Author: Chrisy

Be Strong. Take Heart. And Wait.

Sometimes it feels like we spend our whole lives waiting for something to change. Dress size. Marriage issues. Work problems. Financial woes. You get the idea.

One thing I have been waiting on for a long time is simply the next step as I follow the Lord in the call to ministry. I don’t know what it looks like, but I know something is coming. I don’t know what action I should take, if any. The only thing I do know is that He has called me into full-time ministry and for now what that looks like is administration at GFMC, ministry to the kids in the LOFT, and preaching at area churches when I can.

Sometimes it’s hard, the not knowing. It feels like I have been forgotten. Sometimes the enemy tries to come in and tell me that I didn’t hear the Lord or that I am not who He wants to use.

Sunday, as we read Psalm 27 together, I was reminded that sometimes it’s hard to wait, especially in hard times. But I have a choice in my response.

Psalm 27

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

I choose to remain confident. I choose to be strong, take heart, and wait.

Are you waiting on something this morning? Be strong. Take Heart. And wait.

Roots

We started a new three-week series in Kids’ Church this week using the story of The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Hunt and our memory verse is John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” At one point in the morning we sent the kids to their prayer closets (spread round in the LOFT) to pray with a bunch of grapes to remind them of how they need to stay connected to the Vine, and we played this song. I love the words. I love the overall message. I want to have roots like this so that I grow for His splendor!

Redirection

When you have a two-year-old, you learn quickly the value of redirection. When they are getting into something that they shouldn’t, you have to tell them no, but also offer them something different to do to get their attention on something else.

We adults are no different. Especially when it comes to breaking bad habits.

I find that if I have something specific in mind that I am hungry for and it is in my house, I can think of nothing else until I satisfy that desire. Even if it is a few of the new white chocolate M&Ms, which leads to a few more, and a few more until the bag is gone. Which is NOT a good idea.

So, basically, I have to redirect my (obsessive) thoughts to something else. If I truly am hungry and not just “snacky” I can offer myself a healthier alternative. If I am just wanting to eat for the sake of eating, I have to do something else. That may take the form of reading (if I am holding a book, I can’t hold food), knitting or crocheting (if I am working with my hands I can’t hold food), playing a game with my kids, taking a walk or run, tackling something on my to-do list, or a number of other things.

That doesn’t mean it is always easy to redirect my thinking. If you have ever had a two-year-old, you know this is true. First of all I have to actually choose to redirect my thinking and not open the candy cabinet and reach for the M&M’s. And even when I do choose to not eat them (or something equally less than healthy), sometimes it takes multiple attempts to get my mind going a different direction. And to be perfectly honest, it is hard to keep making that choice and keep redirecting my thoughts.

But in the end, I feel much better not eating the bag of M&M’s and I have also accomplished something else as well. Proving to myself that I am the one that can and will continue making the decision to be healthy, even when it is hard.

How hard is it for you to redirect your thinking when it comes to less than healthy habits?

What’s Mine is…Not Mine and A GIVEAWAY!

Recently I told you about some gifts that I have been making and giving. It is just one of the things that I feel like the Lord can use me to do for His glory.

After finishing a number of things for others, I made a couple of items for myself. I pin various patterns on Pinterest all the time, but there are always a few things that catch my eye. One was a cowl scarf and another was a poncho and matching hat.

Earlier this week, I wore the poncho and hat and loved it. It was warm and fun and it made me happy all day. As I picked up my son from his hip-hop class, a friend from church saw me and commented (as many others had that day) about how much she liked it. I politely said thanks and went on with my day.

Then the next day, as I sat in our staff meeting where our discussion centered around the kind of church we want to be (one that brings glory to God), I felt the Lord impress on my heart that I was to give away that poncho and hat to the woman I saw at the dance studio. My immediate response was one of obedience. (Although I do have to say there was a twinge of disappointment that something I had made for myself wasn’t for me after all.) I went home, got it, and left it for her at her home.

Later in the evening, I got a message from her about how blessed she was by the gift waiting for her when she got home from a long day of doctor visits.

And all I could think was, “Thank You, Lord, for letting me be a part of your blessing for her.”

In that vein, I was thinking about you, my readers, this morning and the fact that there are people in your lives that need to be blessed in some way as well. So, I decided that today I will do a giveaway. Leave a comment on my blog page (not on Facebook or Twitter) about someone in your life who needs a blessing. Next Wednesday, I will randomly select one person and will make something for you to give to the person you told me about. As we all read the comments, we can also be praying for the various people listed. And that will be a blessing for all of them!

What are you waiting for? Get commenting!

New Time, New Week, New Challenges

Time change weekend always messes me up. I could barely get out of bed this morning because my body thought I should still be sleeping. Add to that it is Monday and another shift change week for our family.

But no matter how I feel, no matter what this day brings, no matter what challenges lie ahead this week, I know that I have much for which I am thankful.

And in that vein, I share with you one of my favorite worship songs of late, 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. Enjoy. And bless His name today. “The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning, It’s time to sing Your song again, Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes.”

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name

Soup’s On

Spring is coming. It seems rather slow in coming some days, but I know that it is getting close. And I am ever so thankful. With spring comes warm runs, walks and bike rides with the kids, a craving for more fresh veggies, salads, stir fry, and grilled foods.

But for now, it is still cold and one (maybe the only?) part of cold that I do enjoy is soup. And I am apparently trying to get my fill because that is the only thing that sounds good and thus the only thing I am cooking these days.

I thought I would share a couple of my favorites that I have found over the last few weeks.

Tuesday of this week I was in the mood for black beans, but not necessarily wanting to pair them with rice or a Mexican-flavored dish. I knew I had some barley, so when I saw this recipe for Fall Vegetable Stew with Black Beans and Barley, I knew I had to try it. I had a couple of butternut squash hanging out from one of my previous co-op baskets, and everything else was in my fridge or my pantry. I did use dried herbs instead of fresh (use about 1/3 of the amount requested if you are using dried). I was sure my kids would hate it because of the squash, but to my surprise and delight, Anne loved it and Ty liked it well enough to eat it without much complaint (which is a miracle in and of itself). Mike wasn’t home, so I didn’t get his feedback, but a good friend of mine came and grabbed a bowl as she headed back to work and raved about it as well. It tastes pretty good leftover, too. I think next time  I will mash all the squash, then there will be no complaints from the kids because they won’t know the squash is even there. 🙂

Last weekend, I was just in the mood to cook and was scrolling through my Healthy Food Pinterest board to see what appealed to me and corresponded with what I had hanging out in my fridge. This Carrot, Potato, & Leek Soup just looked fabulous and I had some huge carrots and two leeks that needed to be used and because I am married to meat and potatoes man, we always have potatoes hanging around. It was super easy to make, just chop the veggies, season with EVOO and spices, and roast in the oven. When the veggies are done, puree them with some vegetable broth and add any more seasoning to taste. It was delicious. I even served it to my small group the next evening and the ones that tried it, liked it. It would be really good with some homemade croutons, so I might try that next time.

The other soup I made recently was White Bean and Basil. I found it in the cookbook: Quick-Fix Vegan: Healthy, Homestyle Meals in 30 Minutes or Less. It was really easy, quick, and had a wonderful flavor that came from onions, carrots, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and both dried and fresh basil. My kids aren’t a huge fan of basil (which is totally wrong in my book), so they complained a little, but I think if I had added the cooked elbow macaroni that was offered as a variation, they probably wouldn’t have complained at all. Because that’s the way kids are.

So if you are like me and are soaking up the last bit of soup season, here are a few ideas for you to try. It is amazing to me how many different flavors and combinations that I keep finding and liking that I never would have encountered if I hadn’t made the decision to adopt a vegan diet. And boy am I enjoying it!

There’s Something About Giving

In Friday’s blog I shared that February was a rough month. And it was. I’m still working on how to make March better. But one thing that helped me through February was some projects that I worked on and completed.

You may or may not know that I love to knit and crochet projects for others who need prayer and encouragement. (You can read more about that here.) In the last few weeks, I was able to complete a few projects to give to people. One person I don’t know at all, I heard about her situation from a friend. Another person I am just acquainted with, but am good friends with one of her friends. A third person I know a little more, but it’s not like we’re terribly close. What ties all of these people together is this: when I heard about the situation that each one of them is facing, my heart went out to them and I was prompted to do something to show them that God loves them and is taking care of them, and as a way to physically show them that care, I made an item for each of them. As I made each item I prayed. As I finished the item and got it ready for them, I wrote them a note about how I specifically prayed for each of them. And then I handed the items off to someone else to deliver.

You see, it’s not about being recognized for what I have done, it’s simply about being obedient. I don’t need a thank you. I don’t need acknowledgement. I just need them to know that someone is thinking and praying for them, lifting them to the Lord as they go through a rough time.

The process of doing something for others, even when I am struggling through each day, helps me to take the  focus off myself and put it where it belongs – on loving the Lord and loving my neighbor.

It reminds me of this song, one of my favorite Fundamental Elements songs, that they just happened to play at their reunion show on Friday night. We all need to remember that we are not alone.

(verse 1)
Sister, I’ve been hearing things
That you’ve been going through
For such a long time
You wonder if you’re ever gonna see the clouds part
See the sunshineWoah I want you to know
That I’ve been praying for your soul, child
Hoping you see He’s never gonna leave
No matter what you’re feeling now

(chorus)
Cause when the rain starts to fall
And I know it surely will
And when the pain becomes all that you can feel
Just get down on your knees and pray
I know you’re gonna find your way
But you’ve gotta know
You’ve gotta know you’re not alone

(verse 2)
Brother, I’ve been noticing
The way you walk around
With your head down
Thinking that nobody even knows your name
That you don’t even matter now

Woah I want you to know
That I’ve been praying for your soul, child
Hoping you fight to make it through the night
And morning comes early now

(bridge)
I know you’re tired of hearing
Everything is cool, that you’ll be alright
Cause you just wanna know
That somebody’s here with you to be at your side
And when words can’t mend a heart breaking up
When the sun won’t shine, and you’ve had enough
And when hope just fades away
You can always count on me

(ending)
And when words can’t fix it
You can count on me
Oh, when all hope is gone
You can count on me
Oh, when the sun won’t shine
You can count on me
Oh, you’re not alone
Oh, you’re not alone
Just get down on your knees and pray
You can count on me
Oh, I know you’re gonna find your way
You can count on me
You can count on me
Oh, you’re not alone

When all hope is gone
You can count on me
When everybody leaves you
You can count on me
I’ll be right here for you
You can count on me
Oh, you’re not alone
Oh, you’re not alone

credits

from This Moment – EP, released 18 May 2010
Produced by Stephen LeiwekeRuss Mohr: vocals, bgvs, snaps, percussion
Luke DeJaynes: drums
Mark DeJaynes: bass, bgvs
Dustin Burggraaf: keyboards, bgvs
Joe McGill: guitars, bgvs
Stephen Leiweke: guitars, snaps, percussion

Vicious Cycle

It’s been a rough month. Various illnesses. Injured leg. Depression. Lack of motivation. Lack of energy. Less than stellar eating habits.

I know that illness can trigger a bout with depression.

I know that not exercising can make the depression worse.

I know that depression leads to lack of motivation and energy.

I know that lack of motivation and energy means shortcuts – particularly when it comes to eating.

I also know that when I am eating well and exercising  I feel better and have more motivation and energy, which fights off the depression.

But in the midst of the depression, it is really hard to push through, get out of bed, exercise, cook healthy meals, and keep busy when I would much rather sleep later, eat crap, lay on my couch and watch TV.

In other words, it’s a vicious cycle that is really hard to break.

But today is the first day of my favorite month. Why is it my favorite month? Because three of my favorite things happen this month: St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of Spring, and my birthday. And I don’t want this month to be another rough one. So today, I start again. I got out of bed and ran. I am cutting out all sugar and bread. I am back to planning meals and logging what goes into my mouth. I am going to schedule my time at home somewhat to stay busy so I don’t default to the couch.

I am going to break this cycle. But I can’t do it alone. I need the Lord’s help and strength. I need prayer. I need friends who will keep me accountable.

And I need to write and post this blog post. Because telling myself all these things won’t help. But maybe telling you all will.

What kinds of struggles are you facing today? I’d love to hear from you!

Quiet Stirring

From I Kings 19:

The Lord Appears to Elijah

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

My blog has been quiet for the last week because things have been quiet for me. There is much going on in my heart and in my spirit, but not much that I can put words to or share. There is a stirring, a longing, to hear more and learn more from the Lord, and thus a need to just be quiet and listen. I know that He could choose to speak through the craziness and loudness of life, but that he often doesn’t and instead speaks quietly which requires us to listen. So, for now, I am listening more than talking. And that is ok, because I want to hear the whisper.

If You’re Gonna Be Down…

For the first time in who knows how long, this is what my weekend looked like:

  • Pajamas
  • Knitting
  • Television (Once Upon A Time, Castle, Desperate Housewives)
  • Anne
  • Ty
  • Mike
  • Couch
  • Bed
  • Blankets
  • Naps
  • Late Nights
  • Hugs
  • Kisses
  • Feet up
  • No cooking (leftovers!)

In other words, AMAZING! I had no reason to leave the house on Saturday, and the same was true for Sunday after church and lunch. It was wonderful. It was needed. There’s nothing like complete down time with family to refresh and renew my body, mind, heart and spirit. I loved every minute of it.

When I can actually sit and relax and not worry about a to do list, or looking for something to do because I am restless, I know that the time has come for me to take advantage of the down time.

So that is exactly what I did this weekend.

We watched entirely too much TV. And I am okay with it. It’s not something we do all the time and I don’t think two days of complete vegging out in front of the television will rot our brains.

We didn’t eat overly healthy meals. And I am okay with it. It’s not something we do all the time and I don’t think two days with very few vegetables will kill us.

We did enjoy time together as a family. And I am great with that. Because family is important, and being able to just hang out together is a gift.

In this day and age, schedules are always full, families are often running in different directions, and down-time seems to be a rare commodity. When you get the chance to lay low with your family, take it. I promise you won’t regret it.