Category: God is in Control

Winter Blues

Read Time 4 Minutes

The season of winter provides for many people a wonderland of snow, outdoor sports activities, warm fires and hot chocolate, and many other delights that are special to this time of year.

For some, however, this cold season can seem long sometimes leading to a feeling of sadness, mood swings, and even depression. This is particularly true for those that live in colder and less sunny climates. This seasonal change in mood has been labeled (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal change, of course, is just one in many reasons people deal with sadness and depression. Traumatic circumstances and “seasons of life” may also cause these changes in our mood. Times like these can be mild to severe. They can come on slowly or be sudden. I personally experienced many years ago an unexpected and sudden attack of full on depression!

In the fall of 1986, I excitedly began my freshman year at Texas A&M University. I was ready to experience college, all the unmatched Aggie traditions, and even the academics! The fall semester was filled with new experiences…college football games, roommates, large academic classes, and new independence with very little parental oversight. On the flip side, it also revealed that I felt very different being a little fish in a VERY big sea! In high school, I was very involved and active with friends with a feeling of belonging. I had a cozy home with family and a homecooked meal at the end of each day. That first college semester began to become a time of identifying where my place was in this new vast world that I now found myself.

And then, right before Christmas break, I received word that my grandpa had suddenly passed away! It felt shocking! My grandpa was so special to me! I had to make arrangements to take my finals so that I could fly to Denver with my sister to be with my grandma. Over the Christmas break, in one intense moment, I felt a dark heaviness set over me… a feeling of dread, fear, and confusion. People did not really talk about depression back then, so I didn’t really know what was happening to me or how to seek help.

I returned to college for the second semester only to encounter no relief from the daily depression. Strangely, the only reprieve I got from the torment was when I threw myself into studies. The moment I stopped studying, I would cave in and fear even more! I had been a Christian most of my life, so I prayed and prayed, but could not find the peace. Months in, I began to question if God was even there…did He even exist? I would tell myself the truth…that He did, but it did not change the cycle of dreadful thoughts. Finally, I decided to go to the campus emergency counseling office. In that one hour emergency session, the lady asked me if I thought about suicide. I told her that I didn’t think I would take my life, but that I was beginning to get fearful of the thought of getting to that point. She told me that people who commit suicide see themselves in a box and they do NOT see anyway out of the box. She asked if I saw a way out of the box. In that moment, God revealed Himself mightily to me! I pictured a big square in my mind. That square had one door opened in it. That door showed me that my One Hope was God and He was there for me!!

I didn’t instantly get better, but that confirmation of hope in Him spurred me on to trust Him, believe His promises that I knew, and cling to Him for the right thoughts. As I continually and purposefully pushed out every fear and confusing thought and replaced them with real truths no matter how I felt in the moment, I began to heal. This healing led to a strengthening in my faith which would in turn serve me well in the future. When the next valley would inevitably arrive, I was more prepared to trust God. Now I knew that the “valleys of life” provided opportunity, growth, and the ability see God’s glory manifested!

“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

If you or someone you know is experiencing “winter blues” or even severe depression brought on by circumstances in life…grab onto or encourage them to grab hold of true hope that is an anchor for our souls! (Hebrews 6:19) Maybe my story can be of some help as well.

The Bible is full of many verses that are helpful promises and commands from our Loving and All-mighty God. When we are struggling, we can recite them and put them into practice continually and purposefully to replace the fears and confusion just as I did many years ago. Here is one of my favorites:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

There are 3 lovingly prepared actions above that God asks us to do. Simply put…rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Choosing to turn to these actions anytime the fearful feelings surface moves us onto a healing and victorious path. Some people find it helpful to keep a grateful journal. This is one way to rejoice and give thanks. However you carry out these actions, remember that the most important reason to rejoice and give thanks is truly because we have a living hope in Jesus, and because of who we are in Christ…a child of God! This is the kind of rejoicing that moves us into His perfect peace!

Another Bible verse that proves timeless in helping so many people as they deal with anxieties and fears is:

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Did you catch the similar actions on our part…prayer and thanksgiving? In this passage, we also see a beautiful promise from God revealed when we do as He says. We can have the “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding”! Also, our hearts and our minds will be guarded by His perfect provisions. This is what we need to be victorious when faced with discouragement, sadness, anxiety, and depression!

I hope you along with me will reach out and take God’s hand no matter what the season and no matter what we are going through now and in the future.

May we experience His perfect peace!

“Highly Favored”

Read Time 5 Minutes

This past week, I had the privilege of speaking at our Ladies Christmas Fellowship. As I began to prepare, I wanted to choose a topic that would include an aspect of the true Christmas story. God brought the idea of blessings to my mind. I began to dig into the study of blessings. I gravitated to the definition for blessing that means God’s favor and protection. This led me to a special Bible passage and as I began to study it, I developed a deeper understanding of what it means to be “favored” by God. In this writing, I want to share my discovery with you and encourage you this Christmas season. Also, I want to remind you of how special you are to God when you are a Christ-follower because you are “highly favored” by Him!

Christmastime can seem like a magical time of year! For the Christian, that feeling you get comes from the glorious supernatural experience that took place over 2,000 years ago and involves the two young lives that were the first to experience God’s perfect plan. Let’s turn our thoughts to that very special time and the event leading up to the very first Christmas. Mary was about to find out that her life would dramatically change forever as an angel came and spoke precious words to her. Here are those words:

“And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.” Luke 1:28-31

Think how Mary must have felt at this lifechanging moment! With the knowledge of God’s favor on her, she could more than handle the awesome responsibility she was given, and do it with joy. Further down in Luke 1, we read, “Mary’s Song of Praise” showing us how she reverently and joyfully praised God for this special gift and His will for her life!

I dug into this beautiful Bible passage and learned that when the angel said “Rejoice, highly favored one,” that the highly favored comes from the Greek word charitoo which translates as “full of grace” , “highly blessed”, and “accepted”. It is the past tense… meaning that the one who is favored has already received the grace (or blessing).

This particular Greek word is used only twice in the Bible. It is used in the passage above for Mary, and it is also used in Ephesians 1:6 to refer to ALL who have asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. Mary acknowledged her Savior in Luke 1:47. We, like Mary, are highly blessed by God…not because of our deserving it, but because He has given us His favor through the salvation found only in Jesus Christ. When we ask Jesus to be our savior, we are accepted and full of His grace. It is a turning point in our lives because we realize how loved we are and who we are in Jesus! While all Christians experience and share this same favor from God as His children, His blessings don’t end with this amazing spiritual blessing. We also receive many other collective spiritual blessings just by being Christ-followers.

Our God is a generous and personal God too! Beyond the spiritual blessings that we receive, He also pours out individual blessings on us. Mary, being highly favored or accepted by God, was then chosen by Him to bear His son, Jesus. Perhaps, He chose her because of her humble, devoted, and tender heart towards Him making her the one to be part of His perfect plan. When we are Christ followers, He delights to use us in special ways. We may not have been chosen to the same amazing assignment as Mary, but as accepted children of God, He uses us in very special ways as well to carry out His will. For example, in Luke 1:13, an angel told Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear a son because his prayer had been heard. God delights to bless us based on His plans for us and our prayers to Him.

There are a few closing points that I want to make based on the truths I have have shared from the scripture above. The first is that no matter what you may be going through this Christmas season, if you are a Christian, you can cling to this truth that you are highly favored by God meaning full of His grace and blessed. Hopefully things are well with you, but we know it is not always so for everyone during Christmastime. No matter what is going on in your life, you have this spiritual blessing that never changes and a multitude of other spiritual blessings to go with it!

The second point is that in addition to this, you are unique and special to God…you are not just a number to Him. He has designed special blessings for you based on His will for your life and based on your prayers to Him.

Finally, if you do not feel that you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, right now is the perfect time to choose Him, the greatest gift you can receive. Just believe that He alone can save you from your sins because He died for the forgiveness of sins. Ask Him to come live in your heart and be your Lord and Savior. Then you too can be accepted and full of His saving grace!

“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

This Christmas, as you think about how favored you are by God, look expectantly for the special ways He blesses your life. Then realize that He also uses you in unique and special ways to be a blessing to others. Mary was chosen by Him to bear His Son who is the greatest blessing to all generations. When you meditate on who you are in Christ, you’ll be in a purposeful position to be used by Him to be a blessing to others this season…maybe even someone who is struggling to realize who they are in Christ or who they can be in Christ.

May your Christmas and New Year be very blessed!

Not Just a Number

I’m not just a number, for God has counted the hairs on my head. (Luke 12:7)

I am not invisible, for God is a seeing God and He knows my heart. (Genesis 16:13 and Samuel 16:7)

I am not misunderstood, for God understands my thoughts from afar. (Psalm 139:2)

I am not insignificant, for I am engraved on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16)

I am not ignored, for He hears my every prayer. (1 John 5:14)

I am not an accident, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

My hurts are known, for He counts my sorrows and holds my tears in His bottle. (Psalm 56:8)

I am not alone, for God is with me always. (Matthew 28:20)

I am unique and special to God, for He saw me before He formed me. (Psalm 139:16)

I am greatly loved, for He calls me His child. (1 John 3:1)

I am intimately known, for He calls me by name. (John 10:3)

I never have to fear, for God is with me and will uphold me with His righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

I have a bright future, because He has perfect plans for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I will live forever with Him in paradise, because He is preparing a place for me. (John 14:2)

I am “the apple of His eye”, and He will always love me and protect me. (Psalm 17:8)

I am not just a number to God!

Trapped!!

Read Time 4 Minutes

I recently visited a dear friend who is literally trapped in her own body as she has a rare neurodegenerative disorder called MSA. Her mind and her sweet and jovial personality are intact, but her muscle movement has slowed and become so ridged that she can no longer care for herself physically. This is a very sad and tragic life situation that will not get better, yet, my sweet friend continues to radiate the love of Jesus in her caring ways. She made a phone call to me recently when my dad passed away even though it is very hard for her to talk. She delights when friends come to visit and soaks in the joy of the moments not spending the time complaining. She was a Christian mentor to me years ago during a very tough time in my life, and she continues to be an inspiration as she endures her present circumstances with grace and dignity!

While we won’t all experience such an extreme level of physical bondage, many of us will encounter times where we feel trapped! Difficult illnesses, abusive marriages, depression, and financial struggles are just some examples of how life can make us feel like we are in a physical or emotional prison without escape.

Sometimes, we can feel frustrated and trapped even in the smaller moments of life. Last month, I experienced a lot of pain in my hands and wasn’t able to get chores done at the pace I wanted to accomplish them. Every task was tedious and painful. In these smaller moments of feeling a bit trapped, I find myself saying, “My situation is nothing compared to what some other friends around me are experiencing.” While this is a thought that can help me put my situation into perspective, it’s also important for me to remember that what I feel is not insignificant. God cares about me in every situation big and small, good and bad. Just as I must rely upon Him during monumental struggles, I must also rely on Him in smaller struggles to endure, be comforted, and grow in my trust and faith of His perfect ways.

Right now, you may be feeling trapped in a very big way, or like me, you might be having a smaller struggle. Either way, the solution is the same…seek God and the strength and abundant endurance that He supplies in His perfect love!

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

It is not uncommon for some people, even Christians, to get mad at God when it feels like walls are closing in and a situation feels impossible! When that temptation comes, it is helpful to remember that Jesus Himself was trapped in what seemed like impossible circumstances.

Jesus, who is God, and whom all things are under His authority, willingly allowed Himself to be contained into a human baby body. He did this, of course, to make a way for our salvation. But, he also did such an amazing act of love for us in order for us to know how much He can sympathize with us and identify with us in our struggles while on earth! Furthermore, He allowed Himself to be trapped by guards and be carried away for a most horrific death because He loves us so much! He endured all this for the joy set before Him in knowing that many would choose Him throughout the centuries and would one day be in paradise with Him! And, we know that the story does not end with His death. He rose again, ascended to Heaven, and He is with us to the end of the age! He is interceding for us right now on behalf of us in our weaknesses and our struggles!

God has given us everything we need to triumph in the impossible and to experience freedom even when we feel trapped! His word tells us that we will have sorrow, struggles, and trouble in this world, but He has overcome this world. He gives us immediate help when we seek Him whether it be comfort and inspiration to get through our hard time or whether it be instant solutions. He also insures hope for our future!

During tough times, I often think about survival stories told by Vietnam POW veterans who were trapped in unthinkable conditions. Many of them were prisoners’ for over 7 years. When reading the personal accounts of these men, so many of them attribute their survival to their faith in God. Below, are two excerpts from Captain Gerald Coffee who was a POW for 7 years and 9 days.

“I prayed a lot,” Coffee said. “At first I expected God to do everything for me, but when I realized that this would be my life for a while, the nature of my prayers started to change. Instead of praying, ‘Why me?’ I started to pray, ‘How can I change?’”

“All those years, the Vietnamese tried to rape our spirits and our faith, but they couldn’t do it,” he said. “I was never really alone in that cell. Not with Him by my side.”

Coffee’s words are a very big testament to the power and strength one can have in the face of horrific circumstances when you truly put your faith in our almighty and loving God!

Let us each choose today no matter our circumstances to walk moment by moment in the strength of the One whose grace is always sufficient!

“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

A Free Small Drink

Read Time 3 Minutes

While I don’t generally think to describe myself as a Senior Citizen, the impact that I AM ONE hit home recently with a trip to Whataburger! I heard the person in front of me, as they placed their order, request a senior drink. I thought to myself, “Do I count as a senior?”. When it was my turn, I asked the cashier how old you had to be to get the free Senior drink. She said 55, and boom, it hit me! At age 56, I’m in that category! I was happy to know that I could receive the perk, but felt a little disheartened at the reality that I am grouped in the aging population!

As a personal trainer, I have had the privilege to specialize in fitness for women and for senior citizens. I have learned much about the aging process and how the human body changes with age. While I am now experiencing the beginnings of the 55+ aging process, I can attest to the reality of changes from 50-90 years of age by working with a variety of clients and meeting their unique needs in this age range.

The essence of my blog has always been to highlight our great need for our Savior, Jesus Christ, first and foremost as we stay connected to Him and then secondly, to connect Godly living with our physical health! He is our True Vine and apart from Him, we can do nothing…that is, nothing of eternal significance and nothing that brings Him glory (John 15:5). As we stay fully connected in our relationship with Jesus, we can live an abundant life that includes spiritual and physical well-being that brings glory to God!

I believe that pursuing spiritual and physical well-being is a Godly response to life, as I believe God wants very much for us to honor Him by taking care of our physical bodies! John, a devoted disciple and follower of Jesus, even prayed for this very thing!

“Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.” 3 John 1:2

In 1 Corinthians 3:16, the Bible tells us, “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”. While we are certainly expected to keep growing spiritually as God indwells us, God created our physically bodies too. He dwells in the physical body of every Christian! During Jesus’ ministry on earth, His primary purpose was to heal people spiritually by revealing that He is the way, the truth, and the life…He is our Savior! However, Jesus clearly cared for people’s physical needs too as He was overwhelmed with compassion for those who suffered physically and preformed numerous healing miracles!

Therefore, no matter your age, it is a Godly response to care for your body. Those of us in the 55+ category have a little more urgency to take healthy steps to exercise, eat well, and get rest!

One example of the urgency to exercise is that while losing muscle mass is a natural part of aging, the percentage increases greatly per year after the age of 60. You can slow this process with a nice regiment of strength training. You can also prolong a healthy lifestyle by improving balance, flexibility, and joint health with just the right amount and kinds of exercise!

If you haven’t been looking after your physical health very well, ask God to guide you in your first and your next steps in caring for your body. This clearly connects a spiritual approach to caring for your physical well-being and will honor God greatly!

If you get discouraged because some days are just hard, remember this special verse…

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Ask God what He would like YOU to do today to take care of your physical needs. Then, take steps towards healthy living no matter your age. You will “yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness” when you honor God by taking care of your body!

The Sales Rep

Read Time 4 Minutes

Last night, I gave a presentation for our Ladies Bible Study group to kick-off our next study on “The Armor of God”. Part of my presentation was a bit of roleplaying as I became a sales rep for the Kingdom of God. I thought I would go ahead and put my “sales pitch” in my blog in hopes that even if you are not a part of this Bible study, you might want to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and ponder the meaning of this scripture as suggested in my presentation.

We all face battles in our personal lives that can include difficulties physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. As Christians, we have the additional battle of standing up for our beliefs in a country that seems to be moving closer and closer to a post-Christian nation!

The question to ask ourselves is…how can we remain VICTORIOUS over our personal struggles and over the tumultuous often anti-Christian times that we are living in as we face each new day?

The answer, of course, is found as we look to and cling to God. As we look to Him and study His word, we learn that He gives us everything we need for the battle before us. He gives us His armor!

Here is my “sales pitch” to ponder as I roleplayed last night:

“Instead of thinking of me as Robin, think of me as a representative for the Kingdom of God, and what I am selling today, is the Full Armor of God! Now, I’m not just wanting to sell you a piece of armor, or partial armor…no, I want to convince you to buy the whole suit of armor. One or two pieces of armor, while they may help you some, will not make you VICTORIOUS in the battle ahead. Further, it is not good enough to have the armor at your fingertips. In order to be effective, you absolutely MUST put on the armor.

Of course, I’m sure the big question on everyone’s mind is, “How much is this armor going to cost?” The good news is just as salvation was free to you paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ, as a Christian, God makes this armor completely free to you too! You just have to choose to take it!

There is a little catch though…while it is free for the taking when Jesus is your Savior, there is a big cost to PUT the FULL armor on!! But, I believe that I can convince you that this cost is well worth it! You see the armor is not meant to be separate pieces because when you put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD, you are actually putting on JESUS!

Romans 13:14 tells us…  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Other verses in the Bible tell us that Jesus is the TRUTH, is RIGHTEOUSNESS, is PEACE, is our FAITH, SALVATION, and THE WORD! These are the pieces that make up the full armor!

If you truly want to put on Jesus the way He means for you to, then it will COST you your LIFE! Matthew 16: 24-25 tells us, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.’”

I am convinced that if you will put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD no matter the cost, you will have a peace that surpasses comprehension and you will be battle ready. You will be VICTORIOUS!”

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32

God is ALL for us! Are you ready to be ALL IN for Him?

As you read Ephesians 6:10-18 below, think about being not just a Christian who is saved for eternity, but being a Christian who is an ALL-IN, SOLDOUT, not just sometimes follower of Christ!

As you read the scripture, take note of how many times the word “ALL” is used including the word “whole”. Let the impact of that word compel you to truly put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD today and everyday! Let this scripture have a refreshed meaning and revive you today to live an “ALL IN” life for Christ!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6: 10-18

May you be VICTORIOUS today and everyday!

Without Excuse

Read Time 3 Minutes

This week was the 108th birthday of the National Park Service. I love our nation’s national parks! I made a Facebook tribute post celebrating some of my favorite memories through the years in a few of our pristine parks. Visiting these “set aside” majestic places is one of the ways that I experience God. In this blog post, I want to dive deeper into what these national parks highlight for me as I soak up gorgeous landscapes and water bodies made by our Creator.

While Yellowstone was established as the first national park in 1872, the NPS was established on August 25, 1916. There are 63 national parks as well as national historic sights, shorelines, and much more that fall under the care of the NPS. While I wish I could say that I have been to them all, I have still been fortunate to spend some time in 13 national parks and have seen the beauty from shore to shore! My favorite is Rocky Mountain National Park as my family has vacationed there for 6 generations!

National parks offer me the opportunity to play in places that make me feel the majesty of God! For that, I am thankful to the NPS for their care over these many years.

Whether those responsible over the last 100 plus years for setting aside and maintaining these awesome natural playgrounds realize it or not, they carefully preserved for all who visit a most magnificent display of the majesty of our one and only Creator God! It’s not just mountains, forests, rivers, oceans, and animals showcased, it is God Himself that is the true reward when you immerse yourself in natural settings!

While you don’t have to visit a national park to experience creation, the parks magnify exponentially the beauty of God and make it so easy for us to soak up and reflect on His goodness!

Now, diving to even greater depths with this look into the awe-inspiring beauty of national parks or any natural setting that highlights God’s creation, we not only see God’s goodness, but His word tells us that when we look at creation, we are left “without excuse” to recognize and acknowledge the omnipotent nature of God!

Romans 1: 18-21 tells us… “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Unfortunately, those that look at the majesty of creation and make explanations for its existence leaving God out are without excuse as to accepting His existence and His sovereignty. Further, when they do not acknowledge the Creator Himself, they cannot receive the greatest gift, His Son, Jesus Christ! This is very sad since God has given us everything needed for understanding TRUTH! Creation is part of what testifies to this truth!

The “wrath of God” mentioned in the above verses is not a fun thing to think about, but it is a very important thing to understand. God is righteous and He cannot tolerate unrighteousness. It will be punished because He is just! However, God’s desire and perfect plan through His Son, Jesus, is that everyone would be saved by putting their trust in Jesus and thus be free from the coming wrath. God is love and God is good and His creation displays this for us!

Therefore, as you have opportunity to marvel at the trees, flowers, mountains, meadows, and numerous other natural wonders, don’t miss seeing the love and beauty of God! Praise His name! Let it be an invitation to run to the open loving arms of Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

On the Edge of My Seat

Read Time 6 Minutes

At the beginning of 2024, I was asked to participate in the activity of choosing a word for the year. I chose the word VICTORIOUS. I chose this word as a challenge to myself to live above the little things that can entangle me in my daily life. These “little things” are the things that can rob my peace…one such example is letting any amount of anxiety to be set in motion for the day.

The action to choose victory over anxiety is going to be a challenge over the next few months for many of us! As the political realm is picking up pace in the furry of preparing for election day in November, we can be rocked with emotions that can include a spectrum of sadness, anger, and fear!

When covid hit in 2020, I found myself encountering a feeling of underlying uneasiness to a more forceful feeling of being on the edge of my seat. I know I’m not alone in this either. It felt like one might feel in an action movie of suspense wondering what was going to happen next, or the feeling building inside when one is climbing upward on a roller coaster anticipating the fall. During covid, we were all wondering what would happen next. It was an uncertain and scary time.

Now, with the uptick of upheaval in the political race as well as just living in an upside down chaotic culture, I find myself battling these feelings again. In some moments, there is a level of fear for our country’s future. In other moments, there is sadness for the things I witness happening around us in our communities and the country as a whole. And still, other moments may include anger at unfolding events, how issues are handled, and how media reports on matters. Again, my guess is that I am not alone in these feelings!

The question then is, how do we remain VICTORIOUS over the tumultuous times that we are living in and the feelings that it can bring on us?

While probably nothing that I share in my writing is earth-shattering new, I write to remind myself and hopefully others how to stay steadfast in our walk with God and to encourage a spiritual and physical wellness as we live fully abiding in the True Vine!

In this article, I want to share some ways or a “recipe” as such that you and I can use to keep a hopeful and peaceful heart during uneasy times and get ourselves up and off the edge of our seats or at least off the “negative” edge of our seats!

First, instead of being an uneasy spectator filled with fear of what might happen next, let’s trade the focus for an exciting “edge of your seat” experience. Let’s anticipate with excitement how God will show us displays of His glory and His presence as events unfold. Remember, nothing takes Him by surprise! Let’s trust Him and lean hard into Him as we watch events around us. This can also include a “watching” for His return. We can remember that we are sojourners in this life. Whether Jesus comes back tomorrow or years from now, we as Christians, have a constant HOPE! We have a Living Hope that is above the earthly stage around us. We don’t have to be shaken because we have an eternal citizenship in Heaven. We get to watch the world arena from an everlasting perspective. What God allows us to experience here, He will give us the strength to endure and the hope to look at everything from the perspective of God’s got this! He has perfect plans, and we do not need to fear. He will take care of us through anything! Let’s keep our eyes focused on Him!

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

“…fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Again, the way to be VICTORIOUS in the present roller coaster world stage is to keep our eyes turned on the One who will “subject all things to Himself”! As we keep our eyes on Him moment by moment, the natural outflow of this devotion will be to “shine our light” into this dark world. As we share with others the Hope we have in Jesus, may they also be drawn into a saving relationship with Him! When others turn to Jesus because of our hopeful Christ-centered living, that makes a double victory!!

In addition to making Jesus our number one focus and desire, I’d like to continue the “recipe” for living a victorious life. By His perfect design, God gives us more ways that we can live life to the fullest and not be weighed down with anxiety. We can get up off the edge of our seat with meaningful activities that help to counteract the temptation to be anxious and keep us healthy and strong.

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12: 1-2

“…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

These verses reinforce that staying steadfast in our focus on Him (renewing our mind and living in godliness) is the top priority to living a triumphant life. However, if you look closely, there are some additional outlets that God provides to help us stay feeling healthy and well and upbeat. He cares about our bodies too and what we do with them.

Therefore, another ingredient to keeping ourselves from the temptation to live in a roller coaster of fear, is to partake in the activity of taking care of our bodies. This is a God-designed natural stress reliever! There is some value to this (1 Tim. 4:8). He wants us to be healthy and well. He designed our bodies to need food, sleep, and physical activity. When we allow any of these areas to go uncared for, we begin to feel depleted physically, mentally, and emotionally.

It is common and proven knowledge that if we are not eating well, not doing our best to get sleep, or not getting regular physical activity, then we are denying ourselves a natural stress relief! All three of these promote a better sense of well-being and lead to a more positive outlook on life. By partaking in exercise, healthy eating, and rest, we feel better not only physically, but emotionally and mentally too!

We need to replace thinking about unhealthy stressful circumstances to thinking about healthy living. Rather than watching too much news or spending too much time on social media, we can make a better sleeping plan or a better meal plan. And by all means we need to make sure we add exercise and physical activities into our life.

Finally, another way that God delights us in this life and offers a dynamic way to relieve stress and anxiety is to partake in the glorious beauty of His creation!

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims the work of His hand.” Psalm 19:1

When we take time to enjoy His handiwork…the sky, the trees, the animals, the water, the landforms…we feel refreshed! Just taking a country drive and observing the cows grazing peacefully on the grass refreshes me. They do not fret! Watching the birds go about their business is a pleasure as well. They are not worried. These encounters remind me that the God who cares for animals cares for me too!

So, join me in getting up off the edge of your seat during these uncertain times. I believe that the recipe for living a VICTORIOUS life no matter what the circumstances is to renew your mind by looking to Jesus. Trust Him…lean on Him…stay focused on Him! Take care of your body, for this is pleasing to God too! And, take a walk to soak up God’s creation! Enjoy His beauty found all around in nature! Let’s live in this kind of hopeful peacefulness today!

Know Your Roots

Read Time 4 Minutes

This is Grandma and me when I was 40 years old. Yes, I still sat on her lap!

When I was 13 years old and spending a few weeks with my Grandma, she showed me a book that was a conglomerate of stories passed down from the townspeople of North Platte, Nebraska. History came alive for me that day as I learned how my GGG grandfather came to settle in the mid 1800’s in the area known as Mason, Nebraska!

This experience began a lifelong passion for me to know my roots. I began interviewing the oldest known relatives I had on both my mom’s side and my dad’s side of the family. What I gained were many primary sources of information and stories passed down. What I felt was an excitement for history as I could place family members in every aspect of American history dating back to the French and Indian Wars of the 1750s! I also gained an overwhelming sense of who I am and why I feel certain compulsions that may have been instilled in me. I gained an idea of why I demonstrate certain characteristics and a sense of pride for what pulses through my veins.

Becoming a bit of an enthusiast for family history though has never included my getting involved in internet ancestry searches (I have not even taken the ancestry spit test, but I certainly wouldn’t mind doing so at some point). Everything I have comes straight from interviews and stories passed down verbally or in written form from direct descendants. And, WOW, do I have some stories!

So many things in life over the past 10-15 years have kept me from thinking much about family history, but a small moment recently rekindled my interest and caused me to dig into my file box of rich historical data completely related to my own genealogy.

In doing so, it made me pause and ponder…why do so many of us find such a yearning to know our roots…to search for “who we are” by investigating and studying our lineage? I think it’s because genealogy is God designed! We are not a random number. We are not a mistake! We are divinely planned, and God gave us our special heritage!

“For You created my innermost parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139: 13-14

God gave us our special story! This story gives us a sense of who we are and a sense of belonging. It gives us real stories from the past, and it gives us lessons to be learned from our own ancestors and from the grandparents we may have been blessed to personally know.

The Bible even shows us the value of genealogy. God’s Word is woven together by Jesus’s own genealogy designed by God! Matthew chapter 1 begins the New Testament with the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. This immediately demonstrates for us the divine connection between the Old and the New Testaments. It gives us a real historical record that can be verified. It affirms prophecy proclaimed in the Old Testament. It gives us real people’s stories from Jesus’s lineage. We can go back to the Old Testament and read about these real people and learn from their experiences. I believe God made genealogy an important aspect of His creation!

However, the most exciting part of my article today is even more important and even more special than our personal God-given biological genealogy. The most thrilling news is that when you ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, you are adopted into His family! You are immediately woven into His heritage. You are immediately an heir of the One True King! How wonderful that when you are a Christian, you have an even greater identity…one that is heavenly and eternal! Family history gets exponentially more exciting when you become a child of God!

“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” Galations 3:29

While I believe that it can be very enriching to know our roots, you may or may not have this ability to know your earthly heritage. Even when you do know your own family story, it is only a temporary one. No matter what the status is of your biological genealogy, the Good News is that we can all become children of God and become heirs with Christ! Through a spiritual adoption, we can call God, our Father! When you ask Jesus into your heart, you are freed from any earthly disappointments, heartaches, or bondage you may feel! The moment you ask Jesus to be your Savior, you receive a new identity in Christ and that makes for EVERLASTING ROOTS!!

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8: 15-17

THAT IS AN AWESOME HERITAGE TO CLAIM!!!

Hmmm…too blessed to be stressed?

Read Time 6 Minutes

“To Blessed to be Stressed” seems like a great saying at first glance. It implies that if you are counting your blessings and that you are trusting God, then you should not feel stressed. Is this true or false? I believe that it is a little bit of both. Let’s unpack this nifty little saying.

The definition of stress in relation to our minds is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances”.

Let’s face it…in this life on earth, you are going to have STRESS! In fact, the Bible confirms this…

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Over the last year and especially the last five months or so, I have been under stress. I was in a waiting period with God over moving from Washington State back to Texas…wondering if this was God’s plan and purpose. As it became apparent that it was His plan, the slow transition began of relocating and adjusting. This involved moving, selling one home, deciding how to buy another while watching and waiting on the housing market. It involved saying good-bye to friends and hello to new ones. You have probably been there yourself. Anyone who has been involved in a big move and relocation knows that it falls under the definition of STRESS.

To be perfectly honest though, most of my life has involved the definition of stress. I was a teacher for 28 years. This is the epidemy of “mental or emotional strain resulting from very demanding circumstances”! The point is, we absolutely cannot avoid STRESS in this life!

Under this magnifying glass, I would say that our little saying is false. However, there is more to the picture. Undeniably, we are all going to experience stress…probably more frequently than we want. It is what we do with the stress that really matters though.

The reality of STRESS brings us to the crucial point of what to do with it. Will we FRET (worry and get anxious), or will we TRUST (be in a state of peace even under the stress and circumstances)? Probably if you are like me and most other people, you will start to get worried and anxious and allow a feeling of being overwhelmed to settle over you. If you are a Christian, you may allow yourself to feel guilty for letting stress get you down due to sayings like the one above and a misunderstanding of the reality of stress.

Fortunately, there are answers from God to help us with the real fact that we cannot live this life without stress. We can however, grab God’s hand, trust His solutions, believe His promises, and then choose the mindset of resting in His peace even during the tense and demanding circumstances.

Begin to look at stress as what it is…“a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances”. Then, begin to think of yourself as a conqueror through Christ in the midst of the stress. Trust God’s word:

“I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Realize that you are going to be made better for the stress and experience:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1: 2-4

Understand that God knows what you are going through, and that He will provide the peace for you if you want it. Understand that He has perfect plans for you during the stress and in the future too:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

And finally, there is truth in the saying “too blessed to be stressed” in that if we focus on our blessings, then, we will be able to handle the inevitable stress in a victorious way. So take action, and remember to count your blessings by thanking and praising God not matter what is happening:

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I chose a word for this year, and the word is VICTORIOUS! This is the pathway that I see through God’s word to live a victorious life no matter the circumstances. I pray that you too can choose a victorious pathway no matter the stresses that you may encounter this year. Through Christ, we can say blessed be the name of the Lord no matter what happens!

Physically Helping the Mental and Emotional Strain of Stress

As a Christ follower who is also a personal trainer, I can’t help but add to this post a little section about physical activity (yes…EXERCISE)! While we should always take our matters to God first if we want to experience His peace and His divine strength and blessings in our life, He being the master scientist, does give us natural avenues to utilize in helping us reduce stress in our lives. Because of all the advancements in the study of physical exercise, just about everyone knows that there is a direct correlation between exercise and the improvement of your mental and emotional state.

Even without the scientific studies, I know this to be true personally by experience and by the frequent comments from clients who feel immediately better after a training session. By this, I mean that physically, their bodies feel tired after working out, but mentally and emotionally, they often report feeling much better and even experience a better feeling throughout the day.

Scientifically, it is commonly agreed upon that adding any amount or form of exercise into your day will help pump up your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins as well as reduce negative effects of stress and improve your overall mood.

The point is, choose some type of exercise activity to give yourself a boost. It could be a simple brisk morning walk. I like to begin each morning with a series of stretches that help loosen tight muscles. Make a little exercise corner in your home with some dumbbells and other small equipment to do some mild strength exercises. You might feel that now is the time to join a gym or make an even bigger commitment to physical fitness. At whatever level, just begin some form of exercise to help reduce the stress in your life.

To conclude, seek God first! Rejoice in Him, pray to Him, give thanks to Him, and trust Him. Then, make a plan to take some actions to help reduce stress and let exercise be an avenue to improving your mental and emotional state.

“ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

While stress in inevitable, I hope that this article has given you some encouragement to handle life’s difficult circumstance in a victorious way!