KEEPING THE DREAM

By Marie Tschopp

“He will not grow tired and weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV

I could not believe it happened again. For the second time in less than a year my husband lost his job due to a plant closing.

I looked around my kitchen at the cabinets my husband installed a few years before. It was his dream to build his own home, doing the majority of work himself. Now, we were faced with selling. Thoughts of unfairness darted through my mind like shooting stars in a meteor shower.

“God, we thought it was your will to build. Why did you have us build only to sell?”

Needing an answer, I grabbed my Bible from the table and flipped pages. I sensed an urge to turn to Isaiah 40, so I did and read about the greatness of God. Verses like 18, “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? “ And verse 26, “…He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name, because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (NIV).

To be honest, I felt worse—insignificant even. I doubted an all powerful creator cared what my family faced. Still, I continued to read on to verse 27, and it was as if God took my face in his hands as He said,

“Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?”

I read the verse again and again, “…why do you say…my cause is disregarded by my God?”

I closed my eyes as the tears fell. God cared, and I knew my family would be okay no matter the circumstances.

I took a deep breath and prayed, “Thank you Lord. You are great and mighty and you really do understand.”

When I opened my eyes another verse caught my attention,

“….The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV

I fell to me knees and prayed, “Father, thank you for loving us so much. You tell us that nothing in our lives is insignificant to you. I choose not to worry, but to trust in your loving care.”*

*Within a week, Brian had a new job because the previous employee quit unexpectedly and without explanation). 

Are You A World Changer?

By Lori Boruff

You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had

your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him,

giving him trouble every chance you got.

But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross

actually dying for you, Christ brought you to God's side

and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.

Colossians 1:21 – 23

 

Are You A World Changer?

It was my son's cell number that brought me to this meaningful passage in God's word. After his arrest, with wrists reddened by tightened handcuffs and ankles chained together, he shuffled to Cell 121.
That was his home—his identity—for nearly a year.

On the other side of the bars and bulletproof glass, my mama's heart tried to make sense of the pain.
Believing there are no kwinky-dinks when God is involved, I knew 121 was a significant number.
I went to God's word for answers. The Holy Spirit led me to Colossians 1:21

The next three verses filled my heart with hope. It described my son's life having turned his back on God. I understood God knew his heart better than me. The verse became God's promise to me. I believed through Jesus Christ, my son would be brought to God's side and all that seemed lost would be restored.

While in jail, my son did come to God's side. He did a 180 and turned towards God. Five years later, my son is known by a new number—The 180 Zone. He directs hundreds of volunteers who help the hopeless and broken put their lives back together.

This past Saturday night, my son stood on stage with recording artist Matthew West. The singer/songwriter describes my son as a 'world changer.' His newly released cd, Into The Light, includes the song We Are The Broken inspired by my son's real life experience. West calls the song an anthem—a victory song.

You too, have a victory song. It was not written with pen and ink but by the blood of Jesus Christ. By believing he died in your place, you become a world changer because God is The World Changer.

Are you on God's side?
What is the name your victory song?
How is God using you to be a world changer?

Wondering About God?

By Michael Elmore

Have you ever wondered about God? I mean really wondered about him? That’s good because that means that you have begun a spiritual journey and that you have a sincere desire to find God.  So as you are wondering about God you may be relieved and excited to discover that God has provided several ways for us to learn more about him.  Besides this, God promises us that “everyone who seeks will find (Matt. 7:8).” You can depend on that!  

One of those ways is that God has revealed himself to us is through his Son Jesus. Jesus said that he and God are One and that if you have seen him, then you have seen God. The best way to learn about God then is to learn about Jesus by reading concerning his life in the Bible. Open up your mind to learning more about God.

Another way that God reveals himself is though his actions. One of the greatest things God reveals to us through Jesus’ life is that He is Love. God loves you and me so much that he acted by sending Jesus to earth to give his life for us. Jesus said that no one can prove his love in any better way than by laying his life down for them. Open up your heart and let God’s love touch you deep inside.

One of the most important ways to learn about God is by talking to him and getting to know him. Can you imagine trying to get to know someone but never even talking to them? Praying then is crucial to someone wondering about God. It’s the best way to get to know him personally. You may be surprised to learn that God is longing to talk with you. Open up your spirit and discover that God wants to know you and that he is vitally concerned for you.

Still Standing

By Helen Knueven

There breathes a certain company of people
Unimpressed with themselves
Still standing – to give honor to His name.

The enemy can’t rejoice against this nation
When they fall – they do arise
Still standing – to his horrified surprise.

There lives a unique family related
By the blood of Jesus Christ
Still standing – unshakable in the shakings

There thrives a select group of folks, as one,
Who love the name of Christ
Still standing – with expectancy.

This company of people, brought close by His presence
Are a joyful crowd of because they know
The Master’s love, The Savior’s touch
Still standing – receiving strength.

Lord, give me this certain company of people
Gone through the fire, Called from the wilderness
Still standing - by your grace

My heart is warmed when I think that we
sharpened each others’ blades, readied ourselves,
Still standing – we have been changed

If I have to go to war – let it be with these
Who counted the cost, and called it pocket change
Still standing – for the glory of the call.

A Heart Ready for Response

By Kathryn Lang

Develop the habits to become a heart ready for response. Christian writers hold more responsibility than other writers just telling stories. Each one  of us should be prepared to give a response about the Who that directs the words and the why behind the need to share them. It is not just about a Christian message within the words, but the heart behind their creation.

Getting a Heart Ready for Response

Be ready to answer - Know why you do what you do. Some writers are in it for the money and others are in it to make a difference. Make a list of the reasons behind your actions. Let the list build a vision sentence that sums up what you want others to see and know about your writing abilities.

Be ready to pray – Comments from readers and those that want to begin their own writing journey often come with hurts, habits or hang-ups that need healing. Being in a place where those pains are presented to you will require a heart ready (and even eager) to cover that pain with a touch of prayer.

Be ready to encourage – The world drags down the heart and enthusiasm of those that dare to walk through it. Daily doses of inspiration and motivation can be the difference between a heart that stumbles on and a heart that stumbles and quits. Meeting those people – through the written words or personal appearances – means that you may be the only one that can offer the courage they need to be hearts that push through.

Be ready to stop – Reaching out to others may not be convenient for your timeline or schedule. It takes practice to live out the idea to “Love God – Love others,” especially when a deadline looms on the horizon. The time invested in holding out a hand to another will return an interest that could never be found another way.

Be ready to listen – There are so many needs in the world, and no single person can fill them all. Each person has been given a time, a season and a purpose. The only way to know yours is to know the Weaver on a personal and intimate basis. Listen to the directions that He gives you and then follow through on His directives.

Words have power – even those that are “just telling a story.” The Christian has been called to go to all the world and share the good news. Begin to come to a place where the One that created the good news is the One that directs your words and actions. Soon, you will become a heart ready to respond to the needs of those that you encounter.

TRUST

By Sharon Wilhite

 

It was winter in the 1940's as the four boys took off for an afternoon of adventure on ice skates exploring the frozen vastness of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Hours into their fun, terror settled in as blowing snow created white out conditions. Too cold to stay out on the ice without moving until visibility returned, the boys debated which direction was home - each confident his decision was the right one. However, only ONE direction was the RIGHT one; three others would lead them miles away to an icy death far from home. The oldest, a boy scout, convinced the others that only his compass would faithfully point them in the right direction - not their own instincts.

Continually checking their progress against the needle pointing north, they eventually arrived safely back at their own shoreline.

 

The old gentleman relating the story slowly draws a box out of his pocket, opens it, revealing the original compass used in his tale; a sixty year old reminder of the meaning of "trust."

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

The Hope of Tomorrow

By Kathryn Lang

There are moments in life when you look around and wonder if the path you are on is in the right zip code for where you are supposed to be. Everything looks wrong, feels wrong and even wears wrong. You just feel out of place.

I was there. Not only had my mother died, but the deadline I set for getting on the map with my writing and speaking had slipped past at the same time. I looked around and realized that nothing was like I thought it should be. Quitting seemed to be the logical choice – or at least backing up and punting.

It got worse.

The moment I think that all of the shoes have dropped and all of the rugs have been pulled out from under me is often the same moment it gets even worse. I got an email that cut my pride and even integrity – and it happened in front of my kids and my nephew.

My gut instinct was to react in kind. Calmer heads prevailed. I responded with a basic “this could have been handled better and best of luck in the future.” That alone was an example to those watching my reactions. My next step was even more important because I chose to let the past stay in the past and I jumped with both feet into the future that I had moments before been contemplating letting go.

That is why they say when you feel you are at the end of your rope then tie a knot and hold on. Tomorrow holds the hope – and it always shows up just when the time is right.

 

My choice to look at the problem as a possibility paved the way for two interview requests, one book review request, and one addition contact the holds unknown potential (and they all came in one day). My children and nephew witnessed firsthand that doing what I knew to be right opened the door for a heaping of blessings.

Keep holding – keep hoping – and keep pushing, because tomorrow will bring the dawn that you desire.

My Secrets for Holding On

- Surround yourself with others that believe in your dream. Even one person that says you can do it when you hit that brick wall can be enough to get you over that wall and moving forward again.

- Review your own actions before requesting action from others. Do all that you can do, FIRST. Once you have those actions in place then reach out.

- Ask for help. You know who to ask, so ask. There are people out there that want nothing more than to support you in your journey. Ask for their support in the way that you know suits them best.

- Keep praying. Pray about your own situation, but look for opportunities to lift up others in prayer. Focusing on the lives of others often brings clarity into our own lives.

Tomorrow hold the hope – and you need to find your own keys for reaching out to that hope until you have it in your grasp.

Visit Kathryn  on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theKathrynCLang
or on her writing website http://www.kathrynlang.com

Equations of Love

By Brenda Lysak

Motivated by Compassion                                                            John 6: 11, Mark 8:6, Matthew 15:36

Problem: A lot of hungry people. Resources: a few pieces of bread and fish. Solution: Thank God for what you have and His provision. If you begin using what you have, and trust God, not only will there be enough but the leftovers will exceed what you started with.  

 Motivated by Fear                                                                                           Matthew 25:14-30

Each of three men started out with a certain amount, be it opportunities, money, time, health, intellect, or talent. The first two invested and doubled the original amount. One man embraced fear and instead of investing he played it safe.  He was rewarded with punishment. He was despised and even the small amount was taken away.  The other two were rewarded with more, and honored for the risks they took. Fear should not be accepted as normal. In the kingdom of God fear is evil.

 More than Enough                                                                                          Romans 5:17

For if by one man’s lapse death reigned, much more surely will those who receive God’s overflowing grace and free gift of being made right with God reign(control, command, govern) as kings in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Notice the word overflowing. The prefix “over”, means over the top, or too much. We have more than enough Grace for every challenge so therefore embracing fear, or inadequacy equals denying God. 

COLOR ME THANKFUL

By Marie Tschopp

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (KJV)

Spring!  Warm and wonderful spring!  The season God awakens nature from its slumber and adorns trees with red, yellow, and gold attire.  What?  This sounds more like autumn?  Maybe so.  But did you know the rich colors of the leaves we see in the fall are present inside the leaves in the spring?  In the spring and summer months, days are long and sunlight is plentiful.  Chlorophyll is then produced, causing the leaves to remain green.   With autumn, daylight is shortened.  As nights become longer, darker, and colder, the color hidden inside each leaf shows through. 

Sort of like me. 

When life is good and sunny, it’s easy for me to praise the Lord and say, “God is Good!”  But in those seasons when the dark is long, well, it isn’t easy being green.  In difficult times, I’ve questioned the goodness of God and wondered if God really loved me.  And, in my anger, I’ve even given Him the silent treatment. 

When the ugly shades of fear and doubt show through, I’ve begun to remind myself of all the times in my life God has proven faithful.  I started writing my blessings down, for seeing the past helps me have confidence in the future.  While the tears flow, I drop to my knees and give thanks. 

Maybe someday I’ll be an evergreen.  I certainly hope so.  But, for now and forever, I’ll continue to count my blessings, root myself in His word and draw close to the Son. 

Hello Spring

By Lori Boruff

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Psalm 94:19 NLT

           Have doubts filled your mind leaving you frozen in your faith? Renee Swope, author of  A Confident Heart—How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises, writes “Doubt keeps us from believing things can get better.  Doubt convinces us that it's not worth the effort.”

Well, I have good news. Winter is over. Spring is here. It's a new season!

            Like daffodils and dandelions popping through thawed ground, the comfort found in God's word pushes through dead thoughts of doubts and despair .

            Hope blossom in the light of God's word. Cheer grows in the garden by His fertile favor.

       Good-bye Winter Blues                            Hello Spring                           Look in God's Garden

You say: “It's impossible”	God says: All things are possible	Luke 18:27
You say: “Nobody loves me”	God says:  I love you	John 3:16
You say: “I can't figure things out”	God says: I will direct your steps	Proverbs 3:5-6
You say: “I can't do it”	God says: You can do all things	Philippians 4:13
You say: “I'm afraid”	God says: I have not given you fear	II Timothy 1:7
You say: “I'm not smart enough”	God says: I give you wisdom	I Corinthians 1:30
You say: “I'm always worried”	God says: Cast all your cares on Me	I Peter 5:7

Thank you, God of Hope, for new seasons.

 I declare this is the first day of spring in my mind and heart.

Whenever doubt and despair creep in, I say Hello Spring!

I trust You, Lord, to give me comfort through Your word.

I'm excited to watch my garden of faith grow into something beautiful for Your glory!

In Jesus' Name – Amen.

Winter

By Jeannetter Doran

Winter comes with a deep sleep of the land when all possibility of life seems bleak and barren. Darkness and cold settle over all. Bare branches give no hope of future growth. Yet soon we see how lovingly the gentle snow blankets the fields, giving needed protection. Later we watch melting snow providing the wanted water. As the necessary winter of the land prepares for the future abundance our soul’s fruition depends on its own winters.
In our soul’s winter it’s a time of solitude and waiting, a time of prayer. Yes, God is hidden in the darkness but the stars do shine more the darker the sky. Our winters can be long and intense. Just as the land’s bleakness and sleep seem long and severe so, too in our soul this is felt. In our heart we seem to find no joy or meaning. It appears to be a time of emptiness, and absence. This is also a precious time for secret soul growth when one nurtures the seeds of hope and faith. Holding on in the darkness and nothingness we believe God is with us and will carry us through our winter to the joys of a heavenly spring. We grasp with all our hearts our God, who is near in the dark. We trust and believe we will never be abandoned but someday will hear our Beloved call our name with great tenderness. Our winters are times when we learn to live in the light of faith while feeling surrounded by darkness. How necessary it is to wait in our spiritual journey, to wait in silence, to try to turn off all external stimuli and search with all one’s being for interior silence. To penetrate into the silence as the seed enters the womb of the soil. As we come to listen to and to taste the silence we find rest in the silence and becoming more enfolded in the silence a light will shine from our innermost being. This light will eventually radiate out to all about us as the spring blossoms diffuse their delicate fragrance. May we all know the vast beauty of this radiant fragrance.