Savoring Sundays: Seeing Jesus in times of Sorrow

I shared this in a Facebook group yesterday and wanted to share here as well.

I have been reading through the book Humble Roots by Hannah Andersen, with 

some other women.  Hannah uses beautiful illustrations from agriculture and the

plant world to share Biblical truths.  She often quotes directly from Jesus; such as

where He instructs us to take His yoke.  Yesterday as I sat at a funeral for a man I 

never met I was struck by how the Pastor giving the message also used an 

illustration regarding plants/seeds. 

Matt and I attended a funeral today for the former administrator of the school 

where Matt graduated from high school. The Pastor who spoke 

gave a beautiful message and as part of his message shared the 

poem below. One he had written himself. I grinned as he read 

and explained it as it so beautifully reflects some of what we 

have been learning in Humble Roots; another example of how God 

speaks his truth thru the plants and growing processes around us. 

I hope it's an encouragement to you and another word picture to remember.

"Tiny "chutes" drifting in

brought to life by the wind

Mini-invasion from above

This is how the kingdom comes

Frail though it seems to be

Spreading roots bring divinity

A forest of forests in each seed

A harvest of love from our deeds

So never doubt, humble pod,

From you shines the face of God

People hunger to be fed

Be to them the living bread

To the earth sink down low

That's the way to make things grow

If you'd turn water to wine

Jesus calls, "Come and dine"

~ Pastor Bob Emberley

• he explained that he used this form of chutes to bring to mind parachutes. Seeds, like soldiers, being dropped into often dangerous and inhospitable ground to grow. We are the seeds that God has used to "invade from above" to build His kingdom here on earth. A life well lived in our "humble pods" can reap a forest of forests...generation upon generation of growth for God's kingdom. But it is only in sinking into the ground and dying to ourselves that we truly live and bring forth fruit.

Monday Motivation

Weekly Goals: (6/15) 

1) Keep up with daily Bible reading plans on YouVersion - DONE

2) Read Chapter 3 of Humble Roots and post thoughts in study group. - DONE

3) Read at least one chapter in Jesus Over Everything - DONE

4) Limit Facebook to once a day to check notifications only...no scrolling. - MOSTLY DONE

5) Walk, Bike or Run at least 3 times this week. - DONE

6) Sugary foods only once per day. - MOSTLY DONE

7) Intermittent Fasting and have veggies at every meal. - DONE

8) Work on craft project/gift at least 3 days this week. - FINISHED PROJECT

9) Check in with at least 3 friends I haven't talked to in awhile. - DONE

Weekly Goals: (6/22)

1) Keep up with daily Bible reading plans on You Version

2) Read chapter 4 of Humble Roots and post thoughts in study group.

3) Read at least one chapter in Jesus Over Everything & order study guide

4) Limit Facebook to 2x a day (I'm finding that 2x works best so I can check in morning and evening)

5) Walk, Bike or Run at least 3 times this week.

6) Limit sugary foods to once per day

7) Continue with intermittent fasting and veggies at every meal.

8) Work on "stash buster" blanket and plan out next gift project

9) Check in with at least 3 friends I haven't talked with in awhile.

10) Write 1 content blog post

I'm finding goal setting to be a great motivator.  The kids and I are enjoying our morning walks or

runs at the park, it's a nice time to connect and chat with them.  For crafting, I finished the gift project I 

have been working on and was pleased with the finished project.  I'll post pictures once the person 

receives it;I'm hoping to get it to them this week.  I was excited to find another project to make as 

a gift; it's something I've never done before but definitely seems do-able so I'm looking 

forward to starting on that.

Savoring Sundays: Celebrating Fathers

Today is Father's Day and I wanted to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU!  to all the godly fathers out there striving to raise their kids for Christ.  This is an awesome task; one that can be both extremely hard but also extremely rewarding. 

Today we live in a culture that values fathers less and less.  Fathers are seen as an option not a necessity for raising healthy, well adjusted children.  Yet, the Bible speaks over and over of the importance of godly fathers.  God calls Himself our Father and often relates heavenly truths through the earthly relationship of a father with his children.  Psalm 103:13 says "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him."  Children so need both a father and mother; we are created, not only unique individuals, but unique in the roles we fill in our children's lives.  There is fatherly wisdom that a mother, while meaning well and trying hard, just cannot provide.  Now, I recognize that there are many single moms out there; and I'm going to say something very politically incorrect here but please understand it is said with much love and compassion: you as single moms need godly men to step in and mentor your kids.  You really don't have to, and were never designed to, do it all for your kids.  This doesn't mean you need to date or remarry; but your kids do need godly men in their sphere of influence to come alongside you and them to give the male point of view and life experiences.  Just as we are currently being called to listen to and value those in our culture who have been marginalized; to learn from them.  Our kids need those male voices who experience life so very different than we do as women. This isn't in any way minimalizing your importance or influence as a mom; it is recognizing that, just as God gave women unique ways of viewing this world He also gifted men with unique viewpoints and wisdom; celebrating men's roles does in no way minimize our roles as moms, we can both be celebrated; and that is exactly God's design for raising children...male (fathers) and female (mothers) imparting to children the wisdom He gave each of them. 

  

I'll leave you with a final thought about fatherhood that I read regarding the second half of Proverbs 17:6 "...and the glory of children is their fathers." "Nothing so adorns children, and brightens their lives, like godly fathers and mothers." ~ Chris Brauns.  I recognize that many did not grow up with a godly earthly father and many had a less than desirable relationship with him; please know that your Heavenly Father is always there to show compassion to you and He loves you.  Mark 10:14 says "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."  So, whether you had a wonderful, godly childhood or one filled with pain; God is calling you to come be His child and experience His love, compassion and yes, even His loving discipline that leads you to His best for you.

Monday Motivation: Weekly Goals

Weekly Goals: (6/8 Update)

1) Keep up with daily Bible reading plans on YouVersion DONE

2) Read Chapter 2 of Humble Roots and post thoughts in study group. DONE

3) Read at least one chapter in Jesus Over Everything DONE

4) Limit Facebook to once a day to check notifications only...no scrolling. MOSTLY DONE 

(I did check in 2x a couple days to check in on specific groups I'm involved in.)

5) Walk or Run at least 3 times this week. DONE

6) Sugary foods only once per day. DONE

7) Eat low carb breakfasts and have veggies at every meal. DONE

8) Work on craft project/gift at least 3 days this week. DONE (hoping to finish this up this week)

Weekly Goals: (6/15) 

1) Keep up with daily Bible reading plans on YouVersion

2) Read Chapter 3 of Humble Roots and post thoughts in study group.

3) Read at least one chapter in Jesus Over Everything

4) Limit Facebook to once a day to check notifications only...no scrolling.

5) Walk, Bike or Run at least 3 times this week.

6) Sugary foods only once per day.

7) Intermittent Fasting and have veggies at every meal.

8) Work on craft project/gift at least 3 days this week.

9) Check in with at least 3 friends I haven't talked to in awhile.

It was helpful to have these goals written out last week.  How about you?  

Did you set goals?  If so, how did you do?

Savoring Sundays: In Music

Over the past few days I've listened to this song a couple times.  I love how almost every line of the verses can be traced to specific Bible verses.  So much Truth wrapped in one song.  Today I decided to look up some of the verses.  It's an encouraging reminder of all that Jesus has done for us and also a good challenge to remember just Who it is we serve and how worthy and deserving our Great God is of all our praise and worship.  

In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope without light  - 

John 3:20 but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

Till from heaven You came running - 

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was mercy in Your eyes - 

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

To fulfill the law and prophets - 

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have  not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

To a virgin came the Word - 

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin      shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

From a throne of endless glory - 

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

To a cradle in the dirt - 

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths         and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

To reveal the kingdom coming -                                                                                                  

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

And to reconcile the lost - 

2 Corinthians 5:19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

To redeem the whole creation - 

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

You did not despise the cross - see Hebrews 12:2
For even in Your suffering - see Hebrews 12:2
You saw to the other side - 

Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Knowing this was our salvation -
Jesus for our sake You died - 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

And the morning that You rose 
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good - 

Luke 12:1-2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

For the Lamb had conquered death - 

2 Timothy 1:10 And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

And the dead rose from their tombs - 

Matthew 27:52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

And the angels stood in awe 
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored 

Monday Motivation: Weekly Goals

Trying to refocus and make adjustment so weekly goals posts are starting again.

Weekly Goals:

1) Keep up with daily Bible reading plans on YouVersion

2) Read Chapter 2 of Humble Roots and post thoughts in study group.

3) Read at least one chapter in Jesus Over Everything

4) Limit Facebook to once a day to check notifications only...no scrolling.

5) Walk or Run at least 3 times this week.

6) Sugary foods only once per day.

7) Eat low carb breakfasts and have veggies at every meal.

8) Work on craft project/gift at least 3 days this week.

What are your goals for this week?

Savoring Sundays

As a result of COVID-19, Sunday's have been very different for the past several months.  I'll admit that this day; which was usually my favorite day of the week, came to be the hardest day of the week.  I felt the loss of "normal" the most.  I missed helping to teach the 4 & 5's class, I missed seeing my friends, but most of all I missed worshipping together...hearing voices raised together in praise to our Great God!  

Life is slowly shifting again and our church is now able to meet; with lower capacity and safety precautions in place, but still able to meet.  Since there is no childcare yet we have been alternating who goes to church and who watches the livestream with the younger girls.  Last week I was able to go to church with Ethan and Hailey; to be back at church was great, and yet strange with all the new protocols, but we so enjoyed seeing people and chatting outside for a bit after church.  Today Matt took all the kids except the two youngest girls.  It was great knowing that they were at church; and it has been wonderful for the kids to see other people and again, chat for a bit.  

We can get so used to our routines and what's "normal" that when things are shaken up it's hard.  It's disorienting and yes there can be a grieving process; but there can also be beauty and growth.  We so often say "the church is not the building" yet still get caught up in that thinking.  Over the past few months God has pulled us out of our comfort...literally out of the buildings we meet in; and we truly see that the church is not the building.  Today was communion Sunday and once again the reminder that we are united not by a place but by Christ's Spirit.  There is a beauty in being together; we are designed for community and connection, we need that...for growth, encouragement, strength, accountability, and so much more, but we are also designed for quiet...stillness...reflection.  We live in such a full-throttle, full-calendar, go, go, go time that we often fail to take the time to still and focus on who God is and give Him glory...remembering why we even do all these things.  

As time has gone on I have found a joy and gratefulness in the midst of all that is different, chaotic, and disorienting.  I'm choosing to savor this time and tuck quiet moments away for the future; when our lives return to the busyness.  New songs, lessons from Scripture, moments with the Matt and the kids...and as things open back up I want to remember to savor moments...to maybe, just maybe, keep a bit of this stillness in my life.  As we go back to church and all our regular activities I want to remember to savor Sundays. 

Below I thought I'd share a beautiful "new-to-me" song and a picture of one of the moments I want to tuck away (a fun bike ride; Maisie loves her seat that attaches to my bike).

One way to truly listen....Read!

In my previous blog post I mentioned the importance of listening to the voices of those different than we are.  Our search for wisdom and guidance should always first come from God; but just as Jesus listened to those around Him and had compassion for those oppressed we also need to truly hear the voices of the oppressed and hurting around us.  As an adult I've come to realize that social issues are so much more complex than what is portrayed in the media; social, mainstream or otherwise.  

When 9/11 happened the search for understanding Afghanistan lead me to such books as The Places In Between, The Sewing Circles of Herat and more recently to The Broken Circle and Three Years in Afghanistan.

When the conflict moved to Iraq I read books including The Prince of the Marshes and Waiting for an Ordinary Day.  The Iranian issues had me reading Honeymoon in Tehran, Persian Mirrors, and I, Who did Not Die.  Wanting to better understand this entire region lead me to Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms. 

I've read books such as Between Shades of Gray and Symphony for the City of the Dead, to learn more about World War II.  Books like Beautiful Hero, Between the two Rivers, A long way Home and The Great Fire to understand more about the horrors and consequences of genocide. Books like In the Land of Invisible Women and Paramedic to the Prince to learn about life in Saudi Arabia.

I've also read several biographies of US Presidents and the book Barracoon: The story of the Last Black Cargo to try and better understand the complicated history of the US.   More recently I read Upstairs at the White House to get a better understanding of the pressures and duties of the First Ladies who serve alongside their husbands.  

These are just some of the books I've read that have helped me to better understand and have more compassion for those with different backgrounds.

And now I find myself once again looking for those voices....those of African Americans and other minorities.  I've watched fictional movies like The Green Mile and The Help and felt the sadness and anger that people could treat others...made in God's image so poorly.  As I thought through the books I've read I couldn't think of many that really explore the true stories of those minorities living alongside me....and again I was saddened by this realization.  

So, I would love to hear recommendations for authors or specific books; preferably non-fiction books.  As a friend recently said; It is never too late to learn to do better.  

Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."

Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Proverbs 1:5 "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,"

 

There is still Hope

I’ve started writing a blog post a few times but words are coming hard these days. I’ve felt anger and sadness but also hope and thankfulness. Thankfulness in the fact that George Floyd was a believer in Christ and despite the events surrounding his death, is now at peace with his Savior. Thankfulness also for the police officers who have spoken out against hate; who have walked with those hurting and have said “we are mad too; what can we do”...starting a conversation. Hope, that conversations are happening; people are coming together and speaking out against such sin.

As I’ve thought over these events I’m reminded of these words from John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The hatred we see is from the devil!

While Jesus was here on earth he exemplified the breaking down of prejudices; He showed that ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance leads to fear and so much of the hate we have comes from fear of things we do not understand; Jesus has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). When we place labels on people and don’t talk to them, the seeds of fear and hate have fertile ground to grow.

When Jesus was on earth...

He defied prejudices by speaking to the Samaritan woman ~ John 4:1-26

He defied prejudices by defending the woman accused of adultery ~ John 8:1-11

He defied prejudices by having Mary learn at his feet along with the men ~ Luke 10:38-42

He defied prejudices by touching those considered unclean ~ Mark 5:25-34

...and in so many other ways His life spoke out against prejudices and hatred.

Jesus did not dismiss or minimize their experiences; He met the hurting with understanding and love. He spoke Truth and Hope to their brokenness.

So what do we do? We pray for hearts that mourn over sin, that desire to follow hard after Jesus. We read...first and foremost the Bible; our source of Hope and Truth...looking to Jesus and the examples and instructions he set for us. Then we listen to those with different experiences and backgrounds; we meet them where they are and we listen.

God made us different because our differences teach us things we could not know if we were all the same, our differences give a beauty, richness and fullness to our lives here on earth. It is the devil’s way to try and destroy all that God has made for our good. We should be celebrating each other not trying to kill and destroy! We should instead be hating the sin that tries to destroy hope. There is a place for righteous anger Ephesians 4:26 says “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” but James 1:20 reminds us that “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Our anger needs to be rooted not in our own thoughts or towards others but in the things that God hates...sin!

Romans 12:15 says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Let us sit with those weeping and as we weep with them and meet them in the hopelessness and chaos let’s remember to point them to Hope and Peace Himself...Jesus! “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33