Keeping Our Hearts on Home

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

- Colossians 3: 1-3

Oh, how swiftly my heart and mind can be swept away from "things above"...

But how grateful I am that my Good Shepherd so gently leads me back to focusing on His Truth, restoring my vision to focus on His Kingdom, not on "earthly things."

Most often He does this through the quiet power of His Word. Colossians 3: 1-4 are the verses that I have most recently felt led to commit to memory. Ironic thing is, not two days after I started working on memorizing this compelling call to keep my heart and mind centered on Christ, another force within our world began to work mercilessly against my efforts. It was...

Black Friday.

And its partner in crime,

Cyber Monday.

Sad, I know.

This annual season of sensational sales sucked me in before I had time to click, "Empty Cart!" I was still rising early, but to shop online, not spend time with God. Thankfully I did not go completely bonkers with my spending. It was more like I was obsessed with the thrill of deal hunting. This is the one time of year when I feel a little freedom to shop because the deals are so good and I can stock up for the year ahead. [I want to be clear here: I do not think bargain hunting nor Black Friday nor Cyber Monday (nor garage sales, thrift stores, or clearance racks) are wrong in any way, shape or form! In fact, I think they are a great way to practice good stewardship of the finances with which God has blessed us. But for me, it just happened to be the most recent tool from my own personal well-stocked toolbox that was used to completely derail my heart and mind's focus on "things above" for a good 5 to 7 days. Wow.]

When it was all over with, I found myself with only a slight sense of accomplishment that I had made some savvy purchases. The more noticeable sense within my spirit was the overwhelming dryness and dullness that had crept in during my week long hiatus from seeking first my Savior above all else. Even without all those sales swirling around me to distract me into bargain hound mode, it is still a daily, ongoing struggle for me to keep my eyes on Christ above all else.

Thus, I am ever grateful for the life-giving power of God's Word, which reminds me that when I make His Truth my deepest delight and joy, disciplining my mind to meditate on it throughout my day, then (and only then) will I experience true blessings,

"like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither

— whatever they do prospers."

 (Psalm 1: 2-3)

I am also thankful for the Truth He speaks through the words of even the smallest of sources in my life: my 2 year-old daughter. Just this past month she uttered one of the most profound, albeit simple, statements I've heard in my life. 

One afternoon, she noticed me sitting at our kitchen table with my head in my hands, praying. She asked me why my eyes were closed and I said, "Oh, I'm just asking God where he wants us to live." (It has long been an ongoing prayer for us as a family to seek God's will when it comes to where and when exactly He wants us to build or buy a house.) After my daughter heard my reply, she said with all the I-can't-believe-you're-asking-this certainty she could muster,

"Heaven."

All I could do was stare and smile. I had been shamefully schooled my my preschooler. Through her childlike faith, God used her to minister other-worldly wisdom:

our ultimate citizenship, our permanent address can never be any place on this green earth.

It is meant to be heaven.

With our Creator, not just here in His Creation, as breathtaking as it is.

And so, through His Word and the words of the little miracles with which He has blessed me, my wandering heart and mind are gratefully swayed back to the compelling call to keep focused on "things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3: 2). For this is where real life lies.

 

 

** For a great resource to help you keep your heart and mind focused on Christ during this Christmas season, check out the Village Church's "Advent Guide"**

Homemade Laundry Detergent

As the keeper of our home, I am always looking for ways to maintain our health and budget at the same time. I've been making my own multi-purpose cleaning spray and tub/tile cleaner for about 2 years now (recipes forthcoming), which has been a wonderful way to save money as well as ensure that my kids aren't coming into constant contact with who-knows-what chemically. After our last jug of store-bought laundry detergent finally ran out, I decided to attempt to make my own. It was incredibly easy and has proven to get our clothes just as clean - yay! I'm so thankful that God has so graciously shown me little ways to take care of both the precious lives and finances with which He's blessed us.

Here's the recipe I used (from www.duggarfamily.com) :

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap 

(front or top load machine- best value)

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha or Ivory soap bar (I used Kirk's Castille Soap)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax*

- Grate bar of soap (I chopped mine into small pieces & then put it in the food processor) and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!
* Borax can be found in the laundry aisle of your grocery store.

NOTE: ™ = Trademark. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Results may vary. All recipes are valid for non-commercial use otherwise written permission must be obtained from the The Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar Family. © Copyright 2011



The Purpose of Waiting

Are you in a season of waiting?

It seems to me that, on some level, most of us are always in a season of waiting. Sometimes the seasons are short, sometimes they are long. Sometimes they are exuberant periods of waiting expectantly for impending joy on the horizon. Sometimes they are difficult seasons where we feel hopeless and surrounded by utter darkness. Sometimes they are somewhere in between those two.

But whatever our seasons look like, they are always hard.

I'm learning that God has designed these seasons of waiting on Him to serve a profound purpose in our lives...if we will let them.

The easy thing to do is to rage and fight against them. By nature, we don't like pain. On top of that, we are an instant gratification generation - we want what we want, and we want it NOW. But in God's Kingdom, rarely does He allow us those moments of instantaneous satisfaction - and with good reason.

God knows that things obtained too easily will ultimately teach us nothing of our desperate need for Him. When He allows us to walk through the trial of waiting on Him, He promises that it will ultimately produce His good work in our lives. I love Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of James 1:2-4, when God's Word encourages us to,

^"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

Have you had this experience? Have you ever emerged from a dark season of waiting on the Lord to work in your life, and find yourself able to look back on it with "pure joy" in your heart because He loved you enough to let you go through the trial, knowing that if He had spared you from it, you would not have grown in your faith? I can look back on my life and, by His grace, do just that. There have been several seasons of "trials of many kinds," some darker than others. But they all forced me to my knees in a way that, sad to say, my easier times never could.

If you are in the midst of a season of trial and waiting on the Lord, I want to encourage you to hang in there! Or in a more Biblical term, keep persevering!! Your Creator has not forgotten you. In fact, you are in a prime position to receive such blessing from God that otherwise you might not. As James continues in 1:12,

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

God is at work in the midst of our testing and trials and waiting. As Charles Stanley so wisely explains, "The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us." And we know that one of His top priorities is that we put more of our faith in His Son, allowing Him to mold us into His likeness. This higher goal will trump our desire to be freed from our trial every time. And if we are seeking His Kingdom and will for our lives, inevitably the Lord will change our hearts to desire this as well, even more than an answer to what we are seeking.

One final lesson God is teaching me is that when I sincerely ask for His will to be done in my life, I must wholeheartedly believe that it is and that it will be! Again, James says in 1: 5-6,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Countless times in the Gospel we read stories of folks who are praised - not necessarily because of their spotless reputations or impeccable behavior - but because of their complete belief and trust in Christ's power over their lives. The Lord is reminding me that I need to turn from my doubting that He is actively at work to bring about His will in my life and instead cling to my faith in His goodness, knowing that,

"...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

- Hebrews 11:6

His ultimate reward is not the stuff of life - but more of Him. That is all we truly need. May He continue to use your season of waiting to bless you with just that. 

The Biggest Miracle of All

I am daily amazed at God's active (albeit unseen most of the time) presence in my life and the lives that intersect mine. Every day there are countless stories of His miraculous acts of grace swirling all around us, some big, some little.

I'm particularly partial to the moments when He allows us broken, unfaithful children to play a tiny part in His grand plan. Of course we know He could do it all Himself - by no means does He need our help to accomplish His will. But it pleases Him to involve us at times - He knows that we are blessed beyond measure when this happens. When we are seeking His Kingdom in our lives, He will use these powerful moments to teach us a lesson in His grandeur if we let Him.

A recent example of this in my little world:
Last week I heard a story about a couple who received a random, totally unexpected check of a significant amount in their mailbox (it was a real estate tax refund from a house they'd sold a couple years prior). Although flashes of all the "fun" things they could buy with the amount passed through their minds, they quickly planned to tuck it away in savings.

Clearly, however, God had other plans for the funds because literally minutes after they'd made the decision of what to do with it, they were made aware of a loved one's urgent need. Here's the kicker: the amount needed was almost to the exact dollar of what showed up in their mailbox that day. They knew instantly that the check, although it had made a pit stop at their house, was not meant for their own personal use, but for Christ's greater glory. They were honored to give it all just for that. He had given them so much, how could they not?

This story is just one of the countless sparks of God's grandeur played out in our lives. Whether we perceive it or not, he is constantly at work in our lives, taking care of our every need exactly when we need it. This couple and their loved one could've never known that they needed to pray for the exact amount of money to show up at that very moment in their lives - but God did. And He made it happen.

When we are seeking to grow in our knowledge of and love for Christ, making His Kingdom our primary concern above all other things in life, He promises to meet all our needs "according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). And even when we don't know what to pray for, His Spirit inside us does and He "intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27). I draw such comfort from that amazing truth! As long as we keep first things first (His Kingdom and righteousness), we will always have everything we need (emphasis on need, not want).

Of utmost importance to God is that we are continually becoming more and more like His Son. I can conjure some pretty skewed thinking in my little brain when I try to rely on my own strength to accomplish this, which inevitably leaves me bruised and battered from beating myself up over my failure to measure up to Christ's holiness. But, like Paul, by God's grace I am working on "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," continuing to "work out [my] salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in [me] to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 3: 13 and Philippians 2:12-13). My desire to grow more like Christ comes from God, not me (whew)! And not only that, He alone will actually DO the work in my heart, not me (double whew)!

Thing is, we can only become like someone if we actually spend time with them. Thus, prayer.

"The primary goal of prayer is relationship building

- to draw near to God"

-Stovall Weems

Drawing near to God in consistent times of prayer is one of the primary ways we get to know Him. I'm so grateful that God has shown me little areas of time in my day and week that I can devote to spending time with Him in prayer. It's not easy and it always involves self-sacrifice, but it is making such an impact in my daily walk with Him.

Specifically, He is teaching me to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" ( Philippians 4:6). However, the main motivation for my prayers should always be "for the glory of God regardless of our personal comfort or preference" (S.Weems). Again, when we make the whole point of our existence - even what we pray for - singularly about the glory of God, true joy and contentment are the inevitable result!

We may not walk away from every communion with God in prayer feeling like anything monumental has taken place - we may even "feel" exactly how we felt before we took the time to pray. But we can rest assured that fervent prayer offered from a right standing of heart before God will have an eternal impact, even if we do not see it in our lifetime.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power

and produces wonderful results.

 - James 5:16

What is this "right standing"before God? It is what we graciously enjoy when we have become believers and God has credited to us Christ's righteousness. That being said, as we pray we must also be certain to confess any sins that are blocking us from intimacy with God. With these things in check, and keeping our hearts focused on what will truly bring glory to God, we can trust that by the His Spirit's power within us, our prayers will count for much in this life and the next!

I have seen countless "little" miracles throughout my life, and the aforementioned "check in the mail" story is just a drop in the proverbial bucket. It thrills me and rejuvenates my faith when God allows me to witness His power in such tangible, tender ways. But what I am even more excited about is how much He is answering my cries to be daily stripped of myself and further filled with His Spirit.

That, to me, is the biggest miracle of all.

It is a daily, moment by moment battle, but by His power, I keep pressing on.

Not that I have already obtained all this,

or have already arrived at my goal,

but I press on to take hold of that

for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

- Philippians 3:12

Happy Kids

To be carried along by the power of the Lord,

To be faithfully molded in the patience of the Lord,

To be comforted by the constant presence of the Lord;

In these things do His children find deepest joy.

What Can Happen When the Body Works

"Vitruvian Man" by Leonardo Da Vinci

No matter where we are, we are never beyond the reach of God.

Even if you are in a season of blissful happiness right now, chances are you have been in (or will one day find yourself in) a dark pit of despair - something you never fathomed could happen to you. That is our lot in this life - we cannot escape our encounters with pain, as much as we desperately try to.

I am certain that my young friend who recently suffered the incomprehensible loss of her husband never dreamed she would ever have to endure such a crushing tragedy. No one is supposed to be widowed in their early thirties, suddenly facing the gaping hole of the loss of their best friend and father to their young child.

When I heard of my friend's loss, my heart was overwhelmed with grief for her. I prayed repeatedly for her comfort and peace, that she would somehow experience God's great mercy like never before in the midst of such a dark place. I know there were many others around her who continually lifted her up as well - and continue to do so even to this day.

And beyond even prayer, many within the local church were moved to action in the midst of my friend's crisis - reaching out with gifts and food. It was a sight to behold, watching perfect strangers sign up to take meal after meal to this hurting family, all because of a burning desire to show Christ's love in a tangible way.

Just this past week, I had the privilege to listen to my sweet friend as she shared through tears how much the Body of Christ's outpouring of compassion meant to her. Because of the Church's faithfulness to minister to her in her darkest hour, she is forever changed. She has experienced the love of God in a way she'd never known before, seeing Him as the kind, merciful, and loving Father that He truly is. She has begun regularly attending church and will even be dedicating her son soon, as well as being baptized herself! All praise to God for showing His miraculous power even in the midst of seemingly impossible despair.

When the Church operates in the Spirit-filled power it was designed to function, reaching out in Christ's love as only His Body can, amazing things can happen! Individual lives and whole families can be forever changed for the course of history. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see this happen in my friend's life! My own faith has been so renewed as I am reminded of the Lord's unstoppable desire to see His loved ones brought home to Him.

And even more, I have been so blessed to see firsthand what can happen when God's children truly operate in the unity to which they have been called by Christ (John 17). Too often the Church is known for its discord, for its foolish bickering over what are ultimately just preferences. But not always! And my prayer will continue to be not anymore.

Lord, let Your Body, Your Bride be so moved to love each other and the world in such a way that no one can deny Your power and Your Truth, which is Jesus.

The Will and the Work

Have I mentioned that I just love Jesus? ;)

It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that there are literally countless things about Him to love. But what has most recently been added to my list of "Top Bajillion Things I Love About Jesus" is His uncanny ability to speak precisely what I need to hear precisely when I need to hear it.

Take earlier this week, for example. There I was, just barely, faintly offering up a prayer that God would show me in my Bible reading what I most needed to hear at that moment...when, BAM...He spoke.

The story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well just happened to be the next chapter in my reading for the day. I'd read the story many times before, but this time, a part of it jumped out at me that I had never noticed (gotta love how God's living Word can do that!). Just to set the stage, while His disciples were off buying some food, Jesus uses His opportunity of solitude not to take a nap (weary as He surely was), but to have a life-changing conversation with a woman in desperate need of Truth. When His disciples return with food and urge Him to eat, He instead says,

"I have food to eat

that you know nothing about...

My food...is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

- John 4: 32 & 34

I can sadly say without hesitation that if it had been me in Jesus' shoes, I would've, a) slept or spaced out during the entire time the Samaritan woman was in my presence, and b) thrown down a serious munch as soon as my friends returned with some grub - maybe even forgetting to thank God for my food.

But not our Lord Jesus. He had such an urgency and single-mindedness of mission that putting aside His own physical comfort was just a way of life (and ultimately death) for Him.

Head spinning, I put down my Bible after reading this incredible snapshot of Christ's diligence in humility and compassion, and asked myself these hard questions:

- What is "the will" and "the work" that God sends me out to do?

- What things are more important to me than doing God's will and work everyday?

First things first, I believe God's ultimate will is that I love Him through His Son Jesus above all else (see Matt. 22:37). Then, from that place of love, I believe I am called to love those He has put around me (see Matt. 22:39). To me that is, in a nutshell, the will and the work of God in my life. Everything else stems from there.

I am to keep the eyes of my heart constantly turned to Jesus all throughout my day, seeking to know and love Him more and more every moment I am alive. Then I am to reflect His love to those in my path as a response to His love. I have no love to give of my own accord. It is only through His love flowing through me that I can "do the work" of loving others.

So, what keeps me from continually doing God's will and work in my life? What other things do I find more important? Where do my priorities get out of whack? Why am I more often found napping or munching when I should be loving and serving?

Again, I am hit with the sad reality that I still struggle with the lie that other things in this world will bring me more satisfaction than Jesus. In my humanity, I am inclined to turn to the "junk foods" of idolatry - the "foods" I think will satisfy, but always end up leaving me empty and sick - instead of the Bread of Life, which is Christ, who alone can fully satisfy.

When I am tired and weary and bored and discouraged and insecure...I really do not need a piece of cake, or a caramel macchiato, or a chick flick or even a nap (precious as those things can be in the right context!). What I really need, what will truly fill me up and restore me...is more Jesus.

Oh, sweet, merciful Father, forgive me for the countless times I have turned to "junk foods" to feel satisfied instead of spending time with You, the Bread of Life and Living Water! Remind me constantly by the promptings of Your precious Holy Spirit that loving You and loving others in response to Your love are the only things that will ever fill my hungry soul.

Thank You for Your faithfulness and patience.

Amen.