The Flow

Used with Permission by Michelle Gill

February 6, 2013
 

Lately I have been thinking about the flow of life.  Can you think of times that you pushed and strained to make things happen?  A relationship, a job, a house...  Then there are the times without any effort on your part, the ideas, His voice just flows.  You walk to the sound, the doors open and close, and you end up in the wide open place and you know in your deepest, this is where you are meant to be.

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."  What if we truly waited on His Spirit and committed to only walk in the flow of it?  I think it would make life a lot more simple, and there would be an ease to it, not easy but an ease.

When I was giving birth to my daughter, I pushed in the contractions.  I wanted her out already, so I pushed when there was no contraction.  The doctor stopped me and told me not to push except in the rhythm of contractions because I would end up injuring myself.  Isn't that the truth in life?  I am realizing now I have pushed most of my life in and out of contractions.  The results weren't always bad either but they trained me to not wait on God.  That life will happen regardless and sometimes something is better than nothing. What a lie and what a disadvantage to the Spirit adventure.

Yesterday in the sermon at church, Matt asked, "Do you have a backup plan for Jesus?"  Selah.  Pause and think about that one!  Why yes, I do, many.  That one question will not leave my head.  In my redesign I am learning to wait on His Spirit; but are you truly waiting if you have a backup plan?  If your faith has a backup plan, is it truly faith?

In the reconstruction of my life, I have been considering what direction to take my life. Maybe it is not about the "shoulds" and more about the "gentle blowing" (I Kings 19). Jesus said that even He does nothing on His own but as the Father instructs Him (Jn. 8:28). Wow, waiting, stepping in the Flow with no backup plan...  Most of the needs I have right now seem so important, so impossible, some even painful, and there is a fear in me that if I wait, He won't show up.  That is what I have to settle in my heart and my mind, He won't "show up" because He is already here.  He will never leave me or forsake me and if He is here, so is all His power and His person.  What more could I need?  So I listen to His gentle blowing, waiting, and waiting... and walking as It flows.

UPDATE:  May 16, 2016

At the time I wrote this, my husband had died two years prior and my daughter was six years old.  I was making decisions on where to live, what to do, money, a daddy for my daughter, a husband or not, so many decisions.  I had always made things happen but this time I actually did what I wrote above.  I waited and His Wind came to me and I walked in the Flow.  My Father did provide and I can state beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is faithful and He takes better care of my life than I ever could.

Can you feel it?  That's the Wind of His Spirit.  "You will hear a Voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'"  (Isa. 30:21).

Life's Puzzle

by Jalisa Wenger A little girl, just five years old, She called and Mama came To fit the pieces that she held Within her puzzle’s frame. But when her Mama tried to help And show her where they go, She fussed and tried to make them fit Her way–not Mama’s–no! "Oh, Mama, let’s do this one now," But Mama thought it best To lay that piece aside awhile; It did not fit the rest. But as they worked together on The puzzle—piece by piece— They found the one they’d laid aside Now fit with perfect ease! This little girl, she is my own. To me, she’s very dear. While watching her, I saw myself— Like looking in the mirror. "But Lord," I whined, "I do not want To put this piece that way. I’d like it better over here. Please tell me that I may!" Or "Father, let’s do this one now," But Father knows it’s best To lay that piece aside awhile Until we’ve pieced the rest. Then one by one, we fit them in According to His choice. I now can see why it was best To heed His gentle voice. He saw the picture of my life, But I saw just a part. He knew the choices that I craved Would draw me from His heart. In tender love He bid me lay The treasured piece aside, That I might learn to yield to Him And in His will abide. As we continue working on Life’s puzzle side by side, My heart is filled with gratitude To God, my faithful Guide! And when we stand on Heaven’s shore And view the scene—complete— With heartfelt praises on my lips, I’ll worship at His feet!

Recall the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Used with Permission by Michelle Gill
 

One day last week I was struggling with letting go of something I have been waiting for from God.  He had shown me and confirmed in many ways that I am to have more children.  I am forty-four years old and the world's ideas about age began to creep in and I am tired of waiting to be honest.  A common battle ensued of letting go and moving on versus believing, waiting, and battling through.

Then I heard this verse:  "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well."  I Tim. 1:18 NIV

Paul tells Timothy to recall to mind the prophetic words spoken regarding him.  This can mean a promise God has given you or an actual prophetic word spoken over you that He has confirmed in your spirit.  First, recall it.  Remind yourself of it.  Then use it by fighting the good fight with it.  Believe. Stand firm.  Speak it.  Pray it.  Battle.

The following verse says that many have shipwrecked their faith by not standing firm, stepping out of the battle.  Waiting is a battle.  Believing when we can't see it is a fight.  It would be much easier to let go.  He has spoken to me to believe Him for a larger family.  He told me to buy a painting of a little boy and girl playing by the sea when I first lost my husband.  To me it made no sense at all but I did it purely out of obedience.  It hangs in my bedroom still.  He has given me confirmations time and time again.  Yet I still wait and it is easy to get used to the life you live and lose the want altogether.

My desire a long, long time ago was that my life would show that He still answers prayer on a regular basis and works in mighty ways in our ordinary everyday life.  I first heard of George Mueller, who fed ten thousand orphans through prayer only in his lifetime, as a child.  His reason for opening the orphanage was not primarily to feed and shelter orphans but to show the church that God indeed answers prayer, provides, and is the only answer we need.  So he never asked for money or provided it himself.

God is faithful.  Faithful to the ordinary everyday person.  He is faithful in the smallest needs and the largest.  He has extraordinary plans for your ordinary life.  So instead of letting go of His word to me, I let go of my reasoning, my waning desires and passion, and I recall His words to my mind and fight the good fight of my ordinary day.

I will report His extraordinary fulfillment to you when it comes.  So be watching for Him and may my life be an encouragement to you to believe and trust Him for your ordinary life. 

Repurposed Jars of Clay

Used with Permission by April White
http://redchairmoments.com

"I have become like broken pottery." (Psalm 31:12, NIV)

Recently I spoke with friend and writer, Patty Luellen Nichols. Knowing I am in a broken season, she shared this idea with me. I love craft projects.  But even if you aren't a craft person, you'll find this project therapeutic especially the smashing part.

Here's what you will need:

1. Clay pot
2. Permanent marker
3. Super glue
4. Hammer
5. Cookie sheet
6. Small candle
7. Safety glasses

What to do:

1. Before you begin, put on your safety glasses.
2. Begin by placing the pot on the cookie sheet (to contain the mess).
3. Using the hammer break the pot into several pieces, leaving the bottom in tack (very therapeutic!)
4. On the inside of each broken pottery shard, write a word that represents a broken area of your life (be honest).
5. Superglue the broken pieces back together (Don't worry about cracks or missing pieces).
6. Allow to dry.
7. Insert a candle and let the light shine through the brokenness.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us "We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:8, NIV). This concept of being in the potter's hands is of great comfort to me during a period of chronic illness and suffering.

There is a glitch in my genetic code causing my muscles to short-circuit. I've often joked about needing a fuse replaced. The truth is I am a marred pot. The same God who knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139) has known about this quirk. Why is it showing up now? I do not know.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."(2 Corinthians 4:6, NIV)

God allows His light to shine through the broken areas of our life, displacing the darkness.

Paul's words possess rich implications for those in Christ. We are treasured jars of clay whose purpose is to display the light of Christ through our life. If our jars are perfectly intact a light placed inside the jar cannot be seen. If pretend our lives are perfect, no one can see God at work in us.

Ahh! But if our jars and our lives are marred, cracked, and broken, then the light of Christ can be on full display and shine though our brokenness for His glory!

The same hands that knit me together at conception are wrapped around me on the potter's wheel.

The potter is reshaping my heart and repurposing my life for His greater purpose.

Perhaps my glitch displayed at this time was His plan.

Even though I don't know how all this will turn out I am in the Potter's hands. Therefore, "It is well with my soul."

God's Leading in My Life

Used with Permission by Cathy Dudley
 

I'm a retired Physical Therapist ... and although I don't remember asking God what I should do, clearly He was directing me.  It turned out that my education and training had prepared me well to be a good candidate when our church needed a teacher to begin a Special Needs Sunday School class.  You see, class members had various physical and mental disabilities.  Yes, God had gotten me ready for this future opportunity.  And Wow - did I love it!  Working on their lessons often required simplifying the Gospel message so it was easier to understand.  I didn't realize it then, but some of these simple spiritual nuggets would pop up again.

Now I am a Grammy to 6 precious little ones!  With retirement, I have had more time for personal devotions and just sitting quietly with my Lord.  I bought a new Bible, called the Grandmother's Bible.  Sprinkled throughout the scriptures were printed little stories and prayers from over 100 well known Grandmas, all emphasizing the importance of sharing your faith with the next generation.  Well, before long, God had me excited about writing a book for my grandchildren.  It's entitled "TODDLER THEOLOGY Childlike Faith for Everyone." God totally gave me the format, written in first person, as well as the unique way of describing His gift of salvation.

As Mothers, there are so many things we want our children to "know." Topics range from correctly naming colors and counting to 100 ... to playing well with others and respecting adults.  We want them to be successful in school and in life, and they learn an incredible amount in their first few years.  But, when it comes to what matters most, I think you'll agree with me, let's introduce our children to the Savior of the world!  

The book, "Toddler Theology : Childlike Faith for Everyone" is available on line through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  It is also carried in a few local stores in the Roanoke, Virginia vicinity. Please visit me at www.facebook.com/toddlertheology, I'd really like to hear from you!
Thank you and BLESSINGS! 

The 10 Most Important Women of the Bible (and why they matter to you)

by Daniel Colston - Used by permission

This short list of the ten most important (and some of them, infamous) women of the Bible helps us grasp at some of the aspects of God’s plan for biblical womanhood. It’s exciting, scandalous, instructive, and real. I hope you enjoy reading these snapshot biographies of ten of the Bible’s most important women.

Eve kind of goes without saying. She’s the mother of all humanity (except Adam). She was the first woman to ever experience childbirth. She introduced the world to sin. She and Adam could literally say that they were “made for each other” (Genesis 1-3).

Sarah had Isaac when she was 90! She was the matriarch of Israel, God’s chosen people. She laughed at God’s promise at first (the name “Isaac” literally means laughter”), but then she stuck with Abraham through thick and thin. She was faithful to God (Genesis 21).

Rahab. No list is complete without a rags-to-riches story, or prostitute-to-promised land. Rahab was a ritual prostitute for the Canaanite gods in Jericho. When she discovered two Israelite spies she hid and protected them. So when Jericho came tumbling down God protected her and her family. She chose to believe in God and become an Israelite. She ended up being the grandmother of Kind David and is listed in Jesus’s genealogy in Matthew (Matthew 1:5)!

Deborah was a judge in Israel who had more courage than her captain, Barack. She feared the Lord and led her nation well, even defeating the army of Sisera (Judges 4).

Esther is known for her beauty, courage, and cunning. She risked her life in order to save her people from the hatred of Haman. Her success is celebrated every year during the Jewish feast of Purim (Esther).

Jezebel was both important and infamous. She is known in the Bible for her outspoken neglect of and rebellion against God. She was a Phoenician princess who married the spineless Israelite king Ahab. She usurped his power and promoted idol worship throughout the land, killing hundreds of God’s righteous prophets. Even Elijah was scared silly of her. The result of God’s curse was that she fell from a window and died, and dogs ate her flesh (sorry for the graphic nature—but I can’t exactly edit the Bible). Her name is used as a figure of speech to depict evil in the book of Revelation. And you’ve probably heard people use the colloquialism “that Jezebel” to describe someone they don’t like (I and II Kings).

Gomer. Isn’t that supposed to be a male name for that funny guy on the Andy Griffith show? Yes, but Gomer was also an infamous woman of the Old Testament. God commanded the prophet Hosea to marry a harlot named Gomer. Why? Well, that’s a good question for another blog post. Anyway, Hosea married her, had children with her, and was constantly emotionally torn because she cheated on him. This is a picture of God’s pursuit of us, who don’t deserve His love or blessings. We cheat on Him all the time by chasing lesser things (Hosea 1-4).

Mary, Mother of Jesus. She had such great faith at such a young age. Everyone’s heard of her. It’s hard to imagine how she could give birth to God, watch God grow, and then watch God, her Son, die, rise again, and ascend into Heaven. Her faith was so severely tested. She watched a thousand miracles before her eyes. What did she consider normal (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)?

Lydia was a God-fearing lady who lived in the city of Phillipi. She was a rich clothing designer who traveled and had a big house. She determined to host a Bible study down by the river one day when the Apostle Paul came by and converted the whole crowd. Then she invited everyone who needed to come stay at her house and she helped finance Paul’s missionary journeys and found the church at Philippi (Acts 16:14-16).

Mary, the sister of Martha, sat at the feet of Jesus and worshipped Him while her sister was too busy with the chores and hosting responsibilities. She teaches us that our time with Jesus is the most necessary aspect of our lives. Everything else will fall into place, just spend time with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42).

This list of the 10 most important women in the Bible instructs us about faith, destiny, and playing our part in writing the stories of our lives well. God has a plan for your life just like He had a plan for these women. Some of them followed well, others didn’t. What about you? Will you follow His plan for your life well?

 http://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Chasing-Dreams-Achieving-Finding-ebook/dp/B019UQRFIE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Daniel Colston is a youth pastor in Roanoke, VA. He recently wrote a book that tells you how to find and chase God’s will for your life. It’s called Unstoppable: 40 Keys for Chasing your Dreams, Achieving your Goals, and Finding God’s Best for your Life. He blogs at http://www.danielcolston.com/.

A Child's Sand Art -- A Lesson in God's Intricate Design

by Tiffany Bowles - Used with permission

My son, Sam, and his sand art!  He is just awesome!  I had no clue that as he was running around with this stick and his little brother, Dillon, was chasing him that it was turning into a picture.  I thought Sam was just running around making lines for Dillon to run on...but he had a plan and a design on his mind...and it was cool and fun.  

But to compare it to how God has a plan and a design, and to remember that we run circles and chase lines and we have smiles and falls and waves that wash away our lines...He still has a plan...a very big plan and a design that is much bigger and far-reaching and intricate than we can imagine.  He is the one who can take our lines and our washed-away efforts and dreams and our crumpled up selves and He makes us into something beautiful for His glory.  He is so good.

10 Life Changing Things Elisabeth Elliot Said

• 

by Erin Branham

June 15, 2015

http://www.951shinefm.com/shine-daily/10-life-changing-things-elisabeth-elliot-said
Radio Station: 95.1 SHINE-FM

Used by permission
 

Christianity Today called Elisabeth Elliot "one of the most influential Christian women of the 20th century," and I couldn't agree more. She was a woman who helped shape my teen years and is a woman I still look up to for inspiration and guidance through her many books. If this is the first time you're hearing about her, I suggest reading "Through the Gates of Splendor." It's the true story of how her husband and four other men were tragically killed on a missionary trip to Ecuador. It's through this loss that Elisabeth shares some of her deepest words on pain, suffering, and hope.

She died this morning (June 15, 2015), and I can only imagine the party happening in Heaven. Here are just a few quotes from this great woman. 

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”

“I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.”

“Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.”

“Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security.”

“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”

“Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.” 

“But the question to precede all others, which finally determines the course of our lives is, 'What do I really want?' Was it to love what God commands, in the words of the collect, and to desire what He promises? Did I want what I wanted, or did I want what He wanted, no matter what it might cost?” 

“God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.”

"Don't dig up in doubt what you have planted in faith."

"The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances."

“When ours are interrupted, his are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable).” 

BONUS: "Leave it all in the hands that were wounded for you."

Wait, Patiently Wait

Author unknown

Wait, patiently wait,
God is never late;
Thy budding plans are in thy Father's holding,
And only wait His grand, divine unfolding.
Then wait, wait,
Patiently wait.

Trust, hopefully trust,

That God will adjust
Thy tangled life; and from its dark concealings,
Will bring His will, in all it's bright revealings.
Then trust, trust,
Hopefully trust.

Rest, peacefully rest
On thy Savior's breast;
Breathe in His ear thy sacred high ambition,
And He will bring it forth in blest fruition.
Then rest, rest,
Peacefully rest!

He Leadeth Me

In pastures green?  Not always!  Sometimes He

Who knoweth best in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways where heavy shadows be.
Out of the sunshine warm and soft and bright--
Out of the sunshine into darkest night,

I oft would faint with sorrow and affright

Only for this--I know He holds my hand.
So whether in the green or desert land,

I trust, although I may not understand.
And by still waters?  No, not always so!
Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o'er my soul the waves and billows go;
But when the storms beat loudest and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by
And whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is I."
Above the tempest wild I hear His say,
"Beyond this darkness lies perfect day.
In every path of thine, I lead the way."
So whether on the hilltops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys where

The shadows lie, what matters?  He is there.
So where He leads me, I can safely go,
And in the blest hereafter, I shall know
Why in His wisdom He hath led me so.
                              --John F. Chaplain

The Weaver's Plan

Author unknown

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me;
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Of't times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the patterns He has planned.

As for God, His Way Is Perfect

Psalm 18:30

by Lois Walker (Breneman), © 1964

When trials come bounding on us,

And everything seems to go wrong;

When trouble's ahead and nothing seems just,

"His way is perfect."

When our plans may not go as we hope,

And even though life may be hard;

When it seems like we're right at the end of our rope,

We must remember - "His way is perfect."

He knows of our trial and test.

His heart of compassion is moved deeply for us;

So He gives us His hand and guides every step,

And shows us that "His way is perfect." 

Yes, He sees each trial and test,

And knows all our sorrow and pain.

He knows after rain, the sun shines the best.

Oh, teach us that "His way is perfect."

The blessings - abundant and full,

He gives us again and again.

He knows what we need to strengthen our soul.

Yes, we know that "His way is perfect!"