Recently Circle of Friends hosted a one day women's conference with our own Jocelyn Hamsher as the featured speaker on the topic 'A New Name - Finding Your True Identity in Christ'. She is an excellent Bible teacher and if you ever get a chance to hear her speak I highly encourage it!

It was a wonderful conference and it was an amazing opportunity for us to see God working in the lives of women. When we opened the altar for prayer and response, more than seventy women poured out their hearts before God. Truly an incredible sight, but even more impacting was reading through the anonymous cards and responses they placed there.

Jocelyn pointed out that many of us let others name us and define us rather than our Creator, the One who made us, loves us, and longs to have a deep relationship with us. She quoted Robert McGee from his book, The Search for Significance: "We will let man who is as darkened in his mind, perspective, opinion, and heart dictate who we are and how we feel."

We have called ourselves, or let others call us, by names like Shame, Abandonment, Fear, Rejection, and Failure. We have believed these names and found our identity in them when the truth is God calls us His Bride, His Beloved, His Delight!

In this day and age of identity-theft concerns I wonder how careful we are to guard our spiritual identity. We have an enemy who wants to steal that away from us and make us believe we are of no worth or value. We might even cling to our old names and not claim our new name in Christ because it's familiar and stepping out in faith can be frightening.

Isaiah 62:1-5

¹ For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.

² The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.

³ You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

⁴ No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah,
and your land Beulah;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.

⁵ As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.

Guard your spiritual identity with the truth of God's Word! Don't let Satan - or anyone else - steal it from you or try to give you a name or identity that isn't yours. Your true identity is in Christ. Walk forward with your new name and say with those of us who have fought this battle, "I will no longer believe the lies of the world or those around me! I will take the new name You have given me - I am your Beloved Daughter, Precious to You, Your Bride!"

All for Him,

Missy

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A few weeks ago Eric and I made a trip to a local apple orchard. We live only a few miles a way and had been talking about it the last couple years and decided it was finally time to go. So we got there, loaded up a wagon with baskets, and headed down the rows of trees.

It didn't take long for us to find just the right ones

And boy were they tasty!

I had kind of forgotten that apples grow on trees. I know, that sounds ridiculous. But when you go to the store and see them on a shelf it doesn't really matter where exactly they come from. So it was pretty amazing to look around and see dozens and dozens of trees with apples just growing on them! Fruit, ready to eat, waiting to be picked.

It made me think of how often Scripture compares our lives to trees and producing fruit. What immediately came to mind was Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." These are verses I remember being taught at a young age, but they're not really verses I pull out often enough to judge my life and look at what I'm producing.

So what am I "growing"? What's hanging off my branches for everyone else to see and take? Whatever it is will show what I'm rooted in. And those things - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - do not come from any part of me or of my own doing. They only come from living in the Spirit and letting Him develop those things within me. If I'm living out those things, it will point straight to God.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Emily

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Are you spiritually dry?

Parched and withered of spirit and mind?

Been there.

Those times in my life where I've felt empty of spiritual energy as well as physical or emotional fatigue I come back to what Jesus said in John 7:38, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

I am so thankful that God's words bring hope and healing. Words of promise that rain down rivers of mercy and grace - quenching my thirst and filling my soul as a flowing pump replenishes a dried-out sponge.

For a long time my prayer has been 'Change me, Lord! Make me more like Your Son.' I long to be His vessel, overflowing with His love and used to bring honor and glory to His name. The key is - I can't do it on my own! It is His Spirit within me that pours out love and mercy and grace, as well as strength and power. I must wait for Him to finish the work He started in me (Phil 1:6).

Is. 55:10-11 says, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

The journey at times has seemed to defeat me - but it never defeats Him! I am reminded of His presence and comforted with the assurance of His sovereignty. He knows the way that I take and my path is not hidden from Him - He not only knows my destination, but will help me get there!

All for Him,

Missy

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If you follow this blog you know that our oldest daughter has recently moved away to begin a teaching career. The move has gone well, she is adjusting to her new job, enjoying her new church, loving life in the city, and delighted to be a part of a small group of young women from her church.

Recently this group has decided that they need to do more than meet at a coffee shop and talk about life. They've decided they need to serve together, to read and study a book together, and to hold each other in accountability - together.

In case you're wondering, yes, I am smiling! I am all about "doing" life together, and yet I have found that "doing" can just become busy-ness. It's only when we are willing to give someone permission to ask questions of our life that we take the next step in our growing relationship with Christ. Accountability reminds us to "be still"; it encourages us to be who He created us to be, instead of just doing what the world is asking us to do. In my opinion, accountability is the key that unlocks the door to growth!

You can be in a small group and have a good time. You can give your time to a project and feel good about time well spent. You can study a book and learn something new. But accountability takes all of that and gives it new dimension. Accountability asks the question "Have you?" and the response we give takes us to the next step of growth called "Why?" Why do we do, or don't do, the things we know to be important?

Questions for accountability:

1. Have I been a verbal testimony to Christ? Have I been willing to say "I choose this because of my relationship with Christ"? (and if I haven't, why not?)

2. Have I spent adequate time in prayer and reading God's Word? (adequate: enough; sufficient; suitable - again if the answer is no, why not? Who or what am I allowing to take the place of my relationship with the One who loves me most?)

3. Have I seen or read any sexually explicit material that will damage my relationship with my husband/future husband and Christ? (Read "Every Woman's Battle", by Shannon Ethridge to understand the importance of guarding this area of your life)

4. Have I spent money recklessly? Have I demonstrated good stewardship?

5. Have I intentionally honored my family, those closest to me? Am I "other's-minded" or "self-minded"?

6. Have I damaged another with my words?

7. Have I given into an addiction in my life? (remember addictions come in many forms, drugs/alcohol, spending, relationships, the internet - in the old testament they didn't call them "addictions" they called them "idols", an idol is anything that takes the place of God in my life)

8. Have I remained angry towards another?

9. Have I wished misfortune or hardship on anyone?

10. Have I been totally honest today?

11. Have I allowed any person or circumstance to rob me of my joy?

Too often we live life following the traditions of someone else, whether it's our parents, our peer group, or someone or something else we have allowed to impact our daily decisions. Accountability has us look to our relationship with Christ to define how we live our life.

Accountability helps us to "be" who God intended us to be, instead of just "do" what seems right. After all, He created us as "human beings", not as "human doings"!

Until next time.
Beth

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Dear Solomon,

Acknowledge (know) the God of your father and serve Him with wholehearted devotion (a loyal heart) and a willing mind; for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive (all the intent) behind the thoughts.

If you seek Him He will be found by you.

Your father,

David

(1 Chron. 28:9)

A father's wisdom, passed on to his son. Solomon started out with good intentions - but lacked in follow-through, even though he was the wisest man in the world. Makes you wonder, doesn't it, what chance we have in acting wisely. Yet James tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom he should ask God for it and will receive it! Solomon lacked 'wholehearted' devotion (remember all those wives?) I wonder if his father David saw that lack in him somewhere along the way. We know David had his own issues (don't we all?) but I think where David's motives were pure, Solomon's motives (his intent) was suspect for the long haul.

I don't want to make the same mistakes my ancestors made and I certainly pray my children learn from the mistakes I've made.

Proverbs 4 puts it like this:

Wisdom is 'knowledge', the 'ability to discern', 'insight, good sense', and 'judgment'. Mmmh - I think wisdom comes from one's own experience or listening to those with experience. And listen to this...

Hold on to wisdom, and it will take care of you.
Love it, and it will keep you safe.
Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom.
If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
Treasure wisdom, and it will make you great;
hold on to it, and it will bring you honor.
It will be like flowers in your hair
and like a beautiful crown on your head.

Get wisdom and be beautiful!

All for Him,

Missy

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"Worship", according to Psalms 62 & 63 goes far beyond whether we should raise one hand or two or sing contemporary songs or stick to traditional hymns. That's all outward show, presentation, if you will, but all fluff, all vain, all empty unless true worship is taking place first.

True worship might not be what you expect. Look at how David worshiped God:

• By silently waiting. Wow. We could spend a little time on this one! Waiting implies trust - patience - faith. 'Silently' - the questions have ceased, we are at peace knowing God is in control.
• By not being 'greatly moved'. David wasn't shaken by the circumstances in his life, and he had plenty to be shaken over! On the run, his life threatened, betrayed by those closest to him - David was many things and certainly not perfect, but he knew God had a plan and purpose for him. He believed God would carry it out.
• By waiting for God alone. David wasn't relying on anyone else. His expectation - his hope - was in God, not other people, himself or material things or power. That's why he could wait silently - patient, enduring, believing - that's why he wasn't shaken by circumstances no matter how bad it got.
• By trusting God at all times. No matter what, David determined to look to God. He tells us to 'pour out your heart before Him'. Now that's trust.
• By listening to God. 'God has spoken once.' David knew who was in authority over him, no need to question or 'talk back'. God spoke. David listened.
• By trusting God's judgment. David knew God rendered 'to each one according to his work'. He had experienced God's mercy in his own life and he trusted God's judgment over his own.
• By seeking God early. It is so easy to look to ourselves or other people first, before we seek out God. David's words in Ps 63 declare his determination not to trust himself or others, 'O God, You are my God. Early will I seek You.'
• By thirsting for God. Jesus said that living water would flow out of the hearts of those who would believe in Him. David thirsted for what God had for him. God delights in pouring out Himself to us. That's worship.
• By longing for Him. David said nothing else would satisfy him except God, that he longed for Him as if in a dry and thirsty land with no water.
• By looking for God. David sought God out; he expected God to answer him and to show him His power and glory.
• By blessing the Lord. David praised God with his lips and harp with psalm and song and lifting his hands in praise .
• By being satisfied. David was content. His joy in the Lord was full and abundant. (Attitude is everything.)
• By meditating on His Word. For David, meditating was thinking on, studying, remembering all that God had done for him.
• By rejoicing in all God had done. David verbalized his joy. He testified about his great and wonderful God.
• By following God. Obedience brings blessing. 'Obedience is better than sacrifice'. Exercising and practicing our faith, living it out in our everyday lives, is worshipping God.

How are you worshipping God?

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

Okay, so, I just have to tell you this story.

Saturday afternoon we headed over to my in-laws to spend the rest of the day hanging out and watching college football (or at least, that was the plan for everyone else. My plan - a nice, loooooooooong nap with the sound of commentators lulling me to sleep!) On my way over I checked the messages on my phone and heard Kurt Wallace, a local radio personality from a new Christian station saying he had tickets to the Newsboys concert that night he could give me. I thought it was a little odd, but I had called in a month earlier and had won tickets to a different concert that we had just attended the week before, so I figured that they had my information on file and must have had a ton of extra tickets to give out. My husband really wanted to spend the day with his family, so I called my sister-in-law to see if she and my brother could use them, but they had other plans.

A couple hours later, my phone rings and I could see that it was the radio station again. I answered, wanting to at least let them know that they could give the tickets to someone else. It was once again Kurt Wallace, offering me the tickets. He was really trying to get me to take them, and I looked at Eric and could tell that he was still not interested. When I tried to decline, Kurt informed me that I really ought to take the tickets, go, and claim my prize of a $700 electric guitar autographed by the Newsboys. I had completely forgotten that while on their website looking up the information to the concert I had previously won tickets for, I had registered me and my husband for that guitar on a whim, with the thought, How cool would it be to give Eric a guitar??!!!

You have to understand, my husband plays and loves guitars. He gets some free guitar catalog in the mail and lusts over it every month. We often have to stop in when we pass Guitar Center so he can walk around, look at them, play them, smell them. He's been talking for at least a year now how much he'd like to get an electric guitar (he has an acoustic one), but with our situation it's just a dream that's added to everything else on that list of "Wouldn't it be nice someday if we could buy..." (which includes everything from curtains to "nice" razors that actually work to a video camera to steak for dinner). And now I have won him an electric Fender Strat.

Here it is!!!

Isn't she beautiful?

And how cute is my husband???

They look like they've always belonged together.

We got to go to a great concert, I got to go running down the aisle screaming and "Wooooo!!!!"-ing like they just told me to come on down on the Price is Right, and now I get to sit and listen to my husband tinkering on his new guitar.

Life is good.

I mean, it's been hard lately, and we've struggled a lot, but God is always full of surprises. I can't tell you about the theology of God's sovereignty and if He controlled the hand that drew my name, but I'll tell you one thing, He knew it was gonna be me and He definitely let it happen. Why? I don't know. I only know that God is good and He gives good things.

And now I'm beginning to think He's a lot more fun than I had ever thought Him to be.

Emily

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Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. Proverbs 21:9

If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. Proverbs 27:14

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Proverbs 11:22

All for Him,

Missy

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Humor me please, for the next thirty seconds close your eyes and envision your favorite place to be. A place you long to visit; a place of comfort, peace, refreshment, and rest. A place where you leave feeling strengthened and renewed.

When I close my eyes and envision that place the ocean comes to mind, it's my place to relax with no agenda to dictate my day. When I am there I am in the midst of those who love me, they are there to enjoy life with me, and will share every tool - or bottle of sunscreen - they possess in order to keep me safe, healthy, and relishing life.

It is a place I willingly choose to go to, trusting I will receive the rest, the enjoyment, and the peace that comes with being there. It's a place that takes a decision to travel the distance to get there, preparation to assure my being there, and a commitment to keeping the time available to stay there.

It is a place where I have time to be still, a place where I can pause to reflect. A place where, like the sting of sand and sun, I may feel the sting of truth - only this sting comes from spending time in the Son, a sting that stimulates growth!

We all need a place to rest and relax, to unwind before we are stretched to the breaking point, a place where we can be ourselves, instead of the person we are "expected" to be. Where is that place for you?

I'm not talking about a place where you are paid to be, that's work, and while I know that many love their jobs and the people they work with (I can relate to that!) we all need to have a place we can go and not "work", a place where, instead of being rewarded for what we DO, we are simply loved for who we are, and loved too much to allow us to do or be something we're not. We all need a place to sit down and rest!

For me a trip to the ocean is just not going to happen on a weekly basis. And yet I can have that "ocean" experience each and every day if I so choose! Comfort, peace and rest are exactly what Jesus offers to each one of us in a daily relationship with Him.

Living life in the midst of those who love you, who are there to enjoy life with you, and will share every tool - or bottle of sunscreen - they possess in order to keep you safe and healthy is what accountability is; a place to be real, a place to let go, a place to love and be loved, a place of rest, joy, encouragement, and the peace that comes with all of that!

I trust you have found that place in the arms of Christ thru the gift of salvation and the great privilege of prayer. I hope you have chosen to be in relationship with His people.

And if you have I suspect you are smiling right now, because you have truly found a favorite place to be; a place you are strengthened and renewed; a place to belong.

Until next time...
Beth

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I'm a huge fan of HGTV. I really enjoy watching 'House Hunters' and seeing the inside of different homes as people check them out. The format is that the buyers take their top three choices of homes and then decide which one they want to buy.

While I find these shows entertaining and even enjoy trying to guess which home they will choose, at times I'm surprised at the expectations of these home buyers. There are always pros and cons to each home, of course, and they have a 'wish list' of what they are looking for, but inevitably there are tons of things they want to change or 'upgrade'.

I shouldn't be surprised. I know I have responded the same way - wanting the best, wishing I had more, longing for things I don't have...

Paul tells us that contentment is a learned response (Phil. 4:11) despite our circumstances - whatever our circumstances (v.12).

To recognize God's goodness every moment of our lives with an 'attitude of gratitude' takes an act of our will.

Check out the Psalms - I did a simple study and circled all the 'I will' statements. It is amazing how many times the psalmists set their hearts and minds and will to praise, worship, sing, sacrifice and wait on the Lord.

I will remember the works of the LORD;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds. (Ps 77:11-12)

I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth (Ps 138:1-2)

I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word. (Ps. 119:15-16)

Make me content in You, Lord, and let all else fall away as insignificant. You are all I need - may You be all I want.

All for Him,

Missy

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A recent discussion I had centered on the topic of grace. We receive it in abundance from God - but sometimes what we give others is lacking. We limit His grace by being miserly in our love and care for others.

Case in point: I have a friend who has been a Christian for many years. Life has been difficult for her, and in physical, emotional, and even spiritual pain she left the path of righteousness. She has been broken, confessing her sin to God and those she has offended. She is trying to get her life back on track, to walk with God daily, to know His peace and joy in her life again.

But the problem is, many of her brothers and sisters in Christ condemn not only her actions, but even now shun her in repentance. By that I mean that she hasn't suffered enough for them. She hurt others, so now she must 'pay the cost' and her turn-around was too quick for them to be satisfied. Oh, they would never say that directly, but they are wary. Has she truly repented? "Be careful not to be presumptuous of God's grace," they tell her. She hasn't suffered the consequences they think she deserves.

My heart is crushed as I think on these responses to this precious woman. Mostly because I understand them - I've made my own judgment calls on my brothers and sisters in Christ. I've had my own anger and 'it's not fair' moments when I've seen saints sinning.

It is a constant battle to fight our flesh - our old way of thinking. I would never have admitted to wanting 'vengeance' (that belongs to God alone Rom. 12:19) but there have been times I wished people would 'get what's coming to them'. Ouch. Forgive me, Lord, for my arrogance and pride. If we all got what we deserved...

But that's God's abundant grace, isn't it? He gives us what we don't deserve (grace) and holds back from giving us what we do deserve (mercy). The sad thing for me is that sometimes it is so easy to be compassionate toward those outside the faith, while condemning my own brothers and sisters in Christ! Does God's grace only extend to sinners outside of the faith? News flash: we're all sinners saved by grace and we need it everyday.

Sin is sin. Are you lacking faith? That's sin (Heb. 11:6). Do you do things 'in the flesh' rather than rely on the Holy Spirit? You cannot please God (Rom. 8:8) And here's the real clincher that puts me on my face every time I am tempted to withhold grace for someone else:

Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family. (Prov.6:16-19 MSG)

The King James Version calls it 'sowing discord among brethren' - that's a worthless man, a man who devises evil. Oh, that we would be a family of God who embraces one another - speaking the truth in love, disciplining when necessary, and pouring out grace into one another's lives!

All for Him,

Missy

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Have you ever felt like this?

I have recently. I am tuckered out,

pooped,

exhausted,

worn out,

tired,

weary,

and run-down.

Spiritually, emotionally, physically.

I feel like I have nothing left. I just want to curl up and get some much needed rest from life.

It seems like most of the time when I'm asked how I am my response is "Tired." Everyone I know is burned out on something - life, work, running around with kids, responsibilities at church. We are just busy, exhausted people in desperate need of a break.

But isn't it amazing that our Heavenly Father knows we need rest? That He's not called us to run around 24/7 til we can no longer stand it? He created us, He knows us. He knows the limitations we have and doesn't demand that we exceed them. His Word offers some amazing promises to us when we feel like we've got nothing left to give. Isaiah 40:29 says, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Jeremiah 31:25, "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." And in Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

So if you're like me, and the circumstances and business of life have taken every bit of strength and energy from you, if your heart is heavy and burdened, and you can't find peace, come to the One who offers rest like no other.

Emily

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Ever consider what kind of footprints you're leaving behind?

The new 'green' commercials talk about leaving as small a footprint on planet earth that we can.

But environmental issues aside, I think the footprints we leave behind are important to the ones coming after us.

Where we walk, and how we walk

are crucial to our legacy for those around us as well as the next generation.

Someone is following our footprints

If our trail is unclear

Or our path is muddied and blurred how will they know where to follow?

Sometimes we think we know where we're going

But end up in over our head

What direction are you headed in? If you're going the wrong way..

turn around

and head towards home.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27)

"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Direct my steps by Your word,And let no iniquity have dominion over me. (Ps 119:133)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,And He delights in his way. (Ps 37:23)

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

Tell me something, why is it that kids LOVE the things that are just not good for them?

Why is it that I would never receive an argument from my kids if I told them to go drink a can of pop, eat a candy bar, or watch some television? Yet I can almost guarantee a look of "do I have to?" when I put vegetables in front of them, ask them if they have homework, or tell them to brush their teeth and get ready for bed.

Why is that?

Why is the stuff that is not beneficial to our body, mind, or soul so EASY to ingest, and the things that are so good for us harder to swallow, to find time for, and to enjoy? Why?

It's almost like there's an unseen battle taking place that is waging war on what's best for us. (Hmmm...where I have heard that before?)

Let's take a survey - if you are reading this you're on your computer just like I am. If we're honest with ourselves I think it will give us an indication of whether we battle the same issues many kids' battle and if so whether we are winning the battle or if the battle is defeating us.so ask yourself the following:

Before I logged onto the internet I:

1. Read my Bible
2. Grabbed a cup of coffee or some other type of semi-nutritious-but-very-tasty food
3. Exercised
4. Texted or talked to someone on the phone
5. Spent time in prayer
6. Watched TV

Did you like your answers? It may not seem like a big issue today, but the little choices - the little things we take in, or take on, the habits we have, the little snippets of time that are or are not well spent - really do matter tomorrow.

God knows it, that's why He's given us His word to encourage us, remind us, and show us how to choose well. That's why His word tells us that there IS an unseen battle going on, a battle for our minds, our bodies, our time, and ultimately our souls. That's why it is so important to spend time in His word and take advantage of the great privilege of prayer each and every day.

Choose well today my friend - tomorrow depends on it!

Until next time...
Beth

Labels: Beth

Do you ever wear a mask? Hide behind a certain role or position - a facade that keeps the world from knowing exactly what you're thinking?

I have a good friend that knows when I wear what she calls my 'pastor's wife mask'. It's a certain smile, a facial expression, a demeanor that tells her I'm faking it! I'm saying everything is wonderful - when inside I'm screaming with whatever emotion is going on in there, unwilling to let the world see it.

Now, sometimes, masks can prove valuable and efficient and maybe even necessary in certain situations. If I'm talking to a woman about the loss of her child, I'm not going to allow my emotional tantrums to spill over onto her. I want to focus on her needs. That's true in so many situations - your children's needs shouldn't be overshadowed by adult situations they can't understand, personal problems are best kept out of professional and office situations.the list goes on.

But sometimes we need to take our masks off and become real. Authentic. Show our vulnerability.

I remember when I first learned to wear my 'PW Mask' as my friend puts it. A dear lady came up to me after church and told me that my son - then three years old - had pushed her seven-year-old grandson down the steps at church. She really thought he needed to be taken home and spanked.

Oh.

On went my mask! I smiled perfectly, told her how sorry I was, asked if her grandson was okay and took hold of my sweet baby boy and went home. The 'mask' worked. The lady was satisfied, I avoided a conflict, and all was perfectly fine. Or was it?

I didn't spank him, but unfortunately, my anger at the situation translated 'Mommy's mad at me' to my son. I wish so much I had paused to explain things to him because it caused problems later on, but that's a whole 'nother story for another day!

My point is, I learned to handle all kinds of uncomfortable situations by wearing my 'mask'. While sometimes we need to be more concerned about others feelings and emotions, my friend pointed out to me that sometimes I wear that mask when it's not necessary!

Christians who have been at this faith-thing awhile know what we should think, what we should feel, even what we should say and sometimes that's exactly how we reply to others when asked. To which my friend would say, "That's the right answer, but is it the real answer?"

Proverbs 12:18-19 says, Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

When we aren't honest with ourselves and with God, we may end up not being honest with others about who we really are.

All for Him,

Missy

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Our Sunday School class is studying Max Lucado's Bible Study 'Come Thirsty' - a companion study to his book by the same name. I'm a big fan of Max Lucado and this study has not disappointed! Our discussion this week was on prayer, particularly how it is 'an attitude rather than an action'.

How do we follow Paul's admonishment in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to 'pray without ceasing'? Max Lucado says we must "Think of prayers as less an activity for God and more an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge His presence everywhere you go."

I like that. We tend to think of praying as doing when more often than not it's just being with God and letting our hearts flow out to Him.

Or as one lady put it, we need to 'practice His presence' in our lives. Practice implies discipline which brings to mind physical activity, but being in God's presence is more of a mental thing for me. God is everywhere all the time. It's the acknowledgement of that, as Max says, that we need to practice. Why is this so hard for me?

I keep an ongoing dialogue with God every day, but I sometimes find there are blocks of time where I shut Him out. This sounds so ludicrous doesn't it? 'Take a break, God, I can handle this.' But in essence, that's what I do when I forget to include Him in every moment of my life.

What about you? Are you 'practicing His Presence' in your life? It brings His peace, His power, His strength to every moment -

All for Him,

Missy

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Consider it pure joy, my brothers

Whenever you face trials of many kinds

Because you know

The testing of your faith

Develops perseverance

Perseverance must finish its work

So that you may be mature and complete

Not lacking anything.

(James 1:2)

Emily

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For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48

My friend and I were talking about responsibility the other day. Specifically, how great wealth carries great responsibility, and with that thought, no matter how much having a great deal of money may appeal to us, the fact that we don't may be God's way of protecting us from a difficult life. The Message puts it this way,

Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities! Luke 12:48

Sometimes we wish for things that we really wouldn't want, or know how to handle! We've all seen those woeful tales of lottery winners who end up being broke, disillusioned, or with some area of their life falling apart. It's not true of everyone, of course.

And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24

And we all think we would be the ones that would 'handle it differently' but the truth is that great wealth, like great power, comes with lures and temptations that tumble the strongest of hearts. Look at King Solomon, or his father David.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; Mt 6:19

If we aren't careful we will be like the rich man in Luke 12 who failed to learn the lesson of greed and life being more than our possessions. Remember him? He made bigger barns to store his wealth and wanted to 'eat, drink, and be merry'. Jesus called him a 'fool' because his concern was only for the riches he would gain here on earth. He died that night before he had a chance to enjoy all he had gathered for himself.

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Mt 6:20

Most of us do not consider ourselves 'rich' - but by the rest of the world's standards we have great material wealth, and those of us who know Christ are certainly abundantly wealthy in spiritual blessings! Whatever we have is the Lord's, not our own. What will we do with the blessings the Lord has given us?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Have you taken a heart-check lately? Where are your treasures stored?

All for Him,

Missy

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Tomorrow it will be eleven years that my dad took his last breath of earth-air and first breath of Heaven. It seems like a lot of my friends are going thru that process lately, the process of saying good-bye and knowing that it is best for the one they love, but knowing the ache of loss is so hard for those of us who are left breathing earth-air.

Today, in memory of my dad and in support of all who have walked or are walking this path, I give you the words to a song that has come to mean so much to me:

If You Could See Me Now

(Kim Noblitt)

               Our prayers have all been answered. I finally arrived.

The healing that had been delayed has now been realized.

No one's in a hurry. There's no schedule to keep.

We're all enjoying Jesus, just sitting at His feet.

 If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I'm standing strong and whole.

If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.

If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.

You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,

If you could only see me now.

My light and temporary trials have worked out for my good,

To know it brought Him glory when I misunderstood.

Though we've had our sorrows, they can never compare.

What Jesus has in store for us, no language can share. 

If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I'm standing strong and whole.

If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.

If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.

You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,

If you could only see me now.

                  You wouldn't want me to ever leave this perfect place

If you could only see me now.

Until next time.

Beth

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I'm a nail-biter.

I don't know when this terrible habit started, I just know I have battled it for years and as little sense as it makes, I am still tempted to tear off my nails with my teeth! It doesn't seem to matter that I know I will eventually chew them down to the quick and that even if they don't bleed they will certainly be painful for several days until they grow out again. Any hang-nail, rough edge or sharp corner is enough to lure me to pop it in my mouth to get rid of it. I know I can't smooth my nails this way. I know I need a nail file, not my teeth. Nevertheless, I find myself sticking my fingers in my mouth and worrying my nail until, sure enough, I bite it and rip it off.

Psychologists would have a field day with the whys and wherefores of such action (especially when I add the fact that I was originally a thumb-sucker and it lasted into my middle school years!) but frankly, I don't know why I keep wanting to bite my nails - I just do! A handy nail file is the only thing that saves my fingers from becoming bloody stumps. (That and the fact that my husband finds it a 'disgusting' habit!) Believe me, I'm much better now than what I was.

My mother had beautiful nails (which both of my sisters inherited by the way - how fair is that?). They were strong, perfectly shaped, and always polished. She wore a 'French manicure' - but not like what is popular today. I'm not sure if it was a 1940's fashion thing or something that was actually European - but she didn't paint the half-moons (the white area at the base of the nail) on her nails. I know it sounds strange. I haven't seen it on anyone else in my lifetime, but that's how her hands looked everyday. Once a week she gave herself a manicure using a particular Revlon red. Perfectly painted - very elegant, never chipped (2 coats of nail polish and one of a topcoat hardener to protect them). Me? I don't even have those half-moons. Oh, yeah, they're there - about a quarter of an inch under my skin. My mother always insisted I could make my nails longer by pushing my cuticles back, but somehow that never worked very well. So, just stubby, short, too-soft and crooked nails for me.

Even when I do manage to let them grow, they don't even grow out straight! So you'll understand why I 'bit the bullet' and went to have acrylic nails put on for my daughter's wedding. It was oh, so wonderful having elegant nails that didn't chip or tear. (I still put them in my mouth - fortunately they were too tough for me to bite!) The rough part came when I wanted to take them off. Ouch.

So what in the world do chewed up or fake fingernails have to do with my spiritual life? Nothing, really - but you know I'm going to make an application anyway! I'm thinking of Paul who said, "I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them. I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do. So if I do things I do not want to do, then I am not the one doing them. It is sin living in me that does those things." (Romans 7:19-20)

When we struggle to do the right thing we are fighting against our old nature. And without the power of Christ in our lives we are sure to lose the battle. Paul goes on to proclaim in verse 24: "What a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death? I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

There's hope for all of us! Even nail-biters.

All for Him,

Missy

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Just today I looked down at the bowl of ham potpie my husband cooked for me (which was delicious, by the way) and decided that he has influenced me more than I thought he could!

You have to understand - this man loves pepper. Seriously. He loves it so much that he's known to take the top off a pepper shaker at a restaurant and dump pepper on his food. And woe to the waitress who has a pepper mill and crushes it for his salad waiting for him to say, 'that's enough' - it never is! I've told him time and again that he has managed to burn all the taste buds off his tongue from eating so much black pepper.

Now, I've always used a little pepper, but nothing in comparison to him. Today, I looked down at my soup and realized I'd added enough to dot the whole surface of my soup! When did I convert? It certainly wasn't an overnight thing, although it sort of felt that way today.

Nope, I have been adding more and more pepper to my food as I have eaten more of his cooking and gotten used to the taste of pepper until now I'm actually adding it to my food!

We influence others in our life everyday. Through our speech, our actions, our attitudes. We're rubbing off on those around us! I hope that it is in a positive way - or at least like in the case of this black pepper - not a negative one.

Jesus is our Example, and Paul says, "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." (Phil 3:17), but I think influence is more subtle. Webster's calls it "the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways." It's "the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command."

Influence happens when we aren't aware of it!

It's in what we do, the vibes we give out, and the words that we say. We pick up on others' favorite words and patterns of speech, we repeat attitudes and even begin acting in the same manner - all without realizing we are doing it. And it has it's consequences - a ripple effect not just in our lives, but those we are influencing.

Jesus says we are be 'salt' to the world: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." (Mt 5:13)

Pepper and salt. How are you seasoning your life?

All for Him,

Missy

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It's officially fall! This is my favorite time of year. I love the weather, I love the leaves, I love everything about it. My husband and I have established more "traditions" during fall then during Christmas. We have frequent bonfires outside, eat lots of chili while watching Colts games (sorry Browns/Bengals fans! I'm an Indiana girl now!), dress up the dogs on October 31^st (Charlie is Batman and Lucy is a bumblebee) and hand out candy to the neighborhood kids while sitting on our decorated porch, complete with corn stalks, hay bales, and pumpkins. And the pumpkins we pick out at Piney Acres farm.

Piney Acres, a Christmas tree farm, offers a corn maze, hay rides, and a pumpkin patch this time of year which we now make a yearly visit to. Last year I was brave enough to try the corn maze "haunted." We had gone during the daylight before, and I thought it would be fun to try at night. Armed with flashlights, we set out for the maze on a Friday night. I was literally shaking as we walked toward the maze, not knowing what to expect, or what things would jump out at me as I wondered thru the narrow paths.

We entered the opening of the maze, a large group of teenagers in front of us. I was shining the flashlight all over the place, trying to figure out the first thing it was that would try to scare me. My flashlight caught a glimpse of a mummy hiding in the corn. "I see you! I see you! Don't come after me! Don't you move!" I yelled at the poor person in costume as Eric tried to calm me down and keep me moving. I turned, and in front of me was a hay bale with two beings on it. I froze. I knew one was a person and one was stuffed, but I couldn't figure out which one was which fast enough. Suddenly, one of them stood up and started walking towards me. I screamed uncontrollably and caught the attention of every one of the teens ahead of me, and every person behind me. This wasn't a simple startled yell, this was continuous screams of absolute terror. We were in there no more than five minutes, and the scene I had just made over a ten year old in a mask, whom I had clearly seen, was enough to let my husband know that an hour of this was more than I could physically handle.

He should have known better then to let me even try it. When we were dating, we went into the fun house on Navy Pier in Chicago, and I screamed more than the five-year-old girl ahead of us. Fun house, mind you, not haunted house.

Fear is no fun. Real fear is debilitating; it's consuming. But it doesn't come from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." It's that sound mind part that I seem to forget. Whenever I'm wrapped up in my fears, whether it be the creepy noises I hear when I'm at home by myself while Eric's working a night shift, or the worry about losing him and becoming a young widow, or the endless 'what ifs' I think might happen in our future, my sound mind is gone. It's long gone. And if I'm using that sound mind God has given me, and remembering His promises I know to be true, I realize that the fears I have are irrational, illogical, and a lack of faith on my part.

So while I'm still learning to use this sound mind, I think I'll avoid any and all things haunted.

Emily

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