Malachi 3:6: "I am the LORD, and I do not change…”
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Saturday, October 18, 2014
Change
Heal broken hearts. Celebrate
Successes. Heal failing bodies.
Comfort us. Give us hope. Hear our silent cries. Love
us.
Fix relationships. Hold us. Celebrate
triumphs. Calm our fears.
Give us peace.
Calm the storm. Speak
truth to us.
Provide for us. Meet our needs. Give us joy. Forgive us.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Ministry of Music
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” -Psalm 59:16
Most of you that know me know that I love music. It touches the very depth of my soul and takes me to a place where it is just God and me. Music ministers to my spirit and reminds me of the many, many blessing I have in Christ. What a wonderful day it will be when I am singing praises face to face with The King of Kings!
At the beginning of my 10 year journey (that would be the start to my deep pit of despair) my parents were visiting us from New York. While sitting in the living room one day, the Gaither’s came on the television and the words below caught my Mom’s attention. She mentioned it to me and I looked it up. Little did I know that this song would carry me along for years during my journey to a true relationship with Jesus. If you have not heard this song before, check it out on www.youtube.com .
Praise His Name – By: Jeff & Sherri Easter
When you're up against a wall
And your mountain seems so tall
And you realize that life's not always fair
You can run away and hide
Let the old man decide
Or you can change your circumstances with a prayer
When everything falls apart
Praise his name
When you have a broken heart
Raise your hands and say
Lord, you're all I need
You're everything to me
And he'll take the pain away
When you feel you're all alone
Praise his name
And you feel all hope is gone
Raise your hands and say
Greater is he that is within me
And you can praise the hurt away
If you'll just praise his name
Ohhh, You can overcome
By the blood of the lamb
And by the word of your testimony
You'll see the darkness go
As your faith begins to grow
You're not alone, so how can you be lonely
I would often put that song on and cry out my heart to God, begging Him for relief from the inner turmoil inside my heart. I particularly love the line “You’re not alone, so how can you be lonely.” In the midst of those trials when we can’t feel or see God – we are not alone. He is unchanging. He is right beside us. He NEVER leaves us. What a wonderful promise! My heart overflows with gratefulness as I consider His GREAT Faithfulness to me over the years. There were times when I wasn’t holding on to God – but He was definitely holding on to me!
This song came along when I felt like everything I knew had fallen apart. I had been hurt very deeply by several Christian relationships and lost people I considered friends. At the same time, Raymond and I were also struggling in our marriage, I had 2 small children, I was living in a “fishbowl” surrounded by gossip, and I was far, far away from my NY family. (I know that the “Raymond and I were struggling” part may come as a shock to some of you – but we are no exception to any marriage “rules” – Marriage is hard!!! But totally worth it! Just Sayin’!). I truly felt alone. You know that feeling when you discover that a broken heart is truly a physical happening...something you never knew could happen...then it does – it’s devastating...truly. Many of you will understand what I am speaking of. Many of you have been there or are there presently.
For the next several years I just existed. I was struggling to get through the daily routine of everyday life – just going through the motions really. I cried and then cried some more. During these days I started going to a Christian Counsellor, which turned out to be a good thing for me. I learned a lot about me – and realized that there were things that needed to be taken care of – for me! So I did. I am glad that God got me to the place where I needed talk to someone else. It truly changed me in all positive ways! This was not only a blessing to me, but to my family as well. PLEASE NOTE: There is no shame in seeking help!
With those details I just gave you about me, I think we need to try and understand this about others:
-Just because people look like they have it all together – doesn’t mean they aren’t falling apart.
-Just because people laugh on the outside – doesn’t mean they are not crying on the inside.
-Just because it looks like people have everything – doesn’t mean they do.
We ALL have trials and there are not exceptions to this rule. Don’t think for a minute you are the only one with trials. We are all on this journey of life, filled with unknown twists and turns! We need each other! I am here today to tell you from experience that: We have a God who is Faithful, Loving, Kind, Compassionate, Who loves us on our worst days, Who hurts when we hurt, Who cries when we cry – WE ARE NEVER ALONE. He has proven this over and over to me even when I was far, far away from Him. My friends, if you find yourself in the position of a broken heart….remember these words to the above song: “Raise your hands and say - Greater is he that is within me - And you can praise the hurt away -If you'll just praise his name.” You are loved by THE KING OF KINGS! He cares and He wants a relationship with you!
So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles! Our God is a God of Miracles!
Count Your Blessings,
Overwhelmed?
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” -Psalm 61:2
“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path.” -Psalm 142:6a
Overwhelmed. I think we all get to this point sometimes. Some other synonyms of this word would be: swamp, engulf, overthrow, crush, stir, devastate and flood. It seems things just keep coming at you and you can’t catch your breath. If I am to be honest with you in this writing, the last several months have been pretty overwhelming. So much coming at me, lingering on, and it feels like life just won’t let up. Ever feel like that? I know you have, because everyone feels like that sometimes. We are not alone in that. It is definitely a word we all understand. We all know what it means to be overwhelmed. We all sometimes just want it to stop. We want to get off the merry-go-round ride and just sit on the bench quietly. Do you know what I mean?
God knows how we feel. Jesus felt this when He knew the fate that awaited Him, before He would have to endure the cross. Matthew 26:38-39 says: “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
I cannot fathom what this moment must have been like for Jesus. The weight of the world on His shoulders had to be unbearable. Crying out to His Father for a different possibility, but willing to stay in His Father’s will, despite the overwhelming circumstances. It certainly makes me stop and think and consider that although I am tired and frustrated and want to press the pause button on life for just for a few minutes, in no way does it compare to what Jesus had to endure. But it does make me realize that God understands that life is overwhelming. He understands that we get tired and weary.
Thankfully, God filled His Word with promises we can cling to. He knew we would need some help. Here are just a few:
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. “· · -·Isaiah 40:31
This verse gives us hope! It is in these times of being overwhelmed that we must seek the Lord and wait. That’s not easy, but He promises to renew our strength. He promises to help with the weariness and faintness.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God…” - John 14:1
This verse tells us to trust God. He does have our backs. He is trustworthy and unchanging.
“…despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” –Romans 8:37
Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ that verse says! Remember that. He loves you. Whatever you are facing today, however overwhelmed you feel, I encourage you to hold on to the Promises from God’s Word. Find them, write them, sing them, print them, put them on your fridge, your mirrors, set them as your phone or computer background, etc… Get them where you can see them throughout the entire day. Keep filling your mind with them. Bind up those negative, overwhelming thoughts and command them to flee in Jesus’ name. Then ask God to fill your mind with His Peace and His Promises.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:20
He loves you. He cares. He is with you. You can trust Him. That’s a promise!
So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles!
Our God is a God of Miracles!
Count Your Blessings…
It Can Be Hard ...
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” –Ephesians 6:13
Welcome to 2014! I hope this year will be one of many blessings and much joy for each of you. Whatever it may bring, you can be sure that God is with you, in every situation. That is a promise!
We recently took a trip after one of the recent freezing rain/ice storms. It looked beautiful on the trees with all its glistening and shine. The snow was so white and clean on the ground and resting beautifully on the evergreen branches. One thing I noticed though, as we travelled, was that a lot of the trees with that beautiful, glistening ice were bent over. Some of them were weighted so heavily by all the ice that their tops were touching the snow on the ground. Although they still looked beautiful with the glistening ice, they looked tired and weighted by what the weather had brought their way. As we drove I thought of the verse above, especially the last part that says and “after you have done everything, stand.”
Life is not easy. Period. It just is not. BUT, God is faithful and He provides full armor for us so that when those unexpected storms come, like they did with those trees, we can still stand. We can be rooted deep in His love and completely covered by His armor.
Like those trees we are going through life; standing, functioning, being and growing. We are rooted in our corner of the world and functioning to take care of the things around us, doing what needs to be done. Then a storm sweeps in and the trouble winds blow, the chaos rains down on us, the uncertainty of situations causes us to freeze and the heaviness of it all bends us. We are still beautiful and functioning and doing what needs to be done, but we are bent so far down and the weight of it all is so heavy, we feel like we are going to break.
This is why it is so important to be rooted in God, to read His Word, to be protected by His armor. It may feel like you are going to break, but if you have that armor on, you will still stand. You may be bent over a little from the storm and it may all feel too heavy, but your roots will be deep and you will stand.
Everything changes. This current storm that has you bent over and weighted down, it will stop. The sun will come out again and slowly that uncertainly will start to melt, the chaos will cease and those trouble winds will stop. Before you know it you will realize you are still standing. Not only that, but you are still standing and the burdens seem much lighter. The armor has protected you through the storm and you have stood your ground. You have weathered the storm. You have a chance now to catch your breath.
Like those trees when the sun shines and melts away the ice and snow, they slowly rise back up and they are still standing. They draw back upright towards the blue, sunny skies. They may be a little bent from the storm, but they are strong and standing.
You are stronger than you know and you will get through whatever storm you are facing. The Son is always with you, shining down on you, giving you the necessary armor to face what comes your way. Look up, you will find Him. Put your armor on everyday so that you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, you will still stand.
So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles!
Our God is a God of Miracles!
Count Your Blessings…
Footprints
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,·I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” –Isaiah 43:1-2
In several conversations with family members over the past few months, a couple of things have been mentioned that really caught my attention. One conversation was about the “Footprints in the Sand” poem and one was about a camp meeting altar call that took place in 1980. Both of these things reminded me that God was with me way back when and He is still with me now.
The well known poem “Footprints”, speaks about God carrying us in times of trouble and therefore the one set of footprints are His with us safely in His arms. It’s a testimony of faith from someone who has been through deep waters and knows that Jesus was with them through it all. Do I believe He carries us? Yes I do. Do I believe in times of trouble He is with us? Yes I do.
The camp meeting conversation was about the first time I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I was 10 the first time I went to an altar to ask Jesus into my heart. Do I believe God wanted my heart as early as 10? Yes I do. Do I believe that He had/has a plan for my life? Yes I do.
I was 10 years old sitting in a camp meeting service on a wooden, very uncomfortable pew. We sang some songs and the speaker spoke. I cannot tell you what the Evangelist spoke on that night back on August 8, 1980. I cannot tell you that His words changed my life forever either. But, I can tell you that God changed something in me that night. I knew there was more to Church, than going to Church. I could feel it. (Please note here that I didn’t realize how little I actually knew about God and life…but Hey, we all have to start somewhere right?) Do you know what I mean when I say “that nudge, that pull on your heart from the Holy Spirit”? It’s that gentle tugging that propels you to want more, to want what you are missing, a longing, that you are in need of help. I was reminded through this conversation, several weeks ago, that God was with me even when I was 10. He was starting a work in my heart before I even realized what a true relationship with Jesus really meant.
As I thought about that, the conversation about the “Footprints” poem came back to my mind. God has carried me many times. God carried me when I didn’t even know He was. I believe there have been many times since I was born that God has been with me, protecting me, wanting me to desire and walk a closer relationship with Him. He has gently prodded my heart many times since then and I have blazed a trail to the altar on more than one occasion. (Teen-age years can be difficult, with large learning curve experiences. Just Saying…) I truly believe in years gone by that God has carried me many, many times. I think the poem speaks volumes about the love, care and compassion that our Savior has for us. In our frustration, due to the situations of life, I think we forget that He has carried us all along. He has been with us since we took our first breath and will be with us when we take our last.
Life is hard. We all go through times when we want answers to the questions, reasons why things happen the way they do, help and relief from the pain and the stress of it all, but please believe me when I tell you that you are not alone. No one escapes the realities of life. It may appear that people have their life in order and they are happy and stress free, but I have yet to have a “real life talk” with someone who hasn’t been through the deep, dark stormy waters of life at some point.
I think of it as a big, wide ocean and we are all in our boats on the same waters paddling, paddling, paddling to get through. Our “boats” may be a little different, but we are all looking for and longing for peace and calm while we are sailing on the some times stormy waters of this life. All journeying separately, but still together on the same ocean called life.
I want you to know that God loves YOU. God has YOUR back. God cares about YOU. God seeks after YOU. God delights in YOU. God created YOU. God will provide for YOU. Like the poem speaks of, God will carry YOU through the deep waters. YOU are not alone.
Whatever you are facing, remember YOU are loved by the creator of the universe. He doesn’t care about your past, what you have done or haven’t done, He wants YOUR heart. He wants to be with YOU this very moment as we journey through life. He wants to sit with YOU in your “boat”. All you have to do is ask Him and He is there. Speak His name. Follow the gentle nudging of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 says: “When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me.”
So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles!
Our God is a God of Miracles!
Count Your Blessings…
Church ...
Do you go to Church? Why do you go to Church? I have gone to Church all my life. I really don’t know anything different. When I was young we didn’t miss a Sunday unless our family was away or unless we were sick. We went to Church. No exceptions, that is just how it was.
Then, as God would have it, I married a preacher. Thus, I have gone to Church every week since I have been married with the exception of being sick or away and travelling where we couldn’t get to Church.
Do you think maybe God knows my personality a little? Do you think maybe He knew it would be best for me to grow up in a family that made Church a priority? Do you think He knew best that as an adult I would require the constant tie of being married to the Preacher? I do. Many of you will be shocked to learn that I have a personality that does this: If you Say: “No.” I say “Yes.” If you say: “You can’t.” I say “I can!” If you say: “Don’t.” I say “Do”. Many of you won’t be shocked about that at all! Believe me when I say I am well aware of that rebellious part of my personality. It’s been with me a lifetime. My parents and Raymond are probably pretty aware of this too! Just Saying!
Thankfully, over the years I have learned to manage this tendency and do my best in taming myself down when I feel like showing you that “I can!!!” But, I am a work in progress, keep that in mind! The taming doesn’t always go as well as I plan!
I say all these things to say that I am thankful that my parents made me go to Church and I am thankful that I am married to the Preacher. I wasn’t impressed with going to Church as a kid or a teen-ager, as it became a drudgery. I went because I had to, not because I wanted to. I will also say here that there were even several years after I was married that I went because I had to. Simply because I was the Preacher’s wife and it was expected. I am not proud to say that, but If I am to be real with you, that is the truth.
My personality during these periods would say, “I don’t have to go. You can’t make me.” Yet, my parents made me go anyway and being the Pastor’s wife forced me to go as well. God created me and my personality. He has a plan for my life and has loved me from day one. But, His unconditional love doesn’t give me free reign to be rebellious and show the world how Trista can do things. Instead, His love means He will help me manage my rebellious personality, if I seek Him. Have you ever heard the quote: “Jesus knows me. This I love.” It is one of my favorites! Do you know He loves YOU?
So, back to Church. I don’t go to Church because I have to anymore. I go to Church because I want to. There’s nothing I would rather do than Worship the One who saved me from myself, who saved my soul, who is with me everyday and who loves me too much to leave me the way I am. I want to be with other believers worshipping, praising and talking to the Saviour of my soul. I want to share my ups and my downs from the week with other believers. I want to be real. I want to know how God is working in your life also. I want to be in God’s House. It’s just a small portion of time that I spend with Him throughout the week, but I feel I need it and I desire it.
Were you forced to go to Church or were you not allowed to go at all? Do you go to Church because you want to? Do you seek God in His house? Do you participate in fellowship with other believers? Do you share your ups and downs with other believers? Are you real with people? I think it’s time to be honest and sincere and to share our hardships and help each other along the way. I want to be an active participant in the things of the Church, for the cause of Christ. Why don’t you join me?
Think about this: Jesus knows you. He loves you. He wants a relationship with you. I don’t believe you have to go to Church to have a relationship with Jesus. I do believe that His Church is a gift to us, as believers. A chance to be in His presence, together, sharing and caring for one another. Active participation and involvement with a body of believers is a gift we can give ourselves. Are we all actively participating and partaking of that gift?
So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles!
Our God is a God of Miracles!
Count Your Blessings…
Take A Good Look
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:4
While at our recent Church camp one of the speakers spoke on following the model, the model being Jesus. We need to do what Jesus did: See, Stop & Spend Time with people. I’m sure I can’t say it like he did but hopefully you will get the gist of things as I go along.
The first one was SEE. We need to see people. We need to notice people. Do you know how many people feel invisible? I have to say I am guilty of this one. I can walk through a mall or down the street and not really pay much attention to what is going on or who is around me. I tend to get into my own little zone and stay there. I am not really a people kind of person, so it is easier (more comfortable) for me to just keep to myself. He was saying that we need to notice people, we need to pay attention to who is around us. People should not feel invisible when we are around.
The second one was to STOP. Stop and take notice. We need to call people by name. We need to look them in the eye. We need to be kind. For example, when you go thru the grocery line and the cashier is ringing in your groceries, look at her nametag, look directly at her and call her by name. You might be the 50th person of the day who has not even spoken to her or acknowledged her presence other than to take your money and bag your groceries. She may feel invisible, like nobody even really sees her. In reality, this is not a hard concept. How hard is it to say, “Hello, Jane.” A simple acknowledgement that she is not invisible and that someone noticed she was an actual person.
The third one was to SPEND TIME with People. Sometimes that time can be short, sometimes longer. For example if you are in the grocery line you are limited as to the conversation length, but a simple “How are you today?” can count as spending time with someone.
It is a chance for that person to talk about their day possibly or to at the very least feel like someone is interested in them and not just about the job you want them to do. I know many people who can just sit on a bench in the mall and have grand conversations with people. (I wish that was me, but I tend to run from talking to strangers…this is a struggle for me.) I want to be better at making people not feel invisible. I want to learn to follow the model, who is Jesus and be the kind of person that SEES people and STOPS from the busyness of life to SPEND TIME with them. Sometimes I think people just need to know that there are people who care about how their day is going, or just need to be acknowledged and called by name.
Jesus did this over and over in the Bible. He SAW a need. He STOPPED. He SPENT TIME with people. He did many miracles and healings because He could see the need, stop, and spend time with these people. He is the model to follow.
We are busy. Our lives often feel like we are in fast forward. We need to be here, we have to go there, we cling to a tight schedule of work, home, family, etc… I think it’s important that we take the time to look around us. Can we take time to see people who feel invisible? Sometimes a smile and a “How are you today?” can make a person’s day. I think we get caught up in our own lives, worries and problems and we just don’t see outside our own busyness.
What do you think the world would be like if we all chose to SEE, STOP and SPEND TIME with each other? What if we showed concern and care for someone who is at the end of their rope? What if we are the only person throughout the day to show someone kindness? What if we cared a little more? God calls us to do good and to share. Let’s share our time and show some interest in others.
Hebrews 13:16 says: “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
So until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles!
Our God is a God of Miracles!
Count Your Blessings…
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