Matt and Charlie

Matt and I arriving at our son's  home for a visit.

 



The measure of a Godly Husband and Father 

 

Today as it is Father's Day, I am reflecting on my husband Matt, the father of our three adult children, Matthew, Amy, and Mark.  We have been married now for

35 years and I can only say I feel so blessed to have him as my husband and best friend.

 

He has blessed me and our children in so many ways.  Matt is not a boisterous, macho type of man.  He is more the strong but gentle kind of husband and father that makes his wife and children feel secure and loved. He is a man of integrity and godly character. 

He might be described by some today as old fashioned in his values.  He values God, his family, his work and his country. 

 

My husband is a praying man who daily prays for me and our grown children. As the children were growing up, he was involved in the everyday care of our children, helping with diapering, feeding, taking the children to the park, reading to them, helping with homework, driving them places, helping them with decisions as they got older and most importantly, he prayed for them every morning as part of his routine before leaving for work. 

 

Matt truly loves in a sacrificial way.  He often would make sure the kids or I had things we needed before he would get things he needed.  I would often have to "nag" him to get new shoes for himself during the years we had three growing teenagers who needed shoes all the time it seemed!  I remember many times Matt giving our young adult and adult children help financially as we were able to for things like instruments, schooling, help with cars, moving expenses and more.

 

His sacrificial ways extended to giving to the work of the Lord.  He grew to understand that everything is God's and he has no trouble giving generously and obediently to the work of the Lord in the churches we have been members of in our 35 years or to other ministries or missions that he feels the Lord leading him to support. If ever I came to him wanting to help someone financially who God was putting on my heart,  he always was ready to bless them.

 

Matt is generous with our home and our time.  He would help people move, help clean up floods at the church, be supportive when I had women over who were going through struggles and needed my time, be willing to give others a ride to church or pick up people from the airport. 

 

Recently I had my first ever surgery. It was for Achilles tendonitis caused by a bone spur in my heel.  It was much more than I anticipated and as I have always been very active, I found it frustrating to say the least!  I have been homebound and unable to walk or drive for 4 weeks already and am looking at another 4 weeks with no driving and going to rehab so that I can use the foot and walk again.  During this time, my husband without complaint has been a rock for me.  He has run up and down stairs doing our laundry, taken our dog, Charlie. for walks and to the vet, as well as helped with cooking and cleaning. He has done this while also working everyday and keeping up with things like mowing the yard and even grocery shopping, and did I mention without complaining! 

 

Our family has been so blessed to have as the head of this family such a loving, committed, and godly man.  He has shown us the love of God through his actions and life and blesses us richly every day. His actions speak louder than words.

 

My husband has exemplified to me and our family what the scripture says love is.

 

I Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy, love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked easily, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity buy rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 





                        Acts 17:28 "For in Him we live and move and have our being"

            Philippians 3:8 " Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him not having my own righteousness...but that which is through Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings..."

    My life is in Christ and knowing Him as my Lord and Savior.  In him  I "live and move and have my being."  My life is not in my own attempt at righteousness, for without Christ in me I have no righteousness of my own.  My life is not about performing or putting on a mask to be acceptable to others or to God.  My life is not in the things I do or don't do. My life is not in titles I might be given, or the amount of money in my bank account. My life is not in my state of health and fitness. My life is not in the relationships I have.  My life is not in the home I have, the car I drive or any of the things I own.  My life is in Christ!  The Scripture says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory!"

Its so opposite of what the world says.  The world says our value or our life is in these tangible things.  The Bible says these things will all pass away, but one question will remain:  is my life in Christ?  Have I surrendered the driver's seat of my life to Him and submitted to His ways instead of conforming to the ways and comforts of the world?

As I have gone through various trials of life in my almost 60 years of life, and as I am currently even going through a bit of a trial after surgery that is pressing on my patience and frustration buttons, deep down I have an abiding peace.  Why?  Because of God's presence in my life I know that my life is secure in Christ and the grace He has extended to me. I do not have to fear the loss of anything because "indeed I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ."  This is not mental gymnastics.  This is a real, living, vibrant relationship with Jesus.  One where he loves me, comforts me, guides me, teaches me,
equips me, walks with me, sits with me,  has compassion for me, disciplines me, cares for me, provides for me and much more!

A life in Christ is one where we can have peace because we have his presence for anything that may come against us in this life.  I think of Joni Eareckson Tada and how as a young girl she had a diving accident that left her without the use of her hands or legs and yet her life was in Christ and she has had an amazing life of inspiration and help those who suffer many kinds of losses.  If her loss of the use of her limbs were not enough, she also struggled through various other health issues including double pneumonia and breast cancer!  But her response?  She glorified Christ for the life she has in Him and all that He has done in and through her to bring many into the family of God!  She travels, paints, writes, sings and encourages and speaks and God has blessed her in many ways even in the midst of her "loss". 

Lord that I might learn to keep in focus where my life truly is.  My life abides in YOU.
Strengthen me when the storms of life come to trust in what you have spoken to me through Romans 8:38

"For  I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor anything present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus."

He is my life.

One day as I was walking through the Chicago Botanic Gardens through the Japanese Gardens, I spotted 2 white swans and their little brood of new baby swans with soft gray feathers and as I walked close to where they were on the bank of the little lake, the mother quickly spread her wings out as if to cover and protect her new babies.  Those wings were expansive and powerful and I had no doubt had I tried to come close she would have covered her babies with those powerful wings or come after me!  Needless to say I kept my distance. Even these ducks in the pictures I took at the Gardens have that same instinct when they have babies.  How meaningful then are the verses we read about the Lord protecting us under the "shadow of his wings" just as a mother bird or fowl would!
Today I was reading in the Psalms and these two verses popped out at me:

        "I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings" Psalm 61:4
         "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 63:7

I was reminded of our Lord's loving protection of us and that we can take refuge under his "wings".
He has invited us to do so.  He knows that we will face many troublesome situations in this world
and He wants to make clear that we can depend upon him for his help and protection just as a baby bird or swan, or chick, or gosling can under it's mother's wing.  We are not meant to endure alone the battering of life's storms alone and unprotected. 

I love Psalm 63:7 ...."I sing in the shadow of your wings."  That speaks of peace and rest in the
troubles of life to the point where we can freely and joyfully sing!

None of us likes to go through trials, heartache, sickness, loss, or pain, but God's word is our comfort telling us that HE IS THERE, HIS WINGS SPREAD, READY TO HELP BLUNT THE STORMS OF LIFE THAT ASSAIL US and even give us relief to the point that we might, because of his nearness and strength, find our hearts able to praise him in the storm!

As I approach my 60th birthday this August, I can look back and see many trials and storms that God has brought me through.  I have dwelt under the shadow of His wings many times and found help and comfort and solace and provision and most of all, love and grace there.  In past years I have struggled with various physical issues such as a bladder disease, kidney stones, herniated discs in my neck, pneumonia twice, sciatica, a torn meniscus in my knee, and recently surgery in my right foot to deal with Achilles tendonitis and a bone spur.  I have also experienced loss...the loss of both my grandmothers and grandfathers, the loss of my mother when she was only 54, the loss of my mother-in-law,  I have also gone through other kinds of losses such as financial loss,  the loss of friendships and the loss of unfulfilled dreams and hopes.  But, through it all were and are and will be the wings of God, the everlasting arms sheltering me and helping me through!

We need to respond by being willing to receive his offer of sheltering wings over us. We need to surrender to his care over us  In Matthew 23:37 the Lord speaks to the Jewish nation saying he would have "gathered thy children together even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not"!  They wouldn't surrender and run to the shelter of his wings!  We must guard our hearts that we would not refuse the nurture and protection and grace of the "wings" of God by being self sufficient and too proud to receive from our Father.  Isaiah 30:18 says he longs to be gracious to us.

Today, if you are hurting, if you are depressed or despairing, if you are overwhelmed by your life, if you have health issues that have changed your life to something you don't recognize,
will you run and find cover under His wings and find rest for your weary, burdened soul?  He stands ready, wings expanded and ready to sweep you under as you draw near so He can provide a respite, a refuge, restoration and renewal. 

A line from a favorite song of mine from long ago says, "Said the robin to the sparrow I would really like to know why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so. Said the sparrow to the robin, friend, I think that it must be that they have no heavenly father such as cares for you and me!"
The sparrow was wrong, we do have a gracious heavenly father with expansive wings, but we must choose to seek our shelter there rather than in things that will never satisfy.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid."

Psalm 89:15, 17 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence O Lord...for You are their glory and strength.

It's interesting to me how we often learn the most about God's character, His nearness, His love, His grace,
His power and provision when we are going through some "trial" of life and are unable to "fix it" our self!
I come from a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of childhood and spent many years unlearning that
mindset. Now, years later I continue to learn and embrace what a blessing it is to be in those rough times
when my world gets turned upside down or I am confronted with things I didn't expect and don't want in my life!  I've found that God tends to reveal himself to his children very clearly through the difficult, even painful times of life.  I believe it is because He knows what it is like to go through real pain, for as the scriptures tell us, Jesus was a "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief".  That is why He is so able to comfort us in our sorrow and be compassionate to us in our grief, to be our joy and strength and refuge in times of trouble.  He knows what it is to endure pain, hardship, ridicule, loss, loneliness, abandonment, rejection, temptation, testing and much more.  However, through it all, Jesus "acclaimed" (gave honor & glory to) God the Father and walked in the light of God's promises and presence and provision that He himself might be the first of many "sons" to know that God surely is his glory and strength for any situation.  

Father God, may I know today in all my circumstances your glory, power and love and be blessed that I
might also be a blessing to someone else who hurts or is in a painful place in their life. 
Jesus, you said, "In the world you WILL have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."  Wow, what an amazing declaration!  Yes, Jesus you overcame the system of this world by your life, death and resurrection, securing a place and our position as sons and daughters in the Kingdom of God for anyone who will humble themselves, repent of their sin, and believe in and trust that your death and resurrection truly is the door to a new life. You give us a new life where you are always there, never forsaking us and helping us find our way through the trials and tribulations we encounter on this side of heaven. I don't always understand why certain things, painful, hard things happen in this world, but I trust  your  love that was shown to me clearly by your sacrifice of your own life on the cross and your ultimate resurrection to make me and many others a son or daughter. That makes me want to continue to learn to acclaim you even through the trials of this life.  Truly, your grace is amazing.

COMFORT AND JOY

 

This October my husband and I adopted sweet Charlie from Chicago Canine Rescue and our lives will never be the same!  Neither of us really grew up having a dog so it was a little like having your first baby....a lot of excitement and trial and error! Charlie made it very easy on us with his gentle and loving ways. He had a slight limp from a broken leg that healed a little crooked. He didn't seem to be impeded or in pain and the vet said Charlie would have a good quality of life even with his little limp. He seemed to be so glad to have found a warm and loving home and family.

 

He made himself at home with us quickly, winning over our hearts and the hearts of our grown children and my grandson.  Only a year and a half old Charlie still has plenty of puppy in him and soon we were on a mission to make sure that his attention turned to his toys and not our furniture, shoes, socks or our fingers when he got into a chewing frame of mind, which seems to be quite often. 

 

He follows us from room to room almost like a shadow and when we go out of the house for any reason he jumps on a chair near the window watching as we get into the car. He greets us when we get back as if he hasn't seen us in days, putting his nose to our face and coming close for pets and cuddles.  He loves going out in the backyard and just sitting and watching the birds fly back and forth and runs to chase them off the fence when they land. It becomes a constant game between Charlie and the birds and I often watch from my back porch chuckle at his relentless endeavor to catch one. He continues to grow and now I feel like he takes me for a walk instead of the other way around.  He so enjoys his routine of a morning walk with "mom" and an evening walk with "dad".
He loves just sitting quietly beside me on the couch if I am reading or praying. He puts his  head in my lap and closes his eyes as I rub his ears. He lays on the floor as my husband practices his guitar.
He senses that I am not feeling well and climbs up beside me laying still and quiet and we both fall asleep.

 

As Christmas approached this year, we decided we'd better get a tiny tree to sit on the table since we weren't sure how Charlie would do with a big tree, but we needn't have worried, Charlie seems, like me, to love all things Christmas...the lights, the decorations, the smell of cookies baking or friends and family stopping by (new people to pet and play with him!), he even seemed to like Christmas music and laying on the couch to watch Christmas movies with us, even when we watched White Christmas twice!

 

Yes, my husband and I feel blessed we found such a good match  as first time dog owners. Charlie has brought us many days of comfort, joy and laughter already and we can't imagine our home or family now without him.  He charmed our daughter who came in from Indiana for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, winning her over with his bumbling, gentle ways. How fun it was to see our oldest son getting drawn in to play tug of war with Charlie or coming by to bring him a treat or a toy he had bought for him!  Our youngest son and his wife and our grandson fell in love with Charlie from the first day they went to the rescue shelter with  us to help us find a dog. They came over on Christmas Eve bringing  several toys and treats for Charlie too.  They invited us over for Christmas Day and told us to bring Charlie so he could get to know their two big Golden Retrievers, Biscuit and Rye and learn to be more "social" around other dogs. The three dogs figured out quickly who was the Alpha Dog (Rye) and soon were playing together nicely after a few warning growls from Rye when Charlie was getting too frisky! We all enjoyed a fun day together as a family; parents, grown children, grandson, and dogs. As we drove home afterwards with Charlie sleeping contentedly in the backseat, I had such a feeling of peace and all being right with the world.

 

Looking for some comfort and joy in your life?  We can tell you that adopting a dog from a rescue shelter may be an unexpected source of both at any stage of your life!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HE KNOWS!

The Lord of All creation, how majestic is His name in all the earth! The birds of the air and the flowers of the field
do not worry or fret. He is our hope, our faithful and trustworthy Lord who will provide for us what we truly need
in any and every situation at just the right time!

Are you facing a struggle in life that blindsided you, are you in a situation you never saw coming, are you weary and tired of a long standing situation where you have been persevering by faith to see God's answer come?  HE KNOWS!
The Lord knows what we have need of and his hand is not short that it will not save.  We need to press in and rest in
his amazing love and the peace that passes all understanding and wait for His answer and His timing.  He loves us and is always faithful to His children to do what is truly best for us.  Jesus knows better than we do the high calling of allowing God's perfect work be done and going through pain, sorrow, and even suffering.  He did just that for us and provided the POWER and the HOPE we would need to perservere the trials of this life.  When no one else understands what we are going through, or sees our pain, He Knows! Find in Him, child of God,  all the comfort you need and press on!

                         HE KNOWS
                by Teresa Jobst
Even when it seems like all is upside down
your life storm-tossed with trials
and all around you see the pain
etched in the faces and situations
of those you care about deeply
He Knows

Even when you feel no energy left
so drained and weary.
can you fight the good fight again today?
confront the lies with truth?
do what you know you must?
He knows

Even when those you can usually count on
seem to be preoccupied, unavailable, afraid
leaving you alone
to face challenges that seem overwhelming
He Knows

Even when you'd like to give up
throw in the towel,
Walk away from the pressure
Have someone else do the right thing
He Knows

He Knows
because He felt all of those things
when he prayed
alone
forsaken by his followers,
who chose to sleep
in the garden,
He,
with a commission
weighing on his heart
to save you and I
at great pain
and high cost to Himself
He pressed on
thinking of us
with love and mercy
to the
"It is finished"
to purchase eternal glory for us!
Yes, dear one
Trust in Him, He's not forgotten you!
He knows!

As I celebrate these late March days leading up to Easter, I am reminded just how much the love of God truly brings about new life. Just as the changing of the season here in Chicago from Winter's long, dark and cold days to the hopeful peeking sunshine and slowly rising temperatures declare March's promise of new life in our Spring, so too my heart feels once again the wonder of the resurrection as a memorial of the amazing love God has for me, for all of us who receive His precious gift of new life, free to us but at great cost to Him.

  Each Spring here in Chicago we receive the gift of new life as plants and animals give birth and we see a picture of resurrection before our eyes day by day. Trees that looked stark and dead all winter suddenly displaying buds that will burst forth with life into new leaves or blooms and some green blades of grass begin to appear in our lawns after laying brown and covered with snow. Outside my window I hear the symphony of life as birds return and build nests that contain tiny eggs that carry new life soon to be hatched.  As I opened my door last evening to go out, I was stopped by a flash of movement, a tiny bunny hopping across the lawn. I smiled at God's reminding me that resurrection is taking place, new life all around us; a seasonal reminder of a spiritual truth. 
 
II Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says "Therefore if any person is in Christ, (the Messiah), he is a new creation (a new creature altogether), the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into His favor, brought us into harmony with Himself)..."

As God is making all things new again in this season of resurrection, may I see and know the deep, deep love of Christ for me. He gave me new life, He restores my soul, He transferred me out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  God so loved us that He gave his only son, that whoever believes on Him, would not perish but receive NEW LIFE EVERLASTING!  (John 3:16) 

Thank you Lord for the daily reminders I witness of the work of love and grace you have done for me to bring renewal to my life.  Let me be filled with gratitude and praise each Spring day as I am reminded of the wonder of the new life you have created in me, "the former things are passed away, behold all things becoming new!"  May I live and move and have my being in your resurrection power!

Relationship through Worship

God draws near and speaks to our heart when we worship. Psalm 95:6 says, "O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker."

I have found at times when I have felt distance from the Lord, that it is as I pull aside from busyness to worship either in song,  or even in silence focusing on some attribute of God, that suddenly I am aware of his immediate presence and am suddenly back in intimate relationship with Him once again; all barriers removed and once again in that place of perfect love that casts out not only fear, but worry, discouragement, loneliness, uncertainty...whatever.

I know that sometimes in this world things can close in quickly and I can feel overwhelmed! Ever feel that way?  Sometimes all it takes is not feeling physically up to par,  getting fed up with trying to keep up with the ever increasing pace of life in the age of technology and "progress",  or one too many things taking a toll on our emotions.

We have a need to be with our Lord in pure worship, adoration, and appreciation for His faithfulness to us.  Worship should be like breathing but too often I find myself gasping for air from "holding my breath" too long!  Then when I do pull away and focus my heart and soul to worship Him, it changes everything.  I feel like I have let out a long held breath and feel my body relax and find rest and joy for my weary
soul.  Isaiah the prophet says that the Lord longs to be gracious to us.  The Lord delights in us and wants us to delight in Him that we  might "mount up with wings like eagles...run and not grow weary, walk and not faint". 

Even though I struggle at times for balance,  I am so thankful the Lord welcomes me with arms wide open and with no condemnation when I suddenly realize I've been " holding my breath" and need to breathe in deeply from an atmosphere of worship and joyfully find the result is the intimacy of His speaking to me in loving relationship!

Lord, help me to deepen the intimacy of our relationship by consistently taking the
time to stop and "breathe you in" in worship. Thank you that you draw near to me as I draw near to you in worship.  Thank you that there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus".  I love that you draw near to me as I worship and that you
speak to my heart the words of love, joy, and peace that my weary soul needs to go on!
"Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art!"

 

 

Bridges to Somewhere!
I've thought a lot lately about bridges. This is a picture of one of my favorite foot bridges at
the Chicago Botanic Gardens that crosses a pond over to the Japanese Gardens.  It connects
people to the beauty and peace of the other side.

Many people have been a "bridge" in my life, helping me to heal from some hurts and wounds
and lostness.  Everytime I see a bridge now it reminds me of those who have served me by
their love, support and encouragement to "get me across" to a more peaceful, better place
physically, emotionally or spiritually. People have been a bridge of prayer in my life, of
hope, of correction, of comfort.  I think all of us could benefit by just making a list of
and thanking God for those people he placed in our life to be bridges "over troubled waters".


I've been realizing how often God uses us to be bridges in other people's lives to help
them take in and enjoy all the beauty of a living, growing, relationship with Him.  I have
been involved in ministry for over 20 years, working with children and women; teaching
and encouraging them to become connected to the One who created them and loves them.
God has used me to be a bridge over some very "troubled waters" in some of their lives as
well; helping them deal with pain and hurt they have gone through, and yet understand that
God is there for them. The pain and hurt didn't come from His hand and He desires to have a
relationship with them where they can find peace and direction for their lives, the way He
intended.

Of course, the Lord Jesus, himself is the greatest example of being a bridge in someone's life.
He bridged the ugly gap between sin and death and redemption and life!  Had I continued
walking my own way in  life and not taken the bridge (Jesus) to New Life, I believe I would have
had a miserable existence and be looking at eternal separation from God.  I continue to be amazed
at the work of God in my life. Of replacing a tendency toward depression with a heart of hope, of
replacing a fearful heart, with a trusting one, of replacing a wounded heart, with a healed
heart.  Those were some pretty big gaps to bridge in my life, but He did it! 

One day I will approach the bridge between life on this earth and life in eternity. The older I get,
the more I look forward to crossing over, because I know that the One who is THE BRIDGE,
will greet me with love, mercy, and grace and welcome me to the other side to enjoy my new life of seeing and
talking to him face to face!  I will also have the joy of being reunited with those who have gone
before me who have been a bridge in my life as well as those for whom I've been a bridge in theirs!

Lord may we help others to see and cross the bridge from darkness to light, as we know this is
a great delight to you.

The promise of Rest!

If you have followed my blog for any time at all, you already know how much nature,  particularly gardens, speak to me and remind me of spiritual principles.  I took this picture near the end of a long walk through the Botanic Gardens on one of my many excursions there last year and I remember thinking how welcoming a sight an empty bench is to a weary traveler!  A place to sit,

put any burdens you're carrying down and just relax and enjoy where you are and the company that may be with you. 

That's exactly how it feels for me when I look to Jesus when I am weary, discouraged, needing help, or experiencing fearfulness.

Whitney Houston performed a song, "I Look to You" that spoke to me in a spiritual way:

                                                                                                                     

As I lay me down,
Heaven hear me now.
I'm lost without a cause
After giving it my all.

Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun.
After all that I've been through
Who on earth can I turn to?

I look to you.
I look to you.
After all my strength is gone,
In you I can be strong
I look to you.
I look to you.
And when melodies are gone,
In you I hear a song.
I look to you.

About to lose my breathe,
There's no more fighting left,
Sinking to rise no more,
Searching for that open door.

And every road that I've taken
Lead to my regret.
And I don't know if I'm going to make it.
Nothing to do but lift my head

I look to you.
I look to you.
After all my strength is gone,

In you I can be strong
I look to you.
I look to you.
And when melodies are gone,
In you I hear a song.
I look to you.

My levees are broken
My walls have come
Tumbling down on me

The rain is falling.
Defeat is calling.
I need you to set me free.

Take me far away from the battle.
I need you.
Shine on me.

I think we have all been through things in life that would have us identify with parts of her song, but I love the chorus "I look to you..." because for me the person I look to when I am in need is my Lord Jesus.  He said  "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11;28) I have found more comfort in knowing He is my resting place in the battles of this life than you can imagine. When I left my military family in Germany at age  17 to travel to the United States to find a job and go to college, I found complete rest from the fears of being alone.  When I decided to leave Ohio and move to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute, I found rest in knowing I was obeying God's direction for my life. When I began dating my husband and was trying to determine if he was God's choice for me, I found the Lord to be my resting place as I prayed through that decision.  When I became a mom and had so many concerns about parenthood, I found rest in Christ from insecurities. When my mother died, and later my beloved Mother-in-Law, I had to look to Jesus because I badly needed rest from grief and pain. When my husband lost his job of 25 years, I had to look to Jesus for rest from anxiety about our  finances.  When our children were teenagers and we were unsure how to parent them through some of their struggles, we had to look to Jesus for rest from worry.  When we have faced various financial needs in our 33 years of marriage , we had to look to

Jesus to give us rest from unbelief and worry.so we could rely on Him guiding us through.  We have found His words to be true, and this garden picture above reminds me that He is my promise of rest from many things that He doesn't want me to bear alone.

The bench in this picture is empty. But imagine with me, Jesus sitting there just waiting for you to sit beside him and find comfort, rest, and help for all your troubles.  There's an old hymn that says, I must "tell it to Jesus", and I'm sure it was written by a person who found Jesus to be the perfect place of rest for their troubled soul.  Many have written hymns, poems, songs that

remind me of my faithful, loving Jesus who provides me with a place to go find rest.  I even think of an "oldie but a goldie" Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge over Troubled Water"  that spoke so much more to me as a believer in Christ. Parts of that song that speak to me of the rest we find in Jesus are:

                                           When you're weary, feeling small

                                           When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all.

                                           I'm on your side,  when times get rough

                                           And friends just can't be found.

                                           Like a bridge over troubled waters,

                                           I will lay me down.

                                           I'll take your part
                                          When darkness comes
                                          And pain is all around
                                          Like a bridge over troubled water
                                          I will lay me down
                                          Like a bridge over troubled water
                                          I will lay me down

Next time you're in a garden or park and see an empty bench, let that be an invitation to find rest for your soul by telling Jesus your needs or just spending time with him thanking Him for all he's done for you.  You don't have to wait to see a bench though, just picture in your mind the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before His crucifixion, praying for you to come to know Him as your Savior and Lord and as your resting place!                             

LIKE RAIN TO A DRY AND WEARY LAND



Like rain to a dry and weary land, so is a mentoring relationship to the life of any Christian woman who is blessed enough to have one.  The book of Titus in the Bible actually directs "older" women to mentor younger women. Older not necessarily meaning chronologically older, but I believe meaning those who have matured to some
extent in Christ and have learned some biblical principles they can share with other women.

When I came to faith in Christ as my Savior 40 years ago, there were women like my grandmother, some aunts, Sunday school teachers, and women in leadership in the church like Joan who was the Sunday School Superintendent when I was a Sunday School teacher.  These  "watered" my dry land. There were also Christian women who I didn't know personally but who I came to know through reading their books; women like Elizabeth Elliot, Anne Graham Lotz, Stormie Omartian, Jill Briscoe, Joyce Meyer,  Beth Moore,Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and many more.  I "heard" their voices and learned from them as those whom I had observed and trusted as mentors.  I remember learning how to start using my Bible for a regular time of reading and studying and was encouraged by these women to pray daily. I learned the importance of confession of my sin to Christ and receiving his forgiveness so that my heart was not burdened down with guilt and shame. I had to learn to love my husband and children God's way and not try to "mold" them into what I wanted them to become to please me.I had to learn about being in relationship with God, not just "knowing" about Him in my head, but instead learning to talk to him through my day as I would a close family member.  I had to be taught that God didn't want my performance, He wanted my heart to seek his presence and to desire Him above other things. I had to learn that I was not to be led by my emotions, but by the truth of God's word which would never fail me. I learned not to remain in "stinkin thinkin" but look for the the lies the enemy strategically tries to sow into my heart. I had to come to understand that God's love for me was irrevocable because He is love and could not deny his own character.  I had to learn to be more like Mary and less of a Martha (which was more my natural tendency).  I was mentored to understand that God will use the pain and trials of my life to teach me more about His great love for me and to bring beauty from the ashes  I was taught by dear sisters in the faith that I must persevere in prayer and not get weary in well doing because there would come a harvest from those prayers if I had even faith the size of a mustard seed. I grew to understand that tithing was a great spiritual opportunity for me to sow into God's kingdom and that God, not my job, is my provision.  I  came to understand that I am a beloved daughter of my Father, God and that I can depend on Him for my needs to be taken care of and that He will comfort me when I face hurt or loss or trials of any kind.  I have been encouraged by my mentors to be obedient to God's leading in my life, even when I don't understand it or feel it doesn't make complete sense to me.  I have been fortified and blessed by the teaching of mentors in my life and I continue to receive mentoring.

Now I find myself also in a season of mentoring other women and find such joy in coming full circle. Being a mentor both blesses and challenges me.  I need to be willing to share what I have learned and stay close to the Lord myself so that I will be a mentor with solid integrity and also show God's love to them.  At the same time, I need to consistently be vigilant in prayer for these dear sisters being willing to "go to battle in prayer" for them.  It is a weighty calling that God gives us as "older" women to mentor the "younger".  It is more about depending upon God and allowing him to work through us as jars of clay and showing love to our sisters and offering support and encouragement and spending time with them rather than just developing a formal "teacher-student" realtionship.  It is about being available to share in their pain and frustrations as well as their joys and successes.  It is about sacrificing  time and energy for a sister.  It is about being humble, not proud.  It is about being a consistent, though not perfect example.  Mentoring is about choosing Life.  Mentoring is about choosing fellowship and vulnerability. Mentoring is choosing joy and satisfaction in leaving a legacy in the lives of those we have mentored and seeing the circle of life continue on after us. I am thankful and owe a debt of gratitude for all those who chose to be a mentor (past and present) and chose to spend  time, energy, prayer, sacrifice, love, forgiveness, patience, and so much more on me.  I believe one of my greatest joys in this season of life will be watching those I have invested in as a mentor turn around and mentor some other sister!  It' will be like watching rain fall on a dry and weary land!

One Word

Hello.  Grab a cup of tea and sit with me for a bit will you?  I know it's been awhile since I posted.   The Christmas Holiday was full, somewhat frantic,  and flew by and then before I knew what hit me, it was the New Year, 2012!  A brand new year, full of possibilities and promises.  I always face each new year with positive and anticipatory thoughts and usually think about a few "resolutions".  This year I decided to pick one word to encapsulate my desires for the year ahead.  As I prayed and asked for insight,  I seemed to hear the word BALANCE. 

At this season of my life and with the many things going on in my life, I felt it to be a fitting word for me to concentrate on.  I almost felt as if the Lord sent a special messenger angel whose job it was to keep whispering this word to me that I might not escape choosing it as my compass for this brand new year!  It seemed to stand out as I prayed and be in  BOLD PRINT in my mind consistently during the first few days of January.  As I took it in, looked at it, and tried it on, it seemed to be quite the best fit.

As I walk with the Lord in this season of my life, I am so much more aware of the certainty of less days ahead of me than of those behind me.  I have many things to remind me of this:  my oldest child is 31, my "baby" is now 28, I have a step-grandson who is 8 years old, my husband already gets the "senior discount" in some restaurants and is an AARP member, my glasses have gotten stronger, my sense of hearing weaker, I walk briskly instead of running now,  I need lists to help me remember certain things , I get nostalgic for the dumbest things, and I often like watching the reruns of old shows more than I enjoy the new shows on TV!  Oh well, it happens to the best of us.  But, the one thing that I realized hasn't changed is the need for daily BALANCE in my life, in fact I seem to need it more than ever.

The world has gotten faster, busier and more technological than it was when I was a child.   I recognize that I adjusted to these changes and "kept up" more or less, but as I age, I realize that what I want most now is to maintain a healthy balance so that I can enjoy and make the most of these days of my life. Certainly this is true physically for me.  I  seek balance in eating, exercising,  and sleeping, so that I will have as healthy a body as I can have, and get regular check ups with my doctor. I even started another blog on being healthy a day at a time.  But it is also important that I have time for my emotional and spiritual needs to be met.   I need to invest in my relationships with family and friends and of course to maintain my relationship with the Lord.  All these require time and energy.  One of the things that starts to lag as I get older is my level of energy, so I have to make choices.  That is where BALANCE becomes so much more important in my life now. I have to plan ahead and choose so that I can do the things I need to do and want to do with the energy I have at this time in my life.  I am fortunate that I am enjoying good health and don't have  many health issues yet that drag on my energy, but I still notice a difference.  I can't take a high level of stress like I used to when I was a classroom aide and then teacher for almost 20 years.  I have to prioritize more now and make choices about what I can and can't do with my time. I can't burn the candle at both ends anymore. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who has allowed me to be in a season of ministry at this time of my life and to facilitate a recovery program for women at my church and even  to follow my creative desire to write, as well as mentor women in my home.  Balance comes in when I have to make choices of how much I can take on and what I have to say no to.  Aye, there's the rub, right?

I am thankful that the Lord pointed me to my one word resolution for 2012, BALANCE.  I know it is the right word for me and I appreciate that He knows me so well and has a "good plan" for me for 2012.  As I take this year one day at a time, I wake up each morning and ask Him to help me to live out BALANCE in all my ways that day.  Believe me, He has shown me right away when I am getting off track and I thank Him for it.  I have shared my one word resolution with family and friends and they support and encourage me along the way.  We all need "cheerleaders" in our life don't we?

What would your word be for this year?  Ask the Lord to give you a word for 2012, and be sure to share it with those you love so that they can support you in sticking to your "resolution" this year.  Feel free to check back to see how I'm doing or to share your own ONE WORD resolution for this year. 

The Love of God

As I anticipate the flurry of activity of family arriving over the next few days to celebrate Christmas, I enjoy this quiet moment with my cup of tea and the tree lights sparkling softly.  My heart is full of joy and gratefulness as I reflect on the event that happened over 2,000 years ago that brings us together as a family in celebration.  The birth of my savior, Jesus Christ. A birth that changed the world and changed my life.

I reflect on the young woman Mary who receives a message, from an angel that totally changes her life as well.  She is young, engaged to Joseph and looking forward to the next season of her life as a married young woman, planning, envisioning, thinking how it will be to leave her mother and father and become wife to Joseph, to have their own home and perhaps a family someday.  She is going about her normal routines of life and has a supernatural encounter with an angel who speaks to her words she can never forget.....she will carry in her womb, the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind!  How does a young woman-child  from Nazareth wrap her mind around that?  Mary, at first frightened by the appearance of the angel, nonetheless, quickly shows her heart of faith.  She hears the angel tell her not to fear and then he explains God's plan to use her to bring the Messiah, the promised one to this earth to save. Amazingly, and with far fewer questions than I would have asked, says "So be it unto me, just as you have said"!  She, possessing the faith of a child, embraces the message, setting her heart to do God's will!   Something that occurs to me here is how well God KNEW Mary, had heard her prayers, and recognized in her the kind of faith and character that He was looking for in the young woman who would become the one to bear and mother His only son.  God does know us and know what we are capable of!  He knows that some of the things He asks of us will stretch us farther in our faith than we have ever been stretched before.  He knows who to ask to do His will because He knows who will depend upon Him for the strength and perseverance to see it through.  He knew these things about Mary, and I think that was part of the encouragement and comfort she carried to sustain her through the pregnancy. She, Mary, was asked by God to bring His son into this world. She was humbled I am sure to realize how intimately God really knew her and trusted her character and faith to ask such a thing of her!   Each day of her pregnancy must have been a jolting reminder of the day the angel visited and of the wondrous miracle that she was chosen to be a part of!  What thoughts must have run through her mind as she felt God incarnate kicking in her womb as she went about her daily chores.  How to wrap the mind and emotions around such a thing?  How did she hold her tongue and proceed in humility when others taunted and condemned her for  her "sin" when in actuality she was bearing the one who would come to forgive them of their own sins?   How amazing that Mary at such a young age could entrust her emotions to her Lord, especially while pregnant!  And can you imagine the trip to Bethlehem to register for the census with Joseph in the last days of your pregnancy when the way was rugged and you would be traveling upon a donkey?  Knowing the risk of giving birth before returning to Nazareth had to be on Mary's mind, yet she forged ahead by faith that God would surely protect His son.   How much Mary's faith must have had to be as much reality in her life as the rising of the sun was each morning!  She had to choose to live by faith and not by sight, something Christians today are constantly challenged to attain to.  Yes, Mary's life was radically changed that day by call of God on her life!

My life has also been radically changed by the call of God on my life when I was a teenage girl of sixteen.  However, I was not a young woman of faith, I was a young woman of fear and emotional woundedness and even depression. I did not really know God or understand that He had a plan for my life.  I had huge questions about life  and why I was even here.  I did not feel I belonged.  I did not feel I was capable or worth much.  I did not feel anyone was proud of me or thought I would amount to anything.  But God changed all that, in of all places a little town in Germany called Baumholder where my Dad who was in the Army was sent when I was sixteen.  I started attending church there for the first time ever on a regular basis in my life and when I heard the gospel and understood that God not only knew me and loved me, but had a plan for my life.  I literally became a new person, changed by faith in God!  I left Germany alone at l7 and moved to Ohio to start college and I was able to do this full of confidence in a God who I knew would somehow help me to begin my "new life" in Him and continue to teach me and show me how to become the person He had made me to be.  He was my protector, my provider, my parent, my brother, my friend during those years of transition into young adulthood.  I look back in amazement at how He took such good care of me and how He even called me on further from Ohio to come to Chicago to go to Moody Bible Institute to train for ministry! 

The Love of God is so powerful, it can transform us and help us through the transitions and callings upon our life.  As we look at the story of Christmas and see Mary, surrendered to God's call and will, may we know that is the safest place for us to always be!  May you be in the center of His will for you this Christmas and into this new year.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!





CELEBRATE THE TRUE HOPE THAT BRINGS JOY TO THE HEARTS OF ALL!

Since I was a little girl, I have always had a special love for Christmas. Even before I really knew the true meaning of Christmas, I was so drawn to this season because of all the sparkling lights and decorations that captured my heart and all the "good will" that seemed to appear for the weeks surrounding Christmas, and of course the sharing of wonderful foods and gifts being given to family and friends.  It seems like I've always had a deep heart's desire to celebrate life and hope especially at this season of the year.  My home reflects my love of this season. I try to make it warm and inviting and full of light and color and sharing and giving. I love having friends and family over for a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate as we share our dreams, hopes and prayers for our families near the Christmas tree.  I want my home to be an oasis of hope and love for all who enter. I seek to be an ambassador of the gospel of peace all through the year ahead.

 We have gone through many rough times in this great country in our relatively short history by the grace of God. We face another such time now with record unemployment, many more homeless than ever before, and much frustration and uncertainty about our economy.  Americans this Christmas may yearn even more for peace within our own borders as we tire of the political machinations and corruption of some of our elected officials who seem more bent on maintaining their positions and material perks rather than maintaining a climate where men and women can work and provide a decent living for their families.   All around us we have friends and family who are struggling to provide the basics that we all took for granted just a few short years ago. We all have family and friends struggling with life issues that are causing broken relationships and hearts. Many are also discouraged and depressed from a lack of hope for the future.

Even with all that said, I have tremendous hope during this season of love and grace, because I know that God has said, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land."( II Chronicles 7:14 )  I believe the church in America is being called to step up and out and lead the way to real healing and hope in America and we are responding!  We must humble ourselves by not aligning ourselves with unbelief or belief in "systems" of thought that leave God out of the equation. We must ask God to forgive our sin of not sharing the most glorious message of hope and love that exists, His gospel of peace, because we are afraid of being labled "intolerant" by sharing what Christ said about himself.  He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father except by me."  We have allowed ourselves to be intimidated by a culture that shares some of the most indecent ideologies as"Truth" and yet, labels those who believe in Christ and His message as "haters" and "intolerant"!  May God forgive us and help us to lead the way to real "CHANGE" in America. The kind that begins in the hearts and souls of men and women who have truly been blessed with the greatest gift of all: true HOPE.  Not hope in ourselves, but HOPE in the God of heaven who loves us and has a proven "better way" for us to live.  We are offered the most amazing gift and it is ours for the taking. It is a gift that changes hopeless to hopeful, fearful to fearless, joyless to joyful, and lost to found. It is a gift that came in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger! Hope incarnate!

I wrote this poem several years ago and it was published in an anthology of poems. It still resonates in my heart this Christmas as I think of the beauty of God's sacrificial and gracious gift to me and all mankind.  It is a gift freely given, but of great cost to God, the Father. It is a Gift that I desire to see always remembered by America!

The Gift Remembered

by Teresa Jobst

The Gift of Love

was first thought of

by God the Father, the Holy One

when He sent His dear and precious Son.

A baby crying in the manger

borrowed from a kindly stranger.

This amazing, pure gift of love

from the heart of our Father above.

The Gift was costly: God's very own Son

sent to proclaim that He is the only one

who can fill the void that's deep within

the simple shepherd or the wisest man.

The Gift was given to be received.

God's desire is that we believe

in the Son whose birth was marked by a star

long ago in Bethlehem far.

The Gift grew from babe to man,

He said that to the Father anyone can

come if they but accept the One

who sacrified His life to fulfill the plan.

The Gift, the Christ, the promised one

died upon the cross, t'was done

that I might know true freedom

provided by the Father, through His Son.

We give gifts of love today to represent

the  greatest gift ever sent.

May we with each gift recieved or given,

thank God for sending His best from heaven.







                                                                           

As I am approaching my 33rd Anniversary tomorrow, I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 4:l2 which  says, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of THREE IS NOT EASILY BROKEN. 

My adult children have commented to me that many of their friends and aquaintances do not have parents who are still together!  Divorce seems to be the new "normal".  I am so thankful I have a husband who not only loves me, but "has my back" and who prays for me every morning before he leaves for work.  You see our marriage is made up of three: My husband, Me and Jesus!  A cord or rope braided with only two cords will easily break or unravel, but a cord of three is not easily broken!  Don't get me wrong, we have had things come against our marrige over our 33 years, but Jesus has seen us through! As we've looked to Him, we have found strength for the inevitable trials in life, marriage, and parenting three children. My husband protects me by praying for me. He supports and encourages me when I grow weary.  He has worked hard to provide for our 3 children and me.  He puts us before himself.  He rejoices and delights when good things come our way. He has been an awesome father.  He isn't easily offended and he readily forgives.  He seems to have an amazing storehouse of patience and believe me, the kids and I have tested it!   He makes me feel like I am the most special woman in the world.  Even after 33 years, he tells me he loves me and that I am beautiful and that he is proud to have me as his wife.   He is gentle and has a great sense of humor.  He still likes spending time with me.  He has brought healing to many of my childhood wounds over the years by his unconditional love for me.   He has been all these things and more for me and the kids because of his relationship to Jesus.  I have been truly blessed to have both a Heavenly Father and a husband here on earth that have loved me sacrificially.  What more could I want or need?
Thank you honey for all your love and care for me. Thank you Father God, for all your love and care for me.  You both make me feel like I am a precious jewel to you.

Here is a poem I wrote years ago and have shared with a couple of different young couples as they got married.  It is dedicated to my bridegroom, Jesus and my husband, Matthew.

 What Love Is This?

What Love is this

that makes my heart sing

that fills me to overflowing

that consumes me so totally?

What love is this

that stirs such joy in me

that whispers my destiny,

that fuels the passion in my soul?

What love is this

that can endure and readily forgives

that seeks for me abundant joy,

that never abandons nor forsakes?

What love is this?

It is God's love poured out in you

and spilling over onto me

that seeks to build a firm foundation

for our marriage, home and family.

                                                                                   by Teresa Jobst

In The Garden

It amazes me that even as our world seems to be filled with so much inconsequential nonsense and hype, the power of God's creation still speaks volumes to a hurried, worried, fractured world. I recently took this picture while strolling through the Chicago Botanic Gardens (a taste of heaven on earth for me).  I had come off a busy week and was taking some friends to see the fall colors and everywhere we walked was a picture that spoke louder than any sermon about God and His love, mercy, grace and comfort to us world weary travelers.

I love how just walking through a field or grove of trees or beautiful garden, immediately recalibrates my mind to focus on the truly important things of life and to feel gratitude and peace well up in my soul. God says in Romans that His creation speaks loudly of His existence.  I concur. I often walk these garden paths and imagine myself in the Garden of Eden where God walked with Adam and Eve in the "cool of the day", communing with them.  I have often walked through the Botanic Gardens and seen birds, chipmunks, butterflies, geese, swans, deer, and even wooly caterpillars, and every imaginable plant and flower,  and felt my spirit stirred by the magnificence of almighty God.  And always I remember a song my grandmother used to sing, I have a copy of it on my prayer room wall, "In the Garden".  I've always loved this song and it has become a theme of  sorts in my life the last l5 years or so.  I feel like God has worked in me a bountiful  harvest of peace and joy and that I am happy to "bloom where I have been planted" for this season of my life.

The words to this song will always speak to me of God's walking through life with me.  He walked through life with my Grandma Brady and as she walked with Him she prayed for us, all her grandkids and great-grandkids, just as she had for her own eight kids! She was a gardener, a tiller of soil, a harvester. I was always amazed at the bounty that could come from her vegetable garden and nourish us so much when we sat around her table, just as her prayers nourished us.  I think she learned a lot about God's nature and faithfulness by working in her garden planting seeds, pulling weeds and waiting for harvest while depending on the Good Lord for sun and rain. She, too,was one who walked with God in the garden in the cool of the evening ~  thinking and praying over the needs of her large family whom she loved so much and thanking Him for caring for us all.

I can hear her singing in her little kitchen as she's rolling biscuit dough with her apron on and her hands dusty with flour:

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses
and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And he walks with me and he talks with me and He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.  

Now I hear her singing as she stands beside me in the little white church by her house across the creek.  We would visit her in West Virginia from our nomadic lifestyle as a military family.

He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
and the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing
And he walks with me, and he talks with me and He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

The Garden, a theme that has run through my life and brought me joy. The irony is I don't have a green thumb at all like my grandmother or even my mother who could grow anything! But I have been able to grow in my faith that God planted in me at l6.  I found out a few years ago that my name, Teresa, means harvester!  Just as my grandmother and many wonderful mentors have planted seeds in my life, I love to plant the seeds of God's word and watch them grow. I have planted seeds in the lives of students as a teacher, I have planted seeds in the lives of friends and other women that God has called me to as a mentor, and I have planted seeds in the lives of my own children in our home. I have not been a perfect gardener by any means, but I have walked with the Master Gardener and asked him to send water and sunshine on those seeds that there might be an abundant harvest to His glory. I sometimes think of my reunion in heaven with my grandma....I want to sing "In the Garden" with her
as we walk with God "in the cool of the evening".

Galatians 6:8b-9 He that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap everylasting life. Be not weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we faint not.