(IN)Courage

[Judy Harder]

Why It's Okay to Not be Okay
Aug 17, 2012 01:20 am | Amber Haines




When we pulled in the driveway, I saw a blue bird flit across the yard, the crispy grass a perfect backdrop. I noticed how good the sunshine is and how good it is to see life in contrast. I spent weeks in the hospital with my little baby who is one year old but the size of a 6 month old. My milk and all the food wasn't enough, but there were good things stacked in the mail and tomatoes to eat here before going bad.

Before we left for the hospital, I felt somehow that I might be in shock.  The words "Failure to Thrive" and "Starvation Mode" in association with my own child, those words don't move me like my brain is telling me they should. Isaac is yelling from way up in the tree, and Jude runs in screaming "Emergency! Emergency!" I go out to see my oldest floating in brittle vines about 3 stories over my head. I shake all over and talk him down. Suddenly I fear they'll slip through my hands like water. What of the time we have; what am I making of it? And yet, peace like a river. I do have that peace like a river.

We live in a realm that we can see, the realm where synapses fire and connections are made. In the seen nerves get shot, puppies bark all night, we run out of money, and children get sick. Here we file in pews and respond with appropriate gestures. We all do our very best to make it in the fragile seen places. And then there is this other place, this place of the unseen – the secret place of prayer, of richness, and of safe deep-unto-deep.

Often we say that we wouldn't survive if _________ happened. I'm learning that we can give the Holy Spirit more credit than that. Often we like to think we know how we would act in a given situation, but the truth is that we don't. News that your baby is cratering can give you the feeling that all is at storm, but your boat is calm.

We're not in the clear, here in the seen, this world of trouble. Jesus himself said so. But He said He's overcome the world. So there's a place we go, even when we fail to not be anxious and when our pinched nerves are flaring up – there's a place we go where Jesus can look back on this earth in past, present, and future tense. We sit outside of time with Him a little, and I look at my babies and our generational struggles, and I know we are overcomers in a troubled world.

That's why it's okay to not be okay sometimes. His peace river is trenched low-down deep, and we dredge there in sorrow. That's where we find that Jesus is the very best friend.


By: Amber Haines,  TheRunaMuck

[Judy Harder]

On Finding the Body
Aug 18, 2012 01:20 am | Arianne




We meet on Saturday nights (I love that our worship is on the Sabbath) and we just jump right in. Sometimes we pray first, sometimes we pray in the middle. We always pray at the end.

We ask God to gather in, to have the Holy Spirit be alive. We each come to the "spiritual potluck" with a dish. One that is from our own gifting, one that God gave each of us.

Sometimes we sing, sometimes not. We wait on God, so there are pauses (sometimes awkward, sometimes not).

Then we break bread together. We each bring something for a meal and partake together with all our (many) children. It's beautiful.

But that's not all.

We live life together during the week, too. Prayer needs, many times in person, are met. Gatherings to laugh and be silly are had. Birthday parties for the kids. Movie time for the guys. Chat time for the ladies. Decision meetups for the parents to decide the faith-path our kids will take.

There are leaders, but there is no hierarchy. We are each there to edify the Body. We are vulnerable and (because we want to be) a bit in each others' business more than I'm used to (I say that as a former shut-in) and it's all love. So much love.

We might disagree and then agree, or maybe we didn't even notice because it was all fine again and smoothed over so quickly. Because the Spirit is so incredibly alive. And powerful. And in charge. And the head of this ekklesia we call church.

This is the Body. I can hardly breathe for the grace. It's immeasurable.

***
By Arianne

Have you found a church Body you can live life with, grow with, worship with, edify and be blessed by?

[Judy Harder]

A Sunday Scripture

Aug 19, 2012 02:20 am | incourage


But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 1: 26-31

[Judy Harder]

He didn't make me fast, but I still run for His pleasure
Aug 20, 2012 01:20 am | Tsh Oxenreider




Do I? Or do I not? These are the Shakespearean-esque questions I ask myself around 4 p.m. on a daily basis. It's not just a moral dilemma, or an emotional pondering, or even a battle of the will.

It's all those, and so much more for me.

I'm asking myself whether I should tie up my laces and run.

Not run from some personal problem—I mean literally run. To pound the pavement of my suburban neighborhood, with one foot in front of the other, watching the sprinklers with the kids squealing and the teenagers sitting on their hoods playing music whiz by. Or rather, crawl past me at a snail's pace. I'm not a very fast runner.

This is my dilemma almost every late afternoon.

While I haven't been consistent as I had hoped this year (spring in central Oregon is cold, I tell you), I have run more in the past few months than I have in years.

And there's just one difference between all my years of feeble attempts to "get back in shape" and this year... it's my reason for doing it.

Sure, I want to see my pre-baby body again. I'd love to reward myself with ice cream after dinner because I burned calories earlier that day. And nobly enough, yes, I want to be a role model for my kids and be a mom who cares about her fitness.

But those aren't the reasons I'm exercising anymore. Well, okay, those are some of the reasons, but they're more byproducts to my current single, solitary focus.

Which is this: to honor God with the body He gave me.



That's it. And I know that's a Sunday school answer. But it's hit me like a ton of bricks the past few months how I write off making exercise a priority because of time, or tiredness, or even more ridiculous—it's really not that important.

It is important that I take care of this instrument that carries my soul around on this earth, if for no other reason than to give Him glory.

I've been reading Gary Thomas' new book, Every Body Matters, and it's constantly hitting me square between the eyes. Listen to this:

"Christians who don't take their health seriously don't take their mission seriously. What we're really saying is, 'My life doesn't really matter.' But because of the ability of God to work powerfully in any repentant sinner's life, every body does matter."

My body doesn't really belong to me anymore, so really, it's a matter of stewardship, not personal glory. It's about taking care of these muscles, bones, and this skin on loan to me from my Creator.

If I sound like I've got this down pat, think again. I daily battle my will, and many times, I cave. Just ask Kat, my accountability partner. Every Friday, I DM her on Twitter with how much I exercised that week, and there are times when it's not pretty.

But I get up and give it another go, because I'm blessed with two legs that can run, arms that can lift, and a heart that can pound. As Thomas also says in his book, "What if exercise and discipline in eating isn't as much about physical health as about honoring the God who made us?"

Exercising regularly isn't a sure-fire ticket to a long, happy life, disease-free. I know that. But there's something about moving my body and working up a sweat that increases my overall zest for life. Just as sitting on the couch is a downward spiral for me, so is working out an upward one—I think better, sleep better, love better, and work better, all throughout the day. It's as though my body is doing what it was created to do.



Regardless what happens to me in this life, I don't want to be guilty of sullying up my earthbound vehicle, much like a teenager who tosses fast food wrappers in the back of her dad's borrowed car. I want to say this:

"If I'm going to hurt in this fallen world—and everyone of us will—I'd rather hurt and be sore getting in shape than hurt and be sore because my body isn't fit." -Gary Thomas

I'm sharing this to encourage me just as much you, because it'll help me to reread this post on those days when I don't feel like pounding the pavement once more. I'm very much on this journey with you.

I'll end this post with one final thought from Thomas: "By God's design, we are a people with souls who desperately yearn for intimacy with God—people whose souls reside in bodies that can hinder or help this pursuit. Which will it be?"

Join me, will you? Let's exercise our bodies together, if for no other reason than to sing praise to our Maker.

By Tsh, Simple Mom

[Judy Harder]

Wanting More

Aug 21, 2012 01:10 am | Elizabeth Johnson


Sometimes I lay in bed and cry my heart out. I lay there, needing to go to sleep, but overwhelmed with the desire for more.

I plead with God for more of His mercy, more of His blessing, more of His exceeding abundance in my life. I want more of what He has in store for me, those things that are wondrously beyond my imagination. I want more of what only He can give.

And you know what?

If we ask Him for more, He will answer. He will bestow great blessings on us. He will shower us with His amazing goodness and loving-kindness. He will overwhelm us with His incomprehensible peace.
But first, we have to ask for it:

"Call to me and I will answer you,
and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
Jeremiah 33:3

It takes humility. We must realize our need for Him, admit that we are helpless in ourselves. Admit that we are weak. We must bow before Him and cry out for His divine power.

It takes faith. We must believe that He will do amazing things. We must trust that whatever He does (or doesn't do) is absolutely perfect for us. He rewards that kind of faith. He blesses those who call on Him, believing that God rewards those who go to Him in faith.

It takes passion. We must admit our need, believe that God will answer in His perfect way – and keep on asking until we see His answer! He doesn't want a lukewarm, shrug-your-shoulders kind of request: He wants your impassioned heart-tears, your soul-so-full it throbs with feeling. He wants you to ask, and ask again, until you hear Him answer.

And when we do that? When we throw our cares at His feet, begging Him to work, trusting that He will do so?

He answers.

Because He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.

Because His riches are glorious, and immeasurable, and unsearchable. And we are His heirs, entitled to receive of those riches.

Because He is King over all that has been created; He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and the wealth in every mine.

But first we must call.

If we call, He will answer. If we cry out for Him to work, He will do amazing things. Things beyond our comprehension.

So what mighty works are you waiting for God to do? What great things are you craving for your life? Call on Him!

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

By Elizabeth Johnson, DogFur and Dandelions

[Judy Harder]

How Many Bites

Aug 22, 2012 01:20 am | Angela Nazworth

My kids and I were eating lunch on the National Mall when large drops of rain escaped from the clouds. We quickly wrapped up our food and headed to the Metro station. Concerned a bigger storm was brewing, I wanted us to get on the train as quickly as possible. Since food is not allowed inside the train cars, I instructed my kids to hurry.

My son held up a small piece of his hotdog and said, "I'm almost done, Mommy. I have about 4 more big bites left."

As someone who takes rather small bites of food, I stifled a giggle. I could have had that hotdog down in two bites. Then I thought of my husband. He could have had something 3x that piece of hotdog down in one chomp, a feat that amazes me.

Sometimes, life is like eating a huge sandwich, but not everyone eats the same sandwich and even when we do, we don't all eat it the same way.

All humans have different capacities when it comes to handling various circumstances. How easy it is to look at our sister and think, "Why is she so upset over that? It's not a big deal. I've handled worse."

When instead we are called to encourage one another and lift up one another in prayer. The time we take to judge could be better spent praying for that individual.

I write this post, because I've been the person who has judged and I have been in the other role as well. What about you?

Hebrews 10:24 – 25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

By: Angela Nazworth

[Judy Harder]

10 things You've Got to Know About Fear {Giveaway}
Aug 23, 2012 04:10 am | Ann Voskamp


I mean, that's what they say.

That people's "number one fear is public speaking. And number two is death."

So some crazy comedy guy asks, "Does that seem right?

That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy."

And when your bags are packed and you're 24 hours from standing with a microphone on the Women of Faith stage, Lord willing and if the creek don't rise, I confess —  none of that's particularly comforting.

But that He says it about 365 times in the Bible, Do not be Afraid — one assurance for every day — so the women of faith believe and obey, and the rock solid truth He won't ever leave or forsake, and there isn't a thing in this world that can ever separate us from the love of Christ — this crazy farmer's wife putting all that in her bag. She's flying with that.

And these 10 Things to Know about Fear:

1. Don't fear failing. Fear not obeying.

2. Fear is a fraud.

Nowhere on earth is beyond the reach of God.

3. All fear is but the notion that God's love ends.

4. Your fears don't decide your fate — your fears destroy your faith.

5. We must do that which we know we cannot — to prove that it's our God who cannot fail.
Our God appoints those who will disappoint — to point to a God who never disappoints.

5. Everything your Father has for you — is over the fence of fear.

6. Travel in the direction of your fears — to let God direct your life.

7. Fear doesn't stop the really bad things as much as it stops you from really living.

8. It's impossible to simultaneously feel fear — and give thanks.

9. Fear is always the flee ahead. God is I AM and His presence fills the present moment.

Just. Rest. in. Him. in. This. Moment.

10. Do not feed the ducks, or the bears, or the fears. Feed your soul — on the Word that is the Bread of Life.

So this heart's ready — relying on Him.

Bags are packed.

Fears won't be checked. {All lying fears have been kicked to the curb.}

Flying in the morning.

And before the sun sets here on the farm, I see it there out the kitchen window, there off the front porch —

That the geese are flying high — straight into the sun.



~ from Ann Voskamp's Jesus-trusting heart to yours

:

:

"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." ~Jesus John 14:27 NLT

Giveaway: Want to pack your faith bags and fly straight into the Son?

Leave a comment by Saturday at 8 am EST (we'll update this post with the winner) — telling us why you are done with fearing that thing that's been stalking you because your God is bigger –

and we'll enter you to win:


1 gorgeous Redeemed Purse (embroidered with Truth: You are found and treasured: 2 Thess. 2:13)

a set of beautiful Grace Studs (etched with the promise: You are God's Redeemed, Accepted, Chosen Expression of His Love)

One Thousand Gifts: a Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are — and the accompanying  gift book, with selections from One Thousand Gifts and photos from the farm (to tuck in the bag — a perfect read for anxious hearts...)

So, jump into the comments right here and let's cheer each other on — and tell us why you're done with fear and living on the wing of His perfect love that casts out all fears ...


Because We All Need Somewhere To Belong
Aug 23, 2012 01:10 am | Jacque Watkins


I first met them last year, while walking the downtown streets of San Juan. We happened upon a small chapel on our way to the El Morro Fort, and really, who could miss the sight of them? Pigeons. Hundreds of them, everywhere.





We tiptoed calmly among them, and one step must have been too firm, because dozens of them flew into the sky at once, almost on cue. Don't ask me how they knew which of our steps warranted their unified ascent, but the crazy thing was, they didn't fly away. No sooner had they taken off, they landed right back on the plaza, returning to the exact spot where they began. They were a unified front who flocked together, taking flight periodically and then always returning again. They did this over and over, no matter how many footsteps interrupted them.

This year, we took the kids to meet the Puerto Rican pigeons. We found them in the same plaza where we met before. They landed on the kid's arms, perched themselves on their heads, and dozens tried to eat right out of their hands.





And no matter how many people walked through the plaza, they stayed. This was their community. It is what they knew. The plaza was theirs. The tree was theirs. Even the wall lining the plaza was theirs. They didn't fight and they didn't leave, because this was their home.



And I'm sure, if we're ever in San Juan again, we'll see them–the community of pigeons known for living in the plaza.

And today, I'm really longing for us all to find community like that.

To find our "people" and hang together.

To fly together when we hear threatening "footsteps" coming,

To stick together and protect one another,

And return again and again to "our place".

Because as women, we tend to be flighty. And sometimes it's just easier to leave the flock–less of a hassle to occupy the same space.

We get threatened when everyone wants to eat out of the same hand, because we forget there's always plenty to go around.

We compare and measure ourselves short, over and over again,

And we decide to quit risking–decide to leave everyone behind, and become isolated and alone.

And the problem is ... being alone just won't work.

Because, we need each other.

We need the one who'll signal us all to fly.

We need the one who signals us to return.

We need the one who's perched in the tree,

And the one whose view is from the ground.

We need the big one and the small one,

And the gray-and-white-spotted one...

Because everyone has something unique to offer. And what would community be if there was no diversity at all?

And so today, if you have a community of your own, give thanks for it.

And if you have not yet found your "people", I'm praying you can find them. I'm trusting you'll reach out and take a risk, and find a beautiful community right where you are.

Because just like the Puerto Rican pigeons, we need one another.

Because there are few things as lovely as synchronous teamwork–pulling together and cheering each other on,

Few things as wonderful as giving our strengths, and receiving from others what we lack,

Few things as sacred as protecting, trusting, and caring for another ...

Together building a place we're known for.

A place that's ours.

A community where we belong.



Do you have a community to call your own?

What has been your biggest challenge finding or staying in community?

How can we pray for you?

[Judy Harder]

The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Aug 24, 2012 01:20 am | The Nester




Do you ever experience something wonderful, heart gripping, awe inspiring, moving or other words like that and then right after it's over worry that you'll forget that feeling?  I have.  I've wondered if I'll forget how I felt when my boys were little.  Wondered if I'll forget how Christmas felt when I was a little girl, and wondered if I'll forget how I felt on the first date with my husband.

My most recent experience that I didn't want to forget was how it felt in Tanzania.  The people, the places, the feelings.  Oh, to forget would be so tragic.   And then I heard two songs.  Two songs that I happened to listen to on the airplanes and on the buses on the way back from the centers.  Songs I listened to while passing Mt. Kilimanjaro and after meeting Topiwo's family.

And all the feelings came rushing back.

Music can be magical.  And just like a smell that can take you back to childhood, music can put you right back into that place you were.

Now that I've learned that music can take me back to a moment, a season, an event, I've tried to be aware of the fact that I can pick out music, listen to it during something and then I'll get those feelings back whenever I want.

If I want to remember the people in Tanzania I listen to Come by Here from Shaun Groves
I see Tanzania when I hear Such Great Heights performed by The Section Quartet (written by the Postal Service).  The song doesn't really have to have anything do to with the experience, that's the beauty of it!
Here's my oldest when he was two: Chris Rice Deep Enough to Dream
Here's our first date, our first date really was seeing George Winston play.
Here's Christmas when I was a little girl, my Grandma sang this song right along with the Andrews sisters.
The song they used in my sister's book trailer, when I hear it, I'm thrilled all over again about her book.  Lesser Love  by Will Howard.
I'm currently picking out some songs for autumn.  Songs that will bring me back to this season of life one day.

What about you?  What songs take you back?  Have you ever purposely chosen a song to represent a season of your life?

[Judy Harder]

A Sunday Scripture
Aug 26, 2012 01:20 am | incourage




Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

~Psalm 139:7-10.

[Judy Harder]

By Grace Alone {And a Giveaway!}
Aug 27, 2012 01:20 am | Lisa Leonard




David wears his brokenness on the outside. He is missing fingers on his left hand, he's extremely small for his age and he can't speak with words. When we are out and about, we can't hide his imperfections. They are obvious.

In the early days when David was an infant, I kept trying to think of a way to fix his brokenness. I wanted to make it okay. I wanted to make it better. But in the end, it is what it is. David has seven fingers, and no matter how hard I try, I can't make more fingers grow. The only way to make it okay, was to accept it. To accept the brokenness and to let it hurt. To let it be imperfect. To let it be awful and dark and ugly. And then move forward in grace. In accepting the brokenness I have found hope and beauty. I'm learning that it's by grace alone we face each day.

The amazing thing about wearing your brokenness on the outside is that it breaks down walls. I can't pretend we are perfect—our imperfections are obvious. Our struggles are known to anyone we encounter. And somehow, I think it makes us more real and approachable.

Last week I was at the grocery store and a woman came over to me. "He's adorable", she said, referring to David, "How old is he?"

"He just turned ten", I said, with pride and overflowing love. This conversation isn't unusual. I love to have people engage in conversation with us when they see David's differences. But on this particular day, the conversation took a turn I didn't expect.

She looked at me with tears in her eyes, "My son committed suicide a few years ago." Her eyes searched deep into mine, hoping that if she looked hard enough she could find understanding. She knew that my mommy heart had been broken too. She wondered if there is some kind of glue or tape or string that could help put it back together again.

So I hugged her. Right there in the grocery store. And I told her that life doesn't go the way we think it's going to go. I told her I'm learning that even in the midst of the brokenness, we can find beauty. It's by grace alone that we are able to face each day. And she nodded. She doesn't wear her brokenness on the outside like David does, but on this day, she decided to open up, be honest and let it show.

We are all broken and it's by grace alone we face each day.

I couldn't be more excited to share the updated 'By Grace Alone' necklace with you. It's been one of our best sellers with DaySpring and it's back, ready to encourage you or a friend. So much meaning packed into three little words. You'll find it on sale today ($10 off!)–so hop over and check it out.

By: Lisa Leonard