A Step of Faith

"If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
   he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
   for the LORD upholds him with his hand."

Psalm 37:23-24

"I guide you in the way of wisdom
   and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
   when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
   guard it well, for it is your life."

Proverbs 4:11-13

"In his heart a man plans his course,
   but the LORD determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

I can't help but think about the faith of various people throughout scripture. Abraham as he started on the trek to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac; Moses as he headed back to Egypt to lead the Israelites to the promised land; and the disciples as they chose to follow Christ's teachings despite persecution. Throughout the Bible there are continuous examples of men and women who lived out their faith and followed what God called them to do. So too, Christ calls us to step out in faith and trust Him.

Dictionary.com defines faith as 'confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof.' Faith requires trust even when we can't see or know what the result will be. The easy way would be to not progress forward, but this can lead to becoming stagnant.

I pray I will live my life like those who have gone before me - not afraid to step out in faith and follow God's calling, no matter how difficult it may seem. 

The Power of a Word of Encouragement

"A word aptly spoken
   is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

For months I've been crippled from moving forward - stagnant and unable to see past some criticism I received. Those words caused me to question a call I know God placed on my life. I didn't deny or reject God's calling, but was paralyzed to break free from the shroud of doubt and move forward. I knew I needed to get past the situation, but seemed immobilized. I had the image of drowning and reaching out for a hand to help pull me above the abyss, but finding none.

Words of affirmation and encouragement from my husband and friends didn't penetrate the fog I found myself in the middle of. I prayed and prayed, but still no direction or answers or leadings. I was at an impasse. Then yesterday I received words of affirmation from a colleague. They weren't much different from what I had been hearing from my support system, but for some reason it finally broke through and changed my outlook on the situation. Since then, creativity and ideas are flowing.

What a blessing to receive a word of encouragement when I needed it the most. My friend Sandra's words were aptly spoken, like apples of gold in settings of silver. May I look for those opportunities to speak words of encouragement in a dark situation to those I meet.

Thanks Sandra. This one's for you! :)

New Year Thoughts - Part Two

A fresh pallet, a blank page, an open calendar, with days stretched before us, awaiting God's touch in our lives. May 2012 be a year of new opportunities and horizons. A chance to stretch and grow in our faith. Another moment of choosing to rest in God's presence and to be the person He desires for us to be. May this be the year we draw in a deeper and closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. He's reaching out....will you answer His call?

End of Year Thoughts - Part One

The past week or so, my thoughts already have been ruminating over the past year and looking ahead to 2012. I've been praying in regards to the New Year and what and where my focus should be concentrated. It's hard to believe how quickly 2011 has gone by and soon will be coming to a close. I pray God uses me in a mighty way in the New Year. The next couple days will be spent in prayer and reflection as I continue to see His will for 2012. What ways do you hope God will use you?

The Great Squeeze - A Modern Day Parable

A parable of fruit bearing.

            Two men were eager to produce a batch of wine to send to the stores. The first wine maker bought the latest and greatest wine press. He chaffed, waiting for the grapes to ferment. Finally they were ready. He dumped all the grapes into the wine press, overlooking the stems and some spoiled fruit, figuring it wouldn’t make a difference in the taste. He cranked the press as hard as he could, to make sure not one drop of juice remained in the fruit. When the beverage was bottled, he took a glass and sipped on his accomplishment. The man grimaced, surprised at the bitter taste.

            The second man pulled out an old wine press that had been passed down through his family for generations. As the grapes fermented he picked through them with care, removing stems, dirt, and rotten fruit. Only the best remained. He poured the succulent berries into the basket press, and manually applied pressure to the fruit, being careful not to crush the seeds. Once the process was completed, he poured a glass of the wine and took a sip. He smiled at the delightful flavor.

"Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:44-45

What words and actions have been overflowing from your heart (and mouth), especially when you are stressed or under pressure?

For I Will Yet Praise Him!.....Food For Thought

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God. 

Psalm 43:5

This topic continues to be on my heart...praising God. It's easy to praise God when things are going the way we desire. But what about when we face those rough times - the death of a loved one, a child who chooses to go in ways opposite of our faith, an accident, health problems, etc. 

Over the weekend my husband and I were discussing this truth. So often we breathe a prayer of "Thank you Lord for a green traffic light, thank you for allowing me this promotion...." But sometimes I can't help but wonder if the things we count as the Lord working, is more so our own selfish thinking. What if we're praising God for a green light, when another Christian is coming from the opposite direction and they have the red light? Do they grumble and complain about having to stop, or do they too choose to thank the Lord.

Ephesians 5:20 instructs us, "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Today during our Sunday School class a couple received word that there house was on fire. They left in a hurry, and we all started praying. It turned out to be a false alarm, their chimney was pouring excessive smoke from their wood stove, but everything was all right. One our way home from church we stopped to check on them. We all commented about "Praise God it wasn't anything other than having to deal with a broken window from where the firemen had to break in to check on things." Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful they didn't have any issues. But it made me think. How often do we praise God in the good times, and forget to also praise Him in the bad times? It's often those struggles which draw us closer to God.

So, how are you doing on the journey of praising God in all circumstances?

Discerning God's Voice

I lead a ladies Bible study group and we are currently working our way through Lysa TerKeurst's What Happens When Women Say Yes to God book and DVD. Last night's session included Lysa's story of God prompting her to adopt two boys from Africa. One of the topics of discussion was, "How do you hear from God?" and "Does God speak like He did to Lysa or is that just for the real spiritual people?"

These questions got my thoughts percolating. As we are actively seeking God, He speaks to us in so many ways - while we are reading His Word, in prayer and meditation, that still small voice prompts us to drop a note to someone, to offer a smile, or word of encouragement... The list could go on and on. I think God is constantly speaking to us throughout our day, our problem could be whether or not we are taking the time to listen, or is His voice being drowned out by our 'to do' list, the TV, busyness, etc. The more we obey these inner promptings, the more likely we'll 'catch' it when God speaks into our lives about the bigger things we are facing.

It's kind of like a conversation I had with a church choir member on Sunday. She was asking how my eyes are doing since my laser procedures this summer, and whether or not the pressure has reduced. At this point I don't know the answer to those questions, and won't find out until late January. This woman shared the scripture, " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil 4:6) She mentioned how our lives should be an act of continual thankfulness. Not necessarily, "Thank God for this cancer, or thank God for these struggles, but more so living a life of thankfulness." I can't help but believe this plays a part in our hearing from God. The more we are noticing those blessings, and thanking Him, and turning our eyes and hearts toward Him, the more we'll hear His voice.

Snow and Paint

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

My friend and I spent the past week or so working on painting my oldest son's former bedroom. Before we started painting, the walls were filled with scuffs, blemishes and spackling patches. The walls were in pretty sad shape. But all it took was a coat of primer to cover all those blemishes and make the wall sparkling new again. As we painted that day, adding color to the walls after the primer dried, I was reminded again of how Christ washes our sins away when we give them to Him.

Then this past weekend when we had 10-12 inches of fresh snowfall, this image again came to mind. I'm so thankful for a God who forgives us, turning our sinful hearts into ones washed cleaned.

Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan

Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan is a delightful read about a mail order bride, Catharine Olsen, from Amsterdam, Holland. She arrives in Cheyenne, Wyoming to marry the man she's been exchanging letters with, Peter Andersen. Catharine hopes he won't mind she brought along her two younger sisters, her mother's Blue Willow tea set, and a past full of heartbreak.

Struggling whether or not to share her past, Catharine also must contend with Peter's mother who seems intent on sabotaging their marriage. She lives in fear that Peter or his mother will discover her secrets before she's ready to share them. Will Peter love her when he finds out the truth?

I enjoyed reading this book with a new twist on the mail order bride era of American history.

This book was provided free for review by Revell.

Christmas at Barncastle Inn

Christmas at Barncastle Inn is a collection of four stories that take place at a Victorian bed and breakfast set in Vermont. The first story, Love Comes to the Castle by Susan Page Davis follows Jayne Barncastle as she wavers on the decision to purchase the inn from her parents and provide specialized Christmas celebrations for families. The Dillards are her first opportunity to test whether or not her entrepreneurial idea will work.

Christmas Duets by Lynette Sowell tells the story of two sisters who are trying to recreate the World War II era with hopes of bringing their grandparents back together after an estrangement. Marcella Gordeau and Amity Carruthers decide to perform songs from White Christmas. What they didn't count on was their grandfather bringing along Sean McSweeney, the man they feel is partially responsible for their grandparents split-up.

Where Your Heart Is by Janelle Mowery weaves the tale of Stephanie Minter, nanny to the Tolliver siblings. She hopes to recreate a swashbuckling Christmas for the children. Stephanie wasn't anticipating Matthew Raynor to be part of the Barncastle Inn staff, the man she walked out on years ago.

First Christmas by Darlene Franklin follows unwed mother Waverly Coe, veterinary assistant to Alec Ross as they work together as animal specialists at Barncastle Inn for their production of the first Christmas. Waverly's long time crush on the veterinarian still burns, although she feel unworthy of love.

I found this collection of four different Christmas mini-novels a delightful read, and highly encourage others to pick up a copy. Snuggle up with this book as you prepare for the holidays. You won't be disappointed.

This book was provided free for review by Barbour Publishing, Inc.