Tossed About

When I was younger, my dad used to take me out on our dinghy to do some fishing in the Bribie Island passage. We would bob up and down in that little boat when a larger boat's wake washed past us. It didn't take much for us to be swishing about. We can also get tossed about through life.

I was married at age 21 which is young for many these days, only 3 years after becoming a Christian. Those 3 years were a whirlwind of growing in faith and falling in love with my husband. It was a great time in my life. While I was at university my faith was nurtured by Student Life, a Christian organisation that reaches out to university students. They provided a protective and encouraging environment for me to learn about God and exercise my faith. But in the month after I finished uni, I got married, moved out of home to a new city, moved from the only church I had ever known and started a new job. I found the first year of marriage difficult for many reasons. But one reason being that although I had agained a wonderful husband, I had suddenly lost my supportive Christian cocoon. I spent the following 2-3 years feeling tossed about by ideas, philosophies, culture, work ethics and attitudes. All of a sudden that protective Christian "home"was gone and I had to grow up. I found myself losing my footing in my faith and began slipping into unhealthy habits and choices. I remember feeling desperate for this "tossing" to stop and I longed to feel sure footed and established in my understanding and faith. Scripture like James 1:6, 

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. 

and Ephesians 4:14-15, 

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

spoke to me.  I needed to know more about my God and mature in my understanding of him.  But how?

It was around this time that I went on an Emmaus walk. It was on this walk that I recognised my need for a mentor in my life, to help me get into God's word, to pray for me and to keep me accountable. So when I got back I spoke to my pastor and within weeks his wife was mentoring me which was the beginning of a friendship that has had ongoing multiplying spiritual impacts in my life that has overflowed into the lives of other women that I nurture in bible study groups now.

Over the weeks and months of being mentored, the tossing subsided. God's words became my anchor and prayer became my lifeline. When the world's voices were pulling me in every direction, it was the sure and reliable word of God that I found dependable and trustworthy. Why? Because I believed by faith that the bible is God's revelation of himself to me.  I began to  love God's word and to know his character is completely trustworthy and true, and I began applying his teaching into my life. Remember the parable of the wise and foolish builders? 

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.   (Matthew 7:24-27)

The foolish builder built his life on a foundation of  choices based on listening to voices other than God and when life's storms came the foundation was revealed to be unstable unreliable and untrustworthy. But the wise builder who chose to build his life on a foundation of God's word and applied God's truth into his life found his foundation to be  reliable and sure during life's hardships.

I chose Jesus as the anchor  in my life, steadying me through rough seas.  So dear friend, who are you listening to?  Who will you choose to guide you?  Which way will you go?

Question :  Do you need a prayer partner, mentor or close friend to help you stay "on course" for God? I encourge you to seek out the help you need, as a life that is anchored in Christ, is a life with a purpose, secured and protected.

Photos :   ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian Publications

Transforming Prayers

Have you ever had a week that has just gone from bad to worse?  And you've thought, things couldn't get any more awful?  That was my week last week.  It began with the news of a loved one dying and spending time with family at the funeral, to my youngest daughter getting a chest infection and then my other daughter having an anaphylaxis reaction requiring and epipen injection and a trip in the ambulance.   And I'm left asking myself, what more can I take Lord?


I am not the only one who has felt times when life gives you curve balls leaving you feeling numb and hurt.  The anguish of our hearts during times of grief and pain can be indescribable.  But they can be expressed to the Lord.    David wrote many prayers from an anguished heart to the Lord.  In fact David shows us how it is done in Psalm 22.  He starts off asking Why? Why? Why?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22:1-2)

Interestingly, David stops to remind himself of what the Lord has done for Israel. Rather than continuing on that thread of where is God, he deliberately puts his eyes onto God.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.
In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame. (Psalm 22:3-5)

David again cries out to God about what is happening to him, pouring his specific concerns out to God.

But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
“He trusts in the LORD,” they say,
“let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.” (Psalm 22:6-8)

Again David stops and remembers what the Lord has been for him.

Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
From birth I was cast on you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God. (Psalm 22:9-10)

Notice how David consciously brings his thoughts back to God.  We see again in verses 12-21 David expressing his deep distress to God using metaphors to portray the attacks from his enemies and his inner sense of powerlessness under their fierce attacks. But in verses 22-31 we witness a change in David's prayer, he's praising God!  How is that possible?  It's possible because David never loses sight of who God is and his love for those who fear him and call on his name.

The transformation of David's prayer from cries to praise comes from remembering who God is, what he has done and the trust in his certainty of deliverance and in God keeping his promises. Remember that David's praise to God is in anticipation of God's deliverance. David's situation hasn't changed but his attitude and perspective has shifted, enabling him to praise God, and acknowledge the universal rule of God, "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.(Psalm 22:27-28).  As David prays his fear is dissolved as he remembers the power of God and his character.

I just love this prayer as it shows me how I can express my deepest hurts to God when times are hard and also how prayer changes my eyes from being focused on me to being focused on God and who he is, enabling me to praise him during hard times.

So as we go on with life let us focus our attention on who God is and his promises as revealed to us in scripture, as God's word is the anchor to our souls, keeping us firm and secure no matter our circumstances.  That's not easy,  but it is worth it.  

  

Question: When things go bad, what is your response?

Photos:  ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian Publications

Distinctive Disciples

All my life I have had curly hair.  The typical frizzy, hard to manage, dry curly hair and all I remember when growing up was how much I longed to be the rest of the girls who had straight hair.   I desperately wanted to have the same hair as everyone one else and not be different. Uniformity was what I had wanted and believed that that would mean acceptance.    It took 20 years for me to  be able to look at myself in the mirror and say, "I like my curly hair, and I like that it's different to everyone else's hair."  Having something about me that was distinct was something I was uncomfortable with for years and would hide my difference away,  but distinctiveness is a call for all Christians to accept.

Distinctiveness is a theme I see popping up throughout the bible.  Noah was described as a "righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." (Genesis 6:9) when everyone around him were evil and filled with wickedness (Genesis 6:5).  God called Israel to be his own and a kingdom of priests and a holy nation , set apart from all the other nations on the earth (Exodus 19:5-6) and be his witness in the world.  Many of the Old Testament prophets were distinct and different not only to the other nations but also to the Israelites so as to remind them of God and his promises and to persuade them to cease their rebellion and return back to God.   Jesus also tells us that being his disciple means being different from the world around us.  In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:17-26)  which introduces the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us descriptions of what Christian discipleship and identity looks like.  They are:

• Poor in spirit 
• Mourners of their own sin and also the sin in the world
• Meek
• Hungry and thirsty for righteousness
• Merciful
• Pure in heart
• Peacemakers
• Persecuted

Wow!  Jesus tells us that these are the qualities that all of his disciples will show as they are directed and transformed by the influence of God's kingly rule in their lives. This distinctiveness arises from being the opposite to what the world values and places as important.  It is in that difference where the power lies.  Just as salt is essentially different from the medium that it is put into, therein lies it's power and potential to change, so it is with the  Christian.  Being 'distinct' is not just for a few, it is for all of us who believe in Christ as our Lord and Saviour.  That  distinctiveness is cultivated in us as we obey God and focus our hearts and minds on him with a singlemindedness and complete commitment of our lives.  How Jesus wants us to live is the complete reversal of the world's cultural system and values.  

Hand in hand with these virtues are the blessings experienced in part now and will fully enjoy when Christ returns.

• The Kingdom of Heaven
• Comfort
• Inherit the earth
• Filled with righteousness
• Shown mercy
• See God
• Called sons of God

Again, WOW!  A pretty good list of blessings to receive.  

In our distinctiveness and our determination to be "salt'  and 'light' (Matthew 5:13-16) we will bear witness to the character of God and his saving grace through Jesus.  That truth changes hearts and rebuilds people from the inside out.  So be distinct as a Christian in all that you do, giving the praise and glory to God.  Someone may discover Jesus because you dared to be who Christ has called you to be - his. 

Question:  Have you lost your 'saltiness' or distinctiveness for God?

Photo from http://www.centreflow.ca/2009/07/20/molten-salt/

Trust

I haven't blogged for awhile as we are dealing with some major health problems with my youngest daughter who will require heart surgery next week.  During the last few months I've wallowed in despair as I've wondered 'what if the surgery doesn't go well?' or 'what if she gets a post-op infection?' 'what if this or what if that.....' and so on.  These thoughts have whirled around and around in my head spiraling my fear out of control and exhausting myself with sleepless nights.  Ultimately, my fear was rooted in the question, do I trust God?  For all of Emily's life, I have taken responsibility of caring for her needs and concerns but the realization of Emily's heart condition brings a sudden jolt to my way of living.  I was caught up short as I realised that I had up to this point, I had been guilty of paying a degree of lip service to God when I've said I've trusted Him. 

 I wish I could say I never doubted God's provision for my daughter or me but that's not true.  I've had many days where I've cried in fear of what could happen to Emily.  Fear paralysed me to even go to God.  I just sat in my worries, letting my worry feed my fear and take me further away from God, the one who could give me hope and peace in this situation.


God's word has been the rope that has pulled me out of this well of fear.  During my daily readings at this time I came across Deuteronomy chapter 31 and was deeply encouraged by the Lord's words to Joshua, the young man who was Moses' apprentice.  The time was drawing very near when Moses was to die and the Lord was preparing Joshua to become the next leader of Isreal who would carry them  across the Jordon River and claim the promised land that God was going to give them.  How did Joshua feel? I know I would be shaking thinking, "I can't fill those shoes", "this seems impossible"," I think you've made a mistake Lord".  But God's response to Joshua was, " The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Oh how I needed to hear those words echoed in my life right now.  These steady and purposeful words just cut through the paniced thoughts that were threatening to consume me.  God says that he has gone before us, and as I reflected over this whole situation, I am amazed at how smoothly all the appointments and processes have gone.

God says that he will never leave us nor forsake us:  One of my fears was I assumed that only I would be able to travel down with Emily to hospital and stay, meaning I would be seperated from my husband and other daughter during this time.  The sense of loneliness was overwhelming and terrifying.  But through God's gracious provision my husband will be with me and my other daughter will be with us also.  I will not be alone, in fact my family will be with me.  God has not abandon me or Emily.  In fact, God's provison of spealist care and medical attention drives me to praise God in thankfullness.   

Lastly, God commanded Joshua to not be afraid and to not be discouraged.  In other words, we are told to not focus our attention on our fears or causes of discouragement.  So where should we focus our attention?  Onto God as he is the author of peace. Jesus tells us the same in John 14,

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me. "  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  (John 14:1, 27).

So as the coming week approaches I will trust in God for his provision for Emily and my needs, I will remind myself of these passages of scripture and live and breathe them as they are a part of me rather than just words that I've read.  I praise God for who he is and for his grace.

Question.  How is your faith being tested at the moment?  What scripture has been your lifeline at the moment?

 Photo : ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian Publications

"Being" for God

Today Kate Irwin is our guest blogger.  Kate is currently living in Ethiopia working in the Grace Centre for Children and Families.  Thanks Kate for sharing with us today.

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Nicole asked me to consider writing something for this blog while I was still in Australia.  I have pondered on and off what to say.  Today, I sat in the Grace Centre office in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia and read an email from Nic with the results of Emily’s trip to the cardiologist and I was reminded again how hard it is to be so far away and how often I feel stuck between two worlds.

When I am here in Ethiopia I often think of Australia and wish I could be there, with family, with friends, a part of that world BUT when I am in Australia I think about this world in Ethiopia and long to be here where God has called me to be.  To find oneself never satisfied with where one is a sure way to drain the joy from life.

It reminds me of the story of the Rocketeer...

 I wonder, do you ever find yourself split between two worlds – in one place but looking at another?   Wishing you were in another place.  For me, just like the Rocketeer,  this is something that I struggle with on a sometimes daily basis.  I am learning (sometimes painfully slowly I am sure) to be in the place that God is calling me to be and to focus on the people I am with.  This does not mean that I forget people in Australia nor does it mean I stop communicating with those in Australia but it does mean making a conscious effort to value the people I am with and to BE with the people I am with.

Too often I find myself focusing on anyone and anything and any place other than the one I am in, the people I am with and the things I am doing.  Here, in a culture that is all about relationships and being with the people you are with, I am constantly challenged to be in the place God called me to be – focused on the people I am called to be with and to be thankful that I am here.

For me, this is a lesson that I need to learn over and over and over, but the joy that comes from being where God called me to be, focused on the people God called me to focus on, is a source of joy that knows no bounds. 

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 Written by Kate Irwin

Only By the Grace of God I Go!

A while ago I felt that God had given me the verse, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Nice verse I thought at the time, very true indeed.  But this verse has kept coming back to me and won't leave me alone. Only now am I beginning to see that God wants me to know in experience what I know in my head, that his grace is sufficient for me and his power is made perfect in my weakness.  At the moment I'm being taught what living in the grace of God really requires of me - complete abandonment of my self,and utter trust in Christ's redeeming power and strength. And it is both amazing and scary.

As someone who has lead small groups and bible studies for a number of years, it is part of being the leader to be prepared, organised and guide the group through questions and issues relating to scripture to help them grow closer to God.  But as Child Friendly Bible Study examines the book Respectable Sins :Confronting the Sins we Tolerate (by Jerry Bridges) I feel completely inadequate as the leader and I'm not used to that feeling.  I don't like being out of control.    I am overwhelmed by a great sense of inadequacy as I am confronted by my own sin that God is revealing to me and I ask myself  "how am I supposed to lead these women through this book so they are strengthened and grow closer to God when I haven't got it altogether myself?"  

I am deeply moved by the statement from the tax collector in Luke 18:13 and identify with him,

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

I am a sinner and  I need God's grace.  In fact, I need the gospel each and every day.  God is showing me how I do so many  things in my own strength and act in my own willpower.  I wasn't aware of myself doing this and had thought I had outgrown such tendencies.  How wrong I was.  How arrogant of me to think I had outgrown this sin.  I am humbly reminded that our hope is secured only in Christ  as "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).  And I take hold of the promise in 1 John 1:9,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  


The assurance that my sin is forgiven completely encourages me to go to God with my sin without fear and to face up to it.  Through the gracious love of God I am rescued.  Also, it is by God's grace that I have permission to lead Child Friendly Bible Study.  It is a group that is such a blessing to me and I am so privileged to witness God's wonders happening in the hearts of these women.

So as I wrestle with the verse "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" I pray that you will also be challenged to examine your life and ask God to reveal any hidden sin in your heart and seek to live your life in God's grace and not your own strength.

Photos courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

God's Transforming Word

Today I wish to welcome Naomi Bell, a member of Child Friendly Bible Study.  Naomi has been taking the journey to read through the Bible in a year, and today is sharing some insights from her experience of reading through God's Word.  Thanks Naomi!


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Why did you decide to read through the bible in a year?
 Naomi: At the beginning of this year I was feeling a little proud of myself for actually finishing reading through a year long devotional book for the first time. I had started many many books before and never stuck to anything for more than a few weeks/months. So to actually finish this one and only about a week late was an accomplishment for me. So I started thinking 'where to next?' and 'what should I read now?'. I have used 'The Word For Today' as a daily devotional in the past and I noticed they also have a plan for reading the Bible in a year, so I decided since I had never done that before I should challenge myself to keep going with my daily reading and the Bible would be it.
  

What is something you have learnt from this process?

Naomi:  So far I have learnt that whilst I thought I knew all the stories of the Bible, having been brought up in a Christian home and been a Christian for some time now, I really dont know that much of the details at all! When reading through the Old Testament I have discovered how amazing God is and how fascinating the people of the Old Testament are.

Is the experience what you expected?  Why or why not?

Naomi: I guess my only expectation was that I would struggle to read every single day since I had in the past found the bible very hard to read and to understand. So it has been very unexpected to find that I am now feeling like I just want to read more and more and for the first time in my life I have that feeling of not wanting to put a book down. I have always struggled to read books and still don't read novels at all so it is very exciting to feel this way about the Bible of all books! 

Would you recommend others to try reading through the whole bible?  Why or why not?

Naomi: I would definitely recommend others to give it a try and also to take the time to pray about it and ask God to help open your heart and mind to absorb as much as you can. Reading the bible each day has really opened my eyes to how much I have been missing out on all these years and is helping me to grow into a stronger Christian. 

What is God challenging you from this?

Naomi: I think God is challenging me to know more about my faith and why I believe so that I am better equipped to share it with others. Particularly with my children, since my 5 yr old has starting asking a lot of tough questions about God, Jesus and heaven just this year. I don't believe in coincidences and God's timing never ceasing to amaze me! 

What's next for you after this?

Naomi: I guess when I've read through the whole Bible in a year the only thing to do would be to go back and do it all again every year. Maybe if I am needing even more I might have to do some studies to go alongside it as well. Only God knows for sure whats next for me and I sincerely pray that through my daily reading this year I can develop a closer relationship with him and be more aware of his guidance in my life.

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 Many of us have had such great aspirations to read through the entire Bible but for different reasons give up.  I pray that Naomi's response will encourage you to pick up your Bible and discover more about the God you love and reignite the passion you first had for Christ.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."                           (2 Corinthians 2:14)