Seeing His Fingerprints and Leaving Ours

 

The last couple of posts have been about the things we learned at the NBEPC Women's Retreat under the theme Searching for God’s fingerprints...those quiet, holy marks He leaves on our lives. The moments when we look back and realize, He was there all along. Sometimes gently. Sometimes unmistakably. Always faithfully.

As we wrapped up the retreat, though, we shifted just slightly—from noticing His fingerprints on us to recognizing how God invites us to leave our fingerprints on others.

Not in big, dramatic, spotlight-worthy ways.
But in ordinary moments, through ordinary women, empowered by an extraordinary God.

God so often begins His work with stories—so let’s start there.

We don’t share our faith by having all the answers.
We share it by telling the truth about where God has met us.

Those God moments don’t have to be perfectly wrapped testimonies.
They can be quiet experiences of:

peace in grief,
clarity in confusion,
beauty rising from ashes.

Our stories don’t force conversations—they open doors.
They invite, rather than debate.

No one else on earth has your fingerprint.

That’s not just biology—that’s theology.

God placed His mark on you.
A unique stamp.
A personal imprint—almost like a divine QR code—designed to be scanned by the people only you can reach.

Here are a few truths we learned and we were encouraged to carry with us:

God works through us personality, not around it.
Whether wer're an introvert or an extrovert, quiet or bold, reflective or action-oriented—there is someone who needs us exactly as we are.

Our life experiences are part of our calling.
The good. The hard. Even the painful.
God never wastes a story. There is a reason we walked through what we did—so we could comfort, encourage, and walk alongside someone else.

We don’t have to imitate anyone else’s faith expression.
Martha served with action.
Mary worshiped in stillness.
Both were faithful. Both were seen.
God delights in diversity of devotion.

So here’s a gentle question to sit with:

Where has God uniquely positioned me to leave fingerprints?

Let's think about the spaces of our lives:

• Home
• Work
• Church
• Friendships
• Community

Who is already there?
What situation, conversation, or moment might God be inviting us into?

God rarely announces Himself with neon signs.
He leaves fingerprints—on moments, conversations, interruptions, and ordinary days.

And so can we.

Closing Prayer 

Lord, help me notice You.
Help me trust that You are at work—even when I don’t see it clearly.
Help me see Your fingerprints in my life…
and help me leave Your love wherever my life touches another.

 

Blessing

May you walk from this place attentive to holy moments,
confident that your life bears the mark of God,
and bold enough to leave fingerprints of love wherever He sends you.

What Did I Miss?

 

Sometimes God’s work in our lives is easier to see in hindsight than in the moment. What once felt confusing, delayed, or even painful can later reveal itself as guidance, protection, or preparation. Scripture reminds us, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). His fingerprints are often subtle, but they are always personal.

If you want to begin noticing God’s fingerprints in your own story, start by looking back prayerfully:

1. Trace the unexpected turns.
Think about moments when life didn’t go according to your plan — a closed door, a new opportunity, a change in direction. Ask: How did that shape where I am today? God’s guidance is often written in those pivots.

2. Notice the timely provisions.
Recall times when help, strength, or encouragement arrived right when you needed it — a conversation, a resource, a sense of peace, or someone who stepped in. These moments often carry God’s quiet signature.

3. Look for growth through difficulty.
Consider seasons that stretched your faith or patience. What did you learn? How did your character deepen? God frequently leaves His fingerprints not by removing hardship, but by transforming us through it.

4. Write the evidence down.
Take a few minutes to list three moments where you now see God’s presence more clearly. Writing them helps train your heart to recognize His work both past and present.

5. Pray for present awareness.
Ask God not only to help you see His past faithfulness, but also to recognize His activity today — in small mercies, daily strength, and ordinary grace.

When we learn to see God’s fingerprints behind us, we gain confidence to trust His hands ahead of us. The same God who was faithful then is faithful now, still shaping your story with care.

Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to see Your fingerprints in my past and Your presence in my present. Help me remember Your faithfulness so I can walk forward with trust and peace. Amen.

Retreat Thoughts

 How long has it been? Way too long if you ask me.

But it's OK. We're here again and that's what matters.

Take a breath...yes, I'm talking to you, but also to myself.
Let the noise of the day fall away.
We don’t have to solve anything at this moment.
We just need to be present – and listen for God’s whisper.

Scripture reminds us that God’s presence is often revealed not in the dramatic, but in the quiet and the ordinary. Like fingerprints left on glass, His touch is both personal and unmistakable—evidence that He has been here, that He is near, and that He is still at work.

Sometimes we look for God in the grand answers, the big breakthroughs, or the perfectly clear path. Yet more often, His fingerprints appear in small mercies: a timely word, unexpected strength, a moment of peace, a door gently opened, or even a closed one that protects us. They show up in relationships restored, courage found, prayers whispered, and hope that refuses to fade.

Tonight, instead of asking, “Where is God working?” try asking, “Where have I already seen His touch?” Consider the moments—recent or long past—where His guidance, comfort, or provision quietly shaped your story. Each one is a mark of His faithful presence.

God’s fingerprints are also on you. You are created intentionally, known fully, and loved deeply. Your gifts, your story, your calling—even your growth through difficulty—bear the imprint of the One who formed you.

As you sit in this moment, invite God to open your eyes to His fingerprints: in your life, in this group, and in the path ahead. And trust that even when you cannot see them clearly, His hands are still gently shaping your story.

Prayer:
Lord, help us notice Your presence in the small and the quiet places. Open our hearts to recognize Your fingerprints in our lives, and give us peace in knowing You are always near. Amen.

Moving On??

 I can't believe it has been so long since I was last in this space...life is just passing by and I don't know where is going. So much has happened since January...it just seems impossible that we are in the last days of the last "J" month...it is scary how fast time slips away...like water through my arthritic fingers. It just keeps moving on, and we have no say in it, no control, no way to slow it down, let alone, stop it. I want to hang on to it, but I can't. It is not mine to bottle up or store for later. Time is the now, and the now doesn't wait. We have to move on with it whether we like it or not...whether we want it or not. 

"Moving on..."

What does that even mean? These are the types of expressions from the English language that puzzle me to no end. It is a combination of words that makes no sense to me. In my early years learning this exceedingly frustrating form of communication, I was taught that "to move" was a verb that meant to change positions, as in one's body or even to change your body to another place. But, what about that little word "on"? What is "on" doing there? I was taught that "on" was a preposition that indicates a resting position upon a surface, as in the plate is on the table, which to me it gives the impression of being static. So, in my English as a second language brain, putting these 2 words together is kind of contradictory: make your body change positions or place while staying put/static upon a surface...all I can picture in my mind is to dance in place or to run inside the surface of one tile...I even picture one of those inflatable dancers we see at car dealerships. I guess it is possible. But what's the point?

Exposure to cultures and languages has taught me that it is not about the literal translation of words. Meaning goes beyond what a single word "means." 

When someone directs, suggests, commands, invites, encourages someone else to "move on" it does not mean that you should shake your body within the confines of a 12" x 12" tile pretending to be one of those inflatable dancers. What "they" mean is, get going, transition to a different location, the place where you were is no more, change.

A bit harsh, is it not?

As well intended as it might be (and usually is), the thing is that the idea of "moving on" as the phrase is intended to be, is not just emotionally weighty, but often it feels just simply impossible to do.

And you know what else I have discovered? It. Is. OK. 

There is no time limit as to how long we are supposed to stay on our 12"x12" tile, running, dancing, waiving our arms up in the air, fainting, kneeling, curling up in a ball, numb, deflated, crying, laughing, reminiscing, regretting, hopping, praying, cursing, shaking our fist, wondering, confused, in awe, in reverence, in love, in loneliness, in anger, in shock, in dismay, or just staying put until we are ready to venture one foot out.

It does not matter if time and life seem to be passing us by. Sometimes we need to stay a little bit longer before we can "move on." That's what God's grace is all about. Grace finds us wherever we are, and that is all we need, for His grace is sufficient...and Christ is enough. His timing is perfect. His ways are not our own. But we trust Him and we surrender to His plan for our lives. Time is the now, and the now does not wait...but it doesn't matter, because our time is in His Hands, and He will not leave us behind. Even if we are just like an unplugged inflatable figure, deflated, unable to waive our arms hysterically...we will NOT go unnoticed. He sees us. He picks us up. He carries us and takes us where we need to be. In The Precious Name of Jesus, We Praise! Amen!

What's the Point?

What's the point of all the pain...of all the sorrow...of all the loss...of all the hurt...of all the stress and worry and fear that surround us? What's the point of it all? Don't you just wonder about it? Don't you just want to ask God to answer so at least we'd know that there was a point...a purpose to it?

Often, as Christians we feel bad questioning God. We tend to believe that we need to just be accepting and meek and obedient...and just take it...like good little soldiers of the faith. Complaining is not in our vocabulary...or at least it shouldn't be, right? We are so very blessed. And yet...so we feel bad that we do...and yet...

I don't think we should feel too bad, though. People in the Bible, giants of the faith, have done their fair share of questioning and complaining and of giving grandiose exclamations of the ridiculousness of it all. For instance, look at how the the writer of Ecclesiastes, attributed to King Solomon, opens his book. 

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”

says the Teacher.

“Utterly meaningless!

Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 1:2

These words might seem unsuitable for those of us who profess our faith in the Almighty. I dare say that not many who seek to memorize encouraging Scripture filled with hope and peace to have them as part of their arsenal so they can defend themselves when the enemy attacks, might count Ecclesiastes 1:2 as one of their go-to...at least I don't. These utterings are a declaration of something fiercely raw. They express vulnerability, a boiling point when there's not much left to do but to admit that what we had thought is not so. 

I don't know about you, but when I read the opening lines of a book exclaiming that "everything is meaningless," I don't particularly feel hopeful, warm and fuzzy inside. This is not the kind of hook that makes me want to grab the book, and curl up with it in front of a cozy fire with a warm blanket and socks in a winter night so I can feel protected and safe. Instead, this opening puts me right outside in sub-zero degree temperature, sinking in the snow, naked.

And these words coming from "the Teacher"? That just adds a deeper sense of doom to the whole thing. 

Why? Why is "the Teacher" sounding so defeated? Why is he saying that everything is meaningless? Maybe because it is...

I read that the word translated "meaningless" or even "vanity" in other versions, means "wisp of vapor." Like vapor, the author is telling us that the things of this world are without much substance. How is that possible? All our toiling under the sun is useless...empty. Really? In a way, yes. These are the words of someone who has found out that the material world is not the end goal. The things of this world belong to this world, and as we know, we do not! This world is not our home. We belong to Heaven. Our focus, therefore, needs to be on the things eternal. Our true realm is the spiritual, and as such, that's where our eyes should be. That's where we transcend. That's where we find meaning and substance. That's where God is. That is our true home.

What's the point then? The point, I believe is that we ought to let the world keep its things. All the pain, sorrow, loss, tears and fears will remain here once we've departed for our final destination. They were part of the refining fire, the furnace that burned all the impurities and allowed the gold to come out. They were part of the cross that everyone must carry along with Jesus as He redeems us through the blood of His sacrifice. While we journey through the emptiness of this world, gratitude for the blessings sees us through, always remembering not to get too attached. 

Therefore, let's live for eternity. Let's not worry too much because this life is but a vapor. God can take our questioning. He is bigger than our complaining and anguish and our neediness. He welcomes it as part of our growing, and He invites us to walk with Him as He shows us how eternity has already begun.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5: 11

What is Success?

 What do you think of when you hear the term "success" being applied to something? To me, success is pretty much always linked to gains or wins. I think I'm successful when I win at something. It usually is a result of hard work and the outcome is that I get something. As a teacher, I tell my students stuff like: work hard, complete all your assignments and turn them in on time and you'll be successful in this class (meaning, they'll pass). Anyway, success to me is a word very much associated with the material. In other words, it is closely linked to the world. But is it? Is there another aspect of success? Does success have another angle? A different face?

I'm currently wresting with a piece of Scripture that is, as all Scripture is, amazingly brilliant but at the same time, seemingly unattainable. The verse is, Romans 12: 2,

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Do you know what I mean by "seemingly unattainable"? How in the world (literally) will I ever renew my mind? How will I ever accomplish such a transformation? How could I successfully complete this daunting assignment and submit it on time so I can pass this class?

Could the impossibility of this task have something to do with a flaw in my interpretation of "success"?

Hard work, effort, completing assignments, winning...did I leave out some important elements? What about prayer? And the Holy Spirit? And Scripture? And seeking Godly guidance? And Jesus being the Way?

I guess I forgot to think about success from a spiritual perspective...sigh...

When I read Romans 12: 2 all I see is my part: I have to stop conforming to the patterns of this world. I have to be transformed. I have to renew my mind. I have to seek, find, see and understand God's will. I, I, I, I...it's all on me. It's no wonder the task seems impossible. Of course I don't think I could ever be successful enough to win. I'm relying on my own abilities...my own strength...I'm going at it alone. Is it because I want the glory at the end? Am I thinking this is all on me, and only me, because I want to be able to say: look at me and what I have accomplished! I was a wreck...but I am now transformed! Or is it confusion? Am I confused as to what my role is in this journey to the deep transformation of my mind?

I believe it might be a bit of both. But mostly, I think I'm just not sure how to go about it and what my responsibility is and where I have to just let God be God. In reality, though, if I am honest with myself, isn't it all in God's hands? Isn't He the Only One who can? Isn't my role to just trust Him and rely on His strength through which I can do all things? I think that's it, isn't it? My job is to give Him my all, which include my feeble efforts at not conforming to this world, at taking every thought captive and not allowing my mind to rule over me, but me rule over my mind...and trust that God will equip me to accomplish this as He works in me through the process of sanctification!

This is a life-long process and it requires my all and my desire to follow Him. It requires me to invoke the Holy Spirit, trust in the Father and follow Jesus as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life...the Only Way, the Only Truth and the Only Life through which I could ever be successful in this journey to a full transformation...a transformation that may not be rewarded until I am in His presence. 

What is success, then?

Success is surrender.

Success is surrendering to God's will for us, whatever it is, trusting His Word which He has given us in Scripture, and walking with Him for as long as He gives us life, knowing that He loves us so much that He will not leave us the same. It doesn't matter if the change did not produce the metamorphosis we envisioned...but nobody would ever stay the same after an encounter with the Living God...for we will all be transfigured in Him. And that's the biggest win of all!

You Are Magnificent!

 Do you believe you're magnificent?

Do you see yourself as radiant?

Do you take people seriously when they say that you are wonderful?

No, nope, nada...

Why do you think some of us struggle to find, believe, accept our worth? Maybe that's not one of your struggles, but I know it is certainly one of mine. I have a hard time finding, believing, accepting that I have something valuable to offer and that I am not just a mistake of my parents...which they didn't say I was...they just called me a "surprise" but in my head that sounded a lot like, "Holy...blip...what a mistake!"

At any rate, sometimes I believe that in the process of trying to become humble and act in humility, often we...me...end up falling for the trap of denying my essence. My insecurity regarding my value comes from a place of darkness that is not of God. It is the enemy's tool to bring me down and to make me feel unworthy of God's enduring, mysterious, unexplainable, never-failing love. 

Why would God love me? I suck! I am totally unlovable! I'm the worst person ever to walk on this earth! Expressions like these are not communicating humility. They are communicating lack of understanding of who we really are. This type of self-destructive talk expresses an internal struggle between believing God's word and falling for the lies of the devil. 

How do we end such an internal battle?

I think, I'm not sure...here's my insecurities acting up again...but the answer is in internalizing the truth! And what is the truth? Well, for one, Jesus died for me. I mean...that's a pretty significant truth that should lift me up any time I feel low, don't you think? God loved me so much that He sent Jesus to be born and be sacrificed for the forgiveness of my sins...yes...mine...not just the sins of others...my sins too. He died for me as well. Over 2,000 years before my birth, Jesus died for me.  Mind blowing, isn't it? But TRUE!

I was created in the image of God. How's that for believing I'm valuable, huh? Not at the image of my earthly Father (which is what I always think since I am so much like him). I was created in the image of God Himself! I'm part of His creation, and all He created has His spark in it. Belittling myself is denying I have God's essence in me. I was fearfully and wonderfully made. And Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well, and that's the truth! I'm not boasting on how wonderful I am. I'm boasting on how wonderful Our Creator is, and on how marvelous His creation is and I praise Him for making me a part of it...a part of His workmanship, created for His good works! And as part of His creation, I look at Him, and He makes me radiant! And that's a FACT!

That's why the enemy works so hard on deceiving us. That's why the devil pushes us with such constancy against the wall of our insecurities. He wants us to believe the lie and forfeit the truth. He wants us to believe the lie of our worthlessness masqueraded in false humility to forfeit the truth that regardless of being completely undeserving, God chose us to be His own and to be a recipient of His Love and the temple of the Holy Spirit for a purpose that fits in His master plan, and through Him, despite all our flaws, we are magnificent!

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us of the truth. May we keep reading Scripture consistently so through its power You protect our hearts from the harmful lies of the enemy as we assimilate the truth of Your Love and of who we are: Yours! In the Precious Name of Jesus, Our Healer, Redeemer, Restorer and Friend. Amen!

Scripture references:

Psalm 34: 5  "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Ephesians 2: 10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works".

Psalm 139: 14 "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

2 Corinthians 5: 17  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Genesis 1: 27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

1 Corinthians 6: 19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,"

Genesis 1: 31 "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."

It Ends in Victory!

Well, January is underway...2/3rds gone already. A snowy winter with low temps...I guess that's what winters in this neck of the woods are supposed to be like. It's just that we haven't in a few years, so I got used to mild temperatures and dry Januarys. 

Anyway, as I sit here, looking out my window at the snowed covered grounds that surround me, contemplating that a new semester is about to start, feeling the stress of work and the unknown creeping in once again...I remembered my word for this year: PEACE...and how easily I lose it...sigh...

Why is peace so elusive? 

Maybe this is not your struggle, but for me, peace is a most difficult goal to attain. Often, it feels more like a dream...like a fairy tale or fantasy football...like make-believe or lemon drops, rather than an actual, real fruit of the Holy Spirit. Why isn't the Spirit growing this fruit in me?

Yeah, I said it. The question that has been lingering in my heart forever. Why isn't the Spirit growing peace in me?

...long pause...

I wonder if 2 Corinthians 4: 18 might show some light on my conundrum,

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 18

Could it possibly be that part of the problem is that I am too focused on what is seen? Could it be be that I see everything through the lenses of this material world, and I forget that I am just passing through...that this is not home? 

Forgetting about the eternal could rob us from our stability.

Keeping our eyes on the things of this world could cause us to believe this is it.

Obsessing over our circumstances could steal our peace.

Like Pastor Dan said in his sermon yesterday, the thing we have to keep in mind and try to assimilate is that regardless of all the suffering, sorrow, problems, issues, hardships we may face in this sphere, for Christians, "it always ends in Victory!"

We have already won because Jesus is already Victorious and in Him we WIN! That is the eternal perspective. That is, I believe, what Paul is telling us. If we put our faith and our efforts in the material realm, we are basing our lives on the temporary. And the temporary, but definition, is not stable. But I think we do it because, at least if you are like me, we need to feel that we have some semblance of control. And we can only control what we see. So we invest our energy trying to make everything in our world just like so. In reality, however, our energy and time would be better spent in cultivating an eternal point of view. This eternal point of view allows us to see that we are part of God's master plan and that the things that happen to us while we are journeying through this earth are not where we find stability. The stability that brings peace is found on the Solid Rock upon which we stand, and as we trust Him, we let go...because we are confident in His promise that Victory is ours as much as it is His.

I know I am not just magically going to be swimming in the deep waters of the river of peace, completely undisturbed any time soon. However, I believe now, that the Holy Spirit IS working in me even if it is ever so quietly that I can hardly perceive it. But He IS because it is not about me. It is about His design, and I'm just a small piece of it, and as He works in others, He works in me as well...one day at a time...until He calls me home. 

My job in the meantime is to trust Him and to put my hope in the wisdom of His perfect will. Think eternal. Be grateful that He chose me to be a part of His plan. And remember we have already Won!

In the Precious name of Jesus our Christ! Amen!

Peace for the New Year!

 Where has time gone?

That is a common question around this time of the year. The last day of 2024...it just seems unreal, doesn't it? The answer? I have no idea...all I know is that it went way too fast, and at the same time, not fast enough. Marked by loss, anguish, anxiety, fear, I struggle to find moments of beauty. I know they were there, but they are blurred by the dense fog of hot tears. Today, however, I want to take a moment to turn my eyes to the One Who Makes ALL things new...and allow Him to clear my vision and light up the lamp unto my feet so I can see the path that leads me to where I can see the blessings.

Holy Spirit, Divine Gardener of our souls, on this cloudy morning, this last morning of 2024, I pray that You will guide me and inspire me to focus not on the weeds, but on the harvest of gratitude that you have grown all around my fields. Despite of all my efforts to mess things up, You are always creating a way and a purpose. One example of that this year was seeing Grant graduate from College. You took care of him all through his 4 years at Geneva and continue to do so today and for the rest of his life even though I am the most unfit of Mothers. You also took care of Dylan in his injury and have made something great come out of it: a passion, and for that my heart fills with joy. You took care of me in my despair when facing scary health results and surrounded me with the prayers of those angels you've placed on my path. You have walked with Dan every day as he strives to perform in righteousness everywhere he goes. You continue to take care of our extended families near and far. You have planted the seeds of fellowship in our beloved church and have cover us with Your presence and with the warmth of your embrace as we traverse through valleys of shadows and death. You have brought light in our darkness and a shelter in our wandering. You have shown us that You are, indeed, our refuge and strength just as You promised You'd be. Though the tears still flow, I trust You will one day, in Your time and place, wipe them all away.

Looking back at this year, I can say that I recognize how You are the One who can turn graves into gardens. You are the Only One who can make a mess seem beautiful...You are the One who can bring order out of chaos. And for that I thank You. I was reminded this Christmas season that it is not about me or my circumstances...it's not even about family and loved ones...it is all about You. You are the source of our gratitude. Your plan to take on flesh so You could be the Perfect and Only acceptable sacrifice to atone us, and Your decision to dwell in our hearts until You come back again or call us home IS what we celebrate. And for opening my eyes to that truth this year, I am most grateful.

Today, as we close the season and the year a word keeps resonating in my heart, mind and soul...the word is Peace. I know that over the years I have written quite a bit about the concept of peace. Now, I want to re-take it and re-claim it not as a concept in the abstract, but as a tangible reality that is possible to experience regardless of what is going on around us, because Peace is a Person. Peace is Jesus. True Peace is found in the Presence of Christ in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit, the most precious gift we could receive on this earth. So, as I enter 2025 with anxious thoughts and trepidation, I lift up a prayer that the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in our lives in magnificent ways so we know...really, truly know He is here, so His presence can fill us with the promised peace that should run like a river in our souls.

Have a blessed 2025. May we walk each day knowing He holds us with His loving hand so we can journey in peace. In the Precious Name of Jesus. Amen!

Chapter 7 of the Book Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio

 Do you remember who was the first person who ever taught you about "thank you" being one of the magic words?

I really do not remember. The concept of saying "thank you" has been so ingrained in me since my first consciousness that I could not pin-point who was the first person who ever instilled that rule in my heart. And yes, we also think "thank you" is one of the "magic words" in the cultures of the people who speak Spanish. We have adults telling us in very stern voices and with raised eyebrows, something like: "¿Cómo se dice?" or "what do you say?" every time we are supposed to say thank you. So early on, we learn.

The question is: WHY??? Why do societies place such an importance on making sure children grow up knowing how and when to say this expression of gratitude? Why is it so crucial that we learn it? 

Did you know that expressing thanks is not as universal as we think? In some cultures, it might even be considered rude and/or a sign of vanity to say something like "thank you." That blows my MIND!

More interestingly, did you know it is within the Judeo-Christian world where the concept of gratitude is most deeply rooted and practiced? 

Look at these trivia bits: in China, they don't really say thank you because they think the favor will come back around in the future. In other Asian countries, they view saying "thank you" as distancing, insincere, rude or even too sarcastic to be appreciated. Some indigenous languages don't even have a word for "thank you." In Hebrew, however, expressing gratitude is key...especially when praying. Check this out. As I was reading about these things, I found out that the very word for a Jewish person (Yehudi in Hebrew) has the same root as giving thanks – which is hoda’a in Hebrew. So, instead of calling the Jewish people – People of the Book, linguistically it would make more sense to call them “the Grateful People”! It is no wonder then, that regions of the world where the principles of Judeo-Christianity have had a great impact, would place such emphasis on being grateful. 

Pastor Giglio in chapter 7 of his book Winning the War on Worry brings up a ton of important ideas to ponder. One of them is the role of a grateful heart when waging the war against worrying. He brings the point home by citing Philippians 4: 6-7,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

Did you notice the little phrase "with thanksgiving"? Pastor Giglio wants us to really pay attention to that little combination of words tucked in the middle of this powerful piece of Scripture. He wants us to realize that a grateful heart is instrumental on this battle against worry, which in essence is the battle for our minds. When worry attacks, we literally lose our minds. We lose control over our minds and we spiral down into a pit of negativity and despair that is very difficult to climb out of on our own. The best course of action is to not allow ourselves to descend down those depths of darkness. Sometimes, however, the weight of our circumstances is so heavy that we slip and fall. It is then that we must recover our minds and remember God's Word that encourages us to pray and to be thankful..."in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5: 18). Notice the call is to be thankful in... it doesn't say for all circumstances. So in our darkest hour we recall the Goodness of God and His enduring love, and all His attributes and all He is and all He has done for us and how He has rescued us before so He will rescue us again, and we thank Him in advance for all of that and we dwell in Him, seeking His Light and trusting He is holding us as we continue to thank Him in our hour of worry.

See, the devil knows gratitude pulls us out of the pit...that's why he doesn't want us to remember to be grateful in every circumstance. He feeds his lies to us telling us "really? You are thankful for this??? What kind of a cruel god gives you garbage and then asks you to be grateful for it? But it is "in" it...not "for" it so don't listen to the enemy, listen to the truth, and the truth is that "gratefulness is a torpedo that sinks worry," like Pastor Giglio says. "Gratitude opens the doorway for praise, and praise dispels fear. Worry and worship cannot be in our mouths at the same time. One always displaces the other." (96)

So, I encourage us to try this together. Next time we are either descending or already down there, in the darkest corner of the pit of worry, let's start thanking God. Let's start recalling our blessings, naming them one by one...maybe we should have a list of blessings written down so we can read them out loud at this moment...and let's see what happens. What do we have to lose? Nothing. We have nothing to lose and a whole lot to win. Although we do have one thing to lose: worry. For, as we praise and thank God for our blessings, worry will begin to lose its power in us and the peace that transcends all understanding will begin to flow like a river.

Even though I can't remember who was the first person to teach me about saying "thank you," I'm so glad I grew up in a culture where they teach kids to be grateful. It is a most crucial weapon to win this war, indeed!

Let's wrap it up with the prayer at the end of chapter 7:

Father, I just want to say thank You. thank You for saving me. Thank You for seeing me when I was far off. Thank You for the power of Your cross to overcome every bit of darkness and despair. thank You for being able when I am not, for being awake and alert and mindful of me. You are infinite and intimate, and I bow in adoration of You. Amen!

Chapter 6 of the Book Winning the War on Worry

 I. LOVE. HOME. RENOVATION. SHOWS!!! Some may say I'm addicted to them.

I just can't get enough of those shows. I love them so much that we had to get rid of our HGTV subscription because nobody could remove me from my favorite chair in front of the TV...so, I'm happy to say that it has been a couple of years since I have watched any. I went cold turkey and I haven't been back. I finally realized I had wasted enough time watching (also, Dan cut me off since he realized where the "leak" in our finances was...)

Anyway, I still dream about home renovations and redecoration, and relocation, etc. I just get so excited with the prospect of seeing something completely gutted and then put back together in new and fascinating ways. I picture it in my mind and it looks beautiful...then, when I see it completed it usually is way better than anything I imagined. One of the things I love the most is the opportunity to fix problems that could have been hidden behind the walls and we didn't know anything about. We remodeled our bathrooms a few years ago and since then our drains have been working so much better! In our old house we remodeled the kitchen and the bathroom and the back patio. I hated to leave since we finally had gotten everything to work like clockworks! The patio remodel was total insanity. They found boulders buried underneath! Literally, the contractors had to rent a crane to pull them out! It was so weird. I wish I could find the pictures. I can't wait until we remodel our kitchen in our current house since everything is falling apart in there. But I digress...

The reason I started thinking about this was because Pastor Giglio in chapter 6 of his book, Winning the War on Worry, talks about "putting a dagger in the heart of worry" by using the metaphor of undergoing a "home renovation." Actually, he is not talking about just like a kitchen, bathroom or patio remodel. Nope. What he is encouraging us to do is to totally demolishing the house! (75) That is serious stuff. Can you imagine? How long have you lived in your current home? I haven't lived here very long, but I think of Dan's homestead...it has been in his family for over 100 years. He doesn't really know any other home, "home." I cannot imagine his family ever considering the passing thought of demolishing that old house...unfathomable. Yet, that is precisely what we must do if we want to stab worry in the heart and finally defeat it. We have to completely tear down the house we have built for it to dwell for as long as we have been worried.

It is discouraging to think that we built that house of worry. But the encouraging thing is that since we built it...we can demolish it. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, by the strength of Jesus and the Word of God, we can tear it down. Like Pastor Giglio says, "the wrecking ball that turns this house of lies into a pile of rubble is the power of the Name of Jesus." (76) The same way the spiritual warfare is not of this world and we have to battle it with weapons that are not of this world, we demolish the house of worry using the tools and strategies provided to us by the Spirit. And the first one is: a new way of thinking.

Pastor Giglio says that in order to drive the dagger through the heart of worry we must think about different things than the things that are causing us to worry. He uses Philippians 4:8 as the basis for this strategy:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things.

I LOVE this verse. I always have been drawn to it as a way to help me achieve the renewal of the mind that we are commanded to do in Romans 12: 2. But I can say I have never put it in the context of a total house renovation manual to get rid of worry. But it is so clear now that he points it out. Worry is all about a state of mind. The way to eradicate it is precisely by achieving the renewing of the mind...but how do we GET to that renewal? Well, by doing what Philippians 4: 8 says: "think about such things!" What things? whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. 

What an "AHA!" moment. 

It's all about being aware. Pastor Giglio says, whenever the thoughts of worry begin to creep up into our minds and hearts, the first thing we need to ask ourselves is: "where did that thought come from?" He suggests we ask the question out loud again and again. The answer will come to us and it will be that the thought came either from God or from somewhere else. And the way to confirm if it was from God is by going back to Philippians 4:8. We ask ourselves, is it true? Is it noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and/or praiseworthy? If the answer is no...then...the thought came from somewhere else and we must combat it, take it captive, by thinking about such things in the list.

One of the practical exercises we see in this chapter is to take one of the words Paul encourages us to think about and write out a list of thoughts that relate to that word. I suggest we take a word a day, and create a list for each of the words...so...when we are attacked by worry, we can go to our lists and think about the things we wrote down. 

I know, it all sounds way too easy. And it is NOT. But the most important thing we need to remember is that it is not by our power that we will accomplish any of these things. It is by the power of Jesus living in us. "Through Christ we are resurrected, a new creation, no longer under the power of this world and its ways. We are free and perfectly loved, and as such, we can take back our minds, eliminating worry and accepting the easy and light yoke of our Good and Gracious Savior!" (83)

So let's gather our tool box. Let's gut the house of worry. Better yet, let's tear it down. Let's fix the hidden problems, replace the plumbing, open the drains, find the leaks, pull out the buried boulders and rebuild. By the Power of Jesus, we can do this! Be with us, Lord. Be Our Cornerstone! In Your Hands we place our efforts. Amen!

 

Chapter 5 of the Book Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio

 "Do you believe God loves you?"

Pastor Louie Giglio asks this questions on page 68 in chapter 5 of his book on Winning the War on Worry. This chapter talks about how the power of God's perfect love for us is the key to winning this war. The problem is...do we believe God loves us?

Is there a person in your life you truly love? Not just because of what they do for you...not just when they behave well or perform to your satisfaction...a person you truly love despite all of that. The closest to this kind of love I have experienced is the love I feel for my sons. They can't do much for me. They don't always behave well. The rarely ever perform to my satisfaction (shhhhhh...don't tell them I said this. I'd deny, deny, deny!!). But it's true. They are great kids, but they are not perfect and they do disappoint me TONS...but I'd die for them. The depth of my love for them goes deeper than I ever knew it was possible. But I still want to punch them on the face often. Pastor Giglio tells us to ponder our very imperfect love that we feel for our beloved and realize that it is nothing compared to the love God has for us.

The only reason we know how to love in our imperfect ways is because He first loved us (John 4: 19). He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. What kind of a love is that? It is incomprehensibly perfect love. It goes beyond everything we can imagine. And that kind of love is the one He has for us. Therefore, we have nothing to worry about! If we who are weak and imperfect are able to keep our children safe for the most part...how much safer is God able to keep us? Like Pastor Giglio said on page 66: "If God already gave you His best, He has no reason to withhold the rest." If God has already given me Jesus and the Holy Spirit, why should I worry that He might not take care of me? It's absurd, when you look at it this way, isn't it?

The depth of God's love moved Him to send Himself in the person of Jesus to be our Savior and in the person of the Holy Spirit to live inside of us until He calls us home. Why should I be afraid? If He has already done all these, why would He deny us to help us overcome fear and worry? Yes, we still live in a broken world and the enemy is still prowling like a hungry lion seeking to devour us. Therefore, we must still stay on guard, but we are covered by the most perfect love that ever existed, so, regardless of the reality of the struggles we face, we have already won! So why worry?! And the greatest news is: nothing can ever separate us from His love! (Romans 8: 31-39)

No matter what we do or don't do, He "absolutely and unequivocally" loves us no matter what! And if we believe this truth in our hearts and minds, we have the greatest and only weapon we will ever need to put a dagger through the heart of worry. (68)

So, let's make sure we meditate on this essential truth: God does love us with an everlasting love. Once we get that tattooed into our brains, the enemy would have no power over us.

May we respond with humility and awe to the great power of God's love. He has done what we could never do, so we worship Him. He is the Only One worthy of all our worship and praise and affection. Reveal Your perfect love to us as we move away from worry and break our chains of fear, Lord. In the Precious Name of Jesus, the One Who Breaks every chain, even mine! Amen!

Chapter 4 of the Book Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio

 I love disaster movies. I just enjoy watching them because they usually contain great examples of human ingenuity and resourcefulness. God's marvelous design comes in full display when we are pressed from every side as our brain goes on full alert mode and fires up options to consider when in mortal danger...well...some people's brain, at least. My brain goes straight to panic. So I'm afraid if you are stuck with me in a dangerous situation, you're going to have to be the one with the impressive display of brain power, because me...I'm going to be hysterically and blindly screaming my lungs out, paralyzed in fear, curled into a ball. 

Anyway, that's another reason I like watching disaster movies, because I'm hoping to learn something useful. Like, for example, I love to watch and re-watch the movie San Andreas, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Yes, I also enjoy watching that movie because of The Rock, I know, you got me. BUT, my favorite part is when the earth starts shaking again, and The Rock moves all the people to lean against the side wall of the stadium. Once the earthquake stops, everyone is safe even though there was much collapsing of structures, then the one person asks him, how did he know what to do. The Rock's character, who is an emergency helicopter pilot replied something like, "you find something sturdy to lean against and brace yourself." 

Well, chapter 4 of the book Winning the War on Worry by Pastor Louie Giglio talks about how it is key to invite God into our worry. To illustrate this, Pastor Giglio quotes Philippians 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. This is a command, but beyond that, it is a guide to handling worry. I know, hearing the first part is like, "sure...do not be anxious...do not worry...yeah...that'll happen." But if we keep reading, it tells us what to do instead or when we feel the sting of fear and worry on the back of our spine: PRAY! And what is prayer? It is our invitation to God to be a part of our lives, good and bad and ugly. 

The best part is the result of this invitation: PEACE! 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 7

What a blessing! Countering worry with prayer results in a peace so amazing that it is incomprehensible. And this peace is promised if we abide/dwell in Our Great God. If we disconnect from our distractions and remain close to the vine that is Jesus, turning our attention to Him in prayer, worry turns into peace like water turned into wine by the sole presence of Our Lord in the room. 

A practical and effective way that Pastor Giglio offers in his book to staying connected to Jesus especially in our times of worry and fear, is a simple breathing exercise. He tells us to exhale/breathe out a lie caused by worry, whatever it is, and inhale/breathe in an affirmation or a promise of God. For example, he says, we can exhale, "I am alone." And then, we can inhale, "God is with me always." We can customize this to fit our situation and try it whenever the cold shivers of fear start creeping up and down our soul. It is a good way to refocus our attention on the One Who Calms the Storm as supposed to keeping it on the waves and the winds. It is a way to remember that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46: 1). It is how we find our "sturdy" place when the earth begins to move.

As I walk through valleys filled with the darkness of worry and fear, I will try to remember the triangle of life, Our Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the sturdiest place ever available for us to lean against in our times of earthquakes and storms. 

Thank you, Lord for reminding us that You are bigger than anything that afflicts us in this world. You have overcome, and so shall we by Your grace, presence and strength. In The Precious Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

Chapter 3 of the Book Winning the War on Worry

 I cannot believe that it has been almost 3 months since the last time I posted anything. It has been an eventful summer, both good and not-so-good. I've enjoyed many blessings but I have also been immersed in deep worry. And today, as I was, once again, falling into the trap that fear sets in front of me every time, I remembered...All things are possible with God! (Matthew 19: 26) ... even winning the war on worry.

So let me pick up where I left off: the beginning of chapter 3.

Author and Pastor, Louie Giglio reminds us in this chapter how control and fear are at the root of worry. I think, the fear of losing control is significant here as well. If you think about it, we just like life to go the way we plan it. And when it doesn't, or when it seems like it won't...we begin to worry because we fear the unknown. Unknown means out of our control...therefore, we worry.

I am not a big planner. I know it is hard to believe, but I do not spend countless hours scheduling the minutia or even the big things of life. I'm too lazy for that. I do plan, don't get me wrong, but I have seen what real, hard-core planners are like...and I am NOT one of them. Dylan is. He is obsessed with detailed planning. For example, when we go on vacation, he plans every single outfit he will wear every single day. One time I had to yell at him for using all my gallon-size Ziplock bags to organize his daily get ups. I was sooooo mad when I went to look for ONE and there were NONE left in a box I had recently purchased. Me on the other hand, I throw in my suitcase a bunch of pieces that I know go together and hope when I'm there, I can concoct a few basic outfits that look presentable and comfortable (while making sure there is a washing/dryer combo at the place where we're staying at, 'cause I tend to under pack).

Anyway...Dylan gets terribly upset when plans change. Back to traveling, he makes me repeat over and over and over again what we have planned to do at the place we're visiting, until he memorizes it. I even have to tell him when we have planned, nothing...so he can mark it as "free time" in his mental calendar. The year we took him to Guatemala, we were not in control of the itinerary so a couple of months in advance I had to start the conversations with him about the need for him to grasp the concept of "going with the flow." I thought it was super ironic that I was the one promoting the idea of "going with the flow" when I am notoriously the least "flowy" person anyone around me has ever met (I am just filled with contradictions).

At any rate, Pastor Giglio says that we are called to be good stewards, which in turn means, we are supposed to plan. Good stewardship/planning, however, does not need to include a microscopic analysis of every "what if" scenario that could possibly happen in the future. We consider some of them, perhaps the most obvious, and we let the rest go to God's hands, where ultimately every plan must reside. He mentions how getting stuck on the "what ifs" will actually paralyze us with fear because we realize how ill-equipped we are to deal with all of them...therefore, we get "stuck on a stream of worry." (35)

Giglio says:

It's not wrong to admit that the occasional "what if" can be helpful...every so often when you're building a plan, you need to look ahead. But you can't live there. You can't fixate so much on the ideas of tomorrow that you cease living in the realities of today. Not only is detrimental to your spiritual health, but psychology and sociology have proven that it's actually a large waste of time and effort...because most of the "what ifs" that we project and dwell on don't ever happen." (35) Later he continues, "planning well and steering clear from worry means that we embrace the mentality of I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." (37) He adds, "planning focuses on the present and on what is in your hands, while occasionally looking ahead to factor in what is to come. Worry fixates on the future, while occasionally circling back to work on what is currently in front of you." (34)

And that's why worry gets me, not because I am a frantic planner who needs to schedule even her visits to the "el baño," but because the toxicity of worry gets to me due to the fact that I keep looking at the future, crossing bridges ahead of time, fixating on the fact that I won't be able to handle the eventualities and the realized "what ifs" because I'm not strong enough (or even because I haven't planned accordingly). I believe the lie that says we are alone in the storm...so when it hits...I KNOW I'm going to perish for sure because I know I am not strong enough.

The truth is, we ARE NOT ALONE. 

We do not have to face the storm all on our own.

We don't have to rely only on our puny strength.

God, the Lord Almighty is with us always. (Isaiah 41: 10) and so is Jesus (Matthew 28: 20). Not only He controls the storm (Mark 4: 39) but He speaks to us out of it (Job 38: 1)...and even though with man things are not all possible, NOTHING is impossible with God, (Matthew 19: 26). And He also doesn't give us more than we can handle. Pastor Giglio points out beautifully how this is present in the parable of the talents, when in Matthew 25: 15 Jesus says, "to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability." How did I miss that last part? I can't believe I never truly saw that last phrase, "to each according to his own ability." I just love the Word of God and how it becomes new every day.

He also sends His angels to guard us (Psalm 91: 11-12)...and I don't just mean the celestial beings...I mean, God puts people in our lives to do His work in us as well. He sends His every-day-angels to minister to us and to walk with us and to lift us up...

Pastor Giglio's closing words in this chapter are most powerful:

"God puts things into your hands according to your ability and His power to work in and through you. If He's entrusted it to you, you can carry it. If He's calling you to it, He will be faithful and help you through it." (38) Even if we mess up and believe we are failing...He who began a good work in us will see it to completion. (Philippians 1: 6)

God is Good and Merciful...so I know that whether we want to plan every detail to make sure we have fashionable outfits for every occasion, or just want to make every day an adventure, He's got us covered and His patience is limitless. All we have to do is remember to place all our plans, tight or loose, at the feet of the Cross and trust He takes care of us.

PRAYER:

Father, I bring to You the things I am concerned about. Help me make wise choices to bring about the best outcomes in every situation. Give me the grace to place what I cannot control into Your hands with confidence and peace. In the Precious Name of Jesus! Amen!

Continuing the Reflections on the Book Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio

 What's at the heart of worry?

I never considered this question. I never really "worried" about what's behind "worry." I just do it. I worry. However, reading through this little book by Louie Giglio, Winning the War on Worry I got to page 20 and there was a statement that made me hit the brakes: "at the heart of worry is our need to be in control."

Pastor Giglio takes the readers back to Adam and Eve and how that one decision to disobey God was all about control. They believed the lie of the enemy that told them, "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3: 5).  The key phrase in this lie is:  "you will be like God..." That was it. Eve and then Adam wanted to be like God. The funny thing is, they already were!

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1: 27

We already are made in the image of God. That's what Adam and Eve forgot. They allowed the lies of the enemy to enter their minds, clouding the truth. So they gave up paradise for the twisted promise of knowledge. This reminds me of when Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew. I mean, what is it about food that makes us forget and causes us to fall in the traps of manipulators? Whether delicious cake or a magnificent fountain of chocolate fondue or fruit or lentil stew, food is one of those double-edged swords that nourishes us on one side and on the other entices us to err.  It is no wonder food is used as a control item. Oftentimes, people who worry because they feel like their lives are out of control use food as a tool to control what little they can. They would either eat in excess or not eat at all as a way to say to others and to themselves, even if subconsciously, "I can control this." So...could Pastor Giglio be onto something here?

In my own experience, if I'm honest, I will probably get to the same conclusion: at the heart of worry is my need to be in control. I don't think I do it consciously...but it is there. One of my greatest worries in life is the fear that I will get sick and die too young and leave my family on their own. Therefore, every time I am facing medical testing and health issues, my worry level goes on red alert. Why do I worry? Because illness usually means I am not in control and my life is not going to unfold the way I had planned it. Health issues usually have a habit of altering everything. So the plans and goals we had so carefully designed go out the door very quickly. And I. DO. NOT. LIKE. THAT!

I tend to believe that my life goes better when it flows according to my plans. I even tell my kids more often I'd like to admit: "If you'd just do what I say, your lives would be SO much better!!!"

I know...I do say that quite often.

The thing is, that's a lie! What they have to do is what God says in His Word! So de enemy makes me doubt that God's promises are not really true or at least not for me AND that life could be perfect if I get to direct my path and the paths of my loved ones. But like Pastor Giglio reminds us, God's promises and His love are 100% true! He became flesh to die for us so we would not face eternal separation from God but eternal life with Him! What more proof we need of His love and care? And as for the "life would be perfect if it all went according to MY design," well...look how it turned out for Adam and Eve...we are still reaping the consequences of them deciding they wanted absolute control. I don't really have to go that far to realize I am doomed when I try to take full control of my destiny...just ask those around me. They'll be able to tell you what happens when hurricane Gisela passes by...

So what to do? Relent. Let Go. Submit. Surrender.

"Jesus' resurrection puts the brakes on our need for control because we can fully trust that the One who overcame death, hell, and the grave loves us and gives His victorious life to us through Jesus Christ. He promises to care for us. Guide us. Protect us." (page 24) And all His promises are true!

We can trust Him because,

...he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53: 5

What a marvelous truth, spoken to us 700 years before the birth of Christ! And it came to pass and we are living proof of it.

"Jesus can carry what is worrying you because He has already carried what was meant to kill you. He has already carried your sorrows and buried them in His grave." (page 24)

And for that we praise You, worship You and thank You, Lord. We have no words to express our gratitude for what You have done and for Who You are and for the gift of Christ in Me. To You all the Glory, My Lord and My God...My King of Glory! Amen! 

Facing the Enemy

 Do you have a 911-prayer partner group? You know what I mean, don't you? The people you reach out to and contact when you are in need of emergency/urgent prayers? If you don't, I invite you to start praying that the Holy Spirit leads you to a small group of godly women that can become your prayer warriors at a moment's notice. Before I continue, I just want to clarify that by "godly" women I don't mean perfect. By NO means. No way, no how. The perfect prayer partner does not exist. By definition, the only requirement of a prayer partner is that the person prays. That's it. So, if someone reaches out to you for prayer, for the love of anything worthwhile in the world, just pray. Don't think about it, just pray.

Anyway, I just felt like I had to say that...but I digress...

When King Jehoshaphat of Judah heard that their enemies were on route to attack him and his kingdom, guess what he did? He prayed! But besides praying, he reach out to his people...and I mean ALL of his people. He proclaimed a nation-wide fast for all the people of Judah, which means that he basically called them to prayer because that's what fasting meant...that you were replacing food with prayer. An guess what the people of Judah did? Yes, they  "...came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him." (2 Chronicles 20: 4) Can you believe it? a whole nation coming together, unified, in prayer, seeking the Lord.  Boy, wouldn't that be nice to see today?

All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20: 13)

The King reached out to the people and they responded in mass. And guess what? Something just marvelously miraculous happened: the Lord spoke to them through those He empowered to receive and communicate His message by the Holy Spirit. He answered their prayers in a most amazing way.  He said to the people of Judah who were all gathering together in and outside the Temple:

‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20: 15-17

What an incredibly reassuring reply! God knew what the people and their earthly King needed to hear after seeking Him and honoring Him...and He said exactly that:

1. He told them not to be afraid or discouraged.  Of course, that's the first thing we need to hear when entering a battle of any kind. But when God says that to us, He means it! He backs it up with action for He is Faithful and He means what He says. Then...

2. He confirmed that the battle was actually not theirs. It was His. Therefore, He would fight it. And you know what happens when we let God fight the battles, right? Well, of course, He wins! He delivers us.

However, that's not all. There is one more thing:

3. He reminded them that even though they would not have to fight this battle, they still had to be ready, march, take up their positions and stand firm to see their deliverance. They still needed to "go out and face them tomorrow." God did not magically stopped the approach of the enemy or their attack. The people of Judah still had to go and face the enemy with courage and confidence...because He was going to be there with them.  He didn't promise to dissolve the advances of the enemy. He promised to be there to face it and to defeat it for His honor and glory and for the benefit of His people.

There are some good applications for our lives, here don't you think?

When problems, trials, struggles, difficulties, battles are seen in the horizon, with vast strength and no intention of stopping any time soon:

1. Go to the Lord.

2. Send a 911 to your prayer warriors so they can lift you up in prayer and stand with you.

3. Listen to the Voice of Truth. Take time to "be still and know that He is God" and to listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. Quiet your heart and let Him speak to you through Scriptures, through the words of your prayer partners, through a magnificent sunset, through the cold rain, through the roar of the ocean, through the caress of a soft breeze.

4. And trust Him. Even when fear threatens to take over, recall His promises, especially the promise that He will be with you. Recall His faithfulness and all the times He has been there for you and how His promises are true and how He is the same today, yesterday and forever so we can count on Him now again.

5. Then, get ready to march on and face the enemy, to watch him be defeated.

6. Praise Him through it all! Worship for He is Worthy, like Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah did,

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20: 18

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow

Praise Him, all creatures here below

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen!

Thank you for Your Faithfulness, Lord. Thank You for Your saving grace. Thank You for Your deliverance. In the Precious Name of Jesus, our Redeemer who lives! Amen.

 

I'm In The Lord's Army!

Remember that fun song we probably all know from Summer Bible School and/or Sunday School? "I'm in the Lord's Army!" Just thinking about it makes me want to stand up and salute as I say: "Yes, Sir!" I remember my kids marching to its tune and doing the best they could to pretend to be soldiers...

O boy...the truth is, I honestly don't know anything about being a soldier. Nobody in my family has ever served in the military. In Dan's family, only a couple of uncles served, but it was such a long time ago and we see them so very rarely, that it is not a topic of conversation that ever comes up. Neither it is something that comes up in casual conversations with our friends who have served. So, I really don't have a clue what it is like to be a soldier. I have no clue what it really feels like. I'm so removed from that entire reality of life that my only knowledge comes from the occasional rom-com movie here and there which might portray a person in uniform.

At any rate...why am I pondering these things, you may ask...well...yesterday at church and all around me lately, really, thoughts of putting on the full Armor of God in reference to Ephesians 6: 10-18 have been surrounding me. And that got me thinking how I really don't know the first thing of how to go about it...and that got me thinking it is probably because my frame of reference is so limited. Then, this morning, I read 2 Chronicles chapter 20 and something began to click.  

In this portion of scriptures, King Jehoshaphat of Judah defeats Moab and Ammon.  King Jehoshaphat is one of the Kings in the long succession of rulers after David, whose throne was in Jerusalem, but who faced a divided Israel and the constant sin and idolatry of God's people which often caused their defeat and state of separation from the One True King, the Almighty God. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat gets word that his enemies are coming to wage war against him with vast armies, and are getting nearer. Then, to my surprise, instead of approaching the problem filled with false pride and overconfidence, or instead of calling all his allies to muster a potentially bigger and more powerful army, or instead of trying to appease the the enemy, or instead of consulting the hundreds of false prophets of Baal and other idols, Jehoshaphat, in his distress and concern actually resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. (2 Chronicles 20: 3-4)

WOW! Mind-blowing!

The first...the very first thing King Jehoshaphat did as soon as he heard about the imminent threat was to turn his eyes to the One True God...to inquire, to fast and to pray! And he didn't do it alone. He urged his entire Kingdom to do the same and they followed his example! How marvelous! Finally a King that knows what to do!!

Listen to his prayer:

“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20: 6-12)

There is so much in this prayer that it would take days to unpack...and maybe we should and will...but today, what hits me hard is the King's humility in recognizing that they are powerless without the Almighty. He cries out in the middle of the distress of all of his kingdom, and trusts that the Lord will deliver them. I particularly love verse 12 when he admits that they have "no power to face this vast army that is attacking us." And they "do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." 

Isn't that the key, here? We don't know what to do...BUT...our eyes are on You, Lord, because the only thing we do know is that You are the ONLY ONE who can deliver us from whatever enemy is attacking us.  Our eyes are on You! That is the ONLY WAY to win. I don't know anything about going into battle.  I don't know the first thing about putting on my uniform or handling weapons. I have no clue how to go on the defense or offense. All I know is that I must keep my eyes on the One Who Knows. The instant I take my eyes off Him...I've already lost.

So, regardless of how impressive the enemy may seem...or how inadequate we may feel about our ability to fight it, or how poor our chances seem to be...or of how little we know about going into battle, we know what to do: pray. Go to the Lord in prayer and fix your sight on Him. Paul tells us that too, and I never really noticed it until today. In Ephesians 6: 18 right after he gets done giving us what I always thought was the last instruction on putting on the Armor of God, Paul tells us the one thing that will assure our victory in this world and the next: pray. 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6: 18

I'm in the Lord's Army! Yes, Sir!

And before I get deployed into a battlefield for which I am not prepared, I'm going to make sure I get ready by letting my knees hit the ground as my eyes search the Heavens. In the Precious Name of Jesus, the One Who Goes Before Us...it is His battle, and we trust His Mighty Hand. Amen!

Reflections on the Book Winning the War on Worry

Do you work out? Well, congratulations! I admire you! Because I do not. I try to walk. I've been pretty good at keeping up with my daily walks, but, often, the weekend comes or something disrupts my routine so a few days go by without walking, and when I try to get back on the treadmill, it  feels as if I have to start all over again from zero. I mean, really? Why is that? I guess the name of the game when it comes to staying active is consistency. I have a hard time staying consistent with anything. I'm lazy and I quickly go back to my default: inactivity. 

I notice this tendency not only in my "workout" routine or lack of thereof, but also in other areas of my life. For instance, finishing a book on helping me get my worry under control. I have left the book behind instead of finishing it, and instead of being consistently applying the principles in the book...I have forgotten and gone back to what I always do: worry.

Today, for instance, has been a day of worry.  I'm worrying about medical test results. I'm worrying about my sons. I'm worrying about work. I'm worrying about the future. Worry, worry, worry...I worry I'm forgetting the lessons of this book and how I spent a good amount of time reflecting on the 4 lies of the enemy which fuel our worry...and that I'm falling back into my default: worry.

Well, I decided to take the book and read a few more pages, and this quote called my attention: "fighting back against worry is like any other training regime or discipline." There is the problem! Like with any other training regime, I lack consistency and I forget. My lazy nature gets me back to what I'm used to, so when I attempt to get back on the treadmill of training to fight worry, I feel like I have to start from the beginning again...and it is exhausting. But I have to do it. I don't want to spend my entire life worrying about what could happen. I want to feel reassured that no matter what happens, God IS GOOD! I want to rest in the knowledge that God takes care of me in every situation, and that Heaven is the goal...eternity with Jesus is my victory!

"God is Loving, Kind, Mighty in Power, Holy, Healer.  He is, and because of that truth, I can have assurance no matter what comes against me." (page 12)

So tonight, I drop my worries at the foot of the cross and I pray for consistently trusting that God is who He says He is! And that I am His Child...His Daughter...and that He is going to deliver me from worry and carry me to a place of peace, where I can consistently trust Him and put my Hope in Him who is HOPE! In Christ Name I pray.  Amen!

Praying for Autumn

My favorite stories are those that involve characters who survive the greatest of challenges against all odds.  I especially love survival stories based on real life events when actual people have endured natural or political disasters, war, violence, corruption, and all kinds of destruction, obtaining deliverance ultimately through God's grace.  Edge of my seat movies where the hero is a little David archetype facing a Goliath of a challenge are my absolute favorite!  I often imagine myself as that small person, completely defenseless, making a run for it despite the high waters, the stormy winds, the raging fires, a blanket of bullets, a tall mountain or a dark valley...making it through, guided by the Light of the Holy Spirit and protected by the cover of Heaven's Angels.  The thrill of the adventures, experienced all from the safety of my living room at home, of course, leave me with a heart full of hope on the power of good over evil.

Have any of these types of stories come to life for you? Have you experienced these events in real life? Did you ever actually need to escape danger?  Do you know anyone, personally, who has ever been that real life character trapped in a dangerous place/situation from which the alternatives were to make a break for it or perish? Do you know people who have lived through the stuff of movies, and survived to talk about it afterwards?  

Have you or anyone you know encountered those moments when the Word of God that speaks about passing through deep waters and fires goes from being a powerful image to becoming painfully real...the times when finding the hiding place where He will protect us from trouble points to a literal need for God to surround us with His deliverance?

I cannot say I have experienced anything of that magnitude. Have you?

Today, there is someone I know who is living through one of these stories. The dire circumstances of the place where God called her so many years ago, and where her heart resides, have made it impossible for her to stay and the decision to flee was the only alternative to live.  She is a daughter of our church for whom seeking the will of God and obeying His call has taken her to a most forgotten country that is currently in shambles, where chaos, utter disorder and confusion reign. She took a leap of faith and trusted He who brought her there, to deliver her back into safety.  For days, we have prayed for her safety, and will continue to do so without ceasing until she is home again, securely, out of harms way.  We hang on to His promises and claim them for we trust that all His promises are true!

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46: 1

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. Psalm 138: 7

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1: 7

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3: 3

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

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrew 13: 6

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. 2 Samuel 22: 3

May the Divine Shepherd lead this young woman and her companions back to safety...may His army of angels keep watch over them and bring them home soon.  We Praise the Lord that the most dangerous portion of her journey is completed, and we continue praying for a happy ending to this most compelling, real life story.

Psalm 57

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.


I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.


I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.


Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.


They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.


My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.


I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.


Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.