Gladness of Heart

Recently, my husband had a surgical heart procedure to open up an obstructed artery. According to iData Research (11/7/18) there are over 1.8 million stents implanted per year in the United States. Unbeknownst to both my husband and I, my husband was

“suffering in silence of a broken heart”

With the recent observance of this year’s Valentine’s Day I couldn’t help but witness the various ways people chose to share their heart with a loved one. The security desk in my office’s foyer was a parade of exquisite bouquets and colorful heart-shaped balloons. While walking amongst colleagues throughout my office floor, my eyes fancied the array of cookies decorated with pink and red frosting and foil-wrapped chocolates displayed on colorful plates for all to partake. However, I couldn’t help but wonder, as I gazed around the numerous bodies of people working diligently at their desks, who might be suffering in silence of a broken heart. 

Emotions play a huge part on the effects of the heart. We have heard that anger or fear can cause elevated blood pressure in an individual. So too, loneliness and depression have a role in the wellbeing of one’s heart. Although a doctor can prescribe medications to assist with a person’s health in cases like these, the first step in one’s healing process is by the choices they make. A lack of social support can be a risk for heart disease.

I am not disagreeing with the need for medical care and counseling to aide in the healing of a broken heart. After all, I am grateful for the cardiologists whose hands administered the delicate procedure that restored my husband’s broken heart. What I am advocating is by finding a way to reach out to others through an act of forgiveness or service, or a loving gesture one can also assist in their own healing capabilities. By focusing on the well-being of others, a person can contribute in eradicating their own negative emotional barriers. Romans 15:1:2 tells us that “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” And Proverbs 17:22 confirms that “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.” By having a good disposition, a person can resist the attacks of disease.

"The gladness of the heart is the life of man,

and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days."

Ecclesiastes 30:22

I am reminded of a difficult time in my life and where God met me when my heart was emotionally shattered and wrote about this pain in my book, “Choice for Change”. That life changing day helped me to come to grips with the unfair feelings I was harboring against my mother. God showed me how to mend my broken heart and by trusting in Him to be my everything and by realizing that my investment in my loved ones near me my heart would once again flourish with love.

If you are suffering from a broken heart, remember that God’s love for you is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3).  

All You Need is Love…And A Sunset

Recently I moved into a new house. I had the opportunity to pick the lot before my house was built and chose what I believed offered the perfect tranquil view from my back patio. Who could turn down the dark green velvet field of grass accompanied by rich desert flora with the majestic mountain peaks pointing upward into the sky as a backdrop setting? Soon I would also discover God’s majesty showing off in the distant skyline. As the sun sets nightly, God’s finger painting in the distant sky quietly speaks of his grandeur.

The beauty is breathtaking.

From the first time I beheld the artist’s work, I became captivated and quickly looked forward to my nightly routine of gazing into the distance yearning for God’s next portrait. My mind is fascinated with the bond between the Master artist and the artwork as twilight falls each night. Always on time, the blaze of yellow, orange, and red colors scattered amid the horizon signals the end of each day. As I am gripped by every day’s final curtain, I am reminded that…

the artistic display is free and constant.

Over the course of each night while I stood quietly fixated on God’s painting, I couldn’t help but see a connection between the constant, vibrant sunsets and my relationship with Him. I realized that no matter what the day had dished up for me the Son was always receiving me with open arms. The beauty He paints on the sky’s horizon is picturesque of the love He writes on my heart. Just like the sunset is the bridge to nightfall, the Lord is my bridge to eternity.

Among my busyness one evening I was surprised that I had missed my sunset. I tried to brush aside my frustration since it wasn’t a conscious effort on my part, but it bothered me just the same. The best part of my day was to observe the landscape that God served every evening.

My desire was to always be captivated by God’s splendor!

As I reflected on how easy it was to forget my evening viewing I noticed a correlation with mankind’s relationship with the Father. It is easy to let the things of this world creep in and before you know it you have been swept away without really noticing. After all, who would purposefully forfeit communion with Him? Our hearts should be captivated by His unfailing

love…and a sunset that He offers to us daily!

In Revelation 2:4 we read about Jesus’ words to the Church of Ephesus as He told them, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” The word “left” in the Greek is aphēkes which means “to send away” or “to bid going away or depart”.[1] Note that there is a difference between lost versus left. Lost implies accidental, but left denotes a deliberate act or power of a person’s will. In most instances we find ourselves excusing our inattentive behavior toward the Lord by allowing our attention to be steered by our cares of this world. As innocent as it may be, we can be drawn by little things…

that take our focus off of the picturesque sunset God has planned.  

Albeit not all inclusive, take a moment to consider your adoration for Him by assessing the time you spend in the following:

·         Prayer

·         Church attendance

·         Devotion and Journaling

·         Serving

·         Worship

Is something or someone occupying your time while the Lord is pushed aside? Are you discovering your benchmark for holiness becoming lower? When love in your heart for Jesus diminishes all is futile. Our love for Him should grow deeper and stronger and nothing should interfere with that relationship. I can’t help but picture Jesus in the beginning and end of each day as portrayed in Ephesians where God, “…raised him (son-rise) from the dead and seated him (son-set) at his right hand in the heavenly places” (1:20).[2]

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[1]. G863 - aphiēmi - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NASB). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G863&t=NASB

[2]. All quotations from scripture are taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Nothing Can Separate Us

He's in the waves. Relentless. Pulling me in with His love.

He's in the sun. Warmth soaking through to my bones.

He's in the salty air that playfully tousles my hair, as I breathe in and am reminded of who He is.

His presence is all around me. Gently drawing me in, catching me off guard, drowning me head first into grace. I don't deserve it, but none of us do.

I try to love in the way He has demonstrated. I yearn for my life to mirror His and the example I set forth be one that that rightly points others back to Him. But the truth is...I still fall short.

Worry and stress are my forever companions. Anxiety and fear, my friends in the night. A decade later and trust is my archenemy as I still fight to let go.

But the amazing thing is that regardless of my shortcomings, he still loves me.

Patiently....Unconditionally...Irrevocably.

He knows the skeletons in my closet and still loves.

He knows my struggles and yet He stays by my side.

While I may always wage ware against the same battles, He continues to grow and mold me into the woman He has created me to be.

Nothing nor no one can ever separate me from His love.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,

 shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Between a Mother and a Daughter: Mirror Image

To My Darling Daughter,
God sees you in the fullness of His purpose. Although you may struggle with your self-image, I implore you to love what He had created. He does not make mistakes, but makes all things beautiful. Only by seeing yourself through his eyes can you appreciate and accept your unique qualities and joyfully fulfill His calling on your life. You should be excited that He chose you to contribute in such a way...I know I am!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

Love,

Mama

Dear Mama,

The world is constantly telling me what I should be and how I should look. In this day and age of the media persistently vying for my attention, I have to learn to tune it out. If that means refraining from particular magazines, blogs, TV shows, etc., I will do my part in eliminating it from my life. God crafted me in His hands, formed my being with the reflection of His image. In Christ alone can my true purpose be revealed and the light of His beauty shine forth in my life.

Love,

Your Daughter

His Love For Us

Buried within the pages of Scripture are the teachings of Jesus, covering a multitude of subjects, that are applicable today. To better reflect Jesus, we need to sit at His feet, as Mary did (Luke 10:39) and glean from the Teacher. I believe His greatest teaching was the Good News that man would be reconciled back to God, through His death and Resurrection, and His promise to come again.

Because of the Fall (Genesis 3:1-24), God sent His only begotten Son to be the sacrificial Lamb who would atone for man’s sin and reconcile Him to God. It is no wonder Jesus dedicated His ministry and teachings to share the Good News (Mark 1:14-15). He had a love for the lost and admonished people to repent of their sins (Matthew 4:17). Early in His ministry he began His ethical training, better known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29), to anyone who claimed Jesus as their King. The first portion of the Sermon, the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), provide wisdom and guidance for our everyday lives. Compatible with Jesus’ teaching style, the Beatitudes are in parable-like form. Another meaningful teaching parable, so pertinent today, is the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-21. Jesus’ message about restoring a rebellious son brandishes His affection for the lost. This love Jesus demonstrated for sinners fueled the fire for His rejection by the Pharisees (Luke 15:2). They had no tolerance for these unworthy souls, because they erroneously believed that good works warranted God’s favor (Matthew 23:5). The Apostle Paul would remind us otherwise in Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV), “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Jesus’ teachings are paramount to me as a parent and a disciple. As a follower of Christ, I am a work in progress and strive to manifest each day the godly principles taught by my Lord. My family will attest that I am not shy when sharing my faith and often will engage those I encounter. I have met mothers of prodigals and understand their agony over that part of their flesh who has wandered away. The parable of the prodigal provides hope knowing that Christ’s pain for their son or daughter is greater and rest can be found knowing He will lovingly receive and restore these children when they return from the pigpen. The wisdom one can glean from Jesus’ teachings is timeless. With the moral decay eating away at our society, hope can be found at the foot of the cross.

In the final hours before His crucifixion Jesus prayed (Luke 22:42). He knew the time was near for Him to “drink” the cup of wrath and judgment of God. In His Father’s loving way, He sent Jesus an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). With fabricated charges, not deserving of death, Pilate planned to punish and release Jesus (Luke 23:13-22). However, the crowd demanded He be crucified (Luke 23:23-24) and so it was. It is interesting to note what Jesus said about His death, as recorded in John 10:18 (NLT), “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” He came to finish the work of His Father’s plan of redemption. Upon arriving at Calvary (Luke 23:33 NKJV), which means “Place of a Skull” (Matthew 27:33 NKJV), Jesus was crucified between two criminals after being beaten and scourged beyond recognition as prophesied in Isaiah 52:14. How fitting at His moment of death for Him to exhibit an unfailing love as He asked His Father to forgive His executioners (Luke 23:34). Three days later He rose (Luke 24:6-7) so we could claim victory over death. His shed blood was our ransom and though our “sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV). While I did not bear witness, the Resurrection has made a permanent mark on me as my sins are paid in full. Still, the image of His horrific death brings me to tears. Realizing what His death on the cross means to me further drives my desperation to share the Gospel. We should all have a desire to proclaim His sacrificial love to minister to our lost and dying world. Daily, I am reminded how our society falls short of His glory (Romans 3:23), yet live with His undying promise of spending eternity with Him.

As Christians we anticipate our Lord’s return. The appointed time, predicted but unexpected (Matthew 24:44) like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10), will be commanding of everyone’s attention. Before His death, Jesus spoke of His return and forewarned us not to be deceived by false prophets (Matthew 24:4-5). As I look around my world today, I can attest to the signs He painted that would foreshadow His return. On the news we hear of wars, nations rising against nations, and an increase in lawlessness (Matthew 24:6-12). As society continues to turn its back on God’s ideologies my heart breaks. With the stage being set for the trumpets to sound (Matthew 24:31) I remain vigilant to share His Good News and return.

God’s love for humanity surpasses mankind’s fall into sin and reconciles us to God. Jesus, our Redeemer, should be our example of how to live. There is no greater love than to teach us how to live in a fallen world, to die on a cross and to be raised from the dead, just to restore our fellowship to God and return for His children. 

"Between a Mother and a Daughter"

Join us as we begin our new series entitled "Between a Mother and a Daughter".

Older women are exhorted in Titus 2:3-5 to not only be godly examples but to teach younger women. During our time together we will discover the heartfelt wisdom from a mother to her daughter and in turn be enlightened by the daughter's response that flows from the Lord abiding within.  We pray you will join us and be encouraged.  Also, we challenge you to re-evaluate your relationships and purpose in your heart to create a kindred spirit "between a mother and a daughter".

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A Painful Journey Towards Healing

There I lay sprawled out on the floor, as if I had just taken the final blow to my stomach in a boxing match. Tears filled my eyes and the floodgates unleashed before I had time to react. Hopelessly, I cried out in anguish…although no one would come to my rescue. Despite all my questions lacking answers, the one I kept circulating in my head was, “why”?

WHY would God allow this to happen?

WHY would He allow such agony to rip my heart into thousands of tiny little pieces?

If He loved me so much, WHY didn’t He prevent this?

Through the days, weeks, and months that would follow, my nerves became raw. I felt exposed, broken, and vulnerable…the result of any toxic relationship. I developed into quite an expert at “faking it” with a smile even though the pain inside was shaking me to my core.  My thoughts turned out to be my worst enemy as I battled between what was truth and the lies that managed to get tangled up somewhere in between. Depression sunk me further into the darkness as the struggles and fears, I fought so hard to bury as a little girl, snuck in through the cracks and reared their ugly heads.

Something within me shifted and although I knew the correct response, I didn’t want a Sunday school answer.

How on earth did I think I was strong enough to handle this on my own?

Have you ever felt that way? You know where to seek healing (in Christ and His Word), but you don’t run there. Maybe you don’t want to hear what He has to say or know that in order to receive healing there is action that must take place on your part. Perhaps you don’t want the responsibility that comes with surrender.

Sometimes we crave just a little more time to wallow in our self-pity, but God does not desire for us to stay there. He loves us too much for that!

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed,
but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God,
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)

Even when I was at my lowest point in life, God remained faithfully by my side. Only when I stepped away and gave Him control over my circumstances did my actions warrant the beginning of a journey towards healing. Admittedly, it came through painful cleansing. God cut straight to the chase and began to purge my heart of all the lies I had held onto for so many years.

While the world would whisper one thing, I began to hear the sweet promises echo in my mind and heart that He had nestled in His Word. I began to write scripture He placed on my heart onto note cards and place them all around my room so that I would constantly have His truth at the forefront of my mind. My prayer of needing to “feel” His love more was answered and every day He was finding new ways to woo me, drawing me in like a groom to His bride. I was captivated. Intoxicated. His love for me made me giggle like a child!  Slowly, but surely, He was changing me from the inside out. I didn’t think my heart could ever heal properly from the turmoil it went through. I thought it had been damaged far too great, but His loving hands were gentle and healed even the slightest of cracks.

Though the pain was great, God made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  He gave me a new heart and restored joy like I had never seen.  As the years have gone by He has shown me how even through the ruthless of circumstances, His glory can be magnified and He can use my story to encourage other who have walked down a path just the same.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NASB)

I think we all go through struggles, albeit at different times and with diverse circumstances, in life. We all toil, with pain that seems beyond our strength of coping, and all ask, “why”.  When we go through difficulties, be assured God will be with us. When the storms of life are crashing in all around, we can rely on His strength to get us through and those experiences can be used to encourage others who are going through similar things in life.