A Heart Devoted to God Brings PEACE

The most exciting news to share this month is that grandchild #5 arrived on January 19. His name in Bennett Brooks and he, along with my other four grandchildren, are so precious and bring such joy. I am blessed!!! Laurel captured my first time of holding him and put that picture on my Facebook page. Thanks, Laurel. What a joyful moment that was. As I write this, I'm looking forward to seeing, holding, and cuddling little Bennett tomorrow as I take a trip to Newton. I can't wait!:) Also, will get to see all of my grandchildren when we celebrate Clara's 2nd birthday (January 30) on February 1. 

  As I mentioned last month, I want to share with you what the Lord has taught me through this past year as I have fasted from all shopping and buying of clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc... for myself. For those of you who didn't read my blog last January...a quick summary:

 The Lord challenged me to this fast in January of 2013. At first I questioned if it needed to be for a whole year--that maybe 3 months or 6 months would do. I even had a few others ask me if I was sure that it needed to be a year. Well, my Lord made it clear in a number of ways as He always does when He calls us to do something that this was what He was asking. I have shared with you here that the Lord had already taken me on a journey from serving money (materialism) to realizing that knowing, loving, serving and finding my worth and satisfaction in Him is what brings true peace and contentment. I wondered what else He would teach me as I fasted from these things and focused even more on Him. 

  It has been a wonderful journey and learning experience which began on January 15, 2013 and ended on January 15, 2014. Honestly, as with each time that I blog here, it's very hard to figure out what to share because our Lord teaches me so much. I'm thankful for His promise to lead and guide me and to give me wisdom. The word that He gave to me this morning was PEACE. As I pondered that, He gave me some thoughts for each letter to explain to you what this fast has given me.

  Peace in being reminded every day that Jesus is enough--that seeking Him and drawing closer to Him by reading and studying His Word (His precious love-letter to me) as well as talking with Him will bring more delight than any shopping trip. I heard recently that if you DESIRE to KNOW our Lord better then you need to first of all choose to be disciplined to read His Word every day for thirty days. That discipline will then help you to desire Him more as you continue to read and study the next thirty days. Then not only will you desire to know Him better but you will delight in His Word, and it will become more precious to you than anything else. Psalm 119:72 "The Law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold" That is what happened in my life.He and His Word are now my greatest treasures! Instead of just reading His Word so that I could check it off of my to do list, I became desperate for Him and chose to seek Him (Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.") instead of trying to find peace in the things of the world. 

  Enjoying more time with Jesus as well as more time with others. It's not that I was shopping alot before, but I realized how much time I would look through catalogs when they came in the mail or look at things online as well as go into stores to look. It was freeing to throw away all the catalogs and to not look online or go into any stores unless I was shopping for a gift for someone else. And...for someone who has problems making decisions, it was great because I had already made the only decision needed--not to buy for myself--therefore no shopping because I didn't want to be tempted to buy. Our goal in fasting from anything that our Lord asks us to should be to get to know Him better  as we free up time that had been devoted to that thing (whether it's eating, watching TV, shopping, etc...)

  Appreciation for others as well as God's many blessings. I was reminded of how much I have to be thankful for and that faith, family, and friends are God's most precious gifts. As my focus was taken off getting anything for myself, I noticed that I focused much more on appreciating others and wanting to encourage and bless them. The Lord gave me more joy in Him as I delighted in His Word, believed His promises, and listened to pastors' messages on the radio. We become what we put into our mind and hearts, and I continue to find that the more I feed on His Word, the more I appreciate everything and everyone more and can have joy regardless of the circumstances around me.

  Contentment with what I already have which is a gift that far exceeds any material gift. My contentment was in the Lord before the fast, but throughout the year I was reminded even more of the riches that I have in Him alone. Having my security in Him then frees me up from thinking that I have to have a new outfit every season or have to get something new for each event. He had taught me that before but the fast made me evaluate needs vs. wants and how often I want something that isn't a need. It was fun to put together outfits from the things that I had and to realize how often that I would just get something new without really evaluating whether it was really needed. Truth be told--I really don't need much and honestly--who really cares if I wear the same things? Now don't misunderstand. I'm not saying that having new things is wrong--it depends on where your heart is and where you are finding your worth/contentment... in things or in Christ alone. I have lived in both worlds and believe me contentment in Jesus brings a freedom and joy that is truly beyond describing and beyond my understanding!!! James 4:4-6 talks about friendship with the world: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the Spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Honestly, that's where I was at one point in my life. I was much more concerned with "fitting in" and "being accepted" by the world than being a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. The answer to that is shared so well in the commentary of my Bible. It says: "The cure for evil desires is humility (see Proverbs 16:18,19; I Peter 5:5,6). Pride makes us self-centered and leads us to conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine. It creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. We can be released from our self-centered desires by humbling ourselves before God, realizing that all we really need is His approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world's seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer."  All I can say is amen and amen. Things aren't wrong in themselves, but they will never bring contentment. More of anything other than Jesus will only bring wanting more and an endless cycle of never having enough and a hoping that the next new thing or new person or new adventure will  bring lasting peace and contentment. Trust me--it or they won't. Only a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit in us will!

  Excitement about the future knowing that He is enough. Excitement in being reminded this year of how much more fun it is to give than to get for myself as well as in being reminded that the less I get for myself the more I have to give away. None of what I have is mine anyway...it's all my Lord's and I am more aware now of how little I need and how much I desire to honor Him with all that He has given me. Also, an excitement to continue to tell others of the faithfulness of my Savior and to share about the abundant riches that we have in Him. Dr. Charles Stanley sums things up well: "The key to receiving life's good things is to seek the Lord Himself rather than just the treasure He has to give. We often approach God with an empty basket rather than an open heart; we tell Him what we need and wait for the bin to be filled. But an open heart says, "God, I just want more of You." Giving blessings from His storehouse is in God's nature, but He wants His children to seek Him above all else. A mind set on finding material success will miss the spiritually fulfilling path. However, pursuing the Lord doesn't imply abandoning plans and dreams; it simply means we prayerfully subject our hopes to His will. As we strive to know God, our desires change to reflect His. By studying His Word and asking for His revelation, every believer who genuinely wants to be trained in the Father's ways can expect His instruction. When we receive new knowledge of God, our desire for Him will be kindled like dry twigs touched by a flame. And the More we seek to learn about Him, the more we will want to know."

  So there you have it. My journey over the past year has brought more PEACE as I have continued to cling to my Lord and His Word. Psalm 119 is filled with verses about God's Word being true and wonderful. I'd like to close with a few of my favorites, but would encourage you to read all of the chapter and be reminded that obedience to God's precious Word is the only way to achieve real happiness. 

    Psalm 119:14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

    Psalm 119:16 I delight in you decrees; I will not neglect your word.

    Psalm 119:24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

    Psalm 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

    Psalm 119:32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

    Psalm 119:92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my 

                       affliction.

    Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.

    Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my HOPE in your word.

    Psalm 119:140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves 

                  them.

  In closing, I wanted to share with each of you that this will be my last message on this blog. I have been blogging here since the death of my husband, Ty in 2009. It has been such a blessing to be able to share with you what the Lord has taught me and how He has been my HOPE and deliverer. I love Him so much and my greatest desire is to continue to encourage others to know and love Him more but believe that my gifts are more in sharing one on one with people in meeting with them or through e-mailing or messaging on facebook. There are so many wonderful blogs out there (the ones here at Lovely Branches of course) but also elsewhere. One daily devotional that I would definitely recommend is John Piper's "Solid Joy". If any of you would like to contact me to visit or get together, you can e-mail me at kevafarney@gmail.com or find me on facebook. Thanks so much for letting me share my heart and my love for Jesus here. It has been a faith-building adventure for me as I have trusted Him to guide and lead me in the words of hope that He wanted me to share.

 The final song that I'd like to share with you really sums up much of what I have told you here as well as expresses my love for Jesus and what He's done for me. I have found strength in His presence. He is my everything and my one desire. As the song ends with: "My heart will always sing, I love You."  Praying for each of you...that you will hunger for and delight in Jesus more every day. He is forever faithful and I am forever grateful!

Jesus--Our HOPE in the New Year and Every Day of the Year

   Happy New Year! Trusting that each of you had a blessed Christmas and are looking forward with anticipation to what our Savior and Lord has for you in the year ahead. 

   I write this the day after celebrating Christmas with my family. So many thoughts raced through my mind as I talked with my Savior this morning reflecting over the Christmas season, the preparations, the gift giving and special times with family and friends. As my sons, their beautiful wives and my 4 precious grandchildren came to spend the day with me, I just felt overwhelmed by the goodness of Jesus, of His love for each of us and for the blessing of family. Honestly, it is still bittersweet as we gather to share gifts and share meals around the table without Ty (our husband, father and grandfather). And yet....the amazing thing is that with each passing year as we choose to trust and hope in our God and His promises He gives us not only strength to carry on but also joy and peace as we rest in Him. As I told my family yesterday...Yes, I wish that Ty were still here, but I still can be thankful and find joy in each day because I KNOW that God's plans are always the BEST and that He never makes a mistake. What comfort and HOPE we have knowing that this earth is not our true home, as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that someday we will all celebrate every moment with our Savior and with Ty forever and forever. There is no gift or treasure on this earth that comes close to comparing to that!!

  Yet, it is hard in this life to really believe that with all your heart if you haven't had to suffer and come to a place that you can hardly take another breath or another step on your own. In suffering, you are forced to examine what you say you believe. It's one thing to say: "Yes, I believe in Jesus. I trust Him and believe His promises." But it's another to live those promises when tragedy strikes and life no longer makes sense. It's at those times when those verses that you've known so well all your life become lifelines. As you cling to them they bring hope and strength that is beyond explanation. There have been so many verses/promises that I have clung to and continue to rely on every day. They are all available to each of us as we choose to run into the arms of our Savior by opening the Bible (His love letter to us). If you have been reading my blog, you know that the Bible is my greatest treasure. No other book is alive (Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of the Lord is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword...) and can change our hearts and give us hope like God's Word. Here are just a few of the many promises that have brought encouragement to my heart and I pray will encourage you in this new year:

   Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direst your paths.

   Matthew 11:28 Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

   Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

   Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus

   Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, "Never will I leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

   Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.

   I Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you many be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. Vs. 19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

   I John 4:15,16 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God. God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

   Psalm 73:23,24 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

   Psalm 37:23 If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

   Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

   Psalm 25:4,5 Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

   Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.

   Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.

   Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

   It's really hard for me to stop sharing His words of hope. As the last verse states: He is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. I can testify to that. He continues to amaze me more each day with His love and faithfulness. I am so very thankful for Him and for my dear family and multitude of friends this new year. I am blessed beyond measure with many material gifts but more importantly with a growing love and contentment in my Savior each day. I want to encourage each of you in this new year with this promise - that God will be faithful to you too, no matter what you are going through, as you choose to TRUST and BELIEVE His precious promises.

   We are all on a journey each day. Hopefully that journey is leading you closer and closer to Jesus. Choose to take that step out in faith more often this year--to get out of your comfort zone and obey when He asks you to do something that you can't do in your own strength. It's hard--I know...but every time I take that step my faith grows because my Lord never fails to show up and do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what I could imagine! This paragraph from the "Jesus Calling" devotional, spoken as if Jesus is talking, sums it up well: 

I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything--and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence.

   As I finish up my year-long clothing fast this month, I will be sharing all the Lord has taught me through that in my next blog. Hopefully, I will also be sharing about my new grandson who is due on January 24!! So fun!

   The song I'm sharing is an older one by Phillips, Craig and Dean called "I Am A Friend of God." Praying that in this new year your friendship with our Heavenly Father will flourish as you seek to love Him more and know Him better each day. He truly is the best friend you will ever have!!!


   

Jesus--Our Greatest Gift!

   This Christmas season I want to praise Jesus for all that He has done and continues to do in my life. As His follower, every Christmas should be better and more special as the years go by because of being more satisfied and in love with the greatest gift--Jesus! When you already have the best gift, you can appreciate all the other gifts and blessings that He gives you so much more.

   It's hard for me to express how much I love and cherish my Savior. As I've mentioned before, I know that Jesus wants me to share my heart here, to be vulnerable, to help others see how much they need Jesus not religion, rules and trying harder. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I need to share that I don't have it all together--that I struggle--that I mess up--so that others will know that they're not alone in their struggles and that they have a Savior who loves them unconditionally, who delights in them and promises never to leave them and to help them in those struggles.

Recently, I shared one of my journal entries with some friends to encourage them by reminding them of what Jesus has done for me in those struggles and what He wants to do for all of us. I can relate to Paul so well. In Philippians 1 he talks about wanting Christ to be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death. He says in vs. 21-26:

   "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." 

   That was my desire: that as I shared from my journal what Jesus had reminded me of, that their joy in Jesus would overflow. One of those friends encouraged me to share that entry here which was an answer to my prayer of "what should I share, Lord? You are teaching me so much!" 

   So...from my journal entry testifying to the amazing gift we have in Jesus and His Word. All of our journeys are different, but Jesus is enough for all of us and waits patiently for us to REST in Him in everything.

    Journal entry of Oct. 22, 2013

   From McArthur commentary:
   "The key and the only key to a righteous life is keeping the Word of the living God. Jesus told the Scribes/Pharisees that they "invalidated the Word of God for the sake of their tradition" (Matt. 15:6). On the surface it seemed that the traditions made the law harder, but in reality they made it much easier, because observance was entirely external. Keeping the traditions demanded a great deal of effort, but it demanded no heart obedience and no faith in God."

   In many ways that's how I lived much of my life. I wanted to do things "right" but my motivation was more from "being the good girl" and "because I should" than of wanting to obey, honor and glorify Jesus because of my love for Him. Again--it was more out of duty than relationship although I didn't see it that way at the time. I didn't hunger and thirst for righteousness and to know Him better nearly as much as I hungered to fit in and be accepted by others and the world. My focus was definitely on this world and being comfortable here than on my true home in heaven. My peace and contentment rested in people, circumstances or events and was not consistent. Such a contrast from now when I have peace, joy and contentment continually regardless of my circumstances or what others people in my life do or say. That has come from choosing to seek and draw near to my Savior in His Word and make Him my #1 priority--a choice that has to be made every day sometimes many times a day as we have so many choices on how to spend the time He has given us. As I have heard others say when their greatest treasure on earth is taken away: "it's not until everything is taken away (for me it was Ty, my greatest earthly treasure) that you realize you have everything you need in Jesus!" He truly is enough. Does that mean that every day is easy--NO--but it means that I never face any moment alone, that He has promised to never leave me or forsake me, that He is the God of all comfort, that His plans for me are perfect, that He is my strength when I'm weak, that as I trust Him He gives me a peace beyond my understanding, that I can choose to REST in His loving arms every minute, that His love for me never changes no matter how much I mess up, that I can enjoy each day one at a time and not worry because He holds my future securely in His hands, because all things will work together for good because I am His child, because He delights in me, because He brings sunshine to my heart even on a cloudy day, because of the security/contentment I have in my relationship with Jesus that I enjoy everything and everyone more, because He is my Rock, my Fortress, my King, my Shepherd, my Savior, my Lord, my Shelter, my Redeemer, my Refuge, my Father, and now my Husband--what more could I ask for? He is enough--more of Him was what I was searching for and needed for much of my life. Now, for the rest of my life here, I want to honor and glorify my best friend and Savior by sharing what He has taught me through His very special love letter--His WORD--the Bible as I have chosen to run to Him over and over and over again in times of extreme loneliness and times when I thought my heart would break because I missed Ty so much. I felt like giving up so many times, but the God of all comfort--my Savior--was forever faithful, and I am forever thankful. Now I just want to help others to understand that they do not need to fear anything because the thing I feared the most happened to me, and I am continually amazed at the faithfulness and love of Jesus and how He has and continues to change my heart and give me a continual joy and peace that is truly way beyond my understanding and of greater worth than ANYTHING this world has to offer! I am blessed and more thankful every day for the TRUE RICHES which can only be found in an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and from fellowship and encouragement from others who are His children.

   I pray for each of you who will read this--that you will find HOPE in Jesus --the greatest gift--this Christmas. As you celebrate His birth, I pray that you will hunger for more of Him during this busy time and take time to be still, to open His Word, to share your heart with Him and to get to know Him better. Time spent with Him is never wasted time and will help you notice and cherish all the blessings that He gives you each day. Every day is a very special gift when you walk hand in hand with Jesus!!

   The song that I'm sharing with you this month was one we sang in church last Sunday called "Lord, I Need You" I need Him desperately every minute of every day. I love the line in the song that says: "And where You are, Lord, I am free" as well as "without You I fall apart, You're the One that guides my heart."  

   Have a blessed Christmas with Jesus, family and friends!

Thankful and Blessed

     Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of the year. I just love fall and the crispness of the air as well as all the beautiful trees. It's a reminder to be thankful and remember all of our many blessings. Since the theme this month is thankfulness, it was easy for me to quickly think of some things that I am particularly thankful for this past month.

     First of all, I am thankful for life-long friends. I had the privilege of going to Branson for a week with two friends who I grew up with--Shari Morford and Kathie Spare. What a blessing that was. Shari's mom, Iolene Hildebrand and my mom, Donna Whitehouse as well as Kathie's sister, Brenda  went along too. The last time that I was in Branson was many years ago when my sons were small so things have changed a lot since then. Ty and I took the boys to Silver Dollar City and I have very fond memories of that. Interestingly enough we were there (at Silver Dollar City) on October 17--the 4th anniversary of Ty's death. I was excited about that because I knew that Ty would be glad that I was on this adventure with these special friends. It was fun to go back and visit the places that I specifically remember that we went to as a family. The blacksmith shop and knife shop were places that  Ty and the boys especially enjoyed. Even though the trees weren't changing too much yet, the scenery was still beautiful and the weather almost perfect. We were very privileged to stay in a condo owned by some dear friends. The view from our balcony there was fabulous and a special blessing to me every morning as I enjoyed a yummy cup of coffee with Jesus. Watching the sun come up and praising my Lord for His creation is a priceless treasure! My dear friend, Shari, even created a picture album on facebook of our adventures as the "Branson Belles" (the name we gave ourselves).  The trip also reminded me that friendships are such a blessing. It's important that we don't get so busy that we don't take time to visit with friends and nurture those relationships. Take time today to reconnect with an old friend (not just on facebook) but face to face sharing a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and encouraging each other!!

     I'm also thankful for my family--for my children and grandchildren. I enjoyed some one on one time with my one and only, sweet and special grand-daughter this past month. Wyatt, Laurel and Preston went to a K-State football game in Manhattan so I went to Newton to spend the day with Clara. Now--that was fun!!! We read books, played outside, went to Wal-mart, took a stroller ride around the neighborhood, played games and generally laughed alot. The rest of my grandchildren call me Nana, but Clara calls me Nanny. It was so much fun hearing her call "Nanny" whenever she woke up from her nap. Of course, the day went way too fast. As I tucked her in for bed that evening, it was hard to say good-night knowing that when she woke up the next time I wouldn't be there to hear her call my name!! What a precious treasure grand-children are. I am thankful for each one and for their parents--my dear sons, Wyatt and Yance, and their wonderful wives (and now my daughters), Laurel and Elaine.  Another blessing was having Yance bring James and Luke to spend part of a week-end with me. It gave Elaine time to catch up on some things at home and was a blessing to me to get to have some time with "her boys". Loved it when Luke woke up sucking his thumb--so adorable. Fun to watch James play with his dad's and Uncle Wyatt's trucks and tractors that they played with when they were little. Had a memorable day just playing with the boys, going to the park, visiting my mom (great-grandma), having Yance help me with little things around the house and enjoying fixing and eating some of his favorite foods from his childhood years. Lots of simple things but important things. Again, relationships are so important. Time flies by quickly. Our children and grandchildren grow up so fast. Be sure and treasure and appreciate each moment.

     Most of all, I'm thankful for my Savior and best friend, Jesus Christ.  No matter what life brings, whatever I have or don't have, or wherever I am, He is the best gift I've been given and will ever receive. Every other blessing that He gives to me is more special and appreciated because of my relationship with Him and the security I have in His amazing and unconditional love and acceptance. He gives me a continual, never-ending supply of joy, peace and contentment as I choose to rest, trust and find my HOPE in Him. NOTHING in this world compares to that. I am blessed beyond measure and so very thankful!!!

     Praying for each of you this month that you will also be overwhelmed with Jesus's love for you and will appreciate all of His many blessings.

     The song that I'm going to share with you was a gift from my dear heavenly Father on a day that was particularly hard.  I was struggling when I turned on Pandora and this song, "Steady My Heart", by Kari Jobe came on. As always, my Lord knew exactly what I needed to hear. Listening to the song that day quieted my anxious heart and helped me to focus on what I have in Jesus. I trust that it will be a blessing to you--that you too will choose to take refuge in the arms of Jesus and allow Him to steady your heart.

Taking the hand of Jesus

 

 "Hands" is the theme for the lovelybranches.org blogs this month. Often I don't choose to follow the theme, but my first thought when I heard it was of a picture that I cherish. It was taken at Wyatt and Laurel's wedding and is a close-up of Ty's hand holding mine. When Ty and I were looking at the wedding pictures deciding which one to get...Ty definitely wanted this one. He said that if our Lord didn't heal him here and chose to take him home to heaven that I would especially be grateful for that picture. Well, he was right as he usually was. It is one of my most treasured possessions. I always loved his big, strong hands; hands that totally enveloped my smaller ones. I was comforted in uncertain or hard situations by just taking his hand and feeling that familiar squeeze, knowing without a word from him that he was there for me. As the years go by, and I continue to walk the road that Jesus has for me here, I am even more thankful for that precious picture because I never want to forget what his hand looked like and the comfort I always felt as I so often reached out for it. Amazingly, that picture brings much comfort each day as it is a reminder to me that although I no longer have Ty's hand to reach for that I do have the hand of my Savior to hold onto. Just as holding Ty's hand brought much comfort and assurance in years past; taking hold of the hand of Jesus and trusting Him does as well. 
   I encourage each of you today to choose to take hold of the hand of Jesus, to walk with Him, to share your heart with Him. He loves you so much and is holding out His hand to you just waiting for you to take it and trust and rest in Him. Allow Jesus to walk with you as well as lead and guide you today and everyday. 
   If you are blessed to have a spouse, then choose to take time to hold their hand while you enjoy reading together God's love letter (His Word) or take a walk, hand in hand, talking to our creator as you enjoy His beautiful creation. If you don't have time for either of those things, then your life is too busy. Treasure every moment; don't take each other for granted. None of us are guaranteed another day, another year.
   As I was finishing writing these thoughts, I was again amazed as my Lord led me to a devotional by David Jeremiah which expresses very well what Ty's hands and now what the hands of my Savior express to me.
   The verse from the devotional is from I Chronicles 28:20 and says: Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God--my God--will be with you.
   Then from the devotional titled, Tucked In: When Corrie ten Boom was a little girl, her father used to tuck her into bed at night. He talked and prayed with her, then laid his big hand on her little face. Later, when Corrie was imprisoned in a brutal concentration camp, she would ask God to tuck her in and lay His hand on her face. "That would bring me peace, and I would be able to sleep." Corrie wrote in her book, Each New Day. 
   One of our Lord's names is Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." Our dads and moms (or our spouse) may no longer be around to tuck us into bed, but our Emmanuel never leaves us. Sometimes it helps to envision His presence beside us in the car, sitting by us in the pew at church, or leaning over us in bed as if to tuck us in. It's not a matter of visualizing an imaginary person but of recognizing a Friend's presence.
   Jesus said,"Lo, I am with you always." So be strong and of good courage, and do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God will be with you.
   As Corrie ten Boom prayed and you and I can pray too: Jesus, thank You that because of Your constant presence, I am never alone. Hold my hand tightly, Lord. Although afflictions may torment me, they can never defeat me.
   I'm trusting each of you into His loving hands. Hold on; hold tight!! May our Lord bless you richly with HOPE in His presence!
   Choosing to share the song: "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman as a reminder that God is always with us. We do not need to fear because He will never let go of us--His beloved children!

God Never Gives Up on You!

Honestly, I don't even know where to begin this month. Since sharing with you last I, like each of you I'm sure, have had good days and tough days. My journal is filled with thanks to the Lord for his faithfulness as well as cries to him to help me in my weakness-----again! I'm so thankful that he never gives up on me. That as his child, God looks at me lovingly, with compassion, just like he looks at his son Jesus because of the sacrifice that He made at the cross for us. Elyse M. Fitzpatrick in her book, "Because He Loves Me" (a book I highly recommend) says it this way: "He loves you with the same intensity and purity of love that he has for his Son (John 17:23). Jesus is his beloved and so are you." What a blessing!! God's love for me and you never changes.

 As the theme this month for the lovelybranches.org blogs is on 'Serving God and Serving Others', I believe that in order to do that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, need to be more open with our struggles and battles. In doing so, we can then serve each other by praying with and for each other and be reminded that we're not alone and we're not crazy like Satan wants us to believe. I'll share with you a journal entry of one of those "battle" days.

A very tough morning. My feelings say, "I hate myself." I hate my sin. I hate battling the same sins over and over. I just want to give up. It's so much harder being a committed follower of Jesus Christ than how it was when I just tacked Jesus on to "my life" and "my agenda." I think this is the 1st time I have ever said to the Lord, "I hate myself." I am thankful for you Lord and love talking to you and listening to your Words to me in the Bible, but I have been so lonely lately for another human to hear my heart and to tell me that I'm not crazy (like Ty used to do). It just takes me so long to make decisions and when I do I second guess myself. I am less patient with others as well as myself recently. I'm reading and studying God's Word as well as crying out to Him and yet...I continue to battle the same things. I read Hebrews 12 and 13 this morning reminding me that God will never forsake me, that I need to endure hardship as discipline, that I need to continue to keep my eyes on Jesus, and that He will equip me with everything I need to do His will. The life application commentary said: "God works in us to make us the kind of people that would please Him, and He equips us to do the kind of work that would please Him. Let God change you from within and then use you to help others. Hebrews is a call to Christian maturity. Christian maturity means making Christ the beginning and end of our faith. To grow in maturity, we must center our lives on Him, not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting in ourselves, and not letting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is sufficient and superior!" My heart is hurting, Lord. I know that I have nothing to complain about--that I am blessed in so many ways--that I don't have the struggles that Job had or that Joni Eareckson Tada has, etc..., but I still am weary of this life, of my failures and my sin. A part of me wants to go back to when I was blinded to all the sin in my life because then Satan left me alone, but I also didn't have the  peace, joy and contentment either which I wouldn't trade for anything so I'm choosing to do what I just re-read from a previous entry in my journal: "Endure for today--hang tough--don't give up--don't give in--don't feel sorry for yourself. The testing of your faith produces endurance. Obey God right now. You have grace for today, fresh grace for every hour. On bad days He gives more grace. Don't worry about 5 years from now--the Lord may come back in 4!" Also there was another reminder for my heart that despises myself today: "Because of God's grace, it's never too late to become what you might have been. God can redeem our wasted years." Please give me your grace, Lord, minute by minute on this hard day where I need you desperately to remind me that you delight in and cherish me even and especially when I don't like myself at all.

I'll share my follow-up entry on the next day where Jesus did answer my prayer from the day before and did remind me of his love and faithfulness.

A quick follow-up on my very difficult day yesterday. I shared with some dear friends about my day. It's always good to bring our struggles out in the open. We had a very encouraging time encouraging each other as well as praying for each other. I mentioned my difficult time with most decisions--just want to honor you, Lord, with every one. I shared my desire to have more wisdom to know what your will is. Well--amazement again at you, Lord, when I turned on the radio that evening and heard Chip Ingram talking about how to know what God's will is for you. He used the verse Psalm 32:8 which is one I pray all the time--a great promise from Jesus: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." I'm constantly amazed at how personal you are, Lord. First I had to choose to turn on the radio and not the TV and then you used Chip to speak the exact words that I needed to hear that day! But....You weren't done yet. As I went to bed last night I read in the "God is Faithful" devotional by Larry Burkett and Chuck Bentley. The title was "Be the Best." Larry closed the devotional with "We will function the best when we are where God wants us to be. There's nothing better than that! Find out what you are good at--what you enjoy--be the best you can be--with God's help." Then the verse at the end was.....Psalm 32:8!! Wow, Lord--very simply--you have reminded me again that I need to believe You--believe Your promise to me that you will lead, guide, instruct, and counsel me in the way I  should go (in every decision) as I TRUST YOU!!! Thank you, Lord for HOPE today. Life is hard. The battles will continue, but You are always faithful.

So there you have it. I went from despair and weariness to hope once again in my very faithful, loving, and patient Savior. I just want to encourage each of you in your walk with Jesus. Hang tough, keep fighting, persevere, share your heart with Jesus as well as with friends. Read His Word, His precious love letter to you and believe and rest in every one of His many promises not your feelings. Thank God for what you have. Trust Him for what you need. We have a priceless treasure in our Savior. How blessed we are!!!!

"Draw Me Nearer" by Meredith Andrews is the song I chose for you today. I trust that you will feel His nearness and love as you continue to seek Him each day. One of my favorite lines in the song is: "Where you are is where I'm home."

Contentment in Jesus

   Back in January I shared with you that Jesus spoke to my heart about going on a clothing, shoes and jewelry fast for a year. Here are some things that I've learned and been reminded of in the past 6 months since that time. First of all it's hard to believe that it's already been 6 months. It's actually been a fun adventure and has forced me to be more creative in putting together new outfits with the things I already have. I have put different belts, scarves, and jewelry with outfits to change an "old" look. I have realized how easy it is to confuse wants with needs and how often I get something new because it's "a great deal" rather than evaluating whether It's something I really need. We have choices every day of how we're going to spend the resources that God had given us. Everything we have is His, and I desire to be a good steward of what He has given me. I've noticed that by not spending and therefore not even looking or shopping for clothes, etc... has made me evaluate all areas of where I spend money. I am much more conscious of focusing on needs more than wants. I have become more frugal in all areas, appreciate all that I already have more, and am reminded that there are so many people whose needs are greater than mine. I say that I want to give more to meet the needs of others, but am I willing to give up some of my "wants" in order to do that? Decisions are hard for me so it's been nice to not have to decide which dress or shirt or pair of shoes to buy and instead choose to wear and be thankful for the things that I have and have worn many times before. Really....does anyone else care what I wear and why do so many get caught up in having the latest fashion trend? What really matters--wearing something new or having a heart that is seeking to know Jesus better and a desire to share His love with others? Our world focuses much more on the outward appearance while Jesus focuses on our hearts. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with dressing and looking nice, but   it can become a problem when the pursuit of "things" (clothes, vacations, homes, electronics, TV, etc....) become more important than desiring to know Jesus better. 

   In order for Jesus to fill our hearts with Himself, we need to be willing to deny ourselves. Self-denial is a common thread in Christ's teachings to His disciples (Matthew 10:38, 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 14:26,27; John 12:24-26). From my journal on June 23 I wrote:

   Self-denial is a willingness to obey His commandments, serve one another and suffer--perhaps even die--for His sake. I desire to do that now, but the Holy Spirit has shown me that for much of my life my actions did not demonstrate self-denial but self-preoccupation. I desired to be served more than to serve--didn't know Jesus and therefore His Word well enough to obey His commands and certainly was not willing to suffer and die for Him. I didn't want to miss out on anything this world had to offer. My focus was on the here and now not my home with Jesus in heaven forever. My focus was on the world and "fitting in" rather than on denying myself and being willing to be different and misunderstood. Jesus was a servant, loved others passionately, was misunderstood and ridiculed by many and willingly suffered and died for me. He asks me to deny myself and follow Him. As He, through the Holy Spirit, has revealed to me that  for much of my life my focus was on myself and being accepted in this world--now I pray that I will choose each day to deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him; that I will desire to follow in His footsteps, being willing to do the will of my Heavenly Father no matter what the cost just like Jesus, my Savior, did every minute that He walked this earth until He suffered and died for me on the cross. Really--if I truly love Him and say that I am a follower of His--can I do any less? Instead of expecting life here to be easy, I need to realize that it won't be. It wasn't easy for Jesus, and it wasn't easy for His disciples, but as Paul (who suffered much) said: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 I desire to live the rest of my life here to honor and glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to share His love and story of hope with others, and to 
look forward to my forever home with Him someday!!!

    In denying myself some things this year because of the clothing fast, it has reinforced how important contentment is. As I've shared here before, I was discontent for much of my life and was always seeking to find contentment with more stuff. Hebrews 13:5 says: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The life application commentary sums up so well what my Lord has taught me: "How can we learn to be content? Strive to live with less rather than desiring more; give away out of your abundance rather than accumulating more; relish what you have rather than resent what you're missing. We become content when we realize God's sufficiency for our needs. Christians who become materialistic are saying by their actions that God can't take care of them--or at least that He won't take care of them the way they want. Insecurity can lead to the love of money, whether we are rich or poor. The only antidote is to trust God to meet all our needs. See God's love expressed in what He has provided, and remember that money and possessions will all pass away." God promises to meet our needs in Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Again I have found the  life application commentary to be so true: "We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth He will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting His provision and power to live for Him."

  Contentment in Jesus brings freedom from the desire for "more". Contentment in Jesus alone is lasting, never-changing and a constant, constant, HOPE! 

   The song I'm sharing with you today is called "My Reward" by Kristian Stanfill. Is Jesus your reward today? Does He mean more to you than anyone or anything else? Praying that you will choose to make knowing Him your most important priority. You will not be disappointed. HE IS AMAZING!!!