Tag: #godisgood

“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!

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!

Good Tidings

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 10-14

“Good tidings of great JOY”…the JOY of the birth of Jesus! The JOY that is ours because He was born in Bethlehem that night long ago! Isn’t this what Christmas is all about? The JOY set before us… Comfort and JOY…JOY to the world! For the Christian, this is the theme of Christmas, JOY because of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I hope this Christmas season (2023) finds you feeling the great JOY there is to be felt at this celebratory time of year. However, you might be one of many who are struggling to grasp that joy and even feel guilty that you are not feeling it! You might be experiencing a present hardship or tragedy, or maybe you are still unreconciled from past hurts. Maybe you are feeling depressed or just overwhelmed with life and can’t seem to feel the joy right now that this season reminds of us.

So, what can I offer in the way of encouragement that hasn’t already been talked about and written about concerning JOY? In this blog post, I hope to encourage you by sharing my own “Aha moments” through my life journey in discovering how to experience JOY in each and every circumstance. If you are on a mountain high right now and don’t need reminders of how to experience joy, then maybe you can store up new thoughts for the future when indeed you may find yourself struggling once again. If you need help right now, then I hope my thoughts might lift you up today.

It is almost a given that anyone reading this article has experienced hardships and hurts in their lives. I have too…some in early childhood and others as an adult. It was during a very tragic event in my life 16 years ago that I truly learned what it means to experience both sorrow and joy at the same time. Without going into much detail, I experienced the ultimate rejection a woman can experience (which ended my 19-year marriage)! It was then that I learned what it meant to not just say, “I have faith in God”…I learned how to actually cling to that faith, hold God’s hand, and actually live out my faith. I experienced great sorrow at what was a sudden and unexpected change in my life. All I could do was cry out to God for strength, comfort, wisdom, and love. When all I could do was count on Him, I learned the secret of JOY…simply discovering Him in His fullness! I learned that I can exist in a victorious state right along with the pain. When you realize that you are truly in a relationship that can NEVER disappoint because God keeps His promises and never changes His love for you, then you can find the greatest JOY available!

Now, you might think that after that experience, I would never have to struggle again to understand JOY, but sometimes I slide backwards. When I do, God gives me more big moments to remember again just how good He is!

While I have not experienced in recent years another tragedy on the level of the one I just shared about, I have experienced some other difficult circumstances. One of those times when God taught me something new was during the uncertainty and unsettled feelings that the Covid Pandemic brought on. In a blog post during that time a few years ago, I wrote about another discovery of joy. To understand this discovery, think about your heart (the emotional part of your heart) being like a bucket. You can pile it with all kinds of objects. You can fill it with unpleasantries, you can fill it with things that seem good but don’t really help you, or you can fill it with delightful things that lead to joy. Think of this bucket as your “joy bucket”. With that in mind, read the following excerpt from my post in 2020…

“I find it a daily struggle to stay positive and grab hold of all the peace and joy available to me through God in the midst of so many negative issues in our country. A couple of nights ago, God made it clear to me why I have been struggling with this matter of joy. I have the head knowledge and the experiential knowledge of joy, and I have been praying to feel God’s peace and joy during these tough times; however, I was forgetting a very important action on my part. I was forgetting to actually REJOICE! When I choose to rejoice, then the “joy bucket” in me begins to be filled up. Because each day seems to be filled with so much negativism in the media and in the conversations of so many, the negatives have been the focus and what I have been piling in my bucket. The negatives we are all facing were the big things in my mind that were depleting my “joy bucket”. I needed to adjust my thoughts by beginning with the action of rejoicing.

I am now consciously taking action each day. I am choosing to REJOICE in who I am in God. Just the simple fact that I am His puts me in an overriding victorious circumstance at all times no matter what is going on in this world. I am His, a child of the one true King. My life will always be abundant because He is always good to me. He promises to get me through anything I face in my life. I am secure in eternity because of my salvation through Jesus Christ. Because He lives, I can face each day with confidence. With this kind of security, why would I not choose to rejoice every day! I hope that you too can choose with full confidence and peace to REJOICE in knowing God, His goodness, and His Son, Jesus! Join me in filling our “joy buckets” with all the fullness of His goodness today!”

Our Christmas story is the perfect reminder of Rejoicing!  You can find the Biblical evidence of how Mary rejoiced (Luke 1:47), the angels rejoiced (Luke 2: 10-14, the Shepherds rejoiced (Luke 2:20) , and the Wise Men rejoiced (Matthew 2:10) in very difficult circumstances.

If you are not sure how to have this ultimate JOY, you can choose to open the greatest gift right now and experience the true JOY of Christmas this year! JESUS is the everlasting Gift! He came as a baby so that He could die on the cross for our sins. You just have to ask Him into your heart and make Him your King by admitting that you are a sinner and there is nothing you can do to save yourself. Acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for your sin and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior this Christmas! Then you too can experience real JOY no matter your circumstances!

“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

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

May this Christmas find you RECJOICING no matter what because of the glorious gift of JESUS!

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Keep it Simple

“You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

Read Time 3 Minutes

How is your pain level today on a scale of 1 to 10?

Physical? (headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, disease, and disorders)

Mental? (work stress, financial stress, daily frustrations)

Emotional? (heartaches, relationships, rejection, confusion)

Most likely, you would answer these questions with your specific situation in mind whether it be physical, mental, or emotional distress…or all three!

What if you could place a stamp over each of your painful circumstances with the word…Joy Joy Joy?

There is an actual “Secret to Life”, and the Apostle Paul knew it well! He spent his later life; however, NOT trying to keep the secret. Instead, he spent his time proclaiming the secret of life, and more importantly by experientially living it…even to death!

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Here in this verse is the simple secret…the forever focus…Live for Christ!

Another example from Paul’s life that demonstrated his “forever focus” is found in Philippians 4:12-13, “ I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

If discouragement is clouding my mind and my pain level is rising, it can become tempting, even easy, to quickly get my mind off the forever focus…Christ! Yet, it is He that provides all the strength and even all the joy I need to live victoriously in whatever situation I find myself. It is He that provides the peace and contentment no matter what!

In these moments of struggling with circumstances that sometimes begin to overwhelm, I am learning to keep it simple. I can quickly redirect my mind by simply remembering the focus…Live for Christ! I can ask myself a simple question…What can I do for Him right now? Something about asking this question immediately makes the self-pity, self-absorption thinking take a 180 degree turn!

When asking, “What can I do for Christ right now?”, the answer can be as simple as described in Matthew 22: 37-39…

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

I can simply began praising God and rejoicing in my forever future with Him. I can think to myself, is there someone I can show love to…maybe a text or a phone call of encouragement. Loving God and loving others can certainly begin to cover the pain with joy!

Pain does not always go away, but when we live for Christ, we can conquer it with His strength, power, and love. Keeping it that simple and keeping the “forever focus” is a game changer!

The “Secret to Life” is available to all who want it, but not all will partake. It is free to everyone, but it will cost you everything! It will cost you yourself! You give up self and you live for Christ! Something amazing happens when you do this…you replace your selfishness, your self-pity, your worries and fears with the life-giving Life of Jesus Christ! Then, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13)

When you feel it is hard to let go of your pain, worries, and problems…just remember what Christ gave for each one of us. He gave Himself by dying on the cross for each of us. When you ask Jesus into your heart; then, your life truly begins! You don’t have to carry the burdens anymore!

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17

Why is it so hard for even Christ followers to keep it simple and live life the way that Paul did? We get bogged down in our pain, losses, and confusion. When the the circumstances seem hard to bear, step back and remember to keep it simple. Live for Christ! Follow Paul’s example…

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

And remember to…

“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

What Are You Waiting For?

Read Time 2 Minutes

Are you waiting for healing? Are you waiting on a relationship? Are you waiting for direction on your next steps? Are you waiting on a hurt to heal? Are you waiting and wondering when something will end? Are you waiting on a prayer to be answered? Are you waiting on God to show up?

Sometimes the waiting can be agonizing. Don’t lose heart! God is not going to show up…God is already there! He is in the midst of everything you are waiting for!

“Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
You understand my thoughts from far away.
3 You observe my travels and my rest;
You are aware of all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.
5 You have encircled me;
You have placed Your hand on me.
6 This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.

7 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I go up to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9 If I live at the eastern horizon
or settle at the western limits,
10 even there Your hand will lead me;
Your right hand will hold on to me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,
and the light around me will be night”—
12 even the darkness is not dark to You.
The night shines like the day;
darkness and light are alike to You.” Psalm 139: 1-12

Waiting is tough! Especially when we are feeling bad, sad, and lost! Here are a few things you can do while you wait:

1. Wait expectantly!

“At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice;
at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.” Psalm 5:3

“Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him;” Psalm 37: 7

2. Believe God’s promises and hold to them even when you aren’t feeling it!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
6 think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Think back and remember all the times God has rescued you in the past. Thank Him! When we remember what He has done for us, we remember His faithfulness. We remember His love. Praise Him for what He has done. This can turn our focus of self-pity to a refreshing focus on Him. We will remember that He meets all of our needs. We will remember that we are more than conquerors through Him!

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

“My soul, praise the Lord,
and do not forget all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2

4. Take a nature walk or drive and marvel at His Majesty! Remember that the God who is the Maker of heaven and earth cares for you!

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

“When I observe Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which You set in place, what is man that You remember him,
the son of man that You look after him?
You made him little less than God
and crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8: 3-5

5. Finally, remember that there is reward in the waiting.

“…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

May you find special blessings from Him today while you wait!

The Fun Side of God

“Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Read Time 5 Minutes

Ready, Set, Go, And STOP! At the beginning of this year, I wrote a blog post called, “2021…Ready, Set, Go”. Shortly after, I stopped writing. I started off the year inspired to live a victorious 2021 through Christ who strengthens me no matter what the year held. Now it is September. How am I doing?

At times I feel fatigued with life and the world around me. I stopped writing for a variety of reasons including the drain of everything surrounding the pandemic, our country, and the world. I really began to feel that I wasn’t living the victorious way that I had hoped. Recently, I realized that victories can be small and can be daily! Just overcoming obstacles on a given day by grabbing God’s hand and ending the day at peace is a victory. Waking in the morning after a hard day before and feeling God’s new mercies available to me is a victory!

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, right in the middle of a continuing pandemic, I had the opportunity to visit Juneau, Alaska. Yes, I had a chance for recreation and refreshment in the form of a visit to “The Last Frontier” State! In the midst of chaotic times and a very weary country (Covid-19 issues, divisiveness through media and politics, controversies, and confusion), I played! And, God reminded me that in addition to Him being All-powerful, Almighty, and many other perfect characteristics, He has a fun side! This is the multifaceted side of God that creates, that wants to delight us, and that wants to shower gifts on us! He certainly did all of that for me in Alaska!

He is a fun Father! As a parent, I wanted to create delightful experiences for my daughter as she grew up. It was a joy to watch her have fun in every new adventure or every new activity that I provided for her pleasure and growth. Just think how much more God wants to shower us with amusement and happy experiences as our Heavenly Father. He loves us and loves to give us good gifts! He is the ultimate Creator. Creating is fun, and God wants us to enjoy his majestic creations. It was evident to me that God must have been having great gratification being the Creator when I saw the amazing environment of Alaska. When I spied for the first time a sparkling blue glacier calving, I thought to myself, God must have had fun creating the scene that I was viewing! I also felt that He must be feeling great joy that I was happily immersed in His beautiful creation, for I am His daughter, a daughter of the one true King!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

My experience went beyond just being awakened to God’s fun side. It also reminded me of what a personal God He is to each one of us. He showed me that the fun He was allowing me to experience was a very personal gift from Him to me. Each daily adventure seemed to be perfectly timed. I encountered sunshine, rain, misty low clouds, and mild temperatures…all which seemed unmistakably to work well with each activity. Also, as cruise ships disembarked many tourists to flood the area, I somehow began or ended my excursions around the cruise ship crowds without any awareness of their schedule. Thus, I had a very quiet and peaceful time as well as private moments in Alaska.

On top of all of that, I received answered prayer! My favorite part of God’s creation is His animals. I prayed that I would have animal encounters and I especially wanted to see a bear. Oh!!! He must have been having such a wonderful time watching me play! God provided multiple humpback whale sightings. One such sighting was in a very secluded moment when I had just stepped out of the car to take in the views of Auke Bay. I first heard the distinctive sound of blow and then turned to look. There were 2 humpbacks feeding very near the shore…I believe, a mother and her calf! He also allowed me to see four mountain goats feeding and resting on the steep mountainside while on a boat tour. On that boat ride while I was taking a picture of the mountain goats, a Pacific white-sided Dolphin leaped 2 times right by the side of the boat! The glistening two-toned creature is still vivid in my mind. Seals were added to my list of animal sightings as I witnessed them lounging on the sea ice.

And finally, on the last morning in Alaska, I saw my bear! Not in the wild on a hike, but very boldly strolling down the sidewalk in front of gift shops! He seemed to be doing his own souvenir shopping and then turned a corner and climbed over a fence before disappearing. Once again, there were very few people around. I know God was delighting in my delight in that moment as he answered my prayer!

My reflection on this Alaskan adventure includes more than the reminder that God is fun. More importantly than that is the fact that the same God who created mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and amazing animals is not only personal, He lives in me! My heart is His home. In that reality, I can face everyday in victory…in confidence, and even in joyful playfulness!

Also, as I watched the antics of the animals, it struck me that they were so relaxed in a potentially dangerous and harsh environment around them. They were not worried about what the next day would bring. The seals were totally at ease as the glacier calved giving them a ride on the sea ice. Their behavior seemed to amplify the fun of life as they bobbed in the wavy water as though they were in the lazy river at a water park.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-26

So… Ready, Set, Go! Take some time to recreate! Have some fun! God is in control!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17