Wordless Wednesday ~ A Solitary Place

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight,

He went out to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Mark 1:35

In the Midst of It...Praying Through the Wait

This morning, I struggle with the wait. I'm in the midst of it...the middle of not knowing. The anxiety of unanswered questions. The depression that follows the anxiety, pushing on the door of my heart, wanting to barge in and take control.

It's never easy - the not knowing. We all suffer from it at one time or another. For me, it's not knowing where or when we'll be moving on to the next project, yet knowing it's going to be sometime in the next month or two. And it will probably be a short notice. For some, it's not knowing where the money will come from before your electricity gets shut off or your house goes into foreclosure. For others, it's not knowing if the loved one will ever come out of the coma, be healed of the cancer, or overcome the addiction. For someone else, it's not knowing if the adoption will fall through or come through. At one point or another in our lives, we all face it.

But, how do we deal with not knowing? What do we do with this anxious knot in the pit of our stomach that threatens to push its way out through our eyeballs?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Be anxious for nothing. Easier said than done, for sure. Especially if you're an emotional woman. This morning, I am certainly anxious. I have to continue to remind my brain {and my heart} that God is in control. This is out of my control. God must be the only one who knows what's to come, because even the managerial staff can't tell my husband (and themselves) what's to come. So, why should I be anxious?

I give it back to God through my prayers and supplications. Today, they sound like this:

Lord, take this anxiety away from me. I do not want depression. I do not want an attack. I want peace, Lord. The peace You give. That peace that passes all of my understanding. The peace that says, "I have it all under control, child. Rest in Me today." Please give me that peace, Lord. I am thankful for my husband's job. In a day where there are so many unemployed, I am extremely grateful for Your abundant provision, Lord. You are marvelous in Your works. Thank You, Jehovah Jireh! Lord, could You please bring closure? Could you please bring a good word to the sick hearts of the men on this job, who are waiting to find out where they are going next and when? Could you please provide answers soon? We know Your timing is perfect; our hearts are waning, Lord. We seek closure. We seek the next move. We seek the next phase of work, Lord. These are our humble requests. And while we wait on Your perfect timing, please guard our hearts and minds. Help us to dwell on those things that are true and of good report. Help us to consider those things we praise You for today - like a job, a healthy family, a roof over our heads, and food on our tables. We honor You, Lord. Amen.

I wrangle my thoughts and bring them to Jesus. He is my Provider in my time of need. He is my Salvation from the thoughts that try to overtake me. He is my Rock on which I stand in the midst of the storms of life. I will choose to worship Him today, despite my circumstances or situation.

Consider your anxiety today. Be anxious for nothing. Give it back to God and let Him handle it. He's got it all under control, friend. Let Him know what you wish for Him to do and then let Him take care of you. Thank Him. And enjoy your day. Tomorrow has its own worries...

Cultivate Your Garden

I recently returned from a women's conference, where the theme was "Walking in the Garden in the Cool of the Day."

One thing I considered is what my garden looks like. I'd never thought of a garden as my place to get alone with God to pray. I'd always imagined going to a quiet place of solitude, like a closet (or a shower).

Another think I've been considering since returning is Isaiah 61:11. It jumped off the page when I read it the other night.

The garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth. When I am in my garden, praying, spending time with Jesus, I am sowing life with my prayers. I am rooting out all those pesky weeds of life and making room for new life to grow. I am planting those things I dream of, those things I know I'm called to do in life, those things I want to see in my husband's or my children's lives. God will cause His righteousness to spring forth in those things in the right season. And I will sing His praises to the nations.

What do you see in this verse? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments.

In Support of God, Christianity, Traditional Marriage, Chick-fil-A, & Dan Cathy

I wrote my regular blog post for today and titled it "Thoughtful Words - Generational Words." I scheduled it to post. Then I considered what is happening in our nation today. I thought about the moral decline and the hateful, intolerant words of people who want to accuse others of bigotry and intolerance. I thought about the disrespect for human life, the sanctity of the God-created covenant of marriage, and people who've walked away from the biblical foundations this United States (Are we so united anymore?) was founded on. And I just couldn't blog my regularly scheduled post this morning.

Todd Starnes of FOX News wrote an excellent article titled "It's About More Than Just a Chicken Sandwich". His words resonate with my spirit. They reflect the thoughts I've had over the past week as I've considered what exactly this outrage against Chick-fil-A & Dan Cathy really means. He's right. It's about far, far more than just a chicken sandwich. Please take the time to read this post by Todd Starnes of FOX News.

So because I'm a mom who loves her Lord, Jesus Christ, and who understands that these are just the beginning of the signs of the coming tribulation, I am going to take my kids to our local Chick-fil-A and buy them all a peach or chocolate or vanilla milkshake. 

All the way there, we're going to pray for our nation, for President Barack Obama and his family, for those who sling hateful words toward anyone who stands for God and His word, for those non-traditional families out there who've opted to worship man rather than the God who created them, and for us. That we would be able and willing to stand strong in our faith and for our faith when others would like to see us bow to their gods. That we would be able to seek God's face without fear in the midst of the lion's den. That we would cling to the prophecies and the words of our Savior as we await and watch for His coming again.

Once we've arrived, we are going to spend our hard-earned American dollars at a family-friendly business we love to support and thank them for giving jobs to Americans when jobs are scarce. We are going to thank them for standing with Dan Cathy and remaining in their positions when the company they work for is under attack. I may not know what each individual employee believes and supports, but I know their founding father loves Jesus. Just like the founding fathers of our great nation did.

Then I'm going to talk with my children about how to stand strong for the Lord when the world knocks down the door and wants to rip the rug of freedom from under their feet. I will teach my next generation about how to love their neighbor as they love themselves and how to speak kindly to someone, even when they disagree. I am going to teach them that it is vitally important they never place anyone or anything higher than God in their hearts and in their lives, because when they do they worship an idol and not the One who created them. I am going to share the truths of Scripture with my children.

Photo Courtesy of Debbie Burchard

And on the way back to our home, we are going to pray again. Because this Christian is wide awake and not ignorant of the seriousness of what is going on today. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. 

Thoughtful Words - Words of Unbelief

Sometimes things happen that we, as simple human beings, cannot fathom or understand. These are mysterious to most, understandable by few. Usually they're painful. Sometimes they're joyful. They happen to many or to few. They leave us speechless or ready to unleash our verbal fury for all to hear or read.

Such it is when someone walks into a movie theater or a school or any other place and opens fire with automatic weapons, shotguns, or pistols. Not knowing what to do with this evil, we seek someone to blame. Rather than place blame where it belongs, we blame God, the guns, the parents, the schools, and society in general. 

Taking it one step farther, when someone says something about how good God is, we then blame them, usually the victim of such a crime, for believing there's still an ounce of goodness in this evil world.

We speak our words of angst and feel better for having someone to take them out on. Rather than hold our tongues and let the matter settle out.

Several people, including myself, have been blessed and encouraged to read the thoughts of Marie, who took her daughters to see The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado. She threw herself over her younger daughter as James Holmes opened fire in the theater. Her faith in God and her courage to maintain her faith in the midst of crisis is incredible. Her faith has come under the fire of some "refuse-to-believers" who can't fathom a perfect God who allows such things to happen in life. Here's a brief example of these types of words:

I don’t like hearing people say that god has a plan for everyone... So god's plan for all those who died were to be killed in a shooting?

I’m sorry, but I’ve weathered enough adversity in my life to abandon the thought of God ever helping me out or offering me liberation.

My heart breaks for these people. Their words are filled with pain and disappointment. Hope lost. 

And they don't understand God. Maybe they wanted to once, but their posts say they've decided He can't be all that good to allow these things to happen in life.

Have you ever faced disappointment? Has your hope waned in the face of trials, tribulations and evil times? Have your words been words of unbelief?

Peter spoke words of unbelief. Three times he denied the Christ he'd followed for many years. Another man had a child who lived under the oppression of a mute spirit. He brought his child to Jesus, who challenged him. The man responded, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

I'd say it's natural to doubt our faith when it comes time to face the realities of the evil in our lives. But let us not waver in unbelief. Let us remember the God we serve, who is merciful, just, and loves us even in our sin.

Was it God's plan for the twelve to die at the hands of a gunman? No.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  - Jeremiah 29:11

So why does God allow these evil things to happen in life? Why does He allow people to die at the hands of others? Or to take their own lives? He doesn't.

Show me a place in the Bible where someone brought their sick child/relative/friend/self to Jesus and asked for healing and He turned them away. You can't, because He didn't. He came to preach the Gospel, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, give the blind sight, set at liberty those who are oppressed, and declare the year of the Lord. He came to give us life in abundance. Anyone who asks in faith receives this gift.

And those who died with a solid faith in Jesus Christ are not dead. They live in full abundance and perfection in heaven with their Savior. They have not died in vain. They've left behind a legacy of faith.

The problem is, many have chosen to deny that faith. They've chosen not to believe God is who He says He is. They've chosen death rather than life. They've chosen the evil things of this world over the goodness of God. They've selected to opt out.

God isn't a puppet master, pulling our strings. He gave us a will. He gave us the ability to make choices. And we do. Each one of us is in control of our lives. The question is, do we allow ourselves to choose evil or good? 

Many choose evil. That's why people walk into schools, movie theaters, post offices, churches, and people's homes and violate their right to an abundant life by opening fire with guns and bombs and more. This is not God's choice or His plan. This is a human's choice to take out their trauma on someone else. 

Personally, I feel that some people choose to doubt God's goodness, because if they recognized it, they'd have to face things in themselves and their own lives they'd rather avoid. Because it causes too much pain to do so. Because it would require a change. Because it's easier to ignore it. Because goodness frightens them. Because they've never known goodness before. Not in its True form.

Rather than blame God, the gun, the parents, or the victims of tragedy, think about the person who pulled the trigger or raped the child or simply fell short of the mark. Wonder why they did what they did. What heartache or tragedy touched their life to such a severe measure they'd take it out on the world? Say a prayer for them. Say a prayer for their family. Say a prayer for the victims. 

And acknowledge that God isn't the root of evil. Nor does He allow it. That's why Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Evil, the Israelites had to wander an extra 40 years in the desert, and Satan is doomed to Hell.

 

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. - James 5:16

Choose to bring light with your words in this dark time. 

Photos Courtesy of Roberto V. and Alexander Kalina 

Proverbs 28 - Detestable Prayers

"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination."

~ Proverbs 29:9

My children bring their requests before me every day. "Mom, can I?" "Mom, I want..." "Mom, will you...?" By the end of the day, I want to change my name. I want peace and quiet. I want to be left alone for a few moments of quiet solitude.

I long to fulfill the desires of my children. Whether they want to go to a friend's house, get the newest toy on the market, or take a walk in the park while holding my hand, this mother's heart wishes it could provide all things to my children. 

Alas, I cannot. Sometimes it's because they don't need what they're asking for, and I don't have the extra money in our checking account to provide it. Other times, it's because I know the result of granting their wish would put them in jeopardy. Whatever the reason, when I say no, I expect them to accept my answer. Without whining. Without complaint. Without debate.

Our Father in heaven is the same. Sometimes He answers our requests as soon as we ask Him. Other times, we are required to wait on His perfect timing. And still other times, He denies our request.

When we don't get what we want from God, we need to consider why He said no. Is it because what we asked for isn't in His will for our well-being? Is it because He knows we don't need it?

Or could it be because He refused to hear it?

There are times when my children have pushed and pushed for things after they've ignored my requests for them to clean their rooms or to stop hitting each other. Sometimes they've disrespected me, and I refuse to honor their requests in their refusal to honor mine.

God makes it very clear that when we refuse to follow His law, even our prayers become an abomination. The NIV Bible calls them "detestable." 

Just as I turn to my children and say, "Why should I answer your request when you refuse to do as I've asked you?" I can hear God say the same to human beings. Why would a righteous and just God answer the prayers of an unrighteous and unjust man? 

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” - John 14:21

Just as I feel loved by my children when they honor me and keep the rules of the house, God knows I love Him when I honor and keep His commands.

If I'm not receiving an answer to my prayers, I go before the Lord to make certain my heart is right with Him before asking again. Sometimes, He's simply asking me to wait. Occasionally, I need to repent of my disobedience to His law.

But I know that when my heart's right with Him, He hears my prayers.

Photo Courtesy of Jesper Noer