When I Want to Please People

August 16, 2012 by Heather 24 Comments

Instead of excitement and anticipation for my fourth son’s infant dedication this past Sunday, I felt fear and dread. Why would a wonderful moment in front of friends, family & our church body cause me to break out into a cold sweat?

It’s simple. I’ve dedicated three boys before. Two years ago, I teetered on unfamiliar heels, juggling my 11-month-old son, as my 2-year-old lifted the skirt of my dress (and the skirt of the mom standing next to me). The 2-year-old quickly lost interest standing next to me. While distracted by my 4-year-old picking (and eating from) his nose, I looked up to see the 2-year-old army crawling across the stage, lying down and then dangling his head off the end of the stage.

Everyone thought the antics were hilarious and “cute”. But my neck reddened and heart raced. Instead of basking in the moment of prayer for my precious son, I couldn’t wait for the pastor to say “Amen”.

The reason (besides the obvious), for my humiliation was a desire to look like a good mom. A good mom doesn’t have out-of-control children. And if you think I’m a good mom, then I have earned your approval. Ultimately, the motivation behind how I spend my energy, time and resources is to win your admiration.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Pleasing Man or God?

People pleasing has been my idol, the other god.

“Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

So often I neglect serving the Lord, because I am distracted trying to get others to tell me how great I am. It doesn’t make sense. People disappoint. A compliment from the most important person in the world pales in comparison to God’s love and affection for me.

Concerned with appearance or heart?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Interestingly, our son, who was dedicated, has the middle name, “David”. God directed Samuel to choose David as the next King of Israel based on his heart, not his appearance. I am reminded the position of my heart matters more than the perfect wardrobe selections, updated haircuts, or well-behaved boys.

Fear of man or Faith in the Lord?

Even though I know people disappoint AND their opinion of my appearance does not matter, I still fear the judgments of others (fear of rejection).

“The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:5-9

The fear of man is wasted energy. If God is for me, then who could stand against me? God is stronger than the most powerful, influential person on earth. His opinion is the only one that matters.

Most importantly, I don’t want my desire to please others to negatively impact my faith. I don’t want to be like the men in John 12. These men believed Jesus to be the Son of God. However, they did not confess their belief, because of a desire to please people.

“Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:42-43

Do you struggle with wanting the approval of others? Click here to share what Scripture helps you stay focused on God’s opinion of you.

Here is a better picture of our family this past Sunday:

Jehovah Rapha-The God who Heals

July 19, 2012 by Heather 3 Comments

Three months prior I witnessed God’s goodness and deliverance of my fourth son. Yet months of sleepless nights, challenging children, and a traveling husband had left me weary. My time in the Living Water decreased when the demands of life increased.

It only took three days for the Israelites to forget about God’s goodness and deliverance. Three days prior He delivered them from slavery and parted the Red Sea…

“Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” Exodus 14:31

But those three days were long. Walking in the wilderness. Finding no water. They were tired. They needed rest. More than anything they needed drinkable water.

Hidden Brokenness

When the Israelites finally found water. I imagine it looked normal. They didn’t realize it was “broken”. Not until someone bent over and took the first sip, discovering the bitter water (the name of the area was called “Marah” which means “bitter”, so perhaps the bitterness was obvious).

Having just witnessed the LORD perform an enormous miracle with water, shouldn’t they have believed the same God could restore this water? Heal it. Make it drinkable.

My injury was hidden. For two weeks I performed normal “mom of four young boys” activities. In addition, I started an intense weight-lifting program, ran on the treadmill, and stood for hours at my husband’s 20-year high school reunion. I was unaware of my need for healing until the evening I took off my sneakers and couldn’t stand up.

As I sat on the x-ray table, it struck me how normal my foot looked. No obvious injury. Only high-tech machinery could determine I had a stress fracture. The only way to heal a fracture was to stay off my foot for 2-3 weeks. Healing came from rest.

Healing despite grumbling

When I learned the prescribed remedy (2-3 weeks of rest), I cried. I just had a baby. I have 3 young boys. We live in a house with a second-story. How could I stay off my foot? How could I provide a healing environment? I grumbled. Big time.

Instead of remembering God’s power and provision just three days prior, the Israelites grumbled to Moses. But Moses knew where to turn. He cried out to the LORD and the LORD provided a remedy, a tree to throw in and purify the water. The LORD said,

“If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26)

Soul Healing

An x-ray machine hadn’t diagnosed my fractured spirit. It was hidden under duties. In Hebrew, “rapha” means “to restore, to heal, to make healthful.” He “restored my soul” (Psalm 23:3).

The God who sees (El Roi) was kind to me. My mother-in-law, who was in town for mothers’ day, volunteered to stay and help. She fed us three meals a day (including breakfast in bed). She washed, folded and put-away laundry. She put boys to bed. She served while I healed.

While I rested my foot, I rested my soul. I sat with my boys and read books. I laughed instead of instructed. The Lord as healer, Jehovah Rapha, not only healed my hidden, fractured physical need; He provided rest for a weary soul.

“He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Scripture reveals Jehovah Rapha heals physical needs (2 Kings 20:1, 4-5), spiritual needs (Isaiah 53:5), and emotional needs (Psalm 147:3). A tree “healed” the bitter waters for the Israelites. Jesus’ death on a wooden cross, delivered us from bitter souls and sin (1 Peter 2:24-25).

Are you wounded? Is it hidden to the normal eye? Do you desperately need a Physician? Have you asked Him to heal you?

Pray:

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14

*If you are looking for a great book or study on the names of God, check out “LORD, I Want to Know You” by Kay Arthur.

Simple 3-Question Bible Study Method

June 21, 2012 by Heather 9 Comments

Engaging His Word

When I read a portion of Scripture, unless I actively engage myself in the reading, I walk away unchanged. Mindlessly reading His Word without seeking truth to apply to my life and to encourage others is foolish. Like studying myself in the mirror and forgetting what I look like…

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. – James 1:22-24

In order to study and apply Scripture to my life, I need a systematic approach. A Bible Study method with enough freedom to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to me through His Word.

Many years ago I attended an AnGeL conference by Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham’s daughter). She introduced a simple but engaging way to study Scripture, the 3-Question Study Method.

I contacted the wonderful staff at AnGeL ministries to get permission to share her approach with the readers of Do Not Depart. They welcomed the opportunity.

The 3-Question Method

Each week one chapter of the Bible is studied. The chapter is divided into five sections with about 5-7 verses targeted each day. For each verse do the following:

Read God’s Word
List the facts (What does God’s Word say?)
Learn the lessons (What does God’s Word mean?)
Listen to His voice (What does God’s Word mean to me?)

Let’s do try this method together:

1. Read Galatians 1:3-4:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

2. What does God’s Word say? (facts):

Verse 3- Grace & peace to you from God our Father;
Verse 4- Jesus gave himself for our sins, to keep us from evil, according to God’s will

3. What does it mean? (lessons):

Verse 3- True grace and peace comes from above, not from men
Verse 4- We need to be rescued from sin. Jesus rescued us according to God’s will.

4. What does it mean for me? (listen):

Verse 3- Do I seek grace and peace from people or from God?
Verse 4- Am I aware of my need to be rescued? Do I realize that only Jesus, who gave His life for me, can be my Rescuer?

Typically I would read the entire passage (usually 5 to 7 verses). Then answer all 3 questions for the first verse. I would continue answering the 3 questions with each subsequent verse.

My favorite aspect of this method is its use with any portion of Scripture, anywhere I am (home, work, vacation, etc.). All you need is a Bible, paper, pen and the Holy Spirit.

On the AnGeL Ministries website you can find wonderful free resources, including an overview of the Bible Study method (Learning to Hear His Voice: A Journey to Jesus) with a video introduction. You can download a 10-week study (Journey to Jesus) to learn the 3-Question method. She offers several other free Bible studies using this method (Acts, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Peter, John).

Have you used an inductive study method like the 3-Question approach?

Here I Raise my Ebenezer: Take a Leap of Faith and Find Him Faithful

May 17, 2012 by Heather 8 Comments

Reviewing my Ebenezer stories (yes there are LOTS!) one theme struck me. Whenever I took a leap of faith, God was faithful to provide above and beyond what I could ask or imagine.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

photo credit

No job. No friends. No church.

We had just moved to San Francisco. My plan had been to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology. Despite the 3.98 undergrad GPA, I was not accepted into the program. Moving to a new city… I had no friends. No job. No church home. My husband travelled. It was me & God making our way through the hills and valleys of downtown San Francisco.

One day I decided to volunteer at the hospital down the street (the LEAP!). During orientation I learned of opportunities to volunteer in the Speech-Language Pathology Department. Seriously!

On my first day volunteering I was offered a part-time job as an assistant. Then a call from the local university letting me know I could attend a full load of Speech-Language Pathology classes as an extension student. Amazing!

Instead of sitting in my apartment feeling sorry for myself I took a risk. I followed God’s “nudge” to pursue volunteering at a hospital…which I had never done before. He provided amazing opportunities that I could not have orchestrated on my own.

Too much. Over-committed. Running a race.

Then the other extreme…9 years after my San Francisco miracle I found myself on the Dallas mom “treadmill of crazy.” My third child was born when my oldest was still 3 years old. That fall my eldest son attended a preschool five mornings a week.

Unfortunately, getting all the kids in the car to get him to school everyday was exhausting. By Christmas time I was completely beat down. Someone asked me at a Christmas party how it was having 3 boys and I broke down in tears. At that same party another mom of 3 boys (whom I’m convinced God perfectly placed there), told me she felt the same way. She had boldly pulled her oldest son out of school.

What? You can do that? I felt so empowered! That night I began to do my research checking out other school options. I wrote in my journal my ideal situation: my oldest two boys in a mother’s day out program 2 days a week. I sent some emails and waited.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5

The first day after Christmas break I called a local church preschool program I had emailed. The sweet lady who answered the phone immediately knew who I was…“Oh is this Heather! I was just emailing you back.” Amazing (that responsiveness doesn’t happen in Dallas).

She went on to say that they would have classes in the fall for all 3 of my boys. And if I was interested the older two boys could attend two days a week immediately. WHAT? Had she read my journal?

God was faithful once again. Even though I didn’t know how it would all work out. He took the unrest I felt in my current situation and replaced it with peace. He sent wise women to provide insight and experience. Once I took the step of faith, He was faithful.

Another fun detail…this school is in high demand. The popularity requires parents to camp out over night hoping for the chance to register their children. What a nice treat for God to not only give me the desire of my heart, but present it on a silver platter! Not just any school, but a wonderful Christ-centered school.

If you are in a place where you feel no peace, pray for clarity on how to change the situation. Trust Him to provide an answer.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Which season are you in? Lonely and Lost? Busy and overwhelmed? Take that leap of faith and find Him Faithful!

Breaking the Negative Cycle

April 18, 2012 by Heather 5 Comments

Adding a new baby to your home should be a joyful time. However, it appears to have displaced all the members of our family. Positions have shifted. Roles have been adjusted. Resulting in unrest, impatience, and frustration.

In a desperate attempt to break the negative cycle, last week I sat down outside with my Bible while the boys ran wild (thanks Kat Lee for this idea). New insight for our situation came from a familiar passage:

The fruit he mentions is not apples & oranges. But the kind of fruit our family is craving: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

The Unfruitful Branch

He describes himself as the vine and us as the branches. In the past readings of this passage there appeared to be two branches:

A branch connected to the vine producing fruit.
A branch disconnected from the vine with no fruit.

However, this time around I noted a third option: a branch physically connected to the vine but producing no fruit.

”Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away” (John 15:2).

This is where I see myself lately. Externally I’m doing all the “right” activities: reading the Bible in the morning, attending church, and praying. I’m going through the motions. But I am producing no fruit: impatience instead of patience, harshness instead of kindness.

The root of the problem is not my spiritual activities. My “branch” is connected to the vine. But the position of my heart is misplaced.

True Abiding

Christ does not say “check in with me occasionally” or “talk to me only when you need something” and you will produce fruit. He instructs us: “abide in me.” (John 15:4)

In fact, the word “abide” (“meno” in Greek) is used eight times in these eleven verses…so He must really mean it. To “abide in Him” goes deeper than performing spiritual tasks. To “abide” means: “to continue to be present; not to depart; to remain close-beside; to persevere.”

Abiding means focusing my thoughts on Him throughout the day. Not just first thing in the morning, when I spend more time tweeting than dwelling.
Abiding means meditating on His Word by memorizing Scripture. Not just finding one verse to share on social media.
Abiding means worshipping Him through music or enjoying His creation during a walk outside. Not absent-mindedly listening to the local Christian radio station.
Abiding means seeking Him first in prayer. Not texting a friend to complain about my problems.

Remain in His Sacrificial Love

The first step in producing fruit is abiding. The next step is remaining in His love (John 15:9). HIS love.

Not just anyone’s love. The unconditional love of a Savior. The sacrificial kind of love. “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).

How do I “remain in His love”? Christ gives us the answer:

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10).

Abiding in His love comes from obeying His commands. What is the next command Christ gives?:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Positive, Fruit-producing Cycle:

There is my answer. To break out of my negative cycle I have to enter into Christ’s positive, fruit-producing cycle. To have love, joy, peace…I need to love others (including my family) sacrificially.

Abide in Him & His Word–>Remain in His love–>Obey His commands–> Love one another–>Fruit of Spirit

When I chose to be mechanically attached to the vine but produce no fruit (“a clanging cymbal” serving without love), I will be cut off from the vine to wither. The only good use for such a branch is to be burned (John 15:6). Firewood.

However, my decision to abide in Him throughout my day not only affects my day, but my tomorrow and my children’s tomorrows. Such a decision produces “lasting fruit” (John 15:16) of love, joy & peace for future generations to savor.

Do you struggle with abiding? Do you feel like the 3^rd option, the branch connected but fruitless? What helps you remain in His love and love others well?

How to Read the Bible “Christianly”

March 21, 2012 by Heather 6 Comments

It’s not all about me?

Most mornings I sit down in my big leather chair, spend some time in prayer & then read the Bible looking for inspiration & encouragement. Not a bad way to start the day. It’s the “Christian” thing to do. Right?

Isn’t the New Testament the easiest source of encouragement, like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)?

Outside of Psalms & Proverbs, the Old Testament is sometimes viewed as not applicable to modern day life. Reading about sacrifice & land wars doesn’t help us deal with our work situations or our children’s misbehavior. Sometimes we wrongly assume that the Bible was written for our personal interests or just to make us feel good.

Early church kept Christ central

After Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, the early church formed & began to spread the gospel. Their primary Scriptures were the Old Testament, gospel writings & some letters.

This first “Christians” or “Christ followers” viewed the Scripture differently than we tend to today. Christ was central. Willing to be persecuted for the belief that Jesus was the Messiah, they clung to the Word that He was the Son of God.

Reading the Old Testament gave them encouragement of the legitimacy of their faith…Christ was the fulfillment of prophecy. They read the Bible Christologically.

“The New Testament apostles interpreted the Old Testament scriptures Christologically; that is, they understood and made sense of the Old Testament through the lens of Christ, specifically through the person, work, and mission of Christ. They used Christ to explain the Old Testament and they used the Old Testament to explain Christ. We must learn to do the same if we intend to rightly understand the Bible.” -Hexon Maldonado

When Philip (an apostle) was traveling and came across an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah 53, he helped the Ethiopian see Christ in the Old Testament:

^“And the eunuch said to Philip, ‘About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:34-35

A greater context

One of the best classes I attended at our church was an overview of the entire Bible, God’s plan from Genesis to Revelation. It gave me a fresh perspective for when I read the Bible.

The Old Testament came alive, as I understood the connection of the sacrificial system to Christ’s death on the cross. When I understood that the battles over land correlated to the covenant God made with Abraham, a covenant including a land and a people.

Kathy in her post “Context is King” gave us great tips on looking at the context of Scripture. In addition to looking at the immediate context, we need to consider the greater story. To see the entire bible as one book, not 66 separate books.

“The Bible is a collection of differing voices that may be heard in concert insofar as they are heard to be witnesses of God’s singular and saving act in Jesus Christ. “-Christian Smith

Even Jesus encourages leaders to read the Law of Moses Christologically:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life… For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” John 5:39-40; 46-47

Next time you read a portion of the Bible ask yourself, “What does this teach me about Christ?” and “How does this fit into God’s redemptive plan?”

If you are looking for a resource to help your children read the Bible Christologically, consider “The Jesus Storybook Bible” or “The Big Picture Story Bible”.

*Thank you Eldy Eldhose from Dallas Theological Seminary for consulting with me regarding the content of this post.

Is it wrong to read the Bible for encouragement and personal insight? Have you ever read the Bible Christologically?

Top 10 iPhone Apps for Spiritual Growth

February 15, 2012 by Heather 27 Comments

With the recent advances in smart phones and tablet devices we can’t give the excuse that we “don’t have time” to read the Bible. Or keep a prayer journal. Or encourage others with Scripture.

There are wonderful applications (aka “apps”) available, most for free, that allow you to grow spiritually and to minister to others on-the-go…in carpool line, waiting at the grocery store check-out line, in the doctor’s office…

I surveyed our Do Not Depart contributors and here are some of our favorite apps for spiritual growth & ministry. I’ve broken them into the following categories: Bible Study, Scripture Memory, Prayer, Worship, & Encouragement.

Top 10 iPhone Apps for Spiritual Growth -- Read more at DoNotDepart.com

Bible Study Apps:

1. You Version Bible (FREE)

This app is available on the iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Palm.
Over 100 different versions of the Bible in many different languages (I’ve used the Swahili version to share the Psalm 4 with a Muslim refugee from Somalia!)
Reading plans available.
Type any word or phrase for quick search of Scriptures (concordance).
Encourage others through sharing verses. Highlight a verse then with one button chose one of the following options:

**If you just want a copy of the English Standard Version (ESV) by Crossway Publishing, there is a free app for that specific version, and a paid app for the ESV Study Bible.

2. Bible.is (FREE) by Faith Comes by Hearing:

The most translations in the world.
600+ languages including dramatized Audio
The JESUS Film Project too…New Testament Scripture comes to life.
They even have an app for kids!

3. Matthew Henry Commentary ($1.99):

What a deal!! “The complete six volume set (over 5,850 pages) of trusted verse-by-verse commentary of the entire holy bible with over 64,000 scripture references at your finger tips – fast and easy to use.”

4. Logos (FREE):

This app is similar to the YouVersion app but it differs in that you can connect it with a Logos account. Therefore you can make notes & highlight verses (80 different colors & symbols available) that are saved across devices (your phone & computer).
Pull up any verse and compare it across any 5 different versions…on one screen.
“The Passage Guide allows you to enter a verse and get a detailed report that includes relevant commentaries, cross references, literary typing, and media resources.”
Highlight a word in a verse to look up the Greek/Hebrew for further study.

Scripture Memory Apps:

5. Bible Memory Verses (FREE) by Woody Hays

1,000 Bible verses to chose from to memorize in 4 different versions of the Bible (ESV, KJV, NASB, NIV).
“A word removal tool, flashcard tool, audio record & playback functions, search function and the ability for users to add their own verses.”
Includes quizzes to allow users to test their knowledge.

6. Fighter Verses ($2.99) by Children Desiring God (John Piper Ministries)

If you want a little more than the Free app mentioned above…this app has:

Has 520 verses preloaded in 6 different translations of the Bible (ESV, NIV, NASB, HCSB, KJV, LBLA (Spanish)).
Four unique quizzes: Quick Blanks, Word Bank, Typing, & Reference (match the reference to text).
Display the verse you are memorizing on your Lock screen so it pulls up every time you turn on your phone.
Set a schedule for weekly memory and get daily or weekly reminders.
Songs available to help memorize.

**Here is one more app to check out for Scripture Memory: Mobilize Faith Bible Memory ($5.99)

Prayer Apps:

7. Echo Prayer Manager (FREE)

Keeps track of prayer requests
Can send reminders
Set timer to pray for set period
Record dates requests were made and answered. Review God’s faithfulness as you scroll through answered prayers!
Email prayers to friends to encourage them.

Worship Apps:

8. Pandora (FREE):

This personalized radio station is wonderful for helping you worship during your quiet time, re-focus on God while cooking dinner, or praise His goodness while folding laundry.
Type in an artist’s name, style of music or song to set up a radio station. The app will then choose music to fit into that station.
Some of my favorite stations are: Hillsong, Christa Wells, Chris Tomlin, Bethany Dillon, Aaron Shust, and Contemporary Christian. Share in the comments what stations you love!

9. Spotify (FREE):

Like Pandora, this app has radio stations that you can search for by genre, but is best known for its playlist feature.
Find songs you like and save them to your own customized playlist.
If you don’t feel up to creating your own playlist, feel free to follow us! Type in “donotdepart” into the search bar and click on playlists. You can also find and follow others by searching with terms like “Morning Worship” or “Christian Praise”, and so on.

Encouragement Apps:

10. Reeder ($4.99):

There are so many wonderful blogs with encouraging content and truth. To keep track of your favorites, use Google Reader and sync it with this app.
What are some of your favorite blogs for solid Biblical teaching and encouragement?

Those are our top 10 apps for Spiritual Growth. Which ones would you add to the list?

He Hears with One Condition {Run to Him-Psalm 4}

January 27, 2012 by Heather 38 Comments

This week I had the unexpected opportunity to discuss my faith with a Somalian refugee who is Muslim. Our conversation began with him assuming our faiths were the same. By the end, the differences became clear.

He shared with me how he must be fully clean and dressed in proper clothing when he comes to the mosque to talk to God. When he spoke of this moment between God and himself, he crossed his hands over his heart. He revered this time, often an hour or more, in which he poured out his concerns to his all-powerful God.

photo credit

He encouraged me to wake up at 4 am, to take a good shower, to get dressed in clean, modest clothes and to spend time pouring my heart out to God. He emphasized, “The things you share with God are not things you would tell a friend or husband, only things for God to hear. It’s a moment between you and God.”

Despite our vast theological and religious differences, this man who was displaced from his homeland, helped me understand the theme of Psalm 4.

I can talk to God. He hears me.

photo credit

Unlike my Muslim friend, I don’t need to go through cleansing rituals, wear the right clothes, be in the right place. There is only one condition I need to meet for God to hear me…I need to cry out.

“the LORD hears when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3 (ESV)

The verse does not say, “The Lord hears:

When I am showered
When I am in church
When am full of joy
When my house is calm and quiet

Only one condition: ”The Lord hears… WHEN I CALL.”

I need to call or cry out, but it is important to discuss to whom do I make my pleas?

“To you, O LORD, I call…” Psalm 28:1 (ESV)

“…when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” Psalm 28:2 (ESV)

When I am having a hard day or my children are in a difficult developmental stage or my heart is heavy, I typically cry out to a friend or my husband with my concerns. It feels good to have the immediate feedback from them…”it will be alright”, “this too shall pass”, or “it’s only a season”.

God gave us community to lift our spirits. Yet the only One with the true power to “answer when we call” is:

our Strength and our Shield (Psalm 28:7)
our Shepherd (Psalm 28:9)
the One who is faithful and righteous (Psalm 143:1)
the One whose love is steadfast (Psalm 143:8,12)

To be more specific…

The one condition for God to hear me, is to cry out to Him who is able.

It doesn’t matter where I am, what I look like, or even what I say.

“Answer me quickly, O LORD!
My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
lest I be like those who go down to the pit.” Psalm 143:7

David is bold in his prayers…demanding a quick answer. David admitted that his spirit is failing. He desperately cried for help & relief from his enemies. We have the same freedom to be vulnerable in our cries and not be concerned with saying everything perfectly.

Let us meet the one condition for God to hear us…cry out to Him!

What does crying out to God look like for you? Do you journal? Take a drive or walk and audibly call on His name? Quietly petition him in the difficult moments? Share with us, in the comments!

What did you learn in your time in the Psalms this week?

Have you written about what you are learning through the Run to Him study? Link it up below! Be sure to read and comment on (at least) the link before yours! Be sure to grab and use the Do Not Depart button, or the Run to Him logo, so others can find us!

God Resolutions

January 18, 2012 by Heather 8 Comments

We are halfway into January. How are those resolutions coming?

I must admit that only a few weeks into the new year and it already feels like “yesterday’s news” to talk about resolutions. Why do we get so excited about the new year only to fizzle out so quickly?

How many of our resolutions are focused on what we wanted to accomplish? Related to how we wanted to look? Eat healthy. Exercise three times a week. Be more organized.

Maybe our goals aren’t just about us, but are focused on others. Write letters of encouragement to friends. Be more patient with my children.

Perhaps we even had spiritual resolutions. Read the Bible daily. Memorize Scripture.

Not that any of these goals are “wrong”. All of them are actually good disciplines to be integrating into our lives.

Did we make any “God resolutions”? When we thought about 2012 did we ask Him how we could make Him known? Glorify Him?

Last year I was strongly convicted of pride in my life. I recognized the root of most of the sin in my life was based on my self-centeredness (aka “pride”).

In studying pride, I gained a better understanding of true humility. It’s not self-abasement or a “woe is me” attitude. It’s about placing God in the center of everything in my life.

“Humility is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all…It is the displacement of self by the enthronement of God. Where God is all, self is nothing.” Andrew Murray

Taking myself off the throne of my life and instead placing God in His rightful place as King of Kings. That’s humility.

When I think of 2012 and what goals and resolutions I want to accomplish, I can’t help but view this process with a God-centered perspective. I am humbly seeking what He has for my year and how can He use me to bring Him glory.

If only a few weeks into the year you are feeling discouraged about the resolutions you have already failed to work towards, be encouraged.

At any moment of any day you can resolve to set-aside self. To place God in His rightful place on the throne. To seek to bring Him glory in 2012.

In doing so you will have made and kept your “God Resolution”!

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:8b-11

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Establishing a Rhythm with God {Believing Better}

December 28, 2011 by Heather 7 Comments

At the beginning of the month, Katie introduced our series with a post on “believing better” instead of trying harder; focusing on our faith and letting go of the guilt to do more. The Do Not Depart Team wrote about believing God to forgive, believing God to heal, believing in a big God, believing God in the times of waiting and believing God in difficult circumstances.

These posts prompted me to consider: I know I believe IN God, but do I truly believe God?

Do my actions and choices reflect that I believe God to forgive, heal, & provide? Do I go about my day moved by the moments & influenced by my environment resulting in reactive chaos?

Everything changes when I am intentional. When I set up patterns or establish a rhythm with God in my day, week, month, even year, then I can stay in tune with His Spirit and my faith is secure. My actions reflect a stronger belief…not because of my efforts but because of staying in step with His Spirit through intentionality.

As we begin the new year let us not have a list of activities that we will fail to fulfill after a couple of months. Instead let us think about how we can set up a rhythm with God. What can we put in place in our lives that keep us connected to Him?

“A rule for life is a simple statement of the regular rhythms we chose in order to present our bodies to God as our ‘spiritual act of worship’ (Romans 12:1). Each rule or rhythm, is a way we partner with God for transformation only he can bring…Life-giving rules are brief and realistic scaffold of disciplines that support your heart’s desire to grow in loving God and others.” Adele Calhoun from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

God desires us to have life and to have it abundantly (John 10:10). He wants us to be in tune with Him so that we are free to rest in Him and not our efforts.

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How do you realistically establish a rhythm (or rule for life) with God?

Here are some questions to ask yourself (from Adele Calhoun):

When & where do you feel closest to God? Pay attention to the experiences, practices, & relationships that draw you toward God.

What practices best suit your daily, monthly, and yearly rhythms and cycles?

Where do you want to change? Where do you feel powerless to change? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you do through grace what you cannot do through effort alone.

Choose several disciplines that arise from your desire for God’s transforming work and that suit the limits and realities of your life. Begin your practice.

You may feel most “in sync” with God while listening to a worship song. Or perhaps journaling your prayers. Or memorizing scripture. Or taking a walk in nature. Or meeting with a kindred spirit to discuss His truth. Or reading commentaries on His Word.

Here are some sample rules or rhythms:

Dedicate every day (in the morning) for the glory of God
Confess my sins before I go to bed
Pray for others
Direct all my wandering thoughts to my Savior
Set aside one day a week to “rest in Him” (Sabbath)
Meet monthly with a spiritual director or mentor

In your life. With your schedule. Your unique personality. What rules or rhythm will you establish in 2012 to rely on Him?

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

If you are intentional to make space for God in the busyness of life, He will be faithful to partner with you for personal transformation. Believing Better. Not only believing IN God but believing God.

Hiding in Him

December 16, 2011 by Heather 2 Comments

When I don’t set my mind on truth, my mind automatically sinks into shame. And shame opens wide the door to fear. It is so crafty, this fear, that I take it on as my very identity: I am afraid, I hear myself say. And in the saying, I practice the presence of fear, rather than rest in the safety of God. I practice my identity as one who is afraid, rather than set my mind on the truth of my salvation, as one who has been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. …

It takes work to set our minds on truth. It does not come naturally; it comes supernaturally as we depend on Christ to remind us of truth that is already true, to call to our minds the reality of the victory he has won…”For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). The mind set on fear, worry, anger, hurt, revenge, lust, jealousy, and shame is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

What you believe about God and yourself and the world becomes your hiding place. If what you believe is true, then where you live and breathe is a safe place. But what if the things you believe about God and yourself and the world are untrue? Then the place where you hide is decidedly unsafe.

Just because we feel safe where we hide does not mean we are safe. I feel safe behind my mask, not because it’s always comfortable, but more because the alternative is unknown. To step out from behind that mask is to risk exposure and rejection. That is why I stay here.

It is only when the haven I thought my mask provided begins to crumble that I will be willing to consider the possibility that perhaps it isn’t as safe as I once believed. Our hiding places can be either our havens or our prisons. Setting our minds on the truth of God’s Word will ensure that we don’t stay captive behind those tattered, tired-out masks. And we will then say with confidence, “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance” (Ps 32:7).

Emily P. Freeman, “Grace for the Good Girl”

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For the month of December we are sharing posts and quotes to help us escape the Cycle of Try Harder, through Believing Better.

Abiding Fruit :: Titus 3:3-8 :: Undeserved Kindness

November 13, 2011 by Heather 14 Comments

My Heavenly Father is not only just, but kind.

He is El Shaddai, meaning “God Almighty”, who possesses the power to adequately nourish, supply and satisfy. He is the ultimate nurturing Parent.

He is a Father who sees and cares. He saw Hagar in the desert as she abandoned her dying son under a tree. He provided a way out.

“God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water…God was with the boy as he grew up.” (Genesis 21:17,18, 20a)

The Greek word for kindness is chrestotes, which means “tender concern for others. It is the genuine desire of a believer to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats him. It is the grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing all which would be harsh and austere.” (The MacArthur NT Commentary Galatians).

Every week of the “Abiding Fruit Bible Study” I found myself specifically needing the fruit of the Spirit we are studying. This past week was no exception.

Last Thursday my 2-year-old was sick. Fever and weakness removed his independent spirit and he melted into my arms. He longed for my comfort. In his pathetic state it was natural for me to be tender & nurturing.

While I was preoccupied with my sick son, my 4-year-old son was desperate for attention. He acted out at every chance he had; disobedience, aggression towards his brothers, destroying everything in his path. It was difficult for me to want to show him grace. My innate reaction was harshness & frustration.

As parents we love our children. God made us, in His image, to nurture and care for them. However, we also know that there are times it is difficult to show them kindness.

I realized through reading Titus 3:3-8 that God demonstrated His kindness towards us not while we were easy to nurture, but in our sinful state (“foolish, disobedient, deceived…in malice and envy”).

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:4-5a

We had done nothing to endear us to Him. We deserved wrath and harshness but were granted tenderness. Undeserved kindness.

God went beyond just comforting us in our sin. He sacrificed His own Son to save us from our sin. Then he poured His kindness generously. He gave us full access to Him through the Holy Spirit, made us His own sons and daughters and gave us the hope of eternal life with Him!

This generous kindness is available to us through His Spirit. By abiding in the Spirit we can have the disposition of kindness.

It doesn’t stop there. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…all proceed goodness. All the fruit that we have learned to this point are necessary for us to do good works for His glory.

We will see this week that goodness is kindness in action.

“Without kindness, goodness becomes harsh and self-righteous. Without goodness, kindness becomes indulgent tolerance. Only the Holy Spirit can provide balance…” -Beth Moore

May you be nurtured and loved by your Heavenly, Almighty, Father. May you abide in His Spirit to take on the disposition of kindness, to those who are deserving and undeserving. This week may you learn how the Spirit allows your kindness to take action in your goodness.