Take Root and Write

Spiritual Garmin

Guest Writer - Penny Franklin

Summer 2010 is here and winding down! Before school was out, the big question was, “What are you doing for the summer?” Of course we have Vacation Bible School planned, and are renewing our memberships to the zoo, aquarium, and the parks. We are also planning a few small trips, one of which will be to Grandmother’s house.

Last summer, our grandparents came to visit us; we had fun showing them our new home and all the great attractions sprinkled around New Orleans. When the time came for them to leave I walked them out to their car for our final good-byes. It was then that my mom said something really interesting. It was in response to me asking them if they needed directions getting back to the interstate that would take them home. 

Mom said, "Oh no, we're going to turn on this Garmin, select HOME, and we'll be good to go!" I didn't get the impact of what she said until I got back inside and had my morning prayer time.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life". (John 14:5-6 NIV)

New Times, Healthy Atitude

Guest Writer Heather Spiva

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

I thought I was a giver and understood sacrificial giving, but then my husband’s mom lost her job and thrust us all into a type of new beginning. This circumstance changed my perspective on giving as well as who owned the sacrificial gift in the first place.

The way the economy is today it’s no wonder everyone is tentative about the future. From massive layoffs to an abundance of foreclosures, we all feel it’s a matter of time before everyone is affected somehow.

In my case, my wonderful mother-in-law was touched by the hand of unemployment. Out of work for longer than anyone ever imagined, she searched for the right occupation to replace the one she lost. But as is often the case these days, being overqualified made finding the right job more difficult and financial setbacks settled in. She needed help because her savings had dwindled, and unemployment benefits failed to cover her bills.

So what was I suppose to do during this new season of need? As family, we are supposed to jump to their aid, right? But, there was a problem: doing what I was supposed to do was a lot harder than it looked.

The Bible says to take care of those who are in need, especially family. However, I wasn’t prepared for the feelings that bubbled up from my heart into my pocketbook. It’s a whole lot harder to give freely when it’s painful. It’s much easier to give if I choose the parameters; how much money, time, or help I want to give.

Clearly identified boundaries can also aid in giving. When I know I only have to donate five hours of my time or give a one-time monetary gift to a charity, my hands aren’t tied as tightly. While these over and above gifts still stretch my comfort levels, what was even more difficult during this season was giving a gift without an end in sight.

That’s where I failed miserably. I could give, but it wasn’t with the right heart. I couldn’t give to her the way I should, as a loving her daughter-in-law and as a child-of-God. One night, through prayer and supplication, I wrestled in the mud of my situation, yet I wasn’t seeing any results. How long did I have to give? Would the prayer ever get answered? Anxiety coursed through my veins like adrenaline and I cried out to God again. I needed a healthy attitude for a new way of giving.

“God, why won’t you answer our prayer and get her job so we don’t have to help her?”

After a minute of quiet, I felt a response, “Isn’t that why I made you? To love and to give?”

“Uh, well…” I said.

“I made you to help others. That’s what your life is all about. I give to you, so you can give to others to glorify My name.”

I sighed. I knew this was the answer.

“Yeah, I know, I know. But why us? Why me? And why do we have to give for so long?”

Another long silence.

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” said God, “but wasn’t I the One who blessed you?”

“Well, yeah, I suppose so.”

“And isn’t all that I give you Mine to begin with?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Then don’t worry about a thing,” and here was the crucial part, “and give to her until I tell you to stop.”

And as soon as I understood the truth -- that all of my money was God’s and I was called to help those in need-- it changed everything. It was as if I could see the situation for what it really was. Giving of my money is the same as loving my mother-in-law. If I loved God, which I do, then this was his will!

Family is all about giving and blessing one another; to love one another, whether it’s convenient or not, and whether it is giving in a new and different way than we are used to! I realized that if God loved me, then I needed to love her the same way despite the change in circumstances. Besides, if God supplies me with more than enough financially, I have no reason not to bless her in return.

It’s all a part of our journey with Christ. Through my journey, I’ve learned how to give in a whole new way! Sacrificial giving isn’t as daunting or depressing as it once was. Instead, God filled me with His love for my mother-in-law, as well as a sense of compassion and empathy. Would I not want this help if unemployment became my new reality?

Circumstances don’t always make sense. But, God and his timing always do even if we don’t understand it. If we obey God, wait for Him to intercede (and check our attitude in the process) then in time, we will all reap a harvest and a new kind of blessing. And that sounds just fine to me.

Heather Spiva is a freelance writer from Sacramento, CA. She is married and has two young boys. When she is not writing, she loves to read and garden . . .otherwise, she is sword-fighting with her sons.

Rocky Observation

By Melanie Meis, Guest Columnist

I often enjoy reflecting on a portion of the book Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. I love wildflowers and in the story the Chief Shepherd uses a series of wildflowers to teach the main character, Much-Afraid, life lessons on her journey to the high places.

One of my favorite parts is when Much-Afraid comes upon a little flower named “Acceptance With Joy”. Jutting out bravely from the desert’s harsh wasteland, the little flower strains with all her might to stand and display herself with joy. Her placement off the beaten path seems completely insignificant, yet she has “accepted with joy” her station; completely content with her call to exist only for the pleasure of her Creator.

Pastors, Plumbers, or Jesus

By Juliet Tross, Guest Contributor

A few months ago, a young woman and I sat having coffee. Her husband had recently accepted a pastoral position at a church and, because I was a pastor’s wife, she asked my thoughts about the responsibilities of her new role. Since we had known each other for years, I honed in on the things I knew were in her heart. It’s nice to have that luxury, and I’d like to share what came out of that conversation.

These are the responsibilities of a pastor’s wife:

• Love the Lord and listen for His leading.
• Love, encourage, and under gird your husband.
• Find your God-given passion and use it for His glory.

That’s it. However, the responsibilities of a plumber’s wife are also to love the Lord and to listen for His leading, to love, encourage and under gird your husband, and to find your God-given passion and use it for His glory.

My Wardrobe

by Kathy Brunner, Guest Contributor

Maybe it was one of those days from the beginning. You know those days. The hot water tank died, the dog had an accident on new carpet and, of course, there was an incident up ahead on the one day I needed to be at work early.

When I finally passed the commotion, it was just a dog lying on the side of the road. By the time I got to work, I felt like I had already put in more than a full day. I felt spent without any effort and the worst of it was that I still had the whole day ahead of me before I could even get home to regroup.

On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store for just a few items. But now I am in line behind a customer chatting casually to the cashier while trying to retrieve change from a wallet. I don’t want any chatting. I just want to get home and fast.

Just as I delivered my third deep sigh, the change so diligently sought, rolled on the floor. The cashier that I wanted to reprimand for being so slow, came around from behind the counter and offered, “Let me get that for you.” I’m delayed longer as she meticulously picks up the coins one by one.

Pilgrimage

Life is a journey! In every journey there are twists and turns along the way until finally the destination is reached. Each twist and turn can be seen either as an obstacle or adventure. How we choose to see them makes all the difference in the world for it determines whether you are going to stay on a journey or go on a pilgrimage. If you choose to see the twists and turns as obstacles, then you are making the  choice to simply travel on the journey of life. That's a journey that all people are on. On the other and, if you choose to see the twists and turns as adventures or opportunities to go with God, then you are making the choice to go on a pilgrimage, a holy journey where you go with God on the path He wants for you.

My family and I are currently on an adventure. We recently made a major move because my husband was transferred with his job. We left my parents behind and headed to a new town without family or friends. When we found out we were moving, I described this new route in life as an adventure. We were choosing to go on an adventure with God – a pilgrimage. At that time, I knew it would be hard to leave my parents. Yet my husband and I were both surprised as to how hard it really was when it hit me the day we arrived at our new home. I grieved hard. Not for a long time. But for the short time I grieved – it was really painful. I cried out to God and He heard my cry. He helped me get the right perspective back concerning this path He has us traveling on. He helped me to remember that this is an adventure He's taking my family and I on.

Nestled in the book of Psalms is an encouraging passage that speaks about pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5-7 says, "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion" (NIV).

Self-Control, Character Makeover Study

 
It's so exciting to say we have over 20 women participating now in Character Makeover, 40 Days with a Life Coach over at Christian Women Take Root. Although some of us started at the same time, others have joined in when they were ready. Women are still joining in, and you can to! It's an on going study as will many others that we will add. We have each progressed through it at our own pace, which has been awesome.

We each use our blogs inside CWTR to journal through the study. We write our thoughts, challenges, victories! We comment on each others and also meet up in the actual Character Makeover Group to. Where we have open discussions on the study.

I wanted to share a little from what one of our member's of CWTR has been writing in her blog inside CWTR this week as she deals with the week of 'Self -Control'. Her name is Beverly Goodrich. You can find her over in CWTR HERE

This first part is directly from The Character Make Over Study..

Top 10 De-Stressors

1) Don't add to your stress; start eliminating - It takes self-control to resist overcommitment.
2) Remove some stress by delegating - It takes self-control to resist overcontrolling.
3) Release your stress by rejuvenating - It takes self-control to resist overactivity.
4) Refocus on your passion when stress is escalating - It takes self-control to resist frustration and focus on your passion.
5) Don't avoid your stress; it will be waiting for you - It takes self-control to resist avoiding your problem.
6) Don't increase your stress by exaggerating - It takes self-control to resist overreacting.
7) Address your stress by prioritizing and evaluating - It takes self-control to resist getting overwhelmed.
8) Get help with your stress by organizing and coordinating - It takes self-control to resist overworking.
9) Manage your stress by not deviating - It takes self-control to resist slipping away from good habits.
10) Deepen your faith, when stress turns to crisis - It takes self-control to resist becoming overanxious.

Prayer; Confidence

There are about 16 of us doing the book study- Character Makeover; 40 Days with a Life Coach To Create the Best You over in Christian Women Take Root. The first week we dealt with humility. This week we are on to Confidence. There was a prayer at the end of day one in Confidence that I wanted to share with you. Most women I know are dealing with some pretty tough circumstances right now. This can make our confidence slip. This prayer was such a reminder to get into the right perspective with our confidence and to remember where our confidence needs to stem from. Take a moment and be encouraged throught this prayer. Say it aloud as you read. And know it's not too late, ever to join us over inside Christian Women Take Root to do the study. We have women at all different places in the book.

Precious Lord,

Thank you that I do not have to rely on how I feel about myself for my confidence. Lord, help me have faith in you when I lack confidence. You have proven over and over again that you use people even when there is something in their lives that could erode their self confidence.

You raised up Deborah to be a national leader, even though she was a woman. You made Sarah the mother of a nation, even though she was too old. You used Rahab to protect Hebrew spies, even though she was a prostitute. Ruth is in the genealogy of Jesus, even though she was an outsider- a Moabitess. You made Esther a queen who saved her people, even though she was an orphan. You let Martha serve you, even though she was a worrier and a complainer. You inspired the Samaritan woman to evangelize her village, even though she was a five time divorcee. And you taught a lesson in generosity through the widow who gave two pennies, even though she was destitute.

Please go before me and win the battle in that area which I feel most vulnerable. I want to make the shift from self- confidence to God -confidence.

In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Quoted Prayer from Character Makeover; 40 Days with a Life Coach to Create the Best You /Zondervan 2008

"Love is Not a Fight"

It never ceases to amaze me how God uses words set to music to spread His Word, encourage and give us support, and to simply enable us to glorify Him. So I will not fill this post up with my feeble words, but will let words set to music do the speaking.

I write the Marriage from a Distance column. Marriage is something that God has laid passionately on my heart probably due to the marital struggles that came with the past year. Just because we are Christians does not mean we are exempt from problems and struggles. So for those of you who are struggling or have struggled in your marriage I give you this song by Warren Barfield titled "Love is not a fight". I pray that you will find strength, hope, and encouragement through this tremendous song.

The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

I Will Bring the Victory... A blog for a friend.

March 24, 2008 - Monday I Will Bring the Victory... A blog for a friend. Current mood:  peaceful Author: Noelle I want to say that I am writing this blog out for a friend here on myspace. A friend I met that lives across the country. A friend I would have never met if not for the technology we have today. What a blessing it is to allow God to bring together people who would otherwise never meet to share and encourage with. I will bring the victory. 1 Corinthians 14:57 Thanks be to God, who gives the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, I am with you to help you now. Fear not. My purpose will be fulfilled in spite of your weaknesses, if in your need you rely on my strength. My will shall be done regardless of the flaws in your life, if you count on the power of my righteousness. I do not work only in cases where there are no obstacles; but I glory in over ruling the prevailing circumstances, and I take pleasure in bringing victories in those places where no victory is anywhere in sight. Count on My coming. Know that whenever faith brings me on the scene, everything is changed. Darkness is turned to light. Grief is turned to joy. Sickness to health. Poverty to my sufficient supply. Doubt to FAITH. Anxiety to trust. No negative force can occupy the same place as My Spirit. When my spirit comes in, all these things must go. Yes, they shall go! Ask for the victory. I will come and bring it. Don’t look for the victory.... Look for Me... and you will see the victory that I will bring with me. After I have come, you shall behold the miracles I will do. By, Frances J. Roberts ’Come Away My Beloved’ I pray this blesses you and all else who read it. So many are facing challenges. I think what I loved best in the above is... Don’t look for the victory.... Look for Me. We tend to focus so much on looking for the victory we think will be the best for us. But when we look to Him instead, we are trusting He knows the best for us. He see’s the whole big picture. I choose Him. May my eyes always be to the heavens and not on my challenges.