Seasons of Painful Pruning

We have finally witnessed what April showers are supposed to prepare for: May flowers. These flowers, big and small, get comfortable. They sense the warm air coming and they prepare themselves to sprout. They sprout, skimming past the soil and being tickled by the wind, only to find that the spring weather wasn’t as stagnant as they thought. The warmth they thought would stay has been wisped away by the jealous and selfish cold air. The flowers retreat, some die, or some simply close their petals. This was not the season they thought they were entering, and they sure didn’t like how their petals looked on a cloudy day.

I see myself in those flowers, maybe you do too? You think to yourself, this is the season…this is the season where God will open opportunities! Maybe the job of my dreams will open up(can I get an Amen?!), perhaps relationships will be restored and strengthened(maybe even started?)! But as soon as you step out, things go cold, and clarity seems far from common. The doors and windows of opportunities have closed. You don’t appreciate the person you have become, and you know that how you have been acting is not pleasing to God.

Did I miss something? Did I not hear God correctly? Did I take a wrong turn?

The truth is, I could’ve missed something. I could’ve taken the wrong turn, but God has certainly not stopped pursuing us(Psalm 23:6). God’s Word reveals His truth so fresh to us; like the May flowers we are all hoping to redeem in our own gardens(while it makes a factual metaphor, I will honestly say, I do not have a green thumb!).

The Old and New Testament are packed full of ordinary people being used by an extraordinary God; despite the season of life they may be in. Our circumstances, believe it or not, do not offer the closure we are all looking for. Beyond realizing that the season of life we are in looks less then desirable to yourself, we must search for God’s holy intentions. I will say that again so that I can hear it this time….God’s holy intentions. Though Jefferson Bethke, in his book “Love That Lasts”, said this concerning marriage, it applies to this too. He said marriage is not so much to make us happy but holy, and the same is true for everyday living. God wants us to become more like Him, Holy…yes! Happy? That is simply “the glaze on the donut.” Too many times I enter into a season expecting to find a banner hung across it’s entry way that boldy says “Condemnation”, maybe you feel the same? But instead we must be able to see that it says “Congradulations!”- God has you right where He wants you.

We must gird ourselves with truth and hold fast to God’s Word when we find ourselves in a season of pruning and plucking; a season that reflects someone you never thought you were nor never want to be again. Here are some truths from God’s Word to meditate on and think over:

• Philippians 2: 12-13- “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

The MacArthur study bible sums it up by saying, “it cannot refer to salvation by works, but it does refer to the believer’s responsibility for active pursuit in the process of sanctification.” In a season of pruning we must not give up, but instead we must actively pursue God and steward well all that He has given us.

• Revelation 2:4-5- “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

I know He holds this against me. When I get caught up in whatever newness this season may hold, I can’t forsake my first love-Jesus Christ. I must repent, ask for forgiveness for where I have sinned, and do what I did at first!

• Daniel 10:12- “Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”

We must set our minds to gain understanding in this season of pruning, and humble ourselves before the Lord just as Daniel did. Make no mistake, God hears our prayers!

• Isaiah 41:13- “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

In a season of painful pruning God has not stopped being God, and He has not stopped extending His right hand. He delights in helping us, we must ask for it and then receive it fully.

• Hosea 2:14-15- “Therefore I am now going to allure her;  I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.”

Seasons of pruning makes for an attractive resume for satan’s tempting ways. Oh how tenderly God speaks to us in these painful seasons, and satisfies us with the hope that lies in Him. The MacArthur study Bible says that “the phrase was used of wooing”…how amazing, God wants to woo us with His love!!

• 2 Chronicles 19: 9- “He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord.”

Even in seasons of pruning we must still faithfully serve the Lord wholeheartedly! Easier typed then said, I know!

• 2 Timothy 4:2- “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

We must be ready in season and out of season, despite what we may be feeling.

And do you know what the most comforting thing is? God doesn’t shy away from saying that He will prune and pluck those of whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6), but He promises a great refining from the pruning as Job 23:10 says ….

"But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." - Job 23:10- 

Maybe I have fooled you. Maybe you think that this post was written in light of the past, and not the present. The opposite is true. I am in a season of newness and uncertainty and a season of doing things I’ve never had to do before. I’ve graduated from high school and as many of the graduation cards have echoed is the message of moving on, trusting the Lord, and seeking God (I know I’m missing quite a few). Nonetheless, many things still seem daunting. God’s purposes in the pruning reminds us of what is imperishable, that being God’s love for us, and the security we have in Him as His children. Praise the Lord:)

So, you’re not alone. I have stumbled over these keys for a while wanting to capture a post that embodies it all, and I deem that as quite impossible. So, I hope this has encouraged you! Take heart in this season that you are in, in whatever form that may be! God has you right were He wants you! GREAT GRACE is Yaweh’s!

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

The T0-Do List I Didn’t Create.

So, we’re here, 2020. I’m a little late on this bandwagon (seeing that it is now February). As Instagram feeds are no longer filled with “words of the year”(which I will say I have considered some of those) and gold balloons with the numbers 2020, instead there are gym pictures, healthy eating tips, and sales on 2020 planners. Good for you is the silent whisper our hearts renown as we turn to our own list of hopes, expectations, and goals for the coming year. Our desire? To accomplish our to-do lists with ease and perfection.

But, we are missing a great piece if our eyes are only set on a one way ambition track. There is a to-do list that I/you didn’t create, I know…a little off-setting. It is a to-do list that deserves all of our attention and acceptance. While we may not have created it, we are to cultivate it. This is the to-do list that God has created for us. Ephesians 2:10 gives us great insight…

” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” – Ephesians 2:10 –

Ephesians 2:10 shows us that we are “God’s handiwork”, we are uniquely created and designed to do “good works” that glorify God and further His kingdom. Notice, it’s not a list of things to consider, but a list of things to do. We should not be asking God to comply to our to-do lists, but we should daily ask God that His to-do list become our own.

The ways in which God works are not always visible to us. Most times we pray and what God does from there, we’re not so sure. Yet, there are some things that God has put on your (my) to-do list. Let’s take a look at some of them now…

• “Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
• ” Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. ” Philippians 2:14-15
• “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength…And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:5-6
• “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 1 John 13: 34-35
• “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit  of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

God has called us to rejoice always, pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. He has called us to completely refrain from grumbling and arguing, in doing so, we are being blameless and pure, thus shining like stars amidst a warped and crooked generation. He has called us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and strength, a command that Moses gave to the Israelites and one that later Jesus repeated to the thousands of hungry listeners. Through John, the Holy Spirit influenced him to write that we are to love one another, in doing so, we are showing Christ to everyone around us. He has called us to abide in Him so that we will bear much fruit.

These are just some of the things. There is a whole Bible to see and read more of what God has called us to do.

When Jesus Christ took on flesh, He was fully aware of the to-do list that God had created for Him. But for Him, it was more than a to-do list, but a life to give. It says it right in John 3:16, the verse we have come to memorize. “For God so loved the world He GAVE”, my emphasis added. More than just a box to check off. His “food” was fulfilling what God had planned for Him to do (John 4:34). He came to save and not to condemn(Matthew 5:17, John 3:17). Jesus chose to do the will of the one who sent Him, and we need to follow suit.

““My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” – John 4:34 –

Having simply our toes dangling into the water of 2020, we should make these commands our habits. It’s easy for me to type that, but hard to live it. Maybe you feel the same. It’s hard enough getting up each morning let alone taking on changing habits. But, God gives grace for each moment. And for that, I am glad.

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

When It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas

I’ll say it…it doesn’t feel like Christmas.

The ground is muddy and brown intstead of white and fluffy.

I go outside in a sweatshirt instead of a coat and gloves.

Maybe God is trying to point out something to me-to you.

It doesn’t have to look like Christmas for it to be Christmas.

It doesn’t have to be Christmas for us to celebrate Jesus.

And it shouldn’t take Christmas for us to realize that God is always with us.

I’m sure Mary didn’t think Christmas when she was giving birth to the Savior of the world. It was most likely hot and the trot of the donkey probably interupted any thought. I’m sure the wise men and the shepherds didn’t think Christmas when they followed a star, and for the shepherds when the Angels appeared to them in the field. What they felt was Christ, what they were seeking was Christ, and what they found was exactly that. Fear answered in faith, like we talked about last year.

So, we should not be surprised that when we “look for Christmas” by looking at the weather report or under the tree, we come out dissapointed. But, if we “look for Christmas” by looking at the manger, then we will find that Christmas will always be apart of everyday. It wasn’t Christmas to Mary, it was a day that the Lord had made. A day that God had prepared and planned long ago.

I’m dreaming of a Christmas-a Christmas of whatever God decides to make it. Snow on the ground or not.

“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7 –

That is why we celebrate.

Merry Christmas!

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

How My Dad Being My Coach Taught Me A Lot About God’s Character.

It’s my Senior year and many things aren’t as they were. Due to a slightly recent knee surgery, I will not be playing basketball this year.

Because of this, my heart has been doing some reviewing, renewing, and re-visiting. What have I taken for granted? My dad has been my basketball coach for technically my whole life. I believe God certainly had that planned for a reason. As I observed my dad coach my sister, others, and myself, God revealed to me bits and pieces of His own character.

This is how my dad, my basketball coach, taught me a lot about God’s character.

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1. Knows What’s Best

I distinctly remember one practice where my dad said that we would be going to the weight room. Well, that time came and went and there was no going to the weight room. “I need to make sure we know this play,” dad said. I was immediately put in my place. We would be better prepared by staying and perfecting the play. Dad knew best, and even though I would’ve rather been somewhere else, where I was then not only helped me but everyone else. His intentions for us not going to the weight room was because he was focused on us- the team.

In the same way, God prepares us. By saying not yet to what we want to happen, He is preparing us for something better. He is saying “no to the weight room” and yes to working and finishing what has been started. He will hold us back from the things we think we should be doing because He has something better in mind. He knows what is best for us in the long run; we only see the small picture. Be present where God has placed you and you will never miss out. In doing so, you will never feel like you have been left out. God has you where He wants you.

” For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9 –

2. Fights For Us

This is something all coaches are known to do; questioning the refs and interceding for their players. I know my dad has done this many times. The coaches intention is to fight for his players, so that the player can be freed from the accusation the ref has made.

In the basketball world, that doesn’t usually end up successful. But with Jesus, it’s a different story. When we sin, Jesus is our voice. God can listen to our prayers and forgive us of our confessed sin because of what Christ did on the cross. Jesus also fights our accuser, Satan. He is that coach on the sidelines advocating for us. When Satan tries to tempt us He is there fighting for us (and with the help of the Holy Spirit we can fight the temptation) , and He intercedes for us when we pray.

” Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ” – Romans 8:34 –

3. Prepares Us

Before each game my dad goes about preparing us. He writes “Believe” across the top of the board, assigns us who we will guard, reminds us of things to watch for, keeps us accountable for our strengths and weaknesses, reminds us of our plays, and we also pray. The coach has many roles and preparing his team is one of them.

In the same way, God prepares us. He reminds us of the mission, keeps us accountable, knows our strengths and weaknesses, and encourages us from the quiet places to know Him more. The “locker room” of our lives becomes the place where we see God defeat the lies. It becomes our place of communicating with the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. This is where we need to pay attention, otherwise you will go out guarding number 23 when you were supposed to be guarding 24; the one who just made the basket.

” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 –

4. Rejoices Over Us

I can remember the feeling of making a basket or a shot and thinking…“I hope my dad saw that!” From all of the clapping that went on, my hope was that my dad was smiling from the bench. I can remember two times in particular, coming off the court from one of my better games, and my dad patted my head and told me good job! Talk about something that I will always remember. Also, when taking me (and any teammate) out of the game, no matter how good or bad I played, my dad would give me a high five.

I think of Jesus and how He rejoices over us, how when we do things that please Him, He pulls us close and says “I love you, keep it up.” We should strive to live a life that is pleasing to Him, to feel God smiling in all that we do. That no matter how many times we mess up, He shows us grace, He gives us a “high five”.

” I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. ” – Jeremiah 32:41 –

5. Disciplines Us

“Coachley” like discipline is not just seen in the lives of the coaches kids. Though I will say, we may see a little more of it. Yet, why would we expect anything else? He disciplined and got on us a little more because He loves us; He knew what we could become. That is a beautiful thought. Hard love and tough love are not bad things to experience, though in the moment it may seem undeserved.

In the same way, God disciplines us. This is because of His love for us! We should not grow disheartened by that, we instead should be encouraged! He knows what we can become, and He has prepared things for us to DO (Ephesians 2:10)

” because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in…” – Proverbs 3:10 –

6. Challenges Us

“Finish on a make” is what my dad would always say to conclude our time of basketball practice. If we didn’t, then we would continue on until we did. Seven out of ten free throws were to be made or you would run the difference and try, try, again. What seemed like a meaningless system at the time, created integrity and strength; mentally and physically. Your coach will challenge you, to build you. He will push you and point you in situations you’ve never been so that you know every position.

In the same way God challenges us. He tests us so that we may grow in Him. He knows our weaknesses and strengths and He will use those for His glory. He will put us in places we’ve never been, so we can know there’s never been a place He’s never been. He keeps us accountable too, you prayed that? I’ll remember that, and put you in places so you will remember too. We can’t just expect that God is to be the only one to remember our prayers, and we can go about forgetting them. Like dropping your dog off at the groomers and then picking them up when the job has been done. “Our prayers are to mean something to us, if they are to mean anything to God.”

” But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. ” – Job 23:10 –

7. Holds On To Us

Last year, during a game, my knee cap got dislocated leaving me very confused and in pain. My dad came over, held my hand, and continued to do so until they carried me off the court. I know my sister can say she experienced the same thing (she had 4 knee surgeries some of which came from basketball) Him holding on to my hand didn’t necessarily benefit him, but it benefited me. It calmed me, strengthened me, and assured me. It wasn’t that he needed to but that he wanted to.

God does the same. He holds onto us with His “righteous right hand”, not because He needs to, but because He wants too, and because we are in need of Him. Rest assured, He will never let go.

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].” – Isaiah 41:10 AMP-

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Isn’t it amazingly strange the different ways in which God reveals Himself to us? From small things to big things, I firmly believe God delights in doing such things. Now God has given me a “front row bench seat”, if you will, in seeing more of how He works. I am not perfect and neither is my dad, but I am thankful for the things I have learned from him.

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

Green Beads And White Glue sticks

I payed a visit to my mom’s Kindergarten class not long ago. Who knew that sitting in a little chair and overseeing preschoolers do “preschooler like duties” could’ve taught me anything (and many laugh at my ignorance). “All that you need to know you learned in kindergarten”? Yes, I see that now!

One of which was, a child would choose a book to read and I would listen (books like “Beads” and “Dressing Up”). They were light amidst their small hands, granted that they had only four pages. Four pages of two to three worded sentences, this shouldn’t take long I thought. And thus my learning began.

They read the words they knew, but if they didn’t know the words, they would assume what they were. Or, they would look at the picture and think that was what the words said. I found myself saying a lot, “don’t look at the picture, look at the words.”

And very soon, God spoke to my heart. Julia, this is you.

Don’t look at how things appear, look at the truth of My word. Don’t assume that the “word” is this, find out and study what my Word has to say about it. Don’t we all do this? We look at our life and how things seem, and quickly start to let worry and fear sink in. Instead of seeking God’s will and reading His word, we quickly rely on ourselves.

” For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. ” – Isaiah 55:8 –

Later on in the day I joined a group of “copy and pastes”. Glue sticks these days come in purple, white, clear, and I’m sure I’m missing some colors. One girl was simply having a hard time gluing because she said “there was no glue on the paper.” May I remind you she had the white glue stick, and it was white paper. Even though she couldn’t see the glue she had to believe that it was there.

We are capable of viewing life the same way. Sometimes we can’t see our “glue”- God. We may see Him working, but sometimes it’s hard to even see that. Yet, we have to believe that He is there holding us together and working even still.

” He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ” – Colossians 1:17

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Have a great Friday friends!

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

A Macaroon For Your Monday.

Something sweet is always appreciated….especially on a Monday.

I am here to deliver.

“I remember being amazed

sitting there that one day

when what seemed impossible

actually made a way

I took no time to ponder

who could have done such a thing

Instead I looked to Jesus

His throne was not bare

His right hand aware

He had held me ever so dear

Amazed I still sit and ponder there.”

Is there something in your life right now that seems impossible? Like ordering a cheese burger at a Chinese food restaurant? know this, God knows your heart, He knows your desires. (Psalm 27:14)

The poem above depicts that day, that day when “what seems impossible makes a way”. Because of Christ, we can hope for “that day” despite our current circumstances. I have my own day that I am hoping for, and maybe you do too. May this be a reminder to you and me…

1. Be looking for Christ, keep watch for the ways in which He is working. Without doing so, “that day” may come and go without you knowing. (Psalm 130:6)
2. Look to Jesus. Rather “that day” comes or not, Look to Him…take heart! (John 16:33)
3. God is on His throne, nothing surprises Him. With the same righteous right hand He gives, takes away, and holds. (Psalm 11:4, Psalm 63:8)
4. Treasure, take after Mary. Treasure all that God as done for you. “Sit and ponder there”…God is the absolute best to treasure things with. (Luke 2:19) In doing so, we will be able to look back and see how God held us “ever so dear”.

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

P.S. Go and check out by dear friend D, over at “By HIS Wounds”! She wrote an encouraging post about living each day for Christ, you can check it out here. You don’t want to miss it!!:)

Back To School-Back To Basics

It’s that time again….the back to school blues.

Besides the thrill of getting new things, like clothes and schools supplies….things don’t get too exciting. Especially when your a Senior, you don’t have a desire to get any new things. It’s more like going thrift shopping in your own home.

Hurrah…back to school.

I will be honest and say I thought I would be in a way different place from where I am now, but God is so sovereign and good. I wanted to share with you some things to keep in mind as you start this school year, no matter what grade your in.

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1. Audience of One

School is a place of many audiences. There are many cliques, groups, and you name it school has it. You must remember that you are an audience of One…Jesus Christ. Usually the audience you follow determines your actions tomorrow. Don’t jive with a group of people with the intent to witness to them, when your heart is far from that desire. That is really not why your there. Be careful of the gray line you draw for yourself.

” so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ” – Matthew 6:4 –

2. A Seat at The Table

Lunch is not how many Disney shows portray it. Disney channel, you have failed there. School lunch is more like the vegetable isle in the store. The carrots stay with the carrots and the onions stay with the onions. AKA cliques are most apparent in this time. So, what are you, the Christian who has no friends, supposed to do? Or better yet, what are we to remember? Remember this, you always have the seat at God’s table. Here’s me also inviting you to sit at my table:)

” And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ” – John 14:3 –

3. What is Neccessary

Getting work done, yes this is necessary. Hard, but necessary. Yes, I would rather be out fulfilling what God wants me to do instead of being stuck in government class. Maybe you relate? But, I have missed the point then. I am where God wants me to be, government class in all.

” Lazy people want much but get little,
    but those who work hard will prosper. ” – Proverbs 13:4 –

4. Peer Pressure

No need to fear peer pressure when the pressure of your peers will lead you to do righteous acts that will glorify God. So, choose your friends wisely. Peer pressure is like Satan with an entourage. It’s a more visual, touchable way that we see the devil working, and it is a sick picture. Again, you avoid peer pressure by hanging out with people who love the Lord, and will encourage you in that. Though we are sinners, even a Christian group could tempt you do to bad things. “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Know the truth even among those who claim to know it.

” Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. ” – Proverbs 13:20 –

5. Gossip

Gossip is very enticing. Even if your not physically in the gossip conversation, your ears are. Gossip is not to be like a pill; taking a little bit each day. Justifying it by saying, “it was jut a little bit”, or “I told her not to tell anyone”. It’s best to walk away and busy yourself with something else.

” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ” – Ephesians 4:29 –

6. Being A Light Aka Salty & Lit

As Cool Carll puts it from Sunday Cool Tees, “Salty and Lit”. Wear it on a shirt, it really makes for some good conversations:)

But, it’s true. We as believers are called to be the salt and light of the world. We are to put “righteous flavor” into the areas God has put us in. And to be the light in the “refrigerator”, for those needing a “midnight snack.” We are to draw people to Christ through our actions. Easier said than done, that’s the truth! But a back to school basic for sure.

” You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ” – Matthew 5:13 –

7. No Prom-posal Doesn’t Mean No Marriage Proposal

You may be thinking that this is strickly for girls, but it goes for guys too. A guy or a girl could easily put some candy on poster board and and make it “punny”.

If you have yet to catch on, we are talking about dating and relationships in High School. It is all around you, there is no doubt. The desire the, “need” to have a boyfriend. Guys as friends, girls as friends, sure that is fine. Though there are some things to take caution to there. I wrote a post on that a while ago, you can find it here and here. Our goal is not to cheapen something God has made valuable. Marriage is the goal when dating, and when you date for fun or fulfillment from the other, you are cheapening that valuable thing called marriage. Dumping and “rebooting” is not the mindset you want to have going into marriage. Find you fulfillment and worth in Christ. And when God does open up the opportunity for you to serve him along side a man, then you will be prepared…ready? It sure may not feel like that, but prepared nonetheless.

Just because you don’t get a high school, prom-posal, doesn’t mean your booted out of a marriage proposal. Trust God, He is always working. In reality, if your focus is so heavily on a prom-posal, maybe you should rethink your view on the marriage proposal.

” He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.
 When he passes me, I cannot see him;
    when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.
 If he snatches away, who can stop him?
    Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ – Job 9:10-12 –

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There are so many more tips I could give you, but for the beginning of the school year, I’m afraid many of us are still trying to get used to waking up at 6. We will leave those tips for later. For now, I’m leaving you with the basics. For the ones who rush out the door with simply a granola bar, I feel you.

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

Desires Of Your Heart -Handled The Right Way

We all have desires, and our heart is the “New York” of them.

How can we handle our desires the right way? A God honoring way?

Hannah, from 1 Samuel, gives us great insight on how we can handle the desires of our heart. Though painful, there is great purpose.

Lets take some time to see what Hannah did with the desires of her heart.

1. Open and vulnerable

” Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. ⁴ Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. ⁵ But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb.” – verses 1-5 –

Hannah’s husband knew of her struggle, and most importantly, God did too. She was open about it, so much so that her physical state reflected it; though we will get into that later. It’s not easy to be open and vulnerable about what is really on our heart. Hiding away is easier than having everyone know. Yet, notice this too, trusted people knew. While other people knew about it, only a few actually knew how she felt about it. If Elkanah didn’t know about his wife’s struggle, would he have given her a double portion? There is great blessing in sharing with others what we are struggling with. Hannah was open and vulnerable, but not unmovable. Because God knew, and she gripped that tightly.

2. Knowing didn’t Keep her from coming

When you know that the grocery store doesn’t have the certain kind of chocolate you like, do you still go to that grocery store looking for chocolate? No!

Even though Hannah knew that God had closed her womb, that didn’t keep her from coming and praying. Her desire to have kids was strong, and only God could handle that strong desire.

Whether your sitting there with tears in your eyes or your hands in fists, something about telling God what you know seems impossible… can satisfy even the deepest longing.  

AND STILL…

” Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. ⁷ This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. ⁸ Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” – verses 6-8 –

Though she was in this state of pain, she kept coming; much of what we covered above. She knew of the rival, but she knew well of her God. The rival could irritate and bug, but her God could heal and listen. He was more important. Can we say the same?

4. A desire committed to the Lord

” Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. ¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” – verses 9-11 –

Though I am jumping the gun here, I thought I would share: I find the word “once” in this context to be quite humorous. Why? That’s like saying I would never live on a farm, and then one day you end up owning one. If “once” doesn’t reveal the great unknown of Gods plans, than I don’t know what will. The thing is this, whether it was “once” or never, Hannah was always in the position to receive. She came to the Lord always, so she was ready for this “once” time.

She committed her desire to the Lord. People knew her struggle, but did many know her desire as much as the Lord did? She “wept bitterly”, does not the Lord see us when we do the same? Her desire for the Lord’s will was greater than her desire for a child. Her destiny wouldn’t be determined by the fulfillment of her desire, but by the disposing of her desire to the Lord. We don’t know how Hannah lived the rest of her day. Was she grumpy at the market? That we don’t know, but what God included in His word, is that she came to Him with what was on her heart. See how important it is to not let the desire rule your heart, but to let God rule over your desires?

5. I don’t care who’s watching

“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

¹⁵ “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. ¹⁶ Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

¹⁷ Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” – verses 12-17 –

The posture of her heart as she prayed was displayed in her physical posture. She kept on praying, despite what she looked like on the outside. Half of the time my face blushes simply praying at a restaurant! How much more, Hannah, praying so hard and genuinely that Eli thought she was drunk? What a sight!

I find myself wandering why Eli made that comment, I mean He was a priest wasn’t he? Had he never prayed like that before? He didn’t say much to Hannah when he left, but what he did say was enough. Did God work in both of their hearts even though Hannah was the one with heartache?I certainly do wonder!  We do know that Samuel eventually took Eli’s spot.  We came into this wanting to learn from Hannah, but what can we now learn from Eli? Think about it. God called him out when Hannah replied, Eli then replied with encouragement instead of criticizing. 

6. Some things do come true

“She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. ²⁰ So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[b] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” – verses 18-20 –

“Then she went her way and ate something”.

I find that to be very surprising. When experiencing any kind of heartbreak or anything of that matter; eating, doing the simple of tasks, seems foreign. Yet, Hannah experienced something new. A sign? Maybe not, but nonetheless she fed the hope by eating; physically fulfilling. We should really try to “eat something” amidst our hurting heart.  It’s “doing the next thing” as Elizabeth Elliot said. Did you know that God’s Word is our “spiritual food” (1 Peter 2:2) ? We should start there.

“Early the next morning”

Have you ever been so excited about something for the next day that waking up early is no problem? I get that vibe from Hannah here as she gets up early to worship the Lord. Notice that this time there is no crying, this time there is worship. I love that. She even went to worship before she went home. She went to the Lord in the morning, because she probably knew that there could be temptation at home. Was it that God really forgot Hannah? I asked my Pastor about this, and he put it this way…

“The use of the word “remembered,” in this context, is actually like a Hebrew figure of speech.  God doesn’t “forget” anything, of course.  What it means is that God “called her request to mind and acted according to His will” which then means that God heard her prayer and responded to her prayer with a “yes”…causing her to become pregnant…but, it was God’s pre-determined will for this to happen from eternity past.” 

We end this group of verses with this; “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Her desire was true, godly, and not sinful. Why? Because it was a desire that didn’t contend with Gods will, but rather continued it. She gave her desire to the Lord, and she left it at that. She would be content even if she didn’t get a kid. Notice that she worshiped even before her husband made love to her. Was it there that we see her contentment in Christ and in His will for her? So, when God did bless her with a child, Samuel, her mind went directly to Christ!

What can we take from Hannah and her life? How she surrendered her desires to the Lord? I encourage you to think on these things. I’m in this with you dear reader:)

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

How We Can Encourage Our Sisters In Christ.

One of the things I thank God for the most are my sisters in Christ.

What better way to walk through life then to have other women who have a desire to serve and love God the same as you do? And maybe some are more spiritually mature than you are, or the other way around…nonetheless you grow from eachother and encourage eachother.

So how can we as sisters in Christ better encourage eachother? Better point eachother to Christ? What should we avoid? Below I have listed some of the things I have considered.

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1. Pray For Eachother

Sometimes it’s not words that your friends need, but simply the assurance that your praying for them.

” Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ” – James 5:16 –

How many times do I skip this and offer “words” to my sister instead of simply saying, “I’m praying for you”. How powerful prayer is, and how often I take that power away. Pray for your sister in Christ, just as the verse above says. The exchange of prayer requests between you and your sister in Christ, will make your relationship grow deeper with them then you would’ve ever thought! Prayer connects, it builds, and most importanly you are both getting to know our Savior better….how awesome is that!!

So, a challenge for me and you. In the morning when you wake up, may the first message to your friend be “I’m praying for you today.” See how not only it will brighten her day, but also yours.

2. Encourage Them In Christ

We must take caution to how we encourage our friends. There’s a difference between encouraging a friend by giving them bibliical truths, and encouraging a friend by feeding them worldy slogans and “feel goods”. Encourage them…IN CHRIST! Point them to Christ, that it the best way we can encourage our friends. Take Jonathan and David for example, Jonathan made it his job to encourge David in Christ when David became spirirtually troubled.

” And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God…” – 1 Samuel 23:16 –

3. Be Willing to Listen

It is easy to lay all of your problems on someone else and not let them speak. Be the one to listen. Jesus listened, HE also spoke, but he also many times listened. He listened and then He gave them the advice and teaching they needed to hear. When you are going to help your sister in Christ, it’s not about you. Hearing some one else talk doesn’t usually eaze the things building up in our hearts. So, don’t be the one to talk, be the one to listen.

” Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12 –

4. Put Out Fire With Water, Not Gasoline

When your sister asks for advice don’t advocate for her to justify her sinful actions or what have you. Instead, simply give her advice; give her Christ. When you advocate, you are eventually going to start to gossip. Which quickly puts out any hope that things may get better. All you will have is a fired up friend ready with “good” comebacks. That is not what we are to do. Instead we should load them up with Scripture, we put out the “fire” with water, not gasoline.

” It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel. ” – Proverbs 20:3 –

5. “Your Not My Mom”….

Sometimes you may feel like you have become a mom to your friends, but do not worry moms are cool. If you get that nick name simply because you are giving your friend what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear, than so be it. This is me giving you a nameplate for your office. Though don’t get prideful, sometimes we have to humble ourselves so that our friends and sisters in Christ can “be moms to us”. We should encourage our friends to not only give us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear…which welcomes the next point.

” Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. ” – Proverbs 14:7 –

6. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions & Approach Them

Sometimes it’s hard to ask truthful questions when it comes to our personal character. Things like:

• What do I need to work on to better reflect Christ?
• What would be a turn off that I have that may prevent other people from wanting to know about Christ?
• Am I getting too attached to this boy?
• Was I being prideful yesterday?
• Am I disrespecting my parents?
• Did I mistreat you yesterday?
• Am I making the wrong decision by hanging out with them?

You get the picture. If you love your sister that much, we have to be bold enough to ask these questions to others, and when the spectrum is flipped; give our friends truthful answers. We have to be willing to want more than the “stuff” that will just feed our appetite but our hunger.

” Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” – Ephesians 4:25 –

7. Accountability

Accountability is something that I ask my friends to do, but we never end up following through. What an oxy moron that is! Keep eachother accountable for your time in God’s Word, relationships, etc. Not only will this help your walk with Christ but it will help you grow in your relationship with your sisters in Christ.

” “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ” – Matthew 18:15-

8. Fellowship & Brokeness

Reading through Acts chapter 2, you will soon realize the closeness of the believers. They were always in fellowsip with one another and sharing in ones brokeness. How can you be an approachable friend when you yourself are beyond reproach? Accept your brokenness don’t hide from it. We are sinners, saved by grace. Why talk about just the grace, when we can grow closer in fellowship when we talk about both? How much closer we will become, how much more this would please God!

” They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ” – Acts 2:42 –

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These are simply just some of the ways we can encourage our sisters in Christ! I know without a shadow of a doubt that I have left out many! Ask yourself this question too: when you are done talking to your sisters in Christ do you leve them more full or more empty then when you found them?

Do you have more to add? Let me know!

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia

Let The Countdown Begin.

Countdowns. Welcoming the New year, or unleashing the runners; letting the races begin. Countdowns built momentum; get you excited. I’m feeling the countdown air today, and really not just for today but for the rest of May and end of June. The countdown to get off these crutches, that God has graciously given me. He also directed my steps to step on a tennis ball, tearing my medial meniscus, (via injury in Decemeber due to baskatball) a partial torn ACL, and something with a ligament…I’m not sharp on my medical terms. All of that lead to a mark on the calender on May 9th, with the words “surgery”.

I now look at 3 weeks, as of today, on crutches. I have been tempted many times to ask God, “why?”, and many times it does slip out. I start to mumble, grumble, and throw myself a pity party. I have been clinging to a verse in this season of my life. Something Moses wrote in Psalm 90.

“Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.
 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.” – Verses 12-16 –

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom….Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.”

I can just see it. Moses, writing this Pslam, with the reality of the wilderness right outside where he was pearched. His pen doesn’t stop, he rememebers….He remembers God’s faithfulness. It’s like if he could sum up the many years in the wilderness, this Pslam would parallel that.

So I am striving to number and not mumble over these days that God has humbled me. Numbering brings about a sense of purpuse, mumbling pays no attention to how God is working.

How would one even catagorize when one reaches days of being humble? when we reach days of complete dependence on God? Isn’t that everyday? Tody we can start to number, not just a certain day that we think may start our suffering. Numbering helps us to better name our suffering “This is from God and He will use it for His glory.”

So, I am calling this countdown of mine, “Days of humbledge”. A mix of “humble” and “pilgrimage”….is that not what it is? A journey through the wilderness like Moses and the Israelites? Though, like I had mentioned before, everyday should be our days of “humbledge” until Jesus returns.

Joseph, the one falsey accused of sexual assult and put into prison and many other things, could’ve easily mumbled over all of the days spent in places he didn’t deserve. Yet, he is a great example of how he numbered his days. He even named them too…

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. ” – Genesis 50:20 –

He named them days that “God meant for good.” Is that not what God is doing right now in your life?

Will you join me, as I number these days of “humbledge”?

With Christ like bubbling love,

Julia