Words from the Heart

In The Driver's Seat

2010-11-30T18:31:00.003-07:00

Knowing that God goes before us and often leads us out of harms way gives me a wonderful sense of security. I hope I never forget that He brings me into the spacious places David talked about in Psalm 18. And it would be easy to continue to cruise along life’s highways and byways, staying safe, and never venturing down some unexplored path. Yet I think in order to experience spiritual growth, we should all look for opportunities to step out of our comfort zones.

While our reliance on God in all aspects of our lives is crucial to an intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe, I don’t believe we are to live our lives isolated from the world. Taking the gospel to all the earth is the impetus for missionaries who carry the truth around the globe. Many are called into that ministry. But what about those of us who aren’t?

Some serve in various ways within the parameters of church. Others serve in well known organizations like the Salvation Army, reaching out and meeting needs, regardless of a person’s faith or beliefs.

But I believe we must go beyond the walls of churches or organizations and actively live our faith. In other words, WE must be in the driver’s seat, leading others who don’t know the way.

It comes first by making our stand as Christians, identifying ourselves as followers of Christ. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35, NLT

Once we do so, then we have a responsibility to not only be an example to others in word and deed, but be willing to clear the way for them so they too can come into a spacious place.

It can be something as inconsequential as a smile to a stranger or as significant as financially helping someone in need. It could be taking the time to pray WITH someone who is struggling through difficult circumstances or encouraging a neighbor who lives alone. There are a thousand and one ways each of us could touch a person who doesn’t know God’s truth. Too often, I believe we think presenting the plan of salvation is the answer. But if we look at Jesus’ life, we’ll see a man full of compassion for the lost. He met their needs. Can we say the same for ourselves?

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4, NIV

Blessings, Francine

Traffic Patterns

2010-11-03T16:18:00.002-07:00

When you’ve lived in a semi-small town for as long as I have, you know the quickest routes, the easy short cuts, and which streets to avoid at certain times of the day. In other words, you know the traffic patterns by heart. And, when you leave for work as early as I do -- 5 a.m. each morning -- you also have few distractions and almost no traffic hassels.

In my town, many of the stop lights are “tripped” when a car approaches them during slow traffic times. I’ve learned that while having this convenience that changes the light almost automatically, I can count on having to come to a dead stop before the light actually turns green. Slightly annoying for an A-type personality like myself.

But today I learned something while following behind another car. As I was traveling up one of the main arteries through town, there was another vehicle ahead of me. We both pretty much stayed within the speed limit but there was enough distance between us that the other vehicle “tripped” the sensor to change the light before I even had to put on my brakes. I can honestly say it was one of the nicer drives to work. And it got me to thinking.

While, we as Christians, strive to follow our leader, I wonder how many times He’s cleared the way ahead of us to give us a smooth ride. Certainly most of us may recognize it when we are manuevering through difficult times or battling some of those mental traffic patterns that have a tendency to clog our thoughts and sometimes bring our peace to a screeching halt.

I have to think that there are more times than we realize when our Creator trips the sensor to allow us to peacefully steer clear of obstacles or other stumbling blocks without us even realizing it.

Maybe we should recognize that some of our unencumbered paths aren’t because of what we do but because Jesus has cleared the way before us, altering our spiritual and personal traffic patterns, and has steered us into more spacious places.

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19, NIV

Blessings, Francine

Between You and God

2010-07-09T16:51:00.002-07:00

There are many things we keep between ourselves and God. That’s one of the wonderful privileges of having that intimate relationship. How blessed we are to have the Creator of the Universe love us and provide the Comforter to live within us, knowing our most secret thoughts and desires. We can pour out our innermost fears, our endless worries, and our deepest hurts to Him and He hears. Not only that, He knows the exact and perfect way to comfort us.

But what about when there is SOME THING between ourselves and God. What if there is unconfessed sin, a behavior we KNOW is wrong, or a habitual sin we can’t seem to let go of. And if not a sin of commission, it could be one of OMISSION. We so easily slip into routines that don’t include prayer or reading God’s word, thinking it doesn’t have a direct affect on our lives.

When our Father points out something we need to change and we don’t, the space between us and Him begins to grow. It might not be much at first. But the more we allow it to continue, the larger the space becomes. It can grow into something that is deeper than the deepest canyon and wider than the biggest sky.

The good news is that the Father rarely allows us to become comfortable with the sin or the behavior.

A sense of disquiet, distress, or disappointment nags us ... around the edges at first but as time goes by, our discomfort grows into an almost constant state of agitation. Peace and joy all but disappear and we no longer hear the Father.

Sometimes God speaks loudest in silence. If there is a gnawing sense of unrest in your soul, you may want to see if there is SOME THING between you and God and redirect your singular focus on the Creator.

“So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].” James 4:7-8, Amplified Bible

Blessings, Francine

Not of This World

2010-06-12T21:18:00.001-07:00

My previous post quoted Paul’s words from Romans (Romans 1:18-32) where he basically talked about the depravity of this world and how bad it would get. It’s easy to look at all the behaviors he listed and easily agree.

BUT -- we must never forget that sin is sin; whether it’s the seemingly out of control behavior we see today or something as simple as not loving our neighbor. You see, it doesn’t matter. True, Paul’s words resonate with the idea that the more people sin, the more they will sin and the possibility of God giving them over to that sin. But we must not convince ourselves that our sins aren’t as bad as those Paul is talking about.

As I’ve noted before, Jesus gave us two commands to follow: Love God and Love others. I’ve also written that love is an action verb. It means we are to do more than just have “loving thoughts” of others. We must put into action Jesus’ commands.

We can look around our world and agree that it appears it’s out of control. But we are not to look at the world. We are to look at our Creator. He is in control. Nothing happens that He is not aware of. Nothing happens that He couldn’t stop. After all, He spoke this universe into existence.

I do not claim to know God’s intentions in letting things appear to be unraveling. He tells us, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NAS)

Finally, we have God’s word that He will heal us: “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-15(Amplified Bible)

Blessings, Francine

A World Gone Mad

2010-05-20T16:27:00.004-07:00

I continue to be amazed by God’s truths revealed in His word. It’s interesting that in the chapter immediately following Acts (where we see the birth and growth of the Christian church), we find a chilling prediction of today. There is nothing I can add to these words -- except our hope in Christ.

“But God's angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

"So God said, in effect, "If that's what you want, that's what you get." It wasn't long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes!

"Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either—women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be men. Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men—all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it—emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches.

"Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!” Romans 1:18-32, The Message

These words from my heart are heavy, burdened for a world that seems so out of control. But the hope of Christ offers anyone, ANYONE, the gift of forgiveness, a peace that goes beyond human understanding, and eternal life.

My prayer is that these truths will speak to someone today and they will realize just one person can make a difference if they are willing to reach out with the Good News.

There's a song by Casting Crowns called "Until the Whole World Hears." Listen to the lyrics (you can find it on YouTube or visit Casting Crown's web site -- www.castingcrowns.com), and then do something.

Blessings, Francine

The God of Always

2010-05-13T19:04:00.002-07:00

“If I go up to the heavens, you are there, if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:8-10, NIV

While God has always been … and always will be, there is a comfort in knowing He is the God of Always. He is always there … beside us, with us. David talked about that in this Psalm.

In fact, David also said in verse 5, “You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.”

In the darkness when our worst fears become reality, God is there. While it may be hard to understand how a loving God could allow the most horrible of things to happen, we cannot blame Him.

We can try to figure out the why’s and the how’s of all the bad things that happen but we may never truly understand. That’s not the point. The God of Always had a Son. In the midst of heartwrenching pain, He is our comfort – He is our victory.

Jesus was and is there with us. In fact, He was and is there beside us, not only weeping and heartbroken by our suffering but feeling what we feel. He is doubly pained within whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Imagine – Jesus experiencing horrors of our worst nightmares that become the reality of our lives.

Oh, He knows what we experience. Maybe even more than many of us will ever realize. And because of that He can comfort us. The Holy Spirit knows the subconscious turmoil that even we can’t begin to comprehend. And Jesus comforts us in ways we can’t understand or explain.

You see, the God of Always sent His son to not only take on the burden of our sins, but to reclaim us and make us whole. We will never be the same again … yet, is anyone ever the same?

We cannot un-do the pain we’ve suffered. But we can move from victim to victor through the victory Christ won on the cross.

“... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Blessings, Francine

JOY IN KNOWING

2009-10-03T21:25:00.005-07:00

JOY IN KNOWING

Have you ever wanted something really, really bad? It looks like something that would be perfect for you. Whether it’s a new job opportunity, a new relationship, or a large purchase like a house or car … you’ve come to believe that “doing it” – whatever “it” is, is best for you. You’re excited about your decision.

However, you’re also committed to submitting whatever you do to God’s leading and guidance in your life. You want what God wants for you more than what you want for yourself. For me, it’s a belief borne of a life initially lived without God – a life lost, then found.

So, you look at the opportunity from all angles. The first is whether or not it would be something God would want. How do you know? I mean really, how would you know what God would want for you?

There isn’t an easy answer and it’s as unique as each human being. While God’s truth is GOD’S TRUTH, an intimate relationship with our Creator is developed just as our relationships are developed with our children or those whom we love. They aren’t identical and are forged by the individual interaction with each child or person. It’s the same with God and us.

He speaks to us through His word, through His creation, through our praise, and through our worship. Some of those things are done corporately, but they affect us in an uniquely individual way.

What I do know is that if seeking God is the deepest desire of our heart, He promises that we will find Him. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD,” Jeremiah 29:13-14,

Moreover, as we grow in that multi-faceted relationship, we begin to not only hear Him, but also know what He wants for us. And God wants the best for us, regardless of what we think. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

How? I believe it is through joy. Or maybe, it’s a peace about any decision we have to make. Suddenly, we begin to ponder that shining opportunity in our career, the relationship that “seems” perfect, or the big purchase that is within our grasp and we begin to question ourselves.

For me, God seems to re-direct my “wants.” Whether it’s to do nothing but remain in Him or to move in a different direction, I’ve come to realize that God has created His desires in me. And that’s when I move into the supernatural peace that God promises us. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7, NIV

It’s joy in the knowing … truly, truly knowing that I am moving and living in His will.

Blessings, Francine

God is Better than Prozac

2009-06-23T19:41:00.004-07:00

I’ve struggled with depression over the past 15 years. The first was major and it was a long time in healing. With the help of a therapist and my doctor, I began counseling and taking Prozac. It got me out the a deep darkness -- enough that I could begin to see the hope of my belief in God.

Since then, I’ve had bouts of depression. There were times of more therapy and more medicine but each time I became more dependent on God for my healing.

I’ll be the first one to advise anyone with depression to seek the help of a good medical doctor and get tested to see if there are some chemical deficiencies. I’ll also be the first to say that God’s healing can go deeper than anything else. But there are times when the chemicals in the brain need to be in balance. I’m no doctor and I’ve certainly simplified the issue.

Honestly, it truly is all about balance. Once the medical issues are in balance, it’s time to take a brutal look at the spiritual balance in our lives. I’ve come to the point now that any time -- ANY TIME I feel depression creeping in, the first place I look is at the spiritual side of my life. Is it balanced with my emotions? And believe me, it takes a lot to balance my emotions.

Fortunately, I’ve learned the truth that emotions are a result of how we see things and what we believe. Certainly, loss brings grief, a satisfying life brings joy, children bring laughter -- the list goes on. But we can’t always trust our emotions, particularly when we deal with depression and anxiety. Truth be told, I can “think” my way into an anxiety attack that could trigger heart problems or send my blood pressure skyrocketing. But those thoughts aren’t real. They are the result of worry and my very vivid imagination.

You cannot tame your thoughts. You may think you can. You may try with medication. And it’s possible you can take enough to numb how you feel. But if you want to live a full and incredible life, drugs aren’t the answer. You can try with alcohol, relationships, careers -- that list goes on as well.

Taming our thoughts has everything to do with what we think about.

Paul wrote: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-10, NLT

Prozac can’t promise that.

Blessings, Francine

A Cup of Coffee

2009-06-17T17:24:00.004-07:00

There was a time in my life when the only thing I had to look forward to at the end of the day was the coffee I would have the next morning. It was a span of days or weeks; maybe even months, when I was deep in the darkness of depression. I was in a place I’d never been before and I felt pretty much alone. Everything was different. I couldn’t pick up the phone and call family. I couldn’t run over to my daughter’s and spend time with my young grandchildren. And financially, things were grim.

Have you ever been there? You may have had just one thing to look forward to but it was enough ... enough to get you through the day.

What is so sad is that it doesn’t have to be that way, especially if we have a personal relationship with Jesus. I did. But in my loneliness, I wandered from the light and got lost in the darkness. All I had was knowing I’d wake up each morning and enjoy the coffee I loved so much. Seems a bit silly now. But then, it was everything.

What is your “everything?”

Whatever it is, it doesn’t last. Oh, I still love coffee, most especially first thing in the morning ... sharing it with nature or the desert critters that visit us. But it is no longer my “everything.”

Almost everyone has something they hang onto in the darkness. Unfortunately, its significance and importance will fade, leaving you wanting more. Which begs the question, “more of what?”

That’s the wonder of Jesus. He is our all in all. He will never leave us. And He gives us eternal hope. Sometimes, we can’t see eternally; all we can see is our circumstances and often they look dark and dreary.

With the hope of Jesus in my life, I don’t have to worry about the circumstances. I know they will always change and, if I trust in them, they will always leave me wanting. Instead, I have an unshakable faith and I know, regardless of the circumstances, Jesus will fill my mind, heart, and spirit with a supernatural peace and joy. It doesn’t eliminate the pain. But then, nothing does. Rather, the hope of Christ gives me new eyes with which to see eternally. And as I recognize how fleeting this life is, I realize that the best is yet to come -- honest and true.

And I’ll let you in on a secret, I am hoping there is coffee in heaven.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by (I)prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8, NAS

Blessings,

Francine

Point and Click

2009-06-07T19:45:00.003-07:00

I love technology. I’ve had various PDAs over the past four years that have been my virtual memory. I have an iMac that I adore. Camera, cell phone, digital recorder, iPod -- you name it and my husband has graciously given them to me. In fact, he tells everyone that teckie stuff is my bling bling. I don’t want diamonds or jewelry ... just the next version of the iPhone.

And I’ve used every item ... worn out a couple of computers, use a digital camera that no longer focuses through the lens viewer, and love my iPod shuffle, dents and all. But I have a confession to make. I think I should be able to point and click and get the results I’m seeking, instantaneously. So while I love technology, I’m severely handicapped in that I don’t take the time to read the instructions.

I was frustrated with my iMAC and it’s photo program. I could do lots of things with the click of my mouse but I couldn’t seem to figure out how to resize photos to send in email or upload to my blogs. And, it was definitely hampering creating a web site. I purchased "iMAC for Dummies" and, when that didn’t work, I purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements so that I could quickly resize photos. NOT! Oh, I’m sure it’s easy and one day I’ll figure it out. But one day is too far away for me.

Recently I decided to go to the Apple web site and read the promos on the newest programs that for the iMAC. I desperately clicked my way to the 2009 photo program. And in my rush, I accidentally clicked on the 2008 promo. There I discovered that I could downsize photos through my email function on the iMAC. I tried it and was stunned that it worked. I even figured out how to resize photos without having to attach them to an email.

It got me to thinking. Too often we want to grow spiritually ... and we want to do it NOW. We go to church, join Bible studies, and we love to purchase the latest best-selling books, convinced these things will be the MiracleGro for Christians. Maybe that works for some, but I can attest that it didn’t work for me. Don’t get me wrong, these things are important.

What DID work was immersing myself in God’s Word, surrounding myself with Christian music, and seeking God’s presence through prayer. Of course, I tried rushing through these things as well but it didn’t work either.

Now, I find joy in reading the Bible. My husband asked me if I knew what BIBLE meant. I knew this was no simple question. Then he grinned and said, “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” I like that. Some people call it our Operating Manual. It’s why God designed it as he did.

So, before you rush out for the latest Christian best-seller or the newest translation of the Bible, just pick it up and start reading. Christian music can be comforting, uplifting, and a source of wonderful praise. Prayer is how we communicate with God.

Seems easy enough. But I bet there are a few out there, like me, who want to “point and click” our way to spiritual maturity. The thing is, it doesn’t work.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Psalm 1:1-3, NLT

On Turning Sixty

2009-05-24T19:10:00.002-07:00

W riting significantly isn’t easy. Unfortunately, it’s kept me from doing much posting here for almost a year. God has always led me in my writing and while I’ve addressed some hard issues, I now feel God leading me in a different direction, both in my life’s ministry and in my writing.

Maybe it’s the fact I’m turning 60 this year. Yes, I’ll admit it. I certainly don’t feel 60, although sometimes my body tries to tell me so. And many tell me I don’t look that old, which is always nice to hear. But that’s the truth.

It brings a number of questions. I try not to ask myself how much longer will I be here. I’m blessed with remarkably good health after a time of not so good health. And I know there is a reason for all of it. Through the times when I couldn’t do much, I accepted it all as God’s will. This “rebirth” of sorts has really gotten my attention. What does God have in mind for me now? Another truth is that I’ve come to feel more responsible in what I’m doing for God.

What am I doing? Going to church, Bible study, and fellowship are all things we should be doing. But I came to ask myself, “Is this all there is?”

Many are called to the mission field, leaving family and friends to serve God. But what about the rest of us. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m not going to write the “great Christian novel” that would change hearts and souls. And that’s okay. Most of us won’t ever do anything on such a global scale. But each of us have been called to do what we can in our own backyards.

Part of my backyard are my blogs; I can’t deny that. But the remainder of my backyard is right where I live. What am I doing here? How am I spreading the good news? I’ve been asking myself these questions for several months.

My husband and I just finished leading a small group in The Truth Project. If you haven’t heard of it, check it out. It has the potential for changing lives. And I guess that’s where I am right now.

“Words from the Heart,” will continue as God leads; but I believe it will be more ‘down to earth’ as I begin to respond to words from God’s heart for my life. I’d like to share what I discover on this new journey.

And as far as turning 60, don’t tell anyone, okay?

"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:36-38, The Message

Blessings, Francine

Who Do You Say I AM

2008-07-04T12:13:00.004-07:00

I AM
Do you call me Serendipity?
Or maybe Providence.Maybe you think of Me as Lady Luck.
You may not recognize Me or accept Me by My given name but that doesn’t change things.

I AM ...
the blues and pinks of sunrise
the purple mountains majesty
the fire in the sky of a sunset

I AM ...
the sweet smell of rain on the desert floor
the soft, sifting snow of a winter morning
the sparkling of a billion stars for you to gaze upon
the bright moon guiding your way through the darkness
the white purity of a perfect flower

I AM ...
the song of birds singing at the beginning of each new day
the scurry of a rabbit’s dash in the noonday sun
the lonely coyote’s call as night crawls across the prairie

I AM ...
the fury of the howling wind
the ebb and flow of the ocean’s tide
the growling thunder in the storm clouds churning above
the white stabs of lightening coming from the heavens
the whispers in a cool breeze

I AM ...
the miraculous creation of tiny toes, fingers, and a heart beating
the breath of the newborn’s first cry
the trusting eyes of an infant
the inquisitiveness of a child
the curiosity of a teenager
the perseverance of an adult
the hope of a grandmother

I AM ...
Alpha and Omega
Beginning and End
I AM King of King and Lord of Lords

Just because you don’t believe in Me doesn’t mean I don’t exist.

I AM God

I believe in you. I created you. And I love you.

Are you walking through the wide gate?

2008-06-30T12:34:00.004-07:00

Codependency was the preferred psychological catch-word of choice for many in the nineties. A generation discovered that they were too dependent on any number of things.

While the issue of being dependent on drugs or alcohol was a problem being addressed through the 12-step program, something new was springing up in the psychological arena.

People were codependent on other people, on spending money, on their jobs, on success, on anything that seemed an integral part of their happiness … or their perceived happiness.

Family was a big codependent topic. Parents were codependent on children and children were codependent on parents. It all seemed like a vicious circle.

And then even in the religious sector … there was a desire to become codependent on God. Remember the phrase, God is my co-pilot.

I wonder how many look back on that decade at all the money spent on books and therapy and wonder, was it worth it? While they may no longer identify themselves as being co-dependent, what replaced that?

Did a sense of “It’s all about me,” surface then? And in an effort to find a sense of peace within ourselves, did we pass on that selfish attitude. Me first – I’ve got to take care of me before I can be of any good or benefit to anyone else.

What if all of it were stripped away? All the things we find comfort in? What then?

For too many Christians, I think, we struggle valiantly to do what we feel God leading us to do. We seek His will and struggle to walk in it. But what if what God wants from us is too hard. What if it hurts too much? Do we listen to our feelings, thinking that God wouldn’t have us deliberately do something that causes us pain?

If we are mature Christians, we understand that pain will come in our lives through losses and disappointments. And during those times we know God will sustain us. Many have already lived through some of the darkest moments of the soul and found God there.

But what if we have to choose something that causes pain? What if our choice leaves us totally alone. Jesus says, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me …”, Matthew 10:37. It goes without saying that anyone loving anything more than Christ is not worthy of Him. Jesus adds in verse 37, "And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worth of Me."

Too often we associate the hard choices with those in some kind of ministry or mission field. Unfortunately, we have blinded ourselves to the truth. Comfortable Christianity isn’t Christianity at all. Not when it’s become a lifestyle.

We must search ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and seek to know – truly know – if we are in the Father’s will. Or are we blindly taking the wide gate? Are we avoiding the narrow gate of sacrifice?

Codependence is no longer an issue and with Christ, it never was an issue. It only works one way … total dependency.

Blessings, Francine

Loving God and Loving God

2008-06-12T10:10:00.002-07:00

Loving God and loving God are both verb and adjective phrases, both separate and yet intertwined.

If we understand that the Creator is a loving God, then we will love Him. And yet, the more we love Him, the more we come to see a supernatural loving Father. As one grows, so does the other.

It’s been on my heart to share the names of God. These are written throughout the Bible, many times over. Each shows a character of the Creator of the universe.

If we can begin to understand the myriad of traits He has, we begin to see that loving Him and loving Him can become both the center and circumference of our lives. Everything begins with Him and ends with Him -- Alpha and Omega.

Elohim, God - Mighty God or supreme God with reference to God’s faithfulness, The Creator, Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 10:17
Yahweh, LORD (all caps) - Self-existent or Eternal One, speaks of His holiness, justice, and hatred of sin, The One who exists because of who He is, I AM THAT I AM, Psalm 110:1
Adoni, Lord - Master or owner of all things, Genesis 15:1-2, Psalm 8:1, 6-9
El Shaddai, Almighty God - Strength, life-giver, the all-bountiful supplier of all blessings, The All-Sufficient One, Genesis 17:1-8
El Elyon - God who sits above all others as King of the universe, The God Most High, Genesis 14:18,14:20
El Gibbon - Mighty God, The God Who Can Do Anything, Isaiah 9:6-7
El-Roi - The God Who sees, Genesis 16:13, Psalm 139:7-12
Jehovah - The Self-Existent One, Genesis 2:4, Exodus 3:14-15
Jehovah-Jireh - God who will provide all of your needs, The Lord Will Provide, Genesis 22: 1-19
Jehovah-Sabaoth - God of heaven’s armies, Lord of Hosts, Psalm 24:10, 1 Samuel 17:42-47
Jehovah-Shalom - God who can give you peace, The Lord is Peace, Judges 6:24, Isaiah 48:18
Jehovah-Rapha - God who restores, strengthens, and heals you, The Lord Who Heals, Exodus 15:22-27, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 103:1-3
Jehovah-Nissi - God the One you can follow as your authority, The Lord is My Banner, Exodus 17:15, Deuteronomy 20:3,4
Jehovah-Tsidkenu - God the One who thinks and acts in a way that is just, right, and good, The Lord Our Righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6
Jehovah-Raah - The Lord my Shepherd, Psalm 23
Jehovah-Shammah - God who is present at all times, The Lord is There, Ezekiel 48:35, Psalm 73:25-28
Jehovah M’Kaddesh - God who brings you to the place of separation from sin and dedication to God, The Lord Who Sanctifies, Leviticus 20:7-8

Blessings, Francine

FEAR NOT

2008-05-28T11:24:00.005-07:00

I’ve never been an alarmist, especially when it comes to scripture and references to the “End Times.” I’ll leave that to others.

Yet, I cannot ignore the state our world is in. Who can turn a blind eye to the daily increases in fuel costs, food, or home foreclosures or the almost daily decrease in home sales or the closing numbers of the stock market? Storms and natural disasters recently have taken their toll in thousands of lives lost.

I don’t think we can argue that we live in unsettling times.

I often wonder about those who have no faith in God. Many are quick to blame Him but that’s about as far as they go in recognizing the Creator of the universe.

Where do they find comfort? How do they escape the fear that seems to be creeping into every society around the globe?

Where do they find hope?

I won’t speculate on the times we are in. Jesus himself said no man knows the hour of His return. “So also, when you see these things happening, you may recognize and know that He is near, at [the very] door. But of that day or that hour not a [single] person knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:29, 32, Amplified Bible

What I will do is point to the Savior’s words that give hope to the hopeless, peace to the worried, comfort to the afflicted:

And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea,

Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great (transcendent and overwhelming) power and [all His kingly] glory (majesty and splendor).

Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. Luke 21:25-28, Amplified Bible

There are many references in the Bible that read like today’s headlines.

I don’t use scare tactics but I do believe in the Truth of God’s word. A little book that came out in 1974, The Vision by David Wilkerson, reads more realistic today than it did back then. If you are looking for truth in prophesies of the Bible lived out in the 21st Century, read this book. When you do, never forget that God’s in control.

My prayer is that you will come to a deeper understanding of the Creator’s love for YOU. Check out these web sites:

Running on Empty

Power to Change

Blessings, Francine

Taking God for Granted

2008-04-14T13:34:00.003-07:00

Do you take God for granted? Now, before you answer that, you might want to consider a few things.

I’m not necessarily talking about skipping quiet time or having a regular prayer time. Many of us lead pretty hectic lives. It is sad that when we most need to hear a word from God we end up missing those appointments with the lover of our soul.

What about when you’ve come through a particularly painful time? Too often we bask in the peace that surrounded us and never realize from Whom that peace came. Or do you even look back and recognize the Lord’s footprints in your life? Just like we often credit our successes when they aren’t ours at all, but our Heavenly Father strengthening us and giving us the power to keep on keeping on.

All of us suffer from stress. There are always so many things screaming for our attention -- work, family, kids, and sometimes even church.

A loud warning alarm should screech within our souls when chaos, frustration and anxiety begin to be the normal pattern of our lives. Because that is not what God has in mind for us. He didn’t design us to live on the edge -- the edge of our emotions, the edge of our peace, or the edge of our sanity.

In all honesty, today’s society gives more time to learning how to operate their new computer or navigate the internet than learning about the Creator. Without knowing God and experiencing an intimate relationship with Him through Jesus, we’ll never recognize His voice when He speaks to us.

It’s not as complicated as you might think. Reading the Bible is where one begins. Within the truth of the Creator’s words, we begin to hear Him. That really is the first step of obedience in living a life that brings peace with God, each other, and, maybe most importantly, peace in your heart.

While ignoring God hurts the Father, it does far more damage to ourselves.

Now ask yourself, are you hearing what God has been speaking to you?

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.” John 16:31, The Message

Blessings, Francine

Getting Real

2008-02-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

We can get so caught up in our doing that we lose touch with the reality God wants us to see.

It doesn’t have to do with the shape our world is in, the state of our economy, or the political climate – national or international.

It doesn’t have to do with programs, preachers, or churches.

It does have everything to do with getting real.

Before we can even begin to understand God’s purpose for our life or the path He wants us to follow, we must first hear Him. I fear most of us are so lost in this technological age of new gadgets, instant messaging and the interconnected global community, that we rarely have time to breathe, let alone stop and smell the roses. And forget about spending time with the One who actually created those roses.

If you want to truly hear from God, you need to open that channel of communication. It can’t be done by fly-by-night prayers or by opening your Bible, selecting a random verse, and expecting instant messaging.

Yet, it isn’t a complicated thing – this knowing when God speaks. You don’t need a diploma, a degree, or a learned theologian to explain it. It’s so simple. And maybe that’s why most of us have been fooled into thinking otherwise. For more than 20 years, I was deceived into thinking I needed to learn how to get close to God.

The reality is that you get close to Him the same way you get close to your parents, your children, or someone you love.

Read the Bible. Every day. If nothing else, start at the beginning and read. Pray before you begin that God would speak to you through His word. Then pray again. Morning prayers help each of us to begin our day in our Creator’s presence. Evening prayers open up our spirit and allow God to work, even as we sleep.

Don’t let Satan deceive you as he’s deceived millions of other Christians sincerely searching and seeking a word from the Lord. There’s no special program to follow. We don’t need anyone to speak for us. The words are there in black and white and each of us has a voice to use in talking with our Father.

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Psalm 1:1-3, Amplified Bible

Blessings, Francine

Hope

2007-12-28T09:43:00.001-07:00

New Years Blessings

The year is winding down. For some it’s a time to relax after the rush and rustle of Christmas. For others it may be a time to look back. The holiday season can bring us a mixture of emotions from high expectations of Christmas present to painful memories of Christmas past.

And then comes the New Year. We fill it with parties or promises. It isn’t enough that we may have over-done Christmas, either by our spending or eating. Now we face a new year and often count off the failures of the past and replace them with promises of the future.

As you tuck away holiday decorations and pack up holiday music for another year, think on what the Creator of the universe has planned:

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths. I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16, NIV

Standing Firm

2007-12-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Make no mistake; Satan is crafty in his methods of attack, covertly targeting our weaknesses. For some it’s doubt, others it’s self-worth, and for many it’s a fragile faith. Satan would like us to focus on these things rather than our Creator’s love for us and purpose for our lives.

Doing battle in the spiritual realm is beyond our ability. Until we recognize that fact, we are vulnerable. However, God didn’t leave us defenseless. He not only provides us with spiritual strength and courage, but He also has given us spiritual armor.

Ephesians 6:10-17 describes the armor of God which believers are instructed to put on in order to "stand firm against the schemes of the devil." That’s a promise God has given us. Put on the armor and we will be able to stand firm against whatever tricks Satan has up his sleeve.

While the picture Paul painted of a soldier’s armor may not be easily understood, each piece has a spiritual purpose.

The Helmet of Salvation: Starting with our minds, the helmet protects us from Satan’s attempts to make us doubt God, Jesus, and our salvation. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 11:2, NIV.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: Our hearts are where our emotions, self worth, and trust reside – areas that Satan often attacks. The breastplate is God’s righteousness and it protects our heart, ensuring God’s approval. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7, NAS

Belt of Truth: Satan is a liar but is called the angel of light because his lies appear to be truths. God’s truth can defeat Satan’s lies. “… even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light,” 2 Corinthians 11:14, NAS

Shoes of Peace: Satan would like us to think that we aren’t capable of spreading the “good news” and tries to make us feel hopeless. These give us the motivation to continue to proclaim God’s truth and the true peace that is available only in Him. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful,” John 14:27, NAS

Shield of Faith: Too often, we become overwhelmed with our circumstances. This piece of armor gives us the ability to see beyond those circumstances, protects us from Satan’s attacks, and helps us know the ultimate victory is ours. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Sword of the Spirit: The sword is the Word of God and is the only weapon of offense in our list of armor. There will be times when we must take the offensive against Satan, especially when we face temptation. “As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him,” Psalm 18:30, AMP

Putting on the armor isn’t something we just think about doing, it’s a choice we must make. As with physical armor, it only protects if it is worn.

Pray as you envision putting on each piece of God’s armor, claiming His promise.

Blessings, Francine

Assess the Threat

2007-09-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

If we are to protect our witness and are actively seeking a witness protection plan, we must first assess the threat.

Before we begin to look at areas where the slippery slopes of temptation appear to be firm and true, we need to be aware of the enemy.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1 Peter 5:8, Amplified Bible

Our human reaction might be one of hopelessness and fear. How can we protect ourselves from Satan and his lies?

The first and most important way is with God’s truth – His word. If we don’t know God’s promises and His directions for how we are to live, we are vulnerable, exposed to attack. The old saying certainly applies here, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

You can be sure Satan knows God’s words and he is good at twisting them around so that he might lure us into the muck of sin. After all, if he twisted God’s word to tempt Jesus, you can bet he’ll try to do the same with us.

God knew we would struggle and His strongest gift to us was the death of His son on the cross. In Christ’s resurrection, Satan was defeated. End of story … well, at least for Satan. For us, it was the beginning.

We also must come to a real-life understanding that Satan is authentic and not just some guy in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork. He isn’t more powerful than God is, but he does have power. He is God’s enemy and while he isn’t eternal, he leads an army of demons.

But sometimes, it isn’t an army that defeats us; it’s our own lack of knowledge. Satan doesn’t want us to know we have victory through our Savior. If he can blind us to this truth, then realizing the Holy Spirit dwells within believers is even harder to comprehend.

Listen to the words Jesus spoke to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:25-27

Witness Protection

2007-09-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Most people know what the Witness Protection Program is. Basically, a person who is instrumental in testifying in a legal matter and is a threat to the accused is made to disappear. Sometimes, it’s a person whose life is threatened in other ways. In simple terms, the individual is protected.

Sometimes I believe, as Christians, we need a Witness Protection Plan. At the very least, we need to think about it. Some of us may need to consider how we might develop such a program for ourselves.

We easily claim to be a believer. When it comes to exactly what we believe in, we might be a little more vague. Hopefully not. Hundreds of thousands proudly proclaim to be a Christian but again, their actual beliefs aren’t as obvious, especially in their behavior. And, hundreds of thousands more are not afraid to proclaim a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Too often, we forget that, along with those proclamations, come responsibilities. Many believe that joining a church and regular attendance is all we need. That's a wrong assumption. In fact, that's just a first step. Of course, it may satisfy how we want others to see us. And that in itself is just plain wrong thinking because it's not others we need to worry about. We can fool them most of the time. It's our Creator we should be seeking to please. And, by the way, there's no fooling Him.

Of course, our Heavenly Father wants us to worship, praise, learn, and enjoy fellowship with other believers. These are important. But God is more interested in what's going on inside us and why we do the things we do.

To be honest, maybe we need to consider these areas of our lives and ask ourselves if they fall under the witness protection plan. In other words, what witness do we give God, and others, in these areas?

Loyalty to the body of Christ. Can you be counted on to volunteer where and when needed?
Your body. Are you taking care of God’s Holy Temple where the Holy Spirit resides?
Your habits. This wide-ranging area can be viewed by just about anyone.
Your driving. Speeding and reckless driving aren’t just against the law.
Your mouth. Short tempered with a store clerk or fellow worker?
Your recreation. How many Sunday’s do you get away from it all?
Your time. While many faithfully tithe financially, they fail to give unselfishly of their time.
Your entertainment. What movies or television shows are you watching?
Your talents. God has gifted each of us with talents for His use.
Your quiet time. How faithful are you in seeking to know God through His word.
Your prayer life. Do you use prayer more like a life raft than an intimate way of communicating with the Creator of the Universe?

These are some of the ways in which we witness to others every single day. Is your witness true to God’s word and direction for other believers?

If not, maybe you need to think about a Witness Protection Plan to guard your most important asset – your soul.

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" Matthew 16:24, The Message

Blessings, Francine

What Does God Want, Anyway?

2007-05-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone’s been there. In fact, we’ve all visited this place so many times it’s surprising we are still surprised. Some call it the end of our rope while others call it hitting bottom. Regardless of how it’s defined, it’s that place where we come to the end of ourselves. We’ve tried everything we know to bring peace and order in our lives. Instead, we become quite familiar with chaos.

How’d we get there? More importantly, why are we there? What does God want from us, anyway?

If we could learn to seek God’s plans for us before we get into chaotic living, we might see more clearly what He wants. Of course, many of us think we already know what He wants. Either it’s a life based on works rather than a relationship, or it’s a life we’ve spent trying to fit our desires into God’s desires. While there are times when those two things coincide to bring us to a higher place, it doesn’t come haphazardly.

Jesus gave us two commands that simply tell us to love God and love others. However, if we don’t have a healthy attitude about love, we need to look deeper into how we exhibit that love. After all, we can have a dysfunctional relationship with God just as easily as we can have dysfunctional relationships with others.

Often we tend to get caught up in religion rather than being caught up in a relationship with our Creator.

God showed His endless love, patience and mercy to the Israelites. As they came out of their 40 years of wandering in the desert, God once again provided them guidance. In Deuteronomy 10:12-13, Moses gave them a short course on what God wanted of them.

So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today—live a good life. Deuteronomy 10:12-13, The Message

Too often, we complicate the simplicity of these words. The Jews did it when they added their rules, regulations, and requirements. We have a tendency to do the same. If we seek to know God’s heart and His desires for us, we can begin knowing our Creator with these five steps:

Respect
Follow
Love
Serve
Obey

God wants us to live a good life rather than one filled with frustration and disappointment. When we begin a loving and active relationship with Him, we’ll discover exactly what He wants from us. And the good news is that He is always faithful.

Blessings, Francine

Love from Tragedy

2007-04-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

People around the country and around the world were shocked by the massacre at Virginia Tech on Monday. It was almost too enormous to grasp. As the largest mass murder in the United States, it will remain a marker of sorts for the depths of evil.

How could it happen? Well, the answer is that we live in a fallen world and there are evil people who are determined to have their way. How can we make our schools safe for our children? The truth is, we can’t.

My heart grieves with the parents and friends of those slain. I can’t imagine the terror those young adults and teachers felt in the last seconds of their lives. I truly am not minimizing the horror of the massacre – for that is what it was. It was horrible and should never have happened. But it did.

Man’s persecution, torture, and execution of man is a common thread throughout history. And while we Americans find comfort in knowing we live in one of the most civilized countries in the world, that doesn’t exclude us from pain and suffering. Maybe the question should be why shouldn’t it happen here?

Bad things happen to good people. No amount of gun laws – or any other laws for that matter – will provide us 100 percent protection. They never have and they never will.

However, that doesn’t leave us without hope. And it doesn’t minimize our responsibility to reach out to those who are hurting with that message of hope.

Whether or not we know those left grieving from this tragedy doesn’t mean we offer condolences from afar. What it should mean is that we re-double our efforts to share Christ with everyone. Whether it’s our next-door neighbor or a stranger, our hearts must be burdened with the need to reach the lost.

Only by loving others can we begin to show them the Truth found in faith and the hope found in God.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV

Blessings, Francine

Obedience is an Action Verb

2007-03-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Obedience is the spiritual response to listening to God’s direction for our lives.

Many listen for our Creator’s directions but often our emotions divert us on a detour that leads to a dead end. We are so easily caught up in feelings. And those feelings camouflage what God wants us to do.

Our human nature is fragile. We are whipped about by the storm of emotions. We recognize that we aren’t to respond in a situation where we are hurt and wounded. However, there are those who believe that’s the end of it. We stand within the storm of conflict and pat ourselves on the back because we haven’t retaliated or fallen to the gale force winds of conflict. No, we can peacefully stand as the thunder of disappointment or heartache echoes in our ears. We close our eyes as lightening streaks of anger shoot above us. The howling wind may buffet us but we proudly stand firm. We won’t budge.

Instead, we look at ourselves as sacrificing for the sake of Christ.

On the other hand, our thoughts can take us to the worlds of what if. In our mind, we think of all the ways we could respond, letting our anger or pain pour forth like the deluge of a torrential storm. We martial our verbal defense and allow ourselves to wallow in our own self-righteousness of never voicing the words we’ve been conjuring up. We never realize that there is something else at work in the circumstances.

But that’s the problem. In many instances, we may find satisfaction in not responding and turning the other cheek. After all, that’s what Jesus told us to do. Unfortunately, we are missing the rest of His guidance of how we respond to one who hurts us.

Obviously, we need to learn how not to react to the raging emotions that fly through the air like the wicked witch of the west. Yet, we stop there and think we’ve pleased God.

Unfortunately, we’ve bought into the lie Satan would have us believe. Even if we recognize the truth of the circumstances, we fall short of the goal. First, the emotions prevent us from realizing there is more to the situation than just enduring. Certainly, it takes spiritual maturity to do that. But, if we are to grow spiritually, we must look beyond what we feel – beyond the hurt or pain. To be devoted to Christ means we must endeavor to take that next step.

Do we ever consider what it is that God might be trying to illustrate to us? Do we ever think about the fact that the Creator of the universe has control over everything that happens in our lives?

If we refuse to see God’s hand in whatever painful circumstance we are experiencing, then we might as well respond in our human nature. This is the truth we must see. If we just endure – you know, grit your teeth and stick it out – then we aren’t moving in obedience.

Different circumstances certainly require different actions. Yes, there may be times when we do nothing in our human behavior. Someone wounds us; we refuse to respond in the natural way by striking back. Nevertheless, without trying to see what God wants to show us, we aren’t actively seeking God’s perspective.

And that’s what it’s all about. God doesn’t usually change our circumstances. What He does change is our perspective, but if we aren’t willing to respond in that way, then we aren’t being obedient.

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously." Luke 6:27-30, The Message

Blessings, Francine

Consequences of drifting

2007-02-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

It is easy to say we listen but, as noted in the previous post, listening implies action. Either we follow the direction God is leading us or we don’t. In other words, we are anchored in God’s word or we are drifting away.

Moses summed it up a little differently but with significant meaning.

“I’ve brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse. The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of God, your God, which I command you today. The Curse: if you don’t pay attention to the commandments of God, your God, but leave the road that I command you today, following other gods of which you know nothing.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28, The Message.

Look closely at his words. The blessing is listening obediently. Being able to discern God’s guidance to us doesn’t come naturaly to most. Those of us who have learned what it means to be obedient quickly grasp that the listening is the blessing because, if we truly belong to God, obedience leads to something amazing. If we are living as our Creator intended, it means we are filled with a supernatural peace, regardless of circumstances.

The curse is that when we don’t pay attention to God’s commandments we will leave God’s presence and thus follow other gods. The scariest part of this curse is the remainder of the verse, “gods of which you know nothing.” There are many instances of God’s people doing just this. As they left God’s presence, they drifted from the Truth.

They subsequently were enticed into believing in other gods and always suffered the consequences. Sure, many of these gods promised prosperity and protection, but when it came down to it – when there was a showdown of power between God and these deities – they not only didn’t win, many times, they didn’t even show up.

We sometimes scoff at the stories in the Bible attesting to other forces in this world. However, we place ourselves in danger when, like listening to God’s direction and will in our lives, we don’t accept all truths found in the Bible. If Moses, one of God’s spokesmen, talked about other gods, then you had better believe there are other gods.

The truth is we no longer recognize them. Many worship at the altar of money or power and, as we drift from God’s road, we find ourselves trapped in a belief that money or power is the answer to everything. Yet, the more we have, it seems the more we want. It’s never enough. We also sacrifice at this same altar. Instead of investing in our spiritual life, we ignore God. That’s usually the first step quickly followed by the sacrifice of our family, friends, and relationships. The same can be said for our seemingly insatiable hunger for power, success, and acceptance. We become willing to do anything in order to worship these gods.

If you’ve drifted from the road, what modern-day gods are you following?

Blessings, Francine

Are you listening?

2007-02-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

Do you listen or do you hear?

Some would wonder what the difference is. In our life, it can be the disparity between peace and turmoil, and in our spiritual walk, it can mean the difference between submission and disobedience.
On face value, the definitions appear similar in that we all hear; in other words, we perceive things by our ears. Hearing implies the ability to recognize sound. Everyone, with the exception of the “hearing impaired,” hears – the doorbell, laughter, and conversations.

Listening, on the other hand, implies an effort made on our part to hear. In other words, to pay attention and heed, thus implying action. We listen to our children, our boss, and our spouse. When pursuing an education, a career, or a relationship, the difference between hearing and listening can result in failure or success.

Think about what you hear every day. In the world around us, sound is everywhere from the blaring of loud music to the shuffle of someone following close behind. Constant clatter pours forth from television and radio. These things can play in the background of our lives and we occasionally listen when the sound becomes offensive, frightening, or inviting.

Many noises blend into our surroundings, to the point we no longer notice them – the hum of the refrigerator, the low rumble of the heater kicking on, or the constant flow of vehicles outside our home or business.

All have become familiar.

But, what about God. Do we just hear Him or do we listen.

Many struggle in their walk of faith, desperately wanting to hear a word from the Father. That may be the crux of their problem. Are we being complacent in the midst of how God talks to us or are we eagerly listening?

God speaks to each of us in a kaleidoscope of ways – through His creation, music, His word, and through our pastors and teachers. The question is, are we just hearing or are we listening.

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil, Ecclesiastes 5:1, NASB

Blessings, Francine

Commitment

2007-01-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

God has recently impressed upon me both the call He’s laid on my life and the importance of my commitment to that call.

I’m a writer who writes by the leading of God. I consider it a ministry. The same holds true for my photography. I’m blessed in that He’s given me the desires of my heart. It was a long struggle between the Lord and me. For years, I was caught up in the world’s definition of success and satisfaction. God used physical circumstances to get my attention and, true to His word, brought me to a higher place. Psalm 18:19, New Living Translation, says: He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

I’ve come to realize that only in consistent obedience to His call can I truly grow spiritually. This plays out in my two blogs, Words from the Heart and The Storyteller, as well as other avenues He’s opened to me.

This past year has been a challenge. The move from Heidelberg, Germany back to my home in Arizona took more time and effort than I ever imagined. Now it’s time to get back to work.

I believe that obedience is the most important thing we can do in our relationship with the Creator, second only to entering into an intimate relationship with Him.

If you do not know the Lover of your soul, I encourage you to meet Him.

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8, New Living Translation

You could begin with the previous post (January 1, 2007) and information in the Special Note below. It’s not important where you begin, just that you take that first step.

In obedience to my Father, I will be posting here on a weekly basis. If my words touch your heart, I pray you’ll visit again soon.

Blessings, Francine

SPECIAL NOTE: I pray that each commentary I write here will bless you, but please understand that some are built on previous entries. I’ve tried to build a Biblical basis from which my thoughts are developed. It’s important that you understand my words aren’t the end of the story, so to speak. I would encourage you to check out previous entries if you have questions concerning what I’ve written. In addition, I’ve included links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” or “New Christian Life” as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. An excellent on-line resource is BibleGateway.com .

Another good site is Crossmap, and not just because my inspirational messages can now be found there. This organization, which has been running since 2000, serves the Christian community as a web portal. There are great columns by talented nationally known writers and pastors, a wide variety of other Christian sites, news, and commentaries.

As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahoo.com

Open or Closed?

2007-01-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Are you open or closed to God?

If we aren’t open to Him and how He wants to guide our lives then we are closed.

It’s our choice. We can be receptive to all God has for us or we can reject what He has to offer.

It’s like opening a door or closing one. It takes an action on our part.

So many people believe God just sits on His throne and watches His creations run around like ants. While He never sleeps and His eye is even on the tiniest of sparrows, He also knows exactly what is going on with His creation. We are His beloved.

But He never forces Himself or His plans on us. You see, in His infinite love, He gave us free choice. I mean, after all, love isn’t love if it’s forced.

Will you open the door?

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Romans 5:1, The Message

Keeping Christmas

2006-12-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

A whisper of wings … and other things

If we take the time to ponder the events of one night more than 2,000 years ago, we often find elements of the extraordinary, the inexplicable, and the most astonishing surrounding the announcement of a baby’s birth.

It would seem the supernatural world came down and danced with us mere mortals.

The true wonder is that the same miraculous things happen today. No, not angelic beings or spiritual anomalies that sometimes capture our attention.

Our Savior’s birth was just the beginning of the eternal love story between the Creator and His creations.

Oh that we would slow down long enough this Christmas season to truly comprehend the true gifts Jesus wants each of us to receive … to supernaturally love, forgive, sacrifice, and believe so that we may grow in our faith. And then, to look to the heavens in wonder and awe of the most perfect love story ever created.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them … “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” Luke 2:9-10, NLT

Shepherds and wise men

One group followed a star and the other followed the angelic announcement. Yet, both were being obedient to the Heavenly realms.

Shepherds were on the bottom rung of Jewish society. They were both physically and ritually dirty, which kept them isolated – outcasts. They certainly had no gifts for this new born king. The wise men, on the other hand, were depicted as educated, respected and wealthy, bringing lavish gifts.

The disparity between a wise man and a shepherd is more than just life style or ethnicity. The differences actually show the vast expanse of God’s invitation – it truly is for all.

Regardless of their diversity, they followed the call – from a far off place and from around the corner.

The truth is the most amazing journeys all begin with just one step. A more wondrous truth is that when we seek Him, God is faithful in leading us to find Him.

No room

Most are familiar with the Nativity story. Jesus was born in a stable among farm animals because there was no warm room for Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem that night.

The reality is that many find Jesus but some don’t have room in their hectic schedules to accept the gifts He wants to give us. A deeper truth may be that we have no room in our hearts.

In order to experience a personal relationship with God, we not only need to invite Him into our lives, but we also need to make room in our hearts.

Keeping Christmas in our hearts all year long is as unadorned as a manger filled with hay, as natural as a mother giving birth, and as down-to-earth as shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. It’s unpretentious and clear-cut. These are the ordinary things God used on one extraordinary night to bring forth the Hope of the world.

Our desire shouldn’t be to put Christ back into Christmas, but instead put Him back into our hearts. Imagine the remarkable lives we would live if we remembered.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:13-14

Christmas Blessings, Francine

SPECIAL NOTE: I pray that each commentary I write here will bless you, but please understand that some are built on previous entries. I use a Biblical basis from which my thoughts are developed. It’s important that you understand my words aren’t the end of the story, so to speak. I would encourage you to check out the archives if you have questions concerning what I’ve written. Also, I’ve included links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” at http://www.nowtrygod.com or “New Christian Life” at http://newchristian.com as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. An excellent on-line resource is BibleGateway.com at http://www.biblegateway.com.

Another good site is Crossmap, at http://crossmap.com and not just because my inspirational messages can now be found there. This organization, which has been running since 2000, serves the Christian community as a web portal. There are great columns by talented nationally known writers and pastors, a wide variety of other Christian sites, news, and commentaries.
As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahoo.com

Living Water

2006-09-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

“… but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life,” John 4:14, NAS

Living in the desert gives a new perspective on the importance of water. Even in the high desert of southeastern Arizona, water is precious. As towns grow into cities, this necessity drives just about every aspect of development. This is particularly important as the region is in the middle of a drought.

The abundance of ground water can turn a backyard or park into a mini-oasis. Nonetheless, as the drought continues, the lack of rain takes its toll. Certainly proper cultivation and fertilization helps green up the grass, trees, and flowers.

However, there’s something about rain that truly brings the desert to life. It’s as if grass grows by the hour and flowers pop open overnight providing a Technicolor landscape. Hues and brilliance provide a beautiful contrast while the dusty brown terrain so normal here disappears. All of nature instinctively draws closer to the natural drenching of the desert.

It’s the same way for us. Without the living water of Christ, we can wither and turn into dusty Christians, parched and empty – a drought unto ourselves. Try as we might to water ourselves by artificial means, we never reach the full beauty our Creator intended. Imitation only brings temporary joy, if even that.

Many are familiar with Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman in this verse. The Life Application explains that while Christ did not come to take away the challenges we face in the circumstances of life, He can change us on the inside so that we can live life from God’s perspective.

Without the living water Jesus talks about, we will continue to thirst and continue to seek, filled only with short-lived satisfaction and long-term disappointment.

Consider how things look after a refreshing rain – vibrant and alive. The same transformation can take place in each of us if we seek and drink the living water of Christ.

Blessings, Francine

Desires of the Heart

2006-08-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4, NIV

I sometimes wonder what God has planned for me in the next step of my life. I say this with excitement and anticipation. Although I am often heavy laden with the work at hand, I believe God blesses each of us more abundantly in the things that make our hearts sing.

It's not that He withholds blessings from His children. But if we truly delight ourselves in the Lord, we more easily hear and follow Him. God wants to give us the desires of our heart and when we have an intimate relationship with Him our hearts are exactly where He wants them to be.

The human side of me – that which Satan loves to tamper with – tries to convince me that the direction I’m walking is purely of my desires. But, that isn't true.

When I know God has led me to a certain place or His intervention has taken me away from the tangible, fruits of my labor for Him, I’m to respond obediently. I can’t let myself become so regimented to schedules and deadlines that I cannot recognize the times when God steps in.

It may be ministering to a friend or family member going through a rough time. It may come in the form of taking time to enjoy my grandchildren. It may even involve some alone time with my husband. Regardless of what it is, I know that God orchestrates my life. All I’m responsible for is joining my Father in His work. True, we can use these things as diversions. However, if we are close to God and meet Him daily, we can usually sense in our spirit what we’re to do.

These interruptions truly bring us to the next step on our spiritual journey. I think that is what faith is. We take a step but it isn't linear ... it's a vertical step and from this higher vantage point we gain new perspective. We are able to see above our circumstances and glimpse the Creator of the universe being creative in our lives. Every step of obedience, regardless of how small, brings us to a higher place where we will find the desires of our heart.

Blessings, Francine

Fellowship of the Rings

2006-08-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12, New International Version

I recently watched the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy – Fellowship of the Ring. The movie is rich with meaning and this first one begins a tale of friendship.

We all have friendships. Some span a lifetime. Some are based on mutual interests, family, career, social, or based on other reasons.

I like the word fellowship because it conjures up something active – the idea of people responding to and caring for others.

Those friends in LOTR were brought together during a time of danger. They didn’t know each other but the bond of a common faith, desire, and goal cemented them, one to another. They were as diverse a group as one could find in demeanor, appearance, and background. Yet each had a unique strength and when combined together, they faced evil that gave every indication of overpowering supremacy. Their fellowship accomplished the unthinkable.

It was their faith in overcoming darkness, their trust in the light of truth, and their belief in the fellowship of the ring that ultimately brought victory.

Too often, we see our faith as something less. It’s not. We battle unseen forces. I’m not talking so much about demons, although Paul tells us our battles are not with flesh and blood but with demons over whom Satan has control.

True, these are grand challenges that we usually recognize and, in so doing, we realize our need of God’s power. Nevertheless, our giants can be as innocuous as the worry and fear that plague our every day lives. Our sight isn’t always as clear in these personal battles. Yet, our God can strengthen us to live victoriously in the small things.

What does all this have to do with the fellowship of the rings?”

I’ve joined a group of Christian writers in a web ring, Lindenville Café. Visitors can easily click to another blog of inspirational words. It is my hope that by joining together, as those characters did in LOTR, we can encourage others with the hope found in the Creator’s light and truth.

I invite you to browse the ring. I think you’ll find a diversity of talent. I know you’ll find people just like yourselves who share God’s truth in the realities of their own lives.

Blessings, Francine

Homecoming

2006-07-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version.

For those of you who have visited my blog in the past, you know that there’s not been any activity for the past six months. I returned to my home in the United States in February and have been in the process of catching up. It’s been a homecoming in one of the truer senses of the word – returning to my family after a three-year stay in Germany.

Since then, my husband and I have been refurbishing our home, reacquainting ourselves with friends, and re-establishing ourselves within our church and local community. It’s been full of hard work, laughter, and bittersweet memories. Most importantly, it’s been a time of new spiritual directions and growth.

There were times when I worried over my inactivity here but I try not to do things based on my feelings or emotions. There would be a time when God would lead me back.

It’s funny how God works in our lives, using anything and everything to speak to us. As a writer, one of my greatest pleasures is writing. Yet, I sometimes life gets in the way. That’s when the Creator of the universe steps in and gently reminds me of His plans for me. Moreover, each time is like a homecoming.

This verse from Jeremiah has brought me hope over the years … kind of like a light in the darkness of confusion. It also has given me reassurance. If I’m attuned to God’s moving in my life, He makes those plans known. Maybe not the whole picture but certainly the direction I should take. As my trust and faith grow, so does my ability to take just one step into the plans my Father has for me.

You may notice something new on my blog. In all honesty, it’s only through the help of a dear friend that I’m now “connected” to a web ring of other Christian bloggers. God used one friend’s obedience to reach out and show me it was time to take that one step.

I pray that He might speak to each of you.

Blessings, Francine

Do you remember?

2006-01-25T04:42:00.000-07:00

The older we get, the more there is to remember. The passage of time can blur or distort past events, softening the heartaches and from time to time shifting the facts. As a person who keeps a journal, I am occasionally surprised when I revisit an event and realize there’s more, or less, to the story than in my memories.

I think it’s vital that we remember special events, especially as they relate to our spiritual growth. It’s not an easy thing to do and it isn’t something that can be completed in a short amount of time. Yet, the hard work is worth it.

You see, even documenting painful experiences can give us a glimpse of how the Creator of the universe comes close to the brokenhearted. For me, it’s been during the most heartbreaking times that I’ve discovered just how much God comforted me and how much I grew spiritually.

Everyone will face the death of a loved one, the threat of disease, and all kinds of losses. We wonder how we will carry on. I can share from personal experience – I believed I couldn’t cope with those things, but I did. Certainly, I felt grief and suffering but God gave me strength to not only survive the deep darkness of immense sorrow, but a supernatural peace.

And those sorrowful experiences where God stepped in have been crucial in strengthening my faith. Let’s face it, if our Creator can get us through devastating loss, He can guide us in day-to-day living lives full of stress and anxiety.

The important thing is to remember.

I would encourage you to take the time and develop what I call life markers. I started with major milestones, so to speak, and then filled in other things in as I remembered.

I must confess, I was amazed to see God’s footprints more clearly in the landscapes of my grief-stricken darkness.

The more I worked on my life markers, the more I saw God’s presence in my life, and the more I trusted Him.

There are plenty of scriptures encouraging us to remember God’s laws, words, and comfort. Learning about different people in the Bible shows how others were able to reflect on all that God had done for them. One of the more interesting, and possibly less known, is Asaph. You’ll find him in the Psalms.

Asaph was one of David’s choir leaders and is credited with Psalms 73-83. The first psalm he wrote is one many could probably identify with. I particularly like him because he’s brutally honest in asking why life is so unfair.

His words in Psalm 77 are a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest of times, God’s footprints across our hearts and lives brings us to a place of refuge and sanctuary.

“I recall all you have done, O Lord. I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of miracles and wonders!” Psalm 77:11-14, NLT.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: Satan would like nothing better than for us to forget God’s presence in our lives.

Blessings, Francine

SPECIAL NOTE: I pray that each commentary I write here will bless you, but please understand that some are built on previous entries. I’ve tried to build a Biblical basis from which my thoughts are developed. It’s important that you understand “my words” aren’t the end of the story, so to speak. I would encourage you to check out previous entries if you have questions concerning what I’ve written. Also, I’ve included links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” at http://www.nowtrygod.com or “New Christian Life” at http://newchristian.com as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. An excellent on-line resource is BibleGateway.com at http://www.biblegateway.com.

Another good site is Crossmap, at http://crossmap.com and not just because my inspirational messages can now be found there. This organization, which has been running since 2000, serves the Christian community as a web portal. There are great columns by talented nationally known writers and pastors, a wide variety of other Christian sites, news, and commentaries.
As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahoo.com

Looking for God in All the Wrong Places

2006-01-17T04:07:00.000-07:00

If we want God’s presence in our lives, we won’t find it in religion. It begins with a relationship.

We spend huge amounts of money, time, and effort trying to find God. Roam the aisles of any bookstore in the Religious section and you’ll find hundreds of books. Unfortunately, unless we start with The Book, we may find ourselves lost in all the how to’s.

There are many excellent authors whose books are planted firmly in God’s truths. Often, their words help guide and direct us in our search with encouragement and inspiration. Still, if we don’t understand that God’s word is the only Truth, we will continue looking in all the wrong places.

It’s easy to tell others to read the Bible but a lot harder to actually do that. Where do you begin? What version should you use? How do you understand all that stuff?

Jesus knew how hard it would be for us and when He arose to the Father, He left us with a comforter – The Holy Spirit.

Jesus first told the disciples of the Holy Spirit in the last hours He spent with them.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16-18, NAS.

So many of us are heartbroken because we fail in our desire to follow Jesus. And therein lays the key. We do not have the power to follow Christ in our own strength.

All you have to do is look at Peter. He loved Jesus, proclaimed he would die in his devotion, and yet, he denied Christ three times. How often have you come across the verses describing Peter’s denial and wondered, “How could he do that?” If you search the scriptures, you will discover that Peter said what he said and did what he did in his own strength.

Look closely again at Jesus’ words, “but you will know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”

It wasn’t until the disciples were pretty much at the end of their ropes, so to speak, that they were able to comprehend these words. They’d watched their Lord beaten and crucified and saw His lifeless body removed from the cross. Then they ran and hid. It’s hard to imagine the loneliness, anguish, and fear they experienced. I think they probably felt abandoned as well. Then, Mary Magdalene comes and tells them she’s seen the Lord.

As they are hiding behind locked doors in fear of the Jews, Jesus appears to his beloved disciples. His first words to them still take my breath away, “Peace be with you.”

As the disciples rejoiced, Jesus then told them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” John 20:22.

We cannot receive the Holy Spirit if we are living by our own strength. Usually, it’s only when we come to the end of our rope that we are ready to enter an intimate relationship with Jesus.

Blessings, Francine

Scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible

CHANGES

2006-01-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers:

For those who are returning guests and to those of you new to my blog, you will note an absence of posts between Aug 3 and November 29. There were 20 posts on the Beatitudes, part of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:3-8. I’ve removed these posts and they can now be found in my column on Crossmap (http://www.crossmap.com/). I invite you to visit Crossmap – it’s filled with a variety of columns, information, and news of particular interest to Christians.

I began posting a new series of inspirational commentaries on my blog this month. They focus on what it means to abide in Christ and will continue with encouraging inspirational messages on how to have a closer relationship with our Creator.

As always, please feel free to contact me at tenderheartaz@yahoo.com with thoughts or questions.

Here’s information from the Crossmap website about their columns:

“Crossmap Columns was launched in June 2004 to showcase uplifting and encouraging columns from Christian writers.”

“Crossmap posts columns with the young to mature Christian in mind. Although we will have some articles written about the very basics of faith, and several about more mature ideas such as Christian philosophy, the majority of columns focus strictly on how to be better Christians. For young and growing Christians, these columns should be invaluable – they are insights into the daily lives of Christians who have already walked the path of the Lord for years, and in some cases, decades. Columns are written by husbands and wives teaching how to be more loving and considerate, by fathers and mothers explaining how to best raise children, and by pastors whose writings are extensions of the sermons they have lived preaching.”

Blessings, Francine

Abiding in ...

2006-01-11T03:49:00.000-07:00

If we want to have God in our lives, we must first learn to abide in our Creator.

The word abide has several meanings, usually beginning with the negative connotation of “to put up with or tolerate.” A second definition is “to wait patiently for.” I like that one, but if you do a little research, you’ll find another meaning that I believe more clearly illustrates what I think Jesus meant when he was instructing His disciples. “To continue to be sure or firm or to dwell or sojourn.”

I sometimes think we see God almost like the great and powerful Oz – impossible to approach without performing some heroic feat. The truth is we can’t perform heroic feats without intimately knowing our Creator. If you don’t believe me, just think about David and Goliath. Most of us aren’t even thinking about performing daring deeds; we just want to get through each day with some sense of peace.

But how do we do that?

As Jesus was talking to his closest friends during his final hours on earth, he told them, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7, NASB.

The Message gives an even clearer picture: “But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.”

These verses are within the context of Jesus’ teaching about the “Vine and the Branches.” Earlier he says he’s the vine and God is the vinedresser who takes care of the branches – that would be us.

In verse 5, he tells us that those who abide or, make themselves at home with him, will bear fruit, but without this kind of connection, we can do nothing.

It begins with a relationship that requires active interest, care, and love between God and us through Christ.

I am sometimes amazed when I read the Bible. It truly is like a love letter … from the Creator of the universe to His beloved creations – each of us.

Blessings, Francine

If God Isn't In it

2006-01-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

I used to have a popular saying tacked up to my bulletin board … “If God isn’t in it, it won’t get done.”

I smile when I think back to how many times I looked at that saying and prayed that God would be involved in whatever project I might be working on.

Needless to say, it usually didn’t work.

The truth is, if God isn’t in our life, then much of what we try to do won’t get done … at least not the way God intends it and probably not the way we hoped for.

We struggle, sacrifice, and work hard towards a goal we’ve set for ourselves. Many times, it’s something we believe God wants. Unfortunately, the fallacy is that it is something we want and God’s involvement comes after we’ve made a commitment, started a project, accepted a new job, or begun a mission.

We must first seek God’s will, not our own.

We love to quote various scriptures from the New Testament claiming the promises Jesus spoke about. There are at least fourteen instances where He spoke about asking and receiving. We like to end our prayers by saying, “… in Jesus’ name,” and think that covers our requests. After all, we have scripture that tells us so. “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:14, New American Standard

Of course, the verse is taken out of context. John 14 is part of the intimate time Jesus spent with his disciples during the Last Supper. Jesus spoke lovingly and tenderly to those who were closest to him. And he had a lot to say. If we base our actions on this one verse, we’re going to be disappointed … over and over again.

If we want to claim a scripture as a promise of Jesus working in our life, maybe we should quote a different verse that is both a beautiful and concise promise Jesus left for all of us:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7, New American Standard

In the next few days, I’d like to look at how we can have God in our life and be confident of the things we ask.

Blessings, Francine

SPECIAL NOTE: I pray that each commentary I write here will bless you, but please understand that some are built on previous entries. I’ve tried to build a Biblical basis from which my thoughts are developed. It’s important that you understand my words aren’t the end of the story, so to speak. I would encourage you to check out previous entries if you have questions concerning what I’ve written. Also, I’ve included links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out Running Empty or Power to Change (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit Now Try God at http://www.nowtrygod.com or New Christian Life at http://newchristian.com as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. An excellent on-line tool is BibleGateway.com at http://www.biblegateway.com

As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahoo.com

Foundations

2005-12-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

Did you have a good Christmas? Were your expectations met? Or, did you come away from the holiday feeling as if something was missing?

In spite of all the planning and preparations, we can end up experiencing a sense of vague disappointment. We may have tried to focus on spiritual things but for some reason it just didn’t happen.

Of course, the world is counting down the hours until the New Year, as if some magical transformation will alter their lives into something better.

I think we look at the new year as a way to bring about an extreme life makeover. If only it were as easy as the home makeover shows on television. In one week, a ramshackle building is transformed into a place of beauty, designed specifically for those who reside there. Lately it seems that most of these houses need to be completely demolished because they are irreparable.

Everyone uses the coming new year to look back as well as forward. If Christmas wasn’t quite what we thought it would be, maybe reflecting on where we’ve been this past year will give us better perspective on where we want to go this next year.

If God is not the center of our life, maybe we need an extreme makeover down to the very foundation. If He is, perhaps some renovations are in order. The truth is that unless we are rooted in and with our Creator, our lives always leave something to be desired.

If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. Luke 6:48, The Message

For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have – Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:11, NLT

Blessings, Francine

The Christmas Story

2005-12-25T03:48:00.000-07:00

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:1-20, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

The Hope of Christmas

2005-12-24T02:17:00.000-07:00

I think we come closest to realizing the true meaning of this season on Christmas Eve. In the quiet stillness of this night, my prayer is that you will discover the Hope of Christmas. My words pale in comparison to those given us in the Bible. So, I leave you with two scriptures that have carried me through the circumstances of life and given me a most precious gift.

But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint, Isaiah 40:31, NIV

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 15:13, NAS

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Going Home

2005-12-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Some people go to extraordinary lengths to get home for Christmas. It’s as if we have some inner homing instinct that draws us there.

Right about now, thousands have left or are preparing to travel across the country or maybe across town. A number of victims from the hurricanes that devastated the Gulf Coast have returned to the area to spend Christmas with friends or family.

Yet there are many who can’t or won’t go home and others still who have nothing to return to – and it has nothing to do with natural disasters. Sadly, empty old cars and shadowy city canyons are the only homes they have. They huddle in the dark, almost always hungry and often with children. Then there are those who’ve experienced different kinds of human disasters of the mind and heart, leaving them isolated and alone in the most boisterous of crowds.

Carols ring out, “Peace on earth, good will to men … Joy to the World.” But these are as elusive as the wind, as slippery as ice, and as invisible as the air we breathe.

It is our belief in something good – something better – that inspires and strengthens people to pursue these things. The world would be a horrible place without the peacemakers and the philanthropists. But, circumstances change and it’s impossible to hold onto something intangible.

True joy exists when we allow the Savior to dwell within our hearts and spirits. There is a sense of going home when we kneel to the tiny baby and recognize the purpose of His birth. He came to show us how to find a joy that no one can ever take away.

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:11, NAS

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Shepherds and Wise Men

2005-12-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about those who showed up at the manger so long ago?

Shepherds and wise men.

One group followed a star and the other followed the announcement made by angels. They were being obedient to the Heavenly Realms.

Shepherds were on the bottom rung of Jewish society. They were both physically and ritually dirty, which kept them isolated – outcasts. They couldn’t even testify in a court of law and had nothing to give. The wise men, on the other hand, are depicted as respected and wealthy and came with lavish gifts.

The disparity between a wise man and a shepherd was more than just life style or ethnicity yet the differences actually show the vast expanse of God’s invitation – it truly is for all.

Regardless of their diversity, they were obedient to the call – from a far off place and from around the corner, so to speak.

We sometimes become uncomfortable with the word obedient. I think we make it complicated when it’s so simple.

Anyone can take one step. And the truth is, the most amazing journeys all begin just like that. A more wondrous truth is that when we seek Him, God is faithful in leading us to find Him.

…He rewards those who earnestly seek Him, Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

A whisper of wings and other amazing things

2005-12-21T02:10:00.000-07:00

Isn’t that how we look at that one night so long ago?

There is an element of the extraordinary, the inexplicable, and the most astonishing surrounding the announcement of a baby’s birth.

It would seem the supernatural world came down and danced with us mere mortals.

The true wonder is that the same miraculous things happen today. I’m not talking about angelic beings or spiritual anomalies that sometimes capture our attention.

Our Savior’s birth was just the beginning of the eternal love story between the Creator and His creations.

Oh that we would awaken Christmas morning to the true gifts Jesus wants each of us to have … to supernaturally love, forgive, sacrifice, and believe so that we may grow in our faith and obedience … to look to the heavens in wonder and awe of the most perfect love story every created.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them … “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” Luke 2:9-10, NLT

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Living the gift

2005-12-20T02:23:00.000-07:00

Contentment, joy, and peace cannot be bought, made, or just believed in to be experienced. As I think about the coming celebration of our Savior’s birth, these most precious things become more real. And yet, I believe the world has a false sense of their source.

We probably will spend more than we intended in giving gifts we hope will bring pleasure and delight to family and friends. I have no doubt our Creator intended for us to experience joy in loving others. And yet, I think we too have a false sense of how to do that.

There’s nothing wrong with giving gifts. I love choosing things that I know will be enjoyed. Unfortunately, we sometimes fail to see those things that cannot be bought, made, or believed in. The warmth of an embrace, tender words of love and caring, laying aside some preconceived ideas to understand the struggles of others cannot be wrapped up in bright paper and shiny ribbon.

The truth is, actions like these are the way we can convey our own gratitude for the birth of Jesus.

Yes, He came to redeem us, but to keep that gift to ourselves may be the most selfish thing we can ever do. I’m not talking about involvement in some ministry or church project. I’m talking about touching others in all kinds of ways that express Jesus’ love.

God gave us a priceless gift, but if we do not express that same kind of unselfish and sacrificial love to others, we really are the ones who lose. For it is in giving in this kind of way that we live our faith. It’s one thing to say you love God but it’s quite another to love others.

If you sincerely want to experience the joy of Christmas, live the gift throughout the year.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The Second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’” Matthew 22:36-39, NAS

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Christmas Memories

2005-12-19T03:24:00.000-07:00

Holidays always hold memories for us. From our earliest years, we’ve stored up scenes in our hearts and minds of Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Nostalgia burns deep in our hearts.

There’s a bittersweet feeling during the holidays. Some from remembering how it used to be to maybe how it never was. Regardless of what those memories are filled with, they come unbidden.

What’s your best Christmas memory? Is it wrapped in sparkling tinsel and scents of turkey and cranberry sauce? Is it busting with energy as gifts were exchanged and excitedly opened?

My best memories are those filled with less rather than more. There was the time when we didn’t have much money, had a small artificial tree, and few gifts. Yet my family remembers that Christmas as a special one.

The very best Christmas memory is more recent and more poignant.

It was our first Christmas here in Germany. Our spindly tree could almost pass for Charlie Brown’s. It had few decorations, a small number of lights, and even fewer gifts. Packages from family didn’t arrive. There would be no rush on Christmas morning, no merry phone calls, no family dinner.

And my heart was breaking. For the first time in my life, I found myself without the sound of children’s voices, laughter, and love. Regardless of how we celebrated the holiday, there’d always been children. Not this year.

I sat alone in front of our tree wishing only for Christmas to be over. In the darkness of midnight, bells chimed throughout the small farming community I lived in, and I lifted up a prayer to God. I admitted that all my memories couldn’t satisfy the emptiness within me. I knew there was something more and I whispered that He reveal it to me.

Then God helped me see that yes, there were no children this Christmas; there was One Child, and I was invited to spend Christmas with Him. I knew then that I’d discovered a truth that may have eluded me the rest of my life. A truth I’ve wanted to know and feel for so many Christmases.

It took one silent night alone, but for the presence of my Father, to truly understand.

Sometimes it takes losing our most treasured things to find the most precious gift.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

More than a gift

2005-12-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here in Germany there’s a popular item sold in many of the Christmas markets called a nesting doll. It appears as one doll but actually it is usually a set of five or six wooden dolls, each nesting inside the other. If you don’t know it opens, it’s difficult to see the seam.

One beautiful doll with hidden treasure.

Sometimes we only see the baby in the manger. We understand the true gift that the Creator of the universe gave His children. The sacrifice and atonement Jesus made gives each of His followers eternal life.

But just like those nesting dolls, we never see what’s inside. We can love and cherish it and do everything in our power to make it part of our lives. If we don’t know there’s more, we are missing the supernatural experience of an intimate relationship with the Savior.

Like the many facets of a diamond sparkling in the light, Jesus meets our every need.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6, KJV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Light a Candle

2005-12-17T01:11:00.000-07:00

Have you ever awakened from a nightmare and struggled in the dark. You wrestle with the panic and fear, trying to shake off the ghosts haunting your dreams. You know turning on a light would help. Even the tiniest glow helps banish the darkness.

Too often, fear prevents us from doing anything.

At times, our lives are the same. We’ve gotten lost in the dark. Shedding light on the demons that pursue us seems impossible. Sometimes we don’t even realize that there is a light that can illuminate the darkest of nights or hearts or minds.

I think we’ve become so comfortable with the shadows that to do anything else goes against everything we know. It’s easy to become complacent.

But there is a Truth shining in the darkness. It was born one Christmas night more than two thousand years ago. And this light of the world came specifically for what you might be going through. You see, darkness must flee the light.

As you seek to bring new meaning to your holidays this year, think how one candle eliminates the blackness of night.

If you light a candle this year, think about how Jesus came to light up your darkness.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Children and Christmas

2005-12-16T02:53:00.000-07:00

Children and Christmas – the two are irrevocably tied together with ribbons and bows, sleeping cherubs, and bright, sparkling eyes wide with wonder.

If you are surrounded by children during this time of the year, it may be hard to see beyond the clamor and glamour of corporate America’s marketing campaigns. Children too are easily caught up in the frenzy of gift giving and getting.

If you can remove the layers of holiday-induced excitement, it’s kind of like removing the layers of tissue paper from a very special gift.

Here are some very simple truths about children:

They believe what they are told.
They are usually unaffected by the world.
They are joyful.
They easily show love.
They quickly forgive.
They implicitly trust.
And they are sincerely heartbroken and remorseful when they disobey.

God, through His word, has told us to be like children. I think we’ve become so sophisticated that we’ve forgotten how simple that can be.

Maybe we need to start looking toward our Heavenly Father through the eyes of a child.

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3, NLT

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Silent Night

2005-12-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

In the silence of a wintry night, snow falls and softens the hard edges of broken dreams and empty promises. The soft sigh of a midnight breeze across the desert valley cools the heat of electric emotions that time and again are short-circuited by circumstance.

Within each lies a mystery clothed in beauty, speaking to our hearts in the language of nature’s extremes, whispering to us.

Sometimes the extremes of God can only be heard in the silence of our souls. Too often, the rumble and commotion of life distracts us, forcing us to be in almost constant motion. As long as we move in cadence to the world’s rhythm, we will find it difficult to hear the voice of the Creator.

Simplicity sometimes speaks more loudly than sophistication.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10, KJV

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2005-12-14T01:47:00.000-07:00

Music is part of Christmas celebrations everywhere – from the ridiculous to the magnificent.

For me, music has always been something that seems to go straight from my ears to my mind. I hear a few strains of a popular song from forty years ago and I can usually identify the title, the performer, and the words. It helped calm my fears and alleviate adolescent worries. It’s helped mend my teenaged broken heart, given me ways to express joy or sadness, and provided me years of entertainment.

It can somehow reach past the chaos of our emotions and soothe us. Often, it’s a profound message that we needed to hear.

What is the music of Christmas? Is it in the commercial songs played on radio stations around the world? Is it the hundreds upon thousands of church programs played out in small towns and large cities? Is it the boisterous voices of carolers gathered outside homes? Certainly, it can be all these things.

The true music of Christmas is how God speaks to us if we choose to hear Him. The glory revealed this one night can dramatically move us. Yet, hearing an awesome message once a year won’t do much the other three hundred and sixty-four days.

Hearing God isn’t just something we check off our to do list of how to grow spiritually. It can give us a supernatural peace and take us to new levels of understanding and blessings.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:1-11, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

No Room

2005-12-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

No room at the inn. We’re all familiar with this statement. Jesus was born in a stable amidst farm animals because there was no warm room for Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem that night.

No room in your life. I’ve been writing about how we sometimes have no room in our hectic schedules this time of year to welcome the true gift of this season.

No room in your heart. A deeper truth may be that we have no room in our hearts.

In order to obtain a personal relationship with God, we not only need to invite Him into our lives, but we also need to make room in our hearts.

If we value other things more than knowing God, then it’s hard to have any kind of relationship with Him. Many are so involved in church, they miss the simple knowledge that all we really need is to seek God above anything else. That includes family.

Sometimes I think family may be our most attractive diversion. It may be as destructive as obsessive relationships or as innocent as doing for those we love. Too many times we step in, thinking we’re helping them when, the truth is we may be hindering them from drawing closer to God. We cannot be anyone else’s savior. If we are, then Christmas has no real meaning.

If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple, Luke 14:26, NLT

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Say a Prayer

2005-12-12T04:57:00.000-07:00

The days of December are quickly slipping by. Have you gotten everything done yet? I would think mos of us would answer no.

As Christmas nears, there seems less joy.

I’m sure we’ve all run into someone who is constantly whining or complaining. It doesn’t matter what might be going on in their lives, they can’t seem to find anything good to say.

True, their circumstances may be difficult. Still, they focus on the negative and refuse to look at anything positive. It’s frustrating to continue encouraging them. Whatever you say, they’ll answer with “Yeah, but …” or ignore your words.

It’s especially difficult during the holidays. Those expectations and misplaced holiday cheer run rampant and that seems to dishearten those already discouraged.

Sometimes, offering the Hope of Christmas to them isn’t enough.

How do you handle that? True, you could go out of your way to ignore that person. You could let them affect your own sense of peace. But what if that person is someone you love or someone you live with?

Too often, we so easily say that the least we can do is pray for someone. The truth is, it’s actually the best we can do for them. And we can continue to just keep loving them. After all, it’s what Jesus would do – for both those whom we love and those who treat us badly. If we do, then we are living the reality of Christmas. If we’re ever going to reach others, it’s through our actions. As the scripture says: Live generously and graciously toward others.

I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Matthew 5:44, 47-48, The Message

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

2005-12-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

The words from one of the most loved Christmas songs are familiar to thousands. But have you ever slept in heavenly peace?

Sleeping like a baby is something many will do just about anything to obtain. For those of us who have a worrying heart and a troubled spirit, sleep is almost as illusive as peace.

Medication is the popular remedy, and sometimes even that doesn’t work.

For many, the problem is neither physical nor mental, but instead is more about spiritual things. Fear, anxiety, and worry wreak havoc on our ability to experience any sense of peace. Those still watches of the night are usually filled with turbulence rather than tranquility.

God gave us provision for all things, including sleepless nights and worrying hearts. And, if we know the Creator’s promises, we can sleep in heavenly peace.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Imagining

2005-12-10T00:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever imagined the Christmas story from the angels’ perspective?

While we can only surmise what the angels thought, it’s hard to ignore that they were active participants in the whole thing – from the announcement made to Mary to their proclamation to the shepherds in the fields.

Reading something repeatedly, regardless of its importance, can sometimes become routine.

If you’d like to discover a truly supernatural vision of God’s gift to His beloved children, I’d like to recommend a book by a highly respected Christian author.

“An Angel’s Story,” previously published as “Cosmic Christmas,” by Max Lucado, offers a more spectral version of how Mary came to be the mother of Jesus. While we are all familiar with the shepherds, the angels, the nativity filled with animals, and one tiny babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, have you ever wondered just how God might have accomplished it all.

In his book, Lucado offers up supernatural sights and sounds of majestic warrior angels, heavenly singing, sulfur-spewing demons, and a meeting between Satan and God. If you think of a quiet, star-lit night as the focus of our celebrations, you just might want to imagine how it all happened.

In the original publication, the author includes an afterward about how he came to write the book. He’s creatively woven his imaginings with the truth we find in the Bible, and the hope that readers will see truth.

It’s a small book with a powerful vision that can encourage us. While it can be read in one evening, I would encourage you to take your time. The majesty and glory of God’s plan unfolds in an overwhelming realization of just how much our Creator loves us. It will captivate your heart and spirit.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: Glory to God in the highest … Luke 2:9, 13-14

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Gift of Faith

2005-12-09T04:47:00.000-07:00

Some of us struggle most of our lives with faith. We want to believe. Yet, we try in our own power and strength to have the faith of Job. Well, maybe Job’s life isn’t something we would willingly pursue.

Job was a man who had everything and then lost it all. His neighbors gave him all kinds of advice yet they thought his losses were the result of sin in his life. His wife suggested he curse God.

Someone once told me to never pray for patience and used Job’s life as an example of what could happen. And so, for years I didn’t. It wasn’t until I was experiencing great disappointment and heartache that I realized something. I needed the patience of Job to help. How silly of me to not pray for something I desperately needed.

It’s the same with faith. The truth is, faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8). We scramble around in our circumstances looking for faith. That’s the problem. We can’t get faith on our own. It’s a gift from God. And sometimes, we refuse to receive it even when God has already given it to us.

If we honestly look at our lives, we’ll begin to see that we have faith in so many things – like faith in our country, in the laws, and in people. We even have faith in things we don’t understand. We have faith that our cars will start when we turn the key. We even have faith in strangers. Think about that the next time you drive on a crowded interstate or board a plane. We have faith that the drivers around us will drive responsibly. We have faith that the pilot can fly that airplane and get us safely to our destination. I think our general understanding, knowledge and experience provides the basis by which we live our lives in the physical realm.

It’s the same in the spiritual realm. The more understanding and knowledge we have of God, the more we trust Him. Yet there are times when nothing makes sense and it feels as if we’ve lost everything. This may be the place where we find a most precious truth. Our lives may resemble Job’s, but if we have God, He is more than enough.

Maybe this Christmas, we’ll open the gift of faith and step into realm of spiritual understanding.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see, Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Desperately Seeking Christmas

2005-12-08T02:38:00.000-07:00

Do you think Mary and Joseph were desperately seeking shelter on that first Christmas?

After all, Mary knew she would deliver soon – very soon. And Joseph – well, thinking about what little we know about him, it appears he was older than most new husbands and expectant fathers. What must’ve been going through his mind?

I wonder how the couple felt as they sought a place to stay and were turned away. Was Mary having labor pains? How difficult was it for her to walk or stay astride a donkey? Did Joseph wonder how he might have to deliver a child? Let’s face it, back then fathers didn’t participate in helping their wives give birth. Jewish custom required them to be absent.

As the night grew colder and darker, did their desperation mushroom into hopelessness?

I don’t think so. Even three years ago, I wouldn’t have answered so firmly. But God is teaching me much in my own journey of obedience to seek His will above my desires. And therein lays the reason I can respond so strongly.

Both Mary and Joseph were obediently following God. In spite of the awesome knowledge the angels had relayed to each of them, they truly had to deal with something much more down to earth.

Consider what their family and friends must have thought – apart from the heavenly host’s messages and guidance. Mary was pregnant and unmarried. There was no formal betrothal and no wedding celebration. By rights, meaning Jewish law, Joseph could have had her stoned to death.

Ignoring these things, the two obediently submitted to God's will. Instead of furtively setting up house and preparing a place for the baby, they took off into the desert to travel to a small town with throngs of strangers. No reservations for a nice room at the inn. No recommendations for a mid-wife. Nothing but God.

I believe that rather than desperation, Mary and Joseph experienced a quiet sense of peace and anticipation because of their obedience.

Are you desperately seeking Christmas this year? Desperation can set us up for despair and confusion.

You can choose to begin a most wondrous journey with the assurances Mary and Joseph found that Christmas night beneath a blazing star – and accept the gift of the One born in a manger.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16, NAS

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Keeping Watch

2005-12-07T03:21:00.000-07:00

Christmas can be a lonely time.

Many of us place our faith, hope, and trust in things that will eventually fade away. Some of us already have felt painful disappointment and heartache, and we’ve given up.

Discouragement and depression are unfortunate companions during the holiday season. Regardless of how hard we try to cling to the Truth of all God’s promises, they seem to slip through our fingers. No amount of holiday spirit improves our frame of mind. Often, "Merry Christmas" evokes nothing but an unexplainable sorrow.

One of the greatest examples in the Bible of anguish and joy is David – the shepherd boy who became a king. I identify with him because his mistakes were BIG ones. The other reason is the legacy he left us recorded in many of the Psalms.

Psalm 34 is one of my favorites because it shows some of God’s promises and blessings that are often hard to see in the darkness of our despair. God will deliver us from fear and anxiety, guard us, show us goodness, and meet our needs. According to the Life Application notes, “God pays attention to those who call on him. Whether God offers escape from trouble or help in times of trouble, we can be certain that He always hears and acts on behalf of those who love Him.”

Unfortunately, even if we understand, either we don’t believe it to be true or we don’t ask. Instead, we are so weighed down by our circumstances, it’s almost impossible to see anything other than our loneliness, our heartache, our fear, or our grief.

God knows the suffering of His children, but He can only help when we have a relationship with Him. It isn’t difficult to invite the Creator to become actively involved in our lives. One of the blessings of Christmas is a gift that is given to all if we choose to accept it.

There will always be suffering and hardship in this life, regardless of our faith. The difference is, as believers, we have a supernatural Shepherd constantly keeping watch over us.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:18, NLT

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Tinsel and lights and reindeer, oh my!

2005-12-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

Looking for ways to enrich our relationship with Jesus doesn’t mean we ignore the more worldly traditions of Christmas. After all, how can we be a light to the world if we insulate ourselves from it?

Just look on any residential street shortly after Thanksgiving, and you see a magical transformation. Dark houses suddenly twinkle with lights – sometimes hundreds and even thousands of them. Displays adorn rooftops and yards. Have you ever thought about how much time it takes to decorate so lavishly?

In some states, entire communities dedicate themselves to creating displays that dazzle the eyes and bring out the child in each of us. Scenes play out before us in a blur of light as we race through the season.

While our focus should be on the true meaning of Christmas, I sometimes think we miss opportunities to just enjoy the amazing spectacles in our own back yards.

One of my fondest memories is driving through our city, enjoying all the tinsel and lights and reindeer with my children, accompanied by singing Christmas songs – usually sung loudly and off key. It’s become a tradition that my grandchildren now enjoy.

We’ve also participated in our share of Christmas presentations. One year, our church decided to create a living nativity. Invariably, the three nights chosen ended up being the coldest and wettest in our small desert town. We were all overwhelmed with the community response. Traffic backed up on one of the major thoroughfares as people flooded the area. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

Our town also has the longest running Christmas parade in Arizona. Each year, thousands line the street to enjoy floats and bands. It snarls traffic and makes getting there and leaving a challenge even for the most patient. It too has become a tradition for our entire family, despite broken bones and loved ones no longer with us.

The point is that merriment and excitement are all around us. All it costs is a little time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, NIV

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Anticipating Advent

2005-12-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

Anticipation. We see it everywhere. It’s probably most alive and sparking in children as they anticipate absolutely everything about the holiday – vacation, cookies and candy, parties, pageants, and Christmas morning. We sometimes see it in the tired faces of merchants, teachers, and parents. It’s also seen in the care-worn lines and wrinkles of those who’ve lost much over the years. We all anticipate something.

For many, yesterday was the beginning of Advent.

Dictionaries define advent as “the coming or arrival of something important, the period of preparation for Christmas, the coming or birth of Jesus Christ.”

The Holman Bible Dictionary notes the celebration dates back to the fifth century, soon after the origin of the celebration of Christmas, but its primary definition states, “Advent designates the coming or second coming of Christ.”

How often do we relegate Advent to just Christmas?

As we anticipate celebrating our faith on a day-by-day basis, what better way to begin than by remembering Advent as looking toward the second coming of Christ? That should give us more than a small measure of joy, not only during December but also throughout the year.

For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Matthew 24: 27, 30-31, New Living Translation

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Keeping Christmas

2005-12-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

Keeping Christmas in our hearts all year long is as unadorned as a manger filled with hay, as natural as a mother giving birth, and as down-to-earth as shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. It’s unpretentious and clear-cut. These are the ordinary things God used on one extraordinary night to bring forth the Hope of the world.

We try to glamorize the holidays when we should simplify our lives. Sometimes I think we are much like the Pharisees. We’ve added so much to this celebration that we’ve lost the wonder and glory of it all.

If you are looking for an awesome and moving presentation of how ordinary becomes extraordinary, you might want to find a special episode of Touched by an Angel, called “A Christmas Miracle.” It not only gives viewers a glimpse of a heavenly touch, but it also shows how easily we can be led astray when we focus on anything other than our Lord.

The goal isn’t to put Christ back into Christmas, but instead put Him back into our hearts. Imagine the remarkable lives we would live if we remembered the extraordinary images of that one ordinary night.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men “with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:13-14, New American Standard

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Simplicity at Christmas

2005-12-03T02:39:00.000-07:00

Christmas pageants, addressing cards, office parties, shopping, baking cookies, relatives visiting, decorating the tree, meal planning, church services, work, more shopping, choir practice, school programs, movies and television specials, wrapping presents, stringing up lights, caroling, visiting friends and family, grocery shopping – just looking at the list is exhausting.

For most us, these time-consuming activities don’t begin or end with the holidays. It’s life. While the holidays may be filled with a few more parties and a few more relatives, we’ve become a society that barely has time to breathe.

The truth is that it’s hard to have clarity when there’s chaos all around us.

To begin celebrating our Savior, we don’t need anything other than God’s word and our time. Regardless of how busy we are, we can make time to focus on Jesus. You see, when we begin to do that, we've begun a relationship. That’s how we celebrate every day.

The more we seek Jesus, the more of Him there is in our lives.

“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand. The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it – it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-41, The Message

Commentaries tell us that Martha worried a lot. She wanted to please and serve others – in other words, she was focused on doing. Maybe, as the oldest, she was concerned about meeting certain expectations. Rather than relax and enjoy the presence of the Master, she was fussing around and obviously frustrated that her sister wasn’t helping.

If only we could have Mary’s priorities in this Martha-like world, we’d be enjoying the presence of the Master.

Christmas blessings, Francine

One Perfect Gift

2005-12-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

Has there ever been a Christmas morning when you received that one perfect gift? It was the one thing you most wanted, never expected, and certainly didn’t deserve. But there it was, wrapped in shiny paper and topped with a magnificent bow.

Or maybe there is a memory of some grand toy – a wagon, a doll, or a bicycle – standing before the tree as twinkling lights cast a soft glow.

Remember how that felt?

In order to understand the magnitude of God’s gift of His son, it might help to understand the nature of God. Wait … I’m not going to expound on all God is. First of all, I doubt I could. Second, that’s not the point.

God’s nature is sinless. In simple terms, that means he cannot look on sin. And, that being the case, we cannot be reconciled to God because we have all sinned.

The Creator, in His infinite love and mercy, prepared the way by which we could experience His presence, both now and for eternity. You see, God’s nature requires atonement for sin. You can find the Creator’s guidelines throughout the Old Testament.

But He also knew his creation. As always, we had to put our spin on things. We put certain guidelines and regulations into the law – in other words, we complicated something simple.

God changed all that with Jesus.

And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins, Matthew 1:21, New American Standard

Christmas Blessings, Francine

Endings and Beginnings

2005-12-01T02:28:00.000-07:00

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God, Matthew 5:8

While the teaching in this beatitude seems a lofty goal, the promise is even loftier. Some would say, “Only the pure in heart can see God.”

But I think that the blessing and the promise are intricately woven together, and the obedience of our hearts brings a continued blessing of seeing God.

Some might think this a promise only fulfilled when we come face-to-face with our Creator. I don’t.

I think, in this teaching, seeing means experiencing God’s presence.

In order to allow God to totally and completely have His way with us, regardless of the outcome, we seek Him above and beyond anything else. Through reading His word, prayer, worship, praise, and obedience, our focus is both magnified and refined. When we do this, God’s spirit will speak to us and give us new insight and revelation of His word. As we are attuned to God, it’s as if He lifts a veil and reveals new truths to our circumstances.

Have you ever read a familiar scripture and found new meaning that undeniably applies to your circumstances? I’m not talking about picking up your Bible, allowing it to open at will, and then, with eyes closed, place your finger on the page and look at the words for some revelation.

If we are pursuing God, we read His word out of only one motivation – love, rather than seeking an answer or quick fix to a situation. This is where the promise is tied to the blessing. In our obedience, God speaks.

To experience God’s presence is an awesome thing. Sometimes a pastor’s sermon will touch our spirits in such a way that we know God is speaking to us. Often times, we see God in the beauty of His creation, be it nature or through unselfish acts of love. Sometimes it’s in the darkness of heartache, when we hear God’s whispers of comfort and hope. Or maybe, through music and song, our spirits sense our Creator’s presence.

God is available to anyone who seeks Him. It’s our choice. I pray that if you don’t know Him, you will choose to accept a heavenly invitation to allow His son into your heart and life.

Endings

While many commentaries and bibles define the Beatitudes within the parameters of Matthew 5:1-12, I’ve chosen to end with verse 8. My goal has been to address those teachings that could be applied on both a spiritual and personal level as they relate to how we grow spiritually and show how we can live out that teaching. While verses 9 through 12 are not any less important, my deepest desire is that readers might receive a new insight into loving God and loving others. I believe verses 1 through 8 are a point from which to begin.

Beginnings

As to beginnings, many are focusing on Christmas. Celebrations range from mild to chaotic and from excess to naught. In the midst of tradition, seasonal hustle and bustle, and meeting others’ expectations, we too easily forget the significance of the reason for the season.

Oh, we remember the baby in the manger and the Christmas story. However, I think we too often forget that Jesus was God incarnate. Think about that.

How can we possibly incorporate the truth of Christmas into just one day? To even imply it can be done in these twenty-five days is presumptuous. The truth is, if we could but capture a glimpse of our heart-felt desire to focus on the true reason for the season every day, we might encounter Jesus rather than Santa Clause as church bells proclaim Christmas morning.

I would invite you to return each of these twenty-five days. Maybe some verse of scripture or song will touch your life. That is my prayer.

There is a most wondrous scripture with which to begin.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Even in the most imaginative minds, who could have known the eternal ramifications of this prophecy and promise? God’s gift would shake this world from top to bottom and irrevocably bind us to the Creator of the universe.

Blessings, Francine

Where is your security?

2005-09-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks for all of us as we watched Hurricane Katrina and we now await Hurricane Rita. Regardless of what was and wasn’t done and what will or won’t be done in the future, the bottom line for many is that we truly have little control over any of the storms in our lives. Mother Nature, other people, even our government will fail us. But we aren’t left alone to face adversity.

We all have plans, hopes, and dreams and we all should hold fast to them. But, times will come when we must let go of some things and look to new horizons. That can be hard to do when dark skies close in on all sides.

I know I had good intentions of picking up and continuing the commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. But, sometimes life gets in the way.

Of course, for me, it’s been a matter of trying to organize my time between finishing touches on my book and spending time with family and friends while I’m visiting in Arizona. I believe if we follow God’s lead and allow Him to balance the demands on our lives, we will find calm in the midst of the most threatening storms.

It’s not easy, but I can’t help but remember the disciples’ concerns when they were with Jesus in a boat in the throes of a sudden storm. He calmed their fears just about as easily as He calmed the wind and the rain.*

We can find assurance in that scenario because He does the same thing for us if He’s in our lives. The key is to look to Him rather than the tempest raging around us.

I hope to return to the commentaries next week. Until then, my prayers are that, in spite of the impending storms we all face, Jesus gives each of us that perfect calm. If He can control the winds and sea, He can calm our doubts and fears.

Blessings, Francine

*And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:24-27, New American Standard Bible

If only you had told them

2005-09-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

I had a rather unpleasant experience at a home improvement store recently that left me upset and, quite honestly, angry. I’m visiting my home in Arizona for a month and planning for much-needed improvements on my permanent return in a few months. The plan was to visit some stores and get remodeling ideas. Since my husband is back in Germany, I was going to take photographs of items we hope to purchase and/or install. I’d visited one small business and decided to check out a huge chain that guarantees customer satisfaction.

I began taking photos and my daughter over heard some rather loud whispering about how customers weren’t allowed to take photos. I approached the supervisors clustered together and asked if there was a problem. I was told I wasn’t allowed to take photos. I explained what I was doing and why and was told they would need to call for approval. I asked them to do so.

As I waited, I heard a request over the PA system for security to call the Home Furnishings section. I was in the Home Furnishings section but decided I’d done nothing wrong and waited.

Ultimately, I was told I could take pictures only of specific items and would apparently need individual approval for each different type of item. It was obvious that I would get no assistance from the supervisors, and I didn’t have hours to spend. I left and immediately called the corporate offices. The person I talked to was apologetic when I told my story and impressed upon her that not only had I been treated rudely, but also that there were no signs posted telling me photography was prohibited. The explanation was that since September 11th, security measures prevented photography. Upon further conversation, I was again told I could take specific photos but there was a concern over proprietary issues.

As I thought about this later, I thought to myself … if only I’d been told.

And then I wondered how many folks might spend eternity separated from God because no one ever told them. That is the reason I do what I do. God, in His gracious mercy and love, has taught me so many things through difficult circumstances. My heart’s desire is to let others know that there is a light in the darkness of adversity.

Of course, I do know that there are times when people are told things and they refuse to listen. Yet, I wonder, do they refuse to listen or are they unequipped to follow the words they’ve heard. I think about the residents of New Orleans. They were told to evacuate. They knew Hurricane Katrina was a powerful storm. In other words, they had the information they needed. Unfortunately, for many, they didn’t have the means by which to follow the warnings to evacuate and many died.

We do have a responsibility to tell others about God’s love for them. But, we must look and see how each of us can help them fully understand. We can show them the path but sometimes, we must take their hands and walk with them.

I think of the millions of people who haven’t heard the truth of God’s words and I don’t want to stand before the Creator and hear Him say, “If only you had told them.”

Blessings, Francine

Light a Candle

2005-09-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

In the days after September 11, 2001, our nation mourned the unbelievable loss because of the terrorist attacks. Maybe we were even mourning the loss of our sense of innocence. While this country has fought in wars and survived the terrible attack on Pearl Harbor, this was the first time we collectively felt vulnerable.

Homes in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area began putting candles in the windows as a symbol of their compassion and concern for the victims of September 11. While I’m not sure if this was a national trend, I know for those of us so close to the Pentagon, it was comforting.

Each of us could show our support for victims, survivors, and people involved in the tremendous humanitarian effort because of Hurricane Katrina by doing the same. The suffering is really only beginning for many who, now safe, begin the long journey to rebuilding their lives. They need our support and our prayers.

President Bush has declared Friday, September 16 a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with a call that “the people of the United States and places of worship” mark the day with memorial services and other appropriate observances. The President’s proclamation states: “I also encourage all Americans to remember those who have suffered in the disaster by offering prayers and giving their hearts and homes for those who now, more than ever, need our compassion and support.”

In the past weeks, we’ve discovered a new vulnerability that, while caused by natural disaster, has shown us that we still remain vulnerable. It doesn’t take much to imagine how our enemies could use these weaknesses in their desires to cripple our country.

Can something good come out of something as devastating as Hurricane Katrina? We’ve already seen the people of the United States contribute millions of dollars to aid strangers. Maybe we can use the obvious problems we all saw broadcast around the world to better plan for future disasters.

What better way to support the President’s proclamation and remind us to pray for our country than to light a candle.

Blessings, Francine

Changes

2005-09-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

I would think that many of us have gone through numerous changes in the last week and a half. Our hearts have been broken – either in suffering the loss or from the compassion we feel when viewing the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Our country is exhibiting care for the millions of poor in spirit.

We see people from all walks of life alongside huge corporations and foreign countries putting forth a monstrous effort in donating money, needed items, and services. Around the world, prayers are being lifted up.

To use an often-quoted expression, “Nothing is as constant as change.”

I don’t know of too many people who enjoy change. It’s usually unexpected and, even when it’s planned, it’s fraught with uncertainty. The unknown can be frightening.

Regardless of all the unknowns in this world, we can cling to the assurance God is in control. We may never know all the good that comes from catastrophe, but one thing seems clear – in the midst of destruction, hearts open to those less fortunate. We really do strive to love our neighbor as ourselves – we treat others as we would like to be treated. It’s unfortunate that it often takes tragedy to bring about this kind of transformation. Still, it is a reason for hope.

If we take time to prepare, then neither changes nor the unknown will damage or destroy our spirits.

As I prepare for a trip back to the United States on September 11, I realize that our country never expected to experience something greater than the events of that day. Certainly, there are important differences in that the attacks on September 11 were deliberate and intended to wound and kill. Yet I know many recognize, both as individuals and as a nation, we are vulnerable. Again, I can only find strength and comfort through the awesome power of the great I AM.

I’ve come to understand that those two words imply much more than they appear. God didn’t use the past or future tense when telling Moses who He was. We find the Creator in the here and now. He alone possesses eternal power and unchanging character in a world of constant change. I AM is the security and stability we can cling to.

Blessings, Francine

*Exodus 3:14

Note: Monday’s entry will be delayed a day or two as I adjust to jet lag.

SPECIAL NOTE: I pray that each commentary I write here will bless you but please understand that each is built on previous entries. I’ve tried to build a Biblical basis from which my thoughts are developed. It’s important that you understand “my words” aren’t the end of the story, so to speak. I would encourage you to check out previous entries if you have questions concerning what I’ve written. Also, I’ve included links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” at http://www.nowtrygod.com or “New Christian Life” at http://newchristian.com as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahool.com

Preparation

2005-09-07T03:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes God's provision overwhelms me. Even in something as insignificant as the words I post here – He is so involved in my life. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He weaves Himself intricately into the lives of those who love Him and seek to do His will.

It would seem that He couldn’t possibly be concerned with each of us – especially in the wake of tragedies. Yet He is – but only if we let Him. If we refuse His offer to guide and direct us – which comes with our submission and obedience to not just follow but do – then He whispers our name and murmurs the things we need to hear, be it words of comfort or guidance.

Taking a break from the Beatitudes wasn’t an easy decision – from my human perspective. I’m so thankful that a spiritual perspective guides my life because I was available for God to use me in the wake of so much heartache our country is now mired in. Yet, to remain caught up in these things, particularly if we aren’t directly involved in them, hinders God. We can use the compassion He fills us with in so many ways to reach out to others. But we must be prepared.

The spiritual sequence to these most recent posts gives a deeper appreciation for all the blessings and promises of the Beatitudes. No, it’s not a perfect world. And once we understand that Jesus is constantly overcoming the world, we can look at spiritual preparation. Don’t be deceived … there is a spiritual battle in the heavenly realms and it’s a battle for not only your soul, but it is also a battle for your peace. If you aren’t prepared, you will be wounded. (See July 29 entry, Dress for Success).

But how do we prepare for the battles of the heart and spirit? Certainly, we can follow Paul’s words in putting on the Armor of God. However, there is such simple yet powerful meaning in the words Jesus gave prior to His crucifixion.

I wonder what was going through His mind on that last evening with His disciples. He knew what was ahead, yet despite the swift-approaching agony, He took no thought for Himself. Instead, he left words for his disciples*. And if we have accepted him as our savior, then these words are for each of us as well. It’s up to you to find time to allow them to penetrate your spirit.

You can find hope and assurance in Jesus’ words. He’s proved it repeatedly to millions who’ve fallen in love with Him.

Blessings, Francine

*John 16

It's not a perfect world

2005-09-05T03:02:00.000-07:00

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, NAS

As a final note about the devastation and heartache surrounding Hurricane Katrina, I can’t help but think about the words Jesus spoke to his disciples the night before His crucifixion.

As the relief effort pours into the Gulf region, folks are asking many questions, all beginning with the word why. Over the next weeks, months, and probably years, the reactions, both good and bad, to the hurricane will be examined. There is something in human nature that desires to find an answer and place blame. I leave that debate to others.

The truth is that bad things happen. We don’t live in a perfect world. And regardless of all the should’ves, would’ves, and could’ves, tragedies happen. If we look to the things of this world to bring us comfort and security, we will always be disappointed and come up wanting. If we place our trust in things, then when those things are lost, we too seem to be lost. Even if we find security in neighborhoods, friends, or our families, we will come to some point when they won’t meet whatever needs we might have.

Jesus told us we will have tribulation. It’s a truth we sometimes forget when we are caught up in all the pretty things of the world. And it’s something too many people have forgotten. Instead of asking why us, maybe the questions is, why not us? Who are we to think that we are immune to heartache and pain?

We consider ourselves the greatest country in the world but we still must succumb to Mother Nature. Have we become so sanctimonious that we believe we can control nature? Unfortunately, we seem to believe we can control everything. If anything shows us we can’t, it is Hurricane Katrina.

As the world and the rest of America open its arms to survivors, maybe we should re-focus. Jesus has overcome the world but if we begin to understand that this is not a past event, but instead, an ongoing action, then we find something more real and more powerful than any catastrophic event, any army, or any force on earth. I’d much rather trust in the Creator’s control of His universe than anything man or nature can offer.

Please continue to pray for victims, survivors, and everyone reaching out to help.

Blessings, Francine

Biblical Proportions

2005-09-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve joined a tremendous group of bloggers who have connected to blog for victims of Hurricane Katrina. It’s not something I would normally do, but I am so moved by the magnitude of need.

All of us can see what’s happening. Unfortunately, the most news worthy stories are also those showing what I described Wednesday as the diabolical. I truly believe that when we are able to take a retrospective look at this disaster (and disaster seems almost too mild of a description), we will see that the divine will prevail.

It is devastating to watch how some people react in a state of lawlessness. It is shocking to see how society can quickly disintegrate without the normal infrastructure we usually take for granted. It is horrific to look in the face of evil. Yet, we must remember that our society has continued to, or is trying to, take God out of every aspect of our lives.

Thankfully, there are many more stories of normal folks acting heroically to help their neighbors. There are major efforts being made by corporations and organizations. Many humanitarian groups are there now – we just can’t see them. Strangers, friends, family, and even cities and towns are opening their homes and hearts to assist these refugees. These are part of the good that will prevail in the next weeks and months.

**********

I wrote the above words yesterday, intending to post them here. Instead, all I saw, heard, and read overwhelmed me. One person was quoted as saying, “This is a disaster of Biblical proportions.” Since hearing those words, I’ve come to realize that is true and that recovering will encompass the same.

If we look at the situation, we can see only hopelessness. As riveting as the images are that tumble across our screens, we must take our eyes off the circumstances and put them on God.

Pray. Only a recovery of Biblical proportions can solve so much pain, suffering, hunger, homelessness, and grief.

I’ve heard that there have been many requests for Bibles. I ask each of you to pray and then look to how we can put God’s truth in the hands of these who’ve lost everything. We can give them new hope.

But make no mistake – God is in control. He can still transform lives.

Blessings and prayers to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Francine

Living the Beatitudes

2005-08-31T01:25:00.000-07:00

If ever there were poor in spirit, I believe those affected by Hurricane Katrina qualify. In reaching out to those victims, we have the opportunity of living out the words Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount.

God is in control.

It may be hard to see evidence of His presence in the midst of the unfolding story taking place in America’s Gulf Port and neighboring states. Even here in Germany, the images weave and bob across our television screens. The devastation is almost too much to comprehend.

A husband whose wife slipped from his grip in the surging floodwaters of New Orleans is probably one of the faces I will most remember. His hopelessness broke my heart. I know there are more stories that will never make the news as thousands of lives are irrevocably changed.

There are the accounts of courageous rescues – children swinging in baskets dangling from helicopters, everyday folks using boats to look for those stranded on rooftops or within dark attics, and still more risking their own lives to help reach those unable to help themselves.

Unfortunately, there are the images of looters. The first reports seemed to be of desperate people seeking food and water in a city that cannot provide either. But, as is the case with the human condition, the looting has gotten worse as people grab anything of value.

Tragedy seems to bring out the divine and the diabolical.

It’s hard to watch the pictures or hear the bottomless pain in the voices of survivors. For most of us, the natural tendency is to help. There are many ways to do that and I’m sure those so moved to do so will.

I can only think of one thing we can all do – pray. Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco has asked residents to spend today in prayer. While many so easily say it’s the least they could do, I believe it is the best and most we can do. As you watch the news, hear a radio report, or peruse the internet, stop and pray for those folks.

The residents of these states have months of struggles ahead. Yet the urgency to just find the living and provide basic human needs for them seems most critical right now.

Each of us can live out the beatitudes. It shouldn’t take a disaster to do so. I praise God that while the diabolical stories will surface in the floodwaters of this tragedy, the more divine examples of doing what Jesus would do will emerge, attesting to the Creator’s presence in His children.

My prayers are with all those whose lives have been touched by this tragedy. “There is power in prayer.”

Blessings, Francine

Listening to God

2005-08-29T02:50:00.000-07:00

When I first began Words from the Heart, I was committed to doing two things: always pointing to God and being real. I did not want this blog to be about me but instead, all about God. He began this journey for me and it’s been beyond what I could’ve possibly imagined. But more about that next time.

One of the things I’ve learned from God is that there are times we all need to stop and breathe. Now is one of those times for me. The human side whispers that I should forge ahead in this current commentary on the Sermon on the Mount and ignore everything else.

God knows our lives are filled with … well, filled with living. And so, over the next few weeks, I have some of that living to do.

I am preparing for a trip from Heidelberg, Germany (where I temporarily reside) to my permanent home in Arizona to enjoy my family, share in birthday celebrations, and begin my new journey as a published author. Fortunately, through the wonder of the internet, I’ll still be posting here. But I think smaller chunks of commentaries might work well for both me and those of you who take the time out of your busy days to visit.

While I believe the commentaries on the first three beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-5) are really worth more than a cursory glance, I thought I’d do a recap here and list previous entries by date, title, and scripture reference. Since much of what I write is based on previous writing, this gives a pretty clear picture of my beliefs and a brief idea of how I got to this point in my spiritual growth.

One thing I can say with certainty – God is faithful even when we aren’t. I’m living proof.

Here’s the list. I know that God has directed my thoughts and my path, so I’m praying for those who might need some words of encouragement and that they find those words in these previous commentaries.

May 3 Beginnings
May 4 What’s Peace?
May 13 Defeating the Darkness of Depression
July 8 Getting it Right
July 11 Who is in Control?
July 13 Giving up Control: 2 Timothy 3:1-8; Romans 1:21-32
July 15 A Word of Caution: Romans 2:1-4; Psalm 18
July 18 Recognizing God’s Control: Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:38; 14:6
July 20 Priming the Pump: John 4:9-15
July 22 More than Entertainment
July 25 What Are You Thinking About?: Proverbs 27:7, Philippians 4:8
July 27 The Battlefield of the mind: 2 Corinthians 10:5
July 29 Dress for Success: Ephesians 6:10-17
Aug 1 Building Blocks: Matthew 7:24-27
Aug 3 Who Is this Guy?: Matthew 22:36-39; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:42, 46
Aug 5 Speaking to the Heart: Matthew 5:2-12
Aug 8 When Is It Good to be Poor?: Poor in spirit, Matthew 5:3
Aug 10 Needing and Giving: Poor in spirit, Matthew 5:3
Aug 12 A Grand Inheritance: Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew 5:3
Aug 15 Looking at Ugliness: Mourn what?, Matthew 5:4
Aug 17 What About Me?: Those who mourn, Matthew 5:4
Aug 19 I Can’t Do This: They shall be comforted, Matthew 5:4
Aug 22 Father Knows Best: Blessed are the meek, Matthew 5:5
Aug 24 Meek isn’t Weak: Matthew 5:5
Aug 26 Eternal Vision: They shall inherit the earth, Mathew 5:5

Blessings, Francine

SPECIAL NOTE: Here are those links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” at http://www.nowtrygod.com/ or “New Christian Life” at http://newchristian.com/ as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahool.com

Building Blocks

2005-08-01T02:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever played with blocks – when you were young or maybe with one of your kids or grandkids?

Children love to build things and their excitement shows as they hurriedly stack those blocks. All they want is to build something spectacular, but in their rush, they don’t spend much time on the foundation.

It’s the same with our faith. Many hear the word and set about to build their faith with good intentions, but we all know where the road that’s paved with good intentions leads. They begin a faith built on works rather than a faith built on the word. They preach, they minister, and they do many things. However, they don’t lay a solid foundation – and don’t even realize their errors until the faith they’ve built crumbles.

Children easily go back to their pile of blocks and begin again – they don’t mind starting over. Eventually, as they grow, they learn the secret to a beautiful creation is building a strong foundation. Too bad we don’t have their imagination, spirit, and persistence. Sometimes I think that’s why Jesus used references to children.

If we want to grow strong in our faith, we need to learn from Jesus, and not only through His teachings but through His living examples.

After calling His twelve disciples, Jesus began teaching and healing. Large crowds began following Him. His longest recorded sermon is the Sermon on the Mount given on a hillside to enormous crowds and probably lasting several days. It summarizes Jesus’ ethical teachings for every day life.

If we are to know Jesus, we can begin here, but I’d like to suggest looking at the end of this teaching first because it gives a vital truth we should strive towards as we seek to learn.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not collapse because its foundation was on the rock.

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and battered that house, and it collapsed, and its collapse was devastating.” Matthew 7:24-27, International Standard Version

The world has seen enough disasters to understand the importance of a solid foundation that will withstand nature’s fury. What are you going to build your faith on?

As always -- blessings, Francine

Dress for Success

2005-07-29T02:23:00.000-07:00

It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, we need to figure out what we are going to wear. If we are professionals who work outside the home, then our wardrobe reflects appropriate attire. Most jobs have a dress code of sorts, some less formal than others. Still, certain professions require specific dress because lives depend on it – both theirs and ours. If a fireman doesn’t have the appropriate gear, he can’t enter a burning building. In fact, depending on the conflagration, he might not even be able to get close enough to help douse the flames. An astronaut’s need for appropriate gear is understood.

We try to take good care of ourselves as well – eating properly, living healthy lifestyles, and exercising. We take precautions based on the weather and other elements of our environment. Drink plenty of water when it’s hot, dress warmly in cold weather, wear sunscreen – all meant to protect.

However, based on the previous entry, if the mind is a battlefield, then how do we dress or protect ourselves? We may try to do it through our own strength, but it isn’t enough.

Since we are engaged in a spiritual battle, God has provided us His spiritual armor*. If you have ever watched movies about knights in battle, you know how important it is to be protected.

God’s armor protects us against the rulers, powers, and world forces of darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Satan doesn’t fight fair, but he’s smart enough not to engage in a full-blown attack. Instead, he prefers small skirmishes that assault our emotions and our beliefs. Once those are vulnerable and weak, then we begin to doubt.

The amazing thing is that this armor protects us from head to feet. If every action begins with a thought, then the helmet of salvation is vital, protecting our mind and our thoughts.

Second to our minds, our hearts are at risk and the breastplate of righteousness protects that place where our emotions, self-worth, and trust reside.

It’s important to understand that Satan attacks with lies – oftentimes sounding like the truth. God has provided us the belt of truth, for God’s truth defeats the devil’s lies.

When we are weary and feel like giving up, we can put on the shoes of peace, which motivate, strengthen, and encourage us in spite of Satan’s assaults.

Two more items complete the armor. The shield of faith keeps us from getting stuck in our own circumstances and allows us to see our victory. Finally, the sword of the spirit, God’s Word – the only weapon of offense –will ward off temptation.

It may not be easy to understand or accept why God’s armor is so important. The biggest mistake we can make as believers is thinking Satan is a little guy in a red suit with a pitchfork. Isn’t it better to be prepared than to be caught defenseless in the battles that will come?

Blessings, Francine
*Ephesians 6:10-17

The Battlefield of Your Mind

2005-07-27T02:06:00.000-07:00

Consider this: every action begins with a thought. While that may seem a simple statement, it really should be a warning to us about how we think and what we think about.

It’s easy to tell folks to think good thoughts as I did in the last posting here. Sounds like a line from a fairy tale, doesn’t it?

First, we need to understand that when God created us, He gave us freedom of choice. He does not force us to do anything. Too often, people like to use the excuse that someone made them do something. That’s simply not true. I may choose to do something in order to avoid the consequences. Personally, I prefer to avoid physical pain. I know that if I touch something hot, I’ll get burned – so you won’t find me holding my hand too close to a fire’s flame.

I am amazed to hear former prisoners of war talk about the military code of conduct and how they clung to those beliefs even though it meant pain and sometimes death.

However, the consequences of most actions aren’t so black and white. There are many gray areas in our lives.

Most believe that if you commit a crime, you’ll be caught and punished. The reality is that while our justice system is a good one, we all know that many who are caught aren’t punished. Further still, many are never even captured. After all, how many criminals do you think committed crimes with the idea they would actually be caught and punished? They believed they could get away with it. Their actions began with a thought.

It’s really the same with our thinking. And that is Satan’s best kept secret. His battlefield is our minds. If he can worm his way into our thinking, then he can distract us from the Truth. He can also rob us of our peace.

I know this is true because of how my mind wandered as I was seeking to know God’s will for what I was to write. Instead, my mind overflowed with other thoughts and worries.

Maybe God is using me because I’m such a good example of how imperfect and human we all are. Personally, I don’t mind if he does, because I want to convey the reality of being a believer. It’s one thing to admit you aren’t perfect. It’s another to lay out your imperfections for others to see. Yet, if just one person reads something here and is encouraged or discovers the life-changing experience of God’s forgiveness, then I’m content.

Once I realized how Satan was trying to sidetrack my thoughts, I immediately prayed. Paul tells us in the last half of 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5, that we are to stand against Satan's deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ.

For me, that meant taking my focus off myself and placing it on Jesus. It also meant understanding my thoughts weren’t where Christ would want them to be and using God’s truth against Satan’s lies. In other words, we don’t have to live with the lies Satan whispers in our ears or places in our minds. We can change how we think and, in doing so, change our beliefs and our behaviors. But, we can’t do it alone.

I believe the best defense is a good offense. Next time, I’ll share how God has a place from which to begin.

One more thing – please know that I am praying for you. No, I don’t know your name but God does, and He has brought you here for a reason. My prayer is that you will find the freedom in the truth of God’s word.

Blessings, Francine

Note: If you’re a new visitor here, welcome. You might want to check out the entry for July 18 – it will give you an idea about the basis for my beliefs.

What are YOU thinking about?

2005-07-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

I’m sure you are familiar with the phrase, “you are what you eat.”

There’s another phrase that many have come to realize is true: “you are what you think.”

Even the Bible declares in Proverbs 27:7: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. KJV

The thoughts that enter our brain seem to come from everywhere – our memories, photographs, what we watch on television or see in movie theaters, conversations, what we plan to wear to work tomorrow, how that special dish is going to taste, songs on the radio, how we are going to pay our bills – in other words, the world around us.

Our brain does a wonderful job at filtering and cataloging all the incoming data and making decisions as to what is placed aside and what is consciously thought of.

However, I believe we can make deliberate choices as to what we think about. Some would argue the opposite – they have no control of their thoughts.

There are other times when we aren’t necessarily focused on anything. It seems, the more time we have on our hands translates into more time when our thoughts randomly march through our mind. In other words, we are caught up in worry.

Conversely, when we are focused on a task – cooking, working, interacting with others – we are capable of thinking about what is going on at that moment. Although our attention may occasionally wander, for most, the activity at hand usually holds our interest.

Ask anyone who has a problem going to sleep at night. Many times, they can’t seem to turn their mind off. If you’ve ever experienced that kind of insomnia, you know how devastating it can be.

I battle anxiety. It’s an insidious thing. I can literally make a mountain out of a molehill, and do so quite easily. In all honesty, I can tell you that those things I’ve worried about to the point of distraction have never happened.

There are many ways to combat anxiety, but unless you totally numb yourself out with drugs or some other substance, you cannot turn your brain off.

My solution is to choose what I think about. To some, that may sound easy but it isn’t. It takes a concentrated effort to focus our thoughts on something other than an object of worry or obsession. Of course, the question might be asked – what should a person focus on? God has given us guidance throughout His word, but there is one scripture verse that could give us a general idea of where we can begin.

Philippians 4:8 says: “ … whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” New International Version

When I began this blog, my intent was to provide words of encouragement without compromising the truth. This month I began by laying a foundation of sorts, based on my own beliefs and experiences. I believed it was important for readers to know what I trust in but more importantly, the Truth of God’s word.

My heart’s desire is to provide ideas and thoughts that provoke pondering.

So, think about things that are true, noble reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious … in other words, as The Message says – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

It’s your choice.

Blessings, Francine

More than Entertainment

2005-07-22T03:47:00.000-07:00

So many different types of music and artists have played in the background of my life. Songs seem to document the best and worst of times for me. I like listening to the melodies of happier times. They bring back sweet memories and make me smile.

Music also plays a big role in our worship. The old, standard hymns are so much a part of my church services and I love the way they seem to anchor the reverence I have for God.
Yet, contemporary Christian music is something that speaks to me in a more intimate way. It can lift me up in a spirit of praise and adoration of my Lord, or it can sing a song of healing.

I’d like to share a few special artists who have made a difference in my life. Their messages are more than entertainment … they sing of our joys and struggles in the “reality of living our faith.”

Sometimes, Christian artists never become mega-stars with numerous music awards. Yet, there are some who touch more hearts and lives because of their message and their commitment to a ministry that extends beyond music. David Meece is just such an artist. I first became familiar when David performed at our church in southeastern Arizona. His lyrics and music spoke to a broken area of my life and I realized this guy was for real. His first music was released back in 1976 and he’s been recording ever since. His distinguished career actually began at the age of 10, when he began touring as a concert pianist and distinguished child prodigy and, as such, performed all over the world. Some may be familiar with his more popular songs, “We are the Reason” and “One Small Child,” a Christmas classic. But, the song that most touched my heart is, “My Father’s Chair.” David grew up in an abusive home and this song is autobiographical. You can visit his web site and discover how talented and dedicated this Christian man is. And while I don’t have all his CDs, I can recommend Once in a Lifetime, which includes “My Father’s Chair,” and Odyssey. The thing I like most about David is that he has such variety in his music you’re bound to find something you like. David’s website is http://www.davidmeece.com.

If you’ve never listened to Kim Hill, you’re missing a wonderful opportunity to just worship. She too is another one of those real people, singing about real life.” After two years of participation in Focus on the Family’s Renewing the Heart national women’s conference, Kim, along with participants Lisa Harper and Eva Whittington Self, continue to teach and lead services through their own concert series, “Every Woman’s Hope." She’s been nominated for a Grammy and received multiple Dove Awards with her distinctive voice. If you are looking for renewal of your spirit from a realistic perspective, her two CDs, Arms of Mercy, and The Fire Again, will leave you more than satisfied. One song in particular, “I Can’t Believe,” speaks to the human side of being obedient and faithful. Visit her website and find out more about appearances and conference schedules, http://www.kimhillmusic.com.

With the hit song, “I Can Only Imagine,” which garnered several Dove Awards, the group MercyMe, was one of Christian’s fastest selling bands in 2001. This particular song illustrates what happens when we take the focus off our circumstances and place it on Jesus. Some of you may be more than familiar with their music but their CD Almost There, really touched my heart. And apparently, I’m not alone. The group appeals to both devout Christians and young teens. While their more upbeat tempo may not appeal to some, their music really has been a blessing. When Christian artists can reach outside the Christian arena, then they are making a real difference in the world.

There is one artist whom I can’t leave off this list. Rich Mullins. If you know the song, “Awesome God,” or “Step by Step,” then you know Rich Mullins because these have become popular songs in praise and worship services. He wasn’t your ordinary kind of person – certainly not when it comes to successful musicians. Instead, he took a vow of poverty and taught music to children on a Navajo reservation until his death in 1997. I still remember where I was on that evening when the news hit that he’d been killed in an automobile accident. Because he was a wonderfully prolific songwriter and performer, I’m only going to mention two CDs, The World as Best as I Remember It, – volumes one and two (released in 1991 and 1992, respectively). Within the twenty-one songs on these CDs, Rich paints pictures that stick in your mind. Pictures of the badlands and deserts, Jesus, friends, and a deep devotion to God. I think his words and music can be summed up by something he said: “Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken.” That’s about as real as you can get. There are various sites about Rich Mullins and his ministry on the internet.

Finally, if there’s one thing we as Christians don’t do enough, it’s taking the time to laugh. And, there’s one man who can do that with wholesome, realistic humor that will leave you rolling on the floor. Mark Lowry has been in the business for more than twenty years and has been performing since he was eleven. Not only is Mark a gifted comedienne, he’s also a talented singer and songwriter. If you are familiar with the Christmas song, “Mary Did you Know,” then you “know” just how gifted he is. And, if you watch any of the Gaither Vocal Band’s “Homecoming” videos or television programs, you’ll see how God has perfectly meshed Mark's gifts into a wonderfully mischievous package. Just visiting his web site at http://www.marklowry.com makes you laugh.

I do pray that you might find encouragement in these dedicated Christians and something more than just entertainment in their words and songs.

As always, blessings, Francine

Priming the Pump

2005-07-20T02:37:00.000-07:00

Have you ever watched any old western movies? If you have, you’ve probably seen a classic example of a man—or woman – versus nature.

Someone is lost and wandering in the desert and just about when they can’t go any further, they stumble upon an old well. A dusty mason jar full of water leans against one of those old hand-pumps. Hot, sweaty, and on their last legs, they thankfully pick up the jar but find a folded piece of paper with the words “Warning -- Read First” printed in large, bold letters.

Their lips are parched, their throat probably feels like burnt toast, and they are hot – hotter than they’ve ever been in their life. They hold the jar out in front of them, tempted to uncap it and drink. However, they can’t ignore that word – warning. Reluctantly, they gently place the jar on hard-packed earth and pick up the paper. It crackles as they unfold it.

The instructions are simple. “Empty jar to prime pump. Drink your fill.” The directions conclude with the admonition to refill the jar and leave everything as they found it.

The temptation is obvious – ignore the instructions. After all, they are holding life-giving water in their hand. Never mind how bad it might taste. What’s that old saying – a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? What if the well is dry? What if the pump is broken? They may even try working the handle up and down … listening to see if maybe they can hear the swoosh of water being sucked up by the pump. And of course, they can’t.

They can chance it and drink what’s in the jar. True, it isn’t much. There’s no telling how long the water’s been there. Chances are it isn’t fresh and guaranteed it is anything but cool. They know it’s wet, but then again, they wonder if it’s enough. Will they be lucky enough to stumble across another source of water nearby?

But it’s tangible … they can see it. On the other hand, they know in their heart that it won’t be enough. Yet, they realize they are trusting that the water will prime the pump so that it works properly and that there is still water in the well. Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not they believe in the one who wrote the note and either accept it as truth or reject it.

Faith is a lot like priming the pump. God has left us instructions in his Word. And He’s provided us with a source of living water. Certainly we can choose to discard both and instead choose something that looks like it will provide all we need.

The question is, are you willing to take the risk. Regardless of what living water can provide, are you willing to risk not even knowing?

There’s one thing I promised myself that I would try to do in this blog and that was to be relevant. To me, being relevant in what I write means being real. After all, we don’t live in a vacuum. It’s easy to pull up a scripture verse and point to it as Truth. It is Truth. However, if people can’t relate to it, then it’s usually harder to accept.

Of course, there are times when we not only get to the end of our rope, we actually are hanging by a thread. Suddenly, the Truth seems to be the only thing we have. Sometimes God works that way. Yet, I believe our loving Father would much rather see us learning the Truth in a less desperate way.

If you live in the desert, you gain a new appreciation of water. You understand the importance of this life-giving element.

You learn that even when you don’t feel the need, you must replenish your body with water. In the dry heat, moisture evaporates quickly and invisibly. You hardly notice … that is until it’s almost too late.

Dehydration kills. Recent heat waves have taken lives. Our body needs water. In fact, our body is seventy to eighty-five percent water. So, to operate efficiently, we need to drink our fill – and then some.

God’s left us directions as well. The Bible truly is an awesome book. It isn’t just filled with rules and regulations, as so many believe. While there are instructions on how to live, there is also common-sense advice. Most importantly, the Bible is God’s love letter to us. Consider the kind of letter a parent might write to a child knowing they would be separated from them. In a way, that’s what the Bible is.

And like the scene from an old western, we too have a choice. We can trust what we can see, feel, and touch – the tangible things of this world. Or we can trust the words of Truth. The question is, will the water in that jar give life or just an illusion? When it’s gone, it’s gone. Not only have God’s words survived for thousands of years, they’ve been proven over and over again.

Here’s another story that tells about living water:

The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)

Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”

The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?”

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!” The Message, John 4:9-15

Instead of stale water that satisfies for only a short period of time, I like the idea of living water that lasts for eternity.

Blessing, Francine

How do we surrender ourselves?

2005-07-18T02:32:00.000-07:00

I spent the first thirty years of my life seeking something, looking for love in all the wrong places, and wanting to be accepted.

What I did know for certain, was that I was looking for something but, like so many others, I really didn’t know what it was I was searching for. I tried to find it in a lot of ways and a lot of places, but I never discovered that sense of peace I desperately desired.

Wanting to surrender ourselves to God’s control is a lot easier said than done. We may want to follow God’s will for our lives more than anything else in the world, but if we don’t understand how that’s done, it doesn’t happen.

I wasn’t raised in a church-going family. I don’t even remember if there was a Bible in our home. Moreover, I certainly never knew much more about Jesus than the fact that he was born on Christmas and he died on Easter.

The awesome thing about God is that He truly does pursue us. And even though I didn’t know what I was looking for, I found it when I was thirty-one years old. I heard a loving voice inviting me to make a choice.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. New American Standard Version, Matthew 11:28-30.

I’d tried living my way and I knew it never completely satisfied and it never lasted. I was weary and so tired of hurting.

The Message puts it a little differently:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

That was what I wanted.

In the last days of his ministry, Jesus said, “… the Father is in me, and I in the Father,” Then during the night before Jesus was crucified, he told Peter, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 10:38, 14:6, New American Standard Version.

That was the beginning. Giving up control and surrendering to God isn’t easy. And, for me, it wasn’t a one-time thing. Like I said earlier, wanting something and actually doing it are two different things.

But, God had my heart.

Then, I spent another ten years desperately seeking to know God through other people’s words and experiences. That doesn’t work either.

During those years, I lost a career I loved, health, material possessions, income, independence, loved ones, and even my memory at times. I lost the security of everything most people place their security in. I was so tired of losing things.

That’s when I learned about control. Losing things taught me I wasn’t in control at all. The wondrous thing is that it also taught me that if the most precious thing in my life is my intimate relationship with God, I‘d never lose that. Regardless of what happens, He is with me, helping me to live above the circumstances of my life.

Because of God’s love and grace, I found the things money can’t buy – peace of mind, a hope for the future, the knowledge that I am deeply loved by my Creator, and eternal life.

I’m no stronger or more faithful than anyone else is. In fact, I’m probably weaker.

The difference is that I chose to seek the Truth. And, that is what I hope the words from my heart convey.

You see, surrendering is the beginning of a journey to discovering God’s love and purpose for our lives.

The idea of trying to know God may seem insurmountable. It did for me until I realized that by focusing on Jesus, I would come to know the Father. By inviting Christ into my heart and asking Him to work in me and change me, I opened the door.

In all honesty, there have been times when I’ve closed that door. I did that when I decided that I knew what was best for me. Things usually were fine – for a while. But eventually, whatever I had chased after, fought for, or believed in ultimately disappointed. It’s extremely hard to try and orchestrate perfection. In fact, I don’t know anyone who can. There is always something that comes along to change things.

By seeking God’s will and acknowledging His control, I’ve discovered the freedom of knowing that He is the one true thing. And so I began with one simple prayer – to focus on Jesus. You see, like everyone else, there were so many things going on in my life, so many heartaches, disappointments, and so much sadness that I knew the only way to survive was to begin with that simple prayer. God, help me focus on Jesus – nothing else.

The only way to focus on Jesus is by reading the Word of God and spending time in prayer. Neither was elaborate. I opened the Bible and began reading and I simply talked to God, pouring out all my heartaches and my desire to know Him.

That was when I began to understand God’s will in my life. It’s an ongoing process and it requires sacrifice. Unfortunately, too many people shy away from sacrifice, thinking it’s going to be painful. Sometimes it is. Yet, sacrifice borne out of love becomes almost cleansing, healing, and energizing. After all, what we are called to sacrifice are those things that prevent us from being all God has designed for us.

And, it brings a peace that is almost impossible to describe. I want to give up the things that keep me weighed down and hurting.

Knowing and believing that nothing happens in this world without God’s knowledge can give us an unshakeable comfort in relinquishing control to the Creator of the universe.

If you would like to know just how much the Father loves you, please visit this site called Father’s Love Letter at http://www.fathersloveletter.com

My prayer is that you will come to know His love for you.

Blessings, Francine

A Word of Caution

2005-07-15T02:06:00.000-07:00

The reality of Paul’s words in both Timothy and Romans in the previous entry can create different emotions in different folks.

Many respond with a feeling of self-righteousness. It’s so easy to judge and criticize others who are caught up in chaotic living. As if we are perfect.

Interestingly, Paul apparently feared the same thing, because in the verses following his almost prophetic description of today’s world, he turns around in the next chapter in Romans and warns us:

“Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.

“You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” The Message, Romans 2:1-4.

Others might feel frightened because the apostle’s words ring true and it isn’t a pretty picture of our society today. It would be easy to get caught up in fearful living. While the world sometimes seems to be falling apart all around us, we can find hope in God’s love for His children. It’s easy to focus on circumstances rather than the one who gives us hope.

Hope. If our world needs one thing in the midst of the chaos that swirls around us, it is hope. And people hunger for it. The preponderance and popularity of self-help books is proof that we are looking for something. However, which book is the right one? There are thousands and, unfortunately, many contradict each other.

There is one who gives hope that truly is eternal – it never changes, it is constant, consistent, and available for anyone who chooses to accept it.

One of the best places in the Bible to find encouraging words of hope is in the Psalms, especially many of those written by David. You know – David the shepherd boy who killed the giant Goliath and David the King. However, he was also David the adulterer, the murderer, the liar. Yet, David was identified by God as “a man after his own heart.”

Why was he so special to God? Even though his life was full of conflict, sin, guilt, and shame, he lived a life surrendered to God. God knew David’s heart. He knew David’s love was genuine even if the man was flawed. And therein lies a truth so few people seem to understand. We are all flawed and imperfect, but like a doting parent, God loves us, only He loves us more and He loves us best.

In Psalm 18, David wrote a song after God delivered him from all his enemies and from the hand of King Saul. It’s full of amazing praise and gives evidence to all God did for this adulterer, liar, and murderer. Regardless of his weaknesses and sin, David chose to follow God and serve Him. God does the same for those of us who chose to accept Jesus as our savior.

David wrote:

“But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning.

“They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me.

“He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start.” The Message, Psalm 18:16-20

Here’s the truth – the Creator of the universe reached down from heaven and rescued David from his enemies. Can you picture that? Moreover, while David’s enemies were flesh and blood, our’s can be anything that harms us – fear, hate, addictions, depression, panic. They can even be those worldly things we desire – money, power, prestige, self-sufficiency – the things that lull us into a false security.

Why did God save David? In the New International Version, verse 19 answers that question quite eloquently: “… He rescued me because he delighted in me.”

However, I believe David continues that answer in verse 20. In other words, God made David’s life complete when he placed all the pieces (of his life) before God. In other words, David surrendered his life.

Regardless of the bad things happening around us, we can have a supernatural peace that goes beyond human understanding.

Until next time, I pray your weekend is full of peace and contentment, and that you are refreshed and lifted up above the world’s chaos. If you need a little help, check out the Psalms. Or, email me. I promise to answer.

Blessings, Francine

Special Note: As you may have noticed, I use different versions of the Bible. I encourage you to do the same. You may find one that speaks to you, but to really get an in-depth understanding of God’s word (based on personal experience), use several different ones. Along with the Bible, there are a variety of reference books that will further help you hear the message God wants to give you in His word. If you aren’t sure where to start, please contact me.

Giving up Control

2005-07-13T01:35:00.000-07:00

My last entry asked who is in control of your life. The desire of my heart was to show that we truly aren’t in control of anything. The rest of that thought is, who or what is controlling your life?

Maybe it would be good to explore what happens when we surrender to something other than God’s love and guidance.

Take a look around you. Read the headlines of any newspaper, turn on any news cast (you can always find news), or watch some of the more popular television programs. What do you read, hear, and see?

Recently, we’ve learned about a serial killer who was a church member and now calmly describes the murders he's committed. We’ve also been witness to a sexual predator who allegedly killed three adults in order to kidnap two children for his own twisted pleasure. Hundreds of thousands watched planes fly into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania killing hundreds of people and forever changing the landscape of our hearts. London is now dealing with the same thing. CEOs of large corporations allegedly diverted funds for their own personal use, robbing employees of their future retirement. Highly rated television programs promote promiscuity, adultery, homosexuality, lying, cheating, and just about anything other than Godly principals and beliefs. The entertainment industry even recognizes they can target more people with cartoon-like programs promoting the same things.

Movies, video games, and popular music sometimes go even further.

And we wonder, what’s the world coming to?

Several books in the Bible are prophetic but Timothy is eerily so. Consider Paul’s guidance to the one whom he considered his “son.”

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power …"

Paul uses nineteen appalling characteristics in the first five verses. He then goes on to say in verses 6-8: "For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of truth, … men who oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. And then, in verse 13: But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse; deceiving and being deceived." The New American Standard Bible, 2 Timothy 3:1-8

Those verses are chillingly close to describing our world. Moreover, if we look even further into words written almost two thousand years ago, we find something even more frightening.

In the first chapter of Romans, Paul writes of the sinfulness of humankind and in the last half, he specifically addresses unbelief and its consequences. The Message, Romans 1:21-32, puts it in the cold, harsh reality of today:

"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

"So God said, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.” It wasn’t long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes!

"Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn’t know how to be human either—women didn’t know how to be women, men didn’t know how to be men. Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men,—all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it—emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches.

"Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it’s not as if they don’t know better. They know perfectly well they’re spitting in God’s face. And they don’t care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!"

These are perfect examples of people who are trying to control their lives. Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it? Sounds like it could come from today's headlines or top news alerts the media likes to use. More importantly, it should illustrate the disturbing examples of people living without God.

But, life doesn’t have to be that way. The good news is that God can take a surrendered life and create something of beauty. More about that next time.

I pray you will come back and discover how the Creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with you. God changes hearts, spirits, and lives.

Blessings, Francine

Who is in control?

2005-07-11T05:13:00.000-07:00

One of the hallmarks of a true believer is that we give up control of our lives and trust in God’s control.

Lots of folks say they believe that, but how many live their lives in the total confidence that this is true?

If we were to honestly believe God has control of our lives, knows exactly what’s going on, and has guidance for each of us (if we choose to seek it), then it would seem there would be a lot more joyful believers.

Think about those things that cause stress in your life. Are you satisfied with who you are, how you look, how smart you are, the talents you possess, or any number of characteristics that describe your life or lifestyle?

If you aren’t, chances are you are probably feeling a little stress. Think about the millions of dollars spent on self-help books. While we all can, and should, try to be the best, we have to recognize that none of us has complete control over those things.

Many of us want to have control over our families, our jobs, and our situations. Certainly, we can influence others, work to improve our careers, and try to change our circumstances. But, at the end of the day when we look into the mirror, can we honestly say that we do have that kind of power?

If we acknowledge that the Creator of the universe has control of our lives yet continuously strive to orchestrate things ourselves, then we are, in essence, trying to be God.

There was one in the Bible who wanted to be like God. He was, in fact, the Creator’s most beautiful creation – Lucifer. Most know what happened to him.

Giving up control isn’t easy. It means surrendering every part of ourselves to God. What does that kind of surrender look like? It starts with obedience regardless of whether we understand God’s plans or not. It means living without knowing the who, what, when, where, why, and how of our lives. But then again, can anyone know those things for certain?

There are times when surrendering full control means doing things that don’t make sense. However, the real question is, makes sense to whom? The world? That is no barometer as to what does and doesn’t make sense.

Knowing and believing that nothing happens in this world without God’s knowledge can give us an unshakeable comfort in relinquishing control to the Creator of the universe.

Blessings, Francine

Getting it Right

2005-07-08T02:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, those of us who are perfectionists, tend to place a higher value on getting things right rather than on getting things done. In other words, we are guided more by our concern of what others might think than what God might think. I

I must confess that I’ve been one of those people.

To be used by God is my heart’s desire. Yet, I’ve procrastinated adding to this blog because I wanted to get it right. In other words, if I didn’t believe what I wrote was absolutely perfect, then I wasn’t going to post it.

Silly me. Of course it isn’t going to be perfect. Nothing in this world is. Nevertheless, I let my need for approval keep me from one of the avenues God has opened for me to follow His will.

It’s made me wonder how many others diligently strive to do whatever it is they feel led by God to do but never complete it because, like me, they want it to be perfect.

I don’t want to imply everyone is like this. Yet, I believe there are those who desperately seek validation in the eyes of others. I believe it’s human nature to do so. But I also know that in the Spiritual Realm, our worth and value come from being a child of God.

Getting it right has nothing to do with perfection and everything to do with following God’s leading. I was reminded in one of my devotions how Noah responded to God’s leading. If he had been concerned about getting it right … well, I suppose it’s possible none of us would be here. I mean, it’s easy for us to visualize it raining for forty days and forty nights. Here’s a man building an ark on dry land – and, in a world that didn’t even know what rain was.

I know there are hundreds of examples in the Bible that illustrate that getting it right usually meant doing something others would not agree with. But then, I guess that’s how it is when we choose to follow God’s will and not the world’s way.

My prayer is that I continue to realize my purpose isn’t about fulfilling my plans but rather, it’s all about fulfilling God’s plans.

It’s my desire to share those things I believe God is teaching me. And, do it on a regular basis. For those returning readers, please forgive the lapse of entries. For those new to my blog, come back again. I promise not to wait till I get things perfect but will act on getting it right.

Blessings, Francine

P.S. God's perfection surrounds us. This photo, taken during a recent trip to Ireland, that shows just how perfect our Creator is.

Defeating the Darkness of Depression

2005-05-13T02:43:00.000-07:00

Defeating the darkness of depression isn’t easy. It doesn’t happen all at once (although I’m sure there may be times when God uses such a miracle for His purposes). For me, it seems to be a life-long journey. The good news is that things get better.

Even though I feel as if I’ve been on a roller coaster lately, I’m not going to complain. Today is a good day. And even the bad days that have come this week have brought me to new understandings.

They’ve also shown me that when I’m in the misery of despair, if I choose to seek God’s counsel, He will speak to me. God gave us free will and so the first thing we must realize is that God will not force Himself on us. We must make the choice.

Most of us would do just about anything to flee the feelings of depression or anxiety. Too often, we’ll rush toward something else for comfort – it may be in money, careers, possessions, land, corporations, or other investments. It may even be in the intangible realm of family. Those things don’t last. God’s word does.

The bottom line is that in order to escape the darkness, you have to know where to look for the light. Oh, it’s there. It may only be a tiny pinpoint in the shadows. It’s the Bible on the shelf.

That is where you will find hope. Most bibles contain reference tools to direct us to those scriptures. But there are times when looking through a concordance just isn’t going to work. It’s hard to see the small print as tears overwhelm us, and harder still to even open the book, if our bodies are wracked with deep, soul-wrenching sobs.

The best way is to know where those scriptures are. A wounded spirit can find comfort in the Psalms as the writers’ words cry out from the darkest of places. Do you know which ones?

Other resources can help. It may be an inspirational book that has spoken to your heart. Or it may be a Godly self-help book that touched your soul. These too can guide us – as long as the path leads to the Truth of God’s Word.

For me, I’ve copied devotions onto my laptop. I no longer print out things like this because I’ve found that when I’m lost in the darkness of depression, I can’t remember where I put them.

I have a folder named “Spiritual Things.” It contains a lot of stuff, but I know that I can find something that will comfort me. Folders and documents are organized in such a way that I know I can find words of wisdom and guidance. It’s very important for me to mention that the things I seek are those that are totally based on God’s word. They contain scriptures I can then look up on my laptop.

Then, when the tears have slowed and my body is no longer shaking, I find comfort in turning the worn and heavily marked up pages of my Bible. There’s evidence there of God’s presence in my life. I know that for sure because the notes I’ve made document all He’s shown me before. So not only do I find the light of God’s Truths, my faith increases with the knowledge of how my Father has been faithful to me in the past. There is security in that.

If you are struggling with depression or anxiety and searching for encouragement or comfort, please leave a comment or email me. I’d love to share the Truth of God’s love with you.

I’ll leave you with Paul’s words of encouragement to the Ephesians (“The Message, The Bible in Contemporary Language,” by Eugene H. Peterson)

Ephesians 1:11-14

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

Ephesians 1:17-19

But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Blessings, Francine

What's Peace?

2005-05-04T03:22:00.000-07:00

So many of us think happiness is peace. Yet, definitions are only words.

Peace is the opposite of turmoil. And I think most of us would agree peace is much better than turmoil.

If you look up happiness in the dictionary (The AMERICAN HERITAGE Dictionary), the first thing you find is that the word happiness isn’t specifically listed. You have to look up the word happy, which is defined by some simple one-word definitions: Lucky; fortunate – cheerful, willing. I suppose happiness is a state of being lucky, being fortunate, being cheerful, or being willing.

To me, that implies a choice of sorts.

In that same dictionary, the word peace is defined as 1. The absence of war or other hostilities, 2. An agreement or treaty to end hostilities. 3. Freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmony. The last definition is Serenity; peace of mind. The definitions of peaceful, peacefully, and peacefulness aren’t found either, only listed beneath the word peace, i.e., implying that same “state of …,” or choice.

If you accept my interpretation of these words, that they are a choice, why are so many of us unhappy or un-peaceful? If we are free to choose, I choose peace.

If it were only that easy.

In truth, it is that easy. But, in reality, we find that our thoughts are consumed with a lot of baggage filled with anxiety and worry. We’ve carried it around with us for years and years and it’s become second nature. We’re used to carrying it around. In fact, many of us have learned to throw off the weight only to find ourselves uncomfortable with the newfound freedom that comes with discarding the baggage of our past.

We are creatures of habit. We become used to certain behaviors and to change those behaviors means moving into the realm of the unknown. While our anxiety may be slowly killing us, we find more comfort in the known. Stepping into the unfamiliar means stepping out of our comfort zones. And human nature calls us back into that with which we are accustomed. So we pick up our baggage once more.

It’s the reason why abused people remain in abusive relationships and why alcoholics and drug addicts remain addicted (although you could substitute alcohol and drugs for any number of obsessive addictions – food, sex, porn, power, materialism – you get the idea).

There is only one way to break the cycle of habit or addiction and it’s supernatural – it goes beyond human nature.

But before I give the answer, I’d like to ask another question.

When people are sick, they usually go to a doctor. If they are uneducated, they usually seek to be taught. If they are hungry, they eat; thirsty, they drink. In other words, they choose to seek that which will satisfy. Sometimes they don’t find the right answers immediately. Their need of these things usually drives them to find the right solution.

Yet when it comes to healthy, emotional decisions, we can easily get caught up in the little things. Things we think will satisfy easily distract us. They never do. And we remain in painful situations, be they mental or emotional. Why can’t we be as determined about our emotional health as we are about physical needs?

We forget there is another dimension to consider and that’s the spiritual. Oh, we can look at horoscopes, talk to mediums, have our palms read, and any other supernatural solutions, but refuse to go straight to the source.

The Creator of the universe designed us to work a certain way. Most things are created for a purpose. I’ll keep it simple because that’s what works for me. A coffee cup was designed to hold some type of liquid – something other than a solid. A plate was designed to hold something solid – other than a liquid. I can use a cup for some solids although it isn’t the most efficient. And I can use a plate for some liquids, but it is even less efficient.

The same goes for us. God created us for a purpose and until we know what that is, we aren’t as content as we could be. We definitely aren't as content as we were meant to be.

If you desperately want that supernatural peace that goes beyond your human comprehension, you can have it.

It’s a matter of choice.

Please feel free to leave a comment, especially if you have any questions about how to find lasting peace.

Blessings.

Beginnings

2005-05-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

Everything has a beginning and this blog is a first for me.

Actually, I know very little about blogs, but I know there are a lot of hurting folks around and my heart's desire is to help others.

Life is full of problems. Nothing is perfect. But for some, our problems invade our hearts and our minds and create anxiety. It isn't that we worry all the time. For many of us, much of what's going on is really subconscious. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay that way and is often exhibited in anxiety or panic attacks. It's a heartbreaking way to live.

But I know that there's an answer.

I'm not a doctor. Nor am I a psychologist. My experience is life as I've lived it for more years than I care to admit. But I know that much of our anxiety comes from our past.

We can't change the past but other things can change. And that's what I hope to do here in this blog ... to give others hope.

If you feel as if you're all alone, please know that you aren't. I hope you'll visit regularly and that maybe by sharing, we can find the peace that God has for us because His peace is supernatural and that's what makes the difference.

Blessings