It’s the Little Things

A moment ago I read the blog entry of a father who recently lost his almost 2 year old daughter due to heart problems. In his blog, he shared the following:

“Today I was cleaning out the diaper pail to use when Julie, Garrett, Emma and Ethan come on Sat. I had set it outside and forgot that there were a few diapers in there. So needless to say it was very smelly and full of rain water. As I was dumping out the water I realized that those were the last 3 diapers I changed at home. That sure made me sad and long more for Lindsay. You forget what it’s like to change diapers everyday but I sure miss doing it everyday.”1

I instantly related to his words. There have been a few opportunites in my life to experience seasons of suffering. During each period, waiting, watching, praying and hoping were the constant norm.

Like Jonathan, hours, days and weeks were spent watching a loved one being cared for by others and what was most longed for was to just scoop that loved one up and go home to normal everyday life, life without needles and tubes and the constant hum of machines.

I remember well the feeling of satisfaction that came from returning to the simple and the mundane chores of life. I thoroughly relished the little things that I felt blessed and privileged to be doing for my family, and most especially for the one who had been so gravely ill. It was, oh, so much better than sitting idly beside a hospital bed feeling insecure, useless and helpless.

There are so many, many things that we can, and do, so casually complain about in the course of a day, when in fact we do have so much for which to be thankful. Father God is “up close and personal” in the details, all the little things in our life…at least He wants to be. Let’s thank Him today for all of it! The never-ending laundry, the dishes, the runny noses, the lunches that have to be made, etc…

In fact, why don’t we slow down a bit and simply enjoy those little things, those simple little pleasures in our lives that too often we miss when they are gone. Give your love, your time, your attention and, of course, your hugs to the ones you say you love. Why? Why not? God is there for us all the time. He listens to us and He gives us what we need when we need it in ways too numerous to count. Read Psalm 139.

Stephanie Paul is Director of Women’s Addiction Recovery Ministries
1 Lindsay blog posted by Jonathan Groen July 3rd at 2:29pm

Deeper Still

I love to encourage others to dig deep into the Word of God. The Word is so rich and full. I am always blessed by the nuggets of gold I find in the depths of the scriptures. “Dig deeper” has become a motto of mine. I thought I made that up but I found my motto in Luke 6:47-48. “Whoever comes to me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” (NKJV)

Digging deep is more than just studying the Word. You and I need to come to Jesus to be taught, we need to hear what He says and we need to obey. Digging deep into studying the Word may expand our knowledge but digging deeper includes putting hands and feet to what we learn. Digging deeper includes a transformation of heart, life and ways because we studied and heard the Word and have come to know and love the Author. We don’t want to be strong in the area of study but then weak in obedience. We don’t want to be obedient outwardly while our hearts are unchanged. As you and I dig deeper into the scriptures don’t forget to go deeper still in obedient living and in giving Jesus our all. When the storms come we want to find ourselves dug deep into the One who is the rock of our refuge. Come to Jesus, hear, obey and dig deeper still.

Kathy Withers works at the Keswick Book and Gift Shop. She is married to her husband, Dave, and has two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church. Her passion is the Word of God and encouraging women to dig deeper into the truths of the Bible.

The Escape Hatch…

If you’re a VC “groupie” you know a little bit about each of us. Part of my past includes a divorce and one, now teenage, son. It’s been eight years. Actually it’s been one day less than I’ve been saved. But that’s another Victory Call. Between then and now there’s been …well…life.

Yes, life, with its ups and downs. Along the way I’ve had the blessing of coming alongside a number of women who “happen” to be struggling in their marriages. Most of them are really seeking help. But it’s not always in the area I thought it might be. For instance, they could ask; “What should they do to avoid a potential divorce?” “What, in hindsight, would I have done differently to help my marriage?” “Was it difficult going through the process of a divorce?”

Most of the time those are not the questions. First, what they see visually is someone who seems to be, at least on the outside, doing well after divorce. They ask how my child is doing and how his father and I work out visitation, holidays etc… They ask where I live and how I like my work. But mostly what they see is someone who seems to be quite happy. Perhaps even “happily divorced,” as opposed to “unhappily married.” They see potential. “She can do this, maybe so can I. She’s alright and my kids and I can be alright too.” They believe they see hope. What I often find they’re seeking is “the escape hatch.” A way out.

What some have seen in me is actually the grace, strength, forgiveness and mercy of God even though there has been a divorce. I don’t know your specific circumstances; I can only share what I have experienced. I make no assumptions that others have had the same experience, but perhaps some can relate. The great news is, whatever your situation, no matter how desperate, the power of Jesus Christ Himself is available to you. My dear sister, I have no magic wand to make things better, for that type of thing is pure fantasy. What I do have is a real, living, all powerful God who has amazed me with His provision, faithfulness, counsel and most of all His love, even on this very day!

Regardless of the actions of another, you must stand firm in Christ, so grounded in Him that whether your spouse stands or falls, you may stand! Set your face like a flint knowing that though your strength may fail you, it is a supernatural power you are leaning on not your own. This is a place to start.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Dina Seaton serves on staff in marketing and also as a staff writer and speaker. She is the mother of one son, John, who is 13 years old. Dina is currently working on completing her first book, “Do It Again LORD…Do It Again!” A collection of interviews that will excite your faith… email the author at dseaton@americaskeswick.org

Responsibility or Opportunity?

We recently traveled across the Amish country, Gettysburg, and Washington, D.C. We paused to see the Viet Nam Wall Memorial, the FDR memorial, the Capitol and the buildings that house the Supreme Court. My mind is on history and civil responsibility. On the news we constantly hear of court decisions that do not seem proper and judgments that appear to us to be unfair.

Psalm 82 (TLB) states: “God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the judges: ‘How long will you judges hand down unjust decisions? How long will you shower special favors on the wicked? Give fair judgment to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.'” Those verses certainly seem to hit our judicial system of today, don’t they?

But then the focus of the Psalmist seems to change. Verse 4 states: “Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.” In Jeremiah 22:3, God, speaking to His people, says: “Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows.” These commands are things WE can do. We have opportunity to rescue the poor and helpless and be fair-minded and just everyday, right here in our land. And we as Christians have the opportunity to support our service men and women who are doing these things in foreign countries.

Have you asked God to give you opportunities to rescue the poor and helpless and to be fair-minded and just? Have you prayed for our servicemen and our leaders today?With the elections coming up this fall, I have become even more aware of my responsibility to be faithful in praying for the candidates and the outcomes of the elections rather than just adopting a fatalistic attitude. I have signed up to receive daily mailings from the Presidential Prayer Team that will remind me to pray and even give me a prescribed prayer for each day.

Whether you do as I have done or not, it is our responsibility to storm heaven and pray for our land. “I urge that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for kings and all those in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Marilyn Heavilin is author, speaker, and counselor-in-residence from March to October at America’s KESWICK

Questions and Concerns about the economy? Check out this weeks “STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT FROM GEORGE” — http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

Pray believing

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5

When Peter faced this imprisonment, his brothers and sisters in Christ came together in fervent prayer.

When Peter realized he had been freed by an angel of the Lord he headed straight to the house where they were gathered for a prayer vigil on his behalf.

“And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’ So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.” Acts 12:11-12

A girl Rhoda answered the door but upon hearing Peter’s voice was so overjoyed she ran to tell the others. In her child-like faith, it appears she believed their prayers were answered but in her youthful exuberance forgot to open the door.

“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.” Acts 12:13-14

The same could NOT be said of her adult companions. They were there gathered to pray for Peter, but when Peter presented himself at the gate, what was their response? Unbelief. Perhaps God did not answer their prayers as they anticipated. Regardless, they chided the girl.

“But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”” Acts 12:15

How often do we pray and then completely miss God’s answer because it doesn’t come in the form we anticipated or desired? Would that not be a response of unbelief? When we pray, let us pray in faith, believing, looking intently for the answer in whatever form God chooses to send it.

Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

No Hopeless Cases

“Despairingly the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means failed, but the miserable child was soon delivered from the evil one when the parent in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus’ word,”Bring him to me.”

Children are a precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes along with them. They may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents; they may be filled with the Spirit of God or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one prescription for the cure of all their ills: “Bring them to me.” We need to engage in agonizing prayer on their behalf while they are still babies! Sin is there; so let our prayers begin to attack it. Our cries for our offspring should precede those cries that herald their arrival into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we will see sad evidences of that dumb and deaf spirit that will neither pray properly, nor hear the voice of God in the soul, but Jesus still commands, “Bring him to me.” When they are grown up, they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the Great Physician’s words, “Bring him to me.” We must never cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.

The Lord sometimes allows His people to be driven into a corner that they may learn how necessary He is to them. Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerlessness against the depravity of their hearts, drive us to the strong for strength, and this is great blessing to us. Whatever our morning’s need may be, may it like a strong current carry us to the ocean of divine love. Jesus can soon remove our sorrow; He delights to comfort us. Let us hurry to Him while He waits to meet us.” Morning By Morning by Charles Spurgeon

Your case today may not be a prodigal child. What is it? Your job? Your finances? Your spouse? Fill in the blank but remember- NO case is hopeless while Jesus lives! Amen!

Kathy Withers has served at the Keswick Book and Gift Shop. She is married to her husband, Dave, and has two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church. Her passion is the Word of God and encouraging women to dig deeper into the truths of the Bible.

One of the benefits of reading through the Bible each year is that I have exposed myself to the truth. I wish I could say I have memorized much scripture, but that is not true. I am terrible at memorization. However, I have become familiar enough with the truth that I know when what I am hearing is not scriptural truth.

I am told the way bank tellers are taught to recognize counterfeit money is by becoming very familiar with the real thing. We need to do the same. We need to become so familiar with God’s Word that our spiritual antennae goes up when we are confronted with the counterfeit.

In Job 34:3, we read “For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.” When we are offered strange food, we touch the food to our tongue and check it out before we take a whole mouthful and swallow it. We should do the same with words; our ear needs to check out the words. Are they true? How do they measure up with God’s word, the truth we already know? If they check out, we can allow the words to enter our minds as truth.

This week, let’s monitor the words and thoughts we allow our ears to accept.

Marilyn Heavilin is an author, speaker, and friend of America’s KESWICK

One of the benefits of reading through the Bible each year is that I have exposed myself to the truth. I wish I could say I have memorized much scripture, but that is not true. I am terrible at memorization. However, I have become familiar enough with the truth that I know when what I am hearing is not scriptural truth.

I am told the way bank tellers are taught to recognize counterfeit money is by becoming very familiar with the real thing. We need to do the same. We need to become so familiar with God’s Word that our spiritual antennae goes up when we are confronted with the counterfeit.

In Job 34:3, we read “For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.” When we are offered strange food, we touch the food to our tongue and check it out before we take a whole mouthful and swallow it. We should do the same with words; our ear needs to check out the words. Are they true? How do they measure up with God’s word, the truth we already know? If they check out, we can allow the words to enter our minds as truth.

This week, let’s monitor the words and thoughts we allow our ears to accept.

Marilyn Heavilin is an author, speaker, counselor and friend of America’s KESWICK

Older and Wiser

What have you learned now that you are older and wiser that you were clueless about as a young adult? Remember being young and having the audacity to think you had it all together and you were doing everything right…blah, blah, blah…

I remember only too well how prideful I was and how self-righteously I behaved. I cringe as I recall all the ways I thought I had it together, especially at the expense of a brother or sister in Christ and/or my own family. I honestly did not know then that I was being that way. I thought I was behaving like a good Christian was supposed to. After all, I had Jesus, the answer to all of life’s problems and adverse situations.

It’s only as I have grown up and matured that I have come to realize that I know “nuthin’ ’bout nuthin’.” Oh my goodness!!! The stuff I would do and say different is plentiful to say the least.

One of the most liberating things that I know now, that I didn’t know then, is that sanctification is a process, NOT AN EVENT!

Another thing is we are all just simple people. Just people and we’re all in this together. None of us – especially me – has arrived at such a place of perfection or “having it all together” that it is ever appropriate to be critical and judgmental of another, to disparage another.

Praise God for the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that can, and will, often come with age…if we are seeking Him, His will, His guidance and His direction for our lives.

Let’s purpose today to be guided by the mind and heart of God and determine to lay aside “stinkin’ thinkin'” and the foolish deeds of our flesh AND let’s begin at the foot of the Cross.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. ~~2 Corinthians 3:17-181

Stephanie Paul is Director of Women’s Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

1 http://www.biblegateway.com

..They are but men

Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Psalm 9:19-20 (NIV)

As we approach the elections, which I would guess we all want to be done with already, this verse offers the reminder to pray for the humility of our leaders.

When leaders of nations think too highly of themselves, they will surely push God out of their picture. He’s not really gone, they just function as if He is. Woe to such a nation.

King Nebuchadnezzar is a good illustration:
Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:4-6

Fast forward to Chapter 4 when Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream: “this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” Daniel 4:24-25
..Till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men….
“That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:33-34

And I lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I bless the Most High….

Pray for our leaders. Pray that those in authority in our country and others will know there is a God in heaven Who rules and reigns on the earth and that they are but men.

Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Crown Financial Instructor and Keswick Board member, George Hutchison, has started a new weekly blog, STEWARDSSHIP INSIGHTS. Check it out today: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/