The Process

Posted on April 30, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

I pray and pray until I’m out of words… And God says –be quiet now. I ask Him to hurry and do something… And He says – don’t rush Me, it’s the process that matters. The steps to completeness are blessed.

He tells me there is Joy in the journey. 

But, how can this wandering-part be enjoyable? Don’t You see It’s messy and long and precarious. Don’t You see the potential disaster? …I don’t like waiting, I want to see this one I love be made whole. 

He tells me –before I began the world I knew how things would go… I did not make humans to be perfect. I stated only, “it is good.” I planned for human error, imperfection and choice. It’s in the mishaps that Glory shines. It’s in the mistakes that Grace takes over. I never planned on human perfection.

The process to maturity in Christ is the story. Each pain and trial is useful, because this is what makes the testimony. Rest – pray – wait and see. God is working, The I AM is moving at His speed in His way, using EVERYTHING for His Glory, for our good.

“Oh patient, wooing, active God, stay jealous for us. Help me wait it out trusting that You have a plan to use each and every circumstance today to change and mold hearts. Give us a great story! In Jesus’ name”

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Changing Hearts Through Prayer

Posted on April 25, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Sometimes we don’t have the clarity for our own situation. Sometimes we lack the faith to believe good is coming. When life becomes tremendously full and energy is completely zapped, we need others to help carry us.

I’ve been there. It’s humbling to receive, but its ok to admit. Ask for help! Without supportive arms I would’ve fallen flat more than once. Just a prayer offered on my behalf has been sheer life to me. Another believer’s prayer has revived, strengthened and sustained me.

Prayer is mysterious. I don’t know all the ways God uses it, but I can tell you the power is real and tangible! I will never again underestimate my own words to God for someone else. They are precious and holy. God treasures each word. He allows us to be part of a covering through prayer. We really do carry one another’s burdens.

When I know my kids (for instance) are stressed and overwhelmed I pray on their behalf. I stand in their stead before God, blanketing them in prayer, one by one. Then I wait expectantly to see the outcome.

“… a group of men who were carrying a paralytic had to take him to the roof of the house, remove some tiles, and let him down in front of Jesus.” -The Bible Knowledge Commentary
“When Jesus saw how much faith they had, He said to the man, Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20

When we lay down our loved ones paralyzed by distress at Jesus’ feet, He graciously allows us to be a catalyst of sorts. Our faith, through prayer for them, can initiate movement. I’ve seen it happen again and again. We pray and they receive help where it’s needed. Amazing!

Thank You, LORD for the incredible gift of prayer.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Diving In

Posted on April 17, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

1 Corinthians shares the promise that even though we can’t see clearly all that God is doing now, someday -on the other side- we will understand and know Him as fully as He knows us! Imagine.

“We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭The Message
 
 
But, how on earth do we hold on to Trust today? How can we grasp Hope for that tomorrow, when it’s hard to see God working?  Verse 13 offers a plan:

“But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: 

  • Trust steadily in God, 
  • hope unswervingly, 
  • love extravagantly.

And the best of the three is love.”  1 Cor. 13:13 The Message

Keep on trusting, and hoping and remember Love is the key. Not just loving others-but loving God. It’s His love that feeds and fuels the ability to love others. My heart seeks to love The Father, which cultivates trust, which breeds hope for the future.

I can not possibly drum up love by my own initiative. I need The Holy Spirit to inspire and direct me. This one factor changes everything: heart, thoughts, motives. The Spirit knows the heart of God and He is freely given to anyone who follows Jesus. 

Holy Spirit come and flood me, change my heart and mind. Fuel my trust, renew my hope and teach me Love Devine.

Dive in!

ForGlorySake! -Anna  

 “The Spirit not content to flit around on the surface DIVES into the depths of God.” 1Cor. 2:11
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Prepared

Posted on April 3, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Storms happen. What a funny thing to write on such a beautiful peaceful day. Quiet, other than birds singing and the little creek gurgling… but it’s true, storms do come. Sometimes when we least expect them.

I’m talking about those trials of life we have all experienced; the ones that take you to your knees. How can you be prepared? I can’t say I ever put much time into thinking about it until we were personally “hit” in 2010 with cancer. One thing after another followed in the wake and I began to realize I was drawing on preparation made beforehand. 

If we are Christ-followers, God-seekers, He has this way of laying a foundation for what’s coming next in life. Daily time alone with Bible, journal, pen…. prayer, fellowship, and life-experiences in general are all ways God uses to prepare. It’s only in looking back that I’ve realized the importance of ground-work laid. 

Just what I needed to draw from when I needed it. Time spent alone with Him was money in the bank! Always worth the investment made. Nothing is ever wasted in God’s economy. Fear not, no matter your current storm… even that is helping to prepare you for whatever comes next.

“The path of right-living people is level. The Leveler evens the road for the right-living. We’re in no hurry, GOD. We’re content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions. Who You are and what You’ve done are all we’ll ever want. Through the night my soul longs for You. Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to You.”‭‭ Isaiah‬ ‭26:7-9‬ ‭MSG‬

ForGlorySake! –Anna

You are being prepared.
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The Wedding

Posted on March 28, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

What an entrance! All the wedding party waiting under the cherry blossom trees. Silence. No bride… a low gong began to ring out. 1, 2, 3, 4 times… horses hooves on the cobblestones, a carriage approached. 7, 8, 9, 10… On the stroke of 12 it stopped and a real princess descended. Our son was literally bouncing lightly up and down. Never have I seen such a thing. I was all goosebumps and tingles.

That morning had started with pen and journal, words flying onto the page faster than I could neatly record. How could God have done all of this in 4 years? From the utter darkness and hopelessness of addiction and confusion in our son, to such a thrill as this day. Truly He is The God Who brings the dead back to life! And on Easter weekend too – when all of His people celebrate such things together. It was just too much (in a good way). One memory after another flooded my heart of  where we had been. 

Redemption, full and complete. Such grace. Thinking back 7, 6, 5 years, miles away God had been preparing a beautiful young woman. He knew the end when we were crying out for help… He saw the miracle when we were asking “Where are You?”… He was busy laying the path to a wonderful future while we were just struggling through the next hour! Can you see how amazing that is??? 

God is ALWAYS up to something for His children. Our loving Father is not deaf or uncaring. He is active and full of answers. He takes just the amount of time needed for His Plan. No more, no less. 

Dear LORD, thank You again and again… for Grace. Your ways are unsearchable and unexplainable. So many things happen I do not understand, but I know I can trust You because You made a way for me to know You eternally. You are a good, good Father and I can not love You enough. Thank you for stories like Ben’s.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

fairytales do happen
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Coming out/Going in

Posted on March 25, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

….Well, we’ve done it again. Moved! My parent’s home (that we were all living in) is on the market and we are in our own place again. What an eventful 2 years! Sad to leave, I asked God to help me make sense of it, and help me see some bigger plan. He has helped me make order of all the chaos.

We are tucked in safe and sound and very happy I might add,  with our son’s wedding taking place TOMORROW!!! Mercy, grace and lots of prayer have seen us through. 
I’ve been overwhelmed at times, almost panicked at moments, then I’d remember Jesus’ words, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” The stresses and strains were not from God, they were my stresses, my strains; too many things I was putting on myself. 

His way is always calm, cool, collected. I had to remind myself again and again “there’s enough time today to get everything finished He (!) wants accomplished. God gave me a scripture to hold to during these exhausting 3 weeks:

“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭121:8 

We have not moved far so lot and lots of car, truck, and van loads later… I can see that He did just that. Nothing was lost or broken and no one was hurt. Somehow in the process wedding clothes have been purchased, gifts wrapped and parties planned. To God be the Glory!!!

We love our new home. Now on with the wedding❤️❤️❤️ 

ForGlorySake! –Anna

 

evening rest
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Morning

Posted on February 21, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

I love the first moments of morning best; those seconds before I’m fully awake. I don’t know what day it is yet and my lists haven’t formed. That’s when I think of Him. I wonder what He’s doing and what things look like from His perspective. What does He think of?

I marvel that He made me, chose me. Why? Why me? What on earth do I have to offer Him? I stand at this time and in this generation for His glory. I’ve read and retread the entire Bible again and again and that’s what I come up with – glory.

He created this world… all of it’s amazing treasures for-His-glory. That each of us would look up and realize this was not an accident. There is a Creator God, our Father. And He adores us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins and show us the way to eternal life with Him.

It sounds crazy. No matter how many times I hear it, it just sounds… crazy. Me, a girl from Atlanta, capturing God’s attention and communicating with Him? I was floored at 11 years old and I’m floored today. The Great I AM near-by, closer than my breath.

I ask Him to help me understand, to give me wisdom… I want to know the way through today. I want to choose wisely and act like I’m all His. I want everyone to know the shear joy of belonging to Him and being loved by Him – the One who waits to show us His glory.

“LORD, until I can see You face to face and feel Your hands touch mine, fill me up with Your mighty Spirit. Keep the wonder and longing alive and help me share the thrill of knowing You personally. You are God and there is no other.”

ForGlorySake! -Anna 

IMG_3246
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Companionship 

Posted on February 21, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

What’s so important about getting together with other Christians? As a group specifically… Why gather? Why pray? Why study God’s word? My current women’s Biblestudy is looking at the Road to Emmaus story Luke 24:28-31.    

  • On the road to Emmaus, 2 men were walking together discussing the death of Jesus when suddenly He was there along side them.

Why gather? We need the encouragement it brings. Jesus also promises to be in our midst when we get together, Matt. 18:20. I like when other believers are near to hug and speak and listen. They are Jesus in person. That can’t happen unless we purpose to get together and communicate.

  • The men invite their new friend to eat. They didn’t realize it was risen-Jesus, they just wanted to hear more of  his teaching.

Why pray? Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, Matthew 6:9-13. He also said to pray together in agreement, asking for anything and it will be done by His Father in heaven, Matthew 18:19-20. 

  • When the men sat down to eat and Jesus broke and blessed the bread, their eyes were opened!

Why study God’s word together? Jesus is the Bread of life, John 6:48. He is also the Word of life, 1 John 1:1. When we sit down and study the Scriptures together, learning about Him, our eyes are opened. Truth flows and our hearts and minds are changed by The Word. It never goes out and returns void. There is always a harvest. 

Each week that we meet, needs are shared. Eyes are opened by God’s Word. Perspective is gained. We all have something to give. It amazes me Jesus is our guest. Our problems don’t disappear, but the burden is shared. We help each other. The reward has been friendship… and a little more Jesus. 

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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The Stuff of Life

Posted on February 6, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Yesterday I had a bit of a meltdown. Somewhere between the creative staging of each room of our house by a real estate photographer (which involved moving ALL personal items/knick-knacks off shelving), and the thought of keeping this home that we live in – in said manner… I felt overwhelmed.

As soon as they left, I was overcome with a dark cloud. So much stuff to move again! I’ve always loved our big family, but all the things that accumulate – not so much. I used to stress over how long to keep bags of baby items, hand-me-down clothes, shoes, toys… and then where would new Christmas presents and birthday presents go? It seemed like a constant juggling of things. Secretly I cleaned out, gave away and reorganized.

15 years in one home made moving a monstrous job. I discovered great joy in finally giving and giving away. Now with my parents gone, we have all of their items to deal with too. I’m back at that same spot – overwhelmed, only hoping this time to give away to family. I ran to my closet and prayed, quieting my mind. Oh LORD, I’m so overwhelmed, help. I waited for direction.

I told myself,
“What is your problem? Didn’t you just do this 2 years ago? Didn’t you glean and purge and finally find peace? Aren’t these the things you decided were your treasures to keep? Don’t you know God will help get rid of the rest? You can either be burdened by it all again or thankful for each memory and grateful you have reminders. Things are temporary… You can’t take them with you!“

Just like that, a change of heart. I asked God for forgiveness for my grumpy, silliness, and immediately started thanking Him for a new outlook. I popped up and went to a shelf still holding photo books, shells from beach vacations and pottery projects the kids had made. I saw with new eyes treasures of  love we’ve shared as gifts. 

It’s ok, Your grace is here. Your gentleness toward me was what I needed. I love that You care and hear and answer when I call. Truly, You even direct my thoughts.

Bit by bit this will all work out and we will happily settle into another home with our stuff of life.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

treasures
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Manna

Posted on January 27, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

For more than 10 years I’ve hosted a women’s Biblestudy in my house. What started as a mom’s play group among friends, morphed into a real searching of God’s Word. As the years passed and our kids grew older, we have studied many books of the Bible through gifted writers and speakers. Our current teacher is Jennifer Rothschild (Missing Pieces).

She said something that has stuck in my head.  Jennifer equated manna to our “daily bread” Jesus said pray for each day. Manna was God’s daily provision of food to the Israelites during their wilderness wandering. She challenged, “What is the Manna God has brought into your life today? Like the Israelites, are you  focused more on what you are NOT receiving from God, that you’re missing out on incredible blessings of what He has offered?” Hmmm.

I just haven’t been able to muster up the motivation to pack. Between working all day and general home-life I feel pooped. I think I’m secretly waiting for Moving Fairies to appear and blink everything away. God has provided again and again, but I don’t think He does that… Come on inspiration. Stacks of boxes and the memory of disheveled-upheaval are weighing heavy. Surely my reluctance to disturb the peace and sanity at home will not overcome all He will do through me. Like 2 years ago, this must be done!

My gratitude-list begins today with: strong arms, legs, and organizational skills. These are my manna – my provision. Know your strengths. I’ll stay clear of doing our finances and any major house renovation, instead, I’ll take what God has given me and remember I am receiving His provision today.

The LORD will continually guide me and satisfy my desire in the emptiest of places. He will give strength to my bones and I will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water who does not run dry! Isaiah 58:11

Emptiest of places?? What could be more empty than an empty house? 

ForGlorySake! – Anna

just carry me away in the laundry basket
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