Hope When Your Plans Get Interrupted
Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we think.

We face loss, bump up against a wall, wonder what in the world just happened.
It’s part of living here, in this fallen world.
Yet even in those moments we can find hope.
Not the kind that hopes for {because we all know that doesn’t always come true}.
But the kind that hopes in {because that’s what remains true no matter what}.
Hope in a God whose ways are higher than ours.
Hope in a future he promises he’s preparing for us.
Hope that even today’s rain can somehow become tomorrow’s flowers.
I don’t know how it happens.
All I know is I’ve lived it.
Breathed it.
Clung to it in the night.
As long as we live, there is hope.
Even the darkest night leads to dawn–
to scandalous joy unexpected.

Justice

"Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging." says God. "I'll take care of it."

Romans 12:19

Many times when we are mistreated, we respond with vengeful thoughts and actions, forgetting that we look to a higher court-the authority of God. It isn't easy to lay down your offense, especially when your heart is aching for justice, but when you do, God is able to act on your behalf. Seeking revenge keeps you in a cycle of reciprocal hurt. Laying your grievance before God's high court frees you to move on. Trust God's pure justice and let Him fight your battles.

A Can-Do Mentality

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"
Psalm 139:17

The enemy attacks your mind saying that you don't have what it takes; God says you do have what it takes. The enemy says you're not able to succeed; God says you can do all things through Christ. The enemy says you're never going to get well; God says He will restore your health. The enemy says your problems are too big, there's no hope; God says He will solve those problems. Not only that, but He will turn those problems around and use them for your good. Whom are you going to believe?

Friend, God's thoughts will fill you with faith, hope, and victory. God's thoughts will build you up and encourage you. They will give you the strength you need to keep on keeping on. God's thoughts will give you that can-do mentality.

Strength

"The Lord is my strength, my song, and my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him."
Exodus 15:2

In the universe, there is really just one source of strength - that is God. Others may be strong for you, on your behalf, but they cannot impart that strength to you. When you invite God to fill your heart and life, you are strengthened from within. His strength literally becomes your strength. You are empowered to do, to stand, to fight, to conquer. If Christ is there, you don't need to reach outside yourself for strength. Reach inside and find all you need.

Keep Trusting

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29

All of us face disappointments from time to time. No matter how much faith you have or how good a person you are, sooner or later, something (or somebody!) will shake your faith to its foundations. It may be something simple, such as not qualifying for a loan to buy that house you really wanted. Or it may be something more serious - a marriage relationship falling apart, the death of a loved one, or an incurable, debilitating illness. Whatever it is, that disappointment possesses the potential to derail you and wreck your faith.

Recognize in advance that disappointments will come. Be prepared to trust God when they do.

Overcoming Disappointments

"The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him." 

One of the most important keys to moving forward into the great future God has for you is learning how to overcome the disappointments in your life. Because disappointments can pose such formidable obstacles to letting go of the past, you need to be sure you have dealt with this area before taking the next step to living at your full potential.

Often, defeating disappointments and letting go of the past are the flip side of the same coin, especially when you are disappointed in yourself. When you do something wrong, don't hold on to it and beat yourself up about it. Admit it, seek forgiveness, and move on. Be quick to let go of your mistakes and failures, hurts, pains, and sins. Don't let your setbacks become your identity.

Thankfulness
"Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted."
Psalm 18:21 MSG

The phrase "Thank God!" has lost much of its meaning these days. People use it interchangeably with expressions such as, "Wow!" "Thank goodness!" or "I really lucked out!" That's because people feel a surge of gratitude when good things happen to them, but not all of them are certain where they should direct their thanks. You've caught a glimpse of God's goodness. You know who is behind the blessings you receive. Don't hesitate to say, "Thank God!" and mean it.

Satisfaction

"The fear of the LORD leads to life, and [she] who has it will abide in satisfaction." Proverbs 19:23

What ties you in knots, robbing your sense of well-being? Whatever it is that keeps you feeling trapped in a cramped little box and gasping for air isn't from God. Maybe you only feel like this occasionally. Perhaps you're accustomed to it. Either way, you don't have to stay in that box. God will open the lid and release you to freedom. Give Him your life, experience His power to free your soul, and enjoy the satisfaction He longs to give. 

A Happy Heart

"Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety."

Psalm 16:9

Ever wish you could take a day off? Feel like you're always running full-steam ahead? The Lord designed our bodies to require rest, and if we skip that part of the equation, we suffer the consequences! If you want your body to "confidently dwell in safety," then you must get the rest you need. Rest makes for a happy heart . . . and a healthy body.

So, I guess this means that we can stop what we are doing and take a rest. So, I am going to go grab a cup of tea and sit still for a bit..... I encourage you to do the same.

Planning

"Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind."Proverbs 21:5

When you follow God's lead in your life, is planning really necessary? Perhaps you've asked this question or heard someone voice it. Planning may seem unspiritual - like you're not really trusting God for your immediate future. Yet when you avoid making wise plans, often urgency takes over. Then you feel pressure to hurry and make it work. The good news is, careful planning reduces stress in any role: home manager, mother, volunteer, CEO, friend, or employee.

So, I am driving to work today. A little late, because it is Monday and I am tired already. Busy weekend with family activities and working 2 jobs. What is on my mind?

Dinner in crockpot - Check

Forgot some lunch - Shucks!

Think through the week - Social media guru (LOL) at work (website, facebook, twitter, hootsuite, church apps, ) - summer women's get together - fall bible studies - new member class - building calendar scheduling - bookstore - I could go on, but I won't

Friends in need - what and how can I help them

Family - just stuff

As I have completely overwhelmed myself and I am not even half way to work yet, I hear this little tune on KLOVE. And then I hear the words. "Well Done!  I'm so glad that I get to serve You, Lord - You're the only One I am living for, - I'm gonna run straight into Your open arms - I'm gonna run this race - To hear You say well done."  [you will find the words to the song and a link to the video below]

Guess what? This song gave me the little kick in the butt I needed on this Monday.
I wanted to share this with you. Can you imagine what it will feel like to finally be in front of our God and hear Him say "Well Done!"?

Sharing my kick in the butt with you, just in case you need a kick as well. 

Wanna share your crazy life, week with me? I would love to pray for you. Just let me know what I can pray for :O)

Have a great week

Blessings,

Kami Hallaway

Community Life Coordinator

Endurance

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11

Endurance in faith, hard as it may seem, brings happiness. Trials are not a sign of God's disfavor or His will to carelessly punish His children. The tenderhearted Savior never acts cruelly. But through troubles, we draw close to Him and see God's power at work in our lives. Then, like Job, when we persevere in faith, God rewards us bountifully.

Wherever You Are, Be There

I stare out the back door at robins pecking and trees swaying in the early morning like slow dancers. 

It's a gorgeous day just unfolding. All is well.

And then in the middle of the peace a voice comes, "But it can't last. Something bad will happen."

So I start to worry and fret. Before I know it, my body is one place and my heart in another.

Have you ever done the same?

Then when a difficulty does come, I do much the same. I look at the broken pieces, the shattered dreams.

And then in the middle of the hurt a voice comes, "But you should just be happy. Look how blessed you are."

So I plaster on a smile and try to fake it through the day. Before I know it, my body is in one place and my heart in another.

God created us to be whole.

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God made one as well as the other." Ecclesiastes 7:14

When life is going well, don't give in to the fear that it won't last.

When life is hard, don't give in to the temptation to pretend everything is okay.

Keep your body and heart in the same place.

God says He is I Am. That means He is where we really are. To experience His presence fully, we need to fully be there too.

I slow the racing thoughts in my mind and look up at the blue sky. Yes, it will rain again but for now I feel the sun on my face...and in my heart. And I am here in this moment to give thanks to I Am. With all I am.

The Only Way Up

Climb the ladder.

Get to the top.

Build a platform.

These words ring in our culture and sting in our hearts. What are we to do with them?

God offers another way. Make yourself a servant to others and I will raise you up.

The only entrance to God's elevator is on the ground floor. Through the servant's quarters.

So we can stop striving. Stop worrying. Stop working so hard.

Instead simply serve. Wherever you are today.

You are doing well. You are bringing joy. You are where you need to be to make a difference. And if where you are needs to change, God will do it.

You do the loving. He'll do the lifting.

A New Day

This is the beginning of a new day.

You have been given this day to use as you will.

You can waste it or use it for good.

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.

In its place is something that you have left behind.

Let it be something good.

Savoring the People You Love

I have a confession to make.

I'm becoming a tea drinker.

After years of being monogamously committed to coffee, my taste buds have decided to rebel. Sigh. So while I still love-love a cup of butter toffee coffee,  I'm interspering it with tea a bit too.

What does this have to do with anything?

Well, surpisingly I'm falling in love with tea. Every cup has a story it turns out. About where it's been. What has added flavor to it. How it seeps and spills into the water until everything changes.

My favorite people are like that too.

You know the characters in life that may seem ordinary on the outside but give them some time and a welcoming place and all kinds of wonderful starts flowing to you through them?

You find out how they came to be who they are.

You taste the flavor of God's goodness that only comes through them.

You find your life changed by the time you lean back and say good-bye.

We can all be one of those people, I think. And we can all enjoy each other in that way too. It just requires slowing down and being more intentional.

Really knowing people requires our hearts, schedules and being willing to let ourselves be open to a new flavor of being.

So I've already invited you to have coffee with me. Now I'm inviting you to tea too. :)

The Stars of Heaven

"With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)

Susan Boyle from Scotland became an overnight Internet celebrity. The plain-but-feisty 47-year-old contestant on the Britain's Got Talent television show transformed the audience at Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow, Scotland. At first, many mocked her frumpy appearance, but within seconds of Boyle's opening notes of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables, the audience stood and gave her a wild ovation that continued for seven minutes. During the next nine days, more than 100 million people viewed various online video's of Boyle's amazing musical talent. 

Are there days when you feel insignificant? Perhaps as we gather before the throne of God, we'll be amazed at the so-called "nobodies" of this world who will stand out and shine like stars in heaven (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

We'll hear stories of quiet prayer warriors who served by standing against Satan in prayer. We'll cheer for missionaries who served and sacrificed, often uncelebrated on earth; moms and dads who quietly modeled Christ and taught the Word to their children; Christian leaders who taught and lived the truth; a multitude of behind-the-scenes volunteers; all the persecuted and martyred believers of history - every good and faithful servant of God will be rewarded and hear God's "well done." It's all because of God's marvelous grace, and all praise will ultimately return to Him.

I want to encourage you to keep in mind that if you know Jesus, you're not a nobody.

"The righteous," the Bible says, "will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matthew 13:43). We will all reflect the splendor of our Lord, and enjoy Him forever. Remember, you are always a somebody to God. 

Father God, I want to please You and bring You glory, so I ask You to transform my life. Make me more like Your Son. Amen. 

Receiving Grace

There's a girl in my life who just won't cut me slack.

I try hard and she says, "Not good enough."

I put on my cutest outfit and she whispers, "Nice, but not as good as hers."

I mess up and take a tumble in life and she smirks, "I knew you couldn't do it."

Who is this girl? I know you'd like to email her and tell her to stop being so mean to me, right?

I'd like to do the same for any mean girls in your life.

So here's the secret identity of mine...get your emails ready. It's me.

Yep, I'm my own worst critic. Maybe you too?

People say, "Give yourself grace." Yep, sounds good. I've even tried it. It just doesn't work. I think that's because we're never meant to give ourselves grace. It's not about just saying, 

"That's okay. It doesn't matter."

It's not about giving ourselves grace. Instead it's about receiving grace from God. That sounds more like, "Yes, I messed up. But I'm forgiven. And this is about what I did--it's not who I am. I am still a loved, chosen, cherished daughter of the King. I'm going to get back up and stand tall for Him again."

Only grace can change the voice within us that pushes us toward burnout. Only grace can reach out and embrace us so that we come back to where we belong again. Only grace tells us the truth about who we are.

Whew.

It's time to quiet ourselves and instead listen to truth again.

Shhh...what do you hear?

Wherever You are Now,
You have Something to Offer

I love Food Network Shows. One of my favorite last summer was about Food Trucks. In this show Sixteen food trucks circle the wide open field. They were all from different locations ...Buffalo, Toronto, New York City. Over miles and across borders these folks have brought what they have to offer. And as someone bites into a chocolate-hazelnut cupcake and smile, I know that is because they are clearly benefiting from the experience.

I like the idea of food trucks. Wherever you go, you have something to offer.

And in case you didn't know, you're kinda like a food truck.

We're all called to feed the hearts around us. Give us this day our daily bread, says the line in the Lord's prayer. What we receive isn't just for us.

And it isn't just for one particular place.

Wherever you are right now, you're bringing what God has given you to offer right along with you.

Your home.

Your office.

Your church.

Your community.

Across the world.

It's not just when we sit in a pew on Sunday. It's not just when we're in front of our keyboards writing. It's not just when we're volunteering or going out of our way to make a difference.

It's all the time, everywhere, just as you are.

I don't know what you've got inside--what your version of a food truck might be. But I can tell you this...it's going to meet a need. Because God put it there.

So roll down the road of life and see where He takes you. And when someone with a hungry heart crosses your path and God calls, fling open the doors and hold out your hands.

Then trust that whatever has been entrusted to you is what's needed in that moment. And that it's good.

Lord, help me to find someone on my road that is hungry for Your Word and give me the ingredients to feed them and give them nourishment that only You can give. Amen.

YOUR To-Do List

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

How many lists do you have for today - groceries, errands, chores that need to be done. Chances are you could think of two or three more - at least!

Despite our lists, it seems like days when everything gets crossed off are rare. Will we ever catch up on all that needs to be done?

There is hope! God is concerned with all the details of our lives - including our to-do lists. And, when we ask Him to, He's ready and willing to teach us how to use them most effectively - and to become wise in the process.

That's what Moses is praying in Psalm 90. As the leader of the Israelites, Moses knew something about a huge to-do list! Sometimes caring for the needs of my family of three feels overwhelming. Can you imagine poor Moses trying to manage all those people? 

That's why he asked God to teach him to number his days the right way. The Hebrew word for number means just what you think it does - to count, reckon, appoint, assign. Exactly the stuff of to-do lists.

With only so many hours in a day, it makes sense to ask God for help in making appointments, filling the calendar, planning what needs to be done and prioritizing your lists, to show you what's most important and what can wait until later.

As I've done this, I've been amazed at how God has rearranged my lists. Often he brings other people to mind, and a phone call to a friend ends up being the most important part of my day. Other times, the things I thought were pressing turn out to be not as important as spending time with my family, or taking some time to rest. 

Try it. Sit down with your to-do list and ask God for help with it. Ask him to point out those things that you may have forgotten, or things that should wait. Ask him to shine through you as you make phone calls or have lunch with a friend. 

Lord, I lay my to-do list for today, for this weekend, for the month, for the year before You. Show me and lead me to do what You would have me do. Amen.

Heed & Follow

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him." Matthew 4:19-20

One thing in the Bible is clear. When Jesus walked the earth, it was nearly impossible to be in His presence and not be changed. You walked away either loving Him or hating Him. Staying indifferent about who He was and what He said was difficult at best.

For when Jesus came on the scene, occupations changed. Fishermen became fishers of men. Tax collectors became philanthropists and wrote Gospels. At His word, addresses changed. Demons became pig dwellers. Lepers got to go home. Reality was drastically altered. Dead children came back to life. The lame walked. The blind saw. The deaf heard and water was turned into wine. 

All because of the presence of Jesus. But in every encounter, there came a choice. To heed and follow or resist and walk away. The rich young ruler came seeking validation but went away sad. Challenged - but unchanged. Though Judas walked with Jesus for three years, his heart followed his own agenda. For sadly, we can appear to worship yet never give in to worship's demands.

We can claim Christianity, but until we allow Christianity to make a claim on us we may be stirred, but we will never be changed.

What has God been saying to you lately? Or has it been a while since you've really sensed His presence or heard His voice? May I encourage you to  go back to the last thing He said to you - the "last point of obedience" as one writer puts it. For until you obey God there, you will never know the joy of moving forward into everything He has for you.

Heed and follow. That's all Jesus asks. He'll lead the way.

Lord, help me to remember the last time I was obedient to You. Help me to become obedient again. That is the only way I am going to make it in this world. I want to heed and follow You. Amen.

God's Training Program

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."

Galatians 6:9

While watching The Karate Kid years ago, we can learn some important lessons. When young Daniel Larusso (played by Ralph Macchio) wanted to learn how to defend himself against bullies, his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), offered unconventional "karate" lessons. He instructed Daniel to wash cars and complete other chores. Menial work. Hard work.

After each task, Mr. Miyagi simply advised, "Come back tomorrow." 

Daniel, though frustrated, always came back. He hoped that the next lesson would be "real" training, not knowing that each of his chores included movements designed to prepare muscle memory for the defensive blocks of karate. Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel more than karate; he prepared the boy to face the struggles of life.

With wisdom far beyond Mr. Miyagi's, God shapes our lives into the image of Christ. He gives us assignments that may seem menial, but each task is designed to make us holy and help us stand firm in battle against our Enemy. God teaches us to respond to tough circumstances with absolute trust in His purposes and to obey His instructions with the utmost care. This isn't always easy. It takes determination and practice on our part. 

The truth is that God knows what He is doing. The trials He allows in our lives are meant to strengthen us, not defeat us. He knows the strength of the Enemy, and He wants us to be prepared. God also knows the weakness of our flesh, and He disciplines us so we'll rely on His strength. Our part is to do what is right and wait on Him in faith, not to grow weary in the process. 

In an article about the necessity to put on our spiritual armor, Dr. David Jeremiah wrote, "God intends us to be 'more than conquerors,' but we have to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Be dressed for battle, keep your armor on, and when it's all over but the shouting, you'll still be on your feet."

Don't give up! God's training program is designed to bless you and glorify His name. 

Lord, help me to embrace the lessons You teach. I depend on Your wisdom and grace. Amen.

Extra verses to marinate on:

Isaiah 40:31

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Hebrews 12:1, 7, 11

The Truest Mirror

"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."

Psalm 45:11

How do you feel about your mirror?

Wendy, age 5, stumbles in her mommy's heels and frilly party dress. She gazes into the mirror and says, "I'm a princess!" Ten-year-old Wendy sports a bandage on her knee - one minute a princess and the next an Amazon explorer. Fifteen-year-old Wendy sticks out her tongue at the mirror. She pokes at her pudgy waist and pimply face. "Do you like tormenting me, God?" she moans. "How can anyone love me?"

Wendy at 20 accents her curves one minute and hides them the next. She goes to a movie with a friend, more comfortable in the dark. No mirrors there. At 30, she experiments at a makeup mirror - a dab of this, a dab of that. But when she catches a glimpse of her body in the closet mirror, she throws a pillow at her reflection. Wendy has little time to primp at 40. She avoids mirrors at all cost but grimaces whenever she sees her image in a grocery-store window.

At 50, Wendy opens her purse, checks her compact mirror, and sighs. "I guess looking okay is just fine!" she says. Sixty-year-old Wendy hangs mirrors all over her house. They reflect the light and bring her joy. She smoothes her simple hairstyle, grins, and blows a kiss.

Finally, at 70, Wendy realizes that the most accurate mirror of her life has been her Creator's eyes. His it the truest mirror - the only mirror that counts.

Do you know how truly beautiful you are? The Father calls His children beautiful, not because they are lovely on the outside, but because they are "in Christ." Believers are beautiful to God simply because He loves them. As we get older, our outer beauty may fade, but a woman who respects and obeys God will be praised as truly beautiful (Proverbs 31:30).

We are God's "workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10), wonderfully and skillfully made (Psalm 139:13-16). God is an awesome Artist. He "crowns" (adorns) us with salvation (Psalm 149:4), and His beauty in us transcends all time. In God's eyes, we're all beautiful! YOU are beautiful!!

Extra verses to marinate on:

Psalm 139:13-16

Proverbs 31:30

1 Peter 3:3-4

Father, forgive me when I doubt Your handiwork in creating me. I thank You today for Your creativity and love. Amen.

Marinating

"May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD."

Psalm 104:34

One of the simplest ways to add flavor to food, usually meat, is to marinate it. The food becomes a sponge, soaking up the sauce. Most marinades soften or tenderize food so it will absorb the flavors of the sauce. Marinades prepare food for grilling. When heat is added, the marinade imparts new character to the food and more intense flavor.

If we're in too big of a rush to take time to marinate meat for the grill, we may be disappointed with the outcome; the meat may be tough or dry. The quality of the marinade will also affect the flavor of the meat, so cooks have to choose carefully.

Some people marinate in all the "sauces" of pop culture and then wonder why they're disappointed with the outcome. Worldly marinades don't allow godly flavor to come through in our lives. We must be intentional and proactive about the marinade we choose for our minds and hearts.

Do you marinate in the Word of God? Are you like a sponge, soaking up the truth of Scripture? As we meditate (think about and ponder) on the Word, it comforts, instructs, and guides us. But it also makes our hearts tender to the work of the Holy Spirit. God softens our stubbornness and pride so we can yield to His will. Meditating on and memorizing God's Word enables us to store up truth for future needs.

Just as the marinade prepares food for grilling, when the heat of tough circumstances is turned up in our lives, we will likely exhibit the sweet character of Christ when we've spent time "absorbing" the Word of God. We become the kind of people others love to be around, talk with, learn from, and follow.

So, what will you marinate in today? 

Meditate on the Word of God. As you read the following verses, understand that meditation is not a quick glance at scriptures, but rather, a contemplative gaze.

Joshua 1:8
Psalm 77:11-12

Psalm 119:15, 97, 148

Lord, let me soak up the truth of Your Word today! Amen.

Amazing Love

"Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."

Psalm 36:5

God loves you. The Creator of the Universe cares about you, and His love is unconditional and limitless. You can never make Him tired of you; He will never abandon you. You are utterly and completely loved, no matter what, forever and ever. 

Isn't that amazing?