Missed the Boat? There's Still Hope...

During a meeting yesterday, we were presented with the opportunity to Praise God.  Kinda a cool way to start off a meeting, huh?  And the praises shared were touching.  I knew immediately what I needed to share... but it wasn't a touchy, feely response.  In fact, it came from a place of pain after feeling like I missed the boat.  And here's what I shared:  "I praise God for being a God of second chances.  I'm thankful that when I miss the boat, it doesn't mean that He won't send it back for me again." And that is God's grace in action.  Let me explain.
 
I was working on an event for about a month and had some random thoughts about inviting some people to attend that maybe hadn't heard about it.  Some friends even shared ideas about who to invite.  I made a mental note and thought "I should make this happen."  The week of the event arrived and my time was filled with urgent things that needed to get done.  Needless to say, the invitations didn't happen.  And during the event, a story was shared that took my breath away... but not in a "that's amazing" way.  Instead, it felt like I was punched in the stomach because the story applied specifically to a group that I planned to invite.  I was humbled, mortified, and really just wanted to find a room and cry my eyes out because I missed the boat.  I felt like I totally let God down.  I wonder... have you ever felt this way? 
 
I was boarding the self-condemnation train right then and there.  It was ready to leave the station for a long ride down a fast hill into the pit that Satan had waiting for me.  But God had a different plan.  And I'm incredibly thankful that He knows me so well that He stopped the train from leaving the station by having someone ask me to pray for them.  Nothing like praying for someone else to take the focus off yourself, right?  Then, God protected me yet again from the condemnation train by reminding me to be social.  So I obeyed and thankfully, I avoided the condemnation train this time.  (Need more information on the difference between conviction and condemnation?  Check out this blog post:  http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/condemnation_conviction.php)
 
After the event ended, I was feeling convicted about missing the boat.  And as I journaled my confession and asked for forgiveness, God reminded me that just because I didn't invite them, it didn't mean that He would stop pursuing them.  He reminded me that it's not just about me and He let me know that I was completely forgiven.  I can't tell you how thankful I am for God's grace... for God's UNCONDITIONAL love... that He loves me when I obey and when I don't... that His love for me is constant and unchanging and NOT based on my performance.  He just loves me... He just loves you... all the time.   
 
Believe it or not, this is not the end of the story.  Over the course of the next day, God brought the boat I missed right back to the dock and invited me to get the message to those same people, just in a different format.  I was in awe... God would still use me?  After I missed the boat the first time?  He was giving me a second chance, and this time, I was going to obey.  I made the connection and as of today, there is a plan in motion for this group to receive the message God has for them.  How incredible is that?  God doesn't give up on us when we mess up!  And He may even bring the boat right back to the dock so we can obey.  It just blows my mind!
 
Know who this reminds me of?  Jonah.  Yep, Jonah was God's prophet and he missed the boat too.  Except he didn't just get distracted by urgent tasks like I did.  He actually ran the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3) because he didn't like what God was inviting him to do.  And that, my friends, landed Jonah in the belly of a large fish for three days, where Jonah had plenty of time to do some reflecting.  Check out Jonah's prayer:
 

Jonah 2 New Living Translation (NLT) 

2 ^[a]Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. ² He said,

“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble,
    and he answered me.
I called to you from the land of the dead,^[b]
    and Lord, you heard me!³ You threw me into the ocean depths,
    and I sank down to the heart of the sea.
The mighty waters engulfed me;
    I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.
⁴ Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.
    Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’

⁵ “I sank beneath the waves,
    and the waters closed over me.
    Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
⁶ I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.
    I was imprisoned in the earth,
    whose gates lock shut forever.
But you, O Lord my God,
    snatched me from the jaws of death!
⁷ As my life was slipping away,
    I remembered the Lord.
And my earnest prayer went out to you
    in your holy Temple.
⁸ Those who worship false gods
    turn their backs on all God’s mercies.
⁹ But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,
    and I will fulfill all my vows.
    For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

¹⁰ Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

 
 Don't you love verse 2?  "I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and Lord, you heard me!"  Jonah had caused his own great trouble by running from God and God not only heard Jonah's prayer, but He also rescued him and gave Jonah a second chance.  God gave me a second chance too.  And guess what?  God has a second chance waiting for you... waiting for everyone.  Why?  Because God is the God of shocking, scandalous grace (Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace?, 1997)
 
Have you missed the boat?  Are you on the self-condemnation train, deep in the pit of guilt and shame?  Know that God loves you... wherever you are.  Fix your eyes on Jesus, instead of your mess.  Why?  Because Jesus died on the cross to save us from ALL our sin, ALL our mistakes, ALL the times we miss the boat.  All we have to do is invite Jesus into our hearts to become our Lord and Savior and we are rescued for all of eternity.  (If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9).
 
If you're feeling overcome with shame, guilt and regret, then take a moment and pray these verses to God.  Do this daily or even moment by moment if you need to. 
 

Psalm 40:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

 
  
God wants to rescue you.  Will you surrender and let Him?  He's waiting. 

Need some more encouragement?  Then listen to Hurricane by Natalie Grant.  And know that when you call His name, He'll find you in the hurricane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttKnLwwHlig

Be Here Now

Back in my corporate America days, the company I worked for had a slogan called “Be Here Now.”  Pretty simple statement, right?  And of course, that’s what we want… to be completely engaged in the moment.  But I often find myself in a “Be Here Kinda” state.  You know, the state where you are kinda engaged.  It goes something like this… you’re chatting with your friend on the phone and are kinda listening because you’re checking your Facebook page at the same time.  Or you’re playing with your kids, but aren’t completely engaged because you’re kinda thinking about all the other things you need to check off your To Do list.  Or you’re sitting in church and kinda planning where you’re going to lunch when it’s over… while your pastor is preaching.  I bet you could come up with a million other scenarios of “Be Here Kinda.” 

What’s so important about “Be Here Now?”  You miss out… on that piece of information that could have brought you a belly laugh if you had caught all the details.  Or seeing the delight in a child’s eyes because she knows that she has your complete attention.  Or…

Francessa Battestelli has a song that’s on this topic called Don’t Miss It.  Take a moment and listen to the lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUfma7cDIAs&list=ALGLx1orRGw4UAHpJDBSDUXGVCceEPih0h&index=9

Convicting, huh?  I’ve been convicted about this lately.  And I’m learning the value of truly engaging.  Take a recent school night, for example.  It was bedtime for my boys but they wanted to play chase as a family.  And when Daddy plays chase, it’s super fun!  So the deal was one song.  The four of us ran around our house, singing, dancing and laughing our heads off.  And when it was over… and past bedtime… and the boys begged for one more song… and Daddy said yes… I played chase too, as if it was 7 pm and we had all the time in the world.   It felt great to Be Here Now… fully engaged with my family doing something silly and fun right before bed. And it’s a memory that I will treasure in my heart.

If I had to think of someone who’s an expert in “Be Here Now,” it’s Jesus.  Just think about it… He was constantly interrupted with people who needed His help.  And He fully engaged with them.  The story of Jesus healing a bleeding woman highlights how Jesus chose to “Be Here Now” rather than “Be Here Kinda.”  Check out Luke 8:40:47:

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. ⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴² because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,^[c] but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

⁴⁷ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

The story begins with Jesus being approached by Jairus, a synagogue leader desperately pleading for Jesus to come and save his dying daughter.  And Jesus agreed.  As Jesus embarked on the journey to Jarius’ house, “the crowds almost crushed Him” (v. 42).  I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of people crowding around Jesus for it to be described as crushing.  And in the midst of the crushing crowd, Jesus notices a specific touch.  One touch… when the crowd is crushing Him… caught His attention.  So much so, that He asks “Who touched me?” (v. 45) and Peter reminds Jesus that “the people are crowding and pressing against you” (v. 45).  But Jesus was in tune with what was going on and He didn’t let Peter’s explanation deter His mission to find out who touched Him.  The bleeding woman confessed and Jesus stopped to engage with this woman, affirming that her faith had healed her.  And then Jesus continued on His journey to Jarius’ house. 

Isn’t that incredible?  Jesus was on an important journey to heal a 12 year old girl, but He wasn’t so focused that He missed the opportunity to heal someone else along the way.  He stopped His journey to “Be Here Now” with the bleeding woman.  And she was forever changed by her interaction with Jesus. 

What about you?  Would people describe you as “Be Here Now” or “Be Here Kinda?”  If you fall into the “Be Here Kinda” category, what changes can you make to so you “don’t miss it?” It’s worth the effort to “Be Here Now.”  Are you willing to give it a try? 

 

The Color Red

It's time for another dog story.  Yep, I'm full of interesting animal observations, thanks to my morning walk.  This latest observation occurred earlier this summer.  Are you ready?  Drum roll please... dogs don't like the color red.  I know... it's crazy!  And I have to admit, it's not scientifically proven.  This is just based on my personal experience.  So if you find articles that prove me wrong, consider this my disclaimer. 

Here's how I discovered that dogs have an aversion to red.  I have lots of red workout clothes... shirts, shorts, you name it.  And I am NOT a fashionista in the mornings.  I grab whatever is available and I'm out the door.  Matching is not on my mind that early.  So a few mornings in a row, I wore a red shirt.  And the dogs (who were either leashed or behind a fence, for which I am eternally grateful!!) went nuts!  They barked and growled at me.  The moment that sealed the deal was when a dog literally stopped and was standing in attack mode while his owner was walking him across the street from me.  The man even commented about how the dog responded to my presence.  I just shared my perspective... dogs don't like red.  And he agreed.

What things turn you off?  Is it a color?  Type of music?  Personality style?  Movie?  Food?  There are many things in our lives that make us want to bark, so to speak.  Have you ever heard why people aren't a fan of Christianity?  The answer is often Christians are hypocrites.  http://buddyhoward.me/2013/07/09/the-fate-of-hypocrisy/  Our hypocrisy can be like the color red to a dog... making them want to either attack us or run away from the One who can save their souls. 

Hypocrite is defined as:

1: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion

 

2: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings  

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrite

 

Ouch!  Guess what?  This describe me.  And quite frankly, I bet it describes you too.  Wanna know why?  Because we're all sinners.  I love Jesus and I desire to live a life that honors Him.  But I mess up... daily, hourly, by the minute.  I know I should be gentle, and I want to be gentle, but in the heat of the moment, harshness can spill out of my mouth.   So what's a gal to do?  Repent.  Confess that I messed up and I know that's not how God wants me to act.  And start praying scriptures about gentleness, asking God to help me become more gentle.  Here's some to get you started if you struggle with gentleness too:

 

Proverbs 15:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁴ A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

 2 Timothy 2:25 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁵ He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

 

I wonder if part of the reason people see Christians as hypocrites is because we judge?  Or act like we are better than others?  Or say one thing, and then do just the opposite?  Or choose not to forgive?  Or...?

 

I wonder how the hypocrisy perception would change if we just came clean and let others know that we are a mess.  What if we were vulnerable and shared that we sin too?  What if we admit that we can't measure up... and that's exactly why we need Jesus?  What would happen if we explained that God doesn't expect perfection because Jesus was perfect on our behalf?  Would they look at God differently if we shared that God's love is truly unconditional?  That He loves us all the time... whether we do the right thing or mess up big time, God's love doesn't change at all.  What if we let others know how much we need Jesus as our Savior.. and how they need Jesus too?  Would our vulnerability open the door to a deeper discussion about how to invite Jesus into their hearts?  Would our color change from red to a more pleasant yellow?  Would the term hypocrisy be replaced with the word authentic? 

 

Are you willing to give it a try?  Be vulnerable?  Can you let go of your desire to "appear" like you have it all together, when in fact, it feels like everything is falling apart?  Is it worth the risk?  Can you trust God enough to see how He can use your mess for good?  Because that's one of His promises:

 

Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

 

What is God asking you to do right now?  Take action.  Trust Him with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).  And invite Him to do immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) as you follow His lead.  Who knows how He can use your authenticity to lead others to Him? 

 

And if you're looking for more information on the subject of hypocrisy, check out the link below from my pastor's blog.  You don't want to miss his "Dust if you must" illustration.  You won't look at cleaning the same way again...

http://buddyhoward.me/2013/07/09/the-fate-of-hypocrisy/

Got some hurt?

When was the last time someone hurt your feelings?  Or made you REALLY angry?  If I had to guess, I bet each person reading this could think of more than one example for each question. 

So what do you do with your hurt and anger?  Let me see if I can guess...  Some of you call your best friend and replay the event detail by detail and then tell it again because you forgot a detail or two.  You vent your frustration and hope to get others on your side.  Some of you confront the person and give them a piece of your mind.  How dare they treat you like this?  They need to know that a boundary was crossed and you won't tolerate it.  Some of you keep quiet and let it fester behind the scenes... until it festers so long that a root of bitterness grows.  And some of you stop and pray about the situation, asking God to give you His wisdom on how to handle the emotions swirling through your head.  And after you receive God's answer, you obey... even if it's uncomfortable because you trust that God knows best and you have confidence that He will empower you to do what He asks. 

I think I can fit into each category... and quite honestly, I probably fit into multiple categories with a single incident.  I wonder if you do this too?  You call someone to vent, then let it fester for a bit.  And hopefully, you feel God's gentle conviction that this is not His plan for you, so you confess your sin, receive His forgiveness, and ask for His help. 

I had a situation some time ago that triggered anger in me. I had multiple instances with someone that had piled up over time and I was mad.  What I didn't realize, until I talked it though with some people, was that I wasn't just angry... I was hurt too.  Understanding that hurt was linked to my anger was helpful to me.  And God, out of His amazing love for me, provided this Twitter post from Sue Detweiler to show me how to handle my hurt and anger.  I wonder if this will help you too?

Pray For Blessing

How do you treat people who have hurt you?

God’s word tells us to practice forgiveness in practical ways. He tells us to pray for people that have hurt us and to bless them (Luke 6:27-28) You may not feel like they deserve it, but by obeying God’s word and praying for those who have hurt you,  you will find that it changes your heart first. By praying for someone else you stop dwelling on all the toxic thoughts that lead to toxic words that lead to toxic emotions and simply pray for God’s goodness, mercy, love and forgiveness to surround those that have hurt you. Try it and see God bless you.

http://www.suedetweiler.com/pray-for-blessing

 

Ouch!  That convicted me because to be honest, I didn't really feel like blessing the person who hurt me.  I was mad.  But I also understood that this would help me change my "toxic thoughts," so I decided to give it a try.  I looked up the scriptures she recommended and started to pray them over the person who hurt me by plugging in the individual's name.  I wonder if you need to do the same.  Take a moment and give it a try.  Here are the scriptures:

 

1 Peter 4:8 NIV

Love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

 

Romans 12:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. 

 

Luke 6:27-28, 31-33, 35-37 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁷ But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,

²⁸ Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].

³¹ And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.

³² If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even ^[t]the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).

³³ And if you are kind and good and do favors to and benefit those who are kind and good and do favors to and benefit you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the preeminently sinful do the same.

³⁵ But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.

³⁶ So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].

³⁷ Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released.

As I was praying these verses, I became even more convicted.  Yep, these scriptures pointed out my OWN sin while I was blessing the person who hurt me.  My attitude was not very pretty.  I wasn't loving like I should.  I wasn't treating them like I wanted to be treated.  And I definitely wasn't being like Jesus, who loves everyone no matter what they do.  God used these verses to change my thinking.  He exposed my own sin in the situation and He encouraged me to be more like Jesus.  And guess what?  Doing this daily transformed my attitude toward this person.  Shortly after I started doing this, God's did immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) by using this person to bless me in a big way.  I would not have received this incredible blessing if I was still harboring my hurt and anger. 

I wonder what blessing is waiting for you if you choose to obey God's command to bless those who hurt you?  Can you imagine how wonderful it would feel to be set free from the anger and hurt that is weighing you down?  Are you willing to say yes to this invitation to bless those who hurt you?  Then commit to pray these verses daily... and see how God blesses your obedience.  

Convicted...

Have you ever read a story and it just hit home?  Maybe it provided you with hope or a perspective change.  Maybe it inspired you to try something new or different.  Maybe it convicted you about something you needed to change in your life. 

I read a story last week that convicted me.  And it wasn't until after I read it and processed it a bit that I realized God was using this story to convict me about my reaction to my hair cut.  It was God's living and active word playing out in my life (Hebrews 4:12).  Let me start at the beginning. 

While studying the book of Esther, I encountered this story about Haman.  Take a moment to read it.

Esther 5:9-13 New International Version (NIV)

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

⁹ Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. ¹⁰ Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.
 
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, ¹¹ Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. ¹² “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. ¹³ But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
  

My first reaction was "Wow!  Haman has so much to be thankful for and yet he lost all his joy because one man wouldn't bow down to him."  It seemed kinda silly to me at first... until the Holy Spirit gently whispered to my soul, "Heather, this is you.  You have so much to be thankful for... you have received so many blessings this past week.  And you are allowing a hair cut to steal your joy.  You have a bad attitude about it and it's impacting others."  OUCH!  And the Holy Spirit was so right.  One incident changed my entire perspective, just like one incident changed Haman's entire perspective. 

I had mixed emotions.  I was so sorry for my reaction and behavior.  I was also incredibly thankful because in the midst of my hair mess, God was pursing me.  He was true to His character:  compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love (Nehemiah 9:17).  He opened my eyes to sin so I could receive His mercy and grace.  I quickly repented letting God know how sorry I was for letting my hair cut get the best of me. 

Have you ever overlooked your blessings because you were focused on circumstances that you didn't ask for?  Or because you couldn't control the situation?  Or maybe it was because you didn't get your way?  Isn't it crazy how we can let one thing, like a hair cut or not getting the respect that we think we deserve, steal our joy?  Change our attitude?  Transform our perspective?  And once you start down that slippery slope of negative thinking, complaining, rage, frustration... it's hard to stop, isn't it?  Don't you just want to let everyone know how you've been wronged?  How it should have been?  That's what Haman did.  He gathered his wife and friends to tell his story.  And that's what I did too.  I wonder if you can relate...

I'm so thankful that God loves me enough to point out my sins so I can receive His forgiveness.  I wish I could say that after reading Haman's story, I was cured of my negative thoughts.  But it wasn't instantaneous.  I've had to continue to work through my feelings.  And my perspective change is getting easier and easier, especially since I had a hair intervention this week.  What's that, you ask?  It's where you get your hair cut again.  And this hair intervention has completely changed my perspective.  I now look in the mirror and think I look pretty.  The gal who intervened was such a blessing to me.  She listened to my hair concerns.  She added layers, coached me on products that would work with my hair type, and taught me how to work with my bangs and style my new do.  The fact that God would choose to bless me with a hair cut I like... after my bad attitude... just blows my mind.  I don't deserve it, but His scandalous grace intervened.  And His scandalous grace is available to you too.  Have you noticed how God blesses you in spite of your sin?  He. truly. loves. us. so. much! 

I'm a huge Francesca Battistelli fan and her song "This Is The Stuff" reminds me of Haman... and of me too.  Especially these lyrics:

This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust you know exactly what You're doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
To break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff, someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed

http://www.metrolyrics.com/this-is-the-stuff-lyrics-francesca-battistelli.html
Here's a link to the YouTube video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe4SckesWLE

So let's resolve that when we are in the midst of our messes, that we won't forget how big we're blessed.  Let us put 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 into practice:  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  And know that when our messes overtake our thankfulness, that God is patiently waiting to be gracious to us and show loving-kindness to us (Isaiah 30:18 AMP).  For God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)... even in the midst of our messes.

Lessons Learned

God is so good!  He just continues to amaze me with how much He loves.  His love is truly indescribable.  He is so patient.  He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8).  And I am incredibly thankful for these character traits of God, especially after my hair pity party.  He has encouraged me, convicted me, provided me with glimpses of how He could use my haircut for good (Romans 8:28), and helped me find hope.  I've got enough to blog about for the remainder of the week, so stay tuned...

About midway through my pity party, I started to get mad at Satan.  Really mad.  Why?  Because Satan knows that beauty is my battlefield and he was taking full advantage of a haircut that didn't look the way I hoped.  I was also mad at myself for falling prey to his lies.  And I learned a few things from this.  First, I discovered that I'm not done with this Beauty War.  It was my battleground for years, and it can easily become my battleground again. 

Second, I learned that I actually recognize Satan's lies, which means that I can fight back right away instead of just believing that what I saw in the mirror was reality.  It feels good to know that I don't have to let Satan win.  I feel empowered and I'm determined to fight back.  I even wrote in my journal:  I AM NOT GOING TO LET SATAN WIN.  I AM NOT GOING TO LET SATAN STEAL MY JOY.  Do you think he's intimidated?  I sure hope he is!

When I got in the car, the first song that played was the EXACT song I needed to hear.  It perfectly summarized my past 24 hours.  I love how God speaks to us in so many different ways.  He is pursuing us... chasing us... whispering His truth if we just take the time to listen.  I think I played this song at least 15 times and it makes me smile to know that I'm covered by God's grace in the midst of my biggest messes.  The song that touched me so much is called Good to Know by Francesca Basttistelli.  I wonder if you need to hear this message too?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX3DG1C_rck

These lyrics particularly hit home:

 Hello, old friend
I know it's been a while
I'm here again
And it won't be the last time
I fall apart
But You won't let me get too far
You're speaking to my heart

(Chorus)
It's good to know
It's good to feel the arms of grace
To know that my mistakes are covered by Your love
It's good to know
It's good to see that You won't change
When it's said and done
You'll always be enough
To know that I can always come back home
It's good to know
 http://www.elyrics.net/read/f/francesca-battistelli-lyrics/good-to-know-lyrics.html

Why are these lyrics so meaningful?  Because Beauty War is my old friend and it's been a while since I was engulfed in the lies this much.  And the lyrics reflect that even when I find my way back to the battlefield again, God won't let me get too far.  I appreciate how He opened my eyes to the lies quickly.  I wonder if you have an "old friend" that's paying you a visit.  Know that God wants to help you fight back.  He wants you to feel His arms of grace and cover you with His love.  He's waiting for you to cry out for His help. 

Speaking of crying out to God for help, that's exactly what I had to do because I'm too weak to win the Beauty War on my own.  Trust me, I learned this from years and years on the battlefield.  And how did I cry out for help?  By praying 2 Corinthians 12:9:

2 Corinthians 12:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁹ But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and ^[a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may ^[b]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

How encouraging are these verses?  God's strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in our weaknesses.  Will you also invite God to fight for you?  He wants to help.  And His power works best when you are weak.  Take a moment and invite Him into your own battlefield right now. 

Maybe your mess raises its ugly head daily.  Maybe you feel like God is tired of helping you or maybe you think He's ready to give up on you.  Well, that's another lie from Satan.  Let these verses take root and grow in your heart.  They beautifully describe God, who loves you and wants you to experience victory in your own war.

Isaiah 30:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁸ And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

 

God longs to extend His amazing grace to you.  And when you humbly come before Him, He lifts Himself up to have mercy on you and to show loving-kindness to you.  He wants you to experience victory. Believe Isaiah 30:18!  And fight from a place of victory.  We can win our wars, with God's help, one battle at time!

ALL Things for Good

Have you ever heard that God works all things for good?  The Bible clearly states this in Romans 8:28:

Romans 8:28 (NET)

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,

 

What is your initial reaction to this verse?  Do you believe it? Doubt it?  Want to understand it better?

 

One three letter word jumps off the page at me: "all."  Did it stand out to you too?  We KNOW that ALL things work together for good for those who love God... (caps mine).  This verse can be a comfort during times of struggle... or a stumbling block, depending on where your mind goes during trials.  Let me explain how I got to experience God working ALL things for good with my Beauty War this week.  (Check out the post Beauty War Number ... for the story.  http://thethankfulnessexperiment.blogspot.com/2013/07/beauty-war-battle-number.html)

 

For better or for worse, my mom, sons, niece and nephew experienced firsthand the aftermath of my haircut.  They saw the angry tears and knew I was upset.  There was no way I could hide my true feelings because my emotions were quite raw and I hadn't reached fight mode yet.  I was in believing lies mode immediately following my hair cut.

 

After some processing with my hubby that evening, he pointed out that I may need to circle back with some people due to my behavior.  Not what I wanted to do, but I knew obedience was necessary if that was God's plan for me.  A seed was planted.

 

And an opportunity arose the next day at lunch.  While seated across from my oldest son and my nephew, I felt the need to address my hair behavior with them.  I shared that one of the lies I've believed during my life has to do with beauty and my hair can trigger those lies.  I explained that I was learning to fight back with truth.  And I asked the boys what lies they believed.  These two eight year olds immediately rattled off lies that filled their heads.  I was in awe of this reality... the lies that we believe take root at such an early age.  My Beauty War began when I got glasses at age 9.  And my son and nephew are already in a battle... Satan is already at work.  But did they know how to fight back?

 

I posed this question to them... do you know how to resist the lies?  And my son replied, "Satan, I resist you.  In the name of Jesus Christ, you have to flee from me."  Wonder where he heard that before?  It warmed my heart to know that he has some ammunition in his heart to fight Satan... and that my nephew discovered some techniques to fight back too during our conversation.

 

I then shared my Dog named Satan story (for more detail, check out A Dog Named Satan blog post:  http://thethankfulnessexperiment.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-dog-named-satan.html).  They both got a kick out of me screaming James 4:7 at the dog and how the dog stayed put after I yelled scripture at him.  And they began planning out strategies to defeat the devil in their own creative ways. 

 

I also shared some Bible Verses to help them in their battles.  Bible verses are filled with truth that can replace the lies Satan whispers.  And as I'm writing this, I'm reminded to spend more time looking up scriptures they can use to defeat Satan's lies.  That way, their swords of the spirit are equipped and ready for action.  Just added that to my To Do list...

 

You know what?  I'm thankful for my haircut because God used it to teach two precious boys about Satan's lies and how to fight back with God's truth.  God truly did work ALL things for good in my book.  God is so good... I'm just amazed that He could use my tears and anger and bad attitude over a haircut for good!  I'm in awe of His grace and His love and His patience as I learn.  God doesn't expect perfection... He desires us to apply 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV):

 

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

 

I've experienced God's forgiveness, healing, and working all things for good this week.  His love for me... for you... is indescribable.  It's jaw dropping.  It's beautiful and constant.  Do you see all the ways He shows love to you each day?  If not, ask God to open your eyes. 

 

A few final questions for you today... What lies do you believe?  What lies do your friends, family, children believe? 

 

Are you ready to fight Satan's lies with God's truth?  Is God asking you to help someone else fight lies with His truth?  Then let's take some action!!  Find scriptures to help fight back.  Here are a few to get you started:

2 Corinthians 10:5 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

 

Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

1 Timothy 4:4 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

 

Ephesians 6:10-17 New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

James 4:7-8 New English Translation (NET)

⁷ So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

  

Choose to believe that God works ALL things for good.  Ask Him to show you how He is doing this in your life.  Memorize scripture to help you defeat Satan and His lies.  And have complete confidence that NOTHING can separate you from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). 

1 John 3:1

See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty War Battle Number....

Little did I know that I was going to need the truth in yesterday's post so much today.  One of the messes I've struggled with throughout my life is feeling ugly.  Getting glasses, less than complimentary comments from others, and getting Bell's Palsy all contributed to my Beauty War.  I've struggled with feeling beautiful the majority of my life.  The battle would rage at different times... and haircut could trigger a beauty battle in 5 seconds flat.  And today, after getting a haircut, I was back in my Beauty War again.  Yep, it took no time at all for the tears to fall and for my anger to rise up as I looked at my hair and thought about how much I hated it.  Each mirror I walked by confirmed my fear... that my hair looked awful.  And mind you, my tears were flowing in public.  I quickly realized I needed to head home.

As I was driving in the car, the tears were pouring down my face.  There was a lot of pressure on this haircut because I have a vacation coming up and wanted to look and feel beautiful during the trip.  And as the tears rolled down my cheeks, I knew that I was believing lies from Satan and needed to fight back with God's truth.

You see, I won my Beauty War in the past by repeating biblical truths about beauty to myself in the mirror twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed. Yep, you heard me right.  For weeks, I was talking to myself in the mirror twice a day.  And here’s what I recited to myself:

 

1 Timothy 4:4 says For everything God created is good.  I am beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent (or exceptionally beautiful); good, excellent in my nature and characteristics. 

 

Genesis 1:26-27 says ²⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… ²⁷ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. Being made in God’s image means that I resemble, or reflect God¹. I’m made in God’s image and that makes me beautiful!

Psalm 139:13-14 says ¹³For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  ¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  I was created with great reverence and heart-felt interest and respect and I am uniquely marvelous.

 

Zephaniah 3:17 says The Lord your God is with you; He is might to save.   He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.  The Creator of the Universe delights in my beauty and rejoices over me with singing.  What He thinks about me is more important than what anyone else thinks about me. 

 

And guess what?  Talking to myself in the mirror really did help me so much.  There’s something about repeating God’s truth while looking at my reflection that helped it sink in.  And God’s truth also exposed Satan’s lies.  This simple daily practice helped me write truth on my mind and my heart. 

 

So, while in the car, I started reciting some of the scriptures that I wrote on my heart in the past.  It didn't change my  haircut... but it did help me remember that God doesn't look at the outward appearance to define beauty, instead He looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  The scriptures reminded me that I'm beautiful no matter what my haircut looks like.  But I have to confess that when I look in the mirror right now, I'm struggling to see the beauty myself. 

 

And isn't it just like God to do something surprising.  I had to stop at a bookstore on my way home, so I tried to compose myself before walking into the store.  And what do you know, as soon as I walk in the door, I see a friend from my mom's group at church.  She knows a bit of my story and as I walked up, I started crying again.  She asked me what's wrong and I explained.  She was quick to assure me that it wasn't as bad as I thought and that she thinks I'm beautiful regardless... and she also reinforced that who I am on the inside is what really makes me beautiful.  It was no accident that she was at the bookstore to provide me with truth and encouraging words.  I love how God knows just what we need and provides it during our toughest times.

 

My encounter with her, combined with prayers and encouraging words from my hubby and best friend helped me remember that I need to refocus my thoughts.  I need to put the Philippians 4:8 funnel into place.  I need to think about what's true, right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  My hair is ugly and I hate it should not make it into my heart... because those are the lies Satan wants me to believe.

 

I'm so thankful that I recognize these ugly lies now so I don't go too far down the pity party path.  It's easy to do, for sure.  In order to avoid the pity party, I tried to reframe my thinking a bit.  Some thoughts I used to replace the lies are:  This experience makes me thankful for good haircuts.  I'm thankful my hair will grow back.  I'm thankful to have hair.  Baby steps, I know, but it's moving my thoughts in the right direction, and that's what counts.

 

When I got home, I played around with my hair a bit and reached the conclusion that it is not quite as bad as I initially thought. Looks like it's time to start reciting scriptures to myself in the mirror again.  I'm fighting back, and I hope that you will fight back with God's truth too.  Don't believe the lies.  You have the power of God's Word to defeat Satan's lies.  Start by filling your mind with truth.  Read the Bible.  Look up scriptures about your struggle.  Say James 4:7 out loud, with your finger pointing, "Satan, I resist you!  In the name of Jesus Christ you have to flee from me!"  And know that God loves you every single moment... when you believe the truth and when the lies fill your head, God loves you completely and unconditionally all the time.  Let's resist Satan together and show him that he doesn't stand a chance... whether it's a Beauty War, Insecurity War, Intelligence War, or __________________ War.  I'm cheering for you!