The journey July 3, 2011

Copied from my personal blog. May this encourage you all! ~HannahBeth

Discouragement was Pastor James’ topic for last Sunday’s sermon. “Discouragement,” he told his congregation, “is simply the lack of courage. A discouraged person is a defeated person, someone who has lost heart. And let me tell you something-Satan is the one who causes discouragement. He cannot discourage us when we remember the One who has called us to follow Him, the One who is in control of our lives.”

It’s so easy to become discouraged with where God has placed us in life, if we don’t see immediate results from our efforts. And sometimes we don’t even see that He’s given us opportunities to serve, because we have our own ideas of what God will and won’t use to draw people to Him. I like to place unnecessary stress and worry on myself by thinking that I must do as much as I can right now, while I’m young, or I won’t ever be able to be used by the Lord. That is false, and more than that, it is sin. God does not ask us to be world changers or well recognized examples of Jesus followers, though that may be the result of doing what He HAS called us all to do-to love and obey Him in all that we do. We don’t have to be quoting Bible verses or traveling to foreign countries with the Gospel in order for Jesus to work through us-whatever we do, whether it’s changing 50 diapers a day, eating lunch with a friend, or sharing what God has done in our life, if it is done for the glory of God and not man, God will use it to show His love.

Who are we to decide what God can or can’t use to draw someone to a relationship with Him? Have we forgotten that He is God, that He made us and planned out our lives so that we would be right where we are RIGHT NOW, doing exactly what we’re doing RIGHT NOW, all for His glory??

Have you lost heart in serving God with your life? Are you lacking courage to serve God in a different avenue than you thought He was calling you to? May I just encourage you to rethink your ideas of what it means to live your life for Jesus-sometimes I think we place more emphasis on sharing our spiritual relationship with others than on building up that relationship with Jesus. It’s good to be intentional in sharing Jesus with the lost, but sometimes He can better use us when we’re not trying too hard to be anything but in love with our Savior. We waste so much time trying to figure out what our calling is in life-let me save some of us lots of time by revealing that to you now. It is simply this, to bring glory and honor to our King of Kings: “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which He promised to His people. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24)

“Only one thing concerns me: be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ. Then whether I come and visit you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the God News, and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God. God gave you the honor not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for Him, both of which bring glory to Christ.” (Phil. 1:27-29)

So relax! Enjoy the journey He’s placed you on! Because that’s just what your life is, and always will be until He brings it “to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)

“Little stuff big stuff in between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you
To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do”
~Steven Curtis Chapman

June 14, 2011

God’s love is like the ocean-terrifying in it’s incredible depth and vast spread, and so easy to drown in. It’s a beautiful thing to sink into the grace and peace and love of Jesus Christ. A simple thought for pondering…

Praise Him! March 6, 2011

Psalm 121
“A song for going up to worship”

1 I look up to the hills,
but where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let you be defeated.
He who guards you never sleeps.
4 He who guards Israel
never rests or sleeps.
5 The Lord guards you.
The Lord is the shade that protects you from the sun.
6 The sun cannot hurt you during the day,
and the moon cannot hurt you at night.
7 The Lord will protect you from all dangers;
he will guard your life.
8 The Lord will guard you as you come and go,
both now and forever.

Wow! I don’t know about you, but this Psalm really encourages me when I feel helpless, alone, and vulnerable. Praise Him for being our Faithful Protector, our Constant Help, and Closest Friend!

Give more February 27, 2011

A recurring theme in my thoughts and musings the past month that I’ve been serving in Fort Wayne has been on the contrast between serving and being served. As humans it’s so easy to keep in the mindset of being in need of something-whether it’s food, rest, entertainment, companionship, encouragement, love, you name it. It’s easy to put ourselves first and wish for others to help us along in life-afterall, we can’t stand on our own!

It is true that we were made for each other, and that we need to help each other along. That’s why God created Eve for Adam, and that’s why He’s sent His Holy Spirit to be with us even while He couldn’t physically be here. It’s why He tells us to regularly get together as believers, and also why He tells us to lift each other up.

But if we’re constantly looking for what WE can get out of life, what good is that?? Not only does it do nothing to help others, but we also end up being miserable, too. You know what I mean? When I have a pity party for myself I just end up feeling worse, not better-it’s a wonder we even fool ourselves into thinking self-pity is an ok thing! I don’t know about you, but I’m always happier and more satisfied with life when I’m focused on doing things to help others than when I’m just thinking about myself. Let’s give a little more than we take!

You’ve got to give a little more than you take,

You’ve got to leave a little more than was here,

You maybe prideful of the strides you will make,

But keep one thing clear,

You’re just a player in a much bigger plan,

And still you have to give it all that you can,

The very measure of your soul is at stake,

You’ve got to give a little more than you take.

(From ‘Give a Little More’ in Joseph: King of Dreams)

Muddy Buddies! January 23, 2011

I want to share one of my favorite special treats with you all today! A family friend started a tradition of making Muddy Buddies with my siblings and I many years ago, and we have loved them ever since!

You will need:

9 cups Rice Squares cereal (doesn’t have to be name brand)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

To make them:

Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over medium heat; stir well. Once smooth, add vanilla and stir.
Pour cereal into a big bowl, and stir chocolate mixture into it until rice squares are covered evenly. Put the cereal into a gallon size bag, and add powdered sugar (you will have to do this in 2 or 3 parts); shake well until evenly coated. Store in an airtight container.

Warning: These probably won’t last long in your house.

Thoughts on Dreams January 9, 2011

Ever feel like everyone else’s dreams are coming true, while you’re just stuck here, waiting for yours to happen?
I know I’ve felt that way, many times. 2010 was a year of feeling utterly and completely stuck in a rut, for me. It was also a year of waiting….long and seemingly pointless waiting.
This week, with the New Year upon us, I’ve been thinking back over the last year, and all that it meant for me-and I’ve realized just how important the year and a half of waiting after high school has been in my life! There are so many lessons I learned/am learning that I wouldn’t have been able to any other way.  Though I still don’t understand why God allowed some things to happen, and the timing of everything, I’m starting to see how all the events of 2010 prepared me for where I am right now.
I’ve had lots of dreams for my life. Some of those dreams God gently tore from my heart, and replaced them with others. When Psalm 37:4 says that He will give us the desires of our heart, it does NOT mean He will give us EVERY desire of our heart. Our hearts are wicked and deceitful at the very root. He’ll give us our dreams, but they must be in line with His heart, too.

“But,” you argue, “My dreams ARE in line with His Word! I want to serve Him by doing _____. It’s so clearly His desire for my life. I don’t understand why it’s not happening! All my friends are fulfilling their dreams, and some of them aren’t even Christians!”

7 Wait and trust the Lord.
       Don’t be upset when others get rich
       or when someone else’s plans succeed.
 ⁸ Don’t get angry.
       Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble. ~Psalm 37:7-8, NCV

Our plans might just be the Lord’s will for our life! There’s certainly nothing wrong with wanting to get married and raise a family, be a missionary, or use a career to draw others to God. But there must be a time of preparation before that can happen.

10 Create in me a pure heart, God,
       and make my spirit right again. ~Psalm 51:10, NCV

“But I’m ready NOW!!”

11 God has given them a desire to know the future. He does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing. ~Ecclesiastes 3:11, NCV

How can we know when we’re ready? Only God knows when our hearts are just right for the task we so want to do for Him. We have to trust Him, and know that He will make it clear to us when we’re truly ready to take that step. And let’s never forget that we’re never going to be fully equipped for what He’ll have us do-that’s something I need to remember ALL the time! We won’t ever be totally perfect ’til Heaven, so remember that when He does begin to fulfill your dreams, it’s only by His grace. We can’t live out our dreams by ourselves!

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight. ~Proverbs 3:5-6, NCV

3 You are my rock and my protection.
       For the good of your name, lead me and guide me. ~Psalm 31:3, NCV

Some of us are in times of waiting, while some of us are in times of moving forward with the goals God has given us. No matter what season we’re in, we need to trust, wait, and seek God’s face! Wherever our dreams take us, He will guide us and be with us!

5 No one will be able to defeat you all your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forget you. ~Joshua 1:5, NCV

Revolutionary December 19, 2010

It’s so easy to feel like going against our culture is the lonely, foolish road. Our dreams of serving God with whatever we do sounds crazy. But would you rather go along with the crowd and live a wasted life, or live a Revolutionary life, one that constantly changes for the better? It’s not foolish to dream big!!

“Revolutionaries” 

Many have traveled this road before
I see their tracks in the dirt
But maybe I don’t agree
With where they are leading
And who am I, just a youth
But why has that become the excuse
A monotone voice
In my head saying

Dreaming all the time
It’s so foolish
Your flood of empty words
Will drown you in ruin
So we listen
Should we listen.

They shake their heads
As they drive away in the bandwagon
Didn’t feel like hitching a ride
Oh, but I’ll be fine
Some nights it’s hard to be alone
I want some kind of kinship
But the finish line
It drives me on
When they say.

Dreaming all the time
It’s so foolish
Your flood of empty words
Will drown you in ruin
So we listen
Should we listen

Come with me
They’ll call us revolutionaries
Come with me
They’ll call us revolutionaries
Revolutionaries
Revolutionaries

Dreaming all the time
It’s not foolish
Your flood of life giving words
They will refresh, they will refresh

Dreaming all the time
It’s not foolish
Your flood of life giving words
They will refresh
Should we listen
Revolutionaries.

Population: 6 billion November 21, 2010

There’s a new song out by CCM artist Matthew West that has caught my ear, and really made me think.

What is the population in YOUR own little world?

“My Own Little World”
By Matthew West

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population me

I try to stay awake through Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give ’til it hurts
and I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
it’s easy to do when it’s
population me

(Chorus)
What if there’s a bigger picture
what if I’m missing out
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world

Stopped at the red light, looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign said “Help this homeless widow”
Just above that sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”

So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
Oh how many times have I just passed her by
I gave her some money then I drove on through
in my own little world there’s
Population two

(Chorus)
What if there’s a bigger picture
what if I’m missing out
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world
my own little world

Father break my heart for what breaks Yours
give me open hands and open doors
put Your light in my eyes and let me see
that my own little world is not about me

(Chorus)
What if there’s a bigger picture
what if I’m missing out
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now

(Chorus 2)
I don’t wanna miss what matters
I wanna be reachin’ out
Show me the greater purpose
So I can start livin’ right now
outside my own little world
my own little world
my own little world

Write in that journal! November 7, 2010

Hi girls!

You know what I just realized? In my post two weeks ago, I totally forgot a very key idea: journalling! I’m actually doing two challenges for this month; writing 50,000 words of encouragement, and writing 50,000 words in my journal.
I know we all have trouble from time to time remembering to journal about our day or our thoughts and feelings, but it’s SO important!! As one of my dear friends, Hannah, reminded me, our children will thank us one day for writing about our lives, and how we reacted to different situations! Because if we don’t write it down, we’re most likely going to forget about it. And remembering how we handled different situations, and just what we did for everyday life, will be a great help when we have children of our own, or have young people looking up to us.

Now, 7 days into the month, I’m NOT saying you should try to kill yourself to write 50k words in your journal along with me. But maybe make it a goal to write in your journal every day, or once a week, or whatever works best for you. And you don’t just have to write about your day: if you’re feeling sad, write about it. If something is bothering you, write about that, too. Journal whatever thoughts you have while doing your devotions. It’s your journal: write what you want!

You can also paste pictures, quotes, and one of my favorite things to do is write excerpts from books that I’m reading that have been helpful to me. Anything you want to remember later-put it in there!

Sam did an excellent post on journalling here, if you want lots more ideas! And Amy wrote about making your own notebook or journal here if you need a fresh journal for inspiration! Have fun writing!

November: The Challenge October 25, 2010

Hi girls!
As many of you probably know, November is National Novel Writer’s Month, and NaNoWriMo is a really awesome and CRAZY challenge in honor of that. The goal for participants of NaNoWriMo is to write a 50,000 word novel (or more!) in just the month of November alone. It sounds a little crazy, but it’s been done: I did it my first year! Thousands of writers do it every year, for the thrill of writing a novel in a month-and some amazing works have resulted from it, too.

But I’m not here to talk about NaNoWriMo today. I know. Shockers, right?!

I’m here for those of us who aren’t exactly writers. Those of us who, yes, if we put our minds to it, we COULD crank out a 50k word novel in November, but…well…we just don’t have quite the desire to do so. Or maybe we just don’t have any ideas. Or maybe you have some other reason you don’t want to. I don’t know!

But after finding several girls who have done NaNo, and are sad to miss out on the craziness and fun of November’s mad-writing dash, I’m going to issue us a challenge.

I think we’ll call it “Weight Lifting.”

“So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:11, NCV

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ~Galatians 6:2, NCV

The Challenge: “Weight Lifting”
To “win”, you must seek to encourage others in the month of November, through written means, a total of 50,000 words (or more).

The Details:
Write letters, cards, emails, even blog posts! Keep an account of the total number of words you write to encourage others, and try to reach 50,000 by November 30, midnight.

How-To:
Know of a friend who’s down? Send her a letter or card to lift her spirits. Heard about a Christian being imprisoned for their faith in another country? Write them a letter with encouraging Scriptures and let them know you are praying (and PRAY! ). Post a note on Facebook, your blog, twitter, Buzz…anywhere on the web, with the purpose of pointing someone to Jesus. Really, the ideas are endless! Any written means of bringing encouragement to someone or several people is great!

What NOT to:
::Make your notes rambling and redundant-instead, strive to make them meaningful, even if it comes out short and sweet rather than being as long as you wanted.
::Write everyone you know, just for the sake of getting the words in-ask God to lead you to who He would have you encourage. Quality over quantity!
::Forget to pray over the person you’re writing to-they may never know you prayed, but don’t you feel amazing when you know someone has prayed AND sent you an encouraging note?

Start When?
You may start immediately. But it won’t count towards the challenge. But hey, if you start now, it’ll give you practice for the “real deal” in November!! It’s only a week away!

How many words per day?
If you want to spread it out perfectly evenly, it comes to 1667 words per day (with like, a handful less on the last day). But you can do whatever you’re up for-if you only have time for 500 words one day, but 3,000 the next, go for it. I certainly won’t put you in over-encouragement jail.

What do I win?
Um, the satisfaction of having accomplished such a major feat?! I’m mulling over ideas for possible prizes, and a banner/icon is definitely in the “winner’s pot” for those who complete this challenge. If you have ideas please do let me know!

If you’d like to participate, let us know! Comment or email us, and I’ll post a list of ideas and tips on Sunday to get us ready for the 1st!