Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since I wrote last. I knew that building a restaurant would be challenging, but I had no idea how many decisions concerning the building, along with choices of finishes and equipment that would have to be made. My husband and I both feel like we are being schooled in this new area of construction. I hope we make the grade!!
God continues to remind me that, regardless of the current economic condition of our country, and the challenges that so many face, that we have much to be thankful for. In this week of Thanksgiving, I just want to thank Him for everything He has given us. Above all, His grace is sufficient! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Groundbreaking!!
Well, the big event finally happened today. We broke ground on the restaurant that my husband and I have been working on for over two years. It seemed so surreal that it would finally be happening. My husband was super excited about the event, while I felt somewhat overwhelmed, wondering, in this economy, if we were a little daft.
Because we both have felt confident that the Lord has called us into this project, we continue to move forward, trusting that if He leads us somewhere, He will provide for that place. Our expected build time is ten months.
I thank God for all of the battles He has fought for us over this project and that He showed Himself faithful and trustworthy. We have learned so much about Him and His ways and ourselves (not always good) and know that the adventure will continue. I know the days ahead will be challenging and there will be more battles to be fought, but we know whom we can trust.
Thanks to everyone who has fought along side of us for this project. He has heard and answered!!
Because we both have felt confident that the Lord has called us into this project, we continue to move forward, trusting that if He leads us somewhere, He will provide for that place. Our expected build time is ten months.
I thank God for all of the battles He has fought for us over this project and that He showed Himself faithful and trustworthy. We have learned so much about Him and His ways and ourselves (not always good) and know that the adventure will continue. I know the days ahead will be challenging and there will be more battles to be fought, but we know whom we can trust.
Thanks to everyone who has fought along side of us for this project. He has heard and answered!!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Love, hope and faith
This morning as I was walking and praying for our nation, and our economy and the elections, I felt the Lord break in on me and remind me of something really important. He quoted 1 Corinthians 13: "Faith, hope and love". I realized that in the midst of the battle of the season that we are in, and because of our passion for God's Kingdom to come, it is very easy to end up being angry with the people who oppose our ideas and opinions concerning the elections. We get so caught up in what we think is right, that we end up having hard hearts and losing all perspective of what the Kingdom is about. We will not convey love and Godly wisdom to those we speak to if we are hard hearted and hateful.
So He reminded me that in this season of seeming hopelessness, He wants to give us faith and hope and over it all, love. Ephesians 6 says that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities of this present darkness. The people who disagree with us are not the enemy, darkness is the enemy. My pastor this morning told us to not be discouraged with the prevailing darkness, because light shines brighter in darkness and people will be drawn to the light.
Yes, keep fighting in fervent prayer!! We are called to be stewards and warriors in the affairs of the earth, but let's not be distracted from the foundation of the Kingdom of God. Let's ask God for a baptism of faith, hope and love. I believe that is the Lord's heart.
So He reminded me that in this season of seeming hopelessness, He wants to give us faith and hope and over it all, love. Ephesians 6 says that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities of this present darkness. The people who disagree with us are not the enemy, darkness is the enemy. My pastor this morning told us to not be discouraged with the prevailing darkness, because light shines brighter in darkness and people will be drawn to the light.
Yes, keep fighting in fervent prayer!! We are called to be stewards and warriors in the affairs of the earth, but let's not be distracted from the foundation of the Kingdom of God. Let's ask God for a baptism of faith, hope and love. I believe that is the Lord's heart.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Don't Forget Thanksgiving - Like Me!
This morning in church someone spoke about being thankful to God. Now, we all know how important that is. We all know that God loves to hear us thank Him for what He's done for us, but I think sometimes we take it for granted and forget to actually do it! To the stresses of our normal lives, add the current economic and political stresses and wow, we sure do have an overwhelming amount of concerns to face.
Sure, we're faithful to pray about those concerns and we work hard to overcome so much. But how much time do we spend thanking God for everything He's given us. Have we thanked Him lately for the freedom we enjoy in this country? How about our friends and families, for the food we have in our fridges, for the clean air we breathe, our faithful vehicles and the beauty of the earth? For flowers, for birds and butterflies. How about microwaves and washers and dryers, they're pretty wonderful too. When you think about it, there are so, so many things to be thankful for.
Even if you can't think of absolutely anything to be thankful for in your life, you can thank Him for Who He is, for His faithfulness, His beauty, His sacrifice, His love, His power!
In the midst of these challenging times, it's easy to get focused on hard things, but if we could just take our eyes off the challenges and onto the Lord of the challenges, it would be a huge step towards stress relief. God hasn't fallen off the throne. He still is the sovereign Lord of the universe and "holds the whole world in His hands"! Sure, He invites us to be involved through prayer and intercession for our world, but He still rules and reigns. Let's give Him a little credit and thank Him for our lives. I'm certainly going to try to remember to begin my prayer time with more thanksgiving.
Hey, do me a favor: Please write and remind me about this in about a week!
Sure, we're faithful to pray about those concerns and we work hard to overcome so much. But how much time do we spend thanking God for everything He's given us. Have we thanked Him lately for the freedom we enjoy in this country? How about our friends and families, for the food we have in our fridges, for the clean air we breathe, our faithful vehicles and the beauty of the earth? For flowers, for birds and butterflies. How about microwaves and washers and dryers, they're pretty wonderful too. When you think about it, there are so, so many things to be thankful for.
Even if you can't think of absolutely anything to be thankful for in your life, you can thank Him for Who He is, for His faithfulness, His beauty, His sacrifice, His love, His power!
In the midst of these challenging times, it's easy to get focused on hard things, but if we could just take our eyes off the challenges and onto the Lord of the challenges, it would be a huge step towards stress relief. God hasn't fallen off the throne. He still is the sovereign Lord of the universe and "holds the whole world in His hands"! Sure, He invites us to be involved through prayer and intercession for our world, but He still rules and reigns. Let's give Him a little credit and thank Him for our lives. I'm certainly going to try to remember to begin my prayer time with more thanksgiving.
Hey, do me a favor: Please write and remind me about this in about a week!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Going Where No Man Has Gone Before
Lately I've felt like I've been able to relate to Abraham in the Old Testament. Abraham was called by God to leave the place he called home and begin moving out to some unknown place. He packed up his household and began the journey, trusting that God had a good plan for him.
As we continue in the adventure of building a restaurant, we are adding another operation to our already overwhelming lives and expanding our territory. There are many things we are now facing that are unknown to us. We don't really know where we are going, as we've never been this way before. Okay, so it doesn't seem like the current times can be compared to Abraham's times. We now have AAA or On-star or directions to anywhere at the touch of our keyboards. And I know that Abraham didn't have the world wide web to support his every need and give security for everything he faced, but our lives are not that much different from Abraham's. There really still is no security apart from our walk of obedience in the Lord's will.
Psalm 91 has really ministered to me in the midst of such uncertain times. Verses 1 - 6 tells us of the safety and rest and security we have when we place our hope and trust in God. As we face such uncertain times, it's easy to harden ourselves and withdraw into our own thoughts, fears and negative thoughts. Our weaknesses and fears in these times really highlight where we place our trust and hope.
Let me quote those verses for you: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
I'm thankful that Abraham boldly went where no man has gone before, obedient and hopeful. I pray we can be as confident and trusting as we walk in obedience to His call on our lives.
As we continue in the adventure of building a restaurant, we are adding another operation to our already overwhelming lives and expanding our territory. There are many things we are now facing that are unknown to us. We don't really know where we are going, as we've never been this way before. Okay, so it doesn't seem like the current times can be compared to Abraham's times. We now have AAA or On-star or directions to anywhere at the touch of our keyboards. And I know that Abraham didn't have the world wide web to support his every need and give security for everything he faced, but our lives are not that much different from Abraham's. There really still is no security apart from our walk of obedience in the Lord's will.
Psalm 91 has really ministered to me in the midst of such uncertain times. Verses 1 - 6 tells us of the safety and rest and security we have when we place our hope and trust in God. As we face such uncertain times, it's easy to harden ourselves and withdraw into our own thoughts, fears and negative thoughts. Our weaknesses and fears in these times really highlight where we place our trust and hope.
Let me quote those verses for you: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
I'm thankful that Abraham boldly went where no man has gone before, obedient and hopeful. I pray we can be as confident and trusting as we walk in obedience to His call on our lives.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The Gift of Tears
I know that there are times in our lives when we have a hard time crying. God has taught me over and over how precious tears are and how He uses them for us and for others. I used to think that tears were very shameful and that people would think I was weak if I cried. Even though many times I could hardly contain myself in a situation, I strived with all my might to hold back those embarrassing tears.
As I have grown in the Lord, He has shown me that the enemy's plan is for us to be afraid and ashamed of those precious tears because the enemy knows that if others see our soft hearts, they will be drawn to us and love us. As we share our hearts with others, we can't help but be tenderized toward one another.
Another important benefit of tears is the cleansing that comes with them. If we hold in all of our pain, hurt or grief that we experience in life, those emotions will eventually overwhelm us and will leak out the cracks in ways that hurt us and others. As I was thinking about tears this morning, I remembered that Jesus cried at least once that we are aware of. I have a feeling that there were many more tears than what is recorded in our Bible and I am thankful that even the God of the universe can grieve openly. God is an emotional being and not a bit ashamed of it!
I have also learned that when we close off those places of grief, thinking that we are protecting ourselves, that we close them off to the divine comfort that our wise Father wants to pour into them.
Thank you Father for tears and the cleansing and softening that they provide for us. I know You didn't make a mistake when You created us complete with tear ducts. We praise You that You made a provision for the grief of this life to be expressed and washed away. Thank You for the gift of tears. Amen
As I have grown in the Lord, He has shown me that the enemy's plan is for us to be afraid and ashamed of those precious tears because the enemy knows that if others see our soft hearts, they will be drawn to us and love us. As we share our hearts with others, we can't help but be tenderized toward one another.
Another important benefit of tears is the cleansing that comes with them. If we hold in all of our pain, hurt or grief that we experience in life, those emotions will eventually overwhelm us and will leak out the cracks in ways that hurt us and others. As I was thinking about tears this morning, I remembered that Jesus cried at least once that we are aware of. I have a feeling that there were many more tears than what is recorded in our Bible and I am thankful that even the God of the universe can grieve openly. God is an emotional being and not a bit ashamed of it!
I have also learned that when we close off those places of grief, thinking that we are protecting ourselves, that we close them off to the divine comfort that our wise Father wants to pour into them.
Thank you Father for tears and the cleansing and softening that they provide for us. I know You didn't make a mistake when You created us complete with tear ducts. We praise You that You made a provision for the grief of this life to be expressed and washed away. Thank You for the gift of tears. Amen
Sunday, August 31, 2008
We are Called to be Overcomers
I think one of the most frustrating things for me is being in relationship with imperfect Christians. Don't ask me why I think they should be perfect, I certainly am not. But something in me screams when I am slighted or hurt by another Christian.
Example: We are dealing with a very difficult Christian in the midst of our project development (I'll call her Jill) and every time I talk with her, I can barely contain the frustration and anger that surges within and throughout me.
Last night I had to spend some time talking to God about Jill. I started by whining quite a bit, justifying my anger and frustration and listing the incidences where I felt slighted. At that point I didn't feel any peace so I turned to the Word. Interesting how God knows exactly what we need at exactly the right moment. A passage in Acts 4:32-33 says,"Now the multitudes of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common..." I know this didn't specifically address my issues with Jill, but of course the Word is living and active and went right to my heart.
What I sensed at that point was that I had no grace, mercy or love for Jill. I only want her to suffer and be judged for her failings. As soon as I thought that, the Holy Spirit whispered the scripture from Luke 6:37-38 (I didn't know where it was so I looked it up, I just had Karen's version of it): Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Wow! Immediately I realized that even if I don't care about Jill, I certainly care about me and mine. (Sorry Lord, I have to be totally honest here!). If I dwell in anger at another person and judge or condemn them and not forgive them, I am going to suffer the consequences of that decision.
While I was talking to my husband about my thoughts, he said to me that Jill is accountable to God alone for her actions. I knew right away that he was right, even though I know there may be times when we have to hold others accountable for things. This really helped me to realize that she would be judged by God for her actions and that ultimately I needed to pray for her that she would see her sin and repent so that she would not have to be judged. (I go in and out of willingness to do this!)
As I wrestled with God over this whole thing, I heard the word "Overcomer". I had a sudden understanding that an overcomer overcomes the desire to wound back, to hate and to dwell in anger. Every time we choose forgiveness over hatred, every time we choose blessing over cursing, every time we choose God's ways over the devil's schemes, Jesus' Kingdom comes into that situation. That is one of the ways that His Kingdom comes, through our minute by minute choices. And as we make those choices, we become overcomers. We are called to desire the Kingdom of God to advance in the earth and so of course He gives us opportunities to choose blessing over cursing. And of course, God's abundantly compassionate heart makes sure that we too are blessed with our Godly decisions as He then pours a good measure into our laps. So, in the end, everyone benefits! Wow, God, You continue to amaze me more and more each day!
By the way, I felt much more peaceful after this time of ministry from the Lord. Thank you Father, for allowing us to come into contact with hard people so that Your Kingdom can come in our lives and theirs.
Example: We are dealing with a very difficult Christian in the midst of our project development (I'll call her Jill) and every time I talk with her, I can barely contain the frustration and anger that surges within and throughout me.
Last night I had to spend some time talking to God about Jill. I started by whining quite a bit, justifying my anger and frustration and listing the incidences where I felt slighted. At that point I didn't feel any peace so I turned to the Word. Interesting how God knows exactly what we need at exactly the right moment. A passage in Acts 4:32-33 says,"Now the multitudes of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common..." I know this didn't specifically address my issues with Jill, but of course the Word is living and active and went right to my heart.
What I sensed at that point was that I had no grace, mercy or love for Jill. I only want her to suffer and be judged for her failings. As soon as I thought that, the Holy Spirit whispered the scripture from Luke 6:37-38 (I didn't know where it was so I looked it up, I just had Karen's version of it): Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Wow! Immediately I realized that even if I don't care about Jill, I certainly care about me and mine. (Sorry Lord, I have to be totally honest here!). If I dwell in anger at another person and judge or condemn them and not forgive them, I am going to suffer the consequences of that decision.
While I was talking to my husband about my thoughts, he said to me that Jill is accountable to God alone for her actions. I knew right away that he was right, even though I know there may be times when we have to hold others accountable for things. This really helped me to realize that she would be judged by God for her actions and that ultimately I needed to pray for her that she would see her sin and repent so that she would not have to be judged. (I go in and out of willingness to do this!)
As I wrestled with God over this whole thing, I heard the word "Overcomer". I had a sudden understanding that an overcomer overcomes the desire to wound back, to hate and to dwell in anger. Every time we choose forgiveness over hatred, every time we choose blessing over cursing, every time we choose God's ways over the devil's schemes, Jesus' Kingdom comes into that situation. That is one of the ways that His Kingdom comes, through our minute by minute choices. And as we make those choices, we become overcomers. We are called to desire the Kingdom of God to advance in the earth and so of course He gives us opportunities to choose blessing over cursing. And of course, God's abundantly compassionate heart makes sure that we too are blessed with our Godly decisions as He then pours a good measure into our laps. So, in the end, everyone benefits! Wow, God, You continue to amaze me more and more each day!
By the way, I felt much more peaceful after this time of ministry from the Lord. Thank you Father, for allowing us to come into contact with hard people so that Your Kingdom can come in our lives and theirs.
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