Cocoon too tight?

I posted a quote the other day on Facebook.  "When we feel restless, it could be that our cocoon has gotten too tight and it's time to spread our wings and fly..." -- I wonder how many times we get frustrated, restless, impatient, bored, snippy and even rude because our cocoons have just gotten too tight.  What do you mean by cocoon, Amy? you may be thinking...


A cocoon encases a caterpillar during the time the metamorphosis is occurring for it to become a butterfly.  We learned this in our elementary school science classes.  When the butterfly's wings and body begin to outgrow the cocoon the stretching and movement breaks the cocoon open so that the butterfly emerges, dries its wings and begins to fly...thus serving its full purpose in life - to pollinate plants and multiply so that the process starts all over again with a new generation.  We get the benefit of their beauty and the blessing of the plants that bloom and bear fruit because they fulfilled their calling (or purpose).  It has been noted that "helping" a butterfly emerge from the cocoon actually cripples the butterfly because it's in the process of the struggle that the wings are strengthened and the body fully develops - elimination of the struggle by tearing open the cocoon will ultimately cause the butterfly's premature death, thus falling short of fulfilling its purpose...


Maybe you are beginning to see the correlation here.  We wrap ourselves in our own little cocoons called comfort zones.  Regardless of what that comfort zone is, God wants to take us higher with Him.  He wants to stretch us and grow us and strengthen us so that when we are no longer comfortable inside our little cocoon, we become restless.  We wiggle and squirm and whine and cry and our faith muscles hurt - our wings become sore.   We want more than anything to give up - but if we do our cocoons won't feed us and we'll die inside (at least a piece of us will).  


Now, you may be sitting there asking yourself how in the world does this relate to me?  You may be thinking, "it's not my fault I can't move forward...I don't have the money, I don't have the time, I don't have or I can't because..." or maybe you are blaming others or finding fault with those who love you and yet you can't seem to move forward or find rest in any place or any thing...


Dear friend - it may be that you have begun to outgrow your cocoon.  It may be time to take that first step of faith and believe God will show you the next one.  It may be time to let go of those old comfortable habits to let God teach you a new thing.  Maybe it's a dead end job that is never going to lead to anything.  Maybe it's a relationship with someone that isn't healthy or doesn't honor God that just needs to be let go or given new perspective.  Maybe it's applying to college or teaching a class for the first time or taking the risk to love again after being hurt deeply.


Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your ways unto the Lord and your plans will succeed."  Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, with ALL your mind.  In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and HE will direct your paths."  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not harm you."


One of the greatest challenges a Christian faces each day is to trust the Lord with total abandon.  It's not the routine of Bible study, prayer and the disciplines associated with it -- it's blind faith and trust in the One who is unseen...


When we feel restless, our hearts are the last thing we need to trust!  Hearts lie.  When we feel restless - we need to seek God with everything we have.  It's in our weakness, He is made strong.  When we begin to truly seek Him, He will open up our eyes to things we've never hoped for or imagined -- this is a promise dear friends.


Don't wait around on a money bag or lightning bolt to fall from the sky if God is calling you to a higher place.  Don't blame others for not being able to follow your calling or pursue your dreams.  We are promised that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory...if God calls - HE WILL PROVIDE AND ENABLE.  Plain and simple.


If we are in a place of waiting - we know our calling - we know our purpose - but for whatever reason, God has chosen not to move us forward - we don't need to become stagnant in our waiting.  How can we keep from growing stagnant during our wait time?  Keep studying, praying and seeking.  Keep asking questions of God and wise counsel...Keep exercising those wings because the stronger they become during the wait time, the more strength they will have on the other side of the struggle.


If someone asks, "How are you?" during this time and you know they are sincere - tell them what's going on and ask them to pray with you.  Prayer is the greatest faith building tool we have and the more we pray the more strength we will draw from the Holy Spirit.


Prepare - do the research - if it's college, grad school - read everything you can about it and search for resources for financial aid.  Apply for scholarships, work study, etc.  You'd be surprised how many openings college campuses have specifically for students.  


Be proactive - invite a friend to church, take a class, try something new.  It could be that the temporary discomfort is preparing you to be a leader and you need wisdom and strength to be effective in your leading.  Exercise - stretch those muscles - read more, change a bad habit - make a new friend...apply to that graduate school or college you've always dreamed of attending!


Just remember that all things from God have purpose and that there is nothing new under the sun (or His Son, for that matter).  We, who are called His children should never be satisfied with complacency which is much different than contentment.


Contentment is active while waiting, whereas complacency is stagnant and quite boring.


Stretch your faith muscles, trust God and spread your wings and when it's time - TAKE FLIGHT!!! 


Until next time, be blessed in the Name of the Lord...Amy

Murky Waters, Dark Places...things that bite

Have you ever noticed that most poisonous creatures and predators don't hang out in the light or wear camouflage if they do?  We have a whole host of television shows on now that show us about the swamps where alligators dwell and the snakes, insects and harmful creatures make their homes.  Snakes and spiders dwell in dark places and come out to feed.  Even yellow jackets burrow into the ground and sting when their dens are disrupted by a foot stepping across their openings...

God is so amazing to use Nature to teach us so much about life.  He teaches us about the seasons of our lives through the seasons of our climates - He shows us in the ebb and flow of the tide that we will have highs and lows in our lives.  He shows us the beauty of Himself through the beauty of His people, animals, plants and small creatures - the sunrises, sunsets, mountain splendor - snow, rain, storms, wind, sunshine, clouds, stars and the moon.  Through physics He teaches us about order and organization.  Through science He teaches us about miracles and wonders we can't full understand...

So what is it about these dark, murky places that God can teach us?  They aren't pretty - they tend to smell bad - they aren't clear and danger lurks there if we aren't careful and wise to watch where we are going....hmmm - maybe there IS a lesson there.  Could it be that murky waters represent confusion, deception and blurred images of the truth?  Could it be that the darkness hides danger shows us that darkness disguises sin that leads to destruction?

Predators hide and watch their prey and wait until they are vulnerable before making their move to kill.  Ferocious hunger for flesh is what drives their desire.  The sting of a bee isn't felt until its poison is injected into the wound.  Do you see where I'm headed with this?

God warns us about the murky waters of sin by showing us what dwells there.  If you've ever seen piranhas or alligators attack an animal or person, you know it's violent and comes by surprise but not before the animal or person has been there a while and can be sniffed out.  Predators like lions and panthers hide and watch and wait on an unsuspecting gazelle or zebra before attacking or there is some threat to the security of their pride...oh my!  Snakes, spiders and other poisonous creatures are able to disguise themselves with camouflage that keeps them hidden even in the light - this shows us that even something or someone can appear to be harmless and beautiful or even hidden from view but contact can be deadly.

Oh friends, my heart is so heavy for others to see how cunning the enemy, Satan, can be today.  He hides in the murky places of our minds and stirs up thoughts and confusion and blurs the truth when we need to see clearly.  He uses what seems to be an innocent relationship or thought to hide in places just waiting for an unsuspecting victim to be attacked, mauled and left for dead out of a thirst or hunger for significance, power, control or threat to the security of their personal pride - this happens in homes, marriages, friendships and churches so often!  And then there are the spirits of deception, division, gossip, fear, anger and unforgiveness that camouflage themselves so well or appear to be so perfect and beautiful and harmless - victims of this type of attack have no idea they've walked into the pit or web or that they have been deceived until the sting or bite from their venom paralyzes their witness or stings so deeply that it takes an eternity to heal.  I'm sure you can think of instances in your own lives when these very things have taken root and wounded deeply.

I believe there is a spirit of deception and division lurking in the bowels of many churches and people today.  I believe that it is subtle and is deafening the ears and blinding the eyes of God's people.  I believe it is camouflaged and out in the light and is making itself appear to be fresh, new and full of life when its hidden and waiting to attack out of nowhere and leave a path of destruction beyond belief.  Those who are most vulnerable are not just the ones who are weak in their faith but the leaders, the strong ones whose destruction would destroy others in the process.  It's motive - a thirst for power and recognition and a threat to the security of their pride.  Their greatest weapon is deception and their sharpest tools are the tongue and their charming ways.

Now before we get defensive and think that what I'm talking about has to do with a worship style or program back away from that and let your mind go into the spirit realm.  Our enemy isn't of flesh and blood but of spirit...it prowls around like a roaring lion to steal, kill and destroy...  Before we point fingers at the new or the old or the traditional or the contemporary - let's pull back and look at the heart.  For it's at the heart that the true man is known.

The only way to deal with a predator is to learn its ways.  The only way to avoid the dangers of murky waters is to stay out of them or wear protective clothing if you must go in.  Our eyes must be open to see the truth of deception and other camouflaged behaviors and we must be wise in our dealings with them.  We need to have keen vision, sharp hearing and be aware of our surroundings and what may lurk there.  If we go into the dark places we need to carry the Light of Christ with us - and His Sword of the Spirit to protect us - it's double edged so it fights with truth and love - thus defending with love and mercy.  We need to wear the Belt of Truth to protect our bodies and our instincts, the Breastplate of Righteousness to protect our hearts, the Helmet of Salvation to protect our thought and reasoning. We must protect our eyes, ears and senses with the Shield of Faith.  Our feet guide us so they need protection - the shoes of the Gospel may lead us into the dangerous places but they have purpose in keeping us on solid ground even in the presence of our enemies.  Christ died for them too...and the Gospel is about Him.   Our training manual is the Word of God.  It's the only standard that measures good from evil, truth from lies, humility from pride.

Please know that I'm not pointing a finger anywhere except to where it should be and that's in the face of the enemy, Satan.  His days are numbered and he's not fighting fair.  The stench of death is on his breath and the odor of destruction is the perfume of his clothing.  His mortal enemy is the Church and NO ONE is immune from his attacks - not even the most prayed up, praised up, and powerful Christian we know...in fact they are first on his list.  A church that is growing with a vision for reaching the lost is much more likely to be attacked than one that is stagnant or dying.  A church that is growing is much more likely to be attacked from within or from within its growth plate than from outside forces although a firestorm can come at any time.  Division can kill a healthy church and so can deception.

Friends, we need to be in CONSTANT prayer for our churches today.  We need to be in CONSTANT prayer to protect our brothers and sisters from the deceptive ways of our enemy.  We need to be willing to listen when God speaks to dedicated Christians who warn of character traits, behaviors, attitudes, actions that are being seen and not brush them off or sweep them under the rug or just pray they will go away.  We need to respect the giftings of God's people - and look further if someone with discernment senses that the motives of another aren't pure or if one with prophecy warns of division or that there is a spirit of disharmony within the fellowship of its people.  Wisdom is so valuable in our church body today - all the gifts have usefulness and should be respected and not discounted.  Our leadership in churches must be mindful that they are not immune from the attacks of the enemy (if anything they wear the bulls-eye) and they must align themselves with people who have their best interest at heart and not selfish motives disguised as a teachable spirit.  Those who are being led must protect their leaders with a hedge of prayer and protection and speak the truth in love even when those truths are painful.

Predators have a blood-thirst for power and recognition.  A wounded warrior or bleeding church draws their attention and draws others into the attack.  Consider what you have seen in the animal kingdom.  People are no different and spirits are worse.  We also have to realize that we can't "fix" people.  That's God's job.  All of us have broken places in our lives - we are sinners.  But we have to be wise in knowing that not everything that walks or dwells inside the doors of a church is from God.  An enemy within is more dangerous than an enemy without...so we must be wise in our dealings with all men (and women).

Friends - I love the church - I love the church where I attend - I love its people - I love God's people.  Because of this love - because of this burden I have to expose the lies of the enemy I write this blog today.  If you sense there is "something" going on in your own church or among your Christian friends and family but you just can't seem to put your finger on what it is, it could be that there are murky waters, dark places and enemies lurking just under the surface or around a corner.  If you stand in leadership in your church, I implore you to listen to those who love you - love them for speaking truth to you and seek God when they speak words to you that war with your spirit.  Believe with all your heart that they have your best interest at heart and seek not to harm but to protect you.  Most of all - my brothers and sisters - Put on the Armor of Christ as we are commanded to do - do it every day without fail.  Without it we are no better off than a lamb standing in the middle of a field being watched by a pack of wolves.

Be wise in your actions, loving in your ways, and faithful in your dealings...I love you all SO much, so much...

Until next time...Be blessed in the Name of Jesus - Amy

How ya Leaping??

Happy Leap Day!! 


I saw a post from a friend on Facebook today who shared that her baby girl decided not to be born today - that she likely was going to be some more drama queen!  Another friend shared that his father's "real" birthday was today and that he would celebrate 20 Leap birthdays!  I don't even know how to do the math on that but I'm guessing that he's 80 today -- is that right??  How are you celebrating Leap Day today?


God's Word tells us that when Elizabeth saw Mary coming doing the road to see her, the baby in her womb (John the Baptist) LEAPED inside her - he was so excited to know that Mary was the vessel who would bring Jesus the Messiah into the world. (Luke 1:41).


I wonder how often our hearts leap when we sense the Holy Spirit moving in our lives or in the lives of others.  I wonder how often we are so caught up in our day to day grind that we miss those moments of opportunity to leap for joy.  Are we leaping as lambs in the springtime knowing that Jesus died to set us free?  Are we growing by leaps and bounds as we discover new truths of God's Word and apply it to our lives?  


Are we believing God and taking leaps of faith or merely steps of faith?  Are we radical believers or just fans of God?  John 8:36 says “Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."  That is cause for celebration -- leaps of joy should flow from our lives.


I wonder what would happen if we truly allowed ourselves the freedom to dance as David danced in the streets with joy as proclaimed in 2 Samuel 6:14 "And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment."  Friends, because of Jesus' blood, we are now made priests and kings!! Our royal priestly garment is a garment of PRAISE!! 

There is a time and a season for grief and we will endure a season of testing (likely many) in order for God to refine us to be more like Him - but praise should always be on our lips and flow from our mouths because of the great things that Jesus has done for us.

So on this special and rare Leap Day -- let it be a day of joy - a day of asking ourselves and others..."How ya Leaping?"

I pray you'll experience great joy this day and always!! Until next time... Be blessed in the Name of the Lord!  Amy

How do we manage loneliness?

I meet with some precious ladies on Mondays to study God's Word.  This past Monday, there was a mention that more people (especially women) are lonely this day and age than ever before.  How can this be?  We are busy, we work, we worship, we gather together for Girls' Nights Out, we have social media, cell phones, computers, technology, exercise classes and I could go on and on...but you know, I found myself completely agreeing with this statement.

There are so many days that I am surrounded by people, interacting with people and busy and yet there is a sense of overwhelming loneliness that covers me to a point that I think I might weep.  It's not depression -- it's true loneliness.  It's as if I don't matter, fit in anywhere, belong to a group or connect regardless of who I'm with or where I am.  Do you ever feel this way?

Just this evening I was in a familiar place that I love and had returned to a group I've been a part of for over 20 years but because of the nature of what I do now, I'm not a regular attender to this group anymore.  I sat on the front row and when it came time to be dismissed there were several others who were welcomed and missed for being absent, but the person who welcomed them didn't seem to even notice that I was there.  I'm not a small person, but at that point I felt invisible and as if I didn't matter or that it didn't matter if I was there or not.

I'm not a high maintenance person and I won't dwell on what happened - and others acknowledged me later but for that moment, I felt out of place and very lonely.

I know that there are seasons in our lives where we will have to walk alone - whether it's in the loss of a spouse, the call to singleness, standing on a conviction when others don't, or just being tested in the wilderness as Jesus was.  The Holy Spirit is our constant companion and Comforter, but there are times when even God feels so distant.  Our prayers are heard but go unanswered - our friends and family don't understand or can't relate to what we're going through - it's just a void of relationships or closeness.

Why does this happen - I don't know.  Does this happen to everyone?  I honestly think it does at some point.    We have to be careful when this type of thing occurs, because the enemy loves to isolate us so he can mess with our minds.  He will use discouragement to bind us from moving forward and he can cause us to stumble if we allow the isolation to cause us to attempt to deaden our pain through unhealthy measures (i.e. drugs, alcohol, food, and worse)...

What can we do about it?  Well, the first thing would be to pray a lot.  Not those formal prayers - but the personal communication -- cry out to the Father.  Ask Him to comfort you during this time of loneliness and fill you as no one can.  The second thing would be to stay in His Word.  Read Psalms, Proverbs, Romans -- all such encouraging books.  Read Christian literature.  If the weather is pretty get outside and walk or spend time in a beautiful park -- if it's not pretty outside, rest.  It may be that your body just needs to rest and God has given you the opportunity to do so.  Another way to fight loneliness is to seek out ways to help others.  Look for places to volunteer, visit the elderly or children's homes - pour your life into others.

As soon as you are able, find a way to connect with other people - especially a body of believers who love you and care about you.  Don't allow yourself to be paralyzed by loneliness.  It may be appropriate for a season - but it's not God's design for His people.  We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves and where two or more are gathered in His Name there He will be also.  We are on a journey and we don't need to travel alone - it's not safe or necessary over the long haul.  We are reminded that a cord of three strands is not easily broken...(Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 18:20; Ecclesiastes 4:12)

I would say that if you have ever experienced loneliness, be mindful that there are others who live in that state more often than not.  Make a conscious effort to notice others and make them feel welcome.

Please understand, I'm not hurt that I wasn't recognized or noticed in this gathering this evening.  It was just a temporary situation that over the long haul won't matter all that much.  But it did serve as a reminder that I need to be more aware of others who may feel lonely too.

I've had one of those weeks that if I could, I'd like to make it or myself disappear.  But like all things - this, too, shall pass.

I pray you are all having a good week and that blessings abound.  Make someone's day by giving them a hug or word of encouragement - you might just be their cure for loneliness!  Until next time, be blessed in the Name of the Lord...

Loss of a Friend

This is a blog I wrote a couple of years ago.  We are living in a season of time where there are wars and massacres of innocent children and brutal martyring of Christians around the world that the news is reporting (and likely not reporting, too.)  We've lost entertainers and athletes tragically and loved ones to cancer and other diseases...and we have kids headed back to school and some off to college for the first time -- lots and lots of change!  So as I sat down to write, I was reminded of this blog and decided that I would re-post this one while I work on the other one - it just seems so relevant right now - maybe even more so than when I wrote it...I pray it will touch and encourage you.

Loss of a Friend:

Today as I awakened, I realized that I have been mourning the loss of a friend.  I've been so sad lately and had no idea why.  I've been so tired and couldn't understand other than having some trouble sleeping.  You may be wondering who this friend was ...my friend was Security.  I held on so tightly for so long to her that she became somewhat of a crutch.  But in this last few years, God has asked me to let her go.  He's asked me to surrender her for a more reliable friend - Trust.

It's always hard to get to know a new friend, especially when you weren't interested in having to give up an old friend in order to start this new relationship.  There's a phase when you feel alone, strange, different, cautious, reserved, and so many mixed emotions that go along with it.  The elation of finding that you have something in common with this new friend doesn't always come instantly.  At least that's been the case in making friends with Trust.

How did I lose Security as my friend?  Through a season of loss, a season of surrender and a season of sacrifice.  Having to realize that Security was a liar and couldn't be trusted came with a devastating job loss, draining financial reserves, loss of "fair weather" friends who just couldn't go to the hard places, distance from family, a season of ill health and near death, and fear of homelessness.  Security has to be tangible or she can't handle the pressure and she leaves when things get hard...

So what about this new friend, Trust.  Well, Trust doesn't make friends easily.  She requires complete abandonment of logic and self-sufficiency.  She is jealous and must have my full attention.  She meddles and probes into the deep crevices of my heart and requires that I surrender all things that are meaningful to me to her.

I must admit, I didn't like Trust very much the first time I met her.  But the more I get to know her, the more I realize that the depth of my friendship with her will be lifelong and permanent and will make me a better, deeper and richer friend to others if I will allow her to change me.  She has a very intimate friendship with the Lord and holds the keys to pleasing Him.  She has lots to teach me and is patient to wait until my grieving over Security is done.  She understands and forgives when it's hard for me to let go or when old wounds cause me to push her away.  Her greatest enemy is doubt.  She won't stay in the same room with doubt but she and Faith and Wisdom are best friends.  To have them as friends is like finding a priceless treasure.

So even though I know that losing this friend, Security, has been a painful separation, losing a friend is never an easy thing for anyone.  But if she's moved into your house and become your friend, just be careful.  She won't stay when the going gets tough.  She is never long term even though she may tell you she is.

If you are seeking to be friends with the things of this world or the people who seem to have it all together, they may be disguised as this friend called Security.  If you find yourself dismayed or pierced deeply when people lie, hurt or wound you or if a season of loss comes into your life - Security may have taken up residence in your household.  If there's a need have wealth, financial reserves, perfection in lifestyle, appearance or acquaintances, you may be nursing a friendship with Security.  She will tell you that you don't need others or that you need to listen to people who make you feel good and she will tell you that all you need is what she can offer which is a lie. She will tell you that you alone know what is best for you and she will most definitely tell you that you don't need the Lord - she is a liar.  Let her go - tell her goodbye and grieve her departure as long as is necessary...but change the locks and don't let her back in.

 If I may encourage you today after reading my weird little story, Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (security).  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

I lived with Security far too long and letting her go has been so difficult...am I sad? Yeah.  Am I grateful that Trust has taken her place? Oh absolutely!  She brought along her friends, Faith and Wisdom.  And though they aren't quite as fun-loving as Security was - I know that they won't leave me when things get tough.

Be blessed in the Name of the Lord...Amy

Whew! It's been a While and a Whirlwind!

Hi Everyone!! I just noticed that it's been 30 days since I wrote a blog posting!! December came and went and my head is still spinning!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and are anticipating God's plans for 2012.  This past month for me was spent singing and sharing my testimony and shopping, cooking and wrapping presents!

I find myself reflecting a little bit over the past month and year and find I'm a little blown away at God's goodness, grace and love.  God blessed me with the opportunity this year to see women of all ages come to know Jesus as their personal Savior, He allowed me to lead women in Bible studies and He gave me a renewed vision for His call on my life and vision for ministry and He allowed me the privilege of guiding and counseling women facing overwhelming circumstances to seek His wisdom and guidance in their decisions.  He blessed us with provision during James' job loss, He covered us with protection over our health, and surprised us with unexpected gifts from His children who just knew there was a need.  He showed me a glimpse of my future which gave me comfort that He has my "now."  He kept a roof over our heads and showed His love in ways that just don't speak adequately with words.  There is peace in the midst of storms, joy in the midst of heartache, patience in the midst of difficult relationships, forgiveness in the midst of hurtful words, grace in the midst of selfish desires, hope in the midst of broken dreams, mercy beyond being deserved and love beyond measure. 

We've seen friends step forward to offer help in raising money for this amazing Mission trip to Israel.  We've seen family and friends step forward to offer counsel when roadblocks seemed to shut doors.  We've been prayed for, prayed over, and prayed with so many people with regard to hard, hard things.

I think what I remember most about 2011 is that it's been a hard year for so many people that I love.  I've seen such loss, such heartache, such sickness, such hurt this year...these are people who love Jesus and are deeply committed to Him.  I believe that this may be God's boot camp for His army of believers.  If you talk with any soldier and ask them about boot camp, it's not an easy training at all.  There are long and hard workouts, there are obstacle courses, there is intense warfare training, there is intelligence training, there is desensitization, there is physical, mental and emotional strengthening to be able to defend against any type of enemy.   Stands to reason, then, that if God knows we need to be strengthened to be able to defend against our enemy, Satan, we might need to endure some hardship to strengthen our walk -- our spiritual legs, our mental strength and sharpness and our emotional stability -- after all -- the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy -- and lurks around like a prowling lion...or slithering snake.  He is smart, cunning, and evil and hates not only us as humans, but he hates the Spirit that dwells within us.

So, if you've endured a season of trials, pain, hardship that seems worse than ever - thank God for it.  Why? Because HE loves you enough to want to put you through His personalized Boot Camp in order to strengthen you and make you more like His Son, Jesus. 

I'd like to offer a challenge to you for 2012.  I'd like to encourage you to keep a prayer journal - when anyone asks you personally to pray for them, write down their name, request and the date requested and pray for them.  If possible, ask them to keep you posted with regard to their request and record how God answers - He always answers - it may not be yes, no or maybe - but He will answer - even if there is silence -- sometimes that just means to wait on Him.  Record your own requests too and date them.  As God answers your prayers, go back and record those answers.  At the end of 2012 on New Year's Eve,  go back and take a look over the journal and reflect on God's faithfulness and how He answered your fervent prayers of intercession and the prayers of your heart. 

I believe that if we'll do this and commit to it, we'll see some amazing things begin to happen and I KNOW we will see more of God and His Mighty Power.  Will you join me??

I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite blessings.  May 2012 be the year that takes your breath away as you see God's goodness, grace and mercy!! May laughter cover you and follow you each and every day...

"May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace."

Have a blessed New Year's Eve....Happy New Year!!!
.

Sowing in Tears and Reaping with Joy

Hello my dear friends!

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you ate enough Turkey and Dressing and fixin's to hold you over till Christmas!! Don't you just LOVE it!!! :)

I know it's been forever since I posted a recipe so I thought I'd put a quick one up for y'all before I write today's devotion.  It's so easy it's almost shameful....and it's so healthy and perfect for this time of year.

Quick & Easy Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

3 Small or 2 Medium boneless chicken breasts, cooked and diced (I used Tyson Grilled & Ready)
2 T. Butter (unsalted)
2 stalks celery, cut in large sections
1 medium onion halved
1 medium lemon, halved
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
1/2 bag frozen mixed veggies (I used corn, sweet peas, carrots)
1 1/2 quarts chicken stock (I make homemade but if you don't have it, use Organic or a Homestyle chicken stock) - you want it to be thick and hearty.
1 quart water
1 cup dry pasta (any type is fine -- macaroni, ziti, bowtie, something kind of large)
salt, pepper to taste
Greek seasoning to taste

Melt butter in Dutch oven and saute chicken breasts just to heated through.  Throw in celery, onion, lemon, garlic and stir well.  Saute until softened just a bit (you will remove the these things, except chicken when the soup is done so it's not necessary to chop them up.  In fact the soup won't be as good if you do, so plan to remove them before serving.)  Throw in frozen veggies and stir well.  Season with salt, pepper and Greek Seasoning to taste.  I used a couple of Tablespoons of Greek seasoning and about a teaspoon of salt and pepper....I'd rather need to add more than add too much.  Pour in stock and water and bring soup to a boil.  At this point if you want to make this a crock pot dish you'd want to transfer all this to a warmed crock pot.  Add noodles and cook on low until ready to serve (4 to 6 hours on low, 2 to 3 on high)-- your noodles will be more like dumplings, which is the plan - not a mistake.  If you want your soup ready sooner, leave it in the dutch oven and add the noodles about 20 minutes before you plan to serve the soup.  Soup is ready when noodles look like dumplings. 

To serve -- remove large veggie pieces of celery, onion, and lemon.  Garlic should melt into the soup but if it doesn't, remove it too.    Great with cornbread, toasted French bread or any type of wheat cracker.  Wonderful on a cold, rainy day.  YUM!! 


Now to our devotional....My Monday Bible study group is such an inspiration.  They are so patient to let my passion for teaching take over sometimes when they could all easily teach themselves but they are just the most lovely group of ladies with such diverse backgrounds but they leave me awe-stricken at time at their depth and passion for knowing God intimately.  I love them so much.  This week, we studied the last part of Psalm 126 and focused our attention to verses 5 and 6 --

5 Those who sow with tears
  will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
   carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
   carrying sheaves with them.

We spent a lot of time talking about what it means to sow in tears.  Or "sow with tears".  There was some commentary regarding how so many Christians "eat the seeds" rather than sow them.  What does this mean?  If you are a believer, you will experience hard times or hard things in your walk with Christ.  Jesus tells us we will and that suffering is part of sanctification in Him.  We are encouraged to "count it all joy when we encounter various trials so that the testing of our faith will make us stronger and more like Christ."  But how in the world can we be joyful, when we are sowing in tears.  How can the hard things in life bring a harvest of joy?  This just doesn't make sense.  Isn't it human nature to want to "draw in" or "hide away" or "keep to ourselves" when we are hurting?  Yes it is. 

But if we'll fight that urging and rather share our hurts with others, whether in asking them to pray for us or encouraging them in their own walk by telling our story and sharing how God brought  us through, we begin to sow our seeds of faith rather than eating the seeds and letting them go nowhere.

Satan loves to isolate God's people.  If he can use shame, fear, pride, secrets, false humility to cause us to hide in our pain, then we waste an opportunity to share in our sufferings with others.  We become prey to the enemy because it's there that he begins to paralyze us and cause us to think about our own problems and elevate them to a higher place in our thought processes than they really need to be.  We become more self-involved and wallow in self-pity, despair, depression, etc and can be held prisoner to our own thoughts and sense of hopelessness.  But if we will allow others to share in our hurts, embrace our tears, and be open and forthright in our failings, we then allow them to minister to our wounds, and in turn we share an opportunity to not only let others use their gifts to sow into our lives but we sow our tears into their lives  but when God moves, we also have a chance to share in the "joy that comes in the morning" and thus reap a harvest not alone - but along with others who have shared in our lives...and our sufferings.

There's another principle here too.  Think about the parable of the seed that Jesus told in Luke 8.  In this parable Jesus tells of seeds and how they fall in different types of ground -- dry, fallow ground, good ground that grows thorns or fertile ground that bears good fruit.   Sometimes in our own lives we hear God's Word and it falls away and we miss the message.  Other times we hear it, apply it for a while and then let it go when things get tough or life gets busy and hard.  And then we might hear that same word again and this time, our hearts are right and the Word gets in and grows and bears fruit - and thus a harvest of joy comes.  That's a personal application of sowing seed of God's Word into the life of a Christian.  

Think about those folks who come to church every Sunday.  They bring their Bibles, sing the hymns, listen to the sermons, maybe even take notes.  But when church is over, they leave, Bible closed, no more singing, forget the sermon and throw the notes away, never applying or using what they heard.  They are merely "pew sitters" who attend out of habit with no conviction...Pastors sow these seeds in tears...

Then there's the person who comes to church every Sunday.  They may even be involved in a ministry like the choir or Sunday School or other ministry.  They are faithful in attendance, appear to worship and gain a deeper understanding of God's Word in their attendance.  But during the week, there is no application or conviction of the teaching in their lives.  When the bad days come, they become angry, bitter and critical or maybe they change their church membership because someone hurt their feelings or they didn't like the preacher's sermon....they become like the seeds that grow in the thorns but the weeds and thorns of life end up choking out the good things they've learned and they never become healthy or fruitful...such a wasted life...again, pastors sow their seeds into these lives with tears...

But then -- someone comes along and they soak up the teaching of God's Word like a sponge.  They get involved and share their gifts and talents and resources generously.  They share their lives with others, they give of their time to further the Gospel and they passionately grow deeper and deeper and closer to the Lord and they are thriving and healthy Christians -- their lives aren't perfect, they may not have a big bank account, but they understand giving and sharing and loving...these are the harvest of joy ...these are the people whose lives bear fruit.  These people are just like the others, but what is the difference?  They not only swallowed the seeds that were sown into their lives but in swallowing the seeds, they also began to bloom, grow and sow seeds themselves.  The others simply swallowed, digested and discarded the seeds, never re-planting for a new harvest...and basically the seeds died on the vine.

Now let's get really practical with this.  I'm going to use the example of getting in shape but you can apply it to any area of your own life that might fit.  Let's say that I decided to get in shape by eating right and exercising.  I bought a whole bunch of books and magazines and read them from cover to cover.  I believed what they said.  But that's all I ever did.  I just read the books.  I never changed my eating habits or exercise habits but I gained a whole bunch of knowledge.  It's likely that I gained more than that but the outcome I wanted, getting in shape, didn't happen.  Why? That seed fell on dead, fallow ground and dried up as useless knowledge.  (Know anyone who has read every self-help book there is but they are still paralyzed with the same "issues"? -- same principle applies here too.)

Ok -- let's say I read the books and magazines, believed what they said and applied their suggestions to my life but when I got sore, or the weather got bad or someone invited me for a great lunch at my favorite restaurant and offered to buy dessert -- I didn't have the self-control to resist the temptation.  I quit exercising and found myself once again with tight jeans and low self-esteem because of my weight issues....Well, that seed started out growing well, but when things got tough or temptation crept in - or boredom -- what happened?  The old habits came back and the seed's growth was stunted.

BUT -- let's say, I read the books and magazines, believed what they said, applied their suggestions to my life and persevered -- believing the end result would be a harvest of joy -- through thick and thin -- sore body and blisters -- sooner or later, this lifestyle change would pay off and what would happen?? A more fit, healthier body would bring a big smile to my face and a smaller size to my jeans...thus a harvest of joy.

So if you'll allow me to challenge us all today, I'd say let's make a better effort at keeping the ground of our lives fertile.  Let's be sure that we have a teachable spirit, a heart to receive and give and minds that allow us to see the bigger picture.  To do this we must fight the instinct to be embarrassed about the hard things of our lives.  We must fight the urge to hide our insecurities or imperfections from others.  We must be willing to take a risk that someone else might benefit from our stories and struggles and might have a word of encouragement to give to us if we'll allow them in.  Let's also be willing to let other share their sufferings with us without passing a hammer of judgement on them.  

I'm very certain that in my own life there was a time when I was quick to judge and not so quick to forgive.  I'm also quite certain that my wounds made me defensive, scared and selfish too.  But maturity and deep struggle in my own life have brought me to a place where I now see that God's way is to sow and to share.  If I can sow my life into someone else's and share my story, I know now that there is someone else who might just need to know that their "troubles" are safe to share and carry to God as well.  Does this mean letting go of discretion?  NO.  Does it mean that we tell all the gory details or embarrass others and ourselves by telling everything we know?  NO -- but what it does mean is that we become transparent -- and leave behind that false image of trying to be what we're not and appear as if all is just fine when it's really not.  It also means shouting for JOY and telling others when God allows a harvest in our lives and in those we've shared with.

Be willing, able and ready, dear friend -- if you sow in tears now and your life is really hard -- hold fast to the promise that if you keep sowing, searching, learning, sharing and giving -- you WILL reap a harvest of joy in due time and you (and I) will have a much deeper understanding of God's goodness apart from the circumstances of our own lives -- and we'll give Him credit for the harvest when it comes in and live joyful, fruitful lives that glorify Him.

I pray you have a blessed week!!! Until next time, Amy