Surely he was the Son of God!

Girlfriends, let's take a few minutes from our busy day to look to God's Word and let it shine on our hearts and provide nourishment for our souls, as we begin the new week. Matthew 27:54 "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” We might think it amazing that the Roman guards, who had the responsibility of putting Jesus to death, didn't see who he was until they felt the rumble of the earthquake beneath their feet. Didn't they see how Jesus conducted himself during his scourging, hadn't they looked into his face and felt their souls exposed? Wasn't there something that made them think about what they were doing before the earthquake? Let's not be too quick to judge, sweet friends. How many of us have had to experience our own earthquake(s) in order to see Jesus as the Son of God? We are, by nature, a skeptical people and "slow to believe all the prophets have said..." Luke 24:25. But when calamity comes, we are brought to the place where we realize that we are not in control and, in that place, we may cry out to Jesus who "surely is the Son of God." This is not true only as we initially believe but as we continue to believe. We quickly forget or dismiss the thought that we are not in control and resort back to going about trying to save ourselves. Keep climbing: "Earthquakes" often serve a purpose in giving us the opportunity to see the Savior but let's determine in our hearts to live beyond "earthquake induced faith." May we lean in, during times of quiet blessing or in seasons of pain, and hear the gentle whisper of Jesus, "Come. Follow me."

My List…God’s Design?

Good Morning, Girlfriends! Pull up a chair! Grab a cup of coffee and your list..what list, you ask? You know, YOUR LIST. It's different than mine but we each have a list. My list is long. It is a specific list. A detailed list. It’s the list, unofficially titled, “Cherrie’s plans.” Borne out of the desires of my heart, it is the list of things that I hope to see come to pass, the things I want to accomplish and the things on which I place value, quantified by how I spend my time, energy and focus. For those of you familiar with the Bible, there is an often quoted verse that says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 This is the subject of my thought, today. I want to be certain that my plans, the desires of my heart, which are many, are subject to God’s design. The first part of that familiar verse says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and...." There is an order to this promise. As I delight myself in the Lord, God will give to me the desires of my heart! God is the very Creator of my existence AND the Creator of the new spiritual life I received, when he opened my eyes and, as I believed, granted me new birth. As my Creator, shouldn’t he also have preeminence with regard to my list? Isn’t he truthworthy with the agenda of my days, considering the breath he grants to me? Let’s talk about numbers. He has numbered my days (Psalm 139:16) and knows the very number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30). How then would I think that I am left on my own to decide how I am to spend my days or don’t I realize that, in wisdom, I would do well to seek him, with care, to design my list? Reading through the rest of Psalm 139, it is clear that God is intimately involved and actively participates in our formation from the time of our conception. Let's think of it in a simple word picture. If I designed and formed a certain dish so that it would perfectly hold and showcase a beautifully oval shaped egg and I proceeded to try and serve a 16 oz. ribeye on it, what would the result be? It wouldn't fit! It would hang out all over the place and it certainly wouldn't make an appetizing presentation! Isn't that often what we do? We try to make our own list outside of God's design or according to what someone else thinks we should be and we wonder why we feel exhausted, frustrated and unfulfilled! Remember *God's personal design is the best "style" for me to wear! :) Isaiah 46:10 makes it clear that God's purpose will be carried out, regardless of my cooperation…BUT I don’t want to miss out! I want to lean in and realize the joy of participating in the purpose he has to reach people with the good news of redemption, specifically those whom he has placed within my sphere of influence. Today, there is a vast amount of time and attention given to “finding myself” and being “fulfilled.” I would like to suggest that there is no deep secret to be unearthed in this quest. Personal fulfillment comes in walking within God’s design for our lives and pointing others to him. If this is my focus, I will leave a perpetual legacy that continues to be shared, long after I am gone. In contrast, a self-centered, self-focused life leaves nothing of lasting value. It does leave untilled soil in the hearts of those within that circle, which another, must step into and labor for the harvest that has been left unattended, so that they might see and believe. A familiar corporate term is “knowledge sharing.” Let’s engage in LIFE sharing, girlfriends. Make each of us an instrument of your peace, according to your design, Lord Jesus! Keep climbing: Take your list….kneel with it and pray, before your Creator, who knows ALL things regarding you. Don’t be afraid – he is your Creator, Redeemer and Friend. Invite him to design, refine and shine in your list, that his purpose might be fulfilled and, in doing so, you will find fulfillment. Still Climbing,

Give the Gift of Being Present

Web friends! Grab your cup of java and join me for a quick chat because I have something I want to share with you! I must confess that this little tidbit didn't originate with me but it's just too good to keep to myself... so lean in! Here's the low-down. If you are like me and find your mind always 2 or 3 steps ahead of what you are doing in the here and now, stop and simply BE PRESENT in what you are doing and with whom you are doing it. This is one very simple, but easily overlooked way that we can begin to live a fuller, more satisfying life, immediately. Don't you love a quick fix? :-) In our culture, we are expected to have the ability to multi-task, not only as a necessary qualification in order to land and retain a good job, but it is considered a praise-worthy ability. However, in building relationships, the practice of this habit robs us of quality time and produces shallow, unsatisfying experiences. Remember, as kids, begging Mom or Dad to "Watch me!" or "Play with me!"? and if they weren't really watching or were "multi-tasking" (i.e. talking on the phone, gabbing with the neighbor, etc.)while half-paying attention to the game or whatever we were playing, we would catch on quickly and continue to say, with increased zeal and volume, "Are you WATCHING me? Did you SEE that?!" "It's YOUR turn!!" :-) I know we're all guilty on this one but we need not despair! As long as there is breath, there is hope! As we become more aware and seek a fuller participation in our moments, and as we begin to really listen, to really watch, and to really be present, we will send a message that says "I value you and you are worth my undivided attention," while making memories that will be recalled with a fonder affection. Let your voicemail pick up that call while you take time to throw the ball with your son or to color with your graddaughter. Turn off the T.V. and listen as Grandpa tells that story, again. Be interested and even ask a question or two. It will make his day. :-). Take a few moments away from your computer screen to listen to your co-worker's heart as she asks for advice or just lend a listening ear. These, and many more, are the moments that build our lives and write our epitaph, one moment at a time! One final thought. Making a decision to be present in our moments isn't accomplished in a single determination. It's a daily refreshing that we will find as we frequent our knowing place (see blog titled It's 3:15 AM The Knowing Place) to remember what we truly value in our hearts. May God meet us there and grant us grace that we will have eyes to see and ears to hear the opportunities to make a difference in our moments. Still Climbing, Cher