"My peace I Leave With You"

It's amazing how peaceful I feel when I walk through the woods or a garden and take in all the beauty of God's creation. I love walking and talking to the Lord...kinda like the Garden of Eden.  Somedays though, I am confronted over and over with reminders that "we ain't in Eden anymore, Dorothy". It can be just turning on the TV and hearing a news cast or seeing the "junk" that passes for entertainment.  Things can sometimes look pretty bleak and very un-peaceful in the world around us.

Jesus said in John 16:33..."In the world you will have tribulation, and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer{take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted}for I have overcome the world. {I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.} Amplified version.

I am so thankful that we have God's word in times like these, when we look around us and there is so much corruption, lack of integrity, low or no values, greed for power, violence and mockery of  God and Godliness. God's word helps me to keep things in perspective. I know there will always be these things until Jesus returns and reigns in victory.  I am glad that we can love and serve a God who delights in righteousness and who deals mercifully with us. He is patient and He will continue to even woo the mocker. However a day is coming, the Bible tells us, when all will see Him in His glory and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus, alone, is the Lord of heaven and earth!

I find I can have a supernatural peace being in relationship to Christ. I don't feel I have to give in to the anxiety and stress of the world around me.  I can "take courage, be confident, and undaunted" by what I hear on the nightly news or from those who are fearful around me. Why? Because I KNOW in whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to deliver me.

God says He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't change. That is a comfort and peace when we find ourselves in the midst of a time when bad things are being called good, and good things are being called bad.  I'd rather be found standing with God and what He has said than be standing with ANYONE "in power"who has gone along with every "whim and wind of change" when that "great day" of Christ's return comes. Wouldn't you?

TRUE HOPE FOR OUR TIMES

How majestic is your Name in all the earth!

The works of your hands praise You!

I may step on some toes here, but I really have felt a burning in my heart to speak up and point to our TRUE HOPE in these trying days in which America finds herself.  Many Americans have believed a
huge lie. We are not a post-Christian nation. We are still a nation under God because it is not God who moved, but it is we.

For years now we have had promises from our politicians (from both parties) for Hope and Change, but we got some changes we hadn't hoped for! For many among us. our hopes were dashed by broken promises, selfish and corrupt decisions, and politics before integrity as a regular way of life. Those voted in to protect our country and our unique values, have sold us out to a set of false HOPES.

I know many of us as Christians are fed up with the empty promises and scandalous focus on money as the solution to much deeper problems of our people than politicians even have an inkling about. And the reason money and power don't solve any issues we are going through is they're representative of dangerous and misplaced hopes! 

Our true hope is well highlighted in the Scriptures.  Our "portion" isn't something that the government can dole out to us! Our legitimate HOPE is in the Lord, God who is our true portion! Lamentations 3:24, "The Lord is my portion (share), says my soul. Therefore I place my HOPE in Him."  Surely Almighty God is where I need to place my HOPE.  Scripture tells me that if I will HOPE IN THE LORD there is blessing attached.  Psalm 146:5 says "Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose HOPE is in the Lord." Jeremiah 17:7 says "Most blessed is the man who believes, trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose HOPE and confidence the Lord is."  Psalm 33:18, "The eye of the Lord is on those who fear him and whose HOPE is in HIS mercy."

As a woman of God, I have chosen to put my HOPE in the God I trust, who cares for me and has provided for me for 57 years, rather than a system of government.  God says, "choose this day who {what} you will serve".  I can't serve two masters: God and a world system made by man.  The Lord has been good to me through my life in times of plenty and times of lack, He has remained a "rock" for me to stand on (unlike the shifting sands of the whims of Washington power brokers.) Isaiah 26:4 puts it well, "Hope confidently in Him for the Lord God is an EVERLASTING ROCK". I can attest to that. Even now when some of our material resources are diminishing, I am filled with such peace and a true HOPE that God, my sustainer, will help me "pass through the waters" and that we "will not be overtaken".  That kind of HOPE comes from my 40 year relationship with Jehovah Jireh, my provider (the God of the Bible.)

I want to always be a woman of Godly integrity and purposes. I don't want to align myself with corrupt viewpoints and "cleverly devised schemes" and flowery talk signifying nothing. Psalm 25:20-22 speaks to this: "May integrity and uprightness protect me because my HOPE Lord is in you.

I know, I know.  This is a hard stand to take in our culture that has tried to jettison God from every part of our society, but I am encouraged on by Peter who said, "But in your hearts set Christ apart as Holy and acknowledge Him as Lord, always be ready to give an answer for the HOPE, that is in you."(I Peter 3:l5) That's what I'm doing here, giving my answer to the HOPE than lies within me,

I don't fear the future, because I have known the goodness of the Lord in my times. Lamentations 3:26 tells me "The Lord is good to those whose HOPE is in Him, to the ones who seek Him." We may experience even tougher times than these in the days ahead in America, but I know that my God can and will "supply all my needs according to His riches in glory." He delights in our HOPE in Him. He loves to do the "impossible". He is my Good Shepherd and loves to take care of me, His sheep. The Bible says, "It is He that has made us and not we ourselves".  Hard for some of those "self-made" political types to swallow, I imagine.

I pray that men and women of faith in our nation's capital will humble themselves and look at where they are placing their HOPE and begin to see that real change will only take place in the hearts of Americans and thus America when we have placed our HOPE back in God. We need to "humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways." (II Chronicles 7:l4)

A wise young woman I heard recently wisely remarked that it is what we answer to this one question posed to the Apostle Peter by Christ that can make or break our life: "Who do you say that I am?"
May my answer always remain:  "You are Christ, the Lord, the son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me. I put my HOPE in you, Lord."  He, unlike politicians and government, has never forsaken me and never will.  He is my strong, and high tower and the lover of my soul!

Reflections of Creativity

I know many women who tell me they are not creative.  I've even said it myself in my younger years before I knew better. That's because we too often equate creativity with being "artsy". You know, painting, drawing, sculpting, pottery making, writing, playing an instrument, acting.  But creativity is so much more than that, and I believe that every woman is creative, but may not realize it because her definition for creativity is way too narrow.

At one time, I too denied my own creativity until I began to realize that because I am made in the image of God and He is the creator of the world, then I must have some creativity in me somewhere.
That's when I began to look more closely at my life to uncover my own unique creativity.

I found creativity in my quirky way of putting outfits together and accessorizing (or decorating, as my husband calls it) with jewelry and scarves on a very limited budget. I didn't care what was "in", I just wore what I loved and that made me feel good.  This did not occur until my 40's (what can I say, I'm a late bloomer).  I love to shop clearance sales and resale shops. I have found some of the greatest accessories: vintage jewelry, colorful, textured scarves, amazing handbags, cute jackets and coats; all for prices no one can believe.  I think finding these things is creative too.  There is an art to it and I feel beautiful and special to the Lord as He leads me to these great finds.

I also love decorating my home (shabby chic style).  Since going to Paris when I was a senior in high school, I have always had a love of anything French. My house reflects that in the prints I have found and framed for my living room walls, the prints and textures in furnishings I choose, even the paint and lacy curtains on my windows.  I have several prints that I love of a Renoir, a Van Gogh, and a Monet.  I love playing french music when I'm home alone relaxing.  I love to watch movies that highlight Paris or the French countryside and remember my own visit there.

I also feel I am creative in the way I encourage others. I love to "study" people and look for their special gifts and then encourage them to use those gifts or thank them for how their gifts have blessed my life.  I love to encourage other women to not let fear limit them.  If they share something they really want to do, I really ask God to use me to encourage them to step out and do it.  I love to bring women together and encourage them to learn from one another. I have learned a lot from other women. Another way I have discovered I am creative is in building relationships with women and assuring them that they have found in me a safe place to share their woundedness. I love how God has brought that out in me through my own woundedness.

I have a friend who is creative in how she has handled some really hard times that have come in her life. She is creative in her trust of God to provide a better attitude toward her struggles She has a marvelous sense of humor and has developed the amazing ability to laugh her way through her hard times and get me laughing with her. She has helped me through some trying times.  I have another friend who couldn't draw or paint, but put so much love into creating amazing scrapbooks and cards; she has blessed her entire family with that creativity. I have another friend that has turned making kalochkys (a Polish "cookie") into its own delicious art form.  Everyone loves them and often asks if she will bring them to a gathering. One of my friends who loves to support women's creativity, started a yearly Christmas Open House at her home that showcased many different women's creative renderings such as scarves, ornaments, jewelry, baskets, baked goods, doll clothes and other unique handmade gifts (a highlight of my Christmas shopping experience). Another dear friend who loves to cook and especially bake has such a gift of hospitality, I feel like I "went home" every time I go to her house, because I feel so pampered with her love and yummy food.  I have one friend who is so creative with how she encourages me by sharing God lessons from her life. All these are reflections of the creative God in their lives.

Do you see what I'm getting at?  We are the body of Christ, ladies. God already bestowed on us as women one of the most creative things in the world: giving birth! We don't just birth children. We as women give birth to so many ideas and innovations that bless our world. No one is unnecessary because all of us are creative in carrying Christ and his message into our world. In our own unique ways, we reflect the creativity of our God to others and invite them to share the special creativity He has given them. Don't continue to think about being creative in an "old wineskins" kind of way.  We have our Father God's DNA running through us and it manifests uniquely in each person, that we might love and serve one another.  If you don't know your particular creative footprint yet, ask God to reveal it to you and then flow in that.  I've found that it brings peace and joy to your soul and then opens the floodgates of inspiration and more creativity.

Another word for creativity is courage~George Prince

Stop trying to pattern yourself after the pastor's wife, the news anchor, your girlfriend, and your next door neighbor, and develop the unique, exquisite woman within. ~ Jacqueline Jakes

Sisters of the Heart

Tuesday night at our small group we were discussing the friendships of women and what they add to our life as Christian Women.  Friendships are not to compete with our relationship to our husband or children, but they actually add grace to those relationships as women find encouragement and accountability in their friendship with another woman. Women need to be able to share their hearts with another woman who will understand her feelings and yet remind her not to be ruled by them. Women friends can "handle" each others emotions.  That doesn't mean a woman shouldn't share her feelings with her husband, but she should not be in despair if he doesn't seem to be able to understand her feelings as she would like him to, or be interested in listening to the details. Men like to get to the point and then want to find a solution (the conquering hero). All men aren't that comfortable with our emotions and a wise and strong man will encourage his wife to have and pursue friendships with women, just as they pursue friendships with men.
Women are generally more comfortable around the arena of emotions and can provide support for a woman who may be grieving a loss, or dealing with a rebellious child, or feeling insecure because of gaining weight, or struggling under the demands of work and child rearing.  Another woman can listen and relate and offer empathy, exhortation, wisdom, and prayer and not feel they have to "fix" the problem, as men often feel burdened to do when women share emotion. Women are bound together in a wonderfully powerful connection as sisters of the heart.  Rich is the woman who has developed some supportive, long-term friendships.  God's direction to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together" holds a special meaning for women. We are made with an inner desire to understand and be understood by other women, we like coming together for affirmig one another and talking about child rearing, work,  and many other subjects including our relationship with God.   In the book of Timothy the older women are told to "teach the younger women" things that will help them to be faithful women of God in their homes, work and communities.  We need to make time in our busy lives today as women.  In the old days, women would gather and quilt, can food grown in their gardens, and exchange recipes and remedies as well as encourage one another through tough times, They would share their life stories with each other and often find healing for their wounds in the community of women around them. Today women may still do some of these things, but with technology and such a fast pace of life, many women actually can become isolated by life demands.
I have benefited from some very strong and loyal friendships with other women. I have recieved acceptance and healing and love from my sisterhood of friends.  I have laughed and cried with my sisters and I have been motivated and inspired by them. I count it one of the joys of life to have connections with women of different ages, races and marital status and hear their stories of faith, fortitude, joy, sorrow, restoration, and courage.

Sisters of the Heart   by Teresa Jobst
They come along throughout our life
These sisters of the heart
That make you feel right at home
From the moment you first meet.
You can trust them with your soul
You know you can be who you are.
They see your weaknesses but love you just the same.
They see your strengths and remind you of them often.
They stand with you to see the miracle of answered prayer.
They help ease the burdens of this busy life,
Speaking encouragement and exhortation.
Giving from a heart of love and generosity,
A double portion blessing.
Whether one or many days apart,
There is no lack of intimate reconnection.
Yes they come along throughout life's seasons.
Bringing their faith, courage, love and acceptance
These sisters of the heart.


Do you have a story about a "sister of the heart" in your life? Feel free to share a little about her in the comments section below.

For the Display of His Splendor

That we may be a planting of the Lord for the display of HIS splendor.

I want to bloom wherever I'm planted to be a "display of HIS splendor"as it says in the book of Isaiah.  That has been a desire of my heart for many years. It wasn't until this summer that a series of events led me to a big life change that God had planned for my life several years ago. Oh how he knows me and my comfort zones!  I have been working in education for over 20 years as a Teacher Assistant and the past ten years as a teacher in a small Christian school here in Chicago. I have loved teaching children both in elementary school and Sunday school over these many years. As any teacher will tell you it is more than a full time job; and I married just the right man to be a "teacher husband".  Matt adapted to my weekends of lesson plans and grading, and spending our own money on things, "I really need for class"! What a responsibility teaching has been and what a privilege.  It has been a huge part of who I am for all these years, so it was a hard decision to "retire".  But God had a different plan for this season of my life.

You see, ten years ago at a women's conference, God put another call on my life. He said to me that I was going to teach women.  I was dumbfounded.  I was very comfortable with teaching children and thought maybe I had misunderstood.  So months and even years began to pass and I wasn't hearing anymore from God about this and almost forgot about it. Then God put a woman in my path who I was destined to be connected to. She was the director of a residential home for women with addictions here in Chicago, called New Life for Girls. When Ms. Pam came to speak at our church, God put a fire in my heart that I had to go talk to her and be connected with this ministry. When I sheepishly approached her and told her that I felt God had told me to connect with her and the ministry, she took it all in stride as if such things happened everyday and invited me to come see the ministry. As they say...the rest is history. I served on the board of directors for awhile, taught a weekly bible study for almost five years there, helped with fundraisers and just learned to minister God's love and truth under Ms. Pam's guidance. I fell in love with the ministry of helping hurting women! I felt like I had come home....probably because I was working through some residual woundedness of my own.

 About a year and a half ago, God moved us back to a church we had attended when our kids were younger. The church had grown and we were thrilled with the life and love we saw there.  We were returning to our old church as empty nesters with all our children grown, but in my heart God had placed a deep hunger for ministering to hurting women. It was amazing how God brought us back there. After several months there, our Pastor's wife spoke to me and said they had been praying for someone to start a recovery program for women at the church. Hearing of my love and experiences at New Life for Girls, she wondered if I might be interested in facilitating a weekly recovery program for women.  I remember crying to my husband after my conversation with her, when I realized the journey God had planned ten years ago to fulfill the calling He had put on my life at that time.

Last year, God showed me I needed to work part-time at my school because the recovery ministry
was growing and the demands for mentoring and leading groups and training leaders was growing too.
So, I worked part-time last year because God was weaning me from my old comfort zone and showing me that my identity was not limited to teaching children at school. Then this summer, God began to show me that I needed to leave my comfort zone completely and focus on the ministry He had led me to start at our church. I struggled with leaving teaching school, and God was so patient with me, giving me many indicators that it was indeed Him speaking this change into my life, and showing me my husband was in agreement that we should take this faith step. I had many friends, family and my pastor and his wife praying for me. Suddenly this past weekend, I knew God was asking me to just put out my foot and take the first step of faith toward his new plan for me. By Sunday, I was ready to tell my husband that I had decided to "retire" and focus on the recovery ministry. My pastor came up and started talking to my husband on Sunday morning before the service and I asked pastor to pray for me regarding this decision which he knew I had been wrestling with for awhile. When he and my husband
laid hands on me and prayed for me, I just had that moment of clarity of "knowing" what God was telling me to do. I felt so supported by these two men of God in my life.

God has a great sense of timing... and humor.  I had been waiting to hear from the school about working part-time again this year and so on Monday, I sat down at the computer to write to my principal to tell her that I had decided not to return and why.  My phone beeped that I had a message, so I checked and saw that it was our assistant to the principal who had called. I returned her call, to let her know that I would not be returning to school for this coming year, and was ready to email my official notice to the principal. As we talked, I had to laugh because she had been calling to tell me that they didn't even have a part-time spot in the program for me as of yet for this year because of enrollment changes! So, God allowed me to have the time I needed to get into agreement with His plan for me and then just in case I was slow in coming into agreement, He closed the position as a final confirmation to me of His will.

I have real peace about this decision and my husband and I are in agreement that we will depend upon God for our financial needs to be met as we line up with what we believe to be His will for us. I have been called to mentor women and write in this season of my life. I want HIS splendor displayed to all who read my story of being in agreement with God. I want other women struggling with waiting on the fulfillment of  God's call on their life to be encouraged that God hasn't forgotten. He has plans just for you. I want women struggling with transition to a new season of their life to be inspired and comforted with His peace.  I want husbands and pastors of women to realize how important their role of encouragement, and support, and prayer are to a woman in transition. Their prayer covering is so important to the process. I want women to see how important their friendships are to one another in being part of God's process of transition to new plans and purposes. I thank my women friends who have been with me through these years, praying with me, waiting with me, crying with me, and now celebrating with me and encouraging me through the rugged places in the journey of obedience ahead. 

Woman of God

I have been blessed to have as friends, many delightful women who have blessed and continue to bless my life. Tonight I spent time with a friend who has blessed my life for many years. She has been a friend, a confidant, an encourager, an example, a mentor, and a co-laborer in ministry. I have been blessed to see her faithfulness to God in the midst of some challenging life circumstances. She is perfectly imperfect, humble and always learning and growing.
She is my friend. a true, life treasure, a "sister of the heart".  Several years ago I wrote this poem for her and am so blessed that she is still part of my life. 

WOMAN OF GOD by Teresa Jobst

This woman of God, she knows whose she is.
She knows her salvation comes from Him alone.
He has been her rock and her refuge,
Her light in the darkness, her help in times of trouble.
He commands angels to conquer her enemy.

She leans into Him, trusting His ways above her own.
She knows His voice and waits in quiet expectation.
For she knows He will lead her beside still waters,
And restore her when she is spent,
Even granting her the faith to believe what she can't yet see.

She braces her mind with his living, powerful word.
She knows He has given her favor and lifted her burdens
That she might carry His healing to those who are broken.
His grace abounds over her and spills out to touch the wounded.
He sets her feet on paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

This woman of God who gives herself to Him with surrender,
Has given herself to many others as wife, mother, mentor, caretaker, friend.
He delights over her with singing, rejoicing in His beloved creation,
As He declares in familiar chorus, " Yes, she is good, she is very good."
This woman of God, who knows WHOSE she is.

A true friend is like a beautiful garden, nourishing the soul!

  

The Will of God

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F9B20CNU  Watch this Steven Curtis Chapman music video on his song, "Do Everything" for a great Monday jumpstart to your week!

You know as I watched this video and listened to the song this morning on God Tube, I was struck that in this fun and catchy song, there is a lot being said about the will of God for my life. I think Steven Curtis Chapman really hit upon 3 things in his chorus that are God's will for me as a believer.

1. Do everything you do to the glory of God.
2. Try to bring a smile to His face.
3. Tell the story of His grace.

Do Everything to the Glory of God: The apostle Paul tells the Corinthian believers over the question of what is permissible to eat or drink, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink or WHATEVER YOU DO,
do EVERYTHING FOR GOD'S GLORY. (1 Corinthians 10:31).  Everything is pretty inclusive isn't it? So when I'm doing my housework, or tutoring a student it should be to God's glory just as much as when I'm teaching a Bible lesson, or mentoring a woman in her faith, or worshiping, or praying. So, playing with my grandson, trying out a new recipe, shopping, exercising, reading, napping....all should be done to the Glory of God? That's His will for us? Yes, and I dare say that it will infuse these daily activities with a fresh sense of God's presence in even the most mundane of activities.

Try to bring a smile to His Face:  How often have I really given thought to God smiling? That something I do could bring a smile of joy to God's face? How much do I just go on auto-pilot unaware that God does delight in me and in my giving my life to Him. Psalm 34:1 says "I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth." I think we can also bless the Lord by being more present in our relationship with him moment by moment, seeking to bring a smile to His face by the things we say and do all througout our days. After all the Word of God says "he rejoices over you with singing" (Zeph 3:17).  Maybe it's God's will for me to give Him something worth singing and rejoicing over and smililng about. Wow, I've really got to work on this one.

Tell the Story of His Grace:  We have been given a clear commandment concerning His will on this one in Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations....teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you..."  We are charged with telling others of His grace and making disciples (faithful followers).  It is His will that I share my testimony of how Christ proved His love for me by willingly dying for me, a sinner. I can share God's patient work of love and healing over my life.  I can make time to "mentor" those who are new in their faith. I can pray for those who are seeking understanding of who Jesus is.  Because God continues to work in my life, I constantly have examples of His grace to share. 

Isn't it amazing that on a Monday morning, God can use a song and teach me so much about His will for me and I'm not even sitting in church?

Think I'll replay the video one more time!