Belief in God's love {our fuel for the joy battle}

Weary in many ways, we walked into the church service yesterday and were greeted by a group of precious elementary aged children singing Jesus Loves Me. It had been so long since I'd heard those words, or rather, since I'd really listened. Their sweet introduction led the congregation into Tomlin's worship song with the same title, and I fought to hold the tears back. Sometimes life just feels like a fight, and without the proper fuel and armor, we are left naked in the battle. I was fueled by that simple reminder of God's love, and ironically, didn't hear much more of the service because I was not feeling well. God knew that, of course.

In her new book, Fight Back With Joy, author Margaret Feinberg drills down to the source of the joy we all long for, especially as we face trials: 

What is the genesis of this joy? I believe that, at its core, joy emanates from the abiding sense of God’s fierce love for us….When we embrace this love and cultivate an awareness of it, our hearts are filled with joy. Such awareness strengthens our resolve that no matter the fight, we face it confident that God is with us and for us. When we fight back with joy, we no longer size the character of God according to our circumstances, but we size our circumstances according to the character of God and his great affection for us… When we fight back with joy, we embrace a reality that is more real than what we’re enduring and we awaken to the deepest reality of our identity as beloved, joyful children of God."

I couldn't agree more! I have fought this battle to embrace God's love. In fact, it's at the core of my story. Letting go of my perfectionistic tendencies, and finding my hope and help in Christ, rather than my own abilities, has changed me body, mind and soul. No longer must I find my confidence in what others think of me, my achievements, or any other shaky ground. The firm foundation of God's love is the basis for the joy I experience now, and that can never be shaken.

I am a firm believer in the holistic nature of our body, mind and spirit, and passionate about encouraging women (and men) to pursue health and vitality that will encompass every part of their being. Joy is no small part of this pursuit towards wellness. The author knows this quite well, as she details in her book. She chose JOY to lead her fight against a cancer diagnosis, and surprised many at what a profound impact that choice made. We are not guaranteed health and wellness simply because we follow Christ, however, choosing to fight for joy can be one part of the remedy that leads us back to health in body, mind and soul. 

God finds delight in us, and delights to show up in our daily mundane schedule, often in remarkable ways. I have experienced the delight of this daily joy hunt over the last few years, and have seen what a profound impact that has had on every area of my life, health, relationships, and faith. Are we looking for God to show up? Are we creating, gathering, and spreading joy? This is part of 'cultivating an awareness of God's love', as mentioned in the quote above. I'd argue that self-care is part of that cultivation as well (but more on that in another post.)

Many of you may not believe that joy is a struggle for me, as I'll most likely greet you with a huge smile and a big hug, and have been told on numerous occasions what a joyful person I am. Hearing those comments brings ME joy, because it doesn't come easy. For any of you who have faced painful trials, you know the real depth of darkness they bring. I am not a stranger to that darkness. Perhaps you are in that place now, whether it is brought on by physical issues, life circumstances, or a struggle of faith.

It is so easy to give in to despair when life is hard, instead of seizing the day or rejoicing in the Lord, as the Word commands on numerous occasions. A former pastor often reminded us to avoid the Eeyore - Christian mentality (Eeyore is the pessimistic, stuffed donkey friend of Winnie the Pooh, if you're not up on children's literature :). In the words of C.S. Lewis, "Joy is the serious business of heaven." Our response to what life throws us will not only affect our lives, but those of onlookers. But don't take my word for it... pick up Feinberg's book, and dive into the meat of her search through hundreds of Scriptures on joy.

As Feinberg says, "Joy is more than a feeling; it's an action. We don't just sense joy; we embody it by how we respond to the circumstances before us." If you're facing any kind of darkness, or know someone who is, I'd highly recommend you pick up this book! Let that be your first action in the fight for joy. And then join me (and the author) in spreading that joy everywhere you go... it's contagious and irresistible!

Find Fight Back with Joy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Or click here for the 6-session DVD Bible study, sure to encourage and inspire!

Praise the Hope Giver {Day 9}

Living hope-full is not natural.  I can tell you're not surprised to read that!  I'm sure you've had numerous things this year, month, even today, that have threatened to steal your joy.  I've felt it too.  But sitting on the other side of a rough situation and talking that over with a friend has reminded me that God is always at work, even when we don't see it.  He is behind the scenes - fighting for your joy!  And often, those hard circumstances that you are trudging through will bring you to the beautiful mountain-top views that you crave.  Not always, but persevere long enough, and you'll see the sun rise over the darkness.  

Life is so similar to running a race, and I always appreciated when my family, friends, or coaches stood on the sidelines and reminded me, "You can do it!" or "Go for the finish" or "Get this girl at the end"!  Often, that exhortation at just the right time pushed me to dig deep and pass another runner or two.  So can I do that for you now?  Will you keep pushing through, trusting that there is hope in Christ even when all seems dark?

Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds me that my hope to persevere is found by keeping my eyes on Christ: 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Alive - Natalie Grant song and video

We praise you Jesus, for you are the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)!  You are able to overcome any situation that burdens us.  We praise you for the hope we have in You, regardless of what storms we are facing.  Thank you for the cross!  Amen.

Today is a day to choose...JOY.

Hello friends,

For various reasons, I've had a few days of late in which I've really needed to practice what I'm preaching (check out my recent letter at Letters to My Sisters...).  I've found some resources that have helped me in the battle to choose joy, when there is no desire to do so:

Daily Audio Bible app
Piper's Solid Joys Devo and app
31 Days of Praise

Contemplative Prayer by Bjorkland


I hope some of these resources will be helpful to you as you fight through your own discouragements and disappointments.  The enemy is real, but He who is in you is greater!

**The books above are affiliate links...

Many blessings my friend,

Ruth

Feeling 'full' and {The Beauty of Suffering}

Source

Look at that plate piled high with food...and then realize no, it's not for you to eat, it signifies the euphemism, "My plate is full right now!"  Yikes.  Talk about a let down!  That's where I am right now.  Full plate, and not yet enjoying the fruits of the work I am doing....But yes, you and I both know that we reap what we sow, and as Proverbs tells us, all hard work leads to a profit.

I digress....My main goal here today is to link over to my latest letter (The Beauty of Suffering) on the LTMS site; 'hope you enjoy!  I wrote it a couple of days ago, and now that it's posted, I realize that I need to hear everything that I had to say there....If you are suffering, or know someone else who is in the pain of difficult trials, please do pass the link on to him/her.

God's blessings on your day!
Ruth

Expectation...both good and bad?

{It's Friday and we're linking up with Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday!}

Expectation makes me shiver....shiver with delight, as I meditate on the glory God will reveal both in this life and the next, but also shiver with dismay, as I think back on all the legalistic, oppressive expectations I have set for myself, for others.  Expectation is both good and bad.

The good...

Being expectant with hope is the essence of Christianity.  As Paul says, if we do not have the hope of eternity, we are of all people the most pitied!  Why would we suffer and struggle though this imperfect life, if not because of our Savior and in expectation of the great and glorious plans He has for us in the eternal kingdom!  {remind me, please, that this world is not all there is??}  Hope is something that we all cling to in our life here on earth, as well.  Whether good or bad, and I've heard arguments for both, hope to see this or that happen in our mundane, every day lives sustains us.  Yes, of course we hope to truly HOPE in the right things, but the little joys are certainly wonderful too!  I think of the expectant bride, the pregnant woman, the college grad, the home-bound soldier, and the dying saint, all full of hope in what is to come.

The bad....

Source

I watched the man from afar, grumbling as he walked throughout the store, saying something about not finding what he wanted. 'It just figures' he said, as the clerk told him that the item he wanted was back-ordered.... Then there was the party we had all hoped would be a wonderful event, the park pavilion reserved and the cookie plates all perfectly arranged...and then the rain came!  Or even my hopes and dreams that my husband would do this or that for me, that life would be more fulfilling, that someone would be calling me 'Mom' by now. Expectations cause disappointment, you know this, right?  I know it too well.  And yet, I still expect perfection at times from myself and others.  I expect life to deliver to me what only eternity, and my Savior, can provide.  Do you do the same?

Okay, five minutes is up.  But now is your chance to adjust your expectations....what are YOU hoping in?

Blessings,
Ruth

Hope deferred, Joy found {and a review}

This weekend, one of my earthly hopes was deferred, again.  Maybe something you've been hoping in was not granted either.  If so, you understand the pain.  These things we hope for, they seem like good, godly things, right?  Is it wrong to hope for a loved one to accept the Lord, our character to be transformed, a child to be born, an elderly relative or neighbor to recover?  And the list goes on.  No, of course it is not wrong to wish for things, but it becomes wrong, misplaced hope, when our eyes are fixed on this more than on heaven, and the eternal life that is offered to us now through Christ.

Greetings from sunny Florida!

I love reading with my husband in the evenings, and this weekend, this book brought clarity to my discouraging situation.  I cannot do it justice, but if you are struggling to hope in Christ, I would strongly recommend this book.  Paul Tripp does not disappoint, and I was both challenged and convicted by his wise prose.  More than anything, I came away from this book with hope not only for eternity, but hope that is given in this life, through Christ.  You see, focusing our eyes on eternity makes all things come into perspective, and that is what had happened to me--I had lost perspective.  

Now I will say, my husband's silliness all weekend, intended to cheer me up, certainly helped as well.  (He is normally quite serious and I am the silly one.) I am so thankful for him, and the way he can help me see things with clarity.  Watching Emma together was also wonderful, as I know it was a big stretch from his preferred action-let's-see-how-many-things-we-can-blow-up movies!  

I trust God is shining joy into your days as well.

Enjoying our marriage journey

Blessings

Ruth

Who I Am in Christ: Justified by Grace through Faith

It was early 2005.  A series of unfortunate events, brought on by genetic chemical imbalances, this fallen world, and my own weaknesses, and I found myself in a place I never would have imagined.  I was unable to work, unable to pay my bills, and very, very discouraged.  Imagine my elation when I got a call from family, and then friends, that both were willing to take me in for a while as I got back on my feet.  It was nothing I could have deserved, but still desperately needed.  And all I had to do was admit my need, renounce my confidence in my own resources, and accept the gift that was being offered to me.  

This experience was the first in a line of gracious events that showed me a crystal clear picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Namely, that I did not have what it takes to save myself.  Have you been there?  Have you come to the end of yourself and realized your own need for Christ, apart from your abilities to justify yourself?  I pray you did not need the lessons I learned (the very hard way), but I'd imagine God has spoken to your heart in similar ways.  I learned that my identity is not found in my own abilities or achievements, but rather in the finished work of Christ on the cross.  I had known all the Sunday school answers up to that point, but the heart knowledge of extravagant grace paired with my own depravity had escaped me.  I was miserable, but not broken or contrite (to steal a phrase from a friend).  The gift of grace slowly drove me to repentance and the lowly spirit that is of great worth in God's economy.

Though the sacrifice of my friends breaks down in comparison to the Grace of God's sacrifice, there were many similarities.  There was grace through faith (Romans 11:6) and the gift was not of my own efforts, it brought deep peace (Romans 5:1), I escaped the consequences of my own choices (Ephesians 2:1-10), and I was given mercy (1 Tim 1:16).

May we continually come to the end of our own resources, so that we may know the true wealth we have in the riches of Christ's love for us.  I will leave you with this song...

...and my gratitude list, on this Multitude Monday:

~grateful for the sacrifice of Christ
~grateful for the Body of Christ that reached out to me
~thankful for the awareness of my own depravity, that sends me running to Christ
~thankful that my sweet husband is safely home from his trip

Be encouraged, the price is paid for you!

Ruth

Have You Cast Your Cares?

Burdens crush...and do we take them to the Lord?  I forget, and try to carry them myself all too often.  Perhaps this borrowed post will encourage you, as it did me....from the GirlTalk Blog- Conversations on biblical womanhood and other fun stuff - (Nicole Whitacre)




"What burdens are you carrying around your home this January day? Whether nagging or crushing, may this gospel truth compel you to cast them on the Lord, who daily bears us up (Ps. 68:19):

Perhaps, your home-duties, trials, and needs, form your burden. Every home is an embryo kingdom, an epitomized world, of which the parent constitutes the sovereign. There are laws to be obeyed, rules to be observed, subjects to be governed, cares to be sustained, demands to be met, and "who is sufficient for all this?" is often your anxious inquiry. Who can tell what crushing burdens, what bitter sorrows, what corroding cares, what pressing demands, may exist within a single family circle, deeply veiled from every eye but God's? You are perhaps a widower -- bereaved and desolate. Or you are a widow -- lonely and helpless. Your children are an anxiety. Your domestic duties a trial. Your necessities are pressing. Your whole position one of embarrassment and depression.
What shall you do? Do even as the Lord who loves you enjoins -- "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Your Heavenly Father knows all your home-trials, for He has sent them! Jesus, though he had no home on earth, yet sympathized with the home-cares and sorrows of others, and is not a stranger, nor indifferent to yours. Bring all to Him, tell Him all, confide to Him all, trust Him in all. You have no family trial too great, and no domestic need too little, and no home-sorrow too delicate, to take to Christ. Obey the precept, "Cast your burden upon the Lord;" and He will make good the promise, "and He shall sustain you." O costly and blessed home-burden that brings Jesus beneath our roof! . . .
Jesus is the great Burden-Bearer of His people. No other arm, and no other heart, in heaven or upon earth, were strong enough, or loving enough, to bear these burdens but His! He who bore the weight of our sin and curse and shame in His obedience and death -- bore it along all the avenues of His weary pilgrimage, from Bethlehem to Calvary -- is He who now stretches forth His Divine arm, and makes bare a Brother's heart to take your burden of care and of grief, dear saint of God, upon Himself.
Octavius Winslow, The Ministry of Home (London: 1847), page 351–352 "


Have a blessed evening, my friends. 


Ruth

The Who I Am in Christ Series: Child of God

I can think of no better place to start this series than square in the lap of Daddy God, as His beloved, adopted child.  And that is where we find ourselves, in John 1:12...

Two children I love:  nieces Hazel and Claire 

John 1:12 (NASB)

¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name...


Nothing comforts me more than the knowledge that I am a child of God.  Though that has not always been the case for me, my Father God did some pretty intense work in my heart and circumstances over the years to convince me deep in my soul that nothing matters more than my adoption in Christ.  What about you?  What comforts you when life falls apart, when the daily grind weakens your soul, when you have questions but no answers?  May I implore you....explore your adoption as a beloved child of God.  You see, I had a pretty firm footing in my own sufficiency and accomplishments, and it wasn't until those things were ripped away from me, that I began to see clearly.  
What does the word 'child' conjure up in your mind?  For me, I think of innocence, vulnerability, and trust...life is pretty simple as a child, isn't it?  Your meals are taken care of, your chief task for the day is play, and getting along with any siblings or friends usually presents the greatest challenges in most healthy and stable homes.  This leaves space for the hard work of learning to grow up, the discipline and training aspect good parents engage in.  Thinking of childhood largely depends on someone else caring for you, and I hope someone did care well for you.  Children don't need resumes, job or homemaking skills, or financial savvy to make it.  As a child, your identity is based largely on the family you come from.  And that is usually a good thing.  It helps you form your ideas, opinions, and values in a safe setting, while the rest of life is taken care of.  
And that's part of what I think of when I think of my adoption in Christ....I can rest in my Father, and in the family of God, as I continue to learn, grow, and express my need for that structure.  What riches and eternal inheritance we have in our Father's love for us!  There is such a wealth there, and I'm not speaking of worldly wealth....I'm speaking of things money can't buy.  The spiritual fatherhood and brotherhood, the relationship we have in Jesus, our Father, and the Holy Spirit.  
Let me leave you with one of my favorite passages, that speaks to me of the passionate and intense love my Father has for me....though there are many, Psalm 18 has always spoken to me of the direct link I have to my Abba, especially during trials (please read in entirety for the full blessing of what lies within, and try to picture your Father acting on YOUR behalf...):


¹ I love you, O LORD, my strength.
 ² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
   my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
   He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³ I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
   and I am saved from my enemies.
 ⁴ The cords of death entangled me;
   the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
   the snares of death confronted me. 
⁶ In my distress I called to the LORD;
   I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
   my cry came before him, into his ears.
 ⁷ The earth trembled and quaked,
   and the foundations of the mountains shook;
   they trembled because he was angry. 
⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils;
   consuming fire came from his mouth,
   burning coals blazed out of it.
⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;
   dark clouds were under his feet.
¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew;
   he soared on the wings of the wind. 
¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
   the dark rain clouds of the sky.
¹² Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
   with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
¹³ The LORD thundered from heaven;
   the voice of the Most High resounded.
¹⁴ He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies,
   great bolts of lightning and routed them.
¹⁵ The valleys of the sea were exposed
   and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
   at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
 ¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
   he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
   from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
   but the LORD was my support. 
¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
   he rescued me because he delighted in me.


I had the privilege of being a part of a fellowship group before I was married that showed me this passionate love, and I hope that you have the chance to experience this kind of community.  A dear friend from that group is now living out adoption....with her two darling Ethiopian boys (and one of her own) and you can catch up with her here.  Through friends like this, I have learned that nothing can separate us from the love of God, Romans 8:
³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


My hubby and I also just finished listening to Adopted for Life, and this has greatly contributed to my understanding of the Biblical doctrine of Adoption.


As one final encouragement:  if you are a child of God, please know and find comfort in the fact that God is wildly, fiercely, devoted to you.  May that knowledge cause us to live for Him with the same passion!
Here is the link to the entire list of verses we will be going through....
Blessings on you,
Ruth

Christmas Hope: Painted on the Scene of Despair

I hope you enjoyed your weekend celebrations!  Here is my latest letter...

Cheer and hope is in the air this season, as we all flit around giving gifts and taking in the Christmas lights and sights.  But on that cool night in the Bethlehem inn, there was hardship, discouragement, and I’d bet there were even moments of despair.  Mary had been given a joyous task, but I am certain it was a chore to take the journey away from home, quite pregnant, to give birth to the Holy Child, Jesus.  And Joseph had his moments of discouragement and despair, I am sure.  His beautiful betrothed was with child…and before he had the vision to let him in on the what was happening, I can only guess that he was losing hope, having planned to ‘to divorce her secretly’, Matthew 1:19, HCSB…if my wedding had been called off, after all the excitement of planning and preparation, I’m sure I would have been feeling lots of despair.  Even the time in history God chose to paint the landscape of the Nativity Story was a dark one.  The governmental powers and challenges were tense, the rebuilding of the temple was slow and not nearly as grand as the previous one, and there had been no revelations from God for hundreds of years.  [source:  my knowledgeable former-pastor husband]

Finish reading here, on the Letters to My Sisters site....