Excerp from "Do hard things"

A lesson from the Vikings

The Vikings were fierce pirates and warriors who terrorized the northern Europe nearly a thousand years ago. They loved and burned pretty much every European country that had the misfortune to border the Atlantic Ocean. Europeans were so frightened of the Viking menace that churches others offered a special prayer: "God, deliver us from the fury of the Northmen."

Most Historians attribute the Vikings' devastating effectiveness to their warships, which were light enough to be dragged up onto the beach. That allowed the raiders to make lightning-fast strikes, then retreat quickly to the safety of the sea.

However, another contribution factor holds great significance for rebelutionaries: the Vikings rowed themselves to battle. Most other sea powers at the time used slaves of professional rowers to propel their warships, but the Vikings took full responsibility for that repetitive and strenuous activity. That tells us one very important thing about them: they were seriously ripped.

No wonder an entire continent lived in dread of them. By sheer muscle power, they routinely moved twenty-ton boats across miles of ocean. When they got our of their boats and started swinging their battle-axes, it didn't matter if you carried a shield of barricaded your door. You stood little chance. The Vikings' incredible upper-body strength made them nearly undefeatable.

We can all learn a lesson about small hard things from the Vikings. If we're willing to strive for excellence, even in the boring, repetitive tasks and responsibilities that others delegate of neglect, we will reap the powerful benefits that others miss.

Embracing small hard things can make a radical difference.

I was super encouraged as I read this, because I tend to get discouraged when nothing "big" is going on in life. God has been reminding me that the every day things do count and are training for later experiences.  

Gideon (part two)

In my last post Gideon had just pulled down his father's altar to Baal and destroyed the grove that was beside it... He did it at night because he feared the people of the city and his father's household, and rightly so because when they saw what he had done they sought to kill him. However, instead of turning him over to them, his father had this to say:

"Will you plead for Baal? Will you save him? 

He that will plead for Baal, let him be put to death while it is yet morning: 

if he be a god let him plead for himself, because one has cast down his altar. 

Therefore on that day he called him Jerubaal saying: 

Let baal plead against him because he has thrown down his altar."

I love how God used a follower of Baal for his purpose, to keep Gideon alive and perhaps to challenge those around to consider the power (or lack thereof) of their god. Through this God once again reminded me that I only need to obey Him; He will take care of the details. Gideon had no way of knowing what would happen but he took that leap of faith and found God able to handle the consequences. 

This next part of the story is very familiar, or so I thought... It is the story of Gideon's fleece: Gideon goes before God and ask Him to give a sign if He will save Israel by Gideon's hand. He puts out a fleece and ask that dew be on the fleece in the morning but not on the ground; God responds by giving Him the sign. Gideon then goes to God again and ask that God not be angry with him, but give him the same sign again, except reversed: the ground wet and the fleece dry. Once again God does as he asked and Gideon begins to lead the people...

The part I missed was a small section before Gideon laying out his fleece:

  Then all the Midianites, Amalekites and the children of the East 

gathered together and camped in the valley of Jezreel.

 But the spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; 

and Abiezer was gathered after him, and he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; 

who also gathered after him: and he sent messengers to Asher,

and Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.

Gideon, filled with God's spirit, acts in faith before ever putting his fleece down; he gathers an army. I never really caught that before... I have always loved that God allowed Gideon to have doubts and that he calmed his fears. Yet I never picked up on the fact that Gideon had taken that step of faith.

I have loved discovering different aspects of Gideon's character: the man who threshed grain in spite of the danger; who wondered where God had gone, who looked for a sign to know God was talking to him; and the man who boldly threw down an alter and destroyed a grove in obedience to God. The Man who summons an army then ask God for a sign that He will be with him should he lead that army into battle. Mostly I have loved seeing his communication with God, and watching God's responses to him. 

Thankfully, none of the areas God is currently asking me to follow him in have such harsh opposition as Gideon found in his path of obedience. His story has reminded me: I serve a God who is more than able to handle anything that comes my way. He can handle my questions and give courage where I need it.

In Gideon I see a man of great courage, that had an awesome relationship with God. I have seen another facet of who my God is, and look forward to building a closer relationship with him. I want to be able to look back on my life and see a history of following God's leading, even if I have questions or fears. 

Gideon (part one)

First, a slight background: The nation of Israel had done evil in the sight of the Lord, turning to other gods and doing right in their own eyes, so he turned them over to the Midianites. They and their confederates came against Israel and laid waste to the land, destroying all of the crops and carrying away every beast, leaving Israel impoverished and fearful.

It is during this time we find Gideon threshing wheat beside a winepress. Yes, hiding from the Midians, but also daring to thresh wheat anyway. Then, an angel of the lord approaches him and begins this conversation:

"The LORD is with thee thou mighty man of valor. 

And Gideon said to him; Oh my lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our father told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. 

And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have I not sent thee?..." 

There is more to that conversation, but the part that stood out to me was this last part: "Go in this thy might... have I not sent thee?" and the beginning statement when he called Gideon a mighty man of valor. God, who has no limits, saw Gideon for all he had been, all he was, and all he would become; He expected him to obey because "have I not sent thee?" I find that to be a fantastic, and wonder if God could come to me and expect the same?

As I said earlier there is more to the conversation; Gideon does ask how he can be expected to do such a great thing, only to once again receive the answer that God will be with him. He responds with asking for a sign that it is God that speaks to him and offers a sacrifice only to be humbled when he realizes that he has been speaking with an Angel of the Lord. He then builds an alter to God and calls it Jehovahshalom.

Later that same evening God tells Gideon to destroy his father's alter to baal and the grove that was beside it, and build an alter to God there and sacrifice a bullock on it. Gideon obeyed, he was afraid of his father's household and the townsmen and did it by night, but he obeyed. He did not let his fear hold him back from doing the right thing, is this not an awesome picture of courage? Could I have such a courage?

Recently I have been struggling with trust and desiring God's best for me. In theory I trust that he will care for me and provide all I need, and will work through me. However, when it comes to actually giving a practical expression of this in my life I find myself baulking. I went so far as to tell God that while I had given all I had to Him and claimed I was completely His, I would rather He not actually ask for it, but let me hold on to and control the things that were now "His".

Then I read the story of Gideon... I was challenged and inspired by his confidence that there was a God in Israel despite the nations present circumstances, and his the ability to see God in those circumstances and not turn his back. Then to 'watch' how God answered his questions and how Gideon responded in spite of his fears. I want to be like that... to ask honest questions but to take steps of action in spite of any fear present.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.”

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. -Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord, and do good: so shalt thou dewell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight theyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thyine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. -Psalm 37:3-5

Trust... Trust that I know what is best for you; trust that I love you and hold you; trust that I can work all things together for good; trust that nothing catches me by surprise.  -God (to me) 

Trust the God who has proved Himself faithful over and over, throughout history and throughout my own life; believe that He is all that he claims. In theory this is wonderful but I am finding that practical, living it out trust is a bit harder than it seems.


It is hard to walk across a room and speak to a stranger about Jesus. It is difficult to see a loved one struggle with pain, or to watch someone cry out to God for help only to, seemingly, get no answer. Hard to trust God to keep you needs supplied when you loose your job; to believe that God wants you to share limited resources.


The things I find the hardest to entrust to God are the "little things" in life, the ones that I think I can handle myself. I  also struggle to give my friends and family to God and believe that He is working in their lives even when I can not see it. These past few weeks, especially, have been hard in these areas; in letting go of control and trusting God to take care of the details.


Then God reminded me of the stain-glass windows I love so much... reminded me that He holds the master plan, and know where each piece of my life goes. He brought back many memories of things I did not understand as I went through them, but looking back I now can see how He has used many of them in my life and the lives of those around me. Then He reminded me of people who have impacted my life by something they said or did; people who don't know who I am or that what they did was significant to me.


Could I be satisfied with trusting Him even when I will never see results?  Would I be willing to go where He sends me even if I could not see the whole path? Would I wait ,when everything in me was saying run? Could I let Him have complete control?


I want to say I say yes to all of those questions every time, but the truth is God is still teaching me to trust. I am a slow learner sometimes but He is so patient. I am so grateful we have a God who is trustworthy and loves us.


So remember, sometimes trust looks a lot like waiting, and sometimes it means leaping after you have looked and not seen anything to catch you. But, no matter what, God is worthy of all your trust. 


Trust is a beautiful gift, one I am still learning how to give.

Wait

Wait,

Wait means to be uncertain, to not be in control

Waiting is not my favorite thing in the world, but it is tolerable when I know what will be coming after the wait is over. However, to wait on the unknown would definitely rank as my least favorite activity.

In the last few months it seems as all I have been told in life is "wait", wait and trust. God has been showing me these two go hand in hand; that waiting on His timing is a practical expression of my trust in Him. Trusting that He knows best and will give me what I need in the future and will prepare me for the unexpected.

However, I have also discovered waiting can go hand in hand with worry; worry about what if and might, and how I could possibly cope with the unknown. This makes the time of waiting so much longer and fills it with useless wondering that hinders me from accomplishing anything, which in turn fills me with discouragement.

I often think in word pictures, so as I contemplated this problem of waiting I thought of traveling in the car as a child. I did not have to understand exactly which route we were taking, I may or may not have had a vague notion of our destination, but all of that did not matter because my Dad was at the wheel.

Yet, that did not stop me from asking "are we there yet?" at least a dozen times, to which my Dad would answer: "We'll get there when we get there" or tell me to sleep cause the time would go faster. My parents also made sure we brought books or games to help keep us occupied, or would play games which both taught us and built our relationship with them through spending time together and creating fun memories.

Waiting is a lot like those road trips, I can trust my heavenly father to know where I need to be and to guide me. Sometimes He will tell me where we are going and how long till we get there, and other's times He may tell me to rest and trust Him. It is my choice how enjoyable that journey will be, I can fuss the whole time and wonder "are we there yet" or I can take the time to rest and get to know my Father better.

I do not know about you, but having a fun trip sounds a lot more appealing to me. So I would challenge you: the next time God tells you to wait leave the driving to Him and use the time to prepare for your destination, and get to know the one taking you there, it will help the jouney pass faster, build trust in the one guiding you, and will create great memories for tomorrow.

Meat out your nostrils

"¹⁸And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

¹⁹Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;

²⁰But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

²¹And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

²²Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

²³And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not." -Numbers 11:18-23

Here is Moses' the man who has talked face to face to God and he is questioning how God is going to provide the fulfillment of his word. First he looks at what he has around him, the cattle, then looks at the possibilities, the fish of the sea and tries to figure out how God is going to make good on His promise. Then God asked a question: "Are my arms shortened?"


As I read this I had to admit this is how I have been looking at God's ability to provide for me. Looking around me for what I have that could meet my needs, and if that seemed implausible I looked at what I could possibly get that could meet my needs. This passage challenged me to just sit back and watch my God do what He does best; amaze me with His loving kindness and generosity.


My God: Measures the oceans in the palm of his hand - Is. 40:12;
knows and understands all my thoughts - Ps 139:2;
Fed 5,000 people - Mat. 14:15-21;
know the stars by name - Ps. 147:4.


This is the God that promises to supply all my needs, this is the God I try to help by figuring out how He can accomplish my goals... how humbling to think that He knows all my thoughts and still loves me and still provides beyond my needs.


So what about you? Are God's arms shortened?? Will you look around to see how He can provide or do you want to join me in sitting back and watching the God of the universe provide His way? This is the God who can provide a whole nation with enough meat to feed them for a month, "till it came out their nostrils".

I want to live like I am dying...

Have you ever read a book or article; watched a movie or read a book about someone who was dying? They always seem to have one more thing they want to accomplish, one last place to see, or one more person they must speak with before dying...
They realize that 'someday' may never come, and rewrite or create a list of 'things to do before I die.' Somehow they manage to do the big things on their list and we are touched by their determination and heart. The smile that covers their face as they fulfill some of their dreams brings a smile to our own faces and we may even shed a tear as they bid their loved ones goodbye.

As I thought about the life I lead, I realized I want to spend each day fully, and not waste time. I want to cherish each moment and savor each experience...

Make sure everyone I love knows it
Give all I have in me, holding nothing back

Go sky diving Say what needs saying because there may not be time later

Bask in the quiet moments
Take time to sit with friends and watch the sunset

And much more!

When it is all said and done, I want to live like I don't have time to waste. I want to live without regret and go all out toward each goal. We are all going to die some day it is just a matter of when so with that in mind I want to live like I'm dying; because in a way, I am...

Colorado

Easter

As you can see I had a great time these last two weeks. For Easter we went to both my Mom, and Dad's family, so the day was full. We began the Easter festivities at the Sanborn's which was combined with my Grandpa's birthday so more people were threre than usual. There were new babies to see, aunts and uncles to hug, news to catch up on, and plenty of food to eat. I had a wonderful time, and thankfully we stayed long enough for the food to settle a little before heading to the next event.

The next event was going to Grandma's and trying eat enough to satisfy her that we would not waste away to nothing in the near future. This was not to much of a sacrifice since there were lots of desserts, and I alway have a little more room for cheesecake and brownies.

Then to top the day off my aunt and Mom decided that since none of the little kids had come, all of the grandkids had to go easter egg hunting. We all stared at them a little blankly untill they announced whoever found the most got five dollars. Then our reluctance vanished and we all raced to beat the others outside, and had a lot of fun anouncing our finds to eachother.

Finally, came the cry: 'that's the last one', and we all gathered to find out who won. "One.. two.. five.." we mumbled to ourselves and sighed as others kept counting when we stopped. It was a close race but in the end Angie won, by one egg.

As Angie collected her prize, we consoled ourselves with the chocolate and change found in our own eggs, and with drawing on the driveway with chalk. But everyone does that, we decided to be origianal and had a 'chalk fight' drawing all over eachother. Even Grandma got some chalk on her. Well, ok, so we got it on her, but she did smile.

Much later the day ended in a flash; a camra flash that is, as we posed for a family picture before everyone headed home. Which of course they could only do after packing up some of the abundant left overs to take with them.

As I think of Easter I think of life and relationships. God gave us so much throught the death and resserection of His son. He restored us to fellowship with Him, so we can know Him, and stand perfect in His presence. This Easter I enjoyed life with my family and building the relationships God has blessed me with.

Greater love has no one than this..

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." John 15:9

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, If ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:13-14

As I thought about these verses it hit me: Jesus loves me the way the father loves him! Wow, what a thought, and this is how He wants me to love others. There can be no greater love than that which the Father bestows on the Son...

Then He says that the greatest love is someone who lays down their life for a friend. As I thought about this it occured to me that laying down your life is not just in death, it is not just dying for someone. It is laying your desires and dreams, your life, your very existance for another, it is giving up all for another. Truely there is no greater love than this anywhere, and to think this is how God loves me. It is beyond my comprehension.

Jesus layed down not only His life in death but His everyday existence. Think of what it must have been to grow up being the perfect child, for real. I mean how many kids hang out with a kid all the grown ups hold up to them for an example. Who wants to be around someone who always makes the right desision and never messes up. Yet this is what Jesus agreed to when He came to lay down His life for us. He agreed to show us the greatest love of all, the love that lays down the life of it's posessor, and He did this not only for His friends but for His enemies.

A love this strong consumes me... It is the love my God gives to me, the love I desire to give to Him in return... The love that holds me up and feeds my soul, the love I want God to pour out to others through me. A love that has no bounds, that is eternal...

Greater Love hath NO man than this...

Standing in awe of my Amazing God!!!

I have been stretched farther than I thought possible,
Run farther than I had strength to go,

Walked and not gotten weary,

Felt a deeper peace than I have known,

Had confidence beyond understanding,

Rest in very little time,

Joy beyond description,

And in My Father's arms I have soared higher than ever!!

My God is truly amazing and I have loved getting to know these new aspects of His provision over the last few months. He truly is all I need and has everything I could possibly desire and has blessed with more than I could imagine. Only in Him have I found such completeness and fulfillment and joy. I have tasted and seen that my God is good and my soul craves more of Him. I long to be used by Him and can hardly wait to see what the future holds.

Sitting in Silence

CC Paper - Girls going to College

Sweat drips into eyes squinted in determination, heels dig into the ground, and fingers clutch the rope as every muscle strains in the effort to pull the other team across the line. In considering the question of girls going to college, I have felt as if I were watching a giant game of tug-a-war. On one side stand those who think girls should not go, and on the others those who think they should. Each team is convinced they are right and are determined not to budge.

Given the choice, I would join neither side. Whether a girl goes to college or not is a decision that must be made based on direction from God. His answer may vary from person to person but that does not mean one is wrong and the other right. It merely shows his paths for their lives are different. The important thing is that they are following God’s leading.

Throughout the bible God gave people assignments that were not traditionally acceptable. Deborah was used by God as a judge in a time when women did not hold such positions. David, a mere Shepard boy, was called by God to be King of Israel. Jesus called his disciples from a variety of areas. Others looking on may have thought these people foolish, but God was pleased with them because they followed his command.

God did not call all the women to be judges, nor all men to be kings, but he did call some and expected them to follow. In the same way God did not call all girls to go to college, but if he leads that direction they should follow because there is no place safer than the center of God’s will. So when you feel as if you are in a giant tug-a-war remember to ask God which side, if any, is right for you; then follow with all your heart.

A Week in Tennessee

A few weeks ago I was able to lead a class of girls from eight to twelve years old. We had a lot of fun together watching skits, singing songs, and learning new things. I hope you enjoy these pictures of our time together.

Games and Snack Time

Pyrimid, can I be on top?

Lunch Time

Team A says Cheese!

On the Outside

Why is it so difficult to go against the crowd? Is it possible to be like everyone else and still be yourself? If I follow what I believe is right will I be accepted by those around me? These questions swirl around and around in my mind as once again I face the pressure of following conscience rather than the crowd.

Would it hurt to give in; does it really matter? I think of all the resons it would be ok if I gave in, after all it is not anything major just a little thing. Yet still the little voice inside will not be quiet, and finally I decide to listen and not participate. This leaves me feeling frustrated and left out. Once again I am on the outside looking in it does not matter that I did the right thing it still hurts.

Then my heavenly Father reminds me that he will always be with me and I have complete acceptance in Him. Knowing who I am in Christ enables me to stand tall, confident in his love and acceptance. While I am outside the crowd I am inside my Fathers arms and he will never let me go.

Planning your life vs. allowing God to drop it in your lap

As I thought about planning my life verses allowing God to drop it in my lap my life flashed before my eyes. I was five years old again and a well meaning, elderly lady was bent over with her face close to mine. "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" She asked, with a big smile. I just clutched Mom’s skirt tighter and tried to hide my face, hoping the lady would go away. If you are smiling it is probably because you have had the same experience or at least a similar one. Throughout our lives we are asked this question over and over, the form and intensity with which it is asked may change but it is the same basic question: What are you going to do with your life?

This question has haunted me my entire life; it is the question that never stops. Once I decide to be a doctor, policeman, teacher, or a pilot, they wanted to know how I would get there. "What are your plans for the future?" they asked. For success you must have plans, after all how can you get anything accomplished if you do not have plans? To some extent I agree, plans help me accomplish goals and help keep life in order; they keep me from procrastination and laziness. Yet I so often see plans treated as law, with no room for flexibility or God’s direction. God may be consulted for initial direction but once a plan is in action there is no deviation allowed.

Following plans rather than God is never wise, but having plans in accordance to God’s will is a good thing as long as you surrender complete control of those plans to Him. Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:3&9) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I have come to the conclusion that no matter how much planning I do God’s way will be accomplished. His way is far superior to my own so I am happy His direction. I look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in His time. I want to use my time wisely and even more I want to follow God’s will, reaching for his absolute best in my life. I will trust him and follow his direction. I will yield control of my plans to him and the next time someone asks me what I am going to do with my life I will tell them I will spend my life in search of God’s absolute best.

INFLUENCE

Today I attended the First Lady's Prayer brunch of Tampa. The main speaker, Pam Tebow, spoke on influence. I have been thinking a lot about influence lately and what she shared greatly challenged me. She said "If your life connects with anyone else's life you have influence. If you influence anyone, you influence everyone in their life." This made me stop and think; how do I want others to be influenced by my life? Am I living in such a way that my influence will be good?

She then shared six points that are important to influence.

1. Master- Choose this day whom you will serve. Who I follow effects what type of influence I have. A relationship with Christ is the corner stone of influence.

2. Manuel- What directions am I following? Do I read the greatest manual of all, the bible or do I rely on myself or others for answers to life's questions?

3. Prayer- Prayer is not so much a channel through which I influence God. It is the channel through which God influences me.

4. Mindset- What I think about is what I become, so I should guard my thoughts.

5. Mission- Influence others on purpose! John 15:5 Abide in Christ, without Him I can do nothing, including influencing others.

6. Passions- I must be passionate about what I believe. People are drawn to passion so I need to learn to share mine with others.

I desire to be a woman of strong influence and I want that influence to draw others to God. I want to be passionate for Him and to pass that passion on to others. Mrs Tebow's talk reminded me I am influencing others now and if I want that influence to be good I must abide in God and allow Him to do the influencing through me. To illustrate what she meant she shared the following poem:

Little eyes are watching you

There are little eyes upon you

and they're watching night and day.

There are little ears that quickly

take in every word you say.

There are little hands all eager to do

anything you do;

And a little boy who's dreaming

of the day he'll be like you.

You're the little fellow's idol,

you're the wisest of the wise.

In his little mind about you

no suspicions ever rise.

He believes in you devoutly,

holds all you say and do;

He will say and do, in your way

when he's grown up just like you.

There's a wide eyed little fellow

who believes you're always right;

and his eyes are always opened,

and he watches day and night.

You are setting an example

every day in all you do;

For the little boy who's waiting

to grow up to be like you.

-anonymous

I desire each day to reach for God's absolute best in my life so my influence will be His influence. So the little eyes that are watching me will have a good example to follow.