Cry out to Jesus

I've been hurting for quite some time. On July 29th, I had a traumatic fall while I was running in the woods with my cross country team. I've been hurting for 10 1/2 weeks now. I haven't been able to run or do exercise of any kind. I struggle with clinical depression and NOT exercising has a huge impact on my daily life. Most people think that depression is just a sitting around the house and feeling sorry for yourself kind of thing. Yes, for some people that is an issue, but that's not clinical depression. Everyone can choose to have days where they throw pity parties for themselves. Depression is so much deeper and complex than that.

Basically, I don't feel like myself at all. It is so frustrating to know exactly what's happening with me and knowing what to do to help myself...and I can't. I can't go for a run. I can't chat with friends while I run. I can't go for a bike ride or even go swimming right now. My pants are all too tight and I feel just terrible. Unfortunately I have chosen to have a pity party for myself lately. Yes, I have depression problems but I also get sucked into being mad about it and throwing a tantrum over it.

What's the bottom line? In John 10:10 the bible says that God intends for us to have an abundant life. Lately I've not felt anything abundant about my life. I've been pretty self-consumed with pain, limping, wearing a walking cast, not being able to sleep at night because my foot hurts so bad, visiting the doctor...blah, blah, blah. I'm sick of it. Every thought every day is about my dumb foot. It hurts. Period.

Tonight at our worship service our pastor referenced a time when he felt similar to this--just exhausted and spent. He heard a song about how we were made to worship God and it changed his perspective. Right now I can't do a darn thing about my situation. I'm frustrated and tired. But I can change my focus. I can worship God. I did that tonight, genuinely. I can't remember the last time I cried out to Jesus like that. In his presence I felt peace and love and grace. It never dawned on me to ask God to help me through this time. I feel silly because it's just an ankle injury--it's not like I have cancer or I'm in a wheelchair. My child doesn't have a terminal illness. My husband hasn't left me. I've tried so hard to be strong and NOT ask God for help. Can you see where that's gotten me? So whatever it is you have going on in your life, talk to Jesus. If you're like me, maybe you need to cry out to Him. His grace is sufficient for you. Once I opened up to God--I worshipped him and shared how I was truly feeling with him--my pity vanished. In his presence I forgot all my troubles. All I could think about was how awesome he was and how great his love for me is. I thought of all the times he's shown me his power, love, and faithfulness. All of the sudden, my life seemed full of abundance. How strange...my focus had changed my circumstances after all.

My challenge to you this week: be one day better at talking to your Creator. Your friend, your rock, your strong tower, your savior, your first love, your shelter. Cry out to Jesus.

Psalm 95: 1-7 (NIV)

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his had are the depths of the earth, and mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker, for he is our God and we are the people of his paster, the flock under his care.

Psalm 34:15 (NIV)

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and is ears are attentive to their cry.

Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Acts of kindness

I have challenged my kids to something this week. Maybe you've heard this too many times before, perhaps it's become cliche. But when was the last time you tried to bless someone with a completely random act of kindness? I'm assuming you're like the rest of us. Don't you enjoy the smallest of things in life? God wants us to love each other deeply, offer hospitality, and use our gifts to bless others. Let me tell you what that has meant to my little ones this week. Here are some things they've come up with to bless others:

1-color a picture for the church secretary

2-give an apple to the school teacher

3-make a point of saying hi to the shy girl in class

4-asking boys at the bus stop to shoot baskets before school

5-stopping and chatting with the somewhat grumpy neighbor

6-set the table for mom without any provocation

7-help put up groceries

8- made a card for a sick boy from Sunday School

Here are some things I have done this past week:

1-given a card to a hurting friend

2-given candy to cheer someone up

3-made a CD for a friend who needs to hear uplifting messages

4-sent a funny e-card to someone I've lost touch with

5-slowed down and listened to someone who really, really needed it

These may not seem special at all. But these are things our family has a heart for. What do you have a heart for? Are you a good cook? Are you a good cleaner? Do you knit? Do you sing and dance? I don't know what things God has blessed you with. I challenge you to find a way to make someone's day a little bit brighter. I promise you that random acts of kindness never get old. The phrase may be cliche. But the heart of it will never be.

Today I challenge you to be ONE DAY BETTER at showing kindness.

1 Peter 4:8-10

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Just Do It

I hate to borrow Nike's slogan but it fits. Let me explain. I had a meeting with the most wonderful lady today. We got to talking about how the church needs to be re-trained in how to love people. And let me see now...somewhere in the Bible it says we are to do good things ESPECIALLY to those who are Christians. For those of you who know me well you know this is a bone I have to pick with the world. I can't seem to get over it. Here's the deal. There are people everywhere around us who are hurting. What are we doing about it?

Do you see any of these people in your daily life?

single parents

someone with cancer

children of divorce

an alcoholic

a widow

a widower

someone who lost their job

someone who's injured

a terminally ill person

a mentally ill person

a pastor

a teacher

a mom

a dad

a neighbor

a clerk at a store

the trashman

the mailman

a coach

Surely you see some of these people in your daily life. How are you loving them? Shouldn't we look different than non-Christians? Shouldn't we reach out to people we see? How hard is it? We don't have to solve their problems. We don't even need to offer advice. I'd actually advise we all just hush. Jesus didn't sit and lecture people. He loved them. He changed them. He offered them something eternally better. Can't we offer them that, too?

It is easy to write a check to an organization. It is fun to fill up a box for Operation Christmas Child. It's interesting and fulfilling to "adopt" a World Vision child. It's obedience to give to the local church with our time and our money. But it is hard to love actual people. Why? I have no idea. It's very simple. Just do it.

What do people need? What do YOU need?

-a listening ear

-a meal

-a hug

-a cookie

-a friend

-time

-compassion

-sympathy

-understanding

-laughter

-a prayer

-a note of encouragement

My challenge to you this week is to look around you an reach out to people. People may not be holding signs that say, "I'm hurting." Love on them anyway. JUST DO IT. Now that's honoring God.

Be one day better at loving those around you.

Romans 12:9-13

Love must be sincere....Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves...Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Galatians 5:6

...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 6:9-10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all peopl, especially those who belong to the family of believers.

Using your gifts

1 Timothy 4:14

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you...

What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What skills do you have? What interests or hobbies do you have? What makes you tick? What is unique about you? What gives you energy and excitement? What are you enthusiastic about? Chances are that somewhere in these answers you will find your gifts, the specific things that God gave just you to use for his glory. We all have gifts. Some people are more gifted than others. It doesn't matter one bit how much giftedness we have. What matters is that we are using our gifts to bless others and to please God. Take a hard look at your life. Look at your calendar. Are you using your gifts? What are you spending your time doing? Are you spending your time blessing others? Look at your checkbook. Are you spending money on yourself? Or are you giving it away to help someone? Everyone has something that God has gifted them with; we weren't meant to keep it to ourselves. The best thing about giving of yourself is that God will fill you up with even more to give. Not much on this earth compares to blessing others and pleasing God!

My challenge to you this week is to think about your gifts. Are you neglecting any of them? Look around you. There are tons of opportunities to use your special qualities and talents. God wants the best of you so give it to him. What are you waiting for? If after taking a hard look you realize you are using your gifts then spend some time thanking God for all that he's given you. He's given us so much. There is a catch. He expects us to give much.

Use your gifts. Go bless someone.

Sue

Big red shiny buttons

I have big, red, shiny buttons. If you take a hard look at yourself, you have them, too. What are mine? What are some of the things that set my blood pressure on high? Here are a few:

1-everything about abortion

2-people who sniff their noses

3-political things

4-people who make fun of my favorite sports team

5-nosy people

6-fake people

7-liars

8-cheaters

9-willful children

Okay, seriously...ALL of these things make me nutso. This gives you an idea of what I mean by big, red, shiny buttons. I could give you multiple examples of times in my life where I reacted poorly to people because of these events, annoyances, or sins. Should we stand up for what God teaches us is good and right? Yes, we should! We should do so in love and with MUCH kindness. But more often than not people just aggravate us. Sometimes they like aggravating us. If your buttons are as big and shiny as mine, people tend to gravitate towards them! Here are some verses I've poured over to set my heart right towards people who just like to bother me:

Proverbs 10:19

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 14:29

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 17:27-28

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Today I had someone push my big, red, shiny button and laugh out loud while he did so. What did I do? I had to leave the room so I could keep silent. God will give you the strength to keep your mouth shut. Sometimes that is all you can do. Today, I was one day better at being silent. And because of that there was peace. Was it easy? Actually, yes. I knew it was the right thing to do and it pleased God that I had nothing to say.

My challenge to you for this week:

Be one day better at keeping your mouth shut.

Fights avoided. Arguing ceased. Peace and quiet. Emotions diffused. Now that is my idea of a blessing.

One Day Better

One Day Better

I am a coach. I have coached softball, volleyball, basketball, and running. But I love running. Nothing makes me happier than challenging my runners to do their best and then watching them improve. I spend quite a bit of time and energy encouraging them to think about what kind of people they are not just what kind of athletes they are. There is a big sign in our high school's weight room that reads: Excellence is a choice you make every day. Boy that is so true! Today, are you choosing excellence? Is your walk with Christ real and vibrant? Is it excellent? In your personal life, are you making good choices? In your work life, are you giving your best? Are you a good example to others? Are you giving 100%? Or are you saving something? Today, when you step foot out of your bed, represent yourself well. But more importantly, represent your SAVIOR well. What do you want Jesus to think of you? Do you want him to be proud of you? Or are you fine with settling for mediocrity? My prayer for you is that you choose to be one day better. God knows us, every single thing about us: the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knows we can't do everything he commands or expects, at first. Little by little he transforms us, it's a process. God's ways are hard! He expects a lot. So here's your challenge for today:

BE ONE DAY BETTER

--one day better at loving others

--one day better as a friend

--one day better as worker

--one day better in your attitude

--one day better in using your gifts

--one day better as a witness to Christ's love and power

--one day better at obeying

--one day better at trusting God

--one day better at believing God's Word

--one day better at loving your Lord

BE ONE DAY BETTER.

You can’t be better at everything all at once. But you CAN choose excellence. You can choose to be one day better. Can’t we all get better today? Just one day better.

Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Peter 1:16 (NIV)

Be holy because I am holy.