James 1:5 says "But if any man among you is without wisdom, let him make his request to God, who gives freely to all without an unkind word, and it will be given to him."
We tend to think of God's provision as being some unexpected, surprising or even supernatural "Miracle." While He sometimes uses each of these things to provide, He more frequently gives us wisdom to handle the situations we need help in. He wants us to dig in his word, know Him and his heart intimately and learn his will as if it were our second nature.
Most of all, He just wants us to ask Him. Like we want our children to ask; How many times do we say to our children "Use your words." We usually know their desires, even without words. God always knows our desires, but it pleases Him when we turn our faces up to Him and say "God, please help me, give me wisdom." Language is something powerful. God loves to hear us speak and praise Him, and He loves to provide for our needs and desires, and give us wisdom for every situation...generously!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
God's Over the Top Kindness - again!
Phillipians 4:19
My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.
Throughout my life I have seen God supply my needs and the needs of my family (from my parents when I was younger, to my family now) again and again in surprising ways. God loves to surprise and delight us. He's looking for us to be looking to Him as our supplier, and with a grateful heart, and to be aware that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of lights,
with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning." James 1:17
This Christmas is a little thin. I always love opportunities like this to teach my children to be grateful for the things they ARE blessed with (which are abundant), and not always be seeking for the next thing. "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
But of course, Christmas is also a time when it is a joy to see your children's eyes light up with delight at a gift they have desired.
Joshua has been asking for a gaming system. This is something absolutely out of the budget. He's asked several times. When he asks for something totally out of my power to provide I tell him "Joshua, I don't have the money, Just pray and ask the Lord for it." I have to admit, this was not a big step of faith on my part, it was more of a putting off of a persistent question for which I didn't have an answer.
Well, yesterday I was on a phone call with my sister in law in Florida. She told me they are purchasing a new gaming system for their children's Christmas gift and
asked if my children would like the old (perfectly good) Playstation II?
I was overwhelmed at her generosity, and astounded at the amazing kindness of God in answering a huge desire of my son's!
God is SO KIND! He so often gives us not only what we need, but even what we desire.
My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.
Throughout my life I have seen God supply my needs and the needs of my family (from my parents when I was younger, to my family now) again and again in surprising ways. God loves to surprise and delight us. He's looking for us to be looking to Him as our supplier, and with a grateful heart, and to be aware that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of lights,
with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning." James 1:17
This Christmas is a little thin. I always love opportunities like this to teach my children to be grateful for the things they ARE blessed with (which are abundant), and not always be seeking for the next thing. "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
But of course, Christmas is also a time when it is a joy to see your children's eyes light up with delight at a gift they have desired.
Joshua has been asking for a gaming system. This is something absolutely out of the budget. He's asked several times. When he asks for something totally out of my power to provide I tell him "Joshua, I don't have the money, Just pray and ask the Lord for it." I have to admit, this was not a big step of faith on my part, it was more of a putting off of a persistent question for which I didn't have an answer.
Well, yesterday I was on a phone call with my sister in law in Florida. She told me they are purchasing a new gaming system for their children's Christmas gift and
asked if my children would like the old (perfectly good) Playstation II?
I was overwhelmed at her generosity, and astounded at the amazing kindness of God in answering a huge desire of my son's!
God is SO KIND! He so often gives us not only what we need, but even what we desire.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
For Narnia! For Aslan!
I FINALLY got to see Disney's "Prince Caspian" (thanks to redbox). I loved it. I grew up cutting my teeth on C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, along with his other fiction works, George MacDonald, Tolkien and many other giants of the faith who had the amazing ability to allegorically demonstrate truths of the Christian walk through fiction. To me, after the Bible, fiction has been one of the greatest means of learning eternal truths, and has impacted my life deeply. I, like 70% of the people in the world wish to be a writer, have always loved to write. Much of the reason being works like these. "If I could communicate, through stories that people would love to read, life changing truths." I have thought, "This would be a dream come true!"
Clive Staples Lewis said: "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
The world mocks Christianity as "The Ultimate Fairy Tale." Could it be that it is because something in every fairy tale resonates within the heart of each person created by One who alone can fill the void in their hearts and the need for a Redeemer? Have they been lulled by the lie, THE lie that first entered the heart of Lucifer. "I will be like the Most High", which he then took to earth to tempt Eve with "You shall be as gods..." "You don't need God, you can fulfill your own destiny, indeed you are godlike, you are god!" A simple twist of the truth. God created us in His own image, to reflect Him and to become like Him. This is the destiny He created us for. The lie Satan would have us believe in bold or subtle form, is that we can live without God; that we don't need Him.
How my heart sang out as little Lucy stepped out of the woods alone, boldly drawing her tiny dagger as she faced a gigantic army of armed, grown men. She walked with confidence toward them... because she knew, behind her was Aslan, defender of those who put their trust in him! Fully able to defeat the enemy.
Clive Staples Lewis said: "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
The world mocks Christianity as "The Ultimate Fairy Tale." Could it be that it is because something in every fairy tale resonates within the heart of each person created by One who alone can fill the void in their hearts and the need for a Redeemer? Have they been lulled by the lie, THE lie that first entered the heart of Lucifer. "I will be like the Most High", which he then took to earth to tempt Eve with "You shall be as gods..." "You don't need God, you can fulfill your own destiny, indeed you are godlike, you are god!" A simple twist of the truth. God created us in His own image, to reflect Him and to become like Him. This is the destiny He created us for. The lie Satan would have us believe in bold or subtle form, is that we can live without God; that we don't need Him.
How my heart sang out as little Lucy stepped out of the woods alone, boldly drawing her tiny dagger as she faced a gigantic army of armed, grown men. She walked with confidence toward them... because she knew, behind her was Aslan, defender of those who put their trust in him! Fully able to defeat the enemy.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
God's Amazing Supply
"My God shall supply ALL your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Living without a job is a walk of faith in the spirit. As we wait for the Lord to reveal His plan for Greg's career, we know God is totally in control. It does not prevent human (soulish) thoughts from infiltrating time to time. God has such gentle ways of reminding us that He is indeed our supply. We cannot look elsewhere for provision.
The other day, I was at the dollar store with $2 in cash to buy 2 loaves of bread. Greg waited outside in the car with the kids as I ran in. It's always exciting to find a bargain and I love that fact that the dollar store sells high end bread for a dollar!
I got my bread and was waiting in line to check out. There was an older black man checking out and a lady between us. As I waited and listened, it became evident that he was there buying toys for the Marine sponsored program "Toys for Tots". He was buying quite a lot, and each one had to be marked with a red sticker to identify it for that program. It was taking awhile, and the lady in front of me packed her things into her basket in a huff and went to a different register. The man felt bad. "I shouldn't be doing this when there's a lot of people here." He said. "Don't worry," i answered, "I don't mind waiting, it's for a good cause!" "See, she understands!" said the cashier. He looked at me and smiled. "I'm going to pay for her bread." he told the cashier. "No, you don't need to do that!" I said. "The Marine has spoken!" he answered with a twinkle in his eye. I thanked him for his kindness and explained how it was a blessing because of our situation. He payed for the bread and sent me on my way. I just laughed, because the Spirit of God was telling me, in this tiny way "See, I've got you! I am your supplier. I can supply your needs from so many sources, you can't even imagine!" Later, at Walmart, I took the $2 and put it in the Salvation Army bucket, knowing I could trust God to be my supply, and even when things were tight, keep my hands open to give freely at on the other side, to allow His blessing to flow through me, knowing He could quickly fill it up again.
In the morning of the same day, I was grinding my last bit of Starbucks coffee beans. wallowing in self pity "I will never be able to buy Starbucks coffee beans again. They're too expensive! I'll have to buy the cheapest coffee, or just quit drinking it altogether!" (which probably would be quite healthy anyway!)
Later that night, I was dropping Jessica off at her friend Samantha's house to spend time there, and Samantha's mom (My Pastor's wife, and children's ministry co-coordinator) handed me a card, and a gift wrapped in the cutest paper. I got in the car and was surprised that the car smelled so delicious like coffee! "Did I leave my coffee cup in here? i don't remember smelling this on the way here!" Suddenly, I realized it was the pretty package. I squeezed it, and ripped it open! Sure enough, there was a dark roast (my favorite) package of Starbucks coffee beans! INCREDIBLE!!!!! God so kindly, through precious people He had placed, twice in one day showed me that He cared even for my silly little selfish desires! he reminded me that HE IS MY SUPPLY! I am so thankful to be His child and to be part of this precious family of God! Thank you Carrie, thank you dear Marine. May God richly bless you with His supply and kindnesses, as you allowed Him to use you to bless me!
Living without a job is a walk of faith in the spirit. As we wait for the Lord to reveal His plan for Greg's career, we know God is totally in control. It does not prevent human (soulish) thoughts from infiltrating time to time. God has such gentle ways of reminding us that He is indeed our supply. We cannot look elsewhere for provision.
The other day, I was at the dollar store with $2 in cash to buy 2 loaves of bread. Greg waited outside in the car with the kids as I ran in. It's always exciting to find a bargain and I love that fact that the dollar store sells high end bread for a dollar!
I got my bread and was waiting in line to check out. There was an older black man checking out and a lady between us. As I waited and listened, it became evident that he was there buying toys for the Marine sponsored program "Toys for Tots". He was buying quite a lot, and each one had to be marked with a red sticker to identify it for that program. It was taking awhile, and the lady in front of me packed her things into her basket in a huff and went to a different register. The man felt bad. "I shouldn't be doing this when there's a lot of people here." He said. "Don't worry," i answered, "I don't mind waiting, it's for a good cause!" "See, she understands!" said the cashier. He looked at me and smiled. "I'm going to pay for her bread." he told the cashier. "No, you don't need to do that!" I said. "The Marine has spoken!" he answered with a twinkle in his eye. I thanked him for his kindness and explained how it was a blessing because of our situation. He payed for the bread and sent me on my way. I just laughed, because the Spirit of God was telling me, in this tiny way "See, I've got you! I am your supplier. I can supply your needs from so many sources, you can't even imagine!" Later, at Walmart, I took the $2 and put it in the Salvation Army bucket, knowing I could trust God to be my supply, and even when things were tight, keep my hands open to give freely at on the other side, to allow His blessing to flow through me, knowing He could quickly fill it up again.
In the morning of the same day, I was grinding my last bit of Starbucks coffee beans. wallowing in self pity "I will never be able to buy Starbucks coffee beans again. They're too expensive! I'll have to buy the cheapest coffee, or just quit drinking it altogether!" (which probably would be quite healthy anyway!)
Later that night, I was dropping Jessica off at her friend Samantha's house to spend time there, and Samantha's mom (My Pastor's wife, and children's ministry co-coordinator) handed me a card, and a gift wrapped in the cutest paper. I got in the car and was surprised that the car smelled so delicious like coffee! "Did I leave my coffee cup in here? i don't remember smelling this on the way here!" Suddenly, I realized it was the pretty package. I squeezed it, and ripped it open! Sure enough, there was a dark roast (my favorite) package of Starbucks coffee beans! INCREDIBLE!!!!! God so kindly, through precious people He had placed, twice in one day showed me that He cared even for my silly little selfish desires! he reminded me that HE IS MY SUPPLY! I am so thankful to be His child and to be part of this precious family of God! Thank you Carrie, thank you dear Marine. May God richly bless you with His supply and kindnesses, as you allowed Him to use you to bless me!
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Weekend to Remember
My beautiful sister Rachel had won on the radio a couple's pass to FamilyLife's "Weekend To Remember". A couple's marriage retreat conference. With Rachel expecting # 7 and the stresses of life, she and Al were looking forward with great anticipation to this weekend away here in Greensboro.
When Greg lost his job, Rachel called soon after and told us she wanted to give this "Weekend to Remember" to us. After talking about it, we gratefully accepted it. The timing was incredible! Greg lost his job on Tuesday, and the retreat was the weekend following.
On Thursday, we had a family picnic/outing to a local park (Centennial Gardens). It is a peaceful park in the middle of Greensboro, with a bog garden across the street (a more natural habitat) that includes some small waterfalls. It was a gift from the Lord. We enjoyed a relaxing family time surrounded by the beauty of His amazing creation. We were silly together and colored each other's hair pink with poke berry juice.
Friday night, we checked into the hotel (Al and Rachel had given us a hotel room for the weekend also) and began the conference.
It was an incredible, refreshing weekend. It was so good to be able to re-connect. We have a great marriage, but every marriage takes tending and nurturing. They do not survive or thrive by accident.
It was so good to just be reminded of the order God has laid out for our marriages. I am always amazed at the order of God's plans for every detail of our lives. It reminds me that the train of our lives runs best and with the most purpose on the tracks He has designed for us. Within His plan is freedom to thrive, not the bondage the enemy would have us believe. It is GOOD!!!!!
We had a great date night, and it was all so good. One neat little thing that reminded me that God delights in granting us our heart's desires was: during one session, the speaker had just gone over the promotion of the book "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. "That's the book I've wanted for a long time". I whispered to Greg. Minutes later, the speaker asked: "Who had parents who were a great example in their marriage?" Greg elbowed me "Your parents were" he said "Raise your hand." So I did. The speaker picked up "Sacred Marriage" from the table and gave it to me!!
The premise of the book is "What if God designed marriage to make us holy rather than happy?" This is a burning message in my heart that I so long for people to know.
Disrespecting, not actively loving and rejecting our mates is all-out rejection of the good gift God has specifically given to us. When we do this, in a way we are rejecting God. He designed marriage to be an example of the relationship between Christ and the church. What a daunting task! But with a willing heart, and His grace and help, we can do it.
When Greg lost his job, Rachel called soon after and told us she wanted to give this "Weekend to Remember" to us. After talking about it, we gratefully accepted it. The timing was incredible! Greg lost his job on Tuesday, and the retreat was the weekend following.
On Thursday, we had a family picnic/outing to a local park (Centennial Gardens). It is a peaceful park in the middle of Greensboro, with a bog garden across the street (a more natural habitat) that includes some small waterfalls. It was a gift from the Lord. We enjoyed a relaxing family time surrounded by the beauty of His amazing creation. We were silly together and colored each other's hair pink with poke berry juice.
Friday night, we checked into the hotel (Al and Rachel had given us a hotel room for the weekend also) and began the conference.
It was an incredible, refreshing weekend. It was so good to be able to re-connect. We have a great marriage, but every marriage takes tending and nurturing. They do not survive or thrive by accident.
It was so good to just be reminded of the order God has laid out for our marriages. I am always amazed at the order of God's plans for every detail of our lives. It reminds me that the train of our lives runs best and with the most purpose on the tracks He has designed for us. Within His plan is freedom to thrive, not the bondage the enemy would have us believe. It is GOOD!!!!!
We had a great date night, and it was all so good. One neat little thing that reminded me that God delights in granting us our heart's desires was: during one session, the speaker had just gone over the promotion of the book "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. "That's the book I've wanted for a long time". I whispered to Greg. Minutes later, the speaker asked: "Who had parents who were a great example in their marriage?" Greg elbowed me "Your parents were" he said "Raise your hand." So I did. The speaker picked up "Sacred Marriage" from the table and gave it to me!!
The premise of the book is "What if God designed marriage to make us holy rather than happy?" This is a burning message in my heart that I so long for people to know.
Disrespecting, not actively loving and rejecting our mates is all-out rejection of the good gift God has specifically given to us. When we do this, in a way we are rejecting God. He designed marriage to be an example of the relationship between Christ and the church. What a daunting task! But with a willing heart, and His grace and help, we can do it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Giving Christ the Wheel
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
~ Psalm 37:23, NLT
We are godly, because we are covered with the righteousness of Christ, not by our own righteousness (which is only filthy rags).
Greg has desired at his job to be a good steward of the trust God had given him there. But even before the frightening economic developments of the past few weeks, life often seemed like a game of one step forward, two steps back. We had been praying for months and even years for God's guidance and direction for Greg's career. He has been working as a sales manager at Dutch Barns for the last 11 years. Greg is tremendously loyal and dedicated, as well as with a low "change need" level. So, wanting to be sure to stay within the bounds of God's will, rather than being led astray only by our discontent, he stayed where he was. We prayed that if God wanted him elsewhere, He would make it CRYSTAL CLEAR.
In the past several months the growing frustration with his job, with a lagging economy suppressing sales in a business where he was selling buildings that are somewhat of a "luxury" (not a necessity), Greg knew that things could not go on as they were forever. About a week or so ago, Greg was impressed to pray and lay his job and future career and life completely at the altar. To give it to God. In his words he told me "I am just giving God the steering wheel." He chose again, to be content where God had blessed him with a job, to do it well to the best of his ability with a humble attitude of thankfulness, and allow God to work as He pleased.
I believe God works with us where we are. God often leads us with a sense of discontentment, but He also instructs us to live in contentment. There are those who would be out pounding the pavement the moment they felt an ounce of discontentment. There are those who would do nothing at all to make a change, ever. Greg is somewhere in between. I often call him "hyper-responsible", because he fulfills his commitments with admirable determination, and pursues his responsibilities with great loyalty and devotion.
Anyway, September 30th; (with God in the drivers seat) Dutch Barns informed Greg that his position was being cut (along with a few others), so he currently does not have a job. This of course came as a stunning shock. Any sudden change is always difficult to understand and deal with. It is sad to us, because it is the "end of an era." My father, brothers and brother-in-law all work there, and it's not only the loss of a job, but the loss of an environment where your co-workers are also your cheerleaders who want the best for you.
We all know that God works in ways that we do not understand, and the He is the One who is our ultimate provider. He is a dangerous God. But He loves us beyond our wildest comprehension. We look forward to see where God in the driver's seat plans to take us on this wild ride for this next portion of our lives.
Though we are stunned, we are thankful, because God has answered half of our prayers, and He could not have made that part any more CRYSTAL CLEAR! We know He holds our future in His hands, and we trust Him to continue to provide for our needs, just as He always has.
On a political note; with small (medium, and large) businesses that provide jobs for workers struggling in our economy, I pray the next President does not raise taxes on businesses, (and break the already burdened back of our economy) but lowers them in order to enable these businesses to survive and thrive, and provide jobs for families and people who are already being hurt by our lagging economy. If there is nothing for people to hope to achieve, but mere survival, it seems the American dream will not be worth working towards if we are merely punished for succeeding. It would be the rape of hope.
But with our government, as with our personal lives, our part is to do what we can, and trust God for the outcome. He sets up and tears down rulers. They will ultimately answer to Him, whether or not they acknowledge that. He will place and allow whomever He wishes to be in authority. We must trust Him in times of prosperity and in times of persecution. Our strength comes from the Lord.
~ Psalm 37:23, NLT
We are godly, because we are covered with the righteousness of Christ, not by our own righteousness (which is only filthy rags).
Greg has desired at his job to be a good steward of the trust God had given him there. But even before the frightening economic developments of the past few weeks, life often seemed like a game of one step forward, two steps back. We had been praying for months and even years for God's guidance and direction for Greg's career. He has been working as a sales manager at Dutch Barns for the last 11 years. Greg is tremendously loyal and dedicated, as well as with a low "change need" level. So, wanting to be sure to stay within the bounds of God's will, rather than being led astray only by our discontent, he stayed where he was. We prayed that if God wanted him elsewhere, He would make it CRYSTAL CLEAR.
In the past several months the growing frustration with his job, with a lagging economy suppressing sales in a business where he was selling buildings that are somewhat of a "luxury" (not a necessity), Greg knew that things could not go on as they were forever. About a week or so ago, Greg was impressed to pray and lay his job and future career and life completely at the altar. To give it to God. In his words he told me "I am just giving God the steering wheel." He chose again, to be content where God had blessed him with a job, to do it well to the best of his ability with a humble attitude of thankfulness, and allow God to work as He pleased.
I believe God works with us where we are. God often leads us with a sense of discontentment, but He also instructs us to live in contentment. There are those who would be out pounding the pavement the moment they felt an ounce of discontentment. There are those who would do nothing at all to make a change, ever. Greg is somewhere in between. I often call him "hyper-responsible", because he fulfills his commitments with admirable determination, and pursues his responsibilities with great loyalty and devotion.
Anyway, September 30th; (with God in the drivers seat) Dutch Barns informed Greg that his position was being cut (along with a few others), so he currently does not have a job. This of course came as a stunning shock. Any sudden change is always difficult to understand and deal with. It is sad to us, because it is the "end of an era." My father, brothers and brother-in-law all work there, and it's not only the loss of a job, but the loss of an environment where your co-workers are also your cheerleaders who want the best for you.
We all know that God works in ways that we do not understand, and the He is the One who is our ultimate provider. He is a dangerous God. But He loves us beyond our wildest comprehension. We look forward to see where God in the driver's seat plans to take us on this wild ride for this next portion of our lives.
Though we are stunned, we are thankful, because God has answered half of our prayers, and He could not have made that part any more CRYSTAL CLEAR! We know He holds our future in His hands, and we trust Him to continue to provide for our needs, just as He always has.
On a political note; with small (medium, and large) businesses that provide jobs for workers struggling in our economy, I pray the next President does not raise taxes on businesses, (and break the already burdened back of our economy) but lowers them in order to enable these businesses to survive and thrive, and provide jobs for families and people who are already being hurt by our lagging economy. If there is nothing for people to hope to achieve, but mere survival, it seems the American dream will not be worth working towards if we are merely punished for succeeding. It would be the rape of hope.
But with our government, as with our personal lives, our part is to do what we can, and trust God for the outcome. He sets up and tears down rulers. They will ultimately answer to Him, whether or not they acknowledge that. He will place and allow whomever He wishes to be in authority. We must trust Him in times of prosperity and in times of persecution. Our strength comes from the Lord.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Suffering and Trust
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
Paul suffered in Asia, despairing even of life itself. I wonder how many of us have suffered to the point we despaired of life. I know I often feel "...burdened beyond measure, above strength." The questions accompanying suffering are some of the biggest in life; Why do people suffer? Looking at this from God's perspective, I think it can be answered very simply. It actually IS answered in the verse above; "that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead." It all boils down to "Where are we putting our trust?" Not only is the answer simply given, but validation for the object of our trust is given. "...who raises the dead." How much more validation do we need? Of all the things that could happen to us, the worst would most likely be death. If He has a solution for this worst of fates, can we not trust that He also has solutions for everything else that we face?
Paul suffered in Asia, despairing even of life itself. I wonder how many of us have suffered to the point we despaired of life. I know I often feel "...burdened beyond measure, above strength." The questions accompanying suffering are some of the biggest in life; Why do people suffer? Looking at this from God's perspective, I think it can be answered very simply. It actually IS answered in the verse above; "that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead." It all boils down to "Where are we putting our trust?" Not only is the answer simply given, but validation for the object of our trust is given. "...who raises the dead." How much more validation do we need? Of all the things that could happen to us, the worst would most likely be death. If He has a solution for this worst of fates, can we not trust that He also has solutions for everything else that we face?
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