Category: Gratitude

Ebenezer Stones

This spring marked the culmination of two significant seasons in my life: my youngest child graduated from college and I completed my fourth and final year serving as Women’s Ministries Director at my church. It’s been a poignant time as I’ve looked back at God’s faithfulness over the past four years. New and exciting ministry endeavors await, but before I dive into them, I’d like to pause and reflect on what I’ve learned. This summer’s posts will stand as stones of remembrance that mark where the Lord revealed Himself to me–my prayer is that they glorify Him and provide practical wisdom that will bless others and build His kingdom.

One of my favorite stories about stones of remembrance comes from the book of Joshua. After fleeing from slavery in Egypt and wandering in the desert for forty years, the Israelites enter the promised land at long last. Moses has passed away and they are now under the leadership of Joshua. In a miraculous set of events, the Lord holds back the rushing waters of the Jordan River at flood stage so that His people can move safely into the promised land. Once they cross, Joshua instructs them to set up a monument using twelve large stones from the riverbed.  “He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’  tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.  He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:21-24, NIV)

Later in Scripture, symbols of remembrance are called Ebenezer stones. This label appears in the book of First Samuel when Israel’s army musters for an attack by the Philistines. As they prepare for battle, “They said to Samuel, ‘Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.’ Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites…Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” (1 Samuel 7:8-10, 12, NIV)

So, Ebenezer stones commemorate the Lord’s help and faithfulness at specific points in time. Anything we lay eyes on can become an Ebenezer stone that symbolizes of our gratitude to God, whether it’s written or visual. These tangible reminders give us reassurance and hope for the future and prompt us to tell others about what the Lord has done in our lives.

Maybe this slower-paced season is a good time for you to do some reflecting too. Whether you’re flying to a faraway place, relaxing on a beach, lounging by a pool, or hiking a mountain trail, why not take some time to consider where the Lord has been at work in your life over the past year? What have you learned about Him and about yourself? How have you grown spiritually? What stones of remembrance will mark this season in your life as a testimony of God’s faithfulness? Who will you tell so that you can give glory to the Lord?

Want to learn more about Ebenezer stones and the hymn that made them famous? Click here.

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Looking Back on 2022, Looking Ahead to 2023

We’ve turned the page on the calendar to kick off 2023. Before anticipating the year ahead, it’s worthwhile to reflect on the year behind. Here are a few questions I like to ask myself: What stands out from the past twelve months? What shaped your character, faith, and worldview? Where did you see God at work? How did you grow? Looking ahead, where will you focus your time and energy in the coming year? To get you started, I’ll share my answers below. 

What stands out as you look back on the past year?

As I closed out 2021, here’s what I wrote in my year-end blog post: “I want to pray consistently for renewal among believers so that they long for God’s presence, kingdom, and righteousness more than anything else. I also want to pray for the hearts of people who have been deceived by the enemy and have believed lies about the Lord. Corporate renewal begins with personal renewal, so I’d like to be more focused on God’s presence in my life. I’m considering trying a new spiritual discipline like fasting to help my prayers be more targeted and intentional.”

What stands out to me is the way God answered those prayers in 2022. He prompted me to invite two other women to pray with me regularly throughout the year. He blessed me with several young women to mentor who were eager to grow in their faith and Bible knowledge. The Lord also led me to ask a wise woman to mentor me. I also gave fasting a try and found that it helped me to focus my prayers. My hunger pangs caused me to feel like I was laboring alongside the Lord as I prayed for situations that I had no power to change on my own.

What shaped your character, faith, and worldview?

The things we read, watch, listen to and experience all affect our mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. So, I try to be intentional about what I allow into my mind. Here are few inputs that have impacted me positively in the last year:

Studying the Bible: I’ve always been a big fan of doing workbook Bible studies and did several in 2022 that were excellent. But what made the past year noteworthy was opening the Bible and unpacking its truth without a workbook. Studying First Peter and Jude with a young woman I mentored gave us the chance to absorb a few verses at a time. Reading and discussing Scripture together helped us to see where we were on track and where we needed to re-focus our prayers and attention. I’ve also loved studying the gospel of John with four high school girls. Delving into such a meaty book and examining one chapter each week has been faith building for all of us. 

Events: I had the privilege of attending IF:Gathering in Dallas with a group of friends last spring. My favorite message was Sadie Robertson Huff’s “The Truth vs. My Truth.” If you haven’t seen it, check it out here.  The teaching and worship there were truly inspiring, and I’ve loved continuing to learn through Jennie Allen’s Made for This podcast. It’s full of practical and biblical insights that realign me with God’s Word.

I also had the privilege of going on two trips as a leader with our high school youth group—a mission trip to Mexico and a houseboat trip at Lake Shasta. Seeing the Holy Spirit move in both of those places was the clearest answer to my prayers to see spiritual renewal in the lives of others. 

Participating in these events reminded me that there’s no substitute for showing up in person. It’s one of the best ways to let God work in and through us.

Books: Live No Lies by John Mark Comer was a highlight of 2022 for me. Understanding the enemies of our souls and how to move forward in walking with Jesus was challenging and thought-provoking. This book is so relevant and timely, I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard is a Christian classic that I finally read at the recommendation of my son. Willard’s writing is dense, and his ideas are deep. It took all summer to read it. I’m still processing his assertion that being a Christian isn’t synonymous with being a true disciple of Jesus. I’m also mulling over this quote: “And what does ‘dwelling,’ or ‘continuing,’ in his word mean? It means to center your life upon…his good news about The Kingdom Among Us, about who is really well off and who is not, and about true goodness of heart and how it expresses itself in action. We will fill our souls with the written Gospels. We will devote our attention to their teachings, in private study and inquiry as well as public instruction. And, negatively, we will refuse to devote our mental space and energy to the fruitless, even stupefying and degrading, stuff that constantly clamors for our attention. We will attend to it only enough to avoid it.” (The Divine Conspiracy, p. 296).

Podcasts: Live No Lies with John Mark Comer. Listening to these enhanced and extended what Comer discusses in his book as he interviews various experts he referenced in writing. 

Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast with Pete Scazzero. We’re all leaders in different arenas- whether it’s at home, work, church, or volunteering. This podcast provides practical and realistic tools to navigate life, faith, and relationships with health and biblical wisdom. 

Now, consider what shaped your character and worldview this year. To borrow Dallas Willard’s words– are there fruitless things clamoring for your attention right now? What will you add or eliminate for 2023 so that the Holy Spirit can shape you more?

Where did you see God at work? How did you grow personally or spiritually?

I’ve grown by focusing my prayers on aligning with God’s will. Jesus says in John’s gospel: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14, NIV) I’m learning that praying in Jesus’ name means seeking God’s glory and will to be done, not mine.

I’ve seen God at work in places where I can’t try harder, I can only trust Him more. I’ve prayed for new opportunities to meet people who don’t know the Lord and I’ve begun to see that answered. I’m also thankful God has placed strong believers around individuals I love so that they can be spurred on in their faith. This has been a significant answer to prayer.

Where will you focus your energy in 2023?

I want to pray for God to use my circumstances to refine me, to expand His kingdom, and to bring Him glory. I hope to resist the tendency to pray for circumstances to unfold as I think they should.  I’m also praying the Lord will increase my capacity to see where He is at work and inviting me to join Him. As my awareness grows, I pray God will use my time, resources, and gifts to pour into others and point them toward Him. And this year I’m also praying I will experience God’s joy in increasing measure.

Before you wade into the waters of 2023, take some time to reflect on where you’ve been. It will help you set a course for the year ahead with God’s wisdom to guide you. Whatever highs and lows we’ll face, we can trust that God is there with us. Let the song “God is In This Story” remind you of that today. Click here to listen.

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Getting Specific with Gratitude

It’s no secret that focusing on gratitude leads to a healthier, happier life. A recent article from Harvard Health explains, “With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.”1

The article goes on to explain the research of Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, who tested the impact of various positive psychology interventions on 411 people. “When their week’s assignment was to write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone who had never been properly thanked for his or her kindness, participants immediately exhibited a huge increase in happiness scores. This impact was greater than that from any other intervention, with benefits lasting for a month.”2

It’s fascinating to see the way participants were positively affected by expressing gratitude to a specific individual. It reminds me of the importance of directing our general feelings of gratitude to the Lord as we celebrate Thanksgiving later this week. That is, after all, how the holiday came into existence. You probably know the pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving feast to honor God’s provision for them through a brutal winter. You might even know that Abraham Lincoln was the one who made it a national holiday. But, like me, you may not have realized that it was George Washington who made the original Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789.

Washington’s words in the proclamation state: “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.”3

The whole point of the holiday was to pause, look back and thank God for all He had done for our nation. The purpose of the day was not to watch football, attend parades, or even to eat turkey. It wasn’t created to signify the kick-off to the Christmas shopping season or to boost the economy with Black Friday sales. The purpose of the National Day of Thanksgiving was to thank God for His care, provision, and protection of the citizens of our country. It was a time to pause and reflect with gratefulness to someone very specific—the Lord.

George Washington was not the first leader to do this, nor is the United States the only nation in modern times that pauses for a day to give thanks. We are following the examples of those who have gone before us: Moses, David, and Solomon are among a variety of people in Scripture that led others to stop, reflect, and express gratitude to God collectively. (See Exodus 15, 1 Chronicles 16 & 1 Kings 8)

The New Testament also reminds us of the significance of expressing gratitude. Paul wrote in Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NIV) Usually we focus on the end of the verse that encourages us to offer our requests to God, but we tend to skip over the first part that tells us to precede our requests “with thanksgiving.”  However, expressing gratitude to God not only honors and acknowledges Him, it also changes our perspective. It reassures us of His faithfulness to us in the past, helping us to offer new requests with confidence. Thankfulness enables us to trust God is working for our good, even in difficult circumstances. It also reminds us of His unchanging character and directs us to notice His activity around us all the time, bringing unexpected joy. 

With the many extra things that have been added onto Thanksgiving over the years, acknowledging gratitude to God often gets lost in the shuffle.  And even when we do reflect on our thankfulness, it tends to be about what we’re grateful for instead of to whom we’re thankful. This year, I want to pause to acknowledge and appreciate God in specific ways. I want to stop and notice not only the gifts I’ve received, but the Giver. 

Rather than just having a general warm fuzzy feeling of thankfulness, will you join me in directing your gratitude to the One who gave us all that we have? Make it a goal to follow the advice repeated throughout Psalms: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  (Psalm 106:1, NIV)

Let Crowder’s song “Thanks Giver” set the tone for your Thanksgiving celebrations this year. Click here to listen.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.

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Psalm 107: Redemption Stories

Sometimes I write to remind myself what’s true. It gives me hope when the world churns out bad news faster than I can process it. Whether it’s another mass shooting, a respected leader making a questionable decision, a brutal and unjust war, or a gut-wrenching situation with a friend or family member, there’s no shortage of news to send me into a downward spiral of angst.

Thankfully, the Bible includes plenty of examples of people experiencing difficult and sad situations. This week my devotional led me to Psalm 107, which gave me several relevant illustrations. Written by an unknown author, most scholars believe it was penned to celebrate the Jews’ return to Judah after being held captive in Babylon for 70 years. Their time in exile was God’s discipline for their disobedience following numerous warnings by different prophets. After being humbled in Babylon, the psalmist calls out God’s goodness and reminds us of the blessing of following His ways: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”  (vs 1-3, NIV)

The psalmist continues by calling upon those who have been redeemed to praise the Lord and recount stories of His goodness. He includes examples of people who pleaded for God’s help and received His deliverance. Some were redeemed from problems of their own making; others were redeemed from circumstances beyond their control. In each case, their stories have something in common: those in distress were humble enough to ask God for help and to thank Him for their deliverance.

The first example describes people wandering in the wilderness who are lost and hungry: “They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (vs 5-6, NIV)

I see a modern parallel in this example. So many people in the world today seem to be wandering in the wilderness, trying to find meaning, identity, hope, and comfort apart from God. Author and pastor Paul David Tripp explains the result of these hollow endeavors: “Whenever you name something in creation as the thing that will satisfy you, you are asking that thing to be your personal savior…you are looking horizontally for what will only ever be yours vertically. In other words, you are asking something in creation to do for you what only God can do.”1

In contrast, the psalmist reminds us where to find true fulfillment: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (vs 8-9, NIV)

Next, the psalmist describes prisoners in bondage who had rebelled against God and despised His plans. Deep in their misery, they finally sought Him for help: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” (vs 13-14, NIV)

There’s another modern parallel in our culture today. Have you noticed we’re repeatedly fed the lie that true freedom is found in doing whatever we want? Ultimately, as we distance ourselves from God’s ways and give in to our selfish desires, we discover we’re actually not free at all, but in bondage to sin. Only when we cry out to God and admit our need for Him do we find true freedom through Christ.

Next, the psalmist describes rebellious fools who suffer physically because of their sins: “They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” (vs 18-20, NIV)

The people he describes harm themselves physically as a form of rebellion against God.2 I shudder to think of the many examples of this in our world today. Yet, God in His goodness remains ready and willing to save anyone who calls out to Him. He sent out His word to heal and rescue in the past, and still does it now.

Lastly the psalmist describes sailors at sea who witness the might of God’s creation and then seek His help in the midst of a storm: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (vs 28-30, NIV)

Storms in life may take us by surprise, but they don’t catch the Lord unaware. Sometimes we get angry at God during hard seasons and want to blame Him for our misfortune. We feel resentful, viewing pain and discomfort as “bad” instead of seeing them as normal parts of life.  If we’re honest, we often feel entitled to ease and comfort and get offended when we don’t have them. But storms in life have much to teach us about ourselves and God. They mature us, teach us to rely on Him, and lead us away from taking good things for granted. This perspective enables us to appreciate times of ease instead of expecting them.

The Bible includes these stories and examples so we can learn from them and, hopefully, not repeat the same mistakes the Israelites did. God is good and wants to share His goodness with us. He has plans for us that are good, so let’s take the advice of Psalm 107: “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” (vs 43, NIV)

The ache we feel when upsetting events happen in the news or in our personal lives sometimes leads us to discouragement, anger, or hopelessness. When we feel this way, it’s important to remind ourselves of God’s sovereignty. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. Let’s humbly remind each other of this truth on the days when the world feels especially hard, sad, or ugly.  Listen to “Reign Above It All” and let it give you a fresh perspective today. 

  1. David Paul Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, Crossway 2014, May 24 entry.
  2. Walvoord and Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books 1985, 871.

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Experiencing God in Creation

I remember the first time I heard the term “screen time.” My boys were little and a wise friend encouraged me to set specific limits on how many minutes they were spending in front of screens each day. Back then, it was mostly TV shows and computer games since smart phones, tablets, and social media hadn’t been invented yet. 

Since those days, the amount of time people spend on screens has increased exponentially. As much as I want to limit them in my life, it’s not unusual to find me glued to my computer, phone, or tablet as I’m writing, posting, texting, scrolling, reading, researching, listening, or watching.  Much of the content I focus on builds my faith and equips me to lead and serve. There’s an endless trove of resources online to learn about God and to grow spiritually, but it’s impossible for me to keep up. I could spend every day scanning new blog posts, video teachings, podcasts, articles, and book reviews and still have more to discover. And even though I’m usually learning about biblical topics from godly people, I find myself feeling on overload at times.

Trying to process the content I’m encountering overwhelms me when I try to ingest too much at once. When that happens, I know it’s time to power down and head outside where I can simply be with God. Nature opens a window to understanding God’s character by noticing all that He’s created. In fact, Scripture tells us we don’t need books or screens to learn about the Lord:

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7, ESV) 

I took a hike in the foothills recently with my husband and purposely left my phone on the kitchen counter.  Needing a respite from the constant inputs of technology, it was a relief to be reminded of God’s goodness and to feel His presence in creation. As we plodded along a familiar trail, the array of sights, sounds, and smells reminded me of the Lord’s tremendous creativity. No matter how many times we hike the same path, there’s always something new and different to see because He’s constantly at work.

Enjoying a panoramic view at the top of a steep incline spoke of God’s grandeur and vastness. I was reminded that “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17, NIV)

Crouching beside the trail to study the intricacy of a white flower with delicate red accents revealed His attentiveness to detail. As we continued, the colors, shapes, and sizes in the array of flowers along the trail captivated me. (Although I hadn’t brought my phone, my husband had, enabling me to capture photos throughout our hike.)

As we walked along the trail, flowers in brilliant red, deep violet, golden yellow, and soft orange told me that the Lord values beauty and variety. I especially loved finding orange poppies that are unique to our state and yellow globe daffodils that are indigenous to the mountain near our house. They showed me each creation God makes is distinctive in some way.

Author and pastor David Paul Tripp sums it up saying: “The radical truth of the existence of God isn’t just preached to us on Sunday; it’s preached every day through the beauty of the sunset, the power of the storm, the inexhaustible wings of the hummingbird, the hugeness of the mountain, the whisper of the breeze, the smell of the sizzling steak, the beauty of the petal of a rose, and so on. The power and clarity of creation’s message leaves no human being with an excuse. You have to work to deny God’s existence because it is so readily visible everywhere you look.”*

Tripp’s comments refer to this passage from Romans: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20, NLT)

How about heading outside this week to see what you can discover about God’s character by observing His creation? Click here and let Ellie Holcomb’s song “I Don’t Want to Miss It” inspire you to continue this practice throughout the summer.

*Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, Crossway Books, 2014, May 12 entry.

More Like Jesus

Opening Megan Fate Marshman’s book Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God & His Plans for You made me curious, but also skeptical. The cynical side of me wondered what more we could learn from two Bible passages that most Christians have heard many times: Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Romans 8:28-9. But as I delved further, I realized these Scriptures overflow with spiritual truth that we may miss at first glance.

You may be familiar with Jeremiah 29:11 since it’s often used to reassure people in times of uncertainty: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV) 

This passage was originally written to Jewish people who had been living as exiles in Babylon. The Lord had allowed them to be carried into captivity as a consequence for their worship of idols and rebellion against Him. The hope-filled future this passage promises ties directly to the state of their hearts. As they turned back to the Lord, He would listen to them and they would be able to renew a genuine relationship with Him.

In the original Hebrew, the word “heart” describes “the most interior organ” and encompasses our minds and our inner being. Strong’s Concordance explains that the heart is the seat of desire, inclination, or will. It is also the well of emotions, knowledge, and wisdom. All of our thoughts, desires, words, and actions flow from the heart.  So, when we’re seeking God with all our hearts, our gaze is fixed steadily on Him. This is what the Lord wanted for His people when they were captives in Babylon, and it’s what He wants for us today.

Another oft-quoted verse that Megan covers in her book is Romans 8:28-9:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:28-29, NIV)

Most of us know verse 28 well, however, reading verse 29 is essential to understanding the definition for “good” in this context. We often interpret it to mean easy, comfortable, pleasant, or favorable. For many of us, “good” is synonymous with getting what we want, when we want—or having events unfold according to our desires. However, in the original Greek, the word “good” describes that which is beneficial in its effect. One commentary explains “The things themselves may not be good, but God harmonizes them together for believers’ ultimate good, because His goal is to bring them to perfection in His presence. Even adversities and afflictions contribute to that end…this is a continuing activity of God. And His working is on behalf of ‘those who love Him,’ who are further identified as the ones who have been called according to His purpose.” 

According to Romans 8:29, the ultimate “good” in God’s purpose is for us to be more like Jesus. So, when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we trust that whatever events unfold will be used to transform us to be more like Jesus—not to make us comfortable or to make our lives easier or happier. 

At this point, you may be thinking this definition of “good” doesn’t sound very enticing. So, let me share a personal example to show how hard things can be good and can make us more like Jesus.

Three years ago, my eighty-three-year-old mom was living on her own in the house where I grew up. Her health was starting to slip, but she was stubborn and independent and had no interest in moving. Unfortunately, a series of medical issues landed her in the hospital. When she was released, she decided to move into an assisted living community near my home where she could maintain her freedom but have more support when she needed it.

Over the next two years, my mom and I found a rhythm. I managed her bills, her house, her medical appointments, and her care. I got to know her friends, her schedule, her habits, and her needs more intimately than I ever had before. My four siblings helped when they could, but the responsibility for my mom rested mostly on me. This made sense since I lived much closer than all of them. I tried hard to be gracious and understanding about my siblings’ busy lives and the many valid things that kept them from being involved more consistently. As time progressed, I even preferred handling most of my mom’s affairs on my own. It was easier and less complicated than having them opt in where and when they could. I didn’t see it at the time, but in hindsight I recognize that pride and resentment were beginning to build in me.

Two years later, when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given months to live, my siblings all jumped to action, wanting to be involved and informed about every detail. They came to town often to be supportive and to spend as much time with our mom as possible. I welcomed and encouraged their involvement, but also felt some underlying anger. Suddenly I was managing my mom’s care while coordinating visiting schedules and trying to keep her house in order for them. I was feeling territorial and grasping for control amidst many disruptions in my life, but I didn’t see it at the time. Resentment was lurking beneath the surface, but I ignored it and acted like everything was fine. Still, my unacknowledged anger leaked out of me, robbing me of sleep and making me irritable and impatient with others. When I finally recognized what I was feeling, I started praying daily, asking God to take my thoughts captive and to make them obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Over time, He answered those prayers, helping me to release my bitterness and resentment and to find grace and gratitude for my siblings’ presence and involvement.

 God worked through that hard season to refine me and to help me understand myself better. He conformed me to be just a bit more like Christ by exposing my pride and resentment and covering it with His grace. His goodness softened my heart and fostered healthier relationships in my family. There’s no doubt I’ll continue to grapple with those negative emotions at times. But I also know that as I seek Him, He will bring about His good purposes and continue making me more like Jesus.

The verses from Jeremiah and Romans highlighted in Meant for Good contain powerful and transformative truth. I’m excited to study them with you over the next six weeks. Let’s start by listening to Fernando Ortega’s “Lord, I Want to Be Like Jesus” and making it our prayer throughout this study.

  • Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God & His Plans for You, Zondervan, 2020.
  • Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001.
  • John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books, 1983, page 474.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

One of the first things we learn when driving a car is how to keep our eyes on the road ahead while glancing in the rearview mirror regularly to see what’s behind us. This makes good sense with operating a vehicle, but also with navigating our lives. Turning the page on my Advent devotional, I found a set of questions designed to reflect on the past twelve months and to prepare for the year ahead. The exercise didn’t take me long and brought some clarity to what I’ve experienced this year. So, before we charge into 2021, let’s take some time to do this together. I’ll share some of my answers if you promise to write your own at home too. (Maybe you can write one of your answers in the comments too, if you’re feeling generous.)

1) How did I see God at work in 2020?

As the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, the Lord used it to slow me down and to help me see the noise and distractions that hinder my connection with Him. He’s teaching me to be more engaged in the present instead of always anticipating what’s next. I also saw God use the end of my mom’s life to develop more authentic relationships with my extended family members. Now, how did you see God at work in 2020? Take a minute to write your answer before you keep reading.

2) What has God taught me about His character?

He is trustworthy and always at work behind the scenes. When I’m feeling anxious or afraid, I’m learning to pray, “I trust you Jesus” and to lay my concerns before Him. Now, what has God taught you about His character this year? 

3) What has God taught me about myself?

My drive for efficiency and productivity often causes me to push past my emotions. Through the loss of my mom, I’m learning to acknowledge my feelings and to be honest about them with others. The Lord showed me that avoiding emotions causes them to leak out in ways that can be hurtful to others and harmful to me. So, what has God taught you about yourself this year? Take some time with this and be honest.

4) What was an unexpected joy this past year? 

My younger son launched to college and my husband and I became empty nesters. Although I braced myself for this significant life transition, it was actually much sweeter and more enjoyable than anticipated. With our kids thriving on their own, it freed us to enjoy our marriage and home in new ways. What was an unexpected joy for you this year?

5) What was an unexpected sorrow? 

Last year at this time I didn’t know my mom would be leaving us so soon. Her cancer diagnosis in July and passing in October were a lot to process in a short time. How about you? Was there an unexpected sorrow in your year?

6) What is one thing you’re grateful for in 2020? 

This year I’m grateful for the hope I have in Christ. Sitting with my mom at the moment she passed away made this more real to me than ever before. Looking beyond the obvious hardships of this year, what is one thing you can find to be grateful for in 2021?

7) What is one thing you’re proud of in 2020? 

I’m most proud of writing a new Bible study called Extraordinary Prayer: Using God’s Word to Expand Your Prayer Life. I’m grateful for the time and inspiration the Lord gave me to write it. What are you proud of this year?

8) What was the most challenging part of your year? 

For me, it was navigating care for my mom– first with COVID restrictions and then once she was diagnosed with cancer. Taking her to appointments, setting up hospice care, and acting as the point person for all things related to her was intense and draining. Additionally, I was the one communicating with medical workers, family, and friends. All the events around my mom were by far the most challenging experience of my year (and maybe of my life).  What was the most challenging part of your year?

9) What was the highlight of your year? 

For me, it was going to a deeper level in my marriage. Some of this came through sharing pure fun together—a beach vacation before COVID, lazy summer days waterskiing, hikes and bike rides. But much of it also came from sharing painful moments together, like sending our boys to college and realizing we are no longer in the active parenting phase.  Saying goodbye to my mom, shedding many tears, and sharing many prayers together also deepened our marriage. What was the highlight of your year?

10) What’s your prayer for 2021? 

Mine is that the Lord will use me to influence and impact others. I want to spread His kingdom for His glory and the good of other people. I pray He’ll use the Extraordinary Prayer Bible study to draw many hearts into a closer, deeper relationship with Him. I pray that God will continue to use me, develop my gifts, help me to steward my resources, and guide me in whatever 2021 holds.  What’s your prayer for 2021?

In Psalm 77: 11 & 12, the psalmist writes, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Remembering the Lord’s faithfulness to us bolsters our trust in Him and spurs us on to continue seeking Him. Take some time to reflect on the past year and to prepare yourself for what’s next. You’ll be glad you did.

If you’re excited to share how God has worked, consider posting a comment so that others can celebrate with you.

*Questions for this post were inspired by the Advent 2020 devotional guide produced by shereadstruth.com.

Thankful, Even in 2020

Two thousand twenty has been a year for the history books. We’ve struggled through a pandemic, sheltering in place, political divisions, racial turmoil, and economic woes. People are restless, lonely, and struggling.  Anxiety and depression have skyrocketed. While it might be tempting to focus on the negative and see nothing to be thankful for this year, I think that would be short-sighted.

Thanksgiving provides us with an opportunity to pause, step back, and look at the bigger picture. It’s a time to be reminded that no matter how dire the circumstances, there are always reasons to give thanks to God. If you need convincing, consider the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk who penned these words:

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.  

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Habakkuk wrote this during a time of great distress for Judah, yet he had complete confidence in the eternal security of God’s people. Grapes and olives were daily staples in his time and sheep and cattle were indicators of wealth. So, Habakkuk’s description here shows that he and his contemporaries were lacking resources and comforts. Yet, he was so sure of God that, no matter how dark the day, he had no doubt that the outcome would be good. One commentary explains, “For God’s people there is a glorious future. It may be a long way off, but it is absolutely sure. Thus, in the midst of his gloom and despair, Habakkuk could be an optimist of the first magnitude.”

Instead of focusing on his immediate difficulties, Habakkuk rejoiced knowing God was his savior. He found his strength in the Lord and was able to rise above his circumstances because of Him.

How can you follow Habakkuk’s example by being “an optimist of the first magnitude” despite the hardships 2020 has included? What can you be thankful for as you look back on this year? God’s Word reminds us that there is always room for gratitude when we take our eyes off ourselves and remember His character and blessings.

If you’ve read any of my recent posts, you know what I’ll remember most about 2020 is losing my mom. As we head into Thanksgiving week, I’m preparing for an online celebration of her life. It’s not quite the memorial service I had in mind, but I’m still thankful for the opportunity to celebrate her virtually with others. I keep coming back to one of the passages of Scripture my mom asked to have included in her service:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

In spite of hard and sad circumstances, I’m going to thank God that, in the light of eternity, my troubles are light and momentary. On top of that, they are achieving an eternal glory for me that far surpasses anything the world has to offer. I’m going to be grateful that what is seen is temporary (including pandemics, politics, racism, financial struggles, anxiety, depression, and grief) but what is unseen is eternal (including God’s grace, love, forgiveness, hope, and salvation).

No matter what’s happening now or what takes place in the future, we can rely on the Lord for strength and joy, just as Habakkuk did. His Word gives us concrete reasons to express gratitude this Thanksgiving and always.

Whether you’re gathering with family and friends or celebrating on you own, I hope the poignancy of “The Thanksgiving Song” by Ben Rector will draw you into a posture of thankfulness this week. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, even in 2020!

Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 2000. P. 470.

Stopping the Spiral with Gratitude

We’ve all experienced being victims of circumstance—suffering negative consequences due to factors out of our control. Right now, the most obvious and universal example is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re lamenting all the things we’ve lost or struggling with new routines that we don’t want to accept—like starting school online, wearing masks, and following social distancing guidelines. It’s easy and natural to focus on the negative and slip into a victim mentality, bemoaning all the activities we can’t do the way we want. 

Although we justify feeling sorry for ourselves, we may be unintentionally signaling the enemy to lure us into a victim mentality.  Addressing this line of thinking, Jennie Allen explains, “I know. It’s not comfortable to talk about. Especially since there is so much injustice in the world, and there are real victims who experience real suffering…[but] I’m talking more here about spending so much time licking our wounds that we don’t allow them to heal.” (p. 90 & 91)

Nuggets of truth like this keep popping up in Allen’s Get Out of Your Head: A Study in Philippians. The book identifies the primary enemies of our minds and the weapons God gives us to fight them. It’s been powerful using tools she identifies to stop my downward spirals and toxic thoughts.  (Check out my last five posts from this series if you haven’t read them yet.) The enemy of our minds we’ll explore today is victimhood. 

Jennie Allen explains the weapon to fight this kind of thinking: “We can choose gratefulness over victim mentality, because we are not victims of our circumstances; we are survivors, and held by God…We can center our thoughts on the certainty that, no matter what has happened to us, no matter what comes, we are upheld securely by God’s righteous right hand. And that will shift our minds toward gratitude.” (p. 91)

Paul wrote in Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (4:6, NIV) Usually we focus on the end of the verse that encourages us to offer our requests to God. We tend to skip over the first part that tells us to do this, “with thanksgiving.” Maybe it’s a good idea to thank the Lord for what He’s already done before we ask for something new.

Expressing gratitude to God changes our perspective. It reassures us of His faithfulness to us in the past, helping us to offer new requests with confidence. Thankfulness enables us to trust God is working for our good, even in difficult circumstances. It also reminds us of His unchanging character and directs us to notice His activity around us all the time, bringing unexpected joy. 

Thankfulness doesn’t gloss over hard circumstances, but it does help us to see them in a new light. For me, the past several weeks have abounded with opportunities to experience this. On a Friday evening recently, I sat huddled over a cell phone as a doctor delivered the unwelcome news that my mom has terminal cancer. Just two days later, I stood in the early morning light waving goodbye as my husband and older son began the long drive to Texas. Tears flowed uncontrollably for the next few hours as I began to inventory the losses in my life. I’ve been preparing for both my boys to leave for college and adjusting to having an empty nest for the first time. What I hadn’t anticipated was that their departures would coincide with the final chapter of my mom’s life. My personal world is changing in so many big ways right now that it’s hard to process.

Pausing to feel the weight of my emotions was healthy and good, but it could have easily led me into self-pity and feeling like a victim of circumstances. This overwhelming season has prompted me to lean into God for strength and to find encouragement in His Word. Mingled with the sadness are moments of deep gratitude for the ways I see the Lord working. Thankfulness has been an incredible tool to fight against the self-pity that threatens to consume me.

I’ll share just two of the many blessings that continue to fill me with gratitude lately. First is the knowledge that although my mom’s body is shutting down, her spirit is getting ready to soar. My mom knows and loves Jesus and accepted Him as her Savior many years ago. She’s getting ready to meet Him face to face and claiming the truth of one of her favorite passages in Scripture: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

In addition to this huge blessing, I’m also grateful for friends who have come alongside me during this sad and stressful time. God seems to prompt different people daily to reach out to me and remind me of His loving presence and care. I’ve experienced profound comfort and tangible support from a number of individuals. I am grateful to God for the blessing of Christian community and the gift of authentic, kind friends who love me well. I understand and identify with Paul’s words to the Philippians: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6, NIV)

If you’re in a hard season or struggling with COVID-related issues, you may be prone to sliding into self-pity or a victim mentality. Instead, stop and ask God to reveal Himself to you. Pray that He’ll show you one thing that can spark gratitude in you to stop your thoughts from spiraling downward. And if you want to discover hope in the Bible while experiencing Christian community, make time to join a group this fall. Invite someone else who could use encouragement too. Check out this link for a variety of online and in-person options available through CPC Danville.

Listen to “Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship and make it your prayer right now. Let it remind you to fight toxic thoughts by giving God praise.

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: A Study in Philippians, Thomas Nelson Press, 2020.

Seeing God Here and Now

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  (Psalm 23:6, NIV)

In the final pages of her study on Psalm 23, Jennifer Rothschild encourages us to recognize how we can experience God’s presence now. She says “God invites us to dwell in His house forever…But forever has already started. You are dwelling right now in His house. The whole world is His sanctuary. Every created thing brings Him praise. Wherever God is becomes a sacred place. The planet is full of God’s presence.” (p. 195)

I’m captivated by the beauty of creation and feel the Lord’s presence and pleasure in natural settings. As we’ve been sheltering at home through the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been grateful to have continued opportunities to enjoy God’s creation through time outdoors. Since many of us are prevented from experiencing the magnitude and majesty of nature right now, I thought I’d bring it to you. As you read the Scriptures and gaze at His beauty captured in photos below them, let them remind you of His power and presence in this very moment.

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,  like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.”  (Psalm 19:4b-6, NIV)

  • Lake Shasta, CA
  • Makena Beach, Maui

“You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,  who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations” (Psalm 65:5-7, NIV)

  • Sierra Nevadas & Tahoe
  • Makena Beach, Maui

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8 NIV)

  • Mexico Sunrise
  • Maui Sunset

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30, NIV)

  • A plant in a forest Description automatically generated
    Mount Diablo State Park
  • Mount Diablo State Park

“’I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’” (Luke 9:20, NIV)

  • A stone building that has a rock wall Description automatically generated
    Encinitas, CA
  • Half Moon Bay, CA

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25, NIV)

Mt. Saint-Michel, France

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”  (Acts 17:24-27, NIV)

  • A sunset over a sandy beach Description automatically generated
    Encinitas, CA

God is equally attentive to the small details and the big picture. Nothing that happens on earth is a surprise to Him and everything He’s created is meant to point us back to Him. Whatever emotions the COVID-19 pandemic uncovers in you, let the Lord reveal Himself in the midst of them. Keep looking up and letting Him teach you. Let Lauren Daigle’s “Look Up Child” remind you of this truth.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.