Fear is a Liar!

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13:
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

I stood on the platform wearing a harness attached to a long, heavy cord. All I had to do was step off, and fly through the air. Across the lake, my daughter, Hannah, and husband, Tim, waited for me to glide across the zip line and meet them on the other side. I'd cheered Tim on as he took the trip just moments before. But for some reason I couldn't take the leap. It wasn't like I'd never zipped. I'd taken this same line a year or so before. And I loved it. But this time, instead of embracing the excitement, fear gripped me. My anxiety peaked. I couldn't let go. Much to my disappointment, Hannah's friend and co-worker, Rachel, had to help me out of the harness. I climbed down the steps and trudged around the lake to meet my family.

I'd been defeated by fear, one of the most frustrating feelings in the world. Sad thing is, the fear wasn't real. I'd ridden the zip line before and had no problems at all. How many times do we create fear in our minds. When this happens the story gets bigger and bigger. Most of the time the very thing we fear is never realized. Have you heard the song Fear is a Liar? How the liar wants to stop us from moving forward. He wants us to doubt God. He wants us to be paralyzed in our tracks unable to follow God's lead. But guess what! God doesn't want to let that happen. If we turn our fears over to him through prayer, he will walk us through every single fear.

I flew to Hannah's last month and yes, I had some fear. Not so much of the flight itself, but more the whole layover, getting on a different plane idea. My fear came to fruition, I missed my flight from Philly to Greenville, through no fault of my own. I admit, I panicked, cried and wanted to crumple. But guess what. God had my hand. He led me to a lovely young lady who got me on another flight and even gave me a much needed hug.

God knew my fear and he lifted me up. Whatever you're afraid of, turn it over to God. He's just waiting for you to ask.

A Thankful Heart!

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

I have fond memories of my dad praying grace over our meals, when I was growing up.

Tim's prayers at our dinners bless my heart. My girls learned to pray their prayers at bedtime with honesty and sweetness. Oh, how I enjoy our grandkids' little voices speaking to their heavenly father. Over the years, I've been asked to pray out loud, and I'll be honest, I get nervous. I'm not comfortable leading others in prayer. As a matter of fact, I used to struggle with how I should communicate with the Lord, at all. But I've learned, I don't need to be nervous or shy about prayers. I simply need to go before God with whatever is on my mind. Sometimes I write my prayers in a notebook. Other times, I talk to him whenever a need comes to mind. The truth I know is—God wants to hear from me.

Paul tells the Colossian church to pray with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Even though my words may be simple, I don't want to be distracted when I call up words to Jesus. Instead, I need to be attentive. And I should always go before the Lord with thanksgiving. It's easy to think of what I'm thankful for, with Thanksgiving Day around the corner. But what about next week? Or during the hustle and bustle of Christmas, if I become irritated and tired. What about next year, after the new diet doesn't work out and the scales are stuck? Yep, even then I need to go before God with a thankful heart. What if all is well? Do I stop talking to God? No! I need to shout words of thanks and praise! I am grateful that God has set up a way for us to communicate. I love talking to him and listening for answers. This week as Thanksgiving approaches, give thanks to the Father who loves us and wants to hear from us!

Start the Conversation

Psalm 55:16-17
As for me, I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice.

As a new mom, I didn't get much sleep. My babies' cries stirred me out of bed, sometimes more than once a night. For the most part I'm a sound sleeper, but for those years when my little ones needed me I heard their call. As my children grew into teens and tweens, they'd come to me— sometimes excited about their day, sometimes in tears. When they went off to college, my phone would ring and their sweet voice would say, "Mom." Joy filled my heart. Even now, I react the same way. When my children and grandchildren call my name, it fills my heart to overflowing, even when the tears flow.

On my desk at work I keep a little knick-knack. From a clay base, two stars shoot up on each end. In the middle, the words "Pray Often" are carved. I love that reminder. I need that reminder. God loves to listen to his children. If I wake up in the middle of the night, God is there to listen. When I'm driving, working, playing, God is there to listen. So what keeps me from calling on him? Distraction, lack of faith, too busy, don't care? There's no excuse that should keep me from talking to my heavenly Father. He wants to hear from me. Whether I'm rejoicing or sobbing, God has my heart. He hears my cry. And he answers. Through the Bible, other people, circumstances—HE LISTENS and ANSWERS! Wow, that's good news.

Don't wait to pray when you're in a panic, start a conversation and just talk to him. He's available 24/7. He wants to hear from us. He loves us.

Three Choices

Ephesians 6:18-20
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

When someone I love is sick, when finances stress me out, when I've sinned, or when life just stinks— I have three choices.

1. Worry and fret. 2. Ignore the situation. 3. Pray.

Sad to say, I sometimes attack the problem using choices 1 and 2 before I get to number 3. I know better. But too often there is so much noise in the world, not necessarily verbal noise,  but so much going on that I push myself away from the one who can help. I don't stop to think about what I need or the person I should be praying for needs. Instead, I fall into the trap of doubt and fear.

Truth is, Jesus wants me to call on him instead of worry. He wants me to call on him instead of hiding. He wants me to call on him and trust him to answer.

This year I've made an effort, when someone requests prayer, to stop at that moment and send up thoughts to God. I've done better, but I still get distracted and forget. But that doesn't mean I'll stop trying. The apostle Paul asked the folks in the Ephesian church to pray for him. He needed their intercession. I want to throw out a challenge to anyone reading this. This week in everything you do, every person you hear of who needs prayer, every situation—pray first. I'll be doing it too. I believe prayer makes all the difference in our daily lives.

If you'd like me to pray for you. Please, let me know.

Family Holidays

Ephesians 3:14-17a
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…

The holidays…a time for family. Whether you spend time with your biological family, adopted family, framily (friend family), or church family, it can be a time of joy, laughter, craziness, sadness, or stress. My family keeps me grounded, reminds me where I came from and who I am. We are a mixed up bag of funny, goofy, smart, and spirited. Even when we agree to disagree, we love each other and step up to the plate when someone’s in need.

God intended for families to care for each other. To bring strength to the weak, love to the lonely, share tears in mourning and laughter in joy. Whoever I spend the holidays with, I want them to see Jesus. Being with people exhausts me. It’s that introvert thing, but after I’ve spent hours with the people I love, I am so blessed. I love my family, framily, and church family. It’s a joy to share this time of year with all the people I love. I pray for each person reading this as you head into the Christmas season, that this will be a time of love and joy.  

Exciting and Exhausting Summer

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Too much to do in a short amount of time, life changes I didn’t expect, and some I did made this an exciting and exhausting summer. In May, the college I work for initiated renovations on the library I work in. In June, our daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Meanwhile at the library, the staff and I withdrew books, moved DVDs which required a lot of computer work on my part, and updated the periodicals. These are all time consuming above my normal work load and continued through Aug. 22. In July, I spent a week with Sara, Eli and baby Ella Cate. My Jeep went in the shop three times. And Tim and I started the process of purchasing a new home. We closed August 21 and moved yesterday, August 23. With every spare moment we sorted, tossed, packed and donated as much stuff as time allowed. (My advice-purge on an ongoing basis) We still have work to do— most of it falls on Tim because I go in for total knee replacement surgery on Thursday, Aug. 28. And that’s just a quick overview.

Why am I sharing this? To give glory to God. With every step, we prayed. Many times when I felt stressed, I held our new grandbaby, and peace washed over me and sustained me. At work, God gave me wisdom to figure out some complicated processes and a great group of coworkers to share the burden. God led us to an amazing financial officer who helped us navigate the loan process. And he led us to a new home that is perfect for us. He provided an excellent group of family members to move us and several folks who helped us along the way. The weather on moving day was cooler than it was supposed to be, plus no rain. Best of all, we moved in before the surgery. Like David in the Psalm, I love the Lord. He heard our cries and he answered. I cannot praise God enough for his loving care.

I Know I'm an Introvert

Luke 22:39-44
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”  He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Woman Sitting Alone On A Bench by George Hodan

Recently, I’ve heard a lot of talk about what it means to be an introvert as opposed to an extrovert. I used to think one definition of an introvert was someone who was painfully shy. Studies show that’s not the case. An introvert may be as outgoing as an extrovert, but will tire of the interaction with other people sooner. In some of the articles I’ve read, authors define an introvert as someone who draws energy from alone time while an extrovert gathers energy from other people. I know I’m an introvert. I value my down time at home. It helps me regenerate and prepares me to face the day.

When I read about Jesus and how he stepped away from the disciples for a bit, I wonder if he might have had some introvert tendencies. If I’d hung around with the disciples, who continuously asked questions, I would’ve stepped away too. Whether or not Jesus was introvert or extrovert, he knew the best way to refuel. He spent his time praying. He went to the Mount of Olives, found a quiet nook and poured his heart out to God. Luke tells us an angel arrived to strengthen him. There’s no better way to find energy and strength than by seeking God through prayer. Whether an introvert or extrovert, we need time with the Lord. Praise God for his listening ear and loving heart.

Candy Crush

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Candy Crush is as addicting as dark chocolate. I usually avoid the latest electronic games because I don’t have time to play. Being a sucker (pun intended) for Candy Land and all things sweet, I thought I’d try Candy Crush. How bad could it be? Just line the pretty little sweets in a row, wipe out the line and move on. Right? Not exactly.

The player must make choices. That seems easy enough until the pieces the game wants you to choose begin blinking. Choices and distractions, just like life. As I live for Jesus, I strive to hear his voice. But sometimes Satan’s voice is so strong that I want to ignore what I know is true and right. How do I make a choice that’s honorable to God and moves his kingdom forward without falling for temptations? Pray. With every move in life, whatever I face, whatever decision I need to make, whatever direction I want to go, I need to pray.

When I fail a level, Candy Crush asks me if I want to try again. Sure, I’ll try one more time. But after several tries, I’m stuck on the same level. If I want, I can ask friends for help. But I’m stubborn, and I want to beat the game by myself. By the way, I never read the instructions to the game. That’s right—I thought I could go through the levels on my own wisdom. Just like life I’ve failed many times because I didn’t bother to read God’s word or reach out for help. The Bible has everything I need to know. And his people are there for me. I may or may not continue playing Candy Crush, but I know that I will continue living my life for Jesus, because I believe He is my Savior and that one day I will meet him in heaven.

Nehemiah and the King

Nehemiah 1:1b-5
I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Children love balloons. My grandson played with a red one in his living room. We batted back and forth as we tried to keep the plastic orb from hitting the ground. As we played our game, he repeated his mama’s warning that “balloons might burst, but it’s okay.” A few seconds later, sure enough, we heard a pop, then red bits scattered across the floor. Eli’s eyes rounded and his little mouth fell into a frown. He sat down and said, “I’m okay.” Then his lips quivered, but he didn’t cry. His heart was broken, but he remained brave.

Nehemiah’s eyes filled with sadness as he served King Artexerxes. Even though he walked through his routine assignment, his heart lay open with pain. His beloved city of Jerusalem fell, and he wanted return there to rebuild. But, he needed to know what God wanted him to do. So much in this world brings sadness to my heart and I want to sit down and cry and frankly, at times give up. But, even in the sadness, I know that I have God. Nehemiah knew this, too. When his heart hurt he didn’t run off, he prayed. He sought God’s guidance and he found peace through the promises of his Lord. Right now my heart breaks for a friend, but I know that many prayers have been sent up and that God’s in control. He will protect and comfort. Praise God for his constant care.