I Peter 3:1-6 - I Am Beautiful

While on our walk this morning the Lord brought to my attention a tree that is so beautiful with it's many colors...

As I took in it's beauty, I thanked the Lord for the beauty of His creation.  His response was, "You are a beauty in my creation."  I said, "I'm not near as beautiful as this."  He went on to tell me how I am so much like this tree.  He explained the different colors of the tree represent the different aspects of my life that I allow Him to work through.  He told me that if the sun were shining this morning I would see the light peaking through the leaves, enhancing the different colors.  He went on to say that is how it is when I allow Him to shine through me.  He is enhanced by my obedience.  It was so cool listening to Him.  I wish I would have had something to write down His Words in case I forget anything.  Wow!  He thinks I'm beautiful!  As a human being, that isn't something I think of myself as being.  But in the spiritual realm of things I am beautiful because I am created by Him and I am allowing Him to shine through me.  

When I read the words in I Peter 3:1-6, I am challenged to make sure my inner being is beautiful.  I don't need to worry about the criteria the world puts on whether I am beautiful or not.  I just need to make sure the Lord believes I am beautiful.  Today He confirmed that is what He believes and for that I'm grateful.


Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.


Dear Jesus,
Thank You for speaking to me this morning.  Thank You for loving me enough to encourage me with Your Words.  Father, You are so awesome!  I am so privileged to be a Daughter of the Most High!  Woo hoo!  Father, I pray for You to keep my feet on the right path and to bless me as I go throughout this day.  I pray You will open doors that need opened and close doors that need closed so that I may live in Your Spirit no matter what comes my way.  Thank You Jesus for being My Encourager.  Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - Seasons

I love this time of year.  I think I always have loved it.  I remember the car rides to see the pretty leaves as I was growing up.  I remember the soups my Momma and Daddy made when this time of year rolled around.  I remember sleeping and waking to the crispness of the air coming in my bedroom window.  I would snuggle down deeper in the covers and soak a little bit longer to enjoy.  Sitting out in football games with a sweatshirt on loving the night air is another memory I love.  My morning walk today reminded me of so many of these fond memories.  I began to think about fall being the "perfect" season.  For a flash, the thought went through my mind "Why can't it be like this all year long?"  Silly me.  Of course it can't be like this all year long because then we wouldn't have the crops of the summer that we enjoy on our tables all year long.  Or the earth wouldn't have enough precipitation that it needes.  Just as the earth needs seasons, we need seasons in our lives in order to grow in the Lord.

Winter can sometimes be a bleak and ugly season.  It can also be depressing with having to be inside so much and the gloominess that comes along with it.  But in our spiritual lives winter is needed so we can regroup and draw closer to the Lord.

Spring is a time of rebirth not only in nature but it can also be a rebirth in our spiritual lives.  When spring rolls around, we are ready for new things.  We are ready to do some spring cleaning not only in our homes but a lot of times in our spiritual lives.

Summer is normally full on the calendar and that can be a distraction in our spiritual lives.  But summer also gives us opportunity to socialize more which God can use to His Glory when we give Him free reign.

Fall is a comfort time for me.  It's a time to start making the comfort foods.  A time to enjoy God's creation in a way that only the season of fall offers.  It's also a time to dig deeper into my relationship with Him.

No matter which season we are in our spiritual lives the Lord is here for us.  I think of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 this morning and am blessed to know the Lord is my guide through all the seasons of life.  He is my guide through the "junk" and through the blessings.  Woo hoo!


To Every Thing There is a Season

To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

Dear Jesus, 

Thank You for seasons.  Thank You for the opportunity to grow in my spiritual life.  Thank You for being with me through the "junk" and through the blessings.  You are so awesome, Lord.  I praise You for this season of fall in nature.  The way You paint the landscape is majestic.  I also praise You for guiding me through different seasons in my spiritual walk.  Thank You Jesus for being My Season Tender.  Amen.

Philippians 4:6-8 - A New Week

"Sometimes the things the Lord reveals to me in prayers are just....not even sure of the word to use...."  These are the words I wrote last night as I reflected back on the day.  Yesterday at the altar the Lord revealed to me something to pray for about a situation that I have no idea about.  I don't personally know the people involved yet as I prayed for one the Lord brought something different to pray for.  It seems strange when something like this happens yet it shouldn't.  When I am in communion with God and hearing His Voice, I should not be surprised by anything.  He's probably looking down on me, shaking His head and saying, "Sheila, Sheila, Sheila....when will you get the picture?"  LOL  "I'm trying Lord!" would be my response.  I love when He tells me to go to people and pray with them.  It's especially neat when I do and after I've prayed they tell me I prayed for exactly what they were going through.  I woke up in the wee hours of the morning with the urgency to pray for a few different people/situations.  I'm grateful for this part of my life.  I know many pray for me so it's my way of giving back.  

Today, I'm praying for....

...the one wanting an abortion

...the one going into surgery

...the three going through cancer treatments

...the one feeling unloved

...the Momma who lost all of her children in a fire 

...the single Daddy who is raising a child on his own

...the newly married couple

...the pastors who are discouraged

...the week ahead as we seek to do the Lord's Will

...the pastors who are on vacation

...the unwed mother

I think of this scripture today...

Philippians 4:6-8
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Dear Jesus,

As another week begins, I pray for my life to be Spirit-filled.  I pray for my days to follow the path You so desire.  Lord, please guide my steps.  Please guide the words that flow from my mouth.  Father, You know what is on the calendar but You also know of the opportunities You will put before me.  Please don't allow busyness to get in the way of Your Business.   I love having Your Peace and I know the only way to have it is to be in Your Will.  Guard my heart and mind, Lord so that the enemy will have no place to live in me.  Thank You Lord for this new week.  Amen.

R-O-C-K

R-O-C-K
ROCK

I was woke up in the middle of the night with the Lord being adamant for me to hear His Word "ROCK".  My first thought was He is my Rock.  But He said, "No, that is not it."  I started thinking about rocks in nature but once again I heard His Voice say, "No."  Finally, I asked Him if it like a baby being rocked and He said, "Yes."  I didn't know what I was to do with this word and I eventually went back to sleep.  The second time He woke me to the word I began praying for ones who I know are pregnant and ones I know who are trying to get pregnant.  I also prayed for the babies that I know.  Once again I fell back to sleep.  When morning came, He continued to bring the word to my mind and I was baffled on what I was to do with it.  Then I had a text asking me to pray for one who was wanting an abortion.  Even though I don't know this person as I prayed I got a mental image in my mind of a young Momma rocking her baby.  Oh my!  The tears began to fall as I realized the impact of my prayers.  The Lord doesn't want the evil one to prevail with allowing an abortion to happen.  He wants to give life.  As I asked the Lord, "Is this what "rock" is all about?"  His reply was, "Yes, Daughter.  You are the intercessor for this little one.  Pray against the evil one having his way.  Pray specifically for the evilness in her life to be eliminated."  I get the sense this one knows better but is being pushed into it.   WOW!  I may never know what happens in this situation since I don't know the person.  But I do know that when the Lord wakes me up with a word I pray I never disregard it.  My job as an intercessor has just taken on a new meaning for me.  I love to hear the Lord speak to me and especially when He does it in a way that doesn't make sense for the moment.  I love when His plan is revealed piece by piece.  It's kind of like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.  Sometimes it all goes together easily and is complete while other times a piece will be missing.  Sometimes He gives me all the information at once on what to pray for while other times it comes in pieces.  

Psalm 22:9-11 reads:

⁹ Yet you brought me out of the womb;
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
¹⁰ From birth I was cast on you;
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

¹¹ Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.

These words could be from that unborn child.  The Lord can be that child's God even if the Momma doesn't accept the Lord.  The abortion could be the "trouble" that "is near" but praise His Holy Name the Lord is there to help and save this child.  So many could be's in this situation but I'm praying for the Lord to have victory in the outcome.


Dear Jesus,
Thank You for using me to pray for others.  Thank You for giving me direction even though sometimes it isn't clear.  I pray for this one who is wanting an abortion.  I pray against the evilness in her life.  Lord, I pray for someone to be put in her path that will say or do something that will make a difference. I pray for strength for the unborn child.  I pray for it to come into this world with full breath.  Lord, I also pray for this child to be in a loving love, whether it be with the biological mother or not.  Lord, please don't let me forget this.  Please remind me to pray for this situation.  Amen.

911 Reflection

911
September 11, 2001
A date never to be forgotten....

As I reflect back on that morning twelve years ago I remember the sudden urgency I had to be home and have my family with me.  I was working at Smucker's in Orrville that morning and soon we were glued to the TV.  Doc was home in Willard.  Paul was at Akron U and Lizzy was at Ashland U.  Ben was at school in Willard.  I was so far away from all of them yet knew where I needed to be.  An hour and fifteen minute drive was normal for me at that time and one that I didn't think too much about.  But it was the longest hour and fifteen minutes of my life as I was desperate to be with my family.  At that point no one knew if there would be more attacks of the US or not.  The school had sent Ben home so I knew he was safe with Doc.  I remember busting through the door and hugging Doc and Ben for the longest time.  We sat anxiously as we watched the TV and prayed.  It wasn't too much longer before Paul and Lizzy came through the door and we were relieved.  I remember thinking, "Oh no!  Lizzy is here and not with her Momma."  Thankfully, Paul had traveled safely from Akron to Ashland to pick her up and then came here.  The assumption was that he came here to watch to see what else would happen but I think he knew his Momma was freaking out and needed to see him.  When I think about it though, why did I freak out so much and want my family with me desperately?  I know they are in the Lord's hands and I know He protects them each and every day.  Those are easy words to say and even to understand but after living through 911 I understand my reaction that day.  The unknown of who did it?  Why did they do it?  Would they do it again?  We just never know.  All of the lives that were lost in a senseless death make me sad.  All of the children who lost their parents that day for no good reason.  All of the people who will never be the way they were before because of evil.  So sad.  I am thankful the Lord brought my family together that day for a physical touch that I so needed.  I am also thankful for the way He protects us each and every day.  There are some days where I wish I could have my children back as they were growing up.  I miss the hugs.  I miss the talks.  I miss the fun.  But I know the Lord gave me them to raise to be the godly men they are.  I know they now are making their own memories with their own families and for that I'm grateful.  I'm also grateful for a quote from Hodding Carter, "There are two lasting bequests we can give our children:  One is roots, the other is wings."  The boys were given their roots growing up and I pray they were embedded deeply in them.  When it came time for them to fly, they had their wings and were ready.  I praise the Lord for the way they are now raising their children to have deep roots.  Today I am praying for the families who lost loved ones on 911.  I am also praying for ones like my autistic nephew who continues to be traumatized on this day with all the publicity that goes on.  Many, many people who need extra prayer to deal with this day.  We must never forget to pray for our enemies who need to find the Lord.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for my family.  Thank You for blessing me in such a mighty way with their love.  Father, I ask that You be with everyone today that needs an added dose of love as they endure this anniversary date of 911.  Father, draw them close to You.  Put people before them that will make a difference in their life.  Lord, thank You for the protection You give us each and every day.  Amen.

Philippians 4:12 - "Ignite the Fire"/Women Living Well

"It's not fair!"
"Why do I always have to be the one to do everything?"
"He must not love me as much as I love him or he would do that without me asking!"

Oh my, oh my!  How many times did these words go through my mind or fly out of my mouth!  They are words from a selfish, hurting person who thank the Lord has learned to find peace.  Philippians 4:12 is a verse to hang onto, especially when going down the rocky roads of life.  

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want.

The Lord gives us those rocky roads to grow us.  He wants us to learn from our situations. If life were always easy, what would we learn?  Absolutely nothing.  

As I am reading through "Women Living Well" Ignite the Fire series I am reminded of the early days of our marriage.  URGH is all I have to say.  I was ugly...my mood was ugly....my words were ugly....I was ugly.  I don't know how we survived those days.  As I reflect on those days, my hubby was ugly too.  Ummmm....wonder why?  LOL  Who wouldn't be ugly back to someone who was being ugly to them!  A lot of times, as human beings, we respond to the way people are to us with exactly the same attitude. Praise the Lord for the changes He has made in both of us over the years! 

The website reads...

Webster’ Dictionary says kindness is: the quality of being friendly, generous, sympathetic and considerate. It is a genuine concern for the happiness of another.

I love this definition because it so clearly lays out what  the 5 qualities a kind wife:

1. Be friendly – Be a good friend to your husband.  Listen. Laugh. Hold his hand. Watch a ball game with him. Be at his side for the things that matter to him.  Support him. Be his BEST friend!

2.  Be generous – Be in the habit of giving generously to him without expecting anything in return.  Selfless love is so rare in our culture.  Live your life openhanded to your husband.

3.  Be sympathetic – Show compassion toward the difficulties your husband faces.  Listen to him and be understanding to his plights in life.  Use caring, gentle words and pray with and for him daily.

4. Be considerate – Be careful to not hurt your husband. Be slow to speak and thoughtful about the power of your words and how they effect his soul.  Part of being a good friend to him is caring about his feelings.

5. Be genuinely concerned about his happiness –  the praise, respect, comfort and attention of a wife brings much strength, security and happiness to your husband.

As I read through this list, I want to say I am all of these but to be honest I know I'm not all of these ALL the time.  He deserves it ALL the time not just when I feel like it.  It's easy to be kind to someone who is kind to you.  What about when he isn't feeling well and is crabby?  What about when he is under ministry stress and needs an outlet to vent?  What about when he is too tired to give me the attention I want/need?  Even in those times I need to strive to be kind.  

I will admit that being in the ministry can play havoc on a marriage due to the stress it involves.  But it also blesses a marriage by people who encourage you along the way.  The people who realize how important it is for the two of you to have "down time".   The people who financially bless you to make that "down time" doable.  Most importantly the people who support you with prayers.  

We just spent a wonderful seven days in the Caribbean with no contact with our "real" world.  That probably sounds selfish but for a pastor to get away from their computer and phone for seven days is the most wonderful thing ever.  When we went on our first cruise last year, I found it to be the perfect vacation because of this very reason.  We were able to reconnect as a couple, not have to worry about the issues we were going through with people, and be renewed in our spirits.  Last night was a good example of the stresses of our "real" world.  In a matter of a few minutes we were asked to pray for:  one who is going through issues of possible cancer with different family members; one who continues to be estranged from her family; one with major health problems; a family with financial issues; one who is in an abusive relationship and trying to get out; and one who is going through some major transition in their home. Yes, those all came in a matter of a few minutes.  Thankfully the Lord is in control of all and we don't have to fix everyone's problems.  All we have to do is allow the Lord to lead us as we minister.  At the end of the day our "real" world can be heavy and leave us to the point of not having the kind words to say to one another.  At the end of the day our "real" world can be challenging in the area of schedule and whether we see each other or not.  At the end of the day our "real" world can be difficult as we minister to people who don't know the Lord or have turned away from Him.  But at the end of the day we can be thankful we have each other and know we can depend upon the Lord to strengthen us through the tough times.

The challenge from this website this week is:  

Ignite the fire of kindness in your home this week.  Be intentional about showing your husband kindness this week.  Plan a date just for him, treat him to his favorite meal, honor him wiht your words, and make him feel incredibly special.

Dear Jesus:
Thank you for these words from "Women Living Well" and for the way they took me back in reflecting upon how much my marriage has changed over the last twenty-four years.  I praise You Lord for my husband who is a godly man.  I praise You for the way He cares for me and loves me unconditionally.  I praise You for his spiritual leadership in our home.  Lord, thank You for the time we had recently had away.  Thank You for renewing our relationship and our spirits.  Lord, I pray for more kindness to flow out of me toward Doc.  I pray for more words of encouragement for him.  Lord, would you please keep my eyes open to what he needs?  Amen.

II Peter 1:2-4 - "Hurricane" and "Need You Now"

I love when the Lord brings someone to my mind to pray for and then gives me a specific word for them.  As I was praying for a lady going through a difficult time with her physical body He said "endurance" and I thought wow!  What a great word for her situation.  Immediately I thought of Natalie Grant's song "Hurricane" and wondered if she feels like she is in a hurricane.  When I think of a hurricane, I think of disaster and things out of control.  Basically, that's where this lady is at.  She has dealt with one physical issue after another after another over the course of the last few years.  She has no control over it.  But thankfully she knows the One who does and that's the Lord.  No matter how desperate our situation may seem, He is greater.  No matter how many times we've cried out to Him, He is always there.  It reminds me of the song "How Many Times" by Plumb.  The words go, "How many times have you heard me cry out "God please take this"? How many times have you given me strength to just keep breathing? Oh I need you; God, I need you now."  I'm sure this is where she is today.  Her faith is probably shaky but she knows, down deep, she has the Lord to turn to and lean upon.  He has a reason for everything.  When we are going through tough times, we don't always see the reason BUT He does.  The cool thing about it is that we don't have to know it or even understand it because He is in control.  As I reflect back on the down times with my MS I am so grateful I finally came to the knowledge that I don't have to know or understand what is going on.  If He chooses to give me that knowledge, He will.  If He doesn't chose to, then I will be content in knowing He is in control and that is enough.  I use to think I had to be in control of everything...what a joke!  The Lord doesn't make us to be in control.  He creates us to allow Him control.  Woo hoo!  What a freedom in that knowledge!  

I love the words found in II Peter 1:2-4....

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

The words, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" are the best!  His power gives us all we need to live holy lives.  His power is ALL we need.  We don't need anything else in order to live as He desires of us.  Woo hoo!  I love it!  And when we give in to that power we will have grace and peace in abundance.  Who doesn't want that?  We all should!  There are so many people living in this world stressed out over stuff when they don't have to be.  The answer is in the knowledge that God is in control and that's all that matters.  

Dear Jesus,
I thank You for the knowledge You gave me that I don't have to be in control but rather I just needed to allow You full control over my life.  I thank You for the way You encourage me through physical ailments.  Father, I pray for this one who is going through such a difficult time in her physical body.  Would you please put people before her that will encourage her today?  Would you give her exactly what she needs to get through this day?  No, let me change that.  Not just to get through this day but to rely on You and allow You to be her strength throughout this day?  Father, You are so awesome!  I praise Your Holy Name for being My Endurance!  Amen.

Hurricane - Natalie Grant

• You're spinning
  Out of control, again
  Your life feels like a sinking ship
  You're wondering
  How it came to
  This
  Is it too late?
  Is it too far for him to reach you?
  And come to where you are
  Step out on the edge
  Don't be afraid of it
  And when you feel the rain
  Call his name
  He'll find you in the hurricane
  
  You're in the wreckage underneath
  You're hope is buried
  Somewhere deep
  You're wondering how long it will keep
  It's never too late
  Never too far
  For you to reach out
  And take a hold of love
  
  Step out on the edge
  Don't be afraid of it
  And when you feel the rain
  Call His name
  He'll find you in a hurricane
  
  Don't back down from the fight
  He'll shelter you tonight
  Just hold on for the change
  Call His name
  He'll find you in the hurricane
  There's a place
  You can run
  When you fall
  And it's all come undone
  You'll be safe in the raging storm
  So just let go
  Cause you are held in His arms
  
  Step out on the edge
  Don't be afraid of it
  And when you feel the rain
  Call His name
  He'll find you in a hurricane
  
  And when you feel the rain
  Call His name
  He'll find you in a hurricane

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Need You Now - Plumb

  
  

  Well everybody's got a story to tell 
  And everybody's got a wound to be healed 
  I want to believe there's beauty here 
  Cause oh, I get so tired of holding on 
  I can't let go, I can't move on 
  I want to believe there's meaning here 
  
  (Chorus) 
  How many times have you heard me cry out 
  "God please take this"? 
  How many times have you given me strength to 
  Just keep breathing? 
  Oh I need you 
  God, I need you now. 
  
  Standing on a road I didn't plan 
  Wondering how I got to where I am 
  I'm trying to hear that still small voice 
  I'm trying to hear above the noise 
  
  Chorus 
  
  Oh I walk, oh I walk through the shadows 
  And I, I am so afraid 
  Please stay, please stay right beside me 
  With every single step I take 
  
  How many times have you heard me cry out? 
  And how many times have you given me strength? 
  
  Chorus 
  
  I need you now 
  I need you now