21st Century Community

When I moved to Charlotte, it was probably the most lonely time of my life. I was pregnant with my third child, in a new city with no church and no close friends. When Madi was born, I quickly realized just how badly I missed my small group back in Davenport, Iowa. There were no hospital visits from friends, no meals from my group and no play dates for Zach and Mariah from friends who wanted to help.

With email and internet, community has taken on a new meaning. Some of the ministries I listen to on the radio talk about their "online community" and bloggers everywhere have friends all around the world. Technology has done some amazing things for us when it comes to friendships.

But what happens when you need a friend to hold you? To come and lay hands on you and pray for you? To bring you a meal for dinner because you are sick? It is at times like these that we need the kind of community that comes from neighbors and those who live nearby.

Last week, a dear friend called me on Tuesday and said, "Lynn, can you come over?". She didn't need to say any more. I was there within 20 minutes. Later on that day, supper was there for her too.

Proverbs 27:10 encourages us, "Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." NKJV

Far away friends are great; I am so thankful for each and every one that I have. But in the middle of our fast paced, email raced society, let's not neglect our relationships that are right outside our front door. A friend when in need is a friend indeed!

Thanks is Good

I absolutely love a journal. White, crisp, blank pages waiting to be filled! The prettier the better!

This morning, I started a new one. I found it in my cabinet. Blue with a child painting a sign that says "Anything is possible...". The sole purpose of this journal is to celebrate the hand of God in my life past, present and future. I began with writing everything good thing that has taken place in my life since one year ago. After that, I read them out loud! Wow; He is faithful!

While you are out running errands this weekend, pick yourself up a pretty new journal and begin your "thanksgiving" book. I read of a teen this week that started this. She now has over 500 entries of seeing God's goodness in her life. How great is our God!

Telling Me Twice

On Thursdays, we have been discussing the book "He Speaks to Me" by Priscilla Shirer. We're ready for chapter 2.

Today's reading is on having a humble approach before the Lord. When I was growing up, my mom always told me if I heard something more than once I had better listen up. Well, this chapter is a lot like my post from Tuesday.

Priscilla asks the question: "Who are the people that I have a strained relationship with?" (I'll give you a second to think about it).
"How does pride play a part in this? (That's the zigger!)

It is not quite so hard to have relationships with others when we choose to be a q-tip - Quit Taking It Personally. Have you ever had a one sided fight? A fight when the other person chooses not to bite back? It's pretty hard!

How about our relationship with the Lord? Are some days with Him strained? Have we not liked the way He has treated us or the trials He has allowed to pass our way? He asks us to humble ourselves and come to Him. In fact, He says the humble ones are the ones He can be the closest to: Isaiah 66:2 "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

Girls, this is something we can all do - humbles ourselves before Him. We know that is something He smiles on!

Healer or Hurter

Sunday night I went to a meeting for new students in our church's youth group. The leader made this statement "Hurt people hurt people, healthy people heal people". Wow. It has been two days and I keep thinking on that nugget of truth.

So many times when I have been hurt by someone, I have made it all about me. What did I do? Why did they do that to me? I didn't deserve that. This statement turns all of that around. Instead it becomes: What is going on in them? Why did they feel the need to do that? Why are they hurting?

I think that this is not only powerful to live out in our own lives, but just think of the power that we will give our kids as we teach them this principle.

Madi came home from softball on Saturday offended. She was feeling excluded. So we began to ask questions. "Why did the other girl say what she did?" "Is it possible that she was feeling excluded so this was the way she chose to deal with it?" We tried to get Madi to look outward instead of inward.

Last week, my friend Zoe said it was her goal in life to become a Q-tip. Quit Taking It Personal. More great advice.

This week you will have opportunities. Opportunities to look at someone who is hurting and decide to be part of their healing process or decide to become another person on their list of people they have offended. Take His road. Embrace that person and become a healer!

"He Speaks to Me"

Today we are going to discuss the first chapter of the book "He Speaks to Me" by Priscilla Shirer.

I am really excited about this new book. The first chapter is a great opener. Priscilla takes all of the mystery concerning "who" God speaks to by referring to His interation with Samuel. If He will choose to speak to a child (who was probably around 12 years old), He will choose to speak to any vessel that is open.

I'll be back later on today to see what you think and we'll talk some more!

Have a beautiful day!

Yesterday, Greg recommended that I start my day out with Proverbs 16 (it was the 16th of September, my brother Tom's birthday!). Every verse of this chapter is powerful!

The one that really stood out and kept coming back to me all day long was verse 3. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." When I first read this, I have to admit my very first, flesh-inspired thought was "No they don't". Wow! When I actually recognized that I was thinking something so totally different from what the Bible says, I was surprised. I guess I shouldn't be. That's why I need a savior.

Since I did have this thought, I decided maybe I didn't really know what it meant to commit my way to the Lord. I have done many things and still have many dreams in life and so far, I can't say that everything I have done has succeeded. My book has been declined by publishers 4X's (I would only have 20 more times to catch up to Dr. Seuss and 36 more times to catch up to Mary Higgins Clark). More times than I would like to think about I have sent churches materials about speaking at their event only to have them not call or worse yet, not return my call. Doesn't seem like success to me. Obviously, that must not be what He is talking about.

Webster's says to commit means to 1. give in trust or charge 2. to entrust for safekeeping.

Have I done that? Have I taken the desires of my heart, given them in trust to the Lord and then looked in my life for what He would consider success? Sometimes yes; Sometimes no.

There is so much to entrust to Him:
* My Husband
* My kids (this one can be the most scary in this world)
* Finances
* Future
* My book
* Ministry

I could go on for a very long time. For today, I choose to entrust to Him the safekeeping of all of these things, knowing that He is faithful to His Word. He probably defines that success differently than I do. Verse 4 says "The Lord works out everything for his own ends..." The end He is most concerned about is that He is glorified, that all men are brought to Himself and I am more like Him in the end.

Raining...again!

Time #3...I've tried to go running. I look out. It's raining. I head back to my computer. When I look up, it is clear so I gear up again, just in time for it to start again. So, after the third attempt, I guess it is time to resolve to using the treadmill. It's not such a bad back up plan. I am going to read my new devotional book and talk with Jesus; He's great company.

Sometimes life feels like today. It's raining. Finances are tight. Kids get in trouble. Things you want to happen just don't seem to come together. Then it stops; only to start again.

I was reminded yesterday while reading the book "Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free", that most of us have bought into a lie. That is, that life is suppose to be good and smooth and when it is not, something is wrong. But that really isn't what Jesus said at all. In fact, in James 1, He tells us that if our lives are full of difficulties we are to be happy, for then our faith has a chance to grow.

So, when you see those rain clouds forming again, ask the Lord what is He up to. How can you partner with Him to become more like Him? That rain is going to be exactly what your life needs to bring that incredible garden. I can't wait to see what is going to grow next!

Too Old?

"I'm too old!" That has been my response and my excuse when it has come to pushing myself as it pertains to exercising. My knees hurt. My heart aches. My lungs don't like it. You name it. I've said it all.
Then, in July, my friends Melissa and Renee encouraged me to run the Kiawah 1/2 marathon in December, which they had registered for. That is 13 miles! As a joke, I told Greg who said, "Yeah, let's do it." So began the "thing" I am now committed to.

I have discovered something about myself that I am none too proud of. Without some pushing and prodding, I am not highly motivated. When I run, if I am running alone, I stop to walk up the hills. When I am running with a friend or Greg, I keep going. In fact, Friday night, we ran 8 miles without stopping (which I haven't done since I was 16!)

My running habits look a lot like my faith habits. Ecclesiates 4:9 - 12 says it all "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall (or want to quit like me!), one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone with he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (NKJV)

I need friends. I need ones who will come along side of me and encourage me to pursue Jesus. I need ones who will be honest with me and push me to grow.
Maybe you are like me too? I want to encourage you to find a group of gals, or maybe just one to be that for you. Maybe a women's Bible study at your church would be exactly what you need. Again, you can join us as we study He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. Find some faithful "running partners". Because like me, many of us tend to stop when we run alone.

Join the Study

Ready for the weekend? I am!

I am getting ready to start a new study with my friends at Proverbs 31. It is called He Speaks To Me by Priscilla Shirer. Would you like to join us? Starting September 18th, every Thursday, I will have a discussion from a chapter on the book and would love to have you come along.

Getting a book is easy. Just click on Shop 31 and order it.

I look forward to going through this with you!

Ready to Listen

I had been given a project. Not too difficult, but for someone like me who has been out of the work force for awhile, it was still a challenge. The gals at Proverbs 31 Ministries had asked me to gather some materials for the website. I asked a couple of questions and plunged right in, happy to be useful.

About half way through, I had a thought "I wonder if this is what they had intended? Maybe I should ask." Not wanting to be a pain and get in the way, I trudged forward. About an hour later, the same prodding came, "You may be doing this wrong. Why don't you ask?" Again, letting pride get in the way, I kept going in the same direction.

When the time came to run to meet my kids at the bus stop, I informed Renee that I was done and showed her my work. Sure enough, it was wrong. That voice I was hearing was the Holy Spirit and I had ignored it.

I felt pretty dumb last Thursday. I had wasted my time, wasted their time and possibly left a lasting impression that I can't follow directions. I felt embarrassed and dejected (by no fault of anyone but my own!). Renee was very kind, but I still felt awful.

Maybe that is how those disciples felt that night out on the sea. Working, all night long in the dark, with no results. Jesus was gone and now the fishing stunk as well! As the sun began to come up, they still didn't see Him. Quietly, standing on the shoreline. I guess they weren't expecting Him, so they weren't looking.

Then He called. He asked them the question He already knew the answer to "Friends, haven't you any fish?" (John 21:5). So gentle, yet powerful. He followed that up with a command, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some."

I hope I learned something last week and from the disciples. As I head out to work today, I am going with a different attitude. Lord, what is your command? I don't want to do things my way; ignoring Your voice. What do you want me to do today? I am ready to listen!

Then He Came...

Fear, despondency, anger, loneliness, loss of direction, apathy. The emotions in that place must have been very high. It was dark. They all gathered behind locked doors, bound by fear.

Then He came. He came to where they were. He came past the locked doors. He came into the darkness. He came into the fear and He stood among them. And He brought them peace.

I have many today that I am praying for. Many who feel fear, despondency, anger, loneliness. And though I don't know what to give them, I can pray. Pray that Jesus will enter their space, come into their darkness and bring them peace today.

If that person is you, invite Him to come. He already knows that you are there.

Pain Blocker

Ever have one of those times with your kids that you'd like to forget? I did; this weekend! I hate to see my kids mess up and I hate it even more when they are in pain, but this was one of those times when my child needed to feel the full ramifications of the decision that was made instead of Mommy making it all go away.

It is so hard to not let my emotions get in the way at times like these. I want to take my child in my arms and say, "I know that you didn't mean to. I know that you want to do what is right. I know that peer pressure is powerful." But that was not what was needed. So I asked myself before I had the needed conversation with my child, "How does my Father discipline me when I step out of His boundaries? What does that look like?" The first conclusion I came to was that He doesn't let His emotions dictate His actions.

In John 11, Jesus is confronted with the knowledge that His beloved friend, Lazarus is dying. It even says in verse 35 that He was so torn up by this that He wept. Yet, He held His emotions in check. He said that the purpose of this sickness was for God's glory, so He needed to allow it.

How about me? Do I step back and allow the pain that my child is experiencing to be used by God to bring Himself glory in my child's life or do I try to block pain from coming into the lives my kids, when that very pain could be the very delivery method that the Father wants to use?

I once heard that if my child is going to know Jesus as the healer, they have to first need healing. If they are going to know Him as Father, they have to need a Father. If they are going to know the Holy Spirit as the comforter, they have to need to be comforted.

I have to admit, this is probably one of the hardest things I struggle with. Lord, PLEASE help me to get out of the way so that you can be the God to my kids that they need You to be.

Refusing to Gossip

Hey gals,
Today, I want to share with you a post that has been on my heart since I read it. Lysa Terkeurst's September 3rd post is an incredible challenge and brought tears to my eyes. Plus...she is having a free give away today. So head over and be bless!

Have an incredible weekend!

Joy-ful or Stress-ful?

Catching up with an old friend can be a special treat, but catching up with an old friend who has been transformed is amazing. I had the opportunity last week to take an hour walk with a gal I have known for over 10 years. When I last saw her, it was very obvious something was drastically different. Her eyes glowed. Her smile was captivating. She seemed to carry no stress at all. It was nothing short of miraculous. I couldn't wait to find out what had taken place that brought such a conversion.

While going round and round on a small gym track, my friend began to share with me just how this transformation came to be. One day she took a look at her life and asked herself a very powerful question, "If the Christian life is support to be "abundant" (John 10:10), where is my joy?" Then she did it. She went on a search to find out why she wasn't experiencing it. Through Grace Life International,she walked through forgiveness and finding out exactly how Jesus saw her. The Truth is absolutely transforming.

How about you? Do you consider yourself to be experiencing the abundant life Jesus talked about when He said, "I have come that they might have life and have it to the full?" If you have to honestly answer that question, "no", ask yourself if you want it. It might not come easy. There may be work that needs to be done in your heart: forgiving someone, healing of old hurts, changing damaging habits...but the rewards of walking IN Him are nothing short of amazing! If you would like to know more, comment below or email me. I'd love to share with you!

Just What I Needed

I have seen a pattern in my life that I want to change. I love to spend time with my kids. Hiking, swimming, rafting, campfires, shopping, crafting...you name it. There is nothing better than a vacation or a girl's night out. My problem is the day to day. Engaging them; connecting with them.

Yesterday, I had coffee with my friend Veronica. Veronica, like myself, has a 6th grade daughter. I posed this question to her, "In a world filled with IPods, TV, computers, and noise in general, how do you connect to your daughter when she gets home from school?"

"I set my timer. When I am working at my computer, I set a timer to tell me to go and touch base with my daughter. When it goes off, whatever I am doing, I stop. I find my daughter. I hug her. Hang out in her room for ten minutes or so. Whatever she is doing in her world, I get in it with her." That advice was exactly what I needed!

Now I know. I needed wisdom. The Lord gave it. Now I am responsible. In John 9:41 Jesus says, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." He is calling me to take what I have heard and do something with it.

I started yesterday. When the kids came through the door, I set out cookies and milk and sat down to chat. It was only for 10 minutes, but the words out of my child's mouth was, "I could get used to this!" It was just what we needed!

It's Time

The tooth had been hanging there for a day or two. Not in, but not out either, it tried to occupy the space that it once did, but it just didn't look right. Not only did it not look right, it was also causing her pain. We would ask, "Can we help you get that out?" "I don't really want you to; I'm afraid it will hurt." She listened to our advice on how to get it out. Later in the day, while eating an apple, my child discovered the tooth was no longer there. Where it had gone, she didn't know. But sure enough, it was gone. It was time.

John 9 describes a man who needed healing; he had been blind since birth. Jesus came to help him, but there was a part for him to play in his healing. He had to go and wash off the mud that Jesus had put on his eyes. He could have been stubborn. He could have said, "This is ridiculous. I am not going to do this." But he would have missed his miracle. It was time.

Just like my child and the man at the pool, I, too, need help. There are areas in my life where the Lord is saying, "It's time". I need to submit, let Him help me and obey any word He gives me to do. His word to me has been obedience - NOW. When I sense He is telling me to do something, sometimes I obey when I get around to it. Call someone who is hurting. Take a gift to a friend who needs to be remembered. Send a card or email of encouragement. The thing about this type of obedience, is that if I don't obey WHEN He tells me, I can miss being His hands and feet to someone who needs His touch when they need it. It's all about timing.

Is there an area in your life where the Father is saying, "It's time."? He always has our best at heart. Don't be afraid to obey. Like the man at the pool, your results may be nothing short of miraculous.