Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

May 18, 2009
Intermission
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:4-6 NIV).

Friend to Friend
A few years ago, the epic drama, Gone with the Wind, was re-released in theaters all across America.  This digitally enhanced, chromatically improved icon took us back to a time in history when American was experiencing a paradigm shift.   My husband and I thought it would be important for our teenage son to have the Gone with the Wind experience on the big screen so we purchased three tickets and then settled in for what we knew would be a long evening.

After about two hours, we got to the scene where a sullied Miss Scarlet, deserted by Rhett, stood on a hilltop with Atlanta burning the background, collapsed to the ground, and slowly pulled herself into an upright position.  With fist held high, she declared that she would make it through this trial and "As God is my witness," she proclaimed, "I will never be hungry again!"  Then the curtain fell, and Steven turned to me and said, "That was a strange way to end."

"Oh, but look," I replied.  Then he saw the words "intermission" imposed over the curtain.

"You've got to be kidding," Steven said.

"Nope," we're only halfway done."

You know, I've identified with Miss Scarlett on several occasions.  Sometimes life just gets so complicated and it seems as if dreams have been snatched away by some foreign rebel force.  My previous way of life is up in flames in the background, my man doesn't understand, and my friends have all run for cover.  What will I do? Where will I go?  Is this the end!

Then as the curtain falls on this scene in my life, I think to myself, this is a strange way to end.  But I look again and see God pointing to the screen as if to say, This, my child, is not the end.  It is but the intermission.  Get up.  Take a break.  Stretch if you must.  But the movie of your life is not over yet.

Looking back in the Bible, many men and women came to a point in their lives where they thought it was the end, only later to discover it was merely an intermission.  Elijah hid in a cave thinking his ministry was over.  Moses herded sheep in the desert believing his dream to rescue the Hebrews was dashed. Jonah made his bed under the shade of a plant and lay down to die.  The prophet Samuel groveled in depression after his charge, King Saul, disobeyed God and lost his reign.  Each of these men thought it was the end, but in reality, it was only an intermission.  God wasn't finished with the drama of their lives quite yet.

I don't know what you're facing today.  Perhaps your life has taken you to an unexpected place. Perhaps, like Moses, you've made a poor decision that resulted in you running from God and from man.  Perhaps like Elijah, you've allowed someone's threats to put fear in your heart and you're in hiding.  Perhaps like Jonah, you've obeyed God, but feel duped because your obedience didn't bring the results you'd hoped for.  Perhaps like Samuel, you're depressed because someone you oversee (a child, for example) didn't turn out like you had hoped.  With your dreams burning in the background, perhaps you've stood on the hillside with fist raised in the air making declarations to God.

If you see yourself on the screen, can I encourage you sit down, take a deep breath, stretch, and regroup.  The story's not over yet.  Perhaps you're just at an intermission. As someone once said, we shouldn't put a period where God put a comma.

We finally finished the movie.  I don't think it ended the way Miss Scarlet would have liked.

But, I'll just think about that tomorrow. ..

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like there is no hope, like the story of my life is running amuck on the sandbar of disappointment.  Thank you, Lord, that you never see a situation as hopeless:  that what you have begun in me will be completed.  Lord, when I make a poor decision, help me to repent and go on with life; when I want to go into hiding, help me to have the courage to come back out of the cave of despair and into the light; when I am disappointed, help me to look to You alone. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Have you given up on a particular situation or a particular person?

Could it be that it is time for the intermission to be over, and God is waiting for you to come back on the stage?

Have you put a period where God has put a comma?

If so, what do you need to do about it?

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon daily devotion book, Extraordinary Moments with God.  This beautiful little book makes a wonderful gift for anyone who needs a bit of encouragement or who desires a closer walk with God.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 19, 2009
Love That Changes Lives
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"So encourage each other and give each other strength."  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Friend To Friend
I will never forget the day I learned just how powerful words can be and their capability to teach and train from the hand of possibly the most abrasive person I have ever met as well as one of the kindest young girls to grace my life. The first thirteen years of ministry found my husband, Dan, and I working with teenagers as youth pastors in three different churches.  Before our children were born, I was his right hand girl -- attending every youth event, teaching bible studies, directing the youth choir and loving every minute of ministry at his side.  Teenagers flowed in and out of our house at all hours of the day and night, some coming for help and others for fun.

The youth to whom we ministered came primarily from homes that seemed to be healthy and whole. I quickly learned that outer trappings often masquerade inner ruin. A young man named Jack (names have been changed to protect the guilty) joined our youth group, having recently moved to the area because, as he put it, "My parents like to move a lot." That should have been my first clue. 

In the beginning, Jack worked hard at making friends and seemed content to go with the flow - until the day he decided that the stream of life was flowing in the wrong direction and it was up to him to redirect its course.  The mask came off and the façade quickly crumbled.  Standing before me was the real deal -- a genuine, authentic sandpaper person of the coarsest degree.  It started with little things -- a friendly shove, caustic comments masquerading as sarcasm, words of darkness and destruction a fast growing and constant stream.  Other teenagers began coming to Dan or to me, sharing their concern and eventually disgust at Jack's antics.  I talked to Jack.  Dan talked to Jack.  Together we prayed for Jack and urged the other youth to join us. Nothing seemed to change. As a last ditch effort, we drafted two of our most mature youth to take Jack under their wing and mentor him.  Jack did not want to be mentored. 

During one Monday night bible study, Dan asked one of those mentors to sing a solo.  Jami was a redheaded freckled face girl whose sparkling blue eyes and contagious dimpled grin did not convey the constant pain she suffered as a victim of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  Jami never complained, always sharing her faith in God and His goodness to her.  Everyone loved her and the pure voice with which she sang but as she stood to sing, Jack began laughing, pointing and whispering to the people around him.  Their lack of response fueled his fire, upping the ante for Jack to win this battle and capture center stage. With desperate questioning eyes, Jami looked at me, silently begging me to rescue her and the situation. I smiled the most encouraging smile I could muster, hoping it would be enough.  It wasn't.  I looked back at Jack, delivering my famous and usually feared "shape up or die" glare -- all to no avail.  Dan asked, "Jack, are you ready to hear Jamie sing?"  Well, that did it!  Jack erupted into uproarious laughter, "Sing?  Have you heard her sing?  She sounds like a frog -- not to mention the fact that she walks funny!"  Every ounce of oxygen was sucked out of the room. Everyone froze, except Jami, who fled in tears.  From the faces of those youth sitting around Jack, I could tell that well-deserved revenge was close at hand as they began loading their emotional guns and sharpening their retaliation knives.  Wanting first shot at this obviously hateful and mean-spirited young man, I jumped to my feet, grabbed Jack by his ear (no, I am not kidding) and pulled him out of the room and sure death. 

Reaching the foyer, I released Jack, whirled him around to face me and with clenched teeth ground out my livid question, "Do you have any idea what you just did?" The laughter vanished, pain and harsh realization spread across his face.  His response was nothing short of incredible.  "Yes.  I embarrassed Jami and hurt her feelings."   I am not often speechless, but at that moment, words simply evaporated as I stared into the eyes of someone fully aware of the pain he had just inflicted on one of the few kids who truly accepted and was forever defending him.  "I cannot believe you!  Jami has always been kind to you, coming to your defense when you did not deserve to be defended, inviting you to join the group when the group did not want you anywhere around them.  She has probably been the best friend you have ever had or will ever have.  What is wrong with you?"  Jack stood, silently accepting his rightful and, I thought, well-deserved punishment without a single word of defense. 

From the corner of my eye, I saw someone approaching.  I was really hoping they were bringing me some kind of rusty weapon. It was Jami, a tremulous smile breaking through the tears cascading down her face.  Jack instinctively began backing away until he saw her eyes and the outstretched arms she offered him.  In astonishment, I stood paralyzed, a witness to God's supernatural presence and the restoration power of forgiveness at work before my unbelieving eyes and my angry heart.  Instantly, I became the student and Jami the teacher.  Both Jack and I listened quietly as God spoke through this precious young woman, the words only she could speak.  "Jack, I got to thinking about why you did what you just did, and I realized something.  I love you and you know that, but you don't think you deserve that love so you tried to kill it by hurting me.  It won't work.  Do you know why?"  Sitting at the feet of this young, wise beyond her years master teacher, I witnessed Jack's sandpaper world being rocked by a love he could not  understand, a love that was not altered by anything he did or didn't do, a love that only God can give.  In answer to Jami's question, Jack gave a quick headshake and whispered, "No. I don't know why."  Jami smiled, wrapped her arms around the very one who, just moments before had viciously wounded her, and with fresh tears streaming down her face, choked out words I will never forget. "I love you with God's love, Jack.  Not mine.  And His love will never die.  People tried to kill it on the cross, but even that didn't work.  I just wanted to tell you that I love you -- no matter what you say or do.  I am your friend -- period."

Staring into her eyes, I suspect Jack experienced, maybe for the first time, the timeless and stubborn love of God; a love that could be his to give, a love that would redefine his future.  With a giggle, Jami playfully grabbed Jack's hand and, pulling him toward the place only love could take him, began happily chattering about how she needed him on the front row to encourage her while she sang.  And he did!

That is not the end of the story.  From that day forward, Jack was a different person.  From time to time, he would fall back into old emotional habits but when he did, Jami or someone under her direction and influence would snatch him back to the new place that words of staggering kindness and God ordained wisdom had brought him.  The youth who witnessed Jami's love for this unlovable one were changed and called up higher in their obedience to God, even when it didn't make sense and was completely undeserved.  I learned the valuable lesson that hurt people hurt people.  Instead of angry words, I need to make my first response one of unexplainable love and unmerited understanding. 

Let's Pray
Father, please forgive me when I judge instead of love. Help me to see every person through Your eyes of love, grace and mercy.  Please guard my tongue and my heart so that I will build up and not destroy others. I want to please You, Lord, by the way I love the unlovable.

In Jesus, name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Right now, think of the most abrasive people in your life. 

Are you ready to accept and love them without demanding that they change?   
Find one good point about each person and voice it to others whenever you have the chance.   
What can you do to demonstrate the unconditional love of God for these people?   
Do you need to ask any of them for forgiveness?  Are you willing to do that now?

[Judy Harder]

May 20, 2009
Resting in the Palm
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"There is a time for every thing and a season for every activity under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV).

Friend To Friend
A few years ago, I fell in love with a beach cottage named "Barb's Folly."  I adored the designer beach décor of periwinkle blue, yellow stripes and floral, the screened in porch that hugged the back of the house, the inviting dark green rocking chairs, and the weather worn dock jutting out over the lazy canal.  As if imported from England, a six-foot square of grass was nestled in one corner of the yard framed by a white picket fence.  The secret garden was complete with fuchsia myrtle bushes in full bloom, a beckoning weathered bench, and a cozy bird house with a half dozen portals.  Seemingly, out of place, owners had transplanted a palm tree just inches from the second story screened in porch and encircled by the wooden steps that led to the dock.

On our first night at "Barb's Folly", we rocked on the porch and watched fire flies dance on the moonlit canal.  As if to light a lone actor on a stage, a moonbeam fell across the palm tree and revealed a gentle stirring in its plume.  When I moved closer, I discovered a turtledove had built her nest at the top of the thatched tree trunk, where the palm branches sprouted upward.  Because we were on the second story, we were at eye level with Mrs. Turtle Dove.  As I moved closer to her, she didn't budge, but sat steadfast in her perch.

Early the next morning, before the rest of the house guests stirred, I went on the porch to spend some time with God.  Mrs. Turtle Dove was there to greet me.  I watched her.  She watched me.  Our eyes locked. We both blinked.  A few moments later, Mr. Turtle Dove flew in and perched on the nearby railing.  The couple exchanged coos and then he flew over to his beloved.  When she stood up to welcome him, I noticed two tiny eggs peeking out from under the stubble.  It seems this was Mother's Morning Out and Daddy bird was here to watch over the soon to be little ones.  The momma bird flew away and daddy took over the incubation and protection of their eggs.  After a brief time, the momma bird returned and daddy bird went off to work for the rest of the day.

During our entire vacation, this momma bird did one thing and one thing only, she rested in the palm, warming and protecting her two tiny charges.  On the afternoon when a violent storm blew through with loud claps of thunder, crackling flashes of lightening, and pelting sheets of rain, she sat undaunted by the storm and unmoved as the trees bent in the nautical winds.  When the children ran up and down the stairs inches from her nest and leaned over the railing to get a better took, she appeared unalarmed by the stir of activity.  While other birds such as cranes, pelicans and seagulls performed great feats, swooped gracefully into the water, and strutted about parading their showy display, her feathers were not ruffled but continued undeterred in her calling.

On the last morning of our vacation, I was enjoying a final cup of coffee on the back porch and once again relishing in quiet time with God and His creation.  Of course, Mrs. Turtle Dove was there to join me.

"God," I asked, "I know You put this bird here for a reason. What do you want me to learn from watching her this week?  I don't want to miss it."

Then God spoke to my heart.  It was contentment.  I was watching a picture of contentment in fulfilling God's call.  She was doing what God had made her to do for this season of her life, and she was intent and content in doing it.  Regardless of the storms, regardless of what seemingly showy birds were doing, regardless of the endless stream of activity passing by her nest, regardless of the stares or others, she was unmoved from her task.

"Is that it, Lord?  Is that what You want me to see?"

Just as I prayed those words, Mr. Turtle Dove flew in for his daily visit.  When his lady dove stood up to greet him, I noticed a piece of eggshell attached to her leg.  She flew away with much excitement and then I noticed a change in her nest.  There lay two tiny downy hatchlings.  The eggs had hatched and it was as if God was saying to me, "Yes, Sharon. That's it.  This has been my gift to you this week.  Through my creation, you have seen a contented mother and the results of her commitment.  You do what I've called you to do.  Rest in the palm – of my hand.  Don't get distracted by the world around you: the storms of life, the endless stream of activity, and other seemingly more glamorous "birds."  Be relentless in your call.  In due time, I will cause your "eggs to hatch" and all too soon they will leave the nest.

About that time, my six-foot-one teenage son sleepily stumbled out onto the porch.  I'm not sure if he saw the tears in my eyes as I looked at his ruffled hair, sleepy eyes, and face that needed a shave.

"Hey Buddy.  Look," I said.  "The eggs hatched today."

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for speaking to us through Your creation.  Just as Jesus taught spiritual lessons through natural examples, You continue to speak to us through what You have made.  Help us not to miss Your fingerprints on the pages of our lives.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
If you are a mother of children still in the nest, do you find yourself longing to do what others are doing in ministry, the workplace, the community?

Which do you think is more important?

Ponder this quote today from President Theodore Roosevelt:  No other success in life – not being President, or being wealthy, or going to college, or writing a book, or anything else – comes up to the success of the man or woman who can feel that they have done their duty and that their children and grandchildren rise up and call them blessed. 

If you've had an extraordinary moment when God spoke to you through nature, I'd love to hear it.  Just log onto www.extraordinarymomentswithgod.com and tell me your story.

More From The Girlfriends
Being a mom is not an easy task.  If it were, it wouldn't start with something called labor!  If you would like a hefty dose of encouragement, just for moms, see Sharon's book, Being a Great Mom-Raising Great Kids.  And if you'd like a collection of Sharon's devotions to jump start your day, you can find them in Extraordinary Moments with God.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 21, 2009
Just Talk to God!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Hebrews 2:17 "Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God."

Friend To Friend
God sent His son Jesus Christ, the greatest communicator ever to walk the earth, so that He could make a way to reach us.  The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ make it possible for us to have an intimate relationship with Him, to communicate with God, right where we are.  To think that God wants to talk with me, to hear my voice and listen to my deepest heart longings is an amazing but true realization.  Prayer is simply conversation with God, but it is in those intimate conversations that battles are won and strength is gained. 

In biblical times, the high priest was the communication link between God and man.  However, today, Jesus is our high priest, our communication link with God.  And He longs for times of heart conversation with His children, dream sessions where we pour out all that we are and hope to be to the One who can make those dreams a reality.  Every problem, every concern is important to God.  If it is important to me, it is important to Him.  He is always waiting, ready to turn His heart toward the voice of His child as surely as a mother hears her baby's cry above all others. 

I have a beautiful little niece, Emma, who has had my heart in her precious little hands since the day she was born.  I absolutely adore her and am in love with her sensitive but unusually courageous young heart.  During the first several years of her life, Emma endured great pain caused by severe reflux, to the point that major surgery was required. 

Helplessly, I watched as this baby girl bravely faced medical procedures that would terrify most people and send them running for the non -- medical hills.  Doctors, hospitals, a regimen of various daily medications were routine to this little girl and she faced each one with uncommon strength. 

Because Emma lives several hours from me, we often resort to telephone conversations as a way to stay connected.  I say "we" because there are times when Emma will tell her mother that she needs to call "Mimi" (that's me) to share something very important.  Other times, Emma just wants to talk.  I cannot tell you what it does to my heart when I answer the phone and hear Emma's soft, sweet voice say, "Hi, Mimi." To know that she stopped in the middle of her very busy young life to call me is a cherished gift and brings me great pleasure.  I treasure every one of those conversations, playing them repeatedly in my heart and mind, sharing them with everyone in my path.  I can just see her precious little face and dramatic expressions as she tells me about her trip to the beach and the awful creature that stung her, or listen as she describes what she wore for her ballet recital in which she was obviously the star. Every word is priceless -- not so much because of its content -- but because of the heart from which it is spoken. 

I know that our Father loves it -- absolutely loves it -- when we, His children, stop in the middle of our busy lives for no other reason than the fact that we love Him and just need to talk with Him. When I pray, I picture His head turning toward me, to the sound of my voice.  He smiles, knowing that "Mary wants to talk with Me."  Yes, He is concerned with every ordinary detail of every ordinary day, but I suspect His greatest pleasure is found in the fact that, like Emma, we just need to talk to the One we love. 

Let's Pray
Father, I want to thank You for loving me.  I praise You for the privilege and gift of prayer.  I want to learn how to turn to You quickly and easily as I go through every moment of each day.  I have to admit that I don't understand how You can love me like You do, but I cherish that love and the freedom it offers to approach the throne of grace, confident that You will hear my voice.  Thank You, Lord.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
I want to encourage you to keep a journal of your journey with God.  Carry it with you in your purse, briefcase or diaper bag.  Write out your prayers to Him and then record the answers when they come.  From time to time, look back over your journal entries and celebrate what God has done in your life. 

More From The Girlfriends
The children in my life are definitely some of my greatest teachers -- especially in the area of prayer.  I once heard the story of a grandpa who stopped at the door of his granddaughter's room to listen to her pray.  He soon realized that she was simply reciting the letters of the alphabet.  When he tried to correct her, the little girl responded, "Grandpa, I don't know exactly what to pray so I'm just saying all the letters of the alphabet and God can put them together for me." 

Need help? Check out Mary's book, Sandpaper People for ways to handle those difficult relationships in your life.  Mary also has an online Bible Study, Light for the Journey you might be interested in.  The current topic is How to Manage Your Emotions.  Visit Mary's online store for MP3 downloads and E-book Bible Studies, CDs and special gift items, including a beautiful bookmark for that special mom in your life, What Kids Need Most in a Mom.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 22, 2009
The Master Artist
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:4-6, NIV)

Friend to Friend
It took four years of fresco painting for the Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, commonly known as Michelangelo, to finish the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Most of his time painting was spent alone, on his back, lying on scaffolding. (How painful!) The painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of the most remarkable in the history of Western art. One thing is for sure: the process that altered a ceiling from plain to fabulous required a lot of time, great discipline, and the hand of a master artist. The same is true for us. The journey from broken into beautiful is a lifelong transformation that requires both discipline and a Master Artist.

As Michelangelo was working, I'm sure that lots of people came through the corridors of the chapel and stood in amazement. As they looked up at the beauty of his work, I bet they said things like, "That is the most fantastic work of art I have ever seen!" or "Extraordinary!" To which he might have said, "It's not done!" But did the unfinished state of the project negate that parts of the ceiling were beautiful? No! The parts that were complete were still extravagant and breathtaking.

Maybe this is the way God and others see our lives. It's common for people to notice the work God has done in us and comment on the beauty. And even though compliments are nice to hear, I've been known to resist them. (Admit it, you probably have too.) It's not so much a humility thing as it is an "I-don't-see-myself-as-beautiful" thing. From my limited perspective, I can see only the unfinished work. But in truth, my vantage point doesn't negate the beauty of the work God has done and is doing in my life. Real beauty isn't about a finished or flawless product. It can't be. It's not possible on this side of eternity to have completed beauty. Our restoration will be complete in the presence of God when we see Him face to face.

So be encouraged today. Remember that you're in good hands when you are in the hands of God, the Master Artist.  "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:5-6, NIV)

Let's Pray
Dear God,

Thank you for your ability to look at my life and see the potential.  Would you take my brokenness - all that I am - and piece together a work of beauty that can reflect your splendor?  Help me to bring everything to you until your work in me is made complete in your presence. 

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read the book of Philippians this week! It is only four chapters...but they are so powerful! Be energized and spurred on by the Word of God as He continues to work on your beauty.

Memorize and write out this verse: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14, NIV)

More from the Girlfriends
On her latest CD, Unsearchable, Gwen leads worshipers to the heart of the Master Artist. The songs invite you to experience Christ through lyrics and melodies that reinforce His sustaining power of healing through brokenness and mercy through trial. Unsearchable, a LIVE recording, is an intimate portrait of 12 familiar and new songs including corporate worship moments with songs like, "Jesus I Am Resting" and "Through All Generations," and introspective expressions of faith with the title track of "Unsearchable" and "Broken into Beautiful." To order Gwen's CD, UNSEARCHABLE, please CLICK HERE. 

Spend sometime before the Lord in worship today! If you'd like Gwen to lead you to HIS presence through music, CLICK HERE!

Are you a Face Book GIG? Check out Gwen's MUSIC PAGE on FaceBook! Listen to her songs on the page, sign up to be her FB friend, leave a message on her wall, and tell your girlfriends about it! :-)

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 25, 2009
God's Grand Finale
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14 NIV).

Friend to Friend
I was sitting in a crowded restaurant with my family when she walked by in her full-length white satin dress delicately trimmed in lace and studded with tiny "jewels," crinoline that swished as she moved across the room, a rhinestone tiara upon her head, and pearl studded slippers on her feet.  Golden ringlets framed her rosy cheeks and puckered lips glistened with a hint of gloss.  She knew she was beautiful and glanced around at the admiring smiles of onlookers as she walked through the crowd.  She was three-years-old.

I'm not sure when the dream to be beautiful enters a little girl's mind, but I do know when the dream ends -- when the preacher says, "may she rest in peace." 

I remember as a little girl sneaking into my mother's closet and slipping my child-size feet into her size seven high heels.  I'd also stand on my tiptoes on a chair, pull a hat off the top shelf, and plop it on my head like an oversized lampshade.  Her satin evening jacket with sleeves that hug eight inches below my finger tips gave a nice elegant touch to my outfit.  A lady going to a party would never be caught without "putting on her face," so I crept into the bathroom, opened the forbidden drawer, and created a clownish work of art on the palette of my face.  Red rouge circles on my cheeks, heaps of blue eye shadow on my munchkin lids, and smeared orange lipstick far exceeding the proper border were finished off with a dusting of facial powder with an oversized brush.

From the time a little girl stretches on her tiptoes to get a peek in the mirror, she desires to be beautiful -- perhaps like her mommy.  As the girl moves into the teen years, she experiments with makeup, delves into fashion, and attempts various hairstyles.  Then it's on to makeover ideas in magazines and on talk shows. 

I believe the dream to be beautiful is not cultural, but at the very core of womanhood.  John Eldredge, in his book Wild at Heart, describes three longings that lie at the heart of every man:  a battle to fight, a beauty to rescue, an adventure to live.  He also ventures to say that women have three longings of the heart as well: to be fought for, to share in an adventure, and to have her beauty unveiled.  "Not to conjure," Eldredge explains, "but to unveil."  Most women feel the pressure to be beautiful from very young, but that is not what I speak of.  There is also a deep desire to simply and truly be the beauty and be delighted in.  Most little girls will remember playing dress up, or wedding day, or 'twirling skirts,' those flowing dresses that were perfect for spinning around in.   She'll put her pretty dress on, come into the living room and twirl.  What she longs for is to capture her daddy's delight." John Eldredge, Wild at Heart (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001) p16-17


We should never be ashamed of our dream to be beautiful.  It is a travesty of the feminist movement that has tried to strip women of their femininity and make them more male.  It is as if those in the movement were saying that being a woman wasn't good enough and tried to make us into men. So they tried to make women tough, independent and rugged individuals who didn't need anyone or anything.  But those who were banking on the tenants of feminism were left spiritually and emotionally bankrupt.

A woman was and is one of God's most magnificent creations.  As a matter of fact, she was His grand finale.  After He fashioned Eve, creation was complete and He took a rest!   God has placed in our hearts a love for beauty and a desire to be beautiful -- as He defines it.

In the New Testament, Paul writes, "For we are God's workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10).  The Greek word for workmanship means a work of art.  Listen to these words as David describes the Creator at work.

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body. (Psalm 139:13-16)

Like an artist who sees the finished work in his mind's eye, God saw your unformed substance and then began to fashion you from head to toe.  He made no mistakes but planned each detail of your being.  You do not need to compare yourself to other works of art, but thank the Artist for how He chose to create the masterpiece called...you.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, thank you for making each and every part of my being.  For eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that move, fingers that feel, arms that hug, feet that run, a heart that beats, a brain that thinks, a tongue that tastes.  Oh Lord, forgive me when I complain about Your workmanship and wish for something different.  Help me to always remember that I am Your workmanship...and You make no mistakes.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of all the parts of your body that you are thankful for.  This could take quite some time and perhaps you'll need to come back to your list several times before it is complete.

Get out an anatomy book or visit a web page that shows the various body systems (the circulatory system, the nervous system, the skeletal muscles, etc.) and read about the intricacies of the human body.

If you have children, look at the various systems together and marvel at God's incredible creation.

Who is one of the most beautiful women that you know?  What makes her beautiful?

More from the Girlfriends
Every little girl has dreams: to have a daddy who loves her, to be a mommy, to be a wife, to be beautiful, and to have a best friend. If you would like to learn more about how God wants to fulfill our childhood dreams in His own special way, then you'll want to read Sharon's book, Dreams of a Woman: God's plan for fulfilling your dreams!  Place your hand in His and begin to dream again.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 26, 2009
Will the Real Enemy Please Stand Up?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
1 Peter 5:8-9 "Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat.  Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering" (NCV).

Friend To Friend
Spiritual ignorance is not bliss -- it is dangerous.  Many people say it doesn't really matter what you believe as long as you believe something!  I totally disagree!  The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (NIV).  To deal with sandpaper people, we must be able to discern between truth and lies. 

If the enemy can dupe us into believing his lies, those difficult relationships will eventually damage and even destroy our emotional health, seeping into the broken places, ripping open almost healed wounds inflicted by sandpaper people.  Complete honesty must steer every difficult relationship because sandpaper people must always be confronted with sound, solid truth in clear and transparent conversation as well as disciplined behavior.  We are in a battle for godly relationships.  In order to win that battle we must identify the real enemy.

1 Peter 5:8 "The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat" (NCV).

Sandpaper people are not the enemy.  It is sometimes easier to convince ourselves that they are as it would make the attack plan so much simpler and free of guilt.   We could simply do everything in our power to eliminate that person from our life when what God really wants is for us to embrace that sandpaper person, celebrating the truth that where they are is no surprise to God. 

When our children were in middle school, several of their friends got laser guns for Christmas.  One weekend, they brought the guns to our house for a "big, bad laser war."  The kids divided into teams and the object of the game was simple, to wipe out the enemy.  Wonderful!  What clean, wholesome fun. 

Hours went by to the sound of war hoops, shouts and threats and cries of victory.  They had a great time playing with those guns -- that is, until it was dark.  I stood in the kitchen preparing dinner when I heard the kitchen door open and close -- uh, rather slam -- and looked up to see my daughter, Danna, red-faced with fury.  I knew it would not be long before I had every morbid detail of whatever injustice she had endured at the hand of "those boys."  I was right.  "Mom, I need to talk to you -- now!"  I knew a command when I heard it, dropped my spatula and waited for the story.  It was short and not so sweet.  "Everybody is mad at me because I keep shooting my own team."  So far, I was totally lost.  I guess my confusion was evident because I could sense the exasperation that fueled her next words, "Mom!  Are you listening?"  I was -- it didn't help.  With a sigh and in her most patronizing tone, she explained, "I keep shooting my own team because it is so dark.  I can't tell who the enemy is." 

We often have the same problem when it comes to dealing with sandpaper people. We identify them as the enemy but they are not the real enemy.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).

Satan should never be the center of attention in any believer's life.  We cannot focus on two things at once and if we focus on Satan, we cannot focus on God.  However, Paul clearly warns us that no Christian should ever ignore Satan or take him for granted either because he is a powerful and vicious foe.

Satan is our true enemy and would love to encourage our attack on those people who rub us the wrong way and ignore the hand of God in the matter.  Nothing and no one touches our life that does not pass through the Father's hand, with His permission.  God, however, takes what the enemy meant for evil and uses it for good in our life -- if we let Him.   

Let's Pray
Father, I praise You for the truth that You have already conquered Satan.  Please help me remember that while Satan is powerful, he is also defeated.  Give me the discernment to recognize his evil tactics and plans to use difficult people in my life to help me fail and fall.  I want to walk in the light of Your eternal victory over sin and live in the strength of Your power over the grave and the powers of the darkness.  Teach me how to love the sinner but hate the sin.  Keep me broken over my own sin and always be ready to offer the grace, mercy and forgiveness You have given me.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Fighting the unknown is always more difficult than fighting the known.  Getting along with people who rub us the wrong way is dependent on understanding that Satan is at work around us wielding weapons of strife, anger, frustration and misunderstanding.  Victory is ours unless we hand it over to the enemy.  Ignoring him is foolish but by identifying him and exposing his malignant tactics, we rob him of power and negate his ability to control and manipulate relationships.  Read the following verses and then fill in the blanks to identify the different characteristics of Satan's personality: 

Satan is a ______________________.   
            John 8:44 "Satan is a liar and the father of lies."


Satan is a ______________________.   
            1 John 5:19 "We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one." 


Satan is an _____________________.
            2 Corinthians 11:14 "Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light."
 

Satan is a ______________________. 
            Revelation 20:10 "Then the Devil, who betrayed them, was thrown into the lake of fire." 

More From The Girlfriends
Need help learning how to study the bible?  Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Studies that you can download for your personal use and/or for a small group study.  Mary's online bible study, Light for the Journey, is a great bible study tool as well.  Check it out!

[Judy Harder]

May 27, 2009
Habitat for Humanity
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).

Friend to Friend
It was the incompetent and the inexperienced being led by the inept -- the day our Sunday School Class worked on the Habitat for Humanity house for an unsuspecting, extremely grateful Vietnamese family.  Among the crew were two dentists, an investment banker, a lawyer, an engineer, two pastors, a receptionist, several homemakers and a marriage counselor.  It's always good to have a marriage counselor on hand when a home improvement project is taking place.

The one-thousand square foot, vinyl siding house had already been framed by a team the week before.  Today was sheetrock, or drywall day.  The site supervisor's name was TA.  That's all the information he gave -- just TA.  TA became a Christian one Easter when he reluctantly agreed to go to church with his praying wife.

"I never went to church," he told my husband. "I was a mean man who worked seven days a week.  But one Sunday I put on a suit and told my wife, 'I'm going to church with you today, but don't ask me to do it again.  This is a onetime deal.'  But Jesus saved my soul that day and I've been livin' for Him ever since."

That was TA.  A country carpenter who had hammered more nails for Jesus than Noah and his son's put together.   He grabbed his clipboard and began.

"Does anyone here know anything about dry wall?" he asked.

Jeff reluctantly raised his hand. 

"OK, you'll be a team leader." TA checked the list and moved right along.

"But that was thirty years ago when I was in college," Jeff clarified.

"You'll be fine," TA said as he waved his hand.  "Like riding a bike."

I could tell you many stories of the day filled with wacky work and lively laughter laced with caring community, but let me share just one.

Palmer was part of the sheetrock team.  Like Rambo, he wielded his screw gun and popped those babies in the sheetrock like a hot knife through butter.  Piece of cake.  After several hours of neck craning, screw popping, dust in your eyes labor, Palmer took a fifteen minute break.   

Re-energized, Rambo picked up his machine gun and once again attacked the ceiling.  A lot of forgetting can go on in a fifteen minute break and for some reason the screws forgot how they were supposed to spin out of the gun and magically implant flush with the ceiling.

"That's strange," Palmer thought as he examined the screw protruding one inch from the ceiling.

He moved the gun over a couple of inches and tried again.  "Maybe I just need to push harder" he mused.  With all the force of a trained counselor, Palmer pressed the gun into the ceiling and pulled the trigger.  Once again, the screw hung down one inch from the ceiling.

Like a tennis player who examines his racket after missing an easy lob, or an outfielder who stares at his glove after missing a simple fly ball, Palmer looked at the gun in frustration. "Something is definitely wrong with this gun," the mumbled.  "I guess I need to push even harder."  Palmer set his jaw, clinched the gun, and firmly pressed the screw gun into the ceiling. "I'm a man.  I can do this. I'm going to make this work."

After a third attempt, a frustrated Palmer stared at a neatly placed row of three taunting stalactite screws protruding from the ceiling.

About that time, TA bounced through the room and casually commented to Rambo still holding his gun.  "Hey Buddy, you might want to take that gun out of reverse."

A flush of embarrassment rose from the tip of Palmer's dusty shoes to the top of his sandy- blond head.  He nonchalantly flipped the switch to forward and proceeded to shoot flush screws efficiently and effectively like nothing had ever happened.

Later, Palmer laughingly said, "Sometimes I'm not the brightest person in the world, but I wonder how many rows of protruding screws I would have shot into that ceiling before I stopped and even considered that the problem might be me?"

OK sisters, stop the cameras.  Suddenly I saw myself staring up at those protruding screws with my baffled friend.  "What's wrong with her," I complain about a friend who's let me down.  "What's wrong with him," I complain about my husband who's not acting according to my plan.  "What's wrong with them," I mumble about family members who are not living up to my expectations."  In frustration, I continue repeating the same ineffective behavior, never stopping to consider the problem might be me.

Whether it's a string of jobs where you're always treated unfairly, a pileup of relationships that seem to repeatedly end poorly, or a series of marriages with spouses who've let you down...could the problem be...dare I say... you? We push harder. Press more firmly. Repeat the same ineffective behavior again and again. 

May I quote TA?  "Hey Buddy.  It might help if you take it out of reverse."

May I translate TA the way I heard it?  "Hey Buddy.  You are the problem. You've got life in reverse.  Turn and go in the opposite direction."

And you know what?  That is the definition of repentance.  To turn around and go in the opposite direction.

Palmer could have pushed that screw gun into the ceiling until its nose broke through the sheetrock.  He could have forced those babies in -- even hammered them flush.  Then he could have slathered a coat of sheetrock mud over the holes and applied a nice coat of paint. On the outside, it might have looked like the screws were properly installed.  But the truth would come out eventually.  The screw threads would have simply cut a hole in the material and the purpose for which they were created lost.  There would be no grip of the screw threads into the drywall. No security in the construction.  Just a nicely painted ceiling on the verge of collapse.

Oh friend, when it comes to a life that is not working, we can try harder, push harder, and even pound with emotional hammers to try and make it work.   With a fresh coat of pretend-- a smiling face, spit-shined kids, and a well marked Bible, we might look OK -- even downright good.  But underneath, the construction remains shaky at best.

But when trying harder is replaced with repentance, shaky is replaced by secure.  If life isn't working for you, consult with the project manager -- Jesus Christ.  Trying harder is not the answer.  Pushing with more force won't get the job done well.  Repeating the same ineffective behavior will only leave you frustrated. But relying on the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, God's love flowing through us, and Jesus Christ's redeeming grace surrounding us, well,  that is the key to building God's ultimate habitat for all humanity.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I just don't get it.  I try harder, but with the same results.  I repeat the same ineffective behavior and then wonder why I don't have more victory in my life. Help me to stop trying harder in my own strength, but start depending more on Your power.  Show me when I need to turn and go in the opposite direction, and give me the courage to do so.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Today's assignment is to read Romans 7 and answer the following questions:

What was Paul's struggle?

Have you ever felt like Paul?

What was Paul's answer to the struggle?

What does "walking in the Spirit" look like to you?

More from the Girlfriends
For more great stories like these, see Sharon's devotion book, Extraordinary Moments with God.  It is the perfect gift for Graduation and end of the year Teacher gifts...and it is on sale through June!

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 28, 2009
Getting Past Your Past
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Ephesians 1:7 "He (God) is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven" (NLT).

Friend to Friend
One of the key factors in my ongoing battle with clinical depression is dealing with and letting go of past sin and pain.  The shadows of yesterday can so easily become the dark clouds of today.  In order to deal with depression and the darkness life can hold, we must deal with sin -- first, in a personal relationship with Christ and then on a daily basis as a believer.

Every believer has two problems when it comes to dealing with sin.  First, we must confess sin.  I know it sounds simple but so many of us have lost our sensitivity to sin because we are aligned with the world instead of with God.  The mark of a believer growing in grace is sensitivity to sin.  When I was a little girl, I rarely wore shoes.  But when the first day of summer came along, I would kick off my shoes and store them in my closet -- wearing them only when absolutely necessary.  Even now, I can remember the painful sensations of playing on the gravel road beside our house.  The sharp rocks cut and bruised my tender feet -- at first - but by summer's end, my feet were rough and calloused.  I could run, jump and play for hours on the rocks that had once caused so much pain. 

Sin is much the same.  The first time we commit a sin, it breaks our heart, but the next time we commit that same sin, it doesn't seem quite as bad.  Our heart becomes calloused to that sin we repeatedly commit and a foothold is formed, making a place for depression and darkness to reside. We must confess sin completely, confidently and continually.  Jesus is faithful and will keep His promise to forgive and to cleanse us from all sin. 

Psalm 103:12 (NIV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

The second problem we have with sin is forgetting forgiven sin.  Is it even possible to experience true forgiveness?  While we can't totally blot out a memory, we can make sure it's no longer a live issue in our lives.  God's way seems too easy -- to just ask and receive.  We act as if the Holy Spirit needs our help or as if what Jesus did on the cross was not enough.  We feel like we must make additional payments for our sin by doing something when Micah 7:19 is clear about God's attitude toward our sin, "Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean" (NLT). The problem comes when we revisit confessed sin, when we "go fishing" in the waters of our past. 

Sometimes, the core of clinical depression or any pit in life is riddled with sin we have never acknowledged or dealt with.  Guilt and shame surround each transgression and since condemnation seems like the logical solution, we allow the darkness to consume us as payment for each sin.  An important part of the battle with the darkness of depression is the deliberate choice to face and deal with sin.

Let's Pray
Father, I am so tired of trying to live today while carrying the baggage of my past.   Please give me the courage to face the sins I have tried so hard to bury.  Help me to turn away from each one, leaving it in Your hands.  Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy and Your love.   Please fill my heart with the light of Your forgiveness. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen. 

Now it's Your Turn
Victory over the past requires action on your part.  You must be willing to take several steps in faith and obedience. 


I understand that forgiveness requires repentance.
I choose to confront and turn from the sin in my life.
I am willing to destroy any paths that might lead to that same sin.
I trust God for the power to practice repentance and praise Him for the forgiveness He offers.
I choose to walk in God's promise found in Romans 6:22, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

More from the Girlfriends
Today's devotion can and will change your life if you apply it personally.  You don't have to understand it all to have it all, girlfriend.  Accept His love.  Surrender the pain and sin of your past to His forgiveness and healing power.  Come to Him just as you are.  If you made that decision today, we would love to hear from you so we can pray for you as you begin your new journey with God. 

Mary's CD, How to Get Past Your Past, will encourage you as she shares her own personal story of victory over the pain and grip of the past in her life.  And be sure to check out her weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

May 29, 2009
What Really Matters
Angela L. Craig

Today's Truth
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

Friend to Friend
Did you know that three out of five of us women have been sexually violated? Or that over fifty percent of us are spending more money than we make? Did you know that one out of two marriages will fail, leaving a wake of loneliness, fear, and financial instability for those left behind? What about substance addiction or cancer, did you know that half of us are struggling with them this very moment?

These statistics are only the tip of the iceberg. Pick up any newspaper and you will read about rising unemployment, war, genocide, and a falling stock market. In my city, today's paper headlines the record flooding that has happened over the last three days, leaving many people's lives and homes in a state of devastation. The world seems to be in a downward spiral as one negative event leads to another.

I imagine you sitting at your desk or kitchen counter reading this with one hand on the delete button because the opening of this devotional was anything but uplifting. Am I right? I don't blame you. I didn't want to write those statistics because it is as painful to write as it is to read.

But wait -- just give me one more minute.

Here is the truth: Virtually every person you and I encounter is struggling with something in their life. Life can be overwhelming at times, even for the most "put together" person. Circumstances can lead us to believe that we are alone and isolated. There are times when feelings of grief, fear or anger feel like they will consume us.

How is your world today? Regardless of how you answer, you must know what really matters. You matter! You really matter because God created you and He cares for you. You were not a mistake! You are rare and beautiful in God's eyes (Psalm 139), and because you matter, God will help you and He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Someone in your life needs to hear this life-changing truth and they need to hear it from you ... today.

So be strong and courageous because you really matter to God!

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I need You Lord. Life is tough and it seems overwhelming at times. I will not be swallowed up by negative circumstances because I trust You for my future. I believe that You have gone before me and are protecting and caring for me right now. I pray that You will give me the faith, knowledge and wisdom to move forward into a life that You desire for me to have. Thank You, Lord, that I matter to You.   

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now it is Your Turn
1) You are what matters! Meditate on Psalm 139. If you do not have a Bible, you can look up this passage online at: www.crosswalk.com under the heading, "Search the Bible" on the right side of the home page.

2) Remember that you are not alone - God and others surround you and believe in you. Do not be afraid to ask for help! The stress of life situations can lead you to feel like you are in quick-sand. Life can become confusing and it may feel like you cannot maintain focus. Don't stay stuck.  Take action toward improving your situation. First, ask God for His help. Then ask a friend to help you brainstorm small steps to help you. So many times God will surprise you with the solution to a problem through people around you! But you have to be willing to ask for help.

3) "Doing good" by giving or serving has been scientifically proven to have healing powers. You can start small by giving a word of encouragement or an act of kindness. When you "do good" for others, you are guaranteed to be encouraged and strengthened! (Luks, Allan & Payne, Peggy. The Healing Power of Doing Good. Lincoln, NE: Universe.com (2001)).

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com