fell to this passage. As I read it carefully, I began to weep as I saw the Lord trying to tell me how much he not only loved me, but that he rejoices over me. I can be so hard on myself, and every time I mess up, I feel like I have disappointed God in some way. What a blessing to see that he is so glad when He looks at me that he sings joyfully! Can you just imagine that? It’s a little hard to picture. Despite my faults and sins, God still loves me so much that he rejoices over me. How cool is that?!

Not only does he rejoice over me, but he quiets me with his love. Oh how my soul needed calming that morning (and so many other times). Another translation reads “With His love, he calms your fears.” How many times have my anxious thoughts caused a battle in my mind and heart? The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6 to “Be anxious for nothing,..” What a great truth to know that he calms us by his very own love. To me, it is truly amazing that the one true, powerful, holy God loves me like that, affectionately and personally. 

So now, when my heart is racing, I tell myself that God quiets me with his love. When I feel lonely and low, I remind myself that my Heavenly Father is rejoicing over me with joyful songs. How can I remain sad and anxious with knowledge of this truth?  The next time you feel anxious and alone, meditate on this verse and allow God’s love to calm your fears and quiet your soul.

Get it Together!

So encourage each other to build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Many of us know people who appear to have it all together. Sometimes we feel intimidated by people like that. They seem to have great marriages, great kids, good jobs, and are spiritually mature. And the fact is they may have or be all these things. However, that doesn't mean they don't struggle with issues just like everyone else. That doesn't mean that at some point they were not intimidated by others who looked like they had it all together too. It just means at some point during their spiritual journey, they realized things had to change, and they sought guidance from the One who really does have it all together. They grew spiritually and let God have more and more control over their lives. But by no means does that imply that they don’t have trials. Everyone has days when they feel less than adequate. They have frustrations, doubts, insecurities and go through hard times.
 
Then there are people who look like they are doing everything right and with ease. But that is only what they want others to think. In reality their lives, in part or in whole, may be in shambles. They are afraid to let anyone see what things are really like. Perhaps it is a control issue or they don't want to be embarrassed. Maybe they feel like they will let people down if they knew how things really were. In any case, there is no need for other people to feel insecure or intimidated by someone who appears to have everything under control. Fact is few people do.
 
When my children were preschoolers, a fellow mom and I were talking and she was surprised to hear me talk about being stressed. She said, “but you always seem to be so calm and together.” My jaw dropped, I'm sure. I almost looked around to see who she was talking to! I could have kept her there for days filling her in on my insecurities and self-described short comings. Once a new friend at church read a post of mine and told me, “it really makes me feel better to know that someone as spiritual as you has problems too.” I just stared at her, dumbfounded. I wanted to crawl under the table. Oh my, if she only knew! Yes, I knew scripture, but I often struggled putting them into practice just like she did. Spiritual? I sure didn't feel like it.
 
Most people who appear to “have it all together” are often just trying to keep it all together. They would welcome an encouraging word, or it would make their day to know that someone was thinking about them. We usually tend to reach out to those we know are struggling, and we should. But even those who appear strong sometimes feel weak. Life still gets hard and knowing someone cares could make all the difference.

In Disguise

Even Satan tries to make himself look like an angel of light.     2 Corinthians 11:14

I saw a license plate this week that had the number 666*---. I thought to myself, “I would ask for a different plate! There’s no way I would ride around with that license plate on my car.”  When I told my husband about it, he said, “Well, maybe they had it made that way.” 

“I don’t think so; it looked like a regular car that you and I would drive.” I replied.

The number 666 has always represented evil, so wouldn’t that person’s car look, well, black or beat up or have evil bumper stickers? Of course in my mind evil was supposed to be easily recognizable, visible to any observer. Not always so, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” Satan is dark and evil, light is good. So he disguises himself to be more appealing.

Sin is often that way. It appears to be pleasurable or “ok”, but in reality, it’s just Satan’s deception to blind an unbeliever to the truth of his need for Jesus. For a believer, he causes her to lose her joy and peace, maybe even her family and feel shame and regret. Many extramarital affairs start with compliments or “innocent” flirtations. Many people lose their careers over a choice to take money that “no one would miss.” Going out with friends is OK; you need to let off steam, but what happens when that occurs so often it takes you away from your family? You begin to want something else and become dissatisfied and discontent. Gossip can even be disguised as prayer requests!

So how do we know that something is a sin, even when it is disguised as something harmless or even good? Psalm 119:105 says “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” First of all, God’s word is THE first place for direction in our lives, the place to determine right and wrong. When we are full of God’s word, he will make the path clear. If you are still not clear on whether something is harmless or not, ask God. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” He will not rebuke you for asking.” It never fails, when I have asked God for wisdom in a matter, he always comes through. However, whether we listen or not is up to us. The Spirit of God is here to help us do the right thing. (John 14:26)

We as Christians have available to us the help we need to discern between good and evil. We have to listen and obey. It is so very important that we do. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23.