Caution! Children Watching!

On a trip to an amusement park with my grandson, Elijah, I was truly amazed at how closely he watched the other children. When waiting in line, Elijah would watch the child next to him and do exactly what he was doing. When another child would cross his hands or lean on the fence or even try to climb up on the barriers….there was Elijah doing his best to mirror the actions of the other child. I knew that kids watch other kids and try to mimic them but I never realized how strong the desire to “do” and to “be” like others is there even in very young children.

It really got me thinking about how important it is for me, as a grandmother, to be aware that little eyes are watching my every move. I never gave this a lot of thought as my sons were growing up. And I have to admit I wasn’t always the best example. Now that I’m a little older and a little wiser, but most importantly of all, I am a born again believer, I can see the importance of living my life imitating Christ in a whole new light. Just as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ,” in all my interactions with my grandchildren, Elijah or Joshua (and any future grandchildren), I want them to see Christ living through me because I am living my life imitating Jesus and being a godly example for them. Whew! That’s seems like a pretty tall order to fill until I remember that, of course, it is, if I’m trying to do it in my own abilities! I can be a godly example ONLY because Christ lives in me and through me. I just need to be yielded to His Spirit.

I can learn quite a bit from my grandson…I need to closely watch Jesus and imitate Him so that my grandchildren might see Jesus in me…and follow me as I follow Christ. That’s a pretty good legacy to leave behind.

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Mary Ann Kiernan is the Intake Manager at the Colony of Mercy

Reality of Rest
We have spent a week thinking through the redemptive power of rest. We considered three types of rest: Regeneration rest; Relational rest; and Restorative rest. Today let’s thinking of ways to make rest redemptive in your life in practical ways.
Here are some ideas:
1. What’s on your plate? God things, my things, other’s things, Satan’s things. God will never fill your plate beyond what He will empower you to do.
2. Declutter – get rid of stuff. I don’t think I need to say any more on that.
3. Disconnect – in a world of Iphones, Ipods, cell phones, instant messaging, internet, television, etc. our minds are in the process of constant stimulation. Not good.
4. Say “NO” – that’s right. Say “no.” As Christians, I think we fall into the trap of thinking that saying “no” is somehow ungodly, disobedient. Consider that saying “yes” may be disobedient if it was not something God had planned for you.
5. Live with a margin – schedule into your day extra time to get places, to complete tasks, etc. Procrastination adds stress!
6. Have a plan –
7. Be flexible. If it doesn’t happen this week, don’t beat yourself up. Remember, this is for your good.
8. In addition to putting off some activities, you may want to put on others such as reading Scripture for an extended period, listen to and meditate on praise music, go to a quite place and consider the attributes of God, nap, pray, read a good book…

Allow God to restore you in whatever way He deems appropriate.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

Redeem the time through practicing the Sabbath Principle. Why not step out in faith this week and practice the Sabbath principle?

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”– Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Will you consider joining us this year for one of our Anniversary Banquets? Tuesday, 9.09.08 Shady Maple Restaurant, East Earl, PA
Thursday, 9.11.08 DockWoods Community, Lansdale, PA
Monday, 9.15.08 Masso’s Crystal Manor, Glassboro, NJ
Tuesday, 9.16.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ
Wednesday,9.17.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ

Restorative Rest

As we consider restorative rest, a red flag goes up in my mind. Can we become legalistic about this? Absolutely! From my chair, I’d say if we CAN become law-keepers over something, we most likely WILL or at least be tempted to be. So take heed to my warning. I am not suggesting getting rest become one more thing on your to-do list. That seems counter-productive. What is the Sabbath principle?

Ex. 20: 8-11, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”The Sabbath principle is not intended to give us one more thing to do. It is for our benefit, restorative in nature.

What does a 21st century Sabbath Rest look like? What does it mean to keep it holy? One definition of the word “Holy” is “to sanctify.” Sanctify is to set apart to a sacred purpose or to a religious use.1

So to answer this question for you, ask what it would look like in YOUR life to have one day set apart that is different from the other six days of the week. You may wonder how you will get everything done if you have only six days to do what you used to do in seven. Based on this excerpt from Leviticus it appears the Israelites wondered the same thing…

Leviticus 25: 1-4, 20-22, “And the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard…” And if you say, ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?’ Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years. And you shall sow in the eighth year, and eat old produce until the ninth year; until its produce comes in, you shall eat of the old harvest.'”

God increased the productivity of the land to produce in six years what they would have produced in seven. God will increase your productivity to accomplish in six days what you used to do in seven.

I wrote a Victory call 8.23.07 about how the Lord challenged me and taught me to trust him to do this very thing. 2 It requires trust, faith and obedience. To enjoy the benefits of a Sabbath rest will require that you step out in faith. It is a step of faith… will you believe? Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK.

Will you consider joining us this year for one of our Anniversary Banquets? Tuesday, 9.09.08 Shady Maple Restaurant, East Earl, PA
Thursday, 9.11.08 DockWoods Community, Lansdale, PA
Monday, 9.15.08 Masso’s Crystal Manor, Glassboro, NJ
Tuesday, 9.16.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ
Wednesday,9.17.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ

Relational Rest

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

It is through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can rest in Him. As we grow in that relationship and know Him more fully, we can rest in Him because we know Him.

We can be assured that:He is sovereign1 Corinthians 15:27-28 “For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

I had written numerous other truths about God that usher in rest to our heart through our relationship with Him. He is good, trustworthy and faithful, and He is our peace. But the more I thought about it, I believe when we embrace the truth of God’s sovereignty we can take a deep breath and rest in Him. I would venture a guess that 85%, if not more, of the situations that come into the counseling office are in someway rooted in failure to understand or believe in the sovereignty of God. As we know the God of the Bible we will find abiding rest when we:

Believe Him Ephesians 1:19 “What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”

Obey Him Hebrews 3:17-19 “Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Trust Him 2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

Rest in Him 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Rest comes through an intimate, personal Knowledge of and relationship with the Person of Jesus Christ. Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Will you consider joining us this year for one of our Anniversary Banquets? Tuesday, 9.09.08 Shady Maple Restaurant, East Earl, PA
Thursday, 9.11.08 DockWoods Community, Lansdale, PA
Monday, 9.15.08 Masso’s Crystal Manor, Glassboro, NJ
Tuesday, 9.16.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ
Wednesday,9.17.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ

For more information go to our website www.americaskeswick.org, “Keswick Today.”To make reservations please call 1.800.453.7942, Reservations accepted on a “space available” basis. If you come, be sure to introduce yourself. I look forward to seeing you there.

Regeneration Rest

Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

This week we are considering how we can redeem the time through intentional rest. Today, we will look at regeneration rest. God’s plan of redemption entailed Jesus doing that which neither the law nor we could do.

Jesus labored on the cross in our place: Romans 8:3-4 “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Jesus finished the work He was sent to accomplish:John 17:4 “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

Not until we are regenerated (made alive in our spirit) will we know true rest:Titus 3:4-7 “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

When we embrace an accurate understanding of the sufficiency of the cross and the unmerited nature of grace, we will begin to experience the peace and rest of God:Romans 4:5-6 “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works.”

Until we know for sure our salvation hope, I don’t believe we can experience genuine rest in our spirit. If you are reading this today, and are uncertain what I mean by “God’s plan of redemption” or “regeneration” or “salvation hope,” let me encourage you to email me and ask how you, too, may know for sure that the work of Christ on the cross has been credited to your account. Apart from Jesus Christ you cannot know eternal life; you cannot, will not, go to heaven. Only Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross is necessary AND sufficient for salvation. He said there is no other way. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:16

For those of you that already have experienced the regeneration of your spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are one step closer to knowing true, abiding, redemptive rest. — Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Will you consider joining us this year for one of our Anniversary Banquets? Tuesday, 9.09.08 Shady Maple Restaurant, East Earl, PA
Thursday, 9.11.08 DockWoods Community, Lansdale, PAMonday, 9.15.08 Masso’s Crystal Manor, Glassboro, NJ
Tuesday, 9.16.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ
Wednesday,9.17.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ

For more information go to our website www.americaskeswick.org, “Keswick Today.”

Rest I

Are you tired, weary, and worn-out? Every where I turn, I’m hearing women say: “I’m just tired.” This week, we are going to consider the Sabbath principle which empowers us to redeem our time through the restorative power of rest. We must pursue rest intentionally and diligently.

Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”Circumspectly: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences, prudent (marked by wisdom and judiciousness).1Redeem: to buy back, to get or wind back, to free from what distresses or harms, to change for the better; to offset the bad effect of; to make worthwhile. Rest: a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities; freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit.

What interferes with rest?
1. An unregenerate spirit: if a person does not have peace WITH God they will not have the peace OF God.
2. An anxious spirit: a person burdened with worry, anxiety and fear. Coming to terms with our own mortality can calm an anxious spirit.
3. An unsubmissive spirit: When a person refuses to submit to God’s will in their life, they will be in constant battle with God and self, and rest will elude them.
4. A covetous spirit: When a person is discontent they will not find rest.
5. A proud spirit: When a person is continually seeking approval of others they will never rest, because there is always one more person to please.
6. A busy spirit: When a person is in constant motion, racing through days full to overflowing with activity – rest is rarely a significant part of their life.

During this series we will consider 3 types of rest: Regeneration rest, relational rest, restorative rest and then conclude with the reality of rest: practical tips for making rest a reality in your life.

I hope by the end of this week, you will be ready to embrace a life of peace and rest that God intends for you. — Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Will you consider joining us this year for one of our Anniversary Banquets? Tuesday, 9.09.08 Shady Maple Restaurant, East Earl, PA
Thursday, 9.11.08 DockWoods Community, Lansdale, PA
Monday, 9.15.08 Masso’s Crystal Manor, Glassboro, NJ
Tuesday, 9.16.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ
Wednesday,9.17.08 America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ

Every Thought

“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way-never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” ~~ 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (The Message)

Today is one of those days when I feel myself becoming annoyed by little insignificant things. I feel myself broody and pensive and I don’t like it. It’s in these times that WE ALL HAVE, where God’s Word is capable of setting things right…if we choose to follow and obey.

It only takes one thought to get off track and lost in stinky thinking and it only takes one single moment to STOP AND TAKE THE THOUGHT CAPTIVE.

Whenever I am reminded of this scripture passage (as I so gracioously was today…again) I instantly visualize a cowboy(girl) pulling out their lasso or lariat, twirling it in the air, then releasing it to capture a stray cow and pull it down, causing to it submit to whatever the cowgirl’s will is.

Can you picture it? So, when it comes to our stinking thinking, any loose emotions or warped philosophies that we may have running around in our heads -just like the cowboy- we need to take that stuff captive. We need to take the Word, which is Christ, and make ‘all that stuff’ obedient to Him -His will and His way. Taking our spiritual lariats will enable us to draw down and take captive whatever we have given free access to roam through the valleys of our minds.

After all, it ain’t about us, is it? The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing. Stephanie Paul is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Red Sea/Jordan River

God delivers His children in various and different ways. When the Israelites were backed up against the Red Sea, Moses was told to raise his staff and the Red Sea opened up before the throng of people. Before the first person stepped foot into the sea it stood up on either side with walls of water, they entered on dry ground. So even though it took great faith and trust to step into the rocky, but dry seabed – God’s work preceded their step of faith.

Exodus 14:16, 21-22 “But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea…Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”

On the other hand, when the children of promise were blocked by the raging waters of the Jordan River at flood stage, instead of performing the miracle BEFORE they stepped out, God told them to step out FIRST.

Joshua 3:14-17 “So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.”

AFTER their toes got wet in the waters of the Jordan River, THEN God performed His miracle and divided the River, making a way to enter Jericho.

So here’s my question to you: Are you resisting change in your life, refusing to surrender fully in an area of struggle or sin because you are waiting for a Red Sea miracle when God is sending you a Jordan River miracle? Are you waiting for God to do the miracle BEFORE you obey or are you willing to step out in faith and obey BEFORE you see the fulfillment of God’s promise? If so, you may be sitting on the river bank a very long time. Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet. — Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

Just Point

Them to JesusI recently spent some time with a hurting friend. Our circumstances are similar. I tried to help the best I could and shared what I know God had been teaching me lately. I even told my friend that just because this is what God has clearly shown me to do I could not tell her this is what she has to do. I don’t have all the answers. I just know what God has told me. My final advice was for her to hear Jesus on the matter and do what He tells her to do.

When I have conversations like this. I tend to replay them in my mind and wish I had said something different, something more profound, something with more depth, something that would be the answer to the problem. I feel so inadequate at times. But I was reminded that my “job” is not to always have the answers but to always point others to Christ. He is the answer! I felt that I had done that and I regained peace about my conversation.

Who do you know that is hurting? Do you know it is okay not to solve their problem but show them the Solution? It is good to listen, to give of your time and to pray without having to have the answer. Don’t belittle your acts of friendship and kindness. I am sure if my friend knew I had these thoughts she would tell me she didn’t want the answer, just the encouragement and support.

“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17 NKJV”A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

Regardless of what you know, and how much you know, in the end it only matters Who you know. Point them to Jesus!

Kathy Withers is on staff full-time 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

Tremble

Isaiah 66:2: But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

When was the last time you trembled at His word? Ever?

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