question ... Five Minute Friday 6-21-19

Five Minute Friday, 21 June 2019
The word: question      

For the past 18 months, I've been battling a huge question... "Where were you in all of this God... when things started to unravel."

For the first time that I can remember in my adult life, I've been thrown by a situation which occurred that was in direct violation with what I felt was the Lord's will. I did everything humanly & spiritually possible to make sure that I felt the Lord's hand upon this situation since mid 2012. And... I had a total peace about what was happening & what I felt was God's will to happen. 

But then... in late 2017, it began to unravel. The process was pretty fast... but, felt like it stopped time. During that time, I continued to pray for the will of the Lord - feeling & believing that I knew what that was. But, when all was said & done... things didn't work out as I had hoped, prayed, desired...

"Where were you in all of this God..."

Though my world was shaken... and continues to feel unsteady, I am not giving up on the faithfulness of the Lord. I am trusting that He sees down the road and that He is at work in all of this.

BONUS: A great video from Mercy Me and exactly how I have felt...

Word of God Speak

Love the quote below and have shared it several times over on the "When You're STUCKinindiana Facebook page".

God is always present, always at work, so there are no God-forsaken situations, only situations that have been forsaken by His followers. God is answering our question with another one,

"I’m right here; where are you?'” ~ Mark DeVries  #quotes

#FiveMinuteFriday

Remembrances - Friends Gone By

The other morning, as we were driving to church, I heard a song on the radio that reminded me of a dear friend who'd given me a CD in the final weeks of my father's struggle with cancer. And, I thought, "I'd give her the biggest hug if she was here." 

Then I thought of another friend who used to be like a sister to me -- walking beside me through that same journey of my dad's illness & death. But, in the past few years it's seemed as if she's dropped off the radar to me. I know she's still around. I see her posts on other people's Facebook pages. And I thought about that friend, "I'd give her the biggest hug if she was here." 

A third friend crossed my mind -- a friend who went through a bit of a public scandal due to some of her choices. Regardless of her seeing the error of her ways, she still faced looks of judgement from ones, whom I felt, shouldn't be judging... rather, loving & forgiving. And, I wanted so badly to hug her neck right then & assure her that I loved her regardless of her choices. 

A few more friends came to mind. One I'd traveled along a journey of pain in her life and tried to bring comfort & support. She's no longer in touch and, I miss her. Another was a dear friend from many years ago. She'd been living a secret... living a life-style which was contradictory to her core values. I often wonder if, since I'd known of her little secret, she'd chosen to distance herself from me & others who knew of that time in her life?

I've asked myself many questions. Why are these friends gone from my life? Is it because of something I said or didn't say? Were they only friends for the support they desired at a certain time of their lives? Was I not a good enough friend? Did I do something that caused a rift in the friendship? I've asked myself these questions over & over. But, a little voice inside me said that day on the drive to church: 

"Celebrate every friendship whether they last through the years or last for only a season."

I consider myself to be like an old hound-dog... a faithful friend. Once someone gets in my heart, they seem to hold a place there :) Today, I am remembering friends gone by... and wondering why... but, thanking God for those friends in my life!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Follow the Leader - #JoyDare No. 2368

I'm counting my blessings with the Ann Voskamp community & today one of mine is:
       #JoyDare No. 2368. new found fun

As a young girl, I enjoyed taking pictures and looking at what I'd captured (when the film was developed and the pictures were printed). In this digital age, I'm thrilled to be able to see what I've captured in the moment. Since my teens, I've enjoyed finding especially meaningful inspiration and motivational quotes AND scriptures. 

Recently, I decided to pair the two... a picture I'd taken and words that spoke to my heart. Often times I'll pair a scripture with a quote with a picture. I've had so much fun doing this lately! 

The idea for today's pairing was taken from something I read about being strong. It suggested that strength... shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over. That got me thinking about how to know whether we should persist or whether we should start over. I immediately thought of the game I'd played as a child, Follow the Leader.

Just like the childhood game where I would mimic another person's actions, as a Christ-follower, I have a leader to show me where to go, what to do, when to rest, when to work, etc. Unlike the childhood game, it's not following someone with no thoughts or reasoning. There are times I have to look hard into God's Word to know what to do. Other times I have to ask Him & then wait in silence to hear the reply. One of the scriptures which helps me the most when I stand at a cross road is:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

I might not always know when to persevere or when to start over. But, I have a leader who is always willing to show me.

Follow God's leading. Sometimes he wants us to persevere. Other times he wants us to begin anew. "For everything there is a season." Ecclesiastes 3

Does God want you to persevere in something today? Or does God want you to start over with something new? How do YOU know?

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

HOPE, Unanswered Questions 10-28-13

One year ago today in the #31Day challenge, I wrote Crazy Questions! - 31 DAYS OF CRAZY - 28 October 2012. And guess what? In the past year there have been a few too many mornings when I've awoken with a feeling of foreboding about questions in my life that day. I have a daily habit of reading several brief devotionals that I receive via email. And, this one from HomeWord.com came on one such morning...

Asking God 

Ask for God's help today with faith & fervor, and then watch in amazement as your mountains begin to move.

Be patient, we don't need to know everything right now. In this life we won't be able to resolve every question, solve every problem or understand every situation.

We don't need to fret over God's timetable. We will inherit all the promises of God through faith and patience. ~ Roy Lessin

I am reminded that a sense of foreboding needs to be replaced with a sense of hope. God is at work - even through all the unanswered questions!

His promises...

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

Love this thought & song from the movie, The Preacher's Wife...

Hold on, help is on the way!

No matter how we feel about the "effective Christian witness" of Whitney Houston, I believe God used her & many of her songs to point the way to Him.

Linking October 2013 with The Nesting Place

 for the 31-day Challenge

Crazy Questions! - 31 DAYS OF CRAZY - 28 October 2012

Which way is best? I don't know!
It's all so confusing.

How do we get the answers to our crazy questions?

• What did I ever do to make my spouse seek out another? 
• Will I get a regular job or have to keep working 2-3 to make ends meet?
• Why didn't my dad's cancer go into remission? Why did he have to die so soon?
• When will I stop blaming my past for all the stupid choices I keep making?
• Will the offer on that house be accepted or will I keep having to throw away money on this rental property? 
• When will I become pregnant and be able to carry a baby full term?  Why did that person get pregnant when they don't even deserve a baby?
• What causes me to be so uptight when I'm in a group?  Why do I wake up & dread the day?

Life is full of questions.  And, it's not always full of answers!  But, there are many answers to be found when we look for them.  And, there is a peace that comes from believing that everything will work out for our good -- even when our questions aren't answered! 

The past 10 weekends the pastoral staff at our church has spoken to the top 10 questions asked in an open forum. The surrounding Indianapolis metro community (and the world via the internet) was asked to submit questions to be answered during a special teaching series. No subject or question was off limits; and anyone could ask a question. A community panel, comprised of people who do not attend our church, selected the Top Ten questions. The questions were answered – one by one – in a Biblical frame during weekend worship services. The full list of questions is located on our website under:  Go Ahead Ask Anything 2 

Today concluded the series with the number one question:

#1 – Homosexuality

• Is homosexuality a sin? Can a person be a Christian and a homosexual?
• What does the Bible say about how Christians should respond regarding the following issues related to homosexuality:  Today, it seems whenever you disagree with society, like you’re not in support of gay marriage; you are labeled a “hater.” How should Christians respond, in a Christ-honoring way, when you’re attacked for disagreeing with society’s new morality?
• It is impossible for me to wrap my mind around other Christians who see millions of people that are gay and denounce their sexuality as evil and perverse. 
• How do Christians justify telling the LGBT population that their sexual orientation is unnatural and not in God’s plan when this is psychologically damaging and can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.?
• How do people justify using religion as a “weapon” to deny equal marriage rights in this country even though homosexuality has been scientifically justified as naturally occurring?
• How do you think God feels about an avowed homosexual accepting a pastoral position and preaching His Word?

How do you find the answers to the questions in your life?  Do you wonder... what would God say about this?  Post a question here & get some answers & some scripture references to back those answers.  Take a look at some of the scriptures below.  

Life is full of questions... and there are answers to many of those questions!!  Seek wisdom... get answers.

His Words: 

(got this idea from Chase Tibbs' blog; using it because i love the words of God)

• "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5
• "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 
• "And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers." Luke 2:47
• "Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!"  Romans 11:33 

Go check out over 1200 topics
in the 31 days {of change} with...

What's It All About?

My dad was born to a steel mill worker & a lifelong stay-at-home mom... born in a little white house perched on a small hill on a street lined with a dozen or two nearly identical homes. His dad walked to work carrying a homemade meal packed each morning by his wife... my grandma. Most weeks Grandpa worked 6 days. But, Sunday was always his day of rest... yet, up early with his wife & the 3 children for a big homemade breakfast before heading to church. 

My dad led a simple, conservative life, born & raised in that Ohio town. Most of his entertainment consisted of listening to the radio. Movies were taboo for his family. Music was how he learned of the world beyond his own. Although he remained conservative throughout his life... as a child... a student... a young man... and finally a husband, father & minister of the Gospel, he appreciated & learned from the culture around him.

I remember him referencing songs & books from his lifetime in his sermons - as I sat there in the front row with my mom & 2 sisters listening to his every word. For some reason tonight I thought about one of his sermons entitled, "What's It All About?" I wonder if it had anything to do with the song?

I'm thinking that while we are here on earth, we won't be able to answer that question about most situations we face. The words below were penned by Hal David & Burt Bacharach and give a haunting view of life & love. For me, life's answers often aren't clear... the road is frequently steep & winding... the "why's" are many. Yet, for me, my faith holds strong in the One who hung the stars in space, spoke music to life & loves each one of us like a long, long awaited child.

What's It All About... 


What's it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie, then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie, what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more, something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie. Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.

Sometimes... in the wee, small hours of the night... I weep over losses in my life. Tonight I say "Happy Birthday Dad! (12/8/27-10/20/02) Your love & your life helped me to answer the question... What's It All About?  ALWAYS, I know that our God is near.
 
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

Opinionated Me :)

You know all those scriptures about God working through tough circumstances and bad things? Well, I have some opinions on that. I can't say it's exactly how GOD thinks about it but, it's my understanding & belief at this time. 

I look at God as a loving Father, one who cherishes His children. 

Matthew 7:11 "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" 

I look at Him as planning for the BEST for us in the future and in the long run - eternity. I take hope in those plans & trust in them. I try to so as the song says, I think I'll let God be God. 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." 

Seeing down the road of life can get "foggy."
Trust the ONE who sees beyond the fog!

I believe He allows things to happen in our lives but, no matter what happens that He will work GOOD through it -- if we will allow Him to do that. There's just something about the "little girl heart" in me that doesn't feel like God PUTS bad things in my life. 

I love the story about Joseph -- you know, the one whose own brothers beat him & sold him into slavery. When Joseph was confronted by his brothers later asking for help from the brother whom they didn't then recognize, Joseph had some choices to make. He had every right to be upset with them & "give them what they deserved". 
Instead he said in Genesis 50:20, "As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the position I have today so I could save the lives of many people." 

I believe Satan is working overtime to persecute us & cause us to stumble. I think he wants to ravage our bodies... our minds... our spirits! 
John 10:10 "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

Despite that, if we will allow God, He WILL turn into good what was meant for evil & we can be put in a position to save others -- sometimes by merely bringing glory to God regardless of our circumstances. Sometime it's harder to do that than other times. But, a day to day relationship with God gives strength to do what we need to do each day. A new beginning each morning in Christ allows forgiveness, healing, restoration, renewal and the ability to be used by God and for His kingdom!

(14Mar10)