Redeeming Love: Part 2

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"Even if you persuade me, you won't persuade me." - Aristophanes
How many of you like being told what to do? I know I don't. I can be very stubborn. I need to come to a decision on my own. That's what I feel like Aristophanes is trying to say. While it can be good to have a "question everything", "independent" attitude at times, we need to learn to adopt a submissive and humble perspective.

Judge not, that ye be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." Jesus, Matthew 7:1
"You get what you give" and "what goes around comes around" come to mind when I read this verse. While I don't think revenge is what God had in mind, I do believe hat when we put good out into the world, we are better able to recognize and receive good back

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus, Matthew 19:19
This verse can be dissected, analyzed, then applied to so many areas of life. What would the world look like if everyone followed this simple rule? It's hard to even imagine. Think about all of your relationships (friends, co-workers, spouses, siblings, parents) and imagine how much better that connection would be if you treated them like you'd like to be treated.

"Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible." Marcus Aurelius
Our view of our own lives and the lives of those around us is so limited. We see such a small glimpse of what God sees. That's why we tend to be discouraged by difficult situations. Thankfully we love a God who knows the intricacies of all of our lives so well that all we need to do is trust Him and anything is possible!

Let's focus on Chapters 12-23. What a roller coaster, huh? We've seen Angel's emotions and attitude rise and fall. She's questioning everything around her. New characters have come into play now. People are having an influence on her life in both good and bad ways. We see hope when a new family comes into Angel's life, and despair when a new man begins to eat away at Angel's soul.

Angel is trying to figure out what she wants out of life. She thinks she understands what Michael is offering her and it frightens her. Her past has made her distrusting of anyone but herself so she finds superficial comfort in her past plans for her life. God and Satan are calling out to her, but right now Satan's voice seems louder. She's struggling inside her head and not letting her heart lead the way.

Do you ever feel that way? Are you stuck inside your own head? Life is so much easier when we let go of what is troubling us and give it all to God. Trust can be a scary thing because it takes us out of the driver's seat where we think we're in control. The funny thing is, we're never in control. But it takes faith and courage to recognize this.

We encourage you to give your troubles over to God now! Let Him be your Leader. Get out of your head and into your heart!

Is there anything we can be praying for you? We'd love to hear your praises as well!

Be sure to come back next week as we finish up this amazing book. Get ready for more ups and downs and a very blessed ending!

God Bless, 

&

Testament Tuesday: Ruth

So far, reading through “A Lineage of Grace” has been a reminder of the daily renewal of God’s mercies and the strength of believing in His promise. The fact that Ruth, along with Tamar, Rahab, Mary, and Bathsheba were chosen to be in the lineage of Jesus. What extraordinary women!

Ruth has a book in the Bible dedicated all to her story. Because of this, I was intrigued as to what her story entailed. When I was younger, I thought, “Oh cool, a women has a book in the Bible…” Now I think about what her story has to teach me because it is a powerful one.

Here’s a synopsis, but you can find her entire story in the book of Ruth and of course in Francine Rivers “A Lineage of Grace”…

Ruth was a Moabite women.  She married one of Elimelek and Naomi’s sons. Another women named Orpah ( not Oprah!)  married the other son. Long story short, Elimelek died as well as both of his sons leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah as widows. Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem and told her two daughter in laws to go back to their mother’s homes. Orpah went but Ruth wanted to stay. The NIV version of the Bible said she “clung” to Naomi. She also told her, “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16b). So they went together to Bethlehem, just as the barley harvest was beginning.

Now Noami and Ruth needed to provide for themselves. Ruth went to the fields to pick up leftover grain if anyone allowed her. She comes across the field that belonged to Boaz who happen to be a relative from the clan of Elimelek. He was impressed with Ruth and what she did for Naomi, found her a women of noble character, and  allowed her to pick up extra grain.

Naomi wanted to find a home for Ruth where she would be well taken care of. Ruth was sent to Boaz after he had eaten and drank and was in good spirits.  Ruth needed to convince Boaz was a guardian-redeemer in the family, so he is obligated to redeem a relative in a difficult trial. Through this, Boaz was able to buy some land Elimelek had and gain Ruth as a wife in order to maintain the land. Through their marriage,  Ruth bore children which became Naomi’s sons.

Yes there is a lot going on, but what a story? Ruth chose not to go back to her mother’s homes and follow Naomi and her God. She served Naomi in such a way where if I were in her shoes, I don’t know if I would be able do it. Ruth even bore children for Naomi so she would have sons! She went from being a widow to being provided for and serving our Lord. Talk about life changing.

What life-changing events have you experienced? Who helped you through these events?

Getting married, having a baby, moving across the country are all experiences that have been life changing. I probably have overused this in a lot of discussions but having my son tops it all when it comes to life changing. Of course becoming a momma changes you but what we went through as far as my son being in the NICU for the month and being born early, and the state of my health before giving birth to him was an experience that strengthened my relationship with the Lord. As I mentioned in my birth story, if it weren’t for Jesus, my husband, and sisters in Christ help, it would have been a totally different experience.

Do you identify with Ruth or Naomi? How? Why?

I feel like I identify with both women. I can relate to Ruth in needing something to cling onto during difficult situations. Like God’s word or a friend’s encouragement. Now, Ruth’s obedience is something to be admired and something I need to work on. She is a great example of obedience. I also can relate to Naomi in wanting to take care of things and making sure my family is taken care of. She made sure that Ruth would be provided for and the Lord greatly rewarded her for her efforts.

From whom do you draw support and wise counsel?

As I have mentioned, I draw my wise counsel from God’s word. His word has answers and encouragement all wrapped up into a love letter written for me. Love you too, Lord! (Anyone get that Beth Moore reference?) I also draw toward the important relationships in my life. My husband, friends, family. When I can’t think clearly, God is my clarity. When I I am being irrational, my blunt and to the point hubby gets me on track. When I am going insane a short vent session and some perspective from Kacie always helps. Praise God and the people he puts in my life.

I love Ruth’s story. Every time I have read it, I have found something new that the Lord is teaching me.

What is the Lord teaching you through Ruth?

Are you a Ruth or Naomi? Both?

Blessings,

Testament Tuesday: Rahab

“A woman with a past whom God gave a future” –Francine Rivers

Today we get to take a look into the life of Rahab, the second book in, A Lineage of Grace. Taking place during the battle of Jericho, Rahab took a chance at creating a better future for herself and her family by following God and leaving behind her life as a prostitute. She put it all at risk in order to follow God.

Here is a little overview…Moses had just died and Joshua was now in charge. He sent two spies to the walled city of Jericho to scout it out. The spies ended up in the house of Rahab. Now word got out that these two spies were in the house of Rahab and the king of Jericho sent a message to Rahab to turn these men in, although she had other plans. She hid them and helped them safely escape Jericho and told the king they had already left. Before the spies had left, she made an oath with them. The oath was that they would spare her and her family in the destruction of Jericho. The spies agreed so long as she does not betray them and told her to leave a scarlet rope as a sign so that Jews would find and protect her. Then for seven days she waited as the Jewish armies marched around Jericho. On the seventh day, Joshua told the spies to keep their promise and brought Rahab and her family to safety.

You can find Rahab in the Bible in the book of Joshua 2:1-14, 6:15-25 and Hebrews 11:31

Even in a story written long ago, I find myself relating to Rahab more than I thought I would, I can’t wait to share with you, let’s dive in:

Most of us will never face an invading army as Rahab did, but we do face overwhelming situations of other kinds. What kinds of problems are you facing right now? What kind of choices do you have?

My husband and I are trying to choose a church where God wants us to be. We want to find one to call home and serve in. We get so overwhelmed with finding a church that sometimes we feel defeated and skip church a weekend and in turn feel empty. It is at that moment that Satan will take that opportunity to keep us from growing closer to God. With this new season in life of becoming parents and the busy atmosphere of military life, we want to be strong in our relationships with the Lord not at a place where Satan can keep us down.

Rahab and her family members were locked up inside her house within the walls of Jericho—waiting patiently for the promised rescue. In what ways are you locked up?

I see myself being locked up by discouragement. I convince myself that we will never fit into a church or that maybe I should just stay home at watch church online. I know God doesn’t want this for us, but those thoughts always seem to creep in. But seeing how faithful God was to rescue Rahab and her family, I know the Lord will take away my discouragement and help us choose a church to call home.

When your world is falling apart and things are not going as you planned, what do you do to try to regain control?

When things fall apart, I try to take control, I blame myself and wallow when instead I could be turning to God for help. When my son was in the NICU and his progress seemed slow, I started blamed myself a lot for not being able to keep him in long enough. He went through so much in the month he was in the hospital when he was born and I didn’t want that for my baby. When I didn’t get into the teaching program at WSU my first try, I was devastated. I cried and thought of everything I should have or could have done. Eventually, I turned around and gave these things to God. My little boy went home sooner than doctors were expecting him to and I eventually got into the teaching program with God’s timing. Giving God the control to let Him work things out for His good, not what I want has taken a lot of humbling prayer time with the Lord.

Who have you chosen to rescue you?

I choose Jesus! No matter how many times I have tried to rescue myself, the Lord always comes to my rescue and is there for me. I didn’t know God until I was a Sophomore in high school. He rescued me from making decisions that would have led me on a path of destruction and sorrow. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.

Rahab’s story is an amazing story of having faith and patience in the Lord. From the get go she allowed God to work through her situation and He was faithful to save her and her family. Wow. What a gracious God we have!

What has reading about Rahab shown you about your life? We’d love for you to share!

Blessings,

Testament Tuesday: Tamar

Welcome to the first post in our Lineage of Grace book study! For the next 5 weeks we'll be taking a look at the women featured in this Francine Rivers book. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary are the women we'll be studying. The questions listed below are but a few picked from the study sessions after each story. We hope that by answering some of the more personal questions you will be inspired to dig deeper into your own heart and God's love. Here we go!

"Betrayed by the men who controlled her future, [Tamar] fought for her right to believe in a loving God." - Francine Rivers

Tamar married the oldest son of a family who was torn between two faiths. However, Tamar's new husband did not please God so He killed him. Same for the next man she married. When it came time for Tamar to be married to a third man, the youngest in the family, her father-in-law told her to wait. But he soon forgot about her and Tamar had to take things into her own hands. With God's help, she summoned the courage to stand up for what she deserved. Tamar's story can be found in Genesis 37 & 38. 

How do you deal with jealousy? with conflict?
- Unfortunately, I can be a jealous person. Especially in my marriage. I have no problem with the women in my husband's life, I trust them and him. But I find it hard sometimes when his job takes him places that I won't ever be able to go. While this can be a good thing (I don't feel particularly inclined to visit war-torn places), some of the destinations are quite lovely. I'm working hard to remember that he has worked very hard to get where he is and I have worked hard to be where I am.
Now when it comes to conflict, I'm pretty hands-off. I don't handle it well. Until something happens to someone I care for, then the gloves come off. I still don't handle it well, but I do fight for the ones I love.

Where do you turn with life's struggles-to yourself? to family and friends? to comfortable patterns? to God?
- I do try to turn to God...when I remember to. But when I forget that He can handle anything I throw at Him, I try to handle it myself. I take on the burden that He could easily lift from me. It's something I'm working on.

Judah was grieving over the past as well as the present, and he was gripped with fear of the future. What fears grip you?
- I have phobias that may or may not be normal. Snakes, heights, public speaking...but one thing I fear above all else: losing loved ones. I've faced many deaths through my life and it never gets easier. Lately I've been conflicted on this topic. When someone we know who loves the Lord and has given their life to them passes, we should celebrate, not grieve. And maybe even be a little jealous. They now get to experience heaven while we're stuck on Earth. But we still mourn. I'm not saying we shouldn't feel the loss of loved ones, because even Jesus wept when Lazarus died. Maybe we should just try to get to the celebrating a little faster.

How do you deal with fear?
- I'm a planner. I think out the worst possible scenario and what I would do so that if/when it happens, I'm at least somewhat prepared. Whether this is a small fear or a great one, like losing a loved one, I think I handle it better when I've already mentally gone through it.

Do you know the One who gives life in all its fullness?
- Yes siree! I strive to know Him more every day!

Will you accept His invitation?
- I have. Will you? Learn more here.

Up to this point in Tamar's life she had been abused, used, abandoned, and forgotten. Have you ever been treated unfairly? How have you handled broken promises?
- Who hasn't been treated unfairly? I tend to hold grudges. I'm initially a very trusting person and I find it hard to understand why people purposely do the wrong thing. It's hard for me to trust them again.

In what ways do you identify with Tamar?
- Honestly, she is a much stronger woman than I am. I wouldn't've been able to wait all the years she did. Especially after seeing Shelah (Judah's youngest son) and learning about Judah's wife's death. And even if I was patient enough to seduce Judah, I would've immediately thrown it in his face. Either that or I would've just resigned to being a widow the rest of my life.

Have you ever run ahead of God and tried to fix things yourself? If so, what was the outcome?
- Only all the time! It either goes drastically wrong or the problem is only temporarily fixed.

Have you ever been privately confronted about something you did or said that was wrong? If so, how did it make you feel?
- First, guilty. Second, thankful. When I'm confronted publicly, I tend to get defensive and try to blame anything or anyone other than myself. But when I'm approached privately, it's easier to own up to what I've done and apologize.

When Tamar was openly confronted, she presented the truth (as she knew it). When Judah was confronted with the truth, he repented. He had run away from both his family and his faith. God used the consequences of his choices to bring about repentance and restoration. In your experiences of being confronted with something you did wrong, what were the consequences? If you had it to do over again, how might you respond differently?
- I've faced consequences ranging from someone being disappointed in me to almost being kicked out of school. If I could redo some bad decisions, I would think things through more before acting. Maybe my actions wouldn't change, I am human after all, but I might be more prepared for the consequences.

Just as God worked in the lives of Judah and Tamar, He works in our lives today. In what ways is God revealing Himself to you?
Through worship and fellowship with others, love has been on my mind. God's love completely overwhelms me and yet I crave it more and more. I see His love everywhere I am.

As you have worked through these lessons, what changes do you sense you may need to make in your life?
Patience is something I've been working on. Patience with my child, my husband, myself, and God. When I'm more patient with my family, arguments become conversations and fights become open discussions. I need to take the time to listen to others and think about what needs to be said before blurting out the first emotional thing that pops into my head. And God's plan doesn't run by my watch. Having patience will help me be ok with that.

Like Tamar, we all have hopes and dreams for the future. What kinds of things do you hope for?
I dream of a big family. My husband and I hope to have children biologically and by adoption. June already has several "Aunts" and "Uncles" through the Air Force and we can't wait to add more! We're starting to get involved in a church here in Washington and are becoming part of that family. And all too soon our little girl will be making friends at school and we can add them to our list of "children"! Just because we're not all blood relatives doesn't mean we can't be a family!

How do you want to be remembered?
I'm a pretty simple person. I don't need to be known for world-famous talents or a celebrity status. If all people remember of me is that I live a life of love for the Lord, my family, and friends I'll be just fine.

We hope you've learned something from the story of Tamar. She was a true Superwoman with courage beyond what we can imagine. Come back next week when we study Rahab!

Before I go, I'd like to put a prayer request out there. There are many families out there who have suffered a miscarriage and are feeling the loss. Our hearts break for those families and we pray that God will place His healing hand on their hearts and bodies. May He ease their suffering and give them hope for the future.

God Bless,

Throwback Thursday: Trusting Him

For our first Throwback Thursday, I decided to talk about the time I moved to Enid, America. Moving across the country was very uncomfortable for me because it meant leaving the familiarity of home, which I called the Pacific Northwest.

I was leaving behind all my friends, family, an amazing church, and Target. A very minor detail, but who doesn't like Target?! Would I ever find these things in the middle of America?

First of all, I am shy so making friends wasn't the easiest for me. Second, I was afraid I wouldn't get along with anyone, or I would be that one person that everyone hated. Lastly, it was going to take me a good couple months to unpack so making friends wasn't an option. Although during this little pity party I was throwing myself, God decided to crash it and for good reason. I was making excuses.

These excuses of mine would only happen if I made them happen. God took hold of me and showed me that no matter where I am, life goes on. If I wanted to live a life for Him, I couldn't stay in the house all day and hide. What I needed was to step out in faith and not be afraid.

I trusted God to help me create a new life in Enid, America. I started going to spouse socials and meeting new friends. I eventually became a mentor spouse to help other new spouses get connected. I even started going to a Book Club where I met the most extraordinary women of God I have ever met. Quite frankly, I wouldn't have gotten through the most difficult time in my life without them.

Now I never want to think about what would've happen if I decided not to step out of my comfort zone and trust the Lord. Has it ever been a mistake to trust the Lord? Never!

Was there a time you trusted God and let Him take the reigns? How did it end up?