Guess what? I am a happy pinner. These days Facebook has mostly been left in the dust as I quite happily peruse and pin, peruse and pin!! Oh, don’t get me wrong, I will occasionally check out my Facebook page to see what’s up, but mostly I check in to play a game or two or three or 20 of mind-numbing Bejeweled Blitz. Ok, so what exactly is pinning? Pinning is something you do on a website called Pinterest. Wikipedia says this: “Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo-sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, and hobbies. Users can browse other pinboards for images, “re-pin” images to their own pinboards, or “like” photos…it allows users to save images and categorize them on different boards. They can follow other users’ boards if they have similar tastes.”1

          Seriously, when I first started hearing about Pinterest, it was all Greek to me. I simply couldn’t wrap my mind around it. But like most of the other social media websites, my daughter mastered it first and then shared her knowledge with me. In short order, I was drawn in and very pleasantly surprised at how it felt to discover pins of all sorts of things that interested me, some of which I’d totally forgotten or lost touch with. In a way, I feel like I’ve regained connection with an old friend – me!

          In a much deeper and profound way I am a joy-filled, sanctified pinner of the Word of God. I am touched whenever I peruse and delve into Scripture and the Spirit of God quickens me, resulting in Truths that get permanently pinned to my soul and spirit. Dear sisters, the story of God-the Son reveals Himself to me in the pages of Scripture and thus leads me to discover more than I’ll ever be able to pin on the boards I’ve created via the web. As much fun as Pinterest is, nothing compares to the riches the Holy Spirit enables me to glean from time spent in the Word – nothing at all! “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things; yes the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 2

          So whether you’re a Pinterest pinner or not, I sincerely hope you are daily pondering the inspired, inerrant Word of God, browsing and pinning to your heart’s contentment and delight! Happy pinning!!

Stephanie D. Paul

Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children. Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinterest

2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%202&version=NKJV

“But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:19 (ESV)

          My hope in the next few weeks is to write some Victory Calls on the book of Psalms.  Before that I would like to encourage you to think about how you cry out to God.  Often, we spend a lot of time crying out when we are discouraged, lost, feeling hopeless, confused, hurt, angry, lonely, but we often cry out to the wrong people or places.  Our words go unheard, unanswered, misunderstood or we get scolded, lectured on how to respond or act.  Most often we just want a place to get out what is going on inside of us.  That place, my friends, is God.  He listens, He understands, He comforts, He doesn’t scold, He gently guides and He does answer (even if we don’t always think so).

          Here are some tips on how you might cry out to God. Consider Who God is: How you write or speak to God depends on who you say God is. What are your current thoughts about God? You can be raw and real in your emotions without losing reverence for who He is.  Remember, God is holy and compassionate, righteous and loving. He is sovereign and good. He is not a distant deity but a close Savior (Heb 4:14-16). Consider what God has done for you: He did not spare His own Son for you so how much more will He give you the things you need (Romans 8:32) Confront the lies and replace them with Truth: Be in the Word before you write to get rid of any distorted views about how you are thinking about God and life at that moment.

          Here are some ideas that might help: (list from Harvest Bible Chapel – Biblical Soul Care)

* Afraid God won’t meet you where you are at? Luke 15:11-32

* Tired or distant from God? Matt. 11:28-30

* Overwhelmed by Shame? Psalm 25, 69, 77

* Gripped by Fear? Psalm 23, 27, 34, 46

* Disappointed or in despair? Psalm 22, 27, 30, 42, 66

* Anxious in your soul? Psalm 131

* Do you feel betrayed or abandoned? Psalm 37, 55, 73

* Separated from God due to Sin? Psalm 32, 34, 51

* More world or horizontally focused than vertically focused? Psalm 139

* Missing that spirit of praise? Psalm 95, 100, 103, 115, 121

          The Prayer: 1. Ask God to still your heart and mind, ask the Holy Spirit to help with your thoughts (Ephesians 6:18)

2. Pour out your heart. How do you feel? What are you missing? What circumstances are you struggling with at this time? Where are my thoughts taking me? What are you asking for from God? Is it a lament or a plea for help? Is it a prayer for mercy and forgiveness?  Are you looking for answers?  Ask questions, seek His heart, be honest, be real, but just be reverent.  This is not about how good it sounds or flowing, it is about pouring out your heart and mind to Him.

3. Listen and Respond.  What did God bring to light through your pouring out process? What did He tell you about Himself? Choose to listen to Him, give Him the chance to respond to your heart.  Be quiet and let His Word speak to you and then you can conclude your Psalm with what He has taught you and reminded you about His character, His working, His plans.

4. Re-read and let it all sink in, maybe even share it with a friend you trust for continued support and encouragement. Allow God to next use someone to be His hands and feet of comfort, love and healing.  Remember, writing a Psalm to God can take place during times of joy and refreshment in our lives too.  It is a good practice to write to God or cry out to Him in all of our circumstances and situations.  If life is good, thank Him and remember it is He who is allowing that goodness.  That helps us keep our lives in His hands at all times and not just when we feel like we “need” Him.

          “Cry out to God today; trust Him to meet you where you are and to work on your behalf.” Dr. Garrett Higbee

Dr. Lynne Jahns

Christian Counselor

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Chapter 12 Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1,2) To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations. (3-8) Exhortations to various duties. (9-16) And to peaceable conduct towards all men, with forbearance and benevolence. (17-21) Verses 1-2 The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein he argues and proves various doctrines which are practically applied, here urges important duties from gospel principles. He entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.

Our Library Commentaries

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise) Romans Romans 12

 

 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Our Library Commentaries

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

          Romans 12:1-2  Verses 1-2 The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein he argues and proves various doctrines which are practically applied, here urges important duties from gospel principles. He entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God. The Message “Place Your Life before God” 12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Submitted by Pat Spies

America’s Keswick Volunteer

          Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)   In other words “God means what He says.  What He says goes. His powerful Word is sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.” (The Message)

          The thought of being cut by something so sharp is frightening!  To have my thought-life laid open to reveal all its secret places is something I dread and long for simultaneously.  Yet, in order for me to come to the place of obedience, I know that I must choose exposure to and saturation by the living and powerful Word of God.   Then and only then will any desire I have to “speak the truth in love” be marked by the sincere desire for what is best for the other person, rather than a desire to “speak my mind.”   As the writer of Hebrews says, only God’s Word has the power to reveal the thoughts and attitudes of my heart or yours.  That means I must be slow, very slow, to speak and pray what the writer of Psalms 12:3-4, so rightly penned, “May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, ‘With our tongues we will prevail.’  Our lips are our own, who is Lord over us?”

          Simply put, I do not own me, my lips or my heart!  God owns all of me!  He is Lord over me and He would have my words be seasoned with grace and thus be an instrument for His righteous purpose…not mine.

          My question for you: Are the words that you speak to others seasoned with grace and love? Are they instruments for His purposes?  Selah

Stephanie

Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children. Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.

          Every so often it is necessary to speak truth to someone.  As I prepare to do so, I sometimes think, “this is a good thing” because he or she “needs” to be shown this area of possible blindness in his or her life.  In the past it would be unlikely that I would first search my own heart and see how that very thing might lurk within me.  Today, however, the story is different because I know how deceitful sin is and how cleverly our flesh disguises, hides and then denies its existence. Praise God that He is bigger than my deepest, most hidden sin and that He is committed to nothing less than holiness for His children!

Proverbs 15:33 reads, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Lately, with each opportunity to go and speak, my gracious Father has shown me a pride in my heart that was lurking just around the corner, out of sight. So before I could attempt to address the speck I had to repent and remove the beam. I had to confess, repent and offer my thoughts and my mouth to God for cleansing and purification.

          “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.”  Romans 6:13

          “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:52

          Today, once again, I offered my tongue as an instrument of righteousness rather than for any form of wickedness.  From Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:3 I read, “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance – for the Lord is a God who knows and by Him deeds are weighed.”   Who am I to weigh the thoughts, deeds and heart of any other person?  Only God has the power to know the thoughts and intents of my heart or yours, and His call is for us to daily examine our life for anything that exalts itself above the knowledge of Him.

          My question for you: Do you see signs in your own life of a prideful heart? What is the fruit that has been produced by it? Selah

Stephanie Paul

Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children. Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.

 

           I love Psalm 107.  The Lord has used that passage of His Word to speak to me at many different times.  It is too long to print in its entirety here, but I would encourage you to take the time to read it when you are able. The Psalm gives account of the sufferings of different groups of people:  wanderers, prisoners, the sick, and the storm-tossed; and then goes on to tell how when they finally called out to the Lord, He delivered them.  In the midst of trial, this Psalm spoke encouragement to my heart, that as I cried out to the Lord, He would eventually bring deliverance. I wasn’t sure what form that deliverance would take, as He doesn’t always take us out of the trial, but rather through it, but I knew He would deliver me in His time and in His way.  In peaceful, glad times, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and gratitude when I recall to mind the deliverance the Lord has brought to my life and the lives of loved ones. Upon the Lord’s deliverance in each scenario, the command is repeatedly given:  “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.” (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31).  And the Psalm begins with:  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord says this-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.” (Psalm 107:1-2). As I was reading this Psalm this morning, it brought the questions:  Am I continually thanking Him for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for me?  Am I, as one “He redeemed from the hand of the foe,” telling others about it every chance I get? One of the commentary notes in my Bible says this:  “Those who have never truly suffered may not appreciate God as much as those who have matured under hardship.  Those who have seen God work in times of distress have a deeper insight into His loving-kindness.  If you have experienced great trials, you have the potential for great praise.”i  My guess is most of you can relate to this. Sisters, may we be praising Him greatly and telling others of His gracious work of redemption in our lives!  He is so very good and so very worthy!

Stacey Poplawski

WOC Graduate

i The Life Application Bible, New International Version Edition, Tyndale, Wheaton, IL 1991, p.1026.

          What a crazy morning! I received a call from my husband that my father-in-law was heading to the ER. Dad was unresponsive, his blood pressure was low and I was prepared to arrive and find that he had gone home to be with the Lord. BUT, he was stabilized when I arrived. When we left the ER Dad was sleeping and I then needed to drive Dave back to his car about half an hour away. Since all was well for the moment, I wanted to get back to work before I lost the whole day.

          When I arrived at Keswick I needed to send a fax (which was not working for me), get some mail, get back to the office. Oh yeah, eat something real quick and get to the voicemails. Whew! I sat at my desk and turned over my personalized scripture card that was before me.  This is what I read:

    Dear Kathy, May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope which we don’t deserve, comfort your heart with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do. II Thessalonians 2 :16,17

          There is nothing like scripture that speaks to you when you need it most. I needed comfort for my heart after the hecticness of the morning. I needed to be encouraged because I am not a nurse. I want to serve my father-in-law in these days but feel inadequate when it comes to his medical care. However, the Lord reminded me that I can still say and do things for Dad that will minister to his heart as God’s plan for him continues to unfold. This is only one example of how scripture speaks to us. I pray today that you will remain in His Word so you may hear His voice and be encouraged for what God is calling you to do.

Blessings,

Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years.  They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

Truths to Rehearse Daily

Here’s a New Year’s Resolution for you – commit to reading these truths each morning and let God transform you as you begin each day as a new day to serve, love and cling to God. I often challenge counselees to do this asking God to make them real and permanent in their hearts and minds.  We can be transformed through the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:1-2).

Today I continue to believe that God’s compassions never fail, that they are new this morning, that God’s faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:23)

Today I recognize again that God the Creator of the universe is my Father and I am His child (John 1:12). That I am forgiven and justified and have peace with God; all my sins are blotted out by the blood of Jesus and will never be counted against me.

Today I will forget those things which are behind, and by God’s grace press on in faith toward the goal of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Today I will deny myself, take up my cross and follow Christ (Luke 9:33).  I will present myself today as an offering and sacrifice for Him alone (Romans 12:1-2).

Today I recognize that God’s throne is a throne of Grace and I will not let feelings of guilt keep me from coming to Him (Heb. 4:16, Heb. 19:22).

Today I will wait at wisdom’s door to hear His voice (Prov. 8:34) and to know His perfect will for me (Col. 1:9), and I will let Him guide me instead of myself or others (Psalms 25:5).

Today I will purpose to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, to be clothed in His armor, and to use the Word of God to gain victory over anything that might come against me (Ephesians 1:19-20,  6:10-17, Romans 8:37).

Today it is my heart’s desire to live a life of prayer and so fulfill Ephesians 6:18 and 1 Thess. 5:17.

Today I will praise, thank, believe, obey, love, serve and glorify God (Psalm 33:1, 1 Thess. 5:18, Romans 6:16, Matt. 22:37, 1 John 4:16-21, John 12:26, 1 Cor. 10:31).

Today my aim and heart’s desire is to know God and the riches and benefits of His love. (Eph. 3:16-19)

Today I acknowledge that only God’s strength, grace and presence enables me to do or experience any of the above or overcome any weakness.  I trust Him alone, not feelings, experiences or circumstances; I will go forward one moment at a time to live this day and this day alone a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way (Col. 1:9-11).

Today with His help I will guard my eyes, my desires, my thoughts, my heart, and to have the Word of God live in me and rule me (Psalm 119).

Today I will think of others and serve God by serving others (Matt. 9:37-38).

Dr. Lynne Jahns

Adapted from “Beginning the Day” by G.R. Crow

 

          Have you ever heard someone say, “Oh no, I don’t pray out loud. I don’t pray well enough to let others hear?”

          Years ago, I heard a young mom say, “Sometimes I am so hungry to have an adult conversation, that I call my husband, and when he answers I say, ‘Da da goo goo!'”  That set me to thinking that when my children were little, I delighted in hearing them say, “Da da, goo goo.” I would imagine the Lord is the same way. Even if we just say, “Da da. goo goo,” I believe the Lord would be thrilled to hear our simple utterings.  We are talking to Him! It doesn’t matter what we say or how we say it.  We are talking to Him and He is listening. I’m sure He is saying, “That’s my child! Just listen. She’s talking to Me!” Jeremiah 33:3 states, “Call to me, and I will answer thee.” Note that the verse does not say, “Call to me in a proper and correct way, and I will answer thee.” Any of us can call, but it may well be a different way, yet God has promised to acknowledge our request. So I encourage you to take a chance; talk out loud to Him. “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer” (emphasis mine) (Psalm 6:9, NIV).

Marilyn Heavilin Is a wife and mother; author & International conference speaker Author of Roses In December, December’s Song Becoming A Woman of Honor, Profound Common Sense When Your Dreams Die, Grief Is A Family Affair, I’m Listening, Lord