As The World Turns

If you are around my age or older, most likely you remember arriving home from grade school each day, to your mom ironing while watching a Soap Opera called
As The World Turns.

Since ear surgery, I’ve had a few health setbacks, including the return of that dreadful vertigo.  So of course the talk in my office this week was ‘how do you feel today?’ Since my vertigo didn’t really change all week (grrr), a certain person summed up my current situation: As The World Turns.

 Here’s what I’ve discovered as my world was turning (and hopefully healing) from ear
 surgery:

• We have choices to make every moment of each day. Will you choose to give and serve others or ignore their needs? This week I observed a young man using his time and money to care, serve and feed a homeless man. A tender heart opened for the downtrodden.
• We have choices to make between being hopeful or choosing despair no matter what circumstance we are in. I had the opportunity to listen and pray with a woman that had lost everything she owned. During the entire conversation she confidently spoke of God’s goodness and ended our time together by praying for me!  I was humbled.
• We have choices to make between fear and faith - no matter how bleak things look. Reading the news of killings in Colorado; locally hearing about a young man dousing himself in gasoline; or family waiting to see their mom after 6 hours of brain surgery – we could live our life consumed by fear or we can make a choice to have faith that God has a better plan for us.

I recently met a St. Bernard called Willow. Her job in life will be to watch over, serve, give hope and make sure her 11 year old owner, who has Asperger's disorder, isn’t afraid of anyone or anything.  Adorable, everyone passing by Willow wanted to touch her. The owner, who has the inability to socialize and communicate with others, is now connected with a dog that will show her how. Brilliant!

God, in His infinite wisdom, doesn’t write His whole story for us in 1 chapter.
Aren’t you glad? 

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (Romans 12:2)

So here is your homework: as you arise each morning and before your feet touch the floor, decide if the next 24 hours will be a good day or a bad day. You have a choice to make. I pray that you will choose an attitude of serving others; that you will become hopeful for a more abundant future despite your current circumstances; and that you’ll begin to have more faith that God has you exactly where He wants you on this day.

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8-9)

Let’s pray. Lord, help us to set our minds on things that are above and not on things that are on earth. Renew strength to those that are feeling weak from stress or illness. Thank you Lord for giving us life; now help us to live this life with purpose and with a positive can-do attitude, confidently knowing that if we remain connected to You, that our life will bear much fruit for Your glory. The Joy of the Lord is our strength; help us to remember this each morning as we awake. In Your precious Name we pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

Live Life With a Positive Attitude!

I enjoy the art of storytelling. My dad enjoyed making up bedtime stories to tell my children. Storytelling is a great teaching and learning tool. A good storyline creates an emotional connection and we tend to pay closer attention to what’s being said.

Here’s my latest story~

So the day I’d been waiting for and praying about finally arrived.  Yesterday morning I had a surgical procedure called Myringotomy and Tympanostomy.  Also known as ‘getting tubes put into the ears.’ Hopefully this will cure my 5 year battle with vertigo.

Before the procedure, the doctor asked me to repeat to him my understanding of what he was about to do. So I said, ‘you are going to enter my ear canal, make a slit into my right eardrum, place a tube into the opening and then I will never have vertigo again!’

Surprised by my answer, his eyes widened and with a big grin he said, ‘that’s good…95% of all surgical recovery is having a positive attitude. It’s excellent that you are so positive about the results even before I do anything. Research shows us that patients with positive attitudes heal much quicker and have less post surgical trauma and pain.’

Isn’t that just so true of our emotional hurts and pains? We need to keep a positive attitude about the spiritual surgery being done by the Great Physician! Trusting Him for the pain He is allowing us to feel today, so that we will be healed and stronger because of it, for our tomorrows~

My faith and desire for good results with this surgical procedure allowed me to project a positive attitude about the results.  Do you suppose God expects us to have the same faith and attitude in His ability to heal our hearts; fix a financial problem; provide us with good living accommodations or a job; fix  a broken relationship; or give us freedom from chemical addictions… etc?

In the book of John, Jesus tells us that He expects us to have faith in His Father and the miracles we’ve seen Jesus do isn’t a fraction of what’s to come; and even more so, Jesus says we are capable of doing incredibly and awesome things in His name.   (John 14:12-14)

To gain a better understanding of exactly what Jesus was referring to when He said we’ll be capable of doing ‘even greater works’ I researched the scripture references. I think you’ll see a pattern. 

Luke 10:17 ‘When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’  Mark 16:17 ‘These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages.’ Mark 9:38 ‘…Teacher, we saw a man using your name to cast out demons, …’  Numbers 11:27-29 ‘A young man ran and reported to Moses, …But Moses replied, …I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them all!’

If you’ve never taken the time to follow scripture references, I encourage you to try it. Your time will not be wasted and your faith will be strengthened by your discoveries.  It’s like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Each reference leads you to a broader understanding of the verse.

The 5^th piece of the puzzle got me very excited because this reference directly relates to a single women’s Bible study we are doing this summer. Numbers 11:25b; ‘…They prophesied as the Spirit rested upon them…’   We are reading RT Kendall’s book, Total Forgiveness. The author instructs us that when we do not totally forgive someone for what they’ve done to us, our actions (or lack of) grieves the Holy Spirit.

I don’t know about you but I want God in my corner.  I’ve developed a healthy fear of God and I definitely want the Holy Spirit intervening on my behalf when I don’t know how to pray.

It’s like when my husband and I are at odds with each other and I need him to help me with something. But, in order to ask him for help, I will first need to eat a big piece of humble pie.  And sometimes my (Irish) pride gets the best of me and I’d rather hold onto my mad.  You know the storyline…I end up doing it my way until my failed attempts force me to swallow my pride and ask him to fix what I’ve now made worse in my attempts to fly solo.  He never once says, ‘I told you so.’  Even though he must be thinking it!

So let me ask you, have you checked your attitude today? Do you look at the glass and say it’s half full or half empty? Are you at odds with God because you’re sitting in negativity?  Do you wonder why God hasn’t answered your prayers? 

When I was a college student, like most, I frequently called home asking for more money. My dad must have gotten tired of the money calls because during one conversation he said to me, ‘Nancy, why don’t you call mom and I twice; once to say hello and then call back and ask for money.’

Do you need to practice the art of calling home twice too? God will never force your hand. But He is always home and He will always answer your call.

Let’s pray.  Father, we can always trust You to never change.  Your attitude concerning our welfare is always positive.  You always want the best for us even when our best faith falls short. You tell us that 3 things will endure – faith, hope and love.  And the greatest of these is love.  We thank You for pursuing us and loving us first.  Help us with our attitudes.  Remind us to count our blessings and to have a positive attitude about our situations before You even pick up the scalpel. In Jesus’ strong name we pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

Is God Enough For You?

"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:40b)

Have you been diagnosed with what some call the “Martha Syndrome?” Forgetting just how big our God is, as you run around trying to make everything and everyone, including yourself, perfect?

When our needs are ignored, or when we, like Martha, are stuck doing the chores of life and others (perhaps an ex-spouse) are having fun, we begin to wonder if God is enough. Doubting God’s love can gradually take over our thoughts and before we know it, a disbelief in God’s goodness and abundance creeps in and takes up residence in our minds.

Is it our culture that drives us-even those who know Christ-toward a less than abundant life? 

From the beginning of time, when Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden, Eve began questioning God’s goodness.  She allowed Satan to convince her that she and her husband could have a more abundant life apart from her Creator; that God’s plan for her wasn’t enough.

And although we intellectually know that fulfillment is not found in other people –a new boy/girlfriend or new spouse; or things like a new piece of furniture (remember all my new couches?) adopting a false moral compass may still impact us more than we realize or care to admit.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’ve been suffering from vertigo. You also know that I’ve been concerned for family members and girlfriends experiencing some tough personal trials. Our middle daughter once used the phrase ‘reframe’ when discussing the need to stop and reevaluate a situation, so I am ‘reframing’ on why God should be enough for me and my loved ones. 

I really don’t have time to assume a ‘Martha syndrome’ besides, I’d rather let God do the worrying and fixing. But do I really think He’s capable of handling this job or is it more that I’m not sure He’s capable of handling the job my way?

First stop in reframing was downloading instructions to learn the Ujayii breathing technique.  With my yoga mat in place, body in position, I began listening to a soft female voice directing me how to experience peace while controlling my breathing.  I lay quietly pondering God’s goodness when I realized the soft female voice had stopped. As I waited for her voice, I could feel my impatience and stress creeping back into my consciousness. Where did she go? Expecting more instruction, I got up to look at my computer screen and found that the instruction technique had finished.

Staring at the screen, I started to laugh at myself. I couldn’t figure out what was worse—the thought of how embarrassing my lame attempts were or the disappointment I felt in myself for letting the allure of something else replace my desire for God to be my all.

None of us like to be tested. And when the test goes on for months and sometimes years, we wonder if God really is enough for us.  We desire a relationship with Him but it never seems to be enough.  Augustine wrote, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.”

Ok, so the breathing technique wasn’t really what I needed, but I’m sure it will come in handy somewhere down the road, So my second stop in ‘reframing’ was reaching for my Bible.  Before opening it, I mentally reviewed the things I already knew. Lord, I know You are going to tell me that life is difficult and hardships are common; that You are here to help us get through hard times and that Jesus has overcome the world for us.  I trust in its’ authentication so why the hesitation? Why do I feel guilty in questioning His abundance?

God has shown Himself mightily on my behalf, yet I still struggle with walking by faith in Him alone to solve my vertigo or mend broken hearts or help someone get out of an unhealthy relationship. If I really believed what I say I believe then my struggles would be with following my perception of what is true; rather I would know it to be true by my faith.

Faith is having complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It takes time to develop complete trust in someone or something. Don’t we tell our children not to talk to strangers? So is the reason we struggle with faith in God because we don’t truly know the God in whom we profess to have faith?

Building a relationship takes time. Until we see people handle various situations, we are hesitant to believe what they say. If God is a stranger to us, we are less likely to believe what He has said in His Word. The only cure for this is to spend more time in God’s Word getting to know Him.

When I read the accounts of the Israelites in the Old Testament and the great miracles God did in rescuing His chosen people from slavery in Egypt, I become annoyed at their lack of faith.  How can they be so blind? But then I realize that I am no different. They were no longer walking by faith, but by sight. Despite everything they saw God do, they lost faith and began to lean on their perception of truth.

As Joshua lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, God reminded them not to forget. “Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.  Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” (Joshua 1:7b-9)

God knows that our flesh is weak. I love the Message version of Mark 14:38.  “Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

Let’s pray.

Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you
I want to see you

To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of your glory
Pour out your power and love
As we sing
Holy, Holy, Holy

(Song by Michael W. Smith)

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

Which reflects you?

Martha Syndrome:
Fret & Worry
Complain
Focus on feelings
Anxious
Unbelief

Mary Solution:
Quiet
Peaceful
Prayerful
At Jesus’ feet
Faith

I Want To See God Show Off

Some of my favorite memories are of my boys showing off their strength. I have a picture in my office where my two eldest and a neighborhood friend ‘muscle man’ for the camera.  Faces all scrunched and arms flexed showing off their muscles.

Today though, my desire is for God to show off His muscles. Friends and family are traveling down some painful and difficult roads.  I’m calling on God to show off.

Unlike the picture of my boys hamming it up in front of the camera, where their muscles are displayed on cue; the omnipotence of my God’s muscle is constantly flexed.

I write in my Bible. So when God grabs my attention and sends me into His Word, I rarely leave without jotting a note or circling a verse. Those moments spent with God are precious because as He shows off His mighty power, I come away refreshed. I want that for my friends and family.

Currently, I’m reading through the Book of John. In the margin next to John 11:6, I found an old written note- Praise God for silences-that means God trusts me with Big Trials!  It’s the story of Lazarus. Jesus loved him and he has just died. ‘Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.’

Upon hearing of Lazarus’ sickness, Jesus intentionally stayed away. Jesus only moves when the Father directs Him to move.

It’s not about you and me; it’s about bringing glory to God.  So as I struggle with the needs of loved ones, I must also be careful that I don’t dethrone my Lord and put myself in His place – in the middle of the universe. That space belongs to Him that created us.     

Feeling like I should ‘do something’ to show loved ones that I care about their troubles, I followed Jesus into His Father’s Throne room. (Luke 5:16) Lord, some of these trials are heavy. Thank you for carrying them for me. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow and I know that You understand. (Mark 14:34)

As we maneuver rocky cliffs, whether for ourselves or interceding on behalf of others, remember God’s promises. As difficult as it may seem at times to not see progress or to understand how situations will get fixed; God promises to work things out; to never leave us; to supply our needs. He will deliver. And, what’s our part? Our part is to remain faithful in His ability to ‘do something.’

How do I know? He’s shown His muscle to me many times. He has called me to come; to trust Him with my trials and He has never once disappointed.

So how can we help friends and family when they are suffering in painful trials and need God’s strength to endure?

First, do they know that they need God? Do they know that God is the solution? Until they seek His counsel, we can intercede in prayer and then step back and allow the Holy Spirit to work.

Next, we can pray that they will grow more and more aware of their desperate incompleteness.

Ultimately, make the Bible your final authority. Keep pointing them to Jesus and watch as He shows off His muscles!

Let’s pray. Father, apart from You, there’s so many misconceptions. When we think we have to ‘do something’ in order to see Your Strong Tower, calm us and allow the noise and clamor to cease; allow us to remember all that You have done. May we be amazed knowing that You never change; may we be speechless at Your Mightiness. May Your unfailing heart of love constantly calls us to be still and know that You are God.  In Christ’s strong name we pray. Amen

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy