picturesfromheaven

"Sleep Like A Baby"

My son Brent received e-mail verification that his fiance' visa for Sol has gone through. We are all excited and thankful that after 7 months, that Sol coming to America it is finally going to be a reality. But that reality also includes me putting on a wedding in just two and a half months time. Although I am thrilled for Brent and Sol, I think that I have used the word "stressed" about a hundred times in the last week. I believe that is why this word is so important for me to share with you. May God richly bless you...and your times resting in His arms this week.

Picture… a little baby sleeping quietly in his crib. You can tell by the look on his face that he is completely at peace, secure in his parents love.

Hear…the Lord say, “Although the world rushes about fretting, I want my children to relax and be at peace just like this babe. If you look at anyone standing in line at a bank, grocery store or take-out counter and you will see stress written indelibly on his or her face and posture. This is not what I want for my children. I want my beloved ones to release their personal concerns into my hands and rest, completely trusting me to take care of them. Trust me, I have it all under control.”

Consider: I don’t know about you, but I am a first class worrier, especially over things of which I have no control. If I think I can do something about a situation, I am fine. But when I realize something is completely out of my hands and there is nothing I can do about it; that is when the worrying kicks in. I’m not one of those people who need to control others, but I definitely need to feel in control of my own life. I take the time and energy to plan. I create goals and put together strategies to reach those goals. Every day during my quiet time with the Lord, I write out “to-do” lists to help keep me focused so that the tide of activity that’s normal in ministry won’t sidetrack me. These practices work well unless I’m in some kind of crisis where it feels like everything is spinning out of my control and that no on earth is going to help me. It is this feeling of helplessness, the inability to control my circumstances, which worries me. Up until a few years ago I would have unequivocally denied that I was a worrier. I would have admitted to being concerned about an issue, but worried, absolutely not. However, one day when I was describing my “concerns” to someone, the Lord quietly whispered, “You mean worry, don’t you?” It’s difficult to have a conversation with the Lord and someone else at the same time, so I brought the conversation to a close and sought out a quiet place where I could set the Lord straight. Yes, very foolish of me, I know. But I really was in denial about this whole issue of worry. When I knew no one would witness my one-sided discussion, I began explaining myself to the Lord. I tried to make it clear that I was not anxious or apprehensive in the least. I was not a worrier. I had observed worriers over the years and I definitely was not one of them. When I finally stopped trying to convince the Lord that he was mistaken, he just repeated the question, “You mean worry, don’t you?” Although I had done my best to present my case, the Lord wasn’t convinced. It was at that moment I admitted that I had a problem with worry. Now what about you? Do you have a problem with worry? Think about it for a moment. Be honest with yourself. Do you worry about your children, your spouse, or your bills? Be honest, because admitting that you have a problem with worry is the first step to releasing it into God’s hands.

God wants you to know that he loves you; he loves you more than you could possible know. You are his favorite. Think about it for a moment and then say it out loud, “I’m God’s favorite”. He loves you so much and he wants to take care of things for you. Whatever is beyond your control, whether it is physical, financial, emotional or spiritual, turn it over to God in prayer. Trust in His deep and abiding love, to take care of what you cannot. If you will make it a part of your daily life, you will sleep like a baby AND you will see some significant miracles in your life.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. Ps 127:2 NKJV

Prayer: “Father, thank you for your great love. Thank you that I am your favorite child. There is absolutely nothing that you wouldn’t do for me if it were in your power, and I know that everything is in your power. You only hold back when you know that it is not in my best interest. You are the perfect parent. You love me when I am good and you love me when I’m being less than good. You want what is best for me. You use difficult moments as teaching tools. You will not let any harm draw nigh to my soul. I believe it. I believe that you will take all of these situations about which I was stressing and create something good for me. So right now I choose to let go of ______________________. I release it into your hands. I let go. I will not worry with it. I will not worry about it. I trust you to take care of it all. And I know that tonight I will have sweet sleep. Thank you for everything. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

posted by pastorc @ 5:00 PM 1 comments

quilt

This has been an exciting day. Our Shorewood Campus of CLC was launched today and they had over 100 1st time guests. My son Brent is the Director of Student Ministries and they had their winter retreat that was a huge success, the anointing change teen's lives. I was able to chat with my daughter who is a missionary in South Africa. AND...I am leaving in the morning for 4 days in the sun. I am one happy camper. But most of all I am excited about what God is about to do with all of us as we work TOGETHER to see His purposes accomplished. God bless you as you consider the following picture.

Picture… a group of very happy, sociable women getting ready to put together a quilt. Each one had brought a piece of fabric and they were excitedly showing off their small pieces of material. They were all so proud of the pieces that they were contributing to the making of the quilt. Although no one called them to order, it was like they all had an inner witness that it was time to start and they all sat down to begin sewing their pieces together. You can’t really see what they are doing, but when they are finished they step back and you can see that the design on the quilt is in the shape of the world. The quilt wasn’t made out of fancy fabrics, just the materials that they had on hand. And to be honest it wasn’t all that attractive. But you would never have guessed it by the great joy in the room. Every woman had a piece in the making of the quilt and they had offered it with joy and expectation.

Hear…the Lord say, “Don’t hold back because you think your piece of material isn’t as colorful as someone else’s, or as large or as strategically placed. Every piece is important to My purposes on this earth. You are a child of honor of value and honor and purpose. You have given, but there is more that you have been withholding. The work is not going to be completed until you do what you have been told to do.”

Consider: A puzzle is not complete until all of the pieces have been placed together. Whatever you have, whatever you can contribute, do it, and do it with joy. Don’t worry about fitting in. Don’t worry that you may not be as gifted as some people you know, or that your gift is not as important. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You have been brought into the kingdom for such a time as this. You are the key. Don’t hesitate just because you are not like someone else whom you admire. God doesn’t make cookie cutter Christians. He has created you unique and special. I don’t know what you are gifted at, you may be a terrific baker; I am not. Sometimes I forget to put in an ingredient. Do you know what those things taste like? I am amazed at women who can comfort the hurting and the wounded by baking them great pastry. I am in wonder at the women who can throw together a terrific dress out of scrap fabric and give it to someone in need. I am in awe of women who can organize an office at the blink of an eye to ease the stress of their co-workers. Obviously, the list could go on and on. Whoever you are, whatever you have, you are the key ingredient. Give of yourself joyfully to touch the world. Oh yes, something else the Lord wants you to know, “He doesn’t forget. He hasn’t forgotten you. He knows where you are and the idea that He birthed within your heart for you to do. Keep doing what you are doing, until the appointed time and the bigger picture will unfold for you.”

Pray: “God, I’m sorry if I have held back a bit because of fear. I really don’t want the fear of failure, the unknown or what other people will say stop me anymore from doing what I know you want me to do. Lord, I give my life to you joyfully, knowing that my little part is important to your purposes. Give me courage to step up to the challenge. Give me wisdom to know when and how. Most of all give me grace to give joyfully of my little piece, knowing that you are going to take it and use it in a wonderful way to touch the world. I love you so much. I trust you enough to give you my piece for the quilt, and to do it joyfully and with expectation of return. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

posted by pastorc @ 5:47 PM 0 comments