In Flight Again...

I was looking through old blog posts and I came across this one.  I know I need the reminder so I am going to repost it.

I write this as I am sitting on a plane headed back home from a fulfilling week at a conference in Louisville.  (Of course, I posted after I landed J)  Anyway, the routine boarding the plane is pretty much that – routine.  They call your loading zone, they scan your boarding pass, you enter the plane, find your seat, get situated and then wait to take off.  While you are waiting the flight attendant goes over the safety rules.  The first thing that is said is to take out the safety cards to follow along.  As I looked around me, no one took their safety cards out including me.  It is almost an inconvenience to have to sit through the list of instructions.  However, if something was to happen and the safety procedures were needed, we would probably all panic because we weren’t listening when the directions were given.  And of course it would be the airlines fault because we weren’t following along.

I wonder if life isn’t like that.  We have a safety manual.  It is called the Bible.  The safety manual is filled with instructions, hope, promises, wisdom, and so much more; yet, it is an inconvenience for us to open it.  God even gives us “flight attendants” to help us through the instruction manual – AKA – pastors.  But that is an inconvenience too.  We have to make our way to church and sometimes the pastor preaches WAY TO LONG!  Yet, when things go wrong, we panic.  We don’t know where to turn and if only the pastor would have been more helpful or preached on a particular subject we wouldn’t be in this predicament.

It doesn’t have to be this way!  We have a Pilot that guides us, comforts us, strengthens us, fills us with wisdom, and has provided us with Hope!  In fact, in Isaiah 30:18  it states, “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you…”  He is waiting for us!  We don’t even have to “get in line” to board!

Don’t miss the flight!  Take time to listen to the “flight attendants” as God uses them to speak to you.  Don’t be afraid to open the safety manual and truly dig into it for it is filled with so much!  Do continue to build your relationship with your “Pilot” because there is no relationship like the one you can have with Him! 

Cheryl

Listening...

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” Romans 8:26

The word “weakness” is a particularly difficult word in the American culture.  We have been trained for so long that we can do anything and “weakness” is a sign of failure.  We certainly do not need help or assistance.  Yet, this passage says the “Spirit helps us in our weakness…the Spirit himself intercedes for us…”  We have the Spirit willing to help and guide us; however, we don’t “need” that because we’ve got it under control.  But if we take a moment to truly look at our life it is obvious we really do need the help that the Spirit provides. 

So the question is do we hear and listen to the Spirit?  I think this whole concept has gotten a bad rap because it is just “crazy” to hear the Spirit say something to you.  Only the weird experience such things.  Yet, if we take a moment to listen the Spirit does speak to us.  It took me awhile in my faith to hear the Spirit telling me things but as I took time to listen there was no doubt.  The best way to describe this is to share a couple of examples. 

When I was 33 weeks pregnant with our youngest, things took a turn for the worse.  I ended up in emergency surgery to save my life as well as our daughter’s life.  It was a rather crazy time and my husband received a call from some dear friends that had no idea anything was wrong.  The comment made from our friends was “Something told me I needed to contact you and see how things were going”.  That “something” was the Spirit interceding Himself and saying prayers were needed.  I remember little during the first few days in the hospital but that stuck with me.  I knew the Spirit was interceding on my behalf and people were willing to hear the groaning the Spirit was planting.  The much needed prayers were being offered.   

I have also had those same groanings in regards to people.  The “person” in need of prayers suddenly pops into my head and the thoughts are constant.  I have learned this is the Spirit saying that person needs prayers.  Sometimes I find out why they need prayers and other times I have no idea; despite knowing or not knowing the “why” the Lord knows why I am praying.

There is great comfort knowing the Spirit is interceding for us when we need it.  There is also great comfort in knowing the Spirit shares with us the prayers we do not even know we should be praying.  Don’t ignore those inner groanings you receive.  You may not know why you should be praying for someone but the Spirit has shared with you prayers are needed.  Take the time to pray on behalf of whomever the Spirit has shared with you. 

Cheryl 

Nourishment and Health

Nourishment is key to leading a healthy lifestyle.  What you consume can depict how healthy you are and I am not just talking about food.  What kind of nourishment are you consuming to maintain a healthy spiritual life?  Are you simply consuming “nutrition” on Sunday mornings or is there a daily consumption of “nutrition”?

Consider your daily diet of food.  Imagine if you consumed a very healthy meal one day a week and ate junk the rest of the week; your health would decline.  You would probably see elevations in your cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, etc. and it all came about because you didn’t consume healthy meals everyday of the week.  In reality, no one would expect to maintain a healthy life by simply consuming one healthy meal a week.  It is known in order to maintain a healthy life consuming healthy foods on a regular basis is important.  

The same concept applies to our spiritual health.  We cannot just “consume” God’s word at church one day a week, fill the rest of the week with “junk” and expect to have a healthy spiritual life.  Having a healthy spiritual life is one that is “consuming” God’s word every day; it is spending time with the Lord in prayer; it is investing in the relationship with Christ.  God told the Israelites way back when…”And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall take of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9.  God has provided us instruction in how to keep a healthy spiritual life.

How is your spiritual health?  Do you simply consume on Sunday mornings or are you taking moments each day to “consume” the Word?  Taking in “healthy nourishment” makes you feel better.  You will get to know your Savior a whole lot more.  You will experience that peace that He gives that surpasses all understanding.  You can hand over your burdens to Him.  You can gain the strength from Him that will get you through each and every day.  Nourish yourself!  He is waiting to feed you!

Cheryl  

Power of Words

Words - are simply made of letters but hold great power!  Words can inform; words can build someone up, and words can tear someone down.  The past couple of days articles, statements, and videos have popped up on various social media sights that have demonstrated just how powerful words can be.  

For example, a video was shared of a blind man sitting on a sidewalk with a sign asking for money.  A person walks by, changes the words on the sign and people were more inclined to give money.  Another example was a lady discussing the determent of sarcasm.  She wrote, "the meaning of 'sarcasm' is to tear flesh.  The motive behind sarcasm is to hurt." Both examples demonstrate the power words have but the power has differing effects.   The words we choose to use can inform, can build up and can tear down.  

As sinful beings, many times we get the words wrong and use words we should not.  We choose to use the power of the words in a way that isn't productive.  Thankfully, we have been given words that hold so much more power than the words we use.  Our Heavenly Father gave us the bible; a book that has thousands and thousands of words.  The difference between the words in the bible and the words we use...the words in the bible never fail us.  The words in the bible are true and will always be true.  "Every word of God proves true..." Proverbs 30:5 The words in the bible show us "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.  

Know the power of your words!  Choose your words carefully.  

Know the power of God's word!  It strengthens us!  "Strengthen me according to your word!"  Psalm 119:28.  

Spend time in the word and know the Power of the Word!   

Cheryl

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!

I thank you for taking the time to read and participate in my blog.  I am excited to see what this year will bring within my writings and where God will lead me.  There was a verse that jumped out at me the other day that reminded me that I am to do the work He has asked me to do.  The verse was from 1 Corinthians 7:17 - " Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him." 

I pray all of you see where God is leading you and you
continue to deepen your relationship with Christ.

Cheryl