WAIT!

There seems to be a recurring theme I have been hearing, and I'm certain it is the Lord trying to get my attention!

Recently I watched (numerous times in the last three weeks) the movie, "The Lake House". It's about two people separated by time who are required to WAIT to avoid tragedy and to ultimately be together. I watched, feeling their frustration as they tried desperately to be a part of each other's life, living in the same place but separated by 2 years in time. They were able to communicate and build a friendship through letters. They were so close, yet so impossibly far apart. In the end, because they WAITED...

Two of my favorite gals have shared that the Lord has clearly told them to WAIT in their circumstances. They don't understand it, nevertheless it is very clear. Delayed gratification isn't popular in our culture and I ache with them and for them to realize the desires of their hearts in God's time.

During my study in the Psalms last week, the application I chose for my life was to WAIT on the Lord demonstrating my TRUST in Him, His sovereignty, and His faithfulness. As we looked ahead to next week's study in Psalm 40, I had to laugh as I glanced at the 1st verse:

"I waited patiently for the Lord"

Isn't God AWESOME?! The Creator of the universe loves me and cares enough for me to speak to me personally! 
.....
As I filled my bird feeders tonight, I saw tender purple petals peeking through the icy ground. "WAIT!" I cried.

Waiting on you, Lord...patiently! :)

Sleeplessness, Scriptures and My Savior

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4, 6


I spent another sleepless night, last night. Instead of trying to force sleep, I slipped out of my bed, grabbed my Bible and journal and started sharing with Jesus all the thoughts racing through my mind. Scriptures that I had hidden deep in my heart flooded my mind and brought me comfort as I scrawled all that He was saying to me through His Word. I read, wrote, and prayed until I couldn't keep my eyes open and was finally able to slip back into bed for a few hours of sleep.
 
This morning, I picked up my current read - "The Christian Atheist" by Craig Groeschel and continued where I left off - Chapter 8 "When You Believe in God but Still Worry". OUCH! Nothing like having everything God spoke to me in the middle of the night confirmed  by the light of day! He even used ALL of the same scriptures I had read through!
 

 
Lord,
Help me to let go of  the need to control so much in my life. I ask for the peace that passes all understanding to guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.  I'm all yours, Cheryl

What Faith Can Do

If you know me at all, you know that music ministers to my soul. Lately, life has been really hard for me, my family, and my friends. Strained marriages, insecurities in parenting the very young and the young adults in our lives, financial struggles, health issues, job stress - whether it's a current job or looking for one; there's tragedies happening all around us - some hitting very close to our hearts and homes, and everywhere I look, I see feelings of failure, discouragement, despair and hopelessness.

In our sufferings, in our failures, in our discouragement there is hope - hope that is sure.

Thank you, Jesus for being the hope that does not disappoint. Give me the faith that moves mountains, hope that never ends.

What Faith Can Do Lyrics at elw

Adjustments

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen ... practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

I've been struggling with adjusting to all the changes in my life, especially in the last year. I've loved my job of being a "stay at home" wife and mom and all that's allowed me to do these past 20 years: homeschool, volunteer, and serve.

With both "kids' out of the house, declining economic climate and rising tuition/college expenses, I've been "thrust" back into the corporate workforce. To put it mildly, I'm still adjusting and have found myself grumbling...a lot...too much! I've been selfish and self-centered.

Philippians 4:8 has been a verse that I've memorized and prayed for the past several years, through some very tough trials, but I have overlooked verse 9 - PRACTICE these things. This is the hard part.

So here goes...I'm dwelling on the positive.This is where it has to start:

Lord,

Who am I, that you are mindful of me; that You hear me when I call?

Is it true that You are thinking of me? How you love ME!

Thank you for what is:

True - I have a vehicle that gets me where I need to go. It may be falling apart, unsightly, noisy, and need regular maintenance, but I have a husband who has the knowledge and inclination to keep our vehicles running.

Honorable - I have husband who is rigid about finances, keeping us out of debt.

Just & Pure - I have a husband who holds me accountable to glorify God with my words, attitude and action on a daily basis, reminding me (rebuking, if necessary) to have an attitude of gratitude.

Lovely & Commendable - My kids are working hard and doing well in their studies, displaying increasing personal responsibility.

Praiseworthy - Because of God's abundant provision through my job, we are able to help our children finance their college education, relieving them of the additional stress of starting out their independence with the burden of debt.

 Thank you, Lord!

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!

Gifts at Genesys

I realized I hadn't posted this. It was before Christmas...

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There have been so many people - family members, friends, and church family - who I have been in prayer for this past week. The needs include physical healing, financial provision, relationships restored, and guidance.

How appropriate that my study this week focused on the Peace that we have through Jesus Christ.

455. A life-size nativity outside the entrance to Genesys Medical Center.

456. A poem by Peter Marshall, Chaplain to the US Senate posted inside the Genesys Medical Center elevator pointing to Jesus who is "the way, the truth, and the life."

457. Being with friends through the bad times as well as the good.

458. Advent reading for today focused on Jesus, our peace.

459. and finally, on the way to worship this morning, the first song we heard was, "Hold Me Jesus"

It's a Battle - It's a Choice

It's a new year and I'm battling with the same struggles - all related to my mouth.  

This morning's Scripture reading came from Genesis 4:6-7 

"...'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.'"

Then again from this morning's message taken from Romans 6:12, 

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions."

Who am I obeying?  The deceiver whispers in my ear, "You'll never win this battle. You're a failure. You should have this mastered, by now. You are weak. You are useless." 

Thankfully, I KNOW my God and my God is the God of second, and third, and fourth...chances. By His grace I will overcome, for it is:

"...Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6

If I believe my God is mighty to save, how can I NOT believe that He is mighty to overcome my weaknesses?

My Jesus, My Savior,

You have accepted me as I am - all my fears and failures. I ask that you move the mountain in my life. You conquered the grave, help me conquer the enemy (often myself) in this daily battle I fight. You never fail! May your mercy fall on me.  I surrender; I give my life to follow that your light might shine through me for the glory of the risen King!

BonVoyage 2010 - The 4-C's

Reflecting on the events of the past year, the 4-C’s will remember 2010 as a year of changes and challenges, but also overflowing with God’s blessings!

Cristin is in her senior year at Charleston Southern University.  She thoroughly enjoys her studies and her extra-curricular activities such as Lyric Theater for which she was the stage manager. This spring, she won the first undergraduate research award for the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association for her research about the effect of music on children with Autism. In June, she had the unexpected opportunity to go to Italy with her choir.  She enjoyed her second summer at Spring Hill Camp as a Wrangler-Counselor-Coach and is planning to return for a third summer. Cristin is also busy investigating internship possibilities starting next fall – a six month internship is a requirement for graduation.

Chad did not come home this summer as he was able to obtain a summer job at the University of Alabama Huntsville; we only saw him twice between January and December. The summer job led to a position as an RA in the freshman residence hall, which he has enjoyed. Chad planned a road trip and weekend away to visit Cristin in Charleston for Thanksgiving. He excels in his academics and is excited about an engineering internship with American Axle & Manufacturing this coming summer.

In March, Craig’s dad lost his battle with kidney cancer. We were thankful that he made it home from Florida in time to spend his last few days with the family. Dad’s passing has left quite a void in our lives. Craig still works as a chemist for GM. This year, his job has taken him to Florida, Mexico, and Delaware. Between taking care of Dad’s Estate, serving our church as an elder, and keeping our vehicles operational, there was no spare time to attend on his favorite hobby, and the boat was left dry docked for the second summer in a row.  He did get to do some salmon fishing, thanks to the generosity of good friends.

The most amazing news is that Cheryl was hired by GM as a Fluids & Lubricants Materials Engineer after working 8 months contract in the Chemistry lab under the same manager. While she loved her work in the lab, the engineering job provides many new opportunities, challenges, and benefits. She never dreamed she’d be back to work as an engineer after 20 years of retirement. It has been a challenge to balance home and career – definitely a work in progress.

Craig and Cheryl also celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary in September, fishing out of Ludington with our good friends, the Allens and Ludwigs.

Finally, with all of our lives changing and realizing it will not get simpler with careers and independence, Cheryl had to do something drastic to get the family together for our first family vacation since early 2006. She “imprisoned” the 4-C’s on a ship for a 4 night cruise from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together. The main highlight was that Craig “forced” the kids to parasail over Coco Cay. Chad entered the paper airplane and table tennis competition onboard, while Cristin surprised us by her rock wall climbing prowess. Other activities included a Pirates and Fort Tour in Nassau, reading, playing cards, and just hanging out, relaxing together.

We concluded the year hanging out with our family – we had a70th birthday celebration for Gramps; Craig and Chad fished on Barnes Lake; Cristin and Cheryl enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling at Knable’s Kottage with Nonna & Gramps and Julie & her boys.

As we say Bon Voyage to 2010, we anticipate the exciting adventure God has for us in 2011!  Happy New Year!