beauty from ashes

getting there with a yes and a no (by randi)

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  --Galatians 5: 22-23

...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion... --Phillipians 1:6

When I read over the list of the Fruits of the Spirit, it almost seems as if self-control is out of place.  The other attributes on the list are so, well, spiritual, while self-control seems so contained and forced.  At least it seems like that to me.

But, if you think about it, self-control is what makes it possible to actually get to some of the other things on the Fruit of the Spirit list.  It's the attribute that allows me to step back, take a look at where I want to go, take a deep breath, and walk onto a new path.

"In order to practice self-control, we must have a goal.  We must have something we are saying "yes" to, which necessarily comes with things that we must say "no" to."  --Danny Silk

What am I saying "yes" and "no" to?

The longer I live, the more I realize that change requires a plan, and, for me, it requires a fairly detailed plan.

If I am going to pay off debt, HOW am I doing to make that happen?

If I want to have better relationships with my kids, WHAT does that look like?

Ultimately it comes down to "where am I headed and how do I get there"?

One of my goals for this year is to have a more successful business. I have a long list of things I want to do, but every one of them comes down to just one thing: SELF-CONTROL---I need to quit procrastinating and setting things aside because something fun or interesting is happening.  It is a good thing to be a WAHM, but without a boss hovering over me and making sure I put in my 8 hours, that leaves ME to manage ME.

And Yikes!  I have found that I am hard to manage!

"Self-Control removes the option of blaming others for our choices."  --Danny Silk

Self-control helps me to keep the shoe on the correct foot---MY OWN!  My desire to have a successful business is my gig, my responsibility, and eventually, my victory!

And the self-control that I walk in is what is going to direct me right where I want to be.  It's only through this Fruit of God's Spirit that I can truly make the changes that will bring about my success.

TODAY'S TOPIC:  WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "YESES" and "NOS" FOR THIS YEAR?  What do you need to yield to God in order to change the direction you are going?

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daring to hope (by erin)

Happy New Year! It's still cool to say that right? I mean we're only one week in.!  Did you make any resolutions for the New Year? I didn't. I've broken every single one I've ever made, and often the very next day!

I chose instead, for 2014, to write out 14 things I'm Daring to Hope. I'm sure I could come up with 2014 things I'd like to see be changed, but I felt 14 was a more realistic number. :)

Hope, as a noun, is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. As a verb, hope is looking forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.  Daring means adventurous courage, boldness, fearless! FEARLESS! I like that, because I think that I've always kind of identified with the Cowardly Lion. To have courage and be fearless sounds just amazing.

My two words for this year, from God, are 'engage' and 'consistency'.   I need to consistently engage in what is right in front of me, fearlessly believing that what I want can be had. Step by step, moment by moment, choice by choice I can participate in shaping my destiny.

Oh, and my list of 14 things you ask?  It contains most of the usual suspects on Resolutions, but with a twist, this year I'm not going to try to do it on my own, and fail. This year I'm going to do it with my best friend, God.  I have a sense of reasonable confidence (hope) that I'll be more successful this year.

new words for a new year (by randi)

Last year, for the first time, I asked God to give me a "word" for my new year.  Something that identifies the direction He would be taking me.  I guess I am the type of person who likes to know "the plan".

For this year, on New Year's Eve, He gave me my two words for 2014.  They are:

PERCEIVE and COURAGE

Perceive comes from Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Perceive means to know by experience and to discover.

Courage comes from Joshua 1:9-11: Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go....take possession of the land God is giving you.

Courage means be strong and alert, to restore, to strengthen, to persist in, and to be obstinate.

This looks to be an "action" year for me.  While last year was more of a restful, healing year, 2014 is the year I get to "know by experience" what God has for me. I also get to walk in strength and alertness and restoration.  And my favorite: I get to be obstinate.  Unfortunately I already do that one pretty well, so I hope that God will show me how to be obstinate His way.  Insert "smiley face" here.

Over the last couple of weeks a few phrases keep being tossed my way: "Step into it", "Walk towards it" and "Rise up".

My God is taking me somewhere, but I don't know where.  There are 4 specific areas that I know He is leading me in, but only one has any "shape" at this point...only one has an outline that is defined.  Everything else is vague.

Did I mention that I like to know the plan?

My expectation for 2014 is that I will see some things take shape,  and that I will be challenged and put into situations that are outside of my norm.  But I feel an excitement and a readiness to step into it...walk towards it...and rise up because my God has something new and good for me.

I am praying for eyes to perceive it and the courage to take it for my own.

Today's topic:  WHAT DO YOU WANT GOD TO DEVELOP MORE OF IN YOUR LIFE IN 2014? Joy? Patience? Courage?

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Peace (by Erin)

Are you as shocked as I am that we are already halfway through 
Advent 2013? Where is the time going? The days and years seem
to be flying by at whiz bang speed. I find myself scrambling to keep
up. Do you?

As I surveyed the snow covered ground of our back property last
night and listened to the coyotes howl a mere 2 fields away, and
a short time later heard the dying cry of whatever they had captured,
it struck me that I have been living in fear of living.

Residing at the base of the Rocky Mountains opens up a whole other
world of things to be in fear of. Bears, mountain lions, a good-sized
river (which sadly has claimed lives since we moved here), and even
our, relatively safe, little town is trapped in bondage to drugs, alcohol 
and complacency, which can be frightening as well. And, as I 
mentioned, it snows and it's cold which gets icy and well, you know,
fear of accidents and falling down. The list can be endless.

But...there's the rub. I live in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, close
to the Arkansas River and many beautiful parks and I have wonderful,
amazing friends and family and God's plan for my life being played
out, I attend a bible preaching, Jesus believing, Holy Spirit leading
fantastic church with a very eclectic, and lovely group of fellow
sojourners, and yet I fear.  

Peace is the balm of Gilead needed for my soul. My mind will and
emotions at peace. Jesus said, In John 14, Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives that I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.  

I think that must be why Paul exhorts us to shod our feet with
the preparation of the gospel (the glad tidings) of peace. (That
passes understanding!) I (we) don't have to live in fear if we
are living with the Prince of Peace who is living in us. He is
with us, wherever we walk, Emmanuel - God with us. Now,
that truth, right there, that's peace.  And that peace feels a
whole lot better than the fear.

I wish you a very Merry, peace filled, Christmas..

What's in His name? (by randi)

God's name is significant.

Actually, I should say God's names.  Plural.  He has a bunch of them, and they all tell us a little bit more about who He is.

Our help is in the NAME OF THE LORD.  Psalm 124:8

The  NAME OF THE LORD is a strong tower.  The righteous run to it and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10

God's names reveal to us His character, His nature and His attributes.

Let's take a look at one: JEHOVAH NISSI

This is God's name is Exodus 17:15 when Moses recognized God as Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites.

JEHOVAH means LORD and NISSI means BANNER.

Jehovan Nissi is "The Lord is My Banner".

I love the picture of what a banner is:  In battle, opposing nations would fly their own flag pole at each of their respective front lines.  This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. 

What does this mean for us?

It means that in everyday life, I can feel like I am in a battle.  And I get tired.  And I feel lost.  And I forget why I am doing all of this anyway.

When life is not looking all that promising, I can look to my Jehovah Nissi: The Lord who is my banner!  He is my hope and my encouragement, and also my purpose.  He is the leader of the team I am fighting for.  Looking to His allows me to get my eyes and my mind off of my circumstances and get them onto Him.  God as my focal point allows me to step out of the difficulties of the day, and step into His rest.

He is, after all, the TRUTH in my situation.

Lord, Your name is  my strong tower!

my constant companion (by randi)

My God is my constant companion.

All day, everyday, He is beside me, walking me through the challenges and joys of life.

Even when I don't "feel" his presence, He is with me.

In the past I held a belief that if God was with me, problems would be moved out of my way.  And do you know what?  Sometimes they were.

But more often than not, the problem loomed before me and I was given a choice:  Go around the problem and avoid it, or tackle the problem, move through it and leave it behind.  This choice was always offered with God's help.  Always with Him by my side.

I think we all know that life can be rough.  It's not what we expect.  And often, it's not what we want.

But we are never alone.  God is always right at our side, ready to help and to lead.  His ways are sure and true.  His heart is always faithful.  His love is never-changing.  Even when we don't "feel" Him, He is there.

And all of those problems?  He wants to walk through them with me.

My God is my constant companion.

living it out from a place of victory

We spend a lot of mental energy wondering.

Wondering if our lives are worthwhile.  Wondering if our efforts really matter.  Wondering if it all means anything.  Wondering if we are good enough to even be in the game.

DOES ANYTHING I DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

All of this wondering and questioning stems from the fact that we think we are fighting FOR victory and we are unsure of whether or not we can acheive it.  When in reality, in God's kingdom, we are operating FROM victory.  

It's already done.  It's already ours.

How does this information change anything?

It changes our mindset.  And mindset is everything!

Operating from a place of secured victory allows me to step over fear and insecurity. If God has already won the battle, what am I scared of?  

It also allows me to cast aside excuses. Minimizing my place in God's kingdom leads to a non-use of my gifts and abilities.  

When I get rid of all the excuses, I get in the game.

It strengthens me to know I am on the winning team.  I don't need to spend any time wondering if my efforts are good enough, or acheiving anything, because it's all done.

The victory is ours.  And because I stand beside Him, it's mine.

What a great thought to start out with on this day!

grabbing hold of healing (by randi)

Lately I have been longing for healing in a couple of areas in my life.  Nothing physical, but rather areas of insecurity that I am sick of dealing with.

Over the last few years God has brought about many changes in my life.  Healing and restoration have been abundant, and I can truly say that life is good.  In all of this, HE has been gentle and kind, and progress has been abundant, but slow.

Today I feel called into a different type of healing.  It is the kind of healing that I have to reach out and grab, just like the lady in Matthew 9:

"Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him.  She touched the fringe of His robe, for she thought, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed."

She knew there was healing to be had, and she took it.

This kind of healing isn't the easiest. It depends on yielding to my own weakness, knowing that God's Strength will step in.  It depends on my stepping out and taking what is mine. It depends on me grabbing hold of what God has already given me.

It depends on me being bold.

And guess what?  Most people don't describe me as bold.

But apparently my God does.  And that is my truth.

Today I am stepping out.  And I am going to grab  hold of my healing!

autumnal equinox (by erin)

There is a change in the air.  The leaves are turning and I need a wrap of some sort in the evening when I sit on the porch, pondering life.

The wedding of the Man who was my boy and his girl was really sweet and beautiful. We are settling in to life. Our baby girl said her first word today so clearly, and it was the name of her Godfather, Micah. It was an amazing moment for me. So rich with joy.

Each fall I say the words, "I feel God is calling me to a quiet life". Then every year an event has occurred that has stretched me to the limits. When I say those words now, one of my local besties responds, "You say that every year". Then we proceed to walk out either the big stuff that whacks me or whacks one of the other besties. Each year it feels like I haven't had a "quiet life".

One of my California bestie's visits approximately once a year. Each year I tell her that I feel God is calling me to a quiet life.  She responds, "You say that every year, and every year I see you finding a quieter and quieter life".  Because she isn't in the trenches with me day in and out, she sees the progress that I am blinded to. She has the benefit of an outside perspective.

The quiet life that God is calling me to isn't one that is void of activity. On the contrary. It's one that is balanced and focused into the specific areas I am supposed to minister in. The quietness is internal. It's being in tune with my Father, in all things. Settled in my Spirit, my mind at peace.

I like the change in the air. It's always a little disquieting knowing that change is coming. But, the bonus is that I can wear sweaters and be cozy as I settle in to the next season.  And drink tea. Lots of tea.

he is doing a new thing (by randi)

So, our school year is starting quite soon, and this time I am down to one. Aubry is in 6th grade and she is my only student.

Sounds easy enough, right?

Well, not so much.

I have been very hesitant about preparing for homeschooling this year, and I finally figured out why:

1. It's just me this year.  And single-mom homeschooling isn't typical.

2. I have no "vision".  Why am I doing this?

3. It's one more "first" to tackle.

I have lots of homeschooling friends.  And they are all married.  And, until recently, I was too.  Now I feel like kind of an oddball in a very family-oriented setting.

Now, don't even get me wrong. I know that my kids and I constitute a family.  A very strong one, in fact.  But this still feels odd.  Like I am not quite sure how I fit here.

And the vision thing.

...without vision the people perish.  *Proverbs 29:18

Why am I homeschooling?

Because I always have?

No, that's not cutting it anymore.

On Monday some friends and I got together to encourage each other in our homeschooling efforts.  And I had a major breakthrough.

After sharing my dilemma, a friend encouraged me to allow God to do a "new thing".  To quit digging through the ashes of the past, and allow Him to create something brand new in my family.  She also suggested that I name my homeschool.

I have great friends, eh?

The next morning I came across this verse:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  *Isaiah 43:19

And I knew right away what my vision is and what my homeschool is called:

PERCEIVING SPRINGS HOMESCHOOL

God wants me to create a home where we perceive (are very aware of) the things God is doing in our lives.  A place where what He is springing up, is completely obvious.  Not hidden.

And, in fact, I am shortening the name.  

PERCEIVING SPRINGS HOME

That's who we are.