Does Our Faith Save Us?

The other week I went to a special viewing of the movie “Facing the Darkness.” It was a documentary produced by Samaritan’s Purse about the Ebola Crisis Outbreak in 2013/2014. It featured Dr. Brantly who was the first documented American to enter into the United States with this deadly disease. He was extremely close to death until a major breakthrough occurred.  An experimental drug emerged that could possibly save his life.  His only options were to do nothing and die at the expense of the disease or be given an experimental infusion drug only tested on animals.

I can’t imagine being in this situation, knowing you were going to possibly die in both situations. Dr. Brantly took a leap of faith and chose the latter, which ended up saving his life. He became the face of Ebola all over world. Dr. Brantly contracting Ebola showed the world, no one is excluded from this disease, it can happen to anyone.

His diagnosis was the catalyst for the Center for Disease Control pursuing a cure for a disease that spread and killed people at a very rapid rate. Because of the Dr. Brantly situation there is now a vaccine created for this virus.

At the end of the movie Dr. Brantly said something so profound. He said, “Faith is not something that makes you safe. My faith did not save me but got me through it. My Faith actually brought me to the Ebola crisis.”

Dr. Brantley’s situation asks deeper questions.

Is our faith enough to save us?

So many people in the Bible can ask the same question.

Did Daniel’s faith save him from being thrown in the lion’s den? No

Did Shadrack, Meschack, and Abendago’s faith save them from being thrown in the fiery furnace? No

Did the Israelites’ faith save them from being attacked by the Egyptians? No

Did Jesus’ faith prevent him from being crucified on the cross? No

You may be thinking, then what is the point in having faith if it doesn’t keep me safe?

These examples of faith did not PREVENT them from being put in scary, dangerous circumstances. Standing firm in their faith DID PROTECT them and allow for God’s greater plan to happen.

If Daniel didn’t have faith we would have never seen God’s power to shut the mouths of lions.

If Shadrack, Meshack and Abendago didn’t have faith we would had never seen God’s power protect them from being burned in the fiery furnace and how God was with them.

If the Israelites didn’t have faith we would have never seen God’s ability to part the Red Sea providing a way out from their enemies.

If Jesus refused to put his trust in His Father’s hands, we would have missed out on the greatest plan that ever existed—our eternal salvation.

Think about it. Each example of faith, including Dr. Brantly’s brought them to the heart of a crisis where their lives were at stake. Through each act of faith, we were able to see how trusting in God’s plan moves mountains and makes the impossible, possible.

How big is your faith?

Matthew 17:20 “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Our faith allows God’s greater plan to play out. Our faith does not save us, but God’s grace does.

Ephesians 2:8-9. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Our faith will not SAVE us from our bad circumstances or GUARANTEE us a life without struggles. Our FAITH will not prevent us from being thrown into a pit of lions, a fiery furnace, being attacked by our enemies or contracting a deadly disease. Having faith does not exempt us from harsh realities of this world.

Our faith DOES allow God to be in control and puts the trust in HIS capabilities. Our faith is the very thing that will get us through to the other side and live in the abundant blessings God has to offer. It doesn’t matter what circumstances we are up against, when we have faith we become OVERCOMERS in Christ. Our faith allows us to experience PEACE in the storms and JOY in our struggles because of what God has already gone ahead of us and done.

Where will you allow your faith to take you?

Our faith may lead us into scary, dangerous places.

Our faith will never take us where God’s grace cannot protect us.Click To Tweet

God’s grace and love are greater and bigger than anything in this world.

1 John 4:4 “ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

How has having faith in God protected you in your hard circumstances?

All you need is to have faith the size of a mustard seed and you will see the mountains move.

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Edition {Giveaway}

“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him” quote Abraham Lincoln.

I am so excited to announce the story I submitted last year to Chicken Soup for the Soul has been accepted and published in the Military Edition!  I am humbled and honored to have our story alongside other men and women who have served and been the force behind the forces.  And I’m thankful to have another opportunity to be published in the Chicken Soup Series!

I can’t believe how completely different our lives look now.

Never in my life did I think I’d be in this place I am today.  Never in a million years did I think I would be living in Alaska, living on a military base with my husband serving in the United States Air Force.  Never did I imagine all that we would see and learn just by taking a step of faith out of our comfort zone.  Only God.

You just never know what God has planned.

Even though we left everything we knew–family, friends, kid’s school, our home, jobs, etc.  We wouldn’t trade the military or Alaska for anything.  Coming up here we have become a closer knit family.  Moving to a place where you know no one, makes a family depend on each other in ways you never had before.  We also get to meet amazing military families who sacrifice their lives and serve just so we can be safe.

There is so much more to our story than what is published.  God has been writing our story for quite some time and is always full of surprises!

Life wouldn’t be life if there weren’t curve balls, sharp turns or detours would it?

As I am writing these words, we are getting ready to embark on our new journey to Colorado!  In fact we could really use your prayers.  There are a lot of unknowns of where we will live and what school our kids will attend.   We are trusting in God’s provision and leaving it in His hands.  Even though we don’t know how all the details are going to work, we know God has it already worked out for us.

There is something powerful in doing something bigger than yourself.

Alaska has taught us many things especially the art of camping and how to be prepared in all kinds of situations (wild life, negative degree weather).  We will be driving with our two kids and dog in our RV through Canada this summer, stopping by national parks along the way.  It is bittersweet for us to leave all the wonderful friends who have been our new military family to embark on our new adventure.  But we are excited for our new adventure that awaits.

Sometimes I question if we have to move every 3 to 4 years how are we able to grow roots?  I believe God uses us wherever we are.  He allows us to bloom wherever we are planted growing our roots deeper in every step of faith and act of obedience.  I will cherish the relationships and friendships we have made along the way and carry them in my heart wherever I go.  Each journey we go on grows us and prepares us for what God has in store (hence why we named our dog Journey ; ).

Our Journey Girl

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Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Military Edition is available for pre-order purchase on www.amazon.com for only $10.37!  It’s a perfect gift to give to that special someone who serves for Memorial Day!

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Unexpected Easter Blessings

Have you ever received a blessing from God that was beyond measure than anything you have ever received?

Easter in itself is a blessing that I will always cherish when God gave his only son for us. But there are two Easter blessings that will forever be engraved in my heart.

Last Easter, it was our second year living in Alaska. Last Easter was also my husband and I wedding anniversary. The day started out like any other day for me. I got up early intending to go to the sunrise Easter service then come back and all go together as a family. This morning however everyone got up early and somehow someway we all got dressed and made it to the sunrise service at the chapel on base on time. On this particular day it also had been snowing. I had experienced white Christmases before but never a white Easter.

Have you ever had one of those amazing moments orchestrated by God?

Well this day was one of those moments. As the choir was singing, they sang a song about how much Jesus loves us and washes our sins white as snow. It was snowing outside on Easter Sunday, my whole family was with me, it was our anniversary, the choir was praising Jesus—it was one of the most beautifully orchestrated moments in my life. Because I knew that this orchestrated moment was never going to happen the way it was at this moment again. Then it happened. I started bawling like a baby. Once I started crying I couldn’t stop. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and the beautiful gift God had given me that day it was all I could do but not cry. My husband looked over at me and said “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I said “yes.” He said, “then why are you crying?” I said, “because everything is just so beautiful!”

It was the one of the best Easter blessings God ever gave me besides sending Jesus.

Have you ever gone through a tragedy, then God turned it into your biggest blessing?

Easter 2011 was the worst and best Easter we have ever experienced. If you can only imagine, in April 2011 my husband and I endured the loss of our son from a fatal genetic kidney disease. Even though our son fought a good fight for almost 2 weeks, God had other plans for him to be with him in heaven. Our son died in our arms on Holy Thursday. It was the most surreal experience to go through knowing Jesus sacrificed his life for us on the cross on Good Friday while mourning the loss of our son. It was like our son and Jesus were going through the death, the burial and resurrection at the same time.

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24:6-7

Then 3 days later if you can even believe it, we all got up and went to church Easter Sunday. Needless to say the emotions of our son’s loss and honoring what Jesus had done for us were intense. As I was sitting in church that day, I have heard the Easter story hundreds of times before but never had I looked at the death of Jesus from God’s eyes. As I was sitting in my seat mad at God, I asked him ‘why did you take our son?’ After asking this question, I realized if there was anyone who knew the pain I was going through it was God. God understood the loss of a child as well.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”

I now had a glimpse of the pain God went through when he sacrificed his own son for us. This pain brought me to my knees and viewed God in a whole new light. This pain gave me a new perspective of what God really did for us and how much he loves us.

John 3:16 says,“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Even though the pain of losing our son was unbearable, that Easter Sunday turned into one of the most amazing blessings God could have ever given to us. I don’t think the timing of our son’s death was a coincidence. Celebrating Easter the same weekend our son died, encapsulated everything God had already gone ahead of us and done. Easter has a whole new meaning for me. Not only is it a celebration of what God did for us but also the celebration of our son living in heaven. What an amazing gift from God to let us know our son is safe in the arms of Jesus. He is taking care of him. He is no longer suffering or in pain.

“From his abundance we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 NLTClick To Tweet

Heaven also took on a whole new meaning. Heaven isn’t just a far away place we get to visit one day, it is real right now. Heaven is where our son lives right now and where we will see him again one day. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord in our lives, heaven is a place that is right here right now. Where God’s love resides there are places of heaven here on earth.

Sometimes God’s blessings are found in the most unexpected places.

What Easter Blessing have you received?

Have you experienced an unexpected Easter Blessing? Please Share!

It’s all about meeting Jesus right where we are. In Him we have life to the full that is complete and everlasting. Have a blessed week!

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Yes Lord

“God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called” quote Mark Batterson.  

          Has God ever asked you do something that didn’t make sense?

About 2,000 years ago Jesus was looking to qualify the called.  He was starting his ministry on earth calling His first disciples.  He saw some fisherman fishing alongside a lake.  He then told them take the boat, out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch (Luke 5:4).  

Simon, the boat owner said to  Jesus, “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).  Then something amazing happened.  Their nets began to break and their boats began to sink because they had caught so many fish (Luke 5:6-7).  

Simon and all his companions couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed.  They had been fishing all night, then Jesus came along and changed everything.  Simon fell to his knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord;  I am a sinful man!”  Simon knew he had witnessed something great and felt unworthy to be in the presence of Jesus.

Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.”  Matthew 4:18-20

In just three words Jesus changed the lives of these fishermen forever.  The disciples were busy making a living catching fish, then Jesus came along and said, “Come follow me,” you are now going to catch men.  Without hesitation in the both gospels of Matthew and Luke, the men dropped their nets, pulled in their boats to shore, left everything (their families, their businesses) to go follow Jesus.  

I have thought about this scenario many times. 

Why do you think God allowed these men to experience what it was like to catch the biggest catch of fish ever in their lives, to then tell them to drop their nets and walk away from everything they once knew?

This amount of fish could have made lots of money to feed their families and then some.  The fishermen prior to this had only been loosely associated with Jesus.  Jesus allowed the disciples to have a taste worldly abundance, so they would know nothing in this life could ever bless them more abundantly than what God could provide.  Dropping their nets and walking away led to the most extraordinary life ever in Jesus. 

What would you do if Jesus came along and asked you to drop everything to come follow Him?  Would you say ‘yes’?  

What courageous faith, trust and obedience these men had to just walk away.  We may not always know what lies ahead but God does. 

I can so relate to the disciples.  Three years ago God asked my husband and I, “Will you walk away?”  He said, “I know your life is comfortable, but will you leave all of your family, friends, your jobs and your life, to come follow me?”  

I’ll be honest at first, our response was ‘wow God that’s asking a lot.’  There were a lot of unknowns, where would we go?  Where would we live?  Where would we work?   When God asked us to walk away, He already orchestrated the plan, we just had to follow.  

Once we said ‘Yes Lord,’ God started opening the doors to where He was leading us.  We didn’t need to know how every detail was going to work out, because God had it under control.  We knew where God was leading us may be uncomfortable at first learning how to live in our new life.  But, we knew whatever abundant blessings we had in our comfortable life couldn’t compare to what God had in store for us.  Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus was the best decision we ever made.

His abundant blessings are always greater.  

Saying ‘Yes Lord,’ allows for God’s biggest blessings to overflow within our lives. 

Saying ‘Yes Lord,’ to whatever He is asking us to do will always leads to the most extraordinary life in Him.

Has God ever asked you to walk away and come follow Him?  

God is calling all of us to have the most extraordinary life in Him.  We don’t have to be extraordinary to do what God is asking us to do, we just have to be ready. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3

Coming Soon!  Some new changes to the website.  I will be doing a 4-part series of Meeting Jesus.  We will be meeting Jesus in the scriptures, our struggles, our storms and everyday lives.    

It’s all about meeting Jesus right where we are.  In Him we will have life to the full that is complete and everlasting.  Have a blessed week!

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Celebrate Easter with Jesus with this Family Bible Reading Plan!

7 Miracles I Have Witnessed as a Nurse

Have you ever witnessed a miracle, something so amazing, you knew it could only be God’s handiwork?  Being a nurse I can say I have been a first hand witness to some of life’s most amazing miracles.  I’ve witnessed countless births—babies taking their first breath of life as they enter into this world.  I’ve seen patients on their death bed who had no chance of survival, walk out of the hospital on their own two feet.  I’ve seen a father donate his own kidney to his son to give him a chance of life. It is an honor to be a nurse and a witness to some of life’s most precious moments that can only be explained as a miracle.  A miracle is something that cannot be explained by laws of nature but only by the divine work of God.

Here are 7 of the Most Precious Miracles I have witnessed (as a Nurse and Mother)-

1.  A Mother’s selfless act of giving her baby up for adoption–    I have worked in the operating room as a nurse anesthetist for over 13 years now and in that time, have witnessed hundreds of babies born.  I will never forget the love of the mother who gave her baby up for adoption.  I couldn’t imagine what that mother felt at that moment knowing she was giving her motherly rights away to another mother.  How selfless of the birth mother, putting her own child’s needs first before her own.  By giving up her rights she was giving another mother a chance to be a mother and a chance for a better life for the baby.  This selfless act of love reminded me of the selfless love Jesus gives us everyday.

2.  The Blind Couple-  One of the other births that I will never forget is a baby being born to a blind couple.  Both the mother and father were physically blind.  When their baby was born, they handed me their camera and asked me to take a picture of their new born child.  I literally had tears in my eyes taking the picture of their new baby, knowing they would never physically see their child with their own eyes.  What impressed upon me so much about their baby’s birth, was no amount of blindness can ever change the amount of love they had for their child.  Just because they couldn’t see their baby with their own eyes didn’t mean their love for their child was any less.  This picture of blindness showed me we may go through periods of darkness or spiritual blindness in our lives, but that doesn’t mean God ever leaves us or doesn’t love just as much.  

3.  #1 Nurse Necklace-  I will never forget the family who gave me a #1 nurse necklace.  I was a nurse on a medical floor and took care of an older gentlemen for many weeks.  This man had a very loving family. He became very ill and passed away a few weeks after being ill in the hospital.  I was so touched when the family invited another nurse and I to their father’s funeral.  I have had patients pass away before but have never been invited to their funeral.  Afterwards the family gave the other nurse and I a #1 Nurse necklace to thank us for taking care of their father.  It stirred my heart the way the family showed gratitude by giving us the necklace after their father passed away.  I never before had a family respond in that way and it moved me.  It showed the power in giving gratitude and kindness out of our grief and sorrow.  

4.  The Russian man-  I will never forget when a Russian man, whom I never met before, reached out his hand and said, “Do you believe Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior?” I said, “yes.  Then he says, “You are my sister” (while still holding my hand).  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, adopted into God’s one big family.  It doesn’t matter if we are Catholic, Greek or Jew when we accept Jesus as our Savior, what unites us as family is the blood of Christ.  

5.  The Roll Over Accident-  Have you ever witnessed something and you know what you saw, but couldn’t believe it?  My children and I were driving down the highway one day when it was raining.  A pick-up truck about 3 car lengths in front of us lost control and flipped horizontally (3 times) on it’s side with a flat bed trailer attached to it.  When the truck and trailer stopped rolling, it laid horizontally on it’s side laying across all 3 lanes of the highway.   Not one car hit the rolled over pick-up truck.  What was so amazing, all 3 passengers inside the truck boosted themselves out of the window and walked away unharmed.  It was a bone-chilling moment, knowing the accident could have been much worse, but God protected us.  This moment showed me not only do physical seat belts keep us safe but so does God’s belt of truth when it’s worn.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”  (Ephesians 6:14).  

6.  Brooklyn-  Our daughter Brooklyn who is almost 10 years old now, was born 8 weeks premature.  When she was born she only weighed 3 pounds 8 ounces.  She was too tiny to bring home and needed to stay in the hospital to learn how to feed and grow.  Her birth and life have nothing been short of a miracle.  Since she was born, she has alway defied the odds.  She came home after only 3 weeks (usually babies have to stay until they reach gestation).  She never needed oxygen when she was born, in fact she came out screaming!  One thing she has taught us is to trust in God’s plans.  Life may not turn out the way we planned but God’s plans are always greater and better.

7.  Bowen-  Out of all the miracles I have witnessed, there has been none greater than our son Bowen.  He is our third child born six years ago.  Even though he lived a short life of only two weeks on earth, his life impacted us greatly.  God used Bowen in a big way in our lives to show us how life’s most devastating moments can be turned into life’s greatest blessings.  How God takes our tragedy, our hardship and heartaches uses it, molds it and turns it into something more beautiful than it was before.  He showed us the meaning of living a life of love is a life worth living, when we are loving we are living.  There is no gift greater than that.  

Our son’s life taught us that God does answer prayer, maybe not in the way we want. Our son is no longer suffering, he is living a life free from pain, disease and sorrow.  God went ahead of us and made the greatest plan ever.  He is taking care of him until the day we will see him again. 

Have you ever witnessed a miracle from heaven?  Something that could have only been God’s handiwork?  Please Share!

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Jesus In Disguise

Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus that totally changed your life? I wanted to share with you about the first time I went to Honduras on a mission trip with our church.  We went down to help build a building for the sponsor children for Compassion International.  We were in a community outside of Progresso, Honduras.  One day the pastor took us on a walk to show us some of the other projects the church had completed over the previous 12 years.  They had built a water system for the community to have clean drinking water, houses for those in need and now the Compassion house.

One of the houses we visited in particular, was fragile and could have been blown down by a gust of strong wind.  It had thin walls, a metal tin roof and dirt floors. This house was among many which did not have electric or running water.  The owner of this house was a woman who invited us into her home.  Many women were left behind to tend homes on their own while their husbands left to find work far away.

When she invited us in she wanted to show her gratitude by offering the only meal she had—a chicken (which is expensive).  It was obvious she did not have much to give and yet she wanted to offer us her very last meal.  We said no we we already ate, please keep your chicken.  She was insistent to give us all she had even though she had no idea where her next meal was going to come from.  We did not eat her chicken but left her home filled with a richness so abundant that it was hard to describe.

What the woman gave me that day could never compare to anything I could ever give to her.  She gave when she had nothing to give.  She was like the widow who gave everything she had.  

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)

She showed me a giving out of faithfulness to a degree I have never seen before.  Her giving was so selfless.  The only way I could describe it was, Jesus in disguise.  Her offering out of poverty, giving everything she had to live on to us was the richest gift I had ever received.  

“You can always give without loving, but never love without giving.” ~ Amy Carmicheal

Her giving showed me the love of Jesus, how he loves and thinks of us.  She was not afraid to give her love not knowing where her next meal was going to come from.  She gave without an expectation of receiving.  She lived faithfully in the love of Jesus, relying on Him for her every need and provision. His love knows no limits, is not bounded by boundaries, but free to everyone. Her offering her last meal, gave like Jesus gives to us everyday.  His love isn’t meant to be kept hidden but shared with others.  

I have never forgotten what she gave me that day. She gave me the courage to be courageous in love, not be afraid, share the love of Jesus with others, so they too may know there is no greater love than His.

Her giving challenged me to ask myself, what am I willing to give to others to let them know how much Jesus loves them no matter what the cost? 

Have you ever seen Jesus in Disguise?

How did it impact you?

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” John 15:12-13 MSG

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God Never Wastes Our Pain

There I was exhausting every means of avoiding.  Hiding. Running.  Anything I could do not to stare at the face of the unknown right before me.  I had become weary and ran out of excuses of why I couldn’t just be still.  I was broken, afraid and backed into a dark corner.  I didn’t want to go where God was leading—it was going to be too painful.  It was easier to stay busy so I wouldn’t have to go through the unbearable.  Then I looked up and realized I had nowhere to else to go.  

Have you ever been in that place?  Broken?  Afraid?  Backed up into a corner with nowhere to go but look up or reach out?  God was trying to get my attention in a big way and I was being a stubborn child.  He had orchestrated everything up until this moment and asked me, “Will you take my hand? Or will you keep running?”  In that dark corner, He made my options crystal clear.  Was I going to allow fear to dictate my choices and responses?  Or was I going to allow God to lead me through this fiery furnace?  

What God was asking of me, didn’t make sense—it would surely be the end of me.  
Then I could hear God’s whispers. “Be strong and courageous, do no be afraid;  Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 NIV

This is what I love about the loving kindness of Jesus, He’s so tender in our fragile moments.  In the corner of the darkness, I heard God say “I know what I’m asking you to do is hard and painful but I am your Heavenly Father who loves you very much.  I know what you need.  I promise you, I will be right here with you, holding your hand every step of the way.  I will never let go.”  

I made a deal with God that day.  I promised I would fully completely surrender to Him and be obedient in what He was asking me to do—if He would please spare me from the burden that eyes should never see and hearts should never feel.  

God is so faithful.  He always keeps His promises. God asked me to let go of what I was holding onto so tightly, to make room for His unsurpassed peace and joy.  Only then was I able to be filled with His abundance.  God is with us every step of the way—He never lets go

I was reminded there is no pain without a purpose.  God does not allow pain and suffering without something new being born. 

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21 NIV

No amount of suffering or pain can ever take away the greatest blessing of a baby being born.  No one says “that was way too much pain, please take the baby back.”  The reward of the baby born into the world, is far greater than any suffering. 

Oh how we don’t like to suffer.  

“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth;  before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son.  Who has ever heard of such things?  Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? ……Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery? says the LORD. Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery? says your God.” Isaiah 66:7-9 NIV

Just like a nation cannot be born in one day, nor does a baby come before the labor.  To remove our trials, is to remove our greatest blessing God is producing within us.  God never wastes our pain.  He produces within us a greater blessing that far outweighs anything we go through.   

Our trials require courageous faith, obedience and trust in God (Prov. 3:5).  When we do, we receive the most glorious reward of the cross.

Taking steps of courageous faith, move us towards God’s greater plan. If we aren’t obedient in our faith, we miss out on the greatest blessings God has in store for us.

I promise God doesn’t allow suffering without something better and greater being born.  He does not bring forth the moment of birth and then not give delivery.  He transforms our pain into something beautiful.  Be strong and courageous, God is with us! (Joshua 1:9)

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Crossing the Waters: Interview with Leslie Leyland Fields

A great way to start the new year off is with a good book!  I had the opportunity to read “Crossing the Waters,” and post a review on the Alaska Christian Women’s Ministry website this month.  This week we get to hear from Leslie herself about the book and the behind the scenes life of being a Mom, a Christian writer/editor and commercial fisherwoman!

1.Tell me briefly about yourself.

Here’s my rundown: I have 6 kids, a daughter and 5 sons, from ages 28 down to 14!  I’ve been married longer than I want to tell you all—because I still want you to think I’m young. I don’t want my last two teenage boys to hear a rumor that their mother isn’t so young anymore!  I’m living my own dream—I’m working full time as a writer, teacher and editor. In my spare time, I love to hike and kayak.

2.You have been involved in commercial fishing for four decades. That life experience has given you insight into scripture stories many of us couldn’t have seen without your guiding words. How did this book idea come about? Did it brew inside your head for years? Or did it just hit you one day that it needed to be written?

I did indeed brew and stew over this for some time, years actually, before I committed to writing it. I looked at my own life on the water, around nets, boats and fisherman—-and knew there were so many parallels to Jesus’ first disciples. Most people don’t realize that as many as 6 of the disciples, half, were fishermen! I knew, too, that in our urban American culture most people don’t relate to the disciples. I wanted to open all of that up, so we could understand what it was like for the disciples to follow Jesus. And their experience—which was so strange, weird and incredible!!—sheds so much light on our own following of Jesus today. 

3. You spent time at the Sea of Galilee in preparation for this book. How did being in the place where Jesus and his disciples spent so much time affect your perspective on the scriptural texts that take place on and around the sea?

You know, here’s what struck me most—how utterly ordinary that place that Jesus chose. I had been there  three times before over the years, but this time, hiking the trail around the Sea and going out with commercial fisherman really engaged me in a deeper way. And I saw—the mud on my boots there was like the mud on my boots here. I wasn’t blown away by the beauty there. It’s really quite ordinary looking. It struck me how from the beginning God chose the ordinary, the weak, the foolish, (the fishermen!) to display his own magnificence and power. 

4. One of my favorite quotes from your book is “I have found over the years that the gospel does not always simplify my life or the lives of any of his followers. If we are listening well, it rends us first. It shatters us. This new life with the Holy Spirit pummels my heart as much as it soothes it.” You share some examples of this in the book, but can you give an example here for the readers?
When we hear about people suffering, whether it’s our neighbor or Christians overseas fleeing for their lives, because we ARE the body of Christ, connected and jointed together, when one suffers, we all suffer. This is the weight we bear as Christians, that we cannot turn away. But it also means in our times of need, we are surrounded by brothers and sisters lifting us up. We are rent, shattered and healed together. We live a thousand lives instead of just one. There is no better way to live.

5. What is your favorite part of the Alaskan fishing life?

Living out in the lap of creation, surrounded by whales, sea lions, sea otters, deer and the ocean, which beats on our island like God’s own heart.

6. Least favorite?

When the waters are stormy and the nets are full of kelp, which means hours and hours of nausea in a pitching skiff bent over picking out every piece of kelp. Yuck. Hate it. AND—the last few weeks of the summer, when everyone’s eyes are glazed from constant work, and everyone is ready to leave.

7. When your reader finishes the last page of this book, what is one thing you hope sticks in their mind?

That Jesus is calling you to this incredible life of following after him, living like him. And if you think you can’t do it, that you’re too weak, too imperfect, listen. Your love is enough. Your tiny limited human love is enough to accomplish all that God asks of you. Peter’s love was enough. This is Peter, who abandoned his dearest Jesus in his greatest hour of need! But his small human love for Jesus was enough for God to establish his church on earth. Your love is enough for Jesus to do mighty things through you. Go, follow Him! Do not be afraid! 

About Leslie:

Leslie Leyland Fields

She lives on Kodiak Island, AK and writes for Christianity Today , CT Women, In Touch magazine and various other publications. 
She has taught undergraduate and graduate programs throughout the last 25 years, as an adjunct, as a professor, and then as a founding member of Seattle Pacific University’s Master of Fine Arts program.   
She is founder of the Harvester Island Wilderness Workshop, bringing well-known writers (Phillip Yancey, Luci Shaw, Ann Voskamp, Bret Lott, Jeanne Murray Walker, Gina Ochsner )  to co-teach in the art, craft and faith of Writing.
Between speaking and writing, she runs a professional writing business, The Northern Pen, performing manuscript critique, mentoring and editing in all stages of creative, professional, and academic writing.

Founder: Harvester Island Wilderness Workshop

Website:  leslieleylandfields.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslieleylandfields

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/leslielfields

“Crossing the Waters” is Lelsie’s 10th published book and Winner of Christianity Today‘s 2017 Book Award in Christian Living/Discipleship

Available at amazon.com

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Live Full Walk Free!: Interview with Cindy Bultema

I love the starting of a new year! It’s a time for new beginnings, a fresh new start and is also a great time to start a new Bible Study! I had the wonderful opportunity to be apart of the launch team for the new Bible study written by Cindy Bultema, “Live Full, Walk Free,” published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Live Full, Walk Free is apart of the Inscribed Series for women.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your new study and why you chose to use Corinth?

Live Full, Walk Free: Set Apart in a Sin-Soaked World is a six-session Bible study book and DVD series based on 1 Corinthians. I love how God’s Word contains instructions on every (yes, every) situation we might face in life—even instructing us on how to live set-apart lives right in the middle of today’s confused culture. Whether women have been studying the Bible for decades, or are still trying to figure this “Jesus thing” out, I hope they’ll find relevant material that meet them right where they are on their spiritual journey.

I picked 1 Corinthians because Paul wrote this letter to church members living in the “Sin City” of their day. (So when you see 1st & 2nd Corinthians, think 1st & 2nd Las Vegas!) The church members in Corinth were surrounded by immorality, idolatry and indulgence, much like our culture today. Together we can learn from Paul’s wisdom to the Corinthians as he addressed issues such as identity, unity, purpose, purity, as well as overcoming temptations. Good stuff!

2. What was one of your favorite “ah ha” moments regarding this study?

Wow! So many! I think one “ah ha” moment was the fresh realization of how much our beliefs shape our behavior. If we really desire to live full and walk free, we must have our beliefs based on the Word of God.

This is very personal to me. You see, when I was in my teens, a peer scrawled on the chipped bathroom door of the girl’s restroom at my high school—“Cindy is a fat red cow.”

Unfortunately, those words defined me for the next two decades, attached to me like a sticky name tag. “Hello, my name is Cindy. I’m a fat red cow.” I didn’t know the Truth yet, that God calls me something very different—His daughter, the apple of His eye, a princess of great price. So I believed a bathroom stall scrawl, and gave it tremendous power over my life and behavior. I allowed those words to chisel my worth and carve up my value. Whenever I thought about my body or my looks, I flashed back on those ugly etchings.

And when we believe the “lying labels”—as we often do—we start to behave in a way that lines up with that false belief. If we think we are (fill in the blank), we will soon begin to act that way.

For example, if we believe our bodies are worthless, we will begin to conduct ourselves in that way: overeating, drinking too much, starving ourselves, or maybe even engaging in unhealthy sexual relations.

But when we believe the Truth of who God says we are, we begin to experience the fullness and freedom that is ours in Christ. Woo Hoo!

We will never live full and walk free if our beliefs are based on the messages of the world. We must know and think God’s truth-filled thoughts on every situation. Wrong thinking leads to wrong living—every single time.​

3. What do you hope readers glean from Live Full, Walk Free?

Freedom in every area of their life—including their sexuality. I often meet women who are weighed down by the pain and humiliation of their sexual pasts, even many years later. I’ve shed tears with countless friends who expressed feeling intense guilt for premarital sex, having an abortion, affair, or other sexual sins. I’ve walked with beautiful women who disclosed their excruciating stories of childhood sexual victimization. They know it’s not their fault, they should “move on.” They’ve tried to live forgiven and free, yet, they can’t shake the shame.

Unfortunately I think sex is one of Satan’s favorite lures. Clearly he’s using sexual sin to hook our culture: Porn is rampant, sexting among teens is commonplace, and we can’t even go to the grocery store for salad fixings without seeing sexual images on the covers of checkout magazines.

For many women, living in our sex-crazed culture has drastically impacted one’s ability to live full and walk free. Trust me: I get it. For a girl like me with a past like mine, I know what it’s like to be burdened with regret, disappointment, heavy hurts. No judgment here, only grace.

This I know based on the authority of God’s Word: no matter what you have done, or what has been done to you—Jesus Christ came so you might live full and walk free. You are not the one woman who has outsinned the grace and mercy of God. There is no one too far gone from God’s amazing grace!

4. What is one of the most challenging aspects of writing a bible study?

The hardest part for me in writing a Bible study is overcoming unbelief. I love God’s Word, I delight in sharing it with others, and I have no doubt God uses His Word to transform lives from the inside out. That’s the easy part.

But when I sit down to write a new lesson, I need fresh mountain-moving size faith to believe that God might use me—messy, mom jean & hoodie wearin’—me. I mean, I believe God to do mighty and amazing things through everyone else, but to think I have something meaningful to put into print is where I get stuck. I need to trust Him more. I waste a lot of time wrestling with God about this one. I’ve finally surrendered to the idea that if God can use a donkey, He can use a ginger like me.

5. During the writing of this study, you and your husband traveled to Greece. What were a few of the highlights from your trip?

Yes. My husband John and I were blessed to travel with the New York School of Bible on a study tour. I learned so much. It was such a gift to learn even more about the city, people and culture of ancient Greece. The more we understand the background, the more the Bible comes alive!

For example, in Corinth, there were numerous temples. While I was there, we saw the ruins everywhere. The Corinthians would have been as familiar with temples as a modern city dweller would be with skyscrapers, or a rural person would be with silos.
So when Paul talks about temples in the book of 1 Corinthians, his words would have provided them with a very real visual image. Except this time, Paul was saying something different about temples. As in shockingly different.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul writes:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God?”

After hearing Paul’s words, the Corinthians would have instantly imagined what a temple looked like: domed ceilings, glossy columns, stone floors. In other words, fancy. Elegant. Important. Paul is telling them, and you and me, that our body is a temple, a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit. Wow.

6. You are an excellent speaker who is in high demand. Can you provide a few tips for those who are getting started as speakers?

The #1 tip I always share is start with a prayer team. Prayer is the work, and I recommend starting on your knees. Building a foundation in prayer is crucial. Next, prepare your message. What is it you desire to share? Who do you want to share it to? Why? Work on preparing a solid message, so when the door opens, you’ll be ready!

​Additionally, I’d encourage anyone wanting to get started as a speaker to spread the word that you have a message to share! Let your family and friends know if they hear of a moms group/church event needing a speaker, to please keep you in mind. Lastly, I highly recommend attending Speaking Conferences. Not only are conferences a wonderful way to grow as a speaker, it’s an amazing opportunity to network and connect with other speakers. Many of the women I’ve met at Speaker’s Conferences are some of my closest friends today.

7. Can you offer a prayer for those of us who are struggling to live set apart in these turbulent times?

Dear God, thank You for my dear sister. Lord, how I ask that You would remind her in the deepest places of her heart and mind that she is lavishly loved by you. Please open her eyes to the purpose and plan that you have for her life. Help her to let go of anything she is holding onto that is getting in the way of the full, abundant life that You desire for her. God, I thank You that because of Jesus we can live victoriously—regardless of being surrounded by immorality, indulgence, and idolatry.

I pray that my dear friend would cling to Your Truth always—including when temptation comes, or old habits try to resurface. And for all of us seeking to live set apart lives in our sin-soaked world, may we know Truth, live Truth, and share Your powerful Truths, in love, with others everywhere we go.

We love You, Lord, and we bless Your powerful and holy Name. In the life-changing, delivering name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

About Cindy Bultema

Cindy Bultema loves the Lord, loves life, loves her family, and loves to celebrate! But don’t let her cheerful smile fool you. Cindy has endured single parenting, overcome addiction, and survived tragic loss.

Her personal testimony, “He Loves Me” aired worldwide on the “Day of Discovery” television show. She was a writer for Duck Dynasty’s “Faith Commander,” a seminar expert for the Grief Share series, as well as author of “Red Hot Faith.” Cindy’s latest project is Live Full, Walk Free: Set Apart in a Sin-Soaked World, a Bible study based on 1 Corinthians through Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Cindy lives in West Michigan with her husband and their 4 children. When she’s not running a full household, you can find Cindy walking her dog Rocky, meeting a friend for coffee, attending one of her boys’ hockey games, or serving hot lunch at her kids’ school.

Connect with Cindy www.cindybultema.com.

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Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom

This week will conclude our series on confessions.  I hope this series has filled you with God’s truth.  We can walk away from our comparisons of each other and rejoice in God’s truth for us in who He says we are.  We don’t have to wait to be accepted by the world or for our circumstances to change, we are worthy and valuable just the way we are.  He has a divine and specific purpose for each and every one of us.        

Whether we are called to be married, single, a working mom or a stay at home mom there is meaning a purpose in God’s calling for us.  Here is an interview of a stay at home mom who shares her heart with us.

How did you decide being a stay at home mom was God’s calling for you? Children are God’s greatest gift to us, their hearts are a mother’s classroom.  Investing in our children reaps rewards that are immeasurable.

What is the number one thing being a stay at home mom has taught you?
Being a stay at home mom is a constant dying of oneself.  It is a continual process of learning how to be selfless, learning how to be content no matter what and knowing I am still contributing to society even though I am inside the four walls of my home.  Also learning how to find joy in every moment, the good and the bad. God teaches me through thankfulness. When we are thankful, then we are more likely to find joy in each moment, which is what God wants for us.

What is the number one thing you struggle with as a stay at home mom?
Isolation and not getting a break.  Isolation can be the tool of the devil.  It can be a downward spiral that gets out of control quickly.  When I start to feel this way I know I need to pray and seek support of other moms who are going through the same thing.  I try to be proactive in recognizing triggers which amplify my struggles such as getting out of routine (holidays), bad behavior or sickness.

What did you do before you were a stay at home mom and how many years have you been a stay at home mom?  How many children do you have?
I used to work as an Early Intervention Speech Pathologist for five years before raising children.  I have been a stay at home mom now for 9 years.  I have 5 children, four boys (ages 2, 3, 7 and 9) and one baby girl.

That’s very admiral, you possess a master’s degree and walked away from a career to raise children.  What is the best advice you can give to other stay at home moms?
Do the best you can with the knowledge you have now.  The knowledge you have in the moment is enough to accomplish what God has planned for you.  God has entrusted you with their lives, he has put your children in your care for a reason.  God will continually equip you with what you need at every given time.  He has chosen your family and has great plans for you and made each of us with a purpose.  You don’t have to do something that is newsworthy or career savy to contribute to society.  What you do inside of your home, is just as important as what you do outside of your home.  We can support each other by not comparing and encouraging one another.

What is your greatest reward you have received as a stay at home mom?
God has called me to equip the next generation of warriors in his army with His armor, character, love, and grace. I can only do this when I lean on God for wisdom and peace and in humbleness, admiting I CANNOT do it alone. As mom’s we often fall into the trap of “I just need to keep going”. That is a red flag for I need a break, need help, or need to let go. God provides us with help in the form of His word, friends, family, spouses. Seek counsel of other women and pray hard!

What do you do as a stay at home to get a break?  I try to leave the house to get a break or escape to my craft room and work on a craft project.  Sometimes the only break I get is going to a private room or outside to pray. Finding a positive outlet for feelings helps as well as leaning on God for His strength. Be proactive in communicating with spouse and children in calm, respectful way to express a need for breaks. Because if mama isn’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. It is a sad but true statement. Taking care of oneself will help the entire household–do so without feeling guilty.

What are your favorite Bible verses that help you?

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

“Encourage one another build one another up”  (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

“In all work you are doing, work the best you can.  Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people”  (Colossians 3:23).

“Do everything in Love”  (1 Corinthians 16:14).

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”  (Romans 12:9-12).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”  (Matthew 11:28).

Being a stay at home mom is a busy 24/7 job that rarely gets recognized as being a job.  Whether we are a working mom or one that stays at home, instead of judging or comparing ourselves and each other’s children, we can all be encouraging one another, because we are all apart of the same team (quote from Cindy Bultema)!

God has called every one of us for a specific meaning a purpose.  Carrying out God’s calling for you, gives your life more meaning and purpose than anything in this world.  

God has great plans for you.

Do you know God’s calling for your life?

What has God called you to do?

If you are a stay at home mom please share how being a stay at home mom has impacted your life, So we can be encouraging one another!

A special thank you to my twin sister for sharing her heart with us for this post!  

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