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Erecting Pillars

July 30, 2012 by thompsons5

It’s often said that we need to forget the past and move forward. In a sense I think that is right, but even God had the Israelites erect pillars.  When their children saw the pillar of rocks  the parents would be able to  give an account of what God had done for them. By telling the story, it would give hope and build their children’s faith for when the hard times came their trust would be in God. Joshua instructed the pillar to be a memorial for the Israelites (Joshua 4:1-7).

Allow me share one of mine.

A few days ago my mother brought over several of my report cards. Ugh! In elementary school they were curses. As I looked at them the tears welled up. D-, C-, D+ and a B here and there. In most cases they were earned, but in fourth grade they weren’t. Some should have been F’s, but I cheated, blatantly. I’m surprised no one tattled.

Granted it was wrong, but at that time it was survival. You see, I had a learning disability, a form of Dyslexia. In those days Dyslexia wasn’t a “real” issue. Others like me were labeled as rebellious, immature and having an attitude of not wanting to learn. I hated school so much I punched  myself in the stomach, so I wouldn’t have to lie about having tummy aches.

In fifth grade I changed schools and entered a program called the Discovery Center. My teacher, Ms. Lydia, met with me twice a week and helped re-train my brain so I could learn better.  She treated me with respect, love, and patience.  I ended up graduating high school fifteenth in my class, and with high honors.

For Christmas one year I made her a sampler of some of the exercises we use to do on the chalk board.

Cross stitch sampler

 A couple of years ago Lydia sent me the sampler. I framed it and put it on my desk as a pillar of remembrance.  When I sit at my desk I see the sampler it and I’m reminded of two things. First, if God could help me through a learning disability, He could help me through anything.

Secondly, it keeps me humble. There is no way I would be where I am today if God did not provide a teacher who understood what I needed and a program that would help me overcome the challenges I faced.  It would probably still be a great effort to read, or even memorize one verse never mind the whole book of James, which I am in the process of doing.

It doesn’t mean I dwell on the negative aspects of poor grades and special classes, but I can certainly praise Him for them. I have been able to share those times with my children to help them understand God does work in amazing ways.

Are there pillars in your life that once were a negative experience for you, but now can see where God worked in your life?   Thank God for them and share them when the opportunity presents itself. It may draw someone to seek God.

“…These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4: 7 (NIV 1984)

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Fear be Gone

July 19, 2012 by thompsons5

My stomach is turning like my dryer tumbles the clothes. “What if this publishing house accepts my manuscript? Then what? How am I going to do this? It means getting out of my comfort zone. It might mean Facebook which I’ve been fighting against or seeking well-known authors for endorsements, not to mention what affect this may have on my family.

My pastor has been teaching on Elijah’s life. This week’s sermon was about when he fled from Jezebel because she threatened his life. God had just given Elijah a victory at Mount Carmel over the prophets of Baal. He then killed all them. But when the queen threatened his life he fled in fear and fell into a depression. After finding a hiding place he told God he wanted to die.

The part that really struck me was what God said to Elijah. God asked, “What are you doing here?” My pastor pointed out “It’s like he had forgotten what had just occurred and all the other miracles God worked in and through him.”

I felt God was saying the same thing to me. “Christine what are you doing in this cave of “fear” and “what ifs”? Have you not seen what I just did, this past week?”

He is right of course. I went from sending a query letter to submitting a proposal. This could not have happened without God. So what makes me think He won’t help with all the other things if this manuscript is to be published?

The sad thing is that fear doesn’t occur in the area of writing. For me it comes when my husband doesn’t sleep solidly for weeks on end. It overwhelms me when I get the phone call “Your mole is abnormal” or when one of my daughters is not immediately visible when it is pick up time at the mall.

The what if game begins. Much like “The Hunger Game” story the arrows of “should haves”, the knives of “incompetence” and the spears of “I can’t do this” tear through my body and I am rendered useless. Then the Sponsor, my Heavenly Father says, “Christine what are you doing here? Of course you can’t do this; that’s what I’m here for.” So instead of sending me a ointment He comes and fights for me. He does the work.

My job is to turn my focus back to God, take my fears to Him, let go of them and leave them there by walking away from them. I know this is easier said then done. But that is trust, which allows Him to work. Then I can praise Him whatever the result and move forward.

What fears wreak havoc in your life? Have you been obedient to God and suddenly fear shows up and your doubting, frozen dead in your tracks?

Take it to God. Seek others out to pray with you and claim this promise with me:

“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.”   Isaiah 41:13

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When Praying, Be Yourself

July 9, 2012 by thompsons5

For me the hardest discipline in my spiritual walk is prayer. Sitting down to read His word is easy. Of course when God uses it like a 2×4 then it’s not that easy, but to see words on the page is like sitting and reading a book. Why is prayer so hard? I think for me it’s because God is not here in flesh and blood and the “prayer programs” become, after awhile, impersonal.

Let me take you on the journey of my prayer life. I have done the prayer programs such as ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) or the prayer journal with all the different sections. Then I would get side tracked easily due to a lack of focus so I started to write my prayers out in letter form. I even had my calendar organized on what to pray for each day.
Prayer soon became meaningless to a point there was no joy. Then I read Diane Moody’s Confessions of a Prayer Slacker. She likened her prayer time to that of visiting Jesus in a father’s office to talk to Him.

Friend, I tell you I felt freed. First because I had started a year prior to write a series of pieces called The Father’s Study. These are allegories of conversations between the Christian as a child talking with their Heavenly Father as if He were in flesh and blood. I doubted that these were even “theologically” correct. She confirmed that I was on the right path.

Secondly, I became aware that the Father wants a relationship with me His child, so why not talk to Him in that way? The most important thing He desires is for me to talk to Him and share my heart and be myself. I let the Spirit lead me in what to pray for.

I like praying out loud. When I was angry or upset I found myself pacing while I prayed. There were other times I would talk to a chair just to have a focus point so I wouldn’t get distracted.
Does that mean the other tools are wrong? Absolutely not. For some, that is they way they pray everyday. Tools–like the Lord’s Prayer — are guidelines for me. God bless them who use them all the time. Others like to pray with the old English ‘Thou”, “hast”. That is not me. I would rather say “Help me, please!” I do need to be careful that my prayers are not just asking the “Divine Genie” for things but thanking and praising Him too.

But does the order matter? I don’t think so. I do confess first, because I don’t want sin standing in the way of Him answering. However, I have found that sometimes half way through my prayer time He impresses on my heart a sin I need to confess or reminds me of a blessing to thank Him for.

Do I still struggle even now that I have found a way to pray that fits me? You bet. Prayer requires intentionally taking the time. He wants to hear from me.

Do you struggle with prayer time? Are you intimidated or not sure where to start?

Tell it to your Heavenly Father allow Him to guide the conversation. In fact, let Him teach you how He wants you pray.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV 1984)

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Set the Example

June 13, 2012 by thompsons5

Most mornings I am out in front of the elementary school my youngest daughter attends.  I have volunteered to stop parents from dropping their child off on the street because they don’t want to take time to go through the car line.  I do it because children’s safety is at stake.

There is a problem.  On mornings I can’t do it for one reason or another, I go through the car line. When I come out, there are parents dropping their children off where I usually stand.  When I’m there they don’t even try it.  It’s the same parents every time.

I think to myself, “It’s one thing to make a mistake but it’s quite another to be blatant about it.  And then the parents wonder why their child disobeys when they aren’t in the room.”

Walking into Bible Study one day a thought occurred to me.  Is that the way my Heavenly Father sees it when I deliberately disobey Him?  Times when He has told me not be angry, yet I blow my stack? Or He wants me to do something, yet I don’t do it?  Does he get angry or frustrated, like I do with these parents?

I’m sure He is disappointed. The thing of it is, He doesn’t let me stay in the disobedience.  He uses His Holy Spirit to convict  and pursue me until I confess and change direction. By the way, it’s always done with love, not condemnation.

The pursuit is evidence that I am His.  These parents may not be in a relationship with Him or have hardened their hearts to His discipline.

The parents are showing their children it’s ok to break the rules and do what you want if no one is there to stop to you.  Am I any better?

I have gone over the speed limit, with my daughters in the car, especially when we’re running late.  Then suddenly, I catch a glimpse of a patrol car sitting in a parking lot. I hit the breaks to slow down, hoping it was in time.

It’s the same way with spending time in God’s word and talking with Him.  If I’m not living out how He wants me to, laid out in scripture, it’s meaningless.  My daughters will see no difference and not bother.

James says, “In the same way faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action is dead.”  (James 2: 26) If we are not living out our faith, those around us will not see a difference and our example, especially to our children  is worthless at best and at its worst is damaging.  I need to be practicing my faith whether or not people see it.  Reality is there is someone watching twenty-four seven and that is our Heavenly Father.

Have you seen others who blatantly break the rules?  How does it make you feel?  Are there areas in your life that you are setting bad examples for your children, those at work, or even those in the neighborhood?

Ask God to change it, and then be patient as He changes you from the inside out.

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

Romans 14:13

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Discontented

May 29, 2012 by thompsons5

Lately, God has brought to mind areas where I find I’m really discontent; my appearance, organization, and especially in the areas of writing. I want to lose the weight, I want to write eight hours a day and publish more. I want my house to be neat twenty – four seven.

I looked up what discontentment is and Webster’s puts it this way: it is dissatisfaction with ones situation. Some of the synonyms gave me a better understanding: unease, restlessness, disgruntled and unhappy were the ones that stood out the most.

One afternoon a tragic accident happened in which one of my husband’s co-workers was killed on the job. I looked back on my wants and realized all the above are frivolous. In truth, many times the discontentment comes from comparing myself with others. But God says in His word:

“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

If my most important ministry, my family, is neglected then everything else is meaningless.  If I get all that I want and desire, yet miss making an impact for God in others lives or doing what He has planned for me, my focus is in the wrong place.

God impressed on my heart that those things I am discontent about, many times become all consuming, which then turn into idols. Does it mean those things aren’t good? Not at all. I need to lose the weight for health reasons. Writing is what God has called me to do but is it still a ministry or has it become more than that?   Have these desires become obsessions?

I need to be content in all circumstances. For discontentment reaps misery. Contentment reaps joy.

Are there areas in your life where you are discontent?

Take them to the Lord. Let Him replace the discontentment with His peace and contentment. For His word encourages us:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” I Timothy 6:6-8

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Living and Active

May 23, 2012 by thompsons5

I have heard many pastors say scripture is simple enough that a child could understand it but so complex that you can read it for a life time and never get everything out of it.

Hebrews 4:12 says that “The word of God is living and active…” For years I thought it just meant that it is relevant no matter the date on the calendar, which it is. However; recently God impressed on my heart a deeper understanding.   One verse can be applied to many different situations not just the one specifically mentioned.

For instance, take the verse in James that says “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”  The context is talking about our anger, and before we lose it we need to process what was said and not react.

My oldest daughter has been struggling with a relationship.  For months now I have been telling her to talk it over with her friend, to express what she is seeing and how she feels. She chose not to.  Now months later everything came to a head and she was forced to work through it.  On top of that, the situation affected another friend. I continued to remind her, what I had been saying for months, then walked out of her room.

When I expressed my frustration to my husband his response was, “She just wants you to listen.”

I’m a fixer; she wanted a listening ear. “Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak…”.  That includes a mother who wants to fix things. I went to apologize.

“Honey, you wanted me to only listen, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.”

She continued to look at the book she had been reading.

“I’m sorry.  I should have just listened.  I tell you what.  When you want to talk about something, tell me you just want me to listen.  I promise I won’t be angry.  Deal?”

“Sure,” she answered in typical teenager fashion.

The Bible is truly amazing.

Have you disregarded reading a passage of scripture because you have read it before?

I encourage you to go back and read it again, asking God to remind you of a principle you have forgotten or to show you a new way to apply it.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

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Lesson From Pain

May 13, 2012 by thompsons5

Recently, my fourteen year old daughter sliced her finger at church. The pain was not too bad but the next morning she shook in agony. We went to the walk- in clinic where she was told stitches were needed. I hated seeing her in so much anguish hurt me.

As we waited for her finger to numb, I squeezed the other hand and prayed with her.

“Father,” I said, “please give Laurel the ability to calm down. Wrap Your arms around her and allow her to feel Your presence. Show her that You see the pain and that it matters to You because you made her. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

A few hours later when I got home and alone, my emotions let loose. I cried and talked to the Lord. The vision of her lying there, shaking in pain overwhelmed me. I would have gladly taken her place.

Then God gently reminded me of His pain when His Son hung on the cross. The physical agony was intense no doubt, but what was worse was the separation between Father and Son. Where I could hold my daughter’s hand through it all, the Father turned His back because He could not look on the sin Christ bore for us. His Son felt the separation we would have felt, had He not died for our sins.

The pain of my daughter not only gave me the opportunity to tell her God sees and cares about her, but it reminded me that the greatest agony anyone can experience is total separation from the One who created us (Matthew 13:42). It was a wonderful lesson for me, impressing on me when God gives me the opportunity to share His love, I need to do it.

Are you in pain today?

Whether it is physical or emotional, know that He sees it and cares about it because you matter to Him. Go to Him. He will bear it with you.

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-5 (NIV 1984)

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Our Future Hope

May 2, 2012 by thompsons5

As a child, death was a scary thought.  As a teenager I told Jesus please don’t come back until I experience marriage and have children of my own.

Now?  I don’t know about you but for me, Christ could come back any time.  Sure I would like to see my grandchildren.   There are things I would like to do while I’m here on this earth.  However, as I see this world turning from God, struggle with my sin, see my children struggle in areas of their lives, I get tired of it.

My quiet time was in the book of Romans chapter eight verses 18-39 and what struck me was that in times of suffering, we need to focus on the hope that is to come.  The time we will be home with the Father.

Paul says in verse 18 that he even considered that sufferings weren’t even worthwhile to complain about when compared to what we would experience in Heaven.

Close your eyes for a few moments and try to picture what Heaven would be like.

For me I see lush emerald green grass, gardens of every type rose (my favorite) and flower.  There is light all the time (no need for sunscreen), huge forests. The lakes and rivers are so clear you can see the bottom, and to taste them would be like sweet honey.  Waterfalls are cascading into cool clear pools. Every one of the five senses would be experienced in the ultimate High Definition.

There is relief in knowing that I couldn’t make a wrong decision, or lose my temper.  But most  of all I imagine that I will walk with Jesus without shame for the wrong I had done. He tells me how much He loves me and gives me a big bear hug.

Oh, my friend, my description doesn’t even come close to reality, I’m sure, yet what comfort it brings.  To know that this life is not all there is, priceless. That is our hope.

Are you tired of the bad news on TV, your struggle with sin, your work situation or even the physical and emotional pain you may be experiencing?

Hear precious one, His promise to you,

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelations 21:3,4     (NIV1984)

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“Say Thank You”

April 24, 2012 by thompsons5

Two weeks ago our family  experienced two unexpected deaths.  The first was one of my husband’s co-workers who died in a freak accident while on the job.  The second was a dear friend of mine at church who died suddenly.  Both sent shockwaves through us.

While we sat listening to the remembrances being offered for the co-worker, I began thinking, did he know how these people felt about him?

At the reception I told my husband, “How sad it is if a person has made such an impact in our lives and we wait to express them at their funeral.  We should being thanking them before they die.”

My friend was a wonderful woman of God. How did she impact my life?  Marynona impacted my life by showing me what it means to be a godly Bible Study leader.  I wanted to be just like her. 

She was available to share struggles, celebrate victories, and answer questions. She also prayed for me and my family. 

I have no regrets. I did tell her what she meant to me.  I feel blessed that I was able to give her a hug and “I love You” three days before she went home to be with her Heavenly Father.

God has created us to reach out to others to share God’s love with them.  What could show thankfulness to God better than thanking those He has placed in our lives to grow us, love us, and be Christ to us. 

 Are there people who come to your mind that have impacted your life in big and small ways?  Have you thanked them?

 

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good

works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,

but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25  (ESV)

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Welcome

April 20, 2012 by thompsons5

Welcome to Encouragement for the Journey,

A friend of mine tells me often, “Life’s a journey. This or that situation — good or bad– is just another stop on that journey.”

A journey is what occurs on the way to the final destination, filled with twist and turns, and stops. Journeys bring opportunities to make memories, to learn new things, to relax, sometimes even to struggle, and of course journeys provide adventures (Some we feel we could do without).

Life is no exception. We continue on, striving to be just like Christ, until we reach our destination, our home, Heaven. It’s not easy at times. Forks in the road appear and we need to make decisions on which way we need to go. Dark roads of loneliness, fear, confusion seem to swallow us leaving us stranded. The mountains may bring challenges but when we reach the top the joy, exhilaration overrules any hardship that came our way. There are also times on the journey when we pull in for a rest stop, to take a break and meditate on the days events and celebrate the victories and joys God gave us.

God says in His word, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” I Peter 2:11,12

Encouragement for the Journey, is to bring a sense of God’s love, through experiences, and lessons I have learned on my personal journey. I hope the words and verses will bring hope and light on the dark roads, encouragement on bad days, growth and at times, laughter on days you may just need a rest.

Come along on the journey with me. I would love your company.

God Bless,
Christine

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