Awkward Waiting

March 29, 2016March 28, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Yesterday I found myself waiting once again for a situation for which I have prayed much. I sighed. I cried. Then I ran…to the Lord. I poured out my heart to Him, and it felt good to give it all back to Him. I reminded myself to give thanks for this waiting. I remembered, too, that Isaiah 40:31 says that if we wait on the Lord we will have renewed strength. Praise the Lord. The last thing I did was go to my blog for other posts I’ve written and remember what the Lord has taught me while I waited on Him in the past. The following is an old post that was a good reminder for me. Let me share it…

I will never forget the anxious moments of waiting. I was a soon-to-be post college student seeking God’s will for my future. My name had been given to a pastor (Pastor Cunningham) who was looking for a secretary for the Christian school at his church, and I was waiting for my appointment with him where I would be interviewed for the position.

I arrived promptly at our set time, climbed the stairs to the Student center, and peeked into doorway of the interview office (from a distance). I saw a man talking with a student. Immediately, I assumed that he was the man I was waiting for. I seated myself on a sofa outside the office, in a place where I would be easily seen when he exited the interview office. Then I waited…and waited.

At another place across from where I sat, a man was seated. It appeared that, he too, was waiting for someone. We both waited. I was thinking about the exam that I was going to be taking in the next class period and wishing I could be studying instead of just sitting. The waiting grew wearisome. The interview inside the office continued, and I grew more and more impatient and frustrated. I kept looking at my watch wondering how long I would have to wait, and wondering if I would miss my appointment because he’d gone too long with this other person. Finally after 15-20 minutes, the gentleman that was seated nearby got up and approached me, and suddenly I had a funny feeling the my waiting had been in vain.

“Are you waiting to be interviewed by him?” the man asked, nodding toward the interview office.

“Yes I am” I replied.

“What is his name?” he asked.

“Mr. Cunningham” was my answer. The man smiled and then said laughing, “Iam Mr. Cunningham! I assumed you were waiting for him since you kept looking toward that office!”

I introduced myself and then our interview got underway. Of course, you must realize that I got the job, and I also got his son for a husband a few years later – now that’s some deal! =)

As I’ve looked back over that interview all those years ago, I remember how awkward I felt waiting. After waiting for a long time a person begins to realize that something isn’t right. Perhaps someone waits for a friend at a restaurant and they never show, then they look at their calendar on their phone and realize their lunch date was for the next day. Sometimes waiting without response can have a tragic end because the person who was supposed to show up was in an accident or got sick. Waiting for people can have awkward moments.

Waiting on the Lord is altogether different, however.

Lamentations 3:25 says,

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Even when we wait for a very long time for the Lord to answer our cries, we don’t have to wonder if He’s misunderstood. We don’t have to question if He’s really going to show up. There’s no need to doubt about Him keeping the appointment! He will always hear, He will “show up” at just the right time, and He will keep His appointment with us and our situation!

As you wait on God, don’t get up and leave. Don’t start doubting. Don’t start sighing in desperation. Your waiting will not be in vain. You can trust in Him because He is good and will do good in your life!

Did anyone else need the reminder of the blessing of waiting?

With love,

Easter · Uncategorized

My Meditation On Good Friday

March 25, 2016March 23, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Today is a special day for anyone who is guilty. Romans 3:23 says that’s all of us. Today, is Good Friday, the day we remember as the day Christ went to the cross for us. While it was a horrible death, it’s a wonderful story for each of us, because our sins are paid for by the spotless Lamb of God! I heard one preacher say this in his message this week:

Your sins have to be paid for. You’ll either accept Christ’s payment on the cross, or you’ll pay for them eternally in hell.

I trust that if you have not received Christ’s payment for your sins, that you will receive Him as your Savior – your Substitute! He died for you, and this day is a precious reminder of His tremendous sacrifice.

If you are a believer,

Take time today to read about His death on the cross.
Sing or listen to songs about the cross. This is one of my all-time favorites:

I was the reason. Praise the Lord for His love and sacrifice on my behalf so that I might be free! Praise His lovely name.

Free because of the cross,

Easter · Family life · Uncategorized

Should A Christian’s Easter Be Fun?

March 24, 2016March 23, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Easter Chalkboard 1.jpg

Have you ever felt guilty about or slightly worried that maybe all the “fun” activities of Easter should be avoided by Christians – those who celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? My own heart’s answer to that is that I believe our fun should be a reflection of the joy of the occasion! Easter is the most joyous of days for those of us who love Christ! So, this day should demonstrate that!

Another guideline is that as with anything we do, it should glorify God -we must give the right opinion of Who He is. That will determine what I do. I wouldn’t want to participate in something that would be giving a false meaning of this wonderful day. Let me illustrate:

The Easter Bunny has nothing to do with why we celebrate Easter, Resurrection Day, so I personally, have never been a fan. However, an egg hunt, Chocolate treats, jelly beans and chicks are just fun (and delicious!). They can even be used to represent new life in Christ – the whole meaning of the resurrection!

I’ve shared this in years past, but we tried to do all those kinds of things on Easter Saturday. I mean, think about it – if you’re taking your child to Sunday school and church right after they’ve received a basket full of sugar, you’re only asking for trouble. Your child will want to partake. The sugar will make them hyper. The chocolate will destroy their clothes, and then your whole Sunday will have started off on the wrong foot! Saturday gives these activities a time to be enjoyed. This is a great day for some family traditions – the egg hunt, the basket distribution, a special treat.

Reserving Sunday for worship and talk of Christ’s resurrection makes it a special day. This is also a great day for traditions! Why not serve a special breakfast early that morning and read the resurrection story from the Bible? I love these Resurrection Rolls. They show what happened on that early Sunday morning! You could read the Scripture as you’re making the rolls together. Serve them with boiled eggs that you colored earlier in the week.

PicMonkey CollageEasterrolls — The roll is empty after you bake it, representing the empty tomb. They’re also a delicious treat!

Easter Sunday could include inviting lost neighbors to the church services and dinner. What a blessing to get to share the Gospel with them! Make a special traditional cake or treat every year. Make it special because this is a super-special day!!!

So the answer to “Should a Christian’s Easter be Fun?” is, absolutely!

Plan it out wisely.
Make much of Christ.
Take your family to a Bible preaching church where the Truth will be given.
Give the right opinion of God and this day in all you do.

We have so much to be joyous about, so let’s celebrate our risen Savior in a way that will reflect the delight in our hearts!

Easter Chalkboard.jpg

He lives! Rejoice!

Prayer · Uncategorized

Spring Growth

March 23, 2016March 22, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

The highlights of my week at a glance…

Last week began with a great day at Biltmore. We enjoyed seeing the gardens beginning to pop out in bloom!!

The week ended by getting to attend my first Prayer Advance in Roanoke,Virginia. It’s not a retreat – it’s an advance – advance in spiritual growth, in prayer, in study of the Word. It was exhausting, not just because we were on the go, but because we were doing spiritual battle on our knees! I attended with these ladies…

My husband drove us there in our church van. What a servant he is! He carted us all over the place; willingly took his days to just serve us. Here he is giving a testimony of what the Men’s Prayer Advance has meant in his life…

Carol Trahan was one of the speakers. She’s become a special friend of mine. I love her heart for the Lord and His Word. She is full of Scripture! What a conviction that is to my own heart! Her sessions were so powerful and life-changing!

I’m excited to say that she’s speaking at our church’ ladies’ retreat this coming September 9, 10th! Mark it on your calendar and join us!!!

I got to join these dear friends in prayer as we sought the Lord’s cleansing and freedom from the bondage of bitterness. What a blessing to be free!!!

We had some fun times at this little place – Elderberry’s. It was a sandwich and Smoothie shop. When we had breaks for meals, our conversations always turned to what God was doing in our hearts in the sessions. Wow! What a blessing!!!

I believe there were close to 500 ladies at this event!! What sweet times of worship we shared together.

There were many times to stop and pray together for special needs.

Not only was there spring growth at Biltmore – we had spring growth in our spiritual lives! God is so good to allow us times like this. My heart needed it! God answered prayer in so many ways – while on the way, while there, and as we got home. We continue to seek His face as we “pray Big!” There’s nothing too hard for our God!

Are you afraid to pray about those “big requests?” We have a big God! Trust Him for the God-sized tasks. Ask a friend to pray with you and keep praying until He answers. Could I encourage you to try the CPR that we used as we prayed?

C – Confess – Ask God to reveal any sin in your life. Be still before Him and let His Spirit point out hidden places where you are guilty before Him.

P – Praise -Praise Him for who He is! Praise His attributes. Thank Him for His blessings.

R – Request – Now bring Him your requests with a thankful heart for what He alone can do!

Has anyone else attended a Prayer Advance? How did it change you?

With love,

Christian Life · Easter · Uncategorized

I Remember

March 22, 2016March 21, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

I worry about myself sometimes!

“Where are my keys?”

“Who was I supposed to email today?”

“What was it that I wanted to pick up at the store on my way home?”

There is a command in Scripture to do some purposeful remembering about something far more important than keys and groceries – we’re to be remember the cross:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

I’ve heard these verses read many times as I’ve taken communion at church, and I heard them again this past Sunday as we remembered the Lord’s death. The bread was distributed, then a prayer was spoken, thanking Christ for being our sacrifice.

I took the bread and put it in my mouth. As my teeth bit down into the small wafer, the words, “This is my body, broken for you” rang in my ears. Just as my teeth were grinding that bread into tiny pieces, once again, I was remembered that it was for me and because of me that Christ suffered. I put Him there. It was my sin. I caused the pain. I nailed Him there as surely as I was now grinding that wafer into little bits. My heart wrenched with the thought of my wickedness and His sacrifice!

How thankful I am for the reminder of Christ’s suffering that our monthly communion time brings. To sit in my seat and take of the bread and the cup is to remember that:

Christ died for individuals – you and me.
Just as I received Him as my Savior, I must personally keep a clean heart – before partaking of the bread and cup, and every day in between.
My sin put Him there.
He suffered untold pain and agony.
I’m preaching the message that I’ve been saved, and He is coming again every time I take comunion!

A personal message. A personal remembrance. A personal Savior.

Thank you, Lord, for making The Lord’s Table a command for believers, so we would go back to the cross. Thank you, dear Jesus for dying for me. I remember.

Have you taken a heart-felt trip back to the cross to remember what He did for you?

Lovingly,