I was asked by our daughter's college roommate to answer some questions she'd been given in class. After I got over the shock - and momentary depression - of being considered a candidate to answer questions on "Adult Development and Aging" (cough cough) I quickly began to formulate my response to each question in my mind. As I began to write things down I realized that not only was I helping Miss Laura out for a class but I was also in the midst of a blog-in-progress. I won't post all of my responses here, but the following was my answer to her question of "would you be able to pass along any wisdom to me or to people just starting a career or a family?" - with just a few additions for the sake of this blog.

Wisdom for your generation: relationships matter more than we realize. Make sure you take time to honor those relationships closest to you. Too often they are the ones that get neglected! When you are young you are so invested in your work, paying your college debt and/or mortgage that you don't fully realize how quickly time passes and all the "little moments" can't be regained. While work IS important, and God's word reminds us again and again just how important it is, we also need to take time to rest - we are created in His image and even He took time to rest!

I have been writing a weekly blog for the past year, it has helped me recognize what is good, strong, healthy growth in my life, and what is "fluff" and won't really matter in the long run; it has also made me realize the importance of journaling. God told the children of Israel repeatedly to "write this down" and "teach it to your children", He must have had a good reason why!

I wish that when I was your age I would have:

taken the time early on to learn what the Bible has to say about finances;

saved $100 each month for the first ten years;

realized how quickly my kids would grow;

realized that what is in my heart and mind is so much more important than the clothes I wear, the car I drive, the house I live in (and how it's decorated);

realized that kids grow too fast to waste money on clothes that will make them look fashionable but force me to continue to work when I would rather be at home with them;

learned to set better boundaries with my friends, to be honest even when it was hard, and to continue to love when the going got tough instead of distancing myself.

I wish I had committed to the discipline of spiritual AND physical exercise on a daily basis. Spiritual health, physical health and emotional health go hand in hand!

I have learned much in 27 years of marriage and 24 years of parenting. Many of those lessons were learned thru mistakes that I made. I regret the stupid mistakes that affected my kids, yet I trust that they also received some good stuff along the way! My biggest regret is not getting serious about my relationship with Christ until after I was married and had kids.

I have learned that I've learned MORE from the tough times, (perhaps even the "stupid mistake" times) than I ever thought possible. I've learned that it's ok to say, "I'm sorry", "I was wrong" and "I need help". I've learned that it's ok to ask for advice. I've learned that as much as you love your spouse on your wedding day there will be times that you have to remind yourself why you got married! (And I think he might have had to remind himself too!) And I've learned my husband cannot read my mind!

I've learned that marriage is so much better when you remember you're on the same team; marriage is so much better when you stop trying to change your spouse and begin praying "Lord, change me": marriage requires honest communication.

I've learned that having a couple of friends ask you some tough questions each week helps you live life with greater focus, and helps get you back on track when you've misplaced your compass! Accountability is vital to healthy growth - physically, emotionally, and spiritually! When you don't allow yourself to be accountable to someone it is easy to live as if you are accountable to no one.

I've learned that just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

I've learned that it is impossible to give your kids too much love - but you can give them too much stuff!

I've learned that, just like potty training and tying shoes, a good work ethic needs to be taught; rarely does it happen without guidance.

I've learned that in regards to bad habits, more is caught than taught (and if I see a bad habit in my child the first place I need to look is probably in the mirror). I've learned that good habits unfortunately don't take root as quickly as bad habits do!

I've learned that God's word changes me from the inside out, and I've learned that even if I don't completely understand it that is no excuse to not read it.I don't completely understand the law of physics but I still depend on it!

I've learned to examine my activities carefully and to make sure it is something I want to give my time to. I've learned that if it is not something I want to give my time to and God has still led me to it He has a plan and a purpose that I simply cannot see. It is often in those circumstances that I have learned to trust Him more.

I've learned that prayer changes things, but most of all, prayer changes me.

I've learned to look for "fruit" to see if things are growing in a healthy manner - in my life, in our home, in the work that I do, and the relationships I am in.

I've learned that there are new things to learn each and every day!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Some may call it "coincidence" I prefer to call it a "God moment".

Did you notice we had one just last week on our website?

If you clicked on the Circle of Friends website last Tuesday, April 13, you found my weekly blog, referencing Matthew 13 (the parable of the seed/soil) and Galatians 5 (the fruit of the Spirit). Then if you clicked on the Daily Devotional link you found my friend Janet's blog - referencing Matthew 13 and ending with a prayer praising God for the fruit He produces in our lives.

I love it when that happens!

I wonder if God chuckled as He watched both of us develop our weekly contributions.

The best part is that Janet usually posts on a Monday, but her computer was giving her fits - so her devotional posted Tuesday instead. TeeHee. I wonder if God ever says TeeHee - probably not. But since we are created in His image I know for sure that He has a sense of humor. And I really do believe He got a chuckle out of that one!

I've enjoyed other God moments.

One of my favorites happened as I was leaving a Monday morning prayer group. The group was small that day, just me and my friend Shelly. We prayed for the school kids as we do every Monday morning. As I drove away I had a vision of two little girls playing with a tricycle, one was probably two years old at the time, the other perhaps three, one was named Shelly Bea, the other Beth Ann, their parents were friends.

Do you suppose God smiled when He saw us playing with that tricycle way back in the early 1960's? Do you suppose He looked ahead to the school year of 2009-2010 and said "For I know the plans I have for those two". That thought doesn't make me chuckle, it makes me cry - tears of joy. Our parents didn't know that their friendship would transcend the decades. They had no idea that those two little girls of theirs, little girls that shared a tricycle and a love for singing, would someday share a passion for prayer. I even messaged Shelly that morning with those very words "do you think God looked at us as we played when we were little girls and said, "For I know the plans I have those two"?

And so I don't think it was a coincidence when, after I left the Circle of Friends website last Tuesday, I logged onto my facebook account, and right there on my home page was a post from my friend Shelly, "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 29:11). Oh how I love those God moments!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Recently I have had the opportunity to observe two young men who are going thru much the same situation. These young men have no contact with each other, while they may have met once upon a time they probably have no idea that they are presently experiencing similar life issues.

It has been so intriguing to me to watch the way each has handled their situation.

The first young man has chosen to seek wise counsel. He turned to those whose wisdom he respects and asked, "What would you advise me to do?" He has followed the advice that was given, recognizing that it may or may not resolve the situation that brought him to this place, but knowing that no matter what it will equip him to handle things better in the future.

The second young man's response has been a bit different, more of a "fix it or forget it" response.

Of course both situations remind me of the "manure moments" of life!

And whenever I see those "manure moments" I have to think about the potential for great fruit to be harvested - but only if we allow that stinky stuff to do what it can do!

If you're new to this blog you're probably wondering what a "manure moment" is.

They are those times in life when you feel like you've had a pile of "manure" (the Thesaurus says: dung, compost, muck, fertilizer, droppings - yup that pretty much sums it up!) dumped into your life, and it stinks! (see Confessions of A Peace Lover, April 7, 2009) Our natural instinct is to get away from it or get rid of it! But time and time again I have seen how God uses those moments of life that we wouldn't choose - the times that really stink - to grow us into the person that He desires us to be!

A year ago when I wrote on this subject I referenced Matthew 13, the Parable of the Seed (or of the soil, depending on how you look at it), it will be worth your while to take time to read thru that scripture again. Ask yourself "what is the condition of the soil of my soul?" And remember, it is important to be honest with yourself!

Today as I ponder "manure moments" I find myself looking at Galatians 5, we are shown in that passage what kind of fruit will be grown in our lives when we allow the power of the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and in the soil of our hearts. Soil that is well tended and fertilized has the potential for an amazing harvest!

But first the manure/fertilizer has to be worked into the soil. A farmer will tell you this is done either by rain softening the ground and making it able to receive it, or by a tool that is designed to break up the soil and make it ready to absorb the fertilizer - and even then the rain must come to complete the work.

Both require the manure to be present in order for the soil to benefit. If the farmer never moves the manure from the barnyard into the field the soil will not benefit and crop yield will be affected. On a smaller scale, if a gardener never fertilizes the soil in the garden the garden won't produce as well. And if the person who simply likes to grow some pretty flowers doesn't take care of the soil the flowers will never reach their potential for growth and beauty (yes, I am speaking from experience here!).

So could it be that "manure moments" are necessary in our lives to help us produce beautiful blossoms and strong, healthy, tasty, fruit? Could it be that our tears are the part of the process too? Are they the necessary "rain" that soaks our soil and allows the "fertilizer" to be absorbed into our soul? I'm thinkin' yes!

The next time you find yourself in that place where you're saying "this STINKS!!!" stop and ask God to help you remember that He is at work, even when we can't see beyond the pile that has been dumped on us; even when the smell is making our eyes tear up; even when we don't understand WHY it has happened. Ask Him to point you in the right direction, to seek the right tools. Ask Him to cultivate your heart to be able to receive and benefit from this stuff that stinks! The Holy Spirit at work in our lives has the potential to soften the soul of our hearts and make it ready and able to produce some amazing stuff!

Life happens, and it doesn't always happen in the manner or timing that we would choose. By turning to God in prayer, surrendering the situation that we wouldn't have chosen, allowing Him to work in all things - in every area - of our lives, and trusting Him for the outcome, the "manure moments" will be God directed to do the work that needs to be done in our lives in order to grow the fruit that He desires to see our lives produce!

Galatians 5:22-23 in the Message says it beautifully: "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; tasty fruit indeed!

Until next time.

Beth

PS - Happy Birthday to my big brother!

Labels: Beth

Happy Spring! Yes, I know I'm two weeks late on this proclamation but I'm just now catching up with all that has happened since spring began, so, once again, please allow me to say Happy Spring!

Since the first day of spring we have had much going on at our house! We've celebrated two birthdays, and one BIRTH day (I have another sweet little nephew!), watched five basketball games, colored five dozen Easter eggs, hosted two birthday parties - the family party with adults and kids invited was just a little quieter than the one with eight 12 year old girls in attendance! There have been four haircut appointments, two dentist appointments, two doctor appointments, a couple church activities and a sports banquet to attend. We've had all five of our kids home for a few days and celebrated Easter at church and with a family dinner. In my work as a bookkeeper the second quarter of 2010 has officially began, the kids are headed back to school after spring break, yes spring is officially here. And the joy of living life in the midst of a growing family is springing forth as well!

While the past two weeks have had some extra activities added to them I continued to have the privilege of praying with several groups of prayer warriors as I do each week. These are sweet times of intentional coming together to lift our praises and concerns to the One who is, was, and always will be!

Honestly, sometimes it would be quite easy to say "oh there are others who can pray" and free up a couple of hours in my week. And yet each time I come away from these groups with a sense of peace and purpose. Prayer, corporately and individually, will refocus our thoughts, give direction to our days, purpose to our lives and will calm our hearts just by coming into His presence. Intentional time spent with God is time well spent!

May I ask you something? Something rather personal? Something that you may think is really none of my business?

Do you take, are you taking, are you making, time for prayer? Are you setting aside time to talk to God? An intentional time in your day to stop and lift your praises and your concerns to the One who created you, knows the plans He has for you, and loves you so much He sent His son to die for you?

The evil one will do all that he can to keep you from prayer. He doesn't care if you talk ABOUT God, just as long as he can keep you too busy to talk TO God.

An quite frankly, if we are too busy to pray we are too busy indeed.

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Sometimes the lessons of life jump right out at you, other times you have to search a little deeper, pondering the happenings around you and intentionally looking for a take-away. Such has been the case in the past week.

Life lesson #1: Good things can come from circumstances we wouldn't choose

A mandatory absence from school due to the flu resulted in Clay being pleasantly surprised when something fun happened after the fever broke and he was feeling good enough to be up and around again. (Mama's note: This lesson meant even more to him because he had learned an earlier lesson: if you stay home when mom doesn't think you're really sick you will spend the entire day in bed, resting, not playing)

It is so hard to be in the midst of pain, in the middle of a mess we didn't choose, but if we simply get thru whatever is on our plate, whatever has been thrown into our lap, whatever is in our day that we haven't planned on, there is often a blessing that comes at the end of the journey.

Sometimes that blessing is simply rest at the end of a long day. Sometimes it's an added pleasure, a game played with Mom, a kind word from a friend, or a sense of satisfaction that wasn't there before. Sometimes it's the feeling of "I am so glad that is finished!" or even "I'm so glad the pain is gone" after the three day headache has finally disappeared.

Yes, sometimes you have to look pretty hard to find the blessing, but it's worth the time spent in reflection to see it!

Life lesson #2: Don't wait until it's too late to tell someone how you feel

I was reminded again of this important lesson recently during the days my sister-in-law lay in the hospital hanging by a thread between life and death. I talked to my brother a lot that week. One of the things I felt compelled to say to him, as I listened to the exhaustion in his voice, was how blessed I was to be able to witness how sweetly he was honoring and loving his wife of almost forty years.

I also thanked him for being such a good cheerleader in my, and my children's, life. While I had told my oldest daughter that I wanted her to be for her siblings what my oldest brother has been for me I had never told him how much his support and words of encouragement have meant to me thru the years.

While I am not glad my sister-in-law was so terribly sick I am thankful that it opened the door for me to pass along my appreciation - or perhaps that door was open all along and I was too distracted to notice it. Hmmmm - might be yet another life lesson in that one!

Life lesson #3: miracles still happen

My sister-in-law is a living-breathing miracle. One of the nine doctors' that attended to her during her hospital stay said it's the third miracle he's been privileged to see in his lifetime. I like to think I see miracles everyday (How's does the solar system stay put? We each have a unique fingerprint.how can that be? How can a human cell hold so much information in it? It's all a miracle to me!) but without a doubt, the fact that sis-in-law is still alive gives testimony to the fact that miracles still happen!

Life lesson #4: Sometimes you work hard, sacrifice much, and still lose the game, yet the lessons learned from hard work and sacrifice will benefit you long after the game is over

As evidenced in previous blogs we are basketball fans. The end of the season has been a hard one for several of our favorite teams and players. But ultimately, after the tears have dried, the lessons learned on the court are life lessons that will lead to success in areas far beyond the world of basketball.

Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it will all of your heart".

To me that says we honor God not by our wins or losses, but by our willingness to do the work, with a right attitude.

Those are my take-aways from the past few weeks. It would be easy to breeze thru life so quickly that taking time to reflect on lessons learned would never happen. I am thankful for this blog as it makes me look at life thru a new, reflective, lens. That lens is reflecting where God is at work in my life and in the lives of those I love!

Which leads me to life lesson #5: Take time to sit and ponder, you just might be surprised at the places you see God at work!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Spring fever has hit our house! Our youngest has succumbed to the flu bug that seems to be making its way thru the school and community. I've been opening windows and washing door handles in an attempt to keep those germs away from the rest of the family. Everybody has been instructed to pump up on Vitamin C, wash their hands, and stay away from whatever it is that Clay is touching. Sharing is a great thing until it comes to germs!

And so it has come to pass that Clay had to miss his first day of school this year. He had been working on perfect attendance and was very disappointed that this bug was going to ruin his record. This was the first year that attendance became a big deal to him. In his first two years of school he would, and could, find most any excuse to stay home. This staying home was new to me as our daughters have all liked school and staying home with a "tummy ache" was something they never really tried to do.

Not Clay. His tummy, his head, or (my personal favorite) his eyes would often be in so much pain that he was sure school couldn't and shouldn't be a part of his day. The funny thing was about an hour after his sisters would leave he would almost always start feeling better. So we had to put a new rule into affect at our house: If you are too sick to go to school you need to spend the day in bed, resting. No television, movies, DS, computer, or other video type systems. Books are allowed (books are so nice and quiet) but if you're too sick to go to school then quiet rest is the order of the day.

Now don't get me wrong, if kids are obviously ill - fever, repeated visits to the bathroom, or recovering from surgery or another visible "you can't go to school" malady - I am all about keeping them comfortable and even entertained while they rest quietly on the couch. It's just when their "sickness" is a little harder to pinpoint that I have found the healing power of a boring day in bed to be quite miraculous!

At least it has worked at our house!

And so it was at the end of the day, a day that the reading on the thermometer made Clay stay home, that I had to laugh. His fever broke in the afternoon. He was definitely feeling better. And he was so surprised when I asked him if he wanted to play a game. He didn't realize he was allowed to have fun when he was home sick.

I think there's a life lesson in there somewhere and I promise you I'm going to be thinking on it over the next few days!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Last week we talked about what keeps us from being healthy; about the fruit that we should be seeing manifested in our lives as we live and grow in Christ. I listed the fruit, as well as the character traits that grow due to the lack of fruit in our lives.

This week I've done a little self-check; I examined my life for fruit.

Have you done that lately? Have you asked yourself if you are living a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Are you exercising your "faith muscle" and allowing the Holy Spirit to grow you into the child of God He desires you to be?

As I looked at my life, especially my life as I've walked thru some hard times, (times that required exercising that "faith muscle" until it hurt!) I recognized areas that I have definitely grown - YEA GOD! In terms of relationships, there is evidence of fruit, healthy fruit! A decade ago my answer may have been a little different, but the "stuff" of life has drawn me to the word of God, and the word of God has without doubt been at work in my heart, in my life, and in my home! Praise God!

And yet I found that in terms of the "stuff" of life, I am still a work in process. "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" is MUCH easier for me to exhibit when it comes to dealing with people than when it comes to dealing with some of the daily details of life.

My stumbling blocks seem to be patience, faithfulness and self-control as they relate to the daily stuff that finds its way to my kitchen counter, e-mail box, purse, closets, and drawers!

And as we saw last week, the lack of those fruits growing healthily in my life causes me to remain unhealthy in a couple of areas - those are the very areas that Jesus asks of me "Do you want to be well?"

My answer? Well of course I do - I just don't have time to take care of that particular issue that is keeping me stuck on my mat!

My lack of patience says, "It's an overwhelming task that I can't accomplish quickly so why bother!"

My lack of faithfulness keeps me from being a good steward of the stuff that God has allowed in my life - oh dear, could it be I've gotten lazy in taking care of what needs to be taken care?

My lack of self-control keeps me over-extended in regards to my time, it keeps me "on the mat" (or in my car seat?) instead of walking! (yes, literally! This mama needs to start walking again!)

These three areas have been on-going battles for me. Why do you think I talk about disciplines and stewardship so much? Yup, 'cause I'm always battling my undisciplined nature!

I've come a long way baby, there was a time when my finances were undisciplined. Thru the sound teaching of the Crown Financial Ministries Bible study I was able to recognize where and why I was struggling in that area. At least that's one area I can see growth!

There was also a time when the discipline of being in God's word each and every day was not a part of my daily walk. PRAISE GOD for my friends Andrea, Lisa and Becky and their willingness to walk that walk with me.

I honestly believe that had our accountability group not been grounded and founded in the word of God, Circle of Friends would not be in existence today!

So there is definite growth that is happening in my life. There is healthy fruit to be found: in relationships, in finances, in time spent in prayer and reading the word of God, and in a ministry that is keeping me wondering what God is up to now!

So maybe, just maybe, there is hope for my paper piles, my calendar, my exercise program, and my drawers and closets!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

You're back - I'm glad! Sometimes I worry that the words that I write will make people say "I'm not going to read her stuff anymore!" In fact I had one dear friend tell me that what I'd written made her SO angry - she thought I'd written it about her. I hadn't. The words I write are lessons God is teaching ME! If He is teaching you the same lesson then we have more in common than either of us realized! Hey friend - you wanna walk this path to good health with me?

Last week we looked at John chapter 5, the story about the guy that was stuck on his mat, crippled by a disease/illness/dilemma that left him paralyzed; recognizing where the answer could be found but not able to get himself there.

Jesus gave him this answer: "GET UP, pick up your mat and walk".

So how does that apply to us today? Well, to me it says we need to be willing to be part of the solution. It's not enough to recognize the problem, it's not enough to know where the answer lies. We must GET UP and do our part in pursuing health - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

So what keeps us from getting up? What keeps us from being healthy? What lies behind the word "Yes, but" in our response to the question Jesus asks: "Do you want to be healthy?"

Fear? "Yes, but I'm afraid?"

Shame? "Yes, but if I ask for help what will people think?"

Pride? Denial? Feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start? I shudder to think that part of the problem could be laziness, or ignorance. Those are not words I really want used to describe anything that I'm a part of.

What about ambivalence, anger, bitterness, or jealousy? The old "it's not fair" card gets pulled out frequently when we see something that we think should be ours but for whatever reason it's not, and it often becomes an excuse for not doing what it takes to be where we want to be.

I'm pretty sure none of those are listed in Galatians 5, the scripture that defines the fruits of the spirit.

But I have a feeling if we look at those fruits the lack of them will hold some answers:

Love - the lack is ambivalence, just don't care, hatred, hostility

Joy - the lack is bitterness, depression, sadness, sorrow, grumpiness

Peace - the lack is war, a battle, anger, despair, discord, discontentment, anxiety

Patience - the lack is, well, impatience - if we can't have it now then why bother?

Kindness - unkindness, rudeness, meanness, bitterness probably plays a part here again

Goodness - when good is absent what you have left is evil, ungodliness, impurity

Faithfulness - unfaithfulness, cheating, disloyalty, deceit, pretense, laziness

Gentleness - without it there is harshness, no tolerance of those who need or offer help, roughness

Self-control - oh my, well without self-control there's all kinds of junk, much of it beginning with the word "over" over-eating, over-spending, over-extending (as in filling a day with more than can possibly be accomplished), undisciplined behavior

Honestly, I think in each of those opposites we can see reasons that keep us from being healthy.

Perhaps the greatest lesson to be learned from this scripture is that we have to have FAITH in the One Who asks us the question and tells us to walk!

If we don't trust that God is for us, if we don't believe that Jesus came to heal our deepest need, if we don't have confidence that the Holy Spirit is living IN us, giving us strength to get thru the pain and darkness, we will be stuck in our own strength, bearing our own bitter fruit instead of bearing the fruit of the spirit that is a by-product of the power of Christ living in us.

The fruit of the spirit grows in us as we grow in Christ. As we WALK by faith with Him. Walking by faith is an exercise in and of itself - and lets face it, faith is much like a muscle, it needs to be used in order to stay in shape!

But first we still have to answer the question "Do you want to be well?"

If the answer is yes then today is the day we need to seek the wise counsel that will help us, once and for all, pick up our "mat", (or get off our couch) and WALK!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

I've been studying John chapter 4 thanks to the Meet Me At the Well conference last weekend. This week I decided to keep reading on into John chapter 5. Do you know the story? It's where a man who was lame (Webster says: crippled, having an injury that makes one limp; stiff and painful; poor, ineffectual) had been laying by the waters of Bethesda waiting for the waters to "stir" because when that happened whoever got into the water first found healing.

That's where Jesus found him, beside the pool, waiting, but never getting in. Jesus asked him a very compelling question, "Do you want to be well?"

He didn't answer yes or no, instead he told Jesus why he couldn't do what it took to get well. He couldn't get himself there in the state he was in.

I find Jesus's answer as compelling as his original question. He didn't say "let me carry you there." Nope, Jesus answered him "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!"

There are lessons to be learned in those simple words.

The first lesson can be found in Jesus's straightforward question: "Do you want to be well?"

The lesson is about honesty, being honest with the Lord, and with ourselves. "Do you want to be well?" That's a direct question that can only be answered with a yes or a no.

If we say yes then we need to be willing to do what we're told. "Get up!" Do what it takes to get to where you know you need to be.

If we say "Yes, but..." we have rationalized why we cannot get ourselves to where we know we need to be.

I doubt that we ever say, "No, I don't want to be well", but our actions speak louder than our words. What about when we respond, "Yes, of course I want to be healthy!" and then do nothing? Or what if we simply refuse to answer the question?

What would Jesus have said to the paraplegic if he had given those responses?

Perhaps we see a bit of the answer in Matthew 19:16-22 when He talks to the rich young man who asks what he must do to get eternal life yet is unwilling to do what it takes to have it.

Jesus speaks truth, whether we are willing to follow it or not.

And it is our loss when we choose to ignore the truth He has spoken.

The second lesson to be learned is in His answer: "Get up!" Pick up your mat and walk!" Few of us lie around on mats anymore; perhaps today he would say "Get up! Get off your bed/couch/chair/duff and walk!"

If we recognize that we have an ongoing problem, an issue, an illness, an addiction, a dilemma that keeps resurfacing and we keep rationalizing it all away, we are like the guy on the mat. We know we are missing out on being healthy, and we are stuck in that un-healthy place.

Recognizing the problem is only half the battle; we still have to be willing to do what it takes to start the process of healing. The doctor is probably not going to come to us. Neither is the counselor, or the personal trainer, or the organizational coach, or the friend that can walk beside us on the road to good health.

We have to GET UP and do what it takes. We are responsible to take those first steps, to walk, to pursue health - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

So what keeps us from getting up? What keeps us from being healthy?

Hmmmm. Perhaps we should ponder that one over the next week.

Here's the challenge: write down the issue that is keeping you on your "mat". What is it that has you "crippled" - physically, emotionally/relationally, or spiritually? Think about it, ask God to help you be honest with yourself and with Him.

We need to recognize what is keeping us "mat-bound". And then we need to allow Jesus's words to penetrate our hearts, "Do you want to be healthy?"

And if our answer is "Yes, but." we need to recognize it as an opportunity to examine what it actually is that is keeping us stuck on the mat.

I have a feeling God's word will point us in the right direction there too!

Until next time..

Beth

Labels: Beth

I love reading what my friends are writing. Yet every once in a while I find they've written about ME! Hey guys, that was not in the job description! I'm a wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, employee, and ministry partner - not an example for you to write about!

But perhaps it is in our job description when we look in God's word about the example we are to set. "Be careful how you live, not as fools, but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days; don't act thoughtlessly but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:15) No, it doesn't say "because your actions will be written up in devotional form by your friends" but the warning to be careful is there because others are watching, whether we realize it or not!

My friend Becki was watching and listening one day recently as my radio pals and I interviewed Jocelyn Hamsher about her newly published Bible Study "Meet Me At The Well" for the Circle of Friends radio program. You can read about that day in Becki's February 5th devotional entitled "God Is". Becky writes about how Joc turned the tables on us and asked each one of us the question "How did you see God as a child?"

When Jocelyn spoke those words a visual immediately popped into my mind. It was God's hand, His finger was pointing at me, and I was in trouble. Yes, the God of my childhood was all about catching me doing wrong - again. He was the God of judgment.

I'm thankful Joc didn't stop there; she proceeded to ask the next question, "How do you see God today?" And you want to know something really neat? The God I know today doesn't point and shake His finger at me accusingly. Instead He turns His hand palm up and beckons me with that same finger. "Come" He says. He is the God of all grace.

Sometimes He wants me to come because He needs to teach me, to show me how can I do things differently, His way. His hand of correction is still there, it is just tempered, in my heart, by His mercy, His grace, His great love for His child - me!

Sometimes He wants me to come simply because He knows I am so weary I cannot go on. He wants to give me rest.

Sometimes He wants to point me toward another one of His children. He asks me to be His arms, His hands, His feet.

Whatever it is He wants for me, in me, from me, He wants it for my good, and for His glory.

My friend Lisa recently recorded a song simply named "Come" (Clay Heathcock (c) 2002 Feet of Clay) It is on a companion CD to Meet Me At The Well, the book that Virelle Kidder has written, as well as the companion Bible Study we were interviewing Jocelyn about.

The lyrics are:

"Come - All who are thirsty come

Come - All who are thirsty come

Come - All who are thirsty come

Come where waters flow - come

Come - All who are weary come

Come - All who are weary come

Come - All who are weary come

Come that you may rest - come

Come and know unfailing love

Come and find shelter and shade

The Lord is my strength and my song

Come and bow down

Come - All who are lonely come

Come - All who are lonely come

Come - All who are lonely come

Come into His arms - come

Come and know unfailing love

Come and find shelter and shade

The Lord is my strength and my song

Come and bow down

Come and bow down"

That's it, He simply beckons us to come. He does the rest, and gives us His rest in the process.

Living Water, for all of us who are thirsty, lonely; His word promises rest for our souls, unfailing love, shelter, shade, strength, a song. He delights in us! And He is FOR us!

What a good God we serve!

Until next time,

Beth

Labels: Beth

Living life in a circle of friends; what does is really mean?

It probably means different things to different people at different times in their lives.

For one gal I know living life in a circle of friends - specifically college friends - meant being accepted when they wanted to accept her; and being rejected when they didn't want her around.

For that young woman her "circle of friends" was a bad example of how to love well, yet it was a good example of how NOT to treat your friends. It was also a catalyst for change in the young woman's life - proving once again that good things can come from bad circumstances.

For one college gal life in her circle of friends is wonderful. Another has told me she travels to a neighboring college each weekend to find a circle of friends that she feels able to be herself in.

For a dear friend it meant being loved and accepted as long as she was a part of the circle; but when life took her along a different path the parting left her feeling forgotten and abandoned.

For a former high school classmate it means spreading the "glue" of friendship frequently to keep the circle from falling apart.

For me it means having friends to do life with, to minister with, to laugh with, to pray with, to give love to, and to be loved by.

What about you? No doubt you have a circle of friends.

Is it a big circle, or a small one? Is a deep circle, or a shallow one? Is it filled with friends from the past, only new friends, or a mix of both? Is it full of family members - or not so much!

Each one of these components tells us a lot about ourselves, and much about our friends.

One of the best books I have read regarding healthy relationships is the book "Boundaries" by John Townsend and Henry Cloud. Honoring healthy boundaries is the foundation of healthy relationships. The book helped me to see where I was healthy and where I wasn't - 'cause lets face it, a circle of friends is as healthy, or unhealthy, as the friends who make up the circle and I am one of those friends!

I didn't set out to mention The Big 3 in this blog, but I find myself right back there again.

Your friendships are probably about as healthy as you are. So how are you doing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

Are you being intentional about getting and/or staying healthy? Are you in need of a little spiritual refreshment?

I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to the 5^th annual Circle of Friends women's conference, "Meet Me at the Well", Saturday, February 27th, 2010, in Wooster, Ohio. Featured speaker is nationally known writer and conference speaker, Virelle Kidder. (You might have heard of her, I've mentioned her a time or two - or three - in Confessions of a Peace Lover.)

The doors open at 7:30am, conference starts at 9am and the day ends at 4pm. Tickets are only $10 and include a continental breakfast along with a wonderful day of encouragement, worship, and being together in a great circle of friends! Tickets can be ordered here on the web-site or from the COF office at 330-852-0000.

Maybe you and your "circle" should plan to come? Or perhaps you just need a day "alone in a crowd" to refresh and renew your spirit. Wherever you find yourself please know we would LOVE to have you join our circle of friends as we meet our Savior at the well!

The Well

(recorded by Lisa Troyer, Meet Me At the Well; The Well - Jeremy Johnson and Michael Boggs (c) 2010 McKinney Music, Inc. (BMI) Upsurge Music L.L.C. a division of Amplify Music Group, L.L.C. ASCAP (admin. by LifeWay Worship)

"Are you thirsty? Are you searching?

Are you longing, for His mercy?

Come To The Well; Drink living water

Come and be filled with the love of the Father

Wherever you are, wherever you've been,

Come to the well; never thirst again

Bring your worries, all your hurting

To the place where Grace is flowing

Come as you are, as you are, come"

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Calling all Tuscarawas and surrounding county Prom-age girls and their moms! Monday, February 15, Safe Kids Tuscarawas is sponsoring a Prom Showcase and Dress Resale Event at the Dover Alliance Church from 4 to 7 pm. The night promises to be a great time for all who attend! For more information call 330-339-2337.

And while you're there stop by the GIRLFriends table and say "HI" to the Director of the Circle of Friends ministry to teens, Denise Anderson!

When I look back on friendships that God has brought into my life thru the years I am so thankful that Denise is one that He has blessed me with in the past decade. She is the motivating force behind the GIRLFriends ministry. Denise has a passion for young people that is contagious, uplifting, and inspirational! Between our two families we have 11 children - she has four daughters and two sons, I have four daughters and one son.

Now, do the math for just a minute, we each have four daughters, that's a total of eight girls, they all either have gone, are going, or will be going to high school someday. That's a minimum of SIXTEEN proms (providing they only go as juniors and seniors) and once we get them thru high school we're looking at the possibility of eight weddings!

We are all about resale events! And when you combine one with an event that features cost-saving prom night ideas as well as tips to encourage girls in the journey thru the teenage years it was a no-brainer when asked if GIRLFriends would like to participate.

Thank you Safe Kids Tuscarawas for sponsoring this annual event!

Until next time,

Beth

Labels: Beth

Welcome to February! The past two weeks we have looked at two of the big three health issues that impact our lives - that of physical and emotional health. This week let's take a look at our spiritual health, where it's at, and where it's going. If we are not intentional about the direction we are traveling there is a very good chance we will end up someplace we never intended to be!
Recently I read the book "I Am Not, But I Know I AM" by Louie Giglio. The first paragraph of the book says: "Life is the tale of two stories-one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one - the story of us - is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story - and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can - blinds us to the massive God Story that surrounds us on every side."

Those words stopped me in my tracks. Am I absorbed in my story to the point that I am missing out on God's story that is taking place all around me? Or am I being intentional about looking for His story in the daily occurrences of my life? Where is my focus?

Honestly, I think most of us know better than to think our story is THE story, but the way we live our lives, the busy-ness that keeps us from God's very best, is the tell-tale sign that we think our stuff, our business and our busy-ness, is THE story. Quite frankly, if we are not taking time to include God in our day we are living our lives for ourselves.

As followers of Christ, as children of God, as His people living out our lives in the place that He has allowed us to be for such a time as this, we need to make every effort to see less of ourselves, and more of Him. Louie Giglio writes: "The way we figure it, the world doesn't need more stars - that is, not if the story we are a part of already has one. So if there really is just one Star, our challenge is not so much to shun the spotlight as it is to redirect any bright light that comes our way onto Him. Success would mean people loving Him more than any of us, clamoring for His touch more than ours."

I think most of us would say that is our goal - less of me, more of Him; light shining on Him, not myself. Yet again I would ask, are we being intentional about saturating our hearts, our lives, our days, with Him, so that when people see us what they really see is an overflow of Him? Or is He getting what is left of our day or our week, after all the other stuff of life has been taken care of?

Simply put, do you read God's word when you have time, or do you MAKE time to read God's word? The same question can be asked of intentional prayer time. Is it prayer on the run, or a time of being still before God? If we don't make time in our lives to be still before our Lord our words may say "less of me, more of Him" but our lives say "there's so much of me I don't have time for Him."

Without healthy growth in our lives we will be so stuck in our own story that His-story will be secondary. And that is not where we want to be, and it is not where God wants us to be.

Ask yourself: "Is God first in my life, or does He simply get what's left - if there's anything left?" Be honest in your answer. You know the truth; no excuses need to be given when answering yourself! Either God IS an intentional part of your day, or He is not. If you recognize the need for change ask an accountability partner to hold you to account in that area. And if you are on track have them keep asking the questions of accountability in order to continue on the path of healthiness!

And while the best time and place to get spiritually healthy is in an intimate, intentional, daily time with God, emotional AND physical healthiness can often be achieved in brisk walks with a friend!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

"...body, mind, and spirit are one complete package. When one part suffers, the whole person suffers." "Meet Me at the Well" Virelle Kidder

Please bear in mind I am not a counselor, I'm simply a woman - a wife, mom, daughter, sister, employee, friend - trying to live life guided by God's word, guarded by His Holy Spirit, and surrounded by people He's summoned here for such a time as this!

Did you catch that? "Surrounded by people" - none of us are here on this earth alone. That is the first clue that God did not want us to try to live life "alone". In fact, it was the very reason that after He created man He also created woman. Everything else up to that point was good. Check out Genesis 1, every time He creates it reads "And God saw that it was good". Then we get to Genesis 2, verse 18: "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone'." Not good to be alone? Wow! God created us for relationship!

Our relationships are key components to our emotional health - as well as our emotional unhealthiness!

I don't know where you are in this area of your life, but I do know where I was, and where I am today.

More than a decade ago I was an overwhelmed mom of four, probably living life outwardly looking pretty healthy. But I was shriveling up and dying inside. As I look back thru my journals I recognize the earmarks of depression. At that point I had friends, lots of friends, but what I didn't have was accountability in my friendships. We had fun, but no one was digging deeper to see what was going on underneath the big picture. It wasn't my friends fault! I had not given anyone permission to ask the tough questions, and my personality was, (perhaps at times still is) to make a joke out of something that had the potential to go somewhere I wasn't comfortable going.

That's how I handled it. Someone with a different personality, given the same set of circumstances, would not have made a joke; they would simply have gotten offended and put a wall of silence up between themselves and the person who was digging a little too deep. Another may have responded in anger driving relationships away. Each one of us has coping techniques that we rely on when conversations go where we don't want them to go!

Do you see yourself in any of those scenarios? We are created for relationship and communication, or lack thereof, can make or break a relationship. Healthy relationships, with healthy communication, are a huge part of being healthy emotionally.

God did not create us to be isolated. He created us to be part of a community. No, we don't have to be, in fact we can't be, best friends with everybody. But He created us to be in close relationship with a few key people in our lives. How do I know this? Because He created us in His image and He is a triune God! Think about it - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is our first example of a healthy, intimate relationship.

He created us - first and foremost - to be in relationship with Himself, but we are walking this earth today with folks that He has placed here too. God's word is full of great wisdom regarding our relationships! It tells us to "encourage one another, build each other up". (1Thessalonians 5:11) That sounds pretty relational to me. It says we are to "speak truth in love", hmmm, hard to do without a relationship in place. (Ephesians 4:5)

I think He probably knew what He was doing, don't you? So how are you living that out? Are you trying to live life alone? Figuring it out by yourself?

Have you allowed someone who loves you enough to speak truth, sometimes hard truth, into your life?

Do you have someone who can ask you "How are you today?" Someone who will not accept "Fine, thanks" as an answer?

Do you have someone that you can be honest and real in front of - even if honest and real is rather ugly?

Do you have someone to cheer you on when the going gets tough?

Do you have someone to laugh with?

Do you have someone who will ask "How's that situation going? Have you done anything to make things right? Are you still offended, angry, avoiding?"

When we don't have a couple of people with whom we can be ourselves typically one of
two things happen; either we will tell everybody our story, laying out our baggage
for ALL to see, (it's what causes people to say  "oh dear, here she comes again")or
we will pack up all that baggage into our hearts, and it will weigh us down - in fact,
it may have the potential to become garbage, toxic garbage - and keep us from being healthy
emotionally. 

I know this is true because I've been there.

But remember, if you want someone to speak real truth into your life the first step is
to ask them to do so - and the next step is to respond graciously the first time they
share their perspective. Another step is to keep meeting, schedule an hour into your
week to meet. Make it a priority! Just as physical exercise is needed to keep your body
fit, the emotional exercise of intentional communication is needed to keep your mind fit!

My pastor says "you're as sick as your secrets".

Why do we keep secrets? Usually because we're afraid of what will happen if people really knew.

I think the evil one knows that. I suspect he keeps us bound up in our fear, and in our pride, 'cause he knows that God's plan is best. If the evil one can keep us from the healthy relationships that lead to emotional healthiness he has won a major battle. We are truly as sick as our secrets. Those secrets fill our hearts and minds with toxic waste. It seeps into every aspect of our lives whether we realize it or not. It steals our joy, kills our relationships, and often robs us of the energy we need to be physically healthy.

We are created in God's image, created for relationship, healthy, Bible-based, God-driven, relationships.

It's what makes the "mind" leg of our 3-legged stool healthy and strong.

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to read Virelle Kidder's book I encourage you to do so! Call your local library and order a copy or head to your favorite Christian book store to purchase it, but whatever you do take time to read it! It is written as a 30 day devotional but if you're like many of us who have already read the book you'll finish it much sooner than that! It is full of real life encouragement.

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Here we are, three weeks in to the new year, I trust you've gotten the year off to a good start - taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually - exercising, eating right, taking time to be in God's word, talking with Him, learning from Him, and meeting in accountability with your accountability partner(s) so that life won't get in the way of healthy growth! Unhealthy "growth" often happens when we don't exercise, when we fail to eat right, and when we can't find time to be in God's word or in relationship with Him and His people!

Part of living life to the full is conscientiously taking care of the big three health issues in our lives, (think of a 3 legged stool, if one leg breaks you end up on the floor!) that of physical, emotional, and spiritual health. In the book "Meet Me at the Well" author Virelle Kidder puts it this way, ".body, mind, and spirit are one complete package. When one part suffers, the whole person suffers."

With that in mind I've decided to take a closer look at each component of "The Big 3", beginning with physical health. Since I've previously written about my determination to exercise, as well as my lack of passion in doing it, I've decided to invite my friend Kim Mast-Wagler from Impulse Training in North Canton, Ohio, to offer her wisdom, insight and passion on the subject.

Kim writes:

One of the things I tell my clients is that you don't have to have ANY equipment at all to get a good workout in. The biggest key for a beginner is just getting started. (5-10 minutes for a week and keep raising that 5 minutes until you are where you want to be; 45-60 minutes 5 days per week is optimal) Also, pushups and squats are the BEST total body exercises that you can possibly do! During your favorite one hour show try to alternate 10 pushups (for upper body and core), 10 squats (for lower body), and 10-30 jumping jacks (for cardio), and grab water and rest during the commercials. You can raise these reps if they are too easy.

Walking/jogging has always been my go to method of exercising. It is a great way to clear your mind, give yourself the attention you need and help organize your thoughts for the day. Try starting slow with 10 minutes and increase it 1-2 minutes per day until you have reached 30-60 minutes. Also, grab an accountability buddy! Someone who you know will be there for you and will be happy for you as you reach your goals. (Just a little hint, spouses are generally terrible at this as are friends who are also trying to reach the same goals you are. This is not always the case but if you are trying to lose weight and your accountability buddy is also it can be frustrating to one if the other is successful and the other is not.) My friend often encourages me to continue to be faithful with my devotions while I encourage her in her weight loss. It works great because we never get jealous of each other and are genuinely thrilled when one reaches a hard earned goal!

My perfect morning would be to get up around 5:30 am, grab a handful of trail mix, take a light jog (30 min-45 min.), shower and sit down with a delicious egg sandwich and a coffee and read my devos and spend some time with The Man who understands me and loves me more than anyone! (Also, give my husband a kiss as he runs off to work ;) Then have my son run out and say, "Mommy, I waked up!" and get to spend an hour or so getting him ready for the day. We are so blessed and yet so many of us don't realize it because we don't take care of ourselves and we get overwhelmed to the point that life looks bleak instead of us being able to recognize the goodness the God has placed all around us.

I would encourage everyone to take those 10-15 minutes each day to spend exercising - and do it for yourself! Your renewed spirit and confident attitude will shine through and make everything feel less stressful.

So there you have it, a beginner's guide to starting on the road to being physically healthy. If you have more questions for Kim you can email her at impulsetrainers@yahoo.com. She is a great encourager and knows first hand the benefit of physical, emotional, and spiritual healthiness.

Thanks Kim for sharing your passion with us!

Honestly, at least for me, the renewed spirit and confident attitude is as much of the gain as being physically fit. When we don't feel good about ourselves it shows in our attitude and in our lack of determination to take care of ourselves! It always amazes me how when I am exhausted, even fighting a headache, a 20 minute walk (a walk that I am certain I am too tired to take) will leave me feeling better than I felt before. It makes no sense to me; I consider it to be one of those mysterious ways that God likes to work!

Next week we will look at the second leg of "The Big 3", emotional health - keeping our minds healthy and strong, even in the midst of a busy life!

Until then.

Beth

Labels: Beth

I've been thinking a lot about garbage lately, or perhaps I've simply been thinking about a lot of garbage! Real, and figuratively, a family of seven can create a lot of garbage. Our recycling bag is full and my hubby has been making lots of trips to the dumpster to get rid of all the trash that's been generated as we celebrated Christmas, New Years, and Clay's 9^th birthday!

Nice thing to be talking about on a brisk January morning, eh? Well, bear with me. All the garbage that my husband has worked so hard to keep under control has made me think about the garbage of life. Can you relate? Do you keep a garbage can in your life? I'm not talking about the one in our kitchen or garage, the one that gets emptied regularly.

The one I'm talking about is a garbage can for our emotions. It's a garbage can filled with hurts and offenses. Instead of dumping the garbage and washing out the can on a regular basis we sometimes chose to allow it to accumulate; we keep a lid on it and hope we never have to deal with the junk at the bottom of the can. For whatever reason, reasons maybe even we don't fully understand, we just don't want to, or perhaps simply cannot, get rid of all the stuff we've placed in that can.

Every once and a while it gets too full, and those closest to us see the mess that spills out and smell the stink it causes - but we deal with it, cleaning up the worst of it, perhaps dumping out a little of it, and maybe even sticking a "religious-renuzit" on the lid so those who get too close won't realize just how full our can is or how badly it's beginning to smell.

And yet we keep adding to it, little by little. We just keep it close to our hearts so we can slip things in when others aren't looking, and tamp things down if the lid threatens to pop off again.

Sometimes we even let other folks dump their garbage in our can, we store it for them, and if they seem to have forgotten about that garbage we know just where to find it, just in case they need to be reminded about how rotten their garbage was.

We may even feel good about being the garbage can for our family and friends 'cause we're useful and needed. Every messy situation needs a dumpster you know!

The thing is, keeping a garbage can close to my heart, for myself, or for others, can result in a very negative outlook on life. Let's face it most folks don't store precious pearls in a garbage can. Not much fresh fruit gets stored in there either.

The worst thing is, when garbage isn't handled properly it can become a landfill. We don't want to live life without a garbage can, but we really don't want to live next to a landfill either...let alone live life in the middle of one.

A garbage can is very necessary. But we need to be wise in what we receive, we need to recognize that some garbage can be recycled into something useful, and we need to remember to empty and clean the can frequently!

Are you living life with your own personal garbage can full of hurts and offenses? If you're unsure ask yourself this question: "When is the last time someone offended me?" Do you have an answer? Does a face (or faces) come to mind? Are some of the offenses from the past week, month, year, decade? If you can remember who offended you and when and what about, chances are you've been storing that in your own personal garbage can.

Store it too long and the hurts and offenses can become toxic; a poison that invades your life - body, mind, and soul.

Do yourself and those you love a favor. Start talking to God about your garbage! Ask Him to help you dump that trash once and for all. Ask Him to show you what can be recycled into something useful, even beautiful. Ask Him to help you get rid of the garbage on a daily basis.

A dear friend once said "It is as if God puts a beautiful white tablecloth over the trash can of our hearts and helps us deal with the 'garbage' we have stored there one issue at a time." Only my friend didn't call it garbage, she called it by its real name - sin. That's usually what we like to keep in the trash cans of our hearts, the stuff we haven't forgiven others for, the stuff we haven't forgiven ourselves for. The stuff we have placed aside to keep for ourselves instead of placing it at the foot of the cross for God to deal with once and for all.

There's an old hymn that talks about being washed "whiter than snow". January is a good month to understand that word picture! It's also a good month to allow God to wash the garbage cans we've been storing our hurts in, "whiter than snow, yes whiter than snow, now wash me and I will be whiter than snow!"

"Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul,

Break down every idol, cast out every foe;

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes whiter than snow;

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow."

James Nicholson; William G. Fischer

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

Oh how the years go by. As I look back on 2009 and ask "what do I have to show for my time?" a few things stand out:

There is the obvious; the kids are growing, healthy and strong. It's been a busy year, but a great year. Plenty of opportunities for "Ma, Pa, and the youngin's" to be together, sharing the course of our lives, which results in multiplied joy for me!

Then there are the things I have to look a little harder for; the things that have become a part of my life where, when I take a closer look, I can see answered prayer:

I have been writing a blog every week since the Circle of Friends devotional/blog launch began in February. Perhaps a prayer I prayed for discipline has been answered?

In April I made the decision to join a twelve week study entitled "The Truth Project" (for more information go to www.thetruthproject.org). In case you're wondering, twelve weeks, in my world, is a very long time. That's three months of committing to a study, three busy months of setting time aside. It was time well spent, so well spent that hubby and I decided to host the same study in our home. Twelve weeks later we could hardly believe it was over and are looking forward to hosting it again in 2010. Without a doubt my prayer for personal growth and intentional time spent studying God's word was answered.

I have had the opportunity to be a part of a daily radio program for the past year. (Fortunately for me it is pre-recorded which allows for a weeks worth of programs to be recorded in one afternoon - that suits my schedule quite well, thank you!) And, once again, it was answered prayer. I asked God to help me encourage folks in their daily walk with Him, which just happens to be the goal of our morning program on 95.9. Thank you God for the opportunities You give!

And then there is the very act of prayer. Something we tend to talk about but often find ourselves so caught up in the busy-ness of life that we find little time for intentional time spent in prayer. A year ago several opportunities came up for me to participate in weekly prayer time for our school children and the adults who impact their lives. More answered prayer!

God is so good. Yes, the year flew by, but as I look back I recognize His hand of provision all over it! When we ask Him to provide it may not always be in the way we anticipate but He is faithful to provide in the way that is best for us.

I can't wait to see what He has in store for 2010!

Until next time.
Beth

Labels: Beth

The New Year is upon us. The start of a new year means different things to different people.

For some it is a whole new beginning; a fresh start that they've been looking forward to.

For others it is yet another step closer to the end, the end of an era, the end of a life, but an end all the same.

For some it's the end of a year that they are ready to be done with. For others it is the end of the year of a lifetime. Some anticipate it, some dread it.

How 'bout you? Where do you find yourself in these final days of 2009?

Have you thought about your plans for 2010? Have you taken time to identify your walnuts (God's will for your life) and examine your rice? (the busy-ness of life?)

May I be so bold to choose your #1 walnut for the coming year: Read God's word!

For those who are already doing so, consider switching it up this year - read from a new translation, or if you've been reading from a modern day translation, read from the King James Version this year. Ask God to help you understand what you're reading and how it applies to your life. Ask God to speak Truth from His word into your everyday busy-ness. He delights in our search to grow in our relationship with Him!

If you are thinking "I've tried that, I didn't understand it, why bother wasting my time" think on this: Do you understand how the water from an aquifer deep below the earth's surface gets into the pipes that connect to your sink? Really? Do you understand how it gets cleaned and purified before it cleans your clothes, your dishes, and your body? Really?

Do you understand, really understand, how putting the gas nozzle in that little hole transfers fuel from the pump to your vehicle and in turn works with all the pieces and parts in the engine to get you where you need to go? Really?

Do you fully understand how flipping a switch on the wall lights up a dark room? Do you understand that whole "energy conversion" process? Really?

And if you don't understand it do you still use it or do you say "I don't understand it so I'm not even going to try to use it!"

Honestly, God's word is at times a mystery to me. Yet even when I don't fully understand it, I still know that when it's in me it changes me, it cleans and purifies me - my thoughts, my desires - it works with all the parts in my life to get me where I need to be. It lights me up, even during the darkest days. What I do understand is life changing for me, and what I don't understand I choose to take by faith.

Give it a try, choose this year - 2010 - to read God's word each and every day. Make it a walnut in your life. And if you miss a day, don't give up! It's a bit like starting a diet - a spiritual diet - if you miss a day on your diet you don't stop eating 'til January 1 of the following year! Same with reading God's word, if you miss a day don't think you need to wait until next year to start reading again!

Reading God's word is spiritual nutrition for our souls! We must ingest nutrients in order to live a healthy physical life, otherwise we will be malnourished. We must read God's word to live a healthy spiritual life; otherwise we will be spiritually malnourished.

If you search "one year Bible" you can print a daily reading guide. (and if you use www.goodsearch.com for your search engine you can support Circle of Friends Ministries of Sugarcreek, Ohio in the process!)

There are many Bibles designed especially for this purpose. Whether you choose to use your own Bible with a reading guide or a specific one year devotional type Bible is simply your personal preference. Choose whatever works best for you - but choose, this day, to allow God's word to work in your life, in your heart, and in your soul. Really!

Until next time.

Beth

Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)

Labels: Beth