Faith-life in the Light

Posted on September 20, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

When David was diagnosed with cancer and life went into a spin, somehow our little normal family came into the spot-light. It was totally unplanned on our part and certainly not something we sought. As a matter of fact, because we had worked around some famous people years before, our motto has always been, “It’s nice being nobodies.” Last October left us feeling a little forced into the open.

During those seemingly endless days at the hospital I wrestled long and hard with why God allows suffering.  It doesn’t feel like a big issue to me now, but back then, when David was in terrific pain, I talked to God about it a lot. I even wrote about it and many people read.

Maybe this is obvious to you, but it has been a revelation to me; that God allows His children amazing opportunities through suffering. Opportunities to live in the light for a time and hopefully shine for Him. Remember the verses about believers being the light of the world?

“A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matt 5:14-15 

Those days were a few in the grand scheme of things; a few days to sit on a hill and shine our light to those around us.  How ever you want to look at it; God caused it, allowed or simply because there’s sin in the world… He uses EVERYTHING for good and the spot-light is just part of the package.

Where do you sit right now? What’s your test? I’m praying for you to shine brightly from your stand and know that your faith-life has been forced into the open to give light to all around you.

ForGlorySake! -Anna 

11/2010
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Our Busy God

Posted on September 19, 2011 by For Glory Sake!


“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD. And He (God) delights in his (man) way [and He (God) busies Himself with his (man) every step]. Psalm 37:23 AMPC

I like to Capitalize references to God, especially the pronouns. This time the Classic Amplified Bible has done it for me. I really learned something when I took note which “Him” was God and which “him” was man.

This verse astounds me! Being a “righteous” because of what Jesus did for me (2 corinthians 5:21)… My steps are both directed and established by the Lord. If that wasn’t enough, it says,“He delights in my way.”  The new living translation states, “He delights in every detail.” What?!

I’ve been running the last bit over and over in my head; God busies Himself with my every step. Why? Don’t you find it fascinating, not only does God map out our lives (Ps. 139:16), but He also orchestrates the details of our day?!

I recently saw a video of a terrible tornado being recounted by the people in its path. Using a count-down method to a specific moment of crisis, it showed a perfectly timed rescue. Amazing. No one ever used the word miraculous, but it certainly was. I watched with tears in my eyes knowing that God had put that “coincidence” together.

He does it everyday! Every place I go, every person I meet. Not quite as dramatic, but He’s there. God is into my details. Busy with each step. May I stay aware and look for Him.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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God of emotions

Posted on September 17, 2011 by For Glory Sake!


I find it fascinating to study the human-like expressions that apply to God. You can find God displaying many emotions in response to his people: dread (Deut. 32:27), grief (Gen 6:6), jealousy (Ex. 34:14), determination (Jere. 44:26), contempt (Ps. 2:4) Delight with gladness/rejoicing with songs! (Zeph. 3:17) .

He made us in His image and our emotions are from Him, but still it amazes me to read that we affect Him so deeply. The Great God of the Universe is “intimately aquainted with all my ways” (Ps. 139:3 NAS). I love the verse in Zephaniah where it says, “He will be quiet in His love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” (3:17 NAS) What makes Him love me so? What makes Him rejoice? Can I make God sad? Can I make God mad? Is it also possible to grieve Him or distress His Spirit?

  • John 3:16 simply states it as a fact- God loves the whole world.
  • His love is proven in Jesus. (1Jn 4:9)
  • He rejoices when we love one another. (1Jn 4:12)
  • And His grief comes by how I choose to behave sometimes: “Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30 NLT)

God never leaves me just wondering what causes his grief and sorrow; verses 31 & 32 spell it out. I am to get rid of all: Bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander and all types of evil behavior. Then add kindness to each other, being tenderhearted, and forgiveness as Jesus forgave me. And when (daily) I fall short?

  • “In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Eph. 1:7 & 8 NIV)

God knows me. He understands me. He provided a way for me to be saved and I am identified now as His own. What an awesome and feeling God we serve!

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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God's Little Love Notes

Posted on September 8, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

I am always so amazed and touched when God reaches down into my day and sends me a personal word. It could simply be a verse that seems to jump off the page or a devotional that leaves me feeling it was written just for me. It’s even happened with a sermon or a note from a friend.

Today it happened in a quick little paragraph I picked up on very busy morning. Just a thought that hit the spot and made me feel like He was there watching me and feeling for how I felt. That is so encouraging!

Sometimes I forget how far empathy can go in relating our love. Just a listening ear and a heart-felt nod of understanding to someone else’s dilemma. Stopping what I’m doing to look in the eyes of the child speaking and touch them while they tell me their tale. I quick word of encouragement for their ears alone. 

I wish I had done more of that along the way. Maybe I did and just don’t remember.
Either way, God seems never to forget these little things, or neglect them. I love that He cares for us in our frailties. What an awesome God we serve

“Lord, help me to keep on looking for You through out my day. Thank you for sending me those special little love notes.” 

ForGlorySake! -Anna


Cream cheese smile 🙂

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Priceless Privilege

Posted on September 7, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

I love the phrase, “…the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.” Philippians 3:8 NLT
The Amplified Bible uses the words, “Priceless privilege, overwhelming preciousness, surpassing worth and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” 

What an awesome thought that we could know Him deeply, intimately, perceive and recognize His work more clearly. The closer I get, the more sympathetic I feel toward the plans He has laid out for me. Scripture shows patterns of His protection and provision, proof that He can be trusted. I record every promise that finds its YES in Jesus. My heart turns genuinely to an outpouring of thankful praise… it can’t be stopped.

It’s like time with my husband; closeness, look in-the-eye talks, intimacy. Nothing gives greater connection. I feel we are on the same side. My empathy rises for his concerns and struggles. I feel sympathetic toward his decisions and plans. Respect flows naturally and my heart is so thankful for him.

No wonder Paul equates the husband with Jesus and the wife with the Church. We are encouraged in both relationships not to forsake “the coming together”- that amazing bonding of souls. And yet this is the great mystery, that God would call us to come and be that close to Him!

The overwhelming preciousness of a knowable oneness! As married women, we are incredibly blessed. What a priceless privilege to see this first hand. Let joyful thanksgiving flow.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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The Language of Love

Posted on August 31, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

Our Biblestudy had an interesting discussion the other day on Love Languages” Gary Smalley made the term famous with his book by the same title. It basically discusses the form in which people like to give and receive love. What makes them feel most loved: gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service or touch? 

Our discussion reminded me of a letter I wrote several years back to give to my girls when they get married. It’s something I believe strongly about, and something that isn’t always talked about enough. Enjoy!

“Girls, many books have been written about how to love your mate. Everyone needs to feel loved and discovering how your special someone perceives love is a great tool. But I want to tell you that among all the love languages… most men crave physical intimacy. It’s a huge part of what attracts them to marriage in the first place (especially Christian men). Otherwise they would be content to simply remain your friend. This amazing connection that God has gifted us with as wives, is the glue of oneness. Your Heavenly Father has called you to be closer to your husband than ANYONE else on earth. Our marriages are an amazing example of Christ and His body -the church (Ephesians. 5:31 & 32).
You know how God honors sowing and reaping. The Bible speaks again and again of this principle in the areas of money, time, wisdom, knowing God and even raising children. Sowing into your husband’s primary love language (as you wish he would do in yours) will only bring great reward also! This is your husband’s love language, speak it. Never begrudgingly, for you don’t belong to yourself any longer (1 Corinthians. 7:4). God has equipped you to uniquely fulfill a God-given need in your mate. And all of God’s gifts are good. This whole thing was His idea, so go to Him with your questions and concerns. Nothing is too small or too big for our Father. And I pray that the Lord tremendously blesses your oneness. -Love Mom”

“Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”  Luke 6:38

ForGlorySake! – Anna

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Investment Matters

Posted on August 30, 2011 by For Glory Sake!


 
Years ago, missionary Elizabeth Elliot, encouraged me to make time everyday for a quiet time with God. It was an investment she said; a sowing of seeds. And so I took her challenge and began to set aside time daily, never wanting to miss.

“[Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others], In this way laying up for themselves [the riches that endure forever as] a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed.” 1 Timothy 6:18 & 19

Bit by bit good works build one on the other. Time with God, reading His Word, telling Him what’s on my heart. It’s all been for a purpose, an excellent foundation for the future. One that was sometimes really hard to carve out, but truly helped me grasp that which is life.

Where would I have been this last year without all the preparation? I shudder to think. Whether it’s a few precious minutes before anyone else gets up or a devotional and journaling before bed, this life-long investing is priceless. My children saw, my husband noticed, but most importantly God satisfied me with trust and peace. Without knowing Him how would I have made it through the valley.

“Thank you LORD, for wanting to spend time with me daily. I understand now its great importance. I love you.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

fire sky, St Bart
Awesome God
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Shaken

Posted on August 26, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

“Suddenly there was a massive earthquake and the prison was shaken to it’s foundations. All the doors immediately flew open and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” Acts 16:26


We’ve had a lot of shaking going on at our house this last year. Nothing like a good trial by fire to expose your Bedrock. Each one of our family has carried major stress. It wasn’t until recently, as the dust began to clear, that we began to see a bigger picture. It’s been a rough road; “the wacky year.” 

 The stress of David’s illness on our kids has been huge. Emotionally, more than I imagined. They did so well through all of our separations with hospital stays, life-threatening news and these recovery months, that I discounted their need to heal. God in His faithfulness never left us, but we all want reassurance that the worst is finally over. We need rest.

I wouldn’t have voted for this trip, yet we are seeing a few positives. Kindness, gentleness, helpfulness toward one another. A genuine concern over well-being. A little more patience… which is always a positive. God wants us whole and complete in Him. I am thankful for His tender and loving care. I’m also so encouraged that shaking can have a reward: doors open, chains off, prisoners free, Solid Rock revealed! 

Then, just like in the story from Acts, others might see and be saved. 

ForGlorySake! – Anna

sawnee Mountain
top of Sawnee Mountain
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Bethany's Poem

Posted on August 24, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

My Special place
by Bethany Etheriedge 8

My special place is my secret place

It smells like wet dog and wet cat

I see the bright sun as it beats down on my chest

I hear the birds when they sing to God

I feel the wind as it cools me off

I hear the crinkle, crackle and crunch as the leaves hit my special place

I feel the wood as I arrive

I watch the trees dance for Jesus

I see the green grass as the wind picks it one by one

I see God everyday at my special place, I can’t believe He made this

I hear the springs on the trampoline… creek, creek

I see my house as it makes faces at me and I always laugh and make some back

I hear the dogs bark like this: ruff, ruff as they play together

Thats why I love my special place.

Can you guess what it is?

tree house
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Pain

Posted on August 24, 2011 by For Glory Sake!

Pain: physical suffering or distress and mental or emotional torment… affliction, agony, discomfort.

Nothing can change my schedule faster! It has caused me to stop running and limp home. It has made me drop bush clippers and hurry for a bandage. I’ve even seen my kids turn down an outing and go to bed from a headache. Pain is very persuasive, it does not negotiate well. God says pain and suffering is to be expected (Rom. 8:22). He even claims it’s useful.

Jesus’ examples of pruning come to mind. At times I have felt like a little nub that’s been trimmed quite severely… not a leaf in sight. Is this really for my good… to bear more fruit? When I am in the midsts of a trail, one comfort is just to have it acknowledged. A little understanding goes a long way. My husband is a great comforter – if I let him in on the hurt and allow him access to me.

God is like that. I want Him to sooth me and acknowledge my sorrow. But first I must to let Him in so that He can work His wonders in my soul. Have you ever wondered if God really cares about your pain? There’s always someone worse off than you… maybe your concerns are too small. How silly we are to think that suffering is some sort of competition; that maybe we need to be hurting more for God to take notice.

He is concerned about what concerns us. He hurts because we hurt. However, He can see a bigger picture, knowing the outcome. I can believe Him to use wisely and fully all that touches my heart.

Lord, I bring You my pain. Give me Your view of this suffering. It may be big or rather small, but I know You care. Take each one and use it somehow.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

“Give ALL your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 –
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