Choosing Gratitude in Humility

 Reading this week in Philippians 1:27-2:18

Be Kind. Everywhere I turned this week, I kept seeing that statement. Be Kind. No ifs, ands or buts... simply, whatever you do, be kind.

I don't think of myself as an unkind person. With the wear-and-tear of life, I do feel I have become more blunt. On busy days I often forget the need for niceties and even act a bit abrupt. But kindless... nope, never considered myself in that light.

Yet, there I sat, multiple times this week, bluntness and abruptness painting on a veneer of unkindness. I felt so bad.

To my family, I gave way to fear and left them hanging when unexpected compliments were paid.

To my Call, I forgot the Greatest example of a servant heart... without complaining, without remorse, counting others more significant than self.

To my Jesus, I neglected His life coursing through me, giving me all I needed to leave blunt and abrupt behind and instead reach for grace, peace and KINDNESS.

I didn't do the best job of working out my faith.

As I walked through the Philippians study day-by-day this week, the tests for each lesson were almost instantaneous and they were not without context.

You see, in the ancient Roman world, when Paul was writing his letters, society was a very ME-centric place. Promoting self, serving self, monopolizing on ME time, were corner-stones of the secular culture. When Paul is calling the believers to live "worthy of the gospel" he also knows how POWERFUL this counter-culture lifestyle will be.

He starts by calling them to unity, as the body of Christ (2:1-5). He then gives them an example, by the life of Christ (2:6-11). It is certainly a surreal point to hear the Call and think, "I'm trying!" only to see the Example and realize, "I can try harder."

The fact is, as much as we don't want to talk about this in today's society (or even in Paul's society), what we do, good or bad, directly impacts someone else's path through this life and into the next.

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,

but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

~ Proverbs 10:17 ~

God desires a closeness with his followers and, just as much as this personal relationship with us, he also desires that others should join in as well. Our walk with Him becomes that steadily burning candlelight in the darkness of a lost world, drawing those with eyes to see closer to light and truth.

Enter Kindness.

An attribute I believe to be best exemplified by humility. Kindness isn't always easy. Daily we are faced with situations and people who test our ability to be kind, to show love and to act humbly. When Paul states, "Do ALL things without grumbling or disputing..." in 2:12, it seems reasonable to state; do every.single.little.and.big.thing with kindness and humility. He suggests, by following this command, we will be "blameless and innocent, children of God...." Children because we bare His image in those humble acts: Christ did not grumble nor did he dispute all that was done to him. He fed thousands with love and grace. He healed many with peace and kindness. He even countered the nay-sayers with truth and self-control.

At the end of the day, kindness and humility not only unify us in the body of Christ and grow us as image-bearers, but, as we hold to the word of life (2:16) we shine as lights in the world.... in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. Not separate from them, but right smack-dab in the middle.

This world is full of a lot of crazy right now. Don't loose heart. Find moments of gratitude, even if in the simplest things, and allow that gratitude to feed kindness and produce humility... to serve those around you with love and grace.... and to shine in this world in spite of whatever it tries to throw your way.

Do you struggle with doing "ALL things without grumbling or disputing"? Take heart, let gratitude be your guide❤

  Blessings,

**This is part 2 in a month long series on "Choosing Gratitude" from a guided Bible Study I have written of the same name. Click below to get your FREE pdf and join me! I had planned on Mid-Week Messages for this series but have opted for end-of-week sum-ups for reflecting. I am also sharing scripture daily on Instagram from this study and hope you will join me there as well!**

Click on image to go to PDF

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

 

 

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*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each month with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me. 

Choosing Gratitude in the Challenges

What a week. It seems as though a bated hush has captured many of us. We knew it was coming. We saw the warnings. But now it is here. *undecided* as I write this post. Countries re-shutting down. Jobs still in limbo. Livelihoods still in the balances while Washington waits. We wait. A Nation waits. What will come?

At times it feels hard to breathe. God is still Good.... He is in control.... yes. He is and He is. But with hubby's job in the oil industry still on lay-off and my younger son still off work from an injury and return prospects gradually diminishing and my wonderful job as housewife hanging on those very balances... and so many other burdens.... it gets very hard to breathe.

But God.  

My solace this week has been found in His Word. Deep Breaths of timeless truths and promises. Remembering how little the World holds in light of all Heaven holds. Hope. Even if it gets ugly along the way.

Paul understood this. Many of the 1st century believers lived this. Persecution, ostracizing, struggling to meet needs, exasperated by false teachers.... and the list could go on. Paul himself was often in prison and, on the occasion that he wrote his letter to the Philippians he appears to have been on house arrest.

But hope.   

Many came to visit him, among them local church leaders. Not always did they leave enlightened. As a matter of fact, it seemed, often, they left agitated and not quite ready to accept the whole Jesus thing. They wanted it their way.

Yet Paul perseveres and he writes to the Philippians to thank them for their union with him in gifts and prayers. He shares with them, also, of the challenges he faces. Interestingly, he doesn't seem discouraged, rather, he appears to celebrate the challenges for the wonderful hope and work they are producing....

... Christian service rooted in love (1:16)

... Growing confidence in the Truth (1:14)

... Unparalleled bold fearlessness in sharing the Gospel (1:14)

 It can be hard to appreciate the challenges when we are facing them. Knee-deep in the trials they present, the discouragement, the appearance of "lost". But are we ever truly "lost" as believers and followers of Christ?

Paul takes all which could potentially bring him down and turns it around. He sees it through God's eyes... through the potential not the probable or actual. But there again, he sees what is REALLY happening, not focusing on the discouraging points of so many negative experiences inundating him... He sees hope.... he sees the loving service, he sees the growing confidence, he sees the bold fearlessness and he recognizes how none of it would have been possible without the challenges he is facing.

Suddenly night is like day.

Suddenly loosing has its profit.

Suddenly impossible becomes possibility.

And he rejoices.

He sees profit here and beyond (1:21) and he focuses not on what could hold him and the gospel message back but rather on all which can and IS propelling it forward. (1:18)

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, 

Christ is proclaimed and in that I rejoice.

~ Philippians 1:18 ~

Don't despair, dear Christian. Don't let your eyes be so fixed on what may be lost, on the troubles at hand, that you miss what is found and the Peace and answers which surround us so completely we can't help but rejoice.... we can choose gratitude IN the challenges.

Are you struggling in the midst of these current worries? Are you pulled down or are you rising up? What is encouraging you today? Which particular challenge can you find a way to choose gratitude in?

 Blessings,

**This is part 1 in a month long series on "Choosing Gratitude" from a guided Bible Study I have written of the same name. Click below to get your FREE pdf and join me! I had planned on Mid-Week Messages for this series but have opted for end-of-week sum-ups for reflecting. I am also sharing scripture daily on Instagram from this study and hope you will join me there as well!**

Click on image to go to PDF

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

 

 

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*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each month with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me. 

Go Ahead, Disciple Her

I've been taking some time off from the blog through June and July to just unplug (if you don't count an abundance of Instagram posting!), craft, garden, clean, travel and, best of all, READ!  On that note, I had to take a break from my break to share this amazing book with all of you....

Disciple Her: Using the Word, Work, & Wonder of God to Invest in Women by Kandi Gallaty kept me turning pages.  I am pretty particular about "advice" on discipleship because there seems to be so many misunderstandings and down-right unGodly discipleship practices out there.  In all honesty, I initially dove in as a skeptic!  But I came out SOLD on her message and method.

I began to suspect I was in for something a bit different as I browsed the table of contents where a synopsis of each chapter was included with the chapter headings and page numbers!  Kandi doesn't try to drive her readers with suspense or mystery, no, she dives in, gets to the point and maintains interest and attention simply by filling you with Truth and easy to understand perspective and advice you plow through to soak up more and more of!

Moving on, the first few chapters lay ground-work for defining Biblical discipleship and the importance of each key element of a Christian life: Bible Study, Prayer and Fellowship.  She shares a GREAT Bible read-thru plan and her method of study.  Yet, as she shares these details she also encourages women to not feel obligated to her style, but rather, she implores exploration into other methods which may work best as a given situation requires.

The remainder of the book unpacks the model of discipleship via D-Group settings.  She thinks of EVERYTHING and while she shares examples from her own D-Group meetings, she iterates the importance of making discipleship your own.  The pages in these sections will discuss everything from rogue attendees to inspiration for a typical meeting layout to discerning spiritual maturity to handling deliberate sinful behavior.  No stone is un-turned as she imparts years of wisdom and experience!

My favorite part of this book is Kandi's passion!  I know that isn't a "part" but it permeates every page.  Years ago, when God called me to learn and teach the Bible, I was driven by the idea that every woman should be able to pick up their Bible, open it, and read it meaningfully.  Not that pre-packaged Bible studies are bad... but that I knew we were Called to not use them as a crutch.  Kandi not only breathes mounds of grace and compassion into the overall idea of discipleship but she also animately encourages and equips the reader (like the women in her D-groups) to study the Bible in a more impactful way for themselves... and to invite other women in to join the journey.

This book has easily shot to the top of my list for Book recommendations every woman should read!!  If you aren't sure if YOU are ready to disciple others.... read Disciple Her and you will see how applicable and attainable a process it is.  Before you know it, you will find yourself praying over who God would desire you to begin discipling!!  If you are like me and already actively discipling others, you will find this book to be an encouragement as Kandi equips you with additional tools for your discipleship tool box!

What great books are YOU reading this summer?


Blessings,






I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lifeway in exchange for my review. This review is my opinion alone.

I may be blog-breaking this summer but my Instagram account is VERY active as we putter around the house... and around the region!!  Be sure to pop over and give a follow.  Regular blog posts will be back in August.  Oh, and.......

Would you like to be entered into a drawing for FREE stuff?!  My newsletter for June/July not only contained some inspirational articles for summertime but also an opportunity to be entered for some FREE loot.  If you are interested in checking out my monthly newsletter, Faith and Home Times, read below on how to subscribe.  I will send the current issue along to your inbox and you can learn more on how to enter the latest drawing!

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

I look forward to sharing Faith and Home Times with you!!

Proverbs 31 and Where Focus Should Be

Life, as a stay-at-home, is a juggling act.  It is comical to me when people snub their noses at the profound job of caring for home and family... as if "wife" and "mom" just don't carry enough weight to justify the air we breathe.  I think this is why Proverbs 31 is so important to women, not as a check-list of all the hard-to-reach places, rather, as inspiration for all the possibility and impact of our 'position'.

Lately I have cycled back to a place of struggling.  My home isn't as nice as hers... my kids aren't learning the awesome things those kids are... my voice doesn't matter in the din of so many others... my work as a wife and mother caring for her home doesn't make a difference... you know the mantra, don't you?

I want to say I have broken the Comparison Trap but, truth is, I don't think that trap is ever broken.  We may tip-toe around it or ignore it for a season, however, the cycle always comes back around to that place where we find ourselves caged in comparison again. This past week, though, God was merciful in helping me see truth...

First, I stumbled upon a woman whose house had been featured in a favorite magazine of mine.  She was giving a virtual tour of her vintage abode... with some side remodel projects going on, missing thresholds, messy piles and all!  I barely recognized her videoed home compared to the one the magazine had colorfully featured.  Suddenly my eyes were wide open: we aren't that different!  Her house may be bigger but the walls were filled the same as mine: with carefully curated heart-felt belongings, life, and the people we love.  Matching furniture and perfectly placed trinkets on every surface were NOT her main-stay, but her house looked like a HOME I would love visiting. I felt tremendously encouraged watching her comfortably take viewers through her less-than-perfect yet still beautiful rooms and halls and realizing how my home had it's own flow and beauty, in it's own right!!

Then, while linking up last week's Homeschool Mother's Journal article I 'met' a homeschool high school mom doing things much the same as we do.  Not the big, fancy, curriculum I see so many devouring with enjoyment... but rather the simple little things which go a bit off the beaten path while still accomplishing the same goals.  I had NEVER seen another homeschool high school family take this particular approach before and the inspiration lifted my heart beyond measure!  I quit lamenting over what wouldn't work for us and, instead, kept plugging forward with all that did!

At this point I had to sit back on my heals and really take it all in... SEE the comparison I was slipping into and then remembering the Proverbs 31 Wife and a very particular passage which began to speak deeply to me:

She looks well to the ways of her household 

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:27

Who's household does she look to the ways of?  HERS... not her neighbor's or the woman at market, nor was she concerned about the household of the leader's wife.  Nope... just hers... and not that she wasn't benevolent towards others, Proverbs 31 also teaches about her compassion towards those around her.  What I am pointing out is how she isn't wrapped up in comparison, rather,  she is focused on her own sphere of influence and ability... not other's.

From this sphere, Proverbs 31 chronicles a great many things she dabbles in and, as mentioned, while it is not about a laundry list of to-dos, it is about her dedication to get things done well.  How do we know they are done well?

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

Proverbs 31:28

While it isn't about the accolades of mankind when we set to doing the work God has for us, I do believe the response of our family is a small treasure God gives us here on earth for a job well done.  Our husbands aren't going to praise us for keeping house like our dearest friend... nor are our children going to call us "blessed" because we hit the mark like Jimmy's mom.  No, our families feel our love and hard work when we are focused on our own household and the God who rules over it all... they know it is not a competition, rather, it is the joyful surrounding of the bubble we call HOME.  Our family blesses and praises because our eyes are on them and our household, not others.

I pray, wherever you are today, whether standing in the comparison trap or happily walking away from it, that you are able to confidently and joyfully keep your eyes on your household as you care for the hearts of the ones you love.

Blessings,

All this month I will be doing a series, in honor of Mother's Day and all the hard-working women out there, covering verses from Proverbs 31.  If you are interested in studying this well-known section of scripture with me, sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter and I will send you May's edition with the P31 study attached!  Info below....

*Are you subscribed to my FREE monthly newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

I look forward to sharing Faith and Home Times with you!!

Come Out of Your Hiding Place

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

- John 20:19-22

It has been a rough year so far for our family.  Relationship struggles, constant problems with our house, job struggles, financial strains and so on, it is easy to try and pull the covers over my head rather than get out of bed each morning.  I'm afraid of what could go wrong next and add to it all how I'm troubled by personal attacks, I seize up.  If that is not bad enough, I turn on the news and see bleak narratives filling my screen... even if I did go out, what am I going out to?  Persecution?  Attacks? A deaf and wayward world?

I guess that is why, while reading in the after-math of Resurrection day this week, tried and true passages began to POP out at me.  Here are the disciples, locked up in a room, essentially hiding out from the Jews who were presumably the religious leaders responsible for Jesus' Crucifixion a few days earlier.  Doors locked and Scripture tells us they were "in fear".  In this state: Jesus appears.

He comes and stands among them and what is the first thing He says?

Peace be with you.

We could assume this is a greeting, the customary "Shalom" which Jews often exchanged upon encounters, however, a mere greeting, to my thinking, would only be needed once..."Hello, Shalom, I am here, look at me, how are you?"  But he doesn't say it just once.  After showing them his scars, John tells us the disciples were "glad" to see Jesus and then Scripture goes on to record how He said to them again, “Peace be with you."

Locked in, hidden, and afraid... the disciples are suddenly encountered by Jesus, who just pops right on in and then says PEACE be with you.  No small talk is recorded, just peace and presence which seems to imply a call for them to stop being afraid.  As a matter of fact, he doesn't just dispel their fear, no, the second time he adds that He has a mission for them.  As if to say, 'stop being afraid and hiding out, BECAUSE there is work to do.'  What is this mission?

As the Father has sent me.... I am sending you.

Well that is not a very detailed mission... or is it? "As the Father sent me...", what is this "as"?  We don't have to go far to find out...

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

- John 18:37

God sent Jesus to bear witness to the truth.  Then, in this locked room, He tells them peace be with you and As the Father sent me, I am sending you.... I was bearing witness to the truth... now you bear witness to the truth.  I did it to the point of persecution and death... you do it to the point of persecution and death if you must.  These are marching orders, intended to be carried out despite their fear.

But how?

It is a scary world out there.  Sure, peace.  Sure, mission.  But HOW can they find strength and focus to carry it all out?  How about with a breath of fresh air?  No, literally!  He breathed on them... why?  to impart the Holy Spirit... the POWER to do what he had asked them to do.  Much like God did in Genesis, breathing life into the lungs of man... now He breathes new life into those who see Him, who are truly glad in Him.

I never paused long enough to really SEE this before... to soak up the 3-point truth here:

• TWICE, Jesus says "Peace be with you", earlier in John He would explain how His peace is not a worldly peace but rather, it is something more tangible and sustainable.
• AS God sends Jesus, through good and bad to bear witness to Truth, so He sends us with that model
• He doesn't just command us but He also equips us with the greatest Power-source, the Holy Spirit

Life is scary.  Plain and simple.  Sometimes more than others.  We may long to hide under the covers instead of getting up and facing the day.... we may even avoid going out or certain activities to dodge challenges or persecution... But God calls us to GO, to claim His peace, bear witness to His Truth and to remember we are Equipped with a Powerful force and purpose.

I pray you would join me in not letting insecurities or fears hold you back from peace and the call of Christ.  We can muster strength from the Spirit within and experience Victory in the end for he hasn't only given purpose but He has also breathed LIFE!

Blessings,

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

A new Bible study for the month of May is coming out in the next newsletter which is set to hit email in-boxes first thing tomorrow (Thursday, 4.25.19).  Be sure to sign up for your FREE copy, info below....

*Are you subscribed to my FREE monthly newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

I look forward to sharing Faith and Home Times with you!!

Can They Hear You?

As April opens up and Easter is only a few short weeks away, I felt it appropriate to look at the 'final opening' of those last days of Jesus (His last days and some of his teachings/prayers are what I plan to draw out here each Wednesday this month).  The book of John is probably my favorite Gospel, something in "the disciple Jesus loved"'s wording strikes a beautiful chord with me.  Using keen Bible deduction, seeing the repetitions and order of statements, really seem to nail at the heart of Christ and, knowing that this powerful book was written to show WHO He really was and his Godship, seems to support that idea further.(ref)

Armed with this understanding, I dug into John 12 today, The Triumphal Entry of Jesus on what we now celebrate as "Palm Sunday"

Crowds were there.

The Pharisees were there.

The crowds were excited to see this man who was rumored to have called people out of the grave... one person in particular, which the Pharisees sought to have killed along with Jesus.  Why?  Because he, Lazarus, the once-dead-man now walking, was a living testimony of the power and might of God through Jesus.

Jesus himself represented a threat to the power and might of the Pharisees.  They didn't like that.  They wanted to retain their good standing and they knew Jesus' very existence jeopardized years of posturing.  Too bad some of these hadn't taken in the Sermon on the Mount:

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted t the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money [or possessions]."

Matthew 6:24

Too bad, also, it didn't sink in with them that you can't kill God!  However, it was good for us... it was planned for us.  Without the death of an innocent lamb, none of us would know hope for the future.  So we will give the Pharisees a break... they were just fulfilling God's grand plan and for that, we can praise Him!

However, I digress... there is sooooo much to draw out of this amazing chapter but the ONE thing I wanted to point our attention to today is this repeated theme:

So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.  

John 12:10-11

The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.  The reason why the crowd [presumably a different one in Jerusalem/Bethany area] went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.  So the Pharisees said to one another, "you see that you are gaining nothing.   

Look, the world has gone after him."

John 12:16-19

(Emphasis added in each)

Why were alllllll these people following?  What was making the Pharisees sooooooo mad about them?  The perpetuation of Truth.  Here is the formula:

See Jesus speak/work + tell of Jesus' words/work = MORE people drawn to Jesus

But this truly is NOT an addition problem... it is a multiplication one because people weren't drawn by onesies and twosies... nope, CROWDS flocked. 

The power of witnessing.

As Christians we do not need to bully or cajole, we just need to talk and live.  It's how it was done and now, 2000 years later, this same approach is still what God uses to draw new believers.  And, still, to this day, when you go to oppressed or secluded cultures where the Light has never been shared before, they come in droves just at the Word.

Perhaps, in our own culture, many have grown numb to this powerfully trans-formative Truth in the din of so many other ideas... particularly the lie of self-actualization, a concept completely contradictory to the selfLESS living Christ embodied.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Whoever loves his life looses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am there will be my servant also.

John 12:24-26a

The believers who witnessed and flocked and witnessed and flocked... followed Jesus.  Not self, not ambitions, not the world... no, they followed Jesus.  Two groups of people are drawn out at this point:  Those who followed outwardly... and those who followed inwardly...

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

John 12:42-43

If you stand by the precepts of Christ are you afraid to loose friends?  Family members? Position? Job? Glory? Recognition? Credibility? Acceptance?  When these fears strike, we must remember, they aren't new, but rather, they were held by some very high ranking officials even in Jesus' time.  Is He OK with that?

NO.

The whole "light under a bushel" comes to mind.  So does every preceding verse to the ones just mentioned... how were crowds drawn?  By witness.  But some loved their life more.  Whoever loves his life looses it... you can't love your own life more than that which Christ wants to give you.

So what if you loose friends, family, position, job, glory, recognition, credibility or acceptance.  YES, these people and things mean something... they can mean everything, BUT, how many countries have seen faith BOOM because of the dedicated witness of those who were persecuted for the faith?  Maybe we aren't in China or the Muslim controlled Middle-Eastern and African countries... but we are still in a battle for souls and how do hostages know where safety is if we aren't willing to stand in the battlefield and point the way, even if it means we get hit with flying arrows? 

Digressing doesn't draw. 
Bending when pushed, lake grass laying aside as it is trampled, quiets Truth.
STANDING, speaking, believing with our WHOLE heart in the face of all that seeks to kill and destroy... THAT is where people flock and are drawn.  The message? "Wow, that must be something amazing if she is willing to stand that firm!"

And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.  And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.  If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.  For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment -- what to say and what to speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life.  What I say, therefore I say as the Father has told me."

John 12:44-50

If we are called to be like Christ, and Christ did as the Father told Him, shouldn't we follow suit?

This Resurrection season, I pray we may meditate on the gravity of what has been done for us... and that we might let it permeate every crevice of our being to produce transformation which is ready, willing, and actively pursuing opportunity to SHARE, that the roll-call of the faithful might multiply because we stood!

Blessings,

Looking for a guide to help you better study the season's scriptures?  Perhaps you are in search of some scriptures to study this season as well!!  This month's Faith and Home Times newsletter comes with a FREE Bible Study packet which can be used in conjunction with current studies you have going on OR as a spring-board into a new study.  When you sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter, the latest issue will make its way to you!  Info on how to subscribe is below.

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

*Are you subscribed to my FREE monthly newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

I look forward to sharing Faith and Home Times with you!!

Love is... Patient Among the Impatient

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.   See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

We live in a society of impatience.  It's a fact.  Once upon a time there were simply sporadic impatient people in one's life, but now... now it seems, everywhere we turn, impatience rules the roost.  It is shamelessly dealt with in often hurtful and remorseful blows as if impatience is the current "trend" and everyone has to jump on the bandwagon.

Last year, as the kids and I studied art appreciation together, something struck me: certain genre of art were birthed out of a longing to return to a simpler time, this was especially true during the industrial revolution.  And now, every where I turn in the world of decorating and leisure: simple living, country farmhouse style, hammocking, and nostalgia.  Coinkydink?  I think not.  Our society is desperately longing for a reprieve from the bustle of living and the rude world bearing down right outside our front door.

How do we negotiate the turns of a life spiraling in directions farther and farther from truth and hope and peace?  Where do we stand when impatience tears at friendships once held dear or family relationships are strained over the differences un-bridgable by human strength?  When the world spins and the t.v. set blares... where is our peace?  How do we keep our patience?

Studying 1 Thessalonians 5:14 I find seeds of hope which, well planted, I believe deeply, can spring forth endless possibilities....

Admonish, or, caution, advise and counsel those who are undisciplined or not forward moving in their faith (idle).  When necessary, yes, mildly scold (an extreme attribute of "admonish") but first strive to constructively help them focus.

Encourage those who are lacking courage (the fainthearted).  Help them to rediscover the Source of courage so they might persevere.

Help the weak when they don't have the strength to help themselves.

Above all, scripture commands us: be patient... with some? ...with those who follow our advice?... with those we favor? ...no, with ALL.  ALWAYS seek to do good.

Life is messy.  It is a bustle of whirling conundrums.  People are difficult, relationships are hard and faith and perseverance in the midst of it all is often the biggest challenge a Christian faces.  However, God doesn't leave us on our own.  He sends His Spirit for strength and guidance and He has gifted us His Word to help light the way.  1 Thessalonians doesn't just tell us to be patient, it continues to equip us as to HOW...

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

- Thessalonians 5:16-22

Rejoice always... not just in good times, but even in bad, even when facing impatient people.  Let your patience come from the joy of Jesus and God's power to prevail in all.  Celebrate that God gives you challenges to make you stronger or that He remains with you to give you strength along the way.

Pray NONSTOP.  Every time worry or frustration with someone pops into mind (or in the middle of an encounter) pray.  Pray for wisdom as to what to say.  Pray for them and their struggles.  Pray for peace in the process.

Give thanks, for the good AND the bad.  Even in the worst of moments and interactions, thank God that He is God and believe in Him for what He will do.  Thank Him for it all.  He is working ALL things to a greater good we ought to be honored to be counted in as part of.

Hold FAST to what is good.... hold tight.  If you are clenching the good, however small a glimmer it is in a moment, it is difficult to hold onto surliness.  Light and dark cannot coexist and I propose; neither can true good and patience coexist with impatience and all that is unsavory.

Be patient with them all.  Such a small statement with such HUGE implications.  Less a request and more a command.  Not circumstantially but rather sweeping the spectrum of human kind.

The thing is, we are a society of "ME".  We often miss the grander scope... each Christian is part of a society of HE.  How we allow Christ to reflect through us to the world around is paramount in countering a culture of impatient, NOW, just gimme mindsets.  Light CAN overcome the darkness, but first, we must be ready and willing to reflect it.  We must become a new culture of patient among the impatient.

Love is patient... Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)..... Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)....By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)

In all of the LOVE commands of the Bible, if we insert "patience" as just one of it's many attributes we begin to see how we can make a difference.  Not for ourselves... but for the Kingdom of God come here and now.

I pray you are able to find the strength in Christ each day to blanket patience in love to ALL as you advise those needing help moving forward, encourage them who feel discouraged and help all those who have lost their strength to find help themselves.

Blessings,

This "Love is..." devo is inspired by my new Bible Study out this month where we take a unique approach of correlating the whole of scripture to the tenets of 1 Corinthians 13.  Have you been longing to learn how to love as Christ calls us to?  You may want to check this study out.  You can find a FREE link on my Instagram profile OR you can subscribe to my newsletter (it is FREE) and receive February's issue with the "Love Is" Bible study and more.  Details are below:

 

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

I look forward to sharing Faith and Home Times with you!!


 

Gratitude For the Impossible

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, 

and thanksgivings be made for all people,  

for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful 

and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, 

and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,  

who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (emphasis added)

Gratitude is one of those things... it is easy to walk out when times are great or something thoughtful has been done for us or we are pleased with the results of a situation.  But walking out gratitude in difficulty... that is another story.

How do we do that?  How do we walk out gratitude when all we are thrown is curve balls?  How do we walk out gratitude when people are difficult?  Sure, I can be thankful for the discount I enjoyed at the grocery store the other day... but certainly I don't have to be thankful for the person who cut me off driving home or the lady I learned has been talking bad about me behind my back.

This past week, we, as Americans, had the awesome opportunity to VOTE.  To cast our voice out there for whomever we felt would be the best fit for our ideals and our states/country.  Maybe 'your guy' got in, maybe he/she didn't.  I know many are frustrated with how things are being ran... have been being ran for a long time.  Anger sparks.  Debates happen.  I know of friendships which have suffered over mere political differences.  Sparks fly and the news is wrought with headlines reflecting the toxicity bubbling over.

As I read 1 Timothy this morning it struck me: God, through Paul, to Timothy says here to make supplications, prayers, even intercessions AND THANKSGIVING for all people.  If we stop there we can say: well, I guess I should pray this way for the person who cut me off in traffic or that gossip spreading lies.  And, yes, that is exactly what this says.  But wait, there is more.

This passage goes on to say these same prayers and these same "all people" also includes kings and ALL who are in high positions.  Yes, even the guy/gal in charge at work as well as in local/state/federal government.  ALLLLLLLL of them.  Seem hard? 

Consider this: when these words were penned the people in charge were....?  Do you know?  Yup, the ROMANS.  I'm not simply talking just toga wearing, road building, chariot driving Romans... no, think in more detail; I'm talking persecution carrying, godS worshiping, 'only Caesar is great' believing Romans... the same guys who would feed the early Christians to wild beasts for sport, burn their bodies to light their dinner parties and persecute to the point that many had to take to living in the sewers and grave 'yards' under the cities. 

These guys are the ones God, through Paul, to Timothy said to Pray for, supplicate, intercede, and THANK God for. 

Does that turn your world upside down?

I know it turned mine upside down.  We want to complain about legislation or walls to be/not to be built, or a boss who won't give us off the time we want or a spouse who is being difficult... or that gossip or rude driver.  But the original hearer of this text would have been grateful for the simplicity of our modern problems.  And what grabs me, just as much as the command and style of prayer here, is why we are to pray.  For this we need to rewind to chapter 1:

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with 

the prophecies previously made about you, that by them 

you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. 

By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

1 Timothy 1:18-19 (emphasis added)

From here Paul says, in 2:1, First of all, then, I urge that....  why?  Because prayer in this way is how we wage the GOOD warfare and hold the faith in good conscience.  BUT, if we reject God's call for us to lay aside our finite opinions and perceptions and reject the path God has for us to pursue peace, well, in chapter 1, Paul says it will make a shipwreck of our faith. 

BUT, IF we pray in this way, for ALL, God has commanded here, 1 Timothy 2 says we may lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way.  It continues in saying this is not just "good", but that it is "pleasing in the sight of God..."  You could even read more into this passage by noticing how it says He desires that ALL people be saved and come to the knowledge of truth... is this to say our prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgiving help people come to that place... especially people in high positions?  

I believe it does.

As prayer warriors, even for those whom we want to spout venomously about, we are fighting a battle on their behalf.  We are hoping for them and trusting for them in a way they are not capable of at the moment.  We are realizing how lost we were without others' intercessions.  How undeserving we were of forgiveness... and in gratitude for our own salvation, we can and should and ought to pray for others'.

So here I confess, I have felt bogged down by all of the political garbage lately.  I see it in the church hierarchy, I see it in the government at every level... it is unavoidable.  My attitude has grown more dower daily.  The pivoting point came when I realized how my frustrations and occasional negativity weren't staying in those realms... it was beginning to leak over into family life and perspective friendships.  I was not living a quiet, peaceful life.  My life was becoming anything but quiet and peaceful.  

I have begun making incremental changes.  I'm reconsidering my inner dialogues and adjusting my focus.  When frustrating situations arise, I'm remembering to pray better.  When someone does something I don't understand or agree with, I'm considering the alternate positive dialogue of possibilities to their drive and thinking.  Most of all, I'm learning to pray much like 1 Timothy 2:1 suggests... interceding, supplicating, and even thanking.  

If there is one thing I have learned over the years it is how even the out-of-my-control trying situations (and people) have been used by God to grow me and make me more into His image.  He gives me countless opportunities to practice grace and agape love.  Yet, when I fight it, complain about it, neglect to pray over it... the trial feels endless and, at times, I put myself into a peaceless, noisy existence which takes twice as long get out of!

I pray, this Thanksgiving season, if you hear my heart in all of this, that you would join me in supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all the difficult people, at every level, and situations in our lives which only God can pave the way through and help us to find peace and quiet.

Blessings,

Are you looking for a Gratitude Bible Study?  Look no further!  If you sign up for my monthly newsletter I will send you November's issue which also includes a FREE printable Gratitude Study (and other great FREE printables as well!)  Scroll down to see how.

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

Pausing for Seasons of Thanksgiving

We live in a cynical age.  Plain and simple.  An often me-centric, bottom-line-driven, you get what you give kind of age.  It is easy to become wrapped up in this mad rush.  We stop seeing the small things which used to make us smile.  We forget how God's mighty hand can still touch and move the tiniest and simplest parts of our lives.

In the midst of this kind of chaos and disconnection in life, I'm grateful we live in a country where pausing for gratitude is a national observance.  This time of year is an opportunity to get out of the mad rush, stop, and ponder true thankfulness.  Laying the cynic aside, putting off self, and just reflecting.

We can reflect big or small or anywhere in-between but, truth be told, if we don't include the magnificence of God within this pause then we will become hung up all the insignificant trappings which are temporal and vanishing.

Gratitude is about something much more eternal.  The constantly changing seasons of our life might assign eternal value to varied points:  A butterfly kiss from a curly haired girl, the sweet salvation of a long prayed for loved one, keeping a home we thought we would loose, having enough just for today.... Transformation gratitude is seeing beyond the basic to the deeper, more moving and empowering parts of all we might take for granted.

But how?

It's simple.  Open God's Word, search the scripture for words like "Grateful", "Thanksgiving", Praise", "Thanks" and others.  Don't buzz through, nodding your head at familiarity.  No.  Terry, read before and after verses, pray, and consider the deeper messages in play.  SEE the words on the page, realize their significance, and allow them to work in your heart as you realize that deeper, more eternal and sustainable gratitude we were all meant to walk in light and celebration of, not just in November, but all year round.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, 

but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns 

and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 

 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another 

out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-21 (emphasis added)

Gratitude in the big, the small, the tangible, the intangible and everywhere in-between.  Why?  Because we, as believers, are filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in wisdom, seeking and following the will of the Lord.  We can and should celebrate His power to help us do this, and so much more.  We can and should praise and sing and be unified (making melody) to the Lord with all our being (with your heart).

Times tough?  Look to God and thank Him for being there and know, the simple fact that you are getting through another day is by His Grace and Strength. 

Times great? Don't forget to pause and thank Him.  Got a raise? Kids doing well? Great test results from the doctor? Look to God and thank Him for His continued provision/blessing/care.

Give thanks, always and for everything. 

I pray your Thanksgiving season doesn't pass without some good, deep-heart-rendering pauses to consider His magnificence and blessings in all corners of your heart and life.

Blessings,

Are you looking for a Gratitude Bible Study?  Look no further!  If you sign up for my monthly newsletter I will send you November's issue which also includes a FREE printable Gratitude Study (and other great FREE printables as well!)  Scroll down to see how.

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.