Author: elizabethgwin

facebook friend.

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The other morning I was sitting outside, drinking coffee and enjoying the beautiful weather. I had my Bible open and was reading the day’s lesson in my study group’s current series, A Woman Who Doesn’t Quit: 5 Habits From the Book of Ruth by Nicki Koziarz.

Someone walking by stopped and looked from my books to me and said, “Oh. You are doing your spiritual part of your life.” After I replied, “Yes, I’m doing my Bible study lesson,” and he walked on, I kept thinking about his words.. doing .. your .. part of your life..

This person has known me for many years and has been a regular church attendee for as long as I have known him. His comment was not one that I would expect from a fellow Christian. Something just did not feel right about his awkward words and behavior.

Two questions kept running through my mind:

(1) Does my faith in God encompass my entire life and being or just “a part” of it?

As Christians, we are commanded to live out each day in a Christ-like manner, displaying the love of God in every facet of our lives. As I strive to meet this commandment, am I exuding the love of God in all my daily activities? Do I walk each day on the path God has laid for me?

(2) How can I encourage fellow Christians to seek a [more active] relationship with God?

Going to church does not equal having a relationship with God. I have many Facebook friends; however, I do not have a personal relationship with each person, only the ones that I engage with in community and fellowship. God desires more than Facebook friend status; He desires for us to be actively engaged in a personal relationship with Him. Yes, He wants a personal relationship with you, with me.. not just a select few of us, but everyone!

The following passage is from the letter written to the church at Phillipi. In it, the apostle Paul reminds the community of new believers that the goal they are striving towards is Jesus Christ, trusting Him and knowing Him in a personal relationship. Faith is strengthened within a community of believers working towards a common goal and encouraging each other along the way. Paul suggests that practice makes perfect, as he urges the church to imitate him in his walk of humble dependence on Christ.

“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.” -Philippians 3:12-21, HCSB

Let your faith infiltrate every part of your life. Let the perfect love of Christ absorb into every fiber of your being. Allow God to work through you and display His majesty in all that you do. Encourage one another to walk in faith at all times and to seek the leading of God. Set good examples for fellow Christians to follow, and mimic the Christ-like behaviors you see others displaying. We become what we practice.

HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible

tight quarters.

Published on by elizabethgwin3 Comments

We all know that God commands us to love thy neighbor. For such a simple and straightforward command, it sure can be hard to do sometimes. At least, it is for me!

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a Propel Women workshop in Orange County, California! It was quite a long journey from Mississippi but worth the 5:55am flight and long travel.

On my flight out to California, I sat squeezed into a middle seat between two large men. As I struggled awkwardly with finding a comfortable position in my “tight quarters,” I was reminded of the commandment to love our neighbors. I settled in to four hours between the two snoring giants and let my mind wander. The thought struck me:

How often do we find it hard to show love to those that are closest to us? 

In the time of Jesus, the Jewish religion had divided into several parties, or sects. The most popular group, known as the Pharisees, prided themselves on their strict adherence to Mosaic law. A very self-righteous group, they placed higher value on appearance then morals. Jesus was often tested with questions regarding the law of Moses and the prophets throughout his ministry. The Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat, rather than a messiah, to the Jewish nation. They considered his radical display of love to ALL people (not just Jews) to be an abomination to the faith. His generosity to everyone was unprecedented, and it threatened the religious exclusivity that they cherished. At the time, the Pharisees observed all Jewish laws and customs, yet with misplaced motivations to do so. Jesus teaches that having a heart for God is more important than going through the motions of practicing faith, that giving one’s heart to God is more important than performing ritual sacrifices and offerings.

In the following passage, a scribe is inquiry which of the commandments is the greatest. Keep in mind that Jesus is speaking radically about ideas never heard of before. Today, 2000 years later, his ideas still seem radical and difficult to ingest fully. Imagine how bewildered they must have been hearing the words of our Lord:

A scribe asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. – Mark 12:28-34, ESV

Did you catch that? Jesus told the scribe “Good job! A+” for his wise answer. All the scribe did was repeat Jesus’ words back to him.. big deal! Read it again. Jesus saw that the scribe answered wisely, and commended him on his faith. Jesus must have seen a heart full of faith as this scribe not only gave the right answer, but spoke it with genuine belief in the words he had said aloud.

This scribe was no dummy; he believed at first sight! Surely his heart must have been stirring in awe. Jesus spoke with such authority in his words that Mark tells us that no one else there even dared to ask any more questions. Wow! In a few mere sentences, Jesus shut down their game of 20 questions. His authoritative truth swept in and knocked them mute.

Hear the words of Jesus recorded by the apostle John:

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. – John 5:25, ESV

Eternal life. The kingdom of heaven. Jesus tells us these everlasting rewards are available for any who listen to him and believe what he says.

He does not instruct us to love the neighbors of our choosing, but to love everyone. For me, sometimes, proximity can be an enemy. I wonder if the scribe wanted to kick any of his neighbors in the synagogue that day. I would have! Life presents so many opportunities to knock some sense into our neighbors. However, Jesus said to love them!

So there it is: the unavoidable commandment to love all, no matter their distance, or lack thereof. I find that the power to even attempt such an impossible feat comes only through God. We receive the ability and will to love others when He pours his perfect love into us. Only then can we pour out that unstoppable love on our neighbors.

Disclaimer: The closer your neighbor is to you, the more likely you are to get splashed with that awesome love! Tight quarters get hot; you will be amazed at how refreshing that little splash will be!

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

bye. grudges, part 2.

Published on by elizabethgwin2 Comments

I wrote earlier this year about grudges (see Grudges make smudges. ) and the energy they can deplete from your being. A grudge will hold your joy hostage before you ever knew what happened. Now that I am (one year older. one year wiser.), I have learned even more about the long-term effects these grudging ailments will have on your health. They are not worth your time, only your goodbye!

The day will come, even after you have diligently “spring-cleaned” your heart of any known grudges, that an old grudge will bubble to the surface. It may be older than your grandma, but still feel as fresh as a new baby. DO NOT STRESS! This horrifying, and possibly embarrassing, moment of recollection is NOT a sign of early onset dementia or temporary insanity.

I struggle to identify the revealing source sometimes, but if it is the work of the enemy, I am certain that God can turn that evil to good. He can use the upsetting memory as a way to prune you, to cleanse your mind of hateful thoughts and shameful memories, and ultimately draw you closer to Him. These blasts-from-the-past may be brought to light because they are a barrier between you and God. Ouch! Let it go, sister!

There is a catch. He only heals what we reveal. Anywhere that our hearts have hardened, the LORD can renew and refurbish, but only if we are willing to acknowledge our wrongdoings and repent. God forgives all things. We must just ask Him.

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.” – Psalm: 103:8-11, ESV

Read these words of assurance again, and again. Know that God loves you and will forgive you. Know that his grace and his mercy extend further than your eye can see and your mind can comprehend. Know also that God only wants His best for His children. He corrects us in love, so that we can grow closer to Him and the perfection He planned for us.

Take heed of this spoiler alert: this is where the enemy enters the scene:

“Be sober-minded: be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8, ESV

What? Ole Pete just put “lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” to shame! Total stalker status.

YOUR ADVERSARY (as in someone against you) is prowling around just looking for someone to destroy. In the words of my mother, “Horrors!” He is just watching and waiting for a chance to prance on you, to catch you when you are down and not on your guard. What better opportunity for his attack than when you are pouting about getting scolded?

Although it may feel like God is defining your impurity, He is actually refining your purity.

Hang in there, and remember that trials will come. We will be tempted and tested, and we will stumble and fall. By the grace of God, stand back up and seek His forgiveness. Repent and let it go! His love covers all things, even the dreadful grudges we may hold.

 ESV = English Standard Version Bible

 

 

autopilot.

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Do you ever feel like you are on autopilot in life? Perhaps you are going through the motions without much thought to your actions? Maybe this lasts for a day or a week or even an entire season? Regardless of the length of time spent in this auto mode, the awakening results are the same. You realize that you have gotten from point A to point B with little recollection of your journey. What a strange feeling it is.

I have buzzed through many seasons on autopilot and hated the remorse for days past that ensue. This year during Lent, I have aimed to slow life down and focus my attention on Christ. I long to see more than ‘Fish Fridays’ and ’40 days without’ this year, to turn off autopilot and engage fully in the Lenten season. Who knows what all I have missed in years past?

I want to see the events of Holy Week come alive before my eyes and feel the nearness of Jesus along this journey. This season I have chosen to follow an adapted Lenten discipline suggested by my pastor, titled: Once a Day, Once a Week, and Once a Month.

  • Once a Day: take a few moments for prayer and devotion, quiet time spent with God
  • Once a Week: fast from a meal or a pastime and spend the time in the Word of God
  • Once a Month: fast from whatever forms of information or technology distract you from others for a whole day

Two weeks in, and I am loving this discipline so much that I may keep it going after Easter!

“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:24, ESV

My “Once a Day” quiet time in the morning has been my favorite part of the day. I have come to crave that quiet and still moment before the day begins to just ‘be’ in God’s presence. Some days I have read an entire passage, some days just a verse. Some days I have journaled, and some days I have not. Most importantly, each day includes some form of prayer with praise and gratitude.

“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God… Blessed are those who dwell in our house, ever singing your praise!… They go from strength to strength… No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” – Psalm 84:2,4,11b, ESV

“Once a Week” I have chosen to forego television. Instead of watching a beloved (nonsense) show, I have used the time to open my Bible and read. Honestly, it was strange at first, but not anymore! I have enjoyed the peaceful respite from the busyness of the social world and have found myself wanting to replace evening television with reading more often than once a week. The gospel of Mark has completely captivated my attention this Lenten season. I have seen God’s faithfulness and love light up off the pages, as the apostle’s recount of Jesus’ ministry comes to life right in front of me.

Jesus speaks to his disciples about his purpose and ministry on earth: “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 4:22-23, ESV

I have learned this Lenten season that God is faithful. God is just. He keeps His Word. He never forgets us. He never loses sight of us. He who loves us can be trusted wholly. 

“The works of His hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.” – Psalm 111:7, ESV

“He who calls you is faithful…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24, ESV

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

 

one year older. one year wiser.

Published on by elizabethgwin8 Comments

March 3. One year older. One year wiser.

Today is my 35th birthday. It is peculiar. I do not feel 35, but then again, I don’t know what it should feel like. I questioned the accuracy of my birth year yesterday (just to make sure!), and my mother and the US government agree on 1982. My mama said she “was not only an on-site witness, she was there a day early, waiting on me to arrive!”

So there we have it: I am indeed 35. 

I have been reflecting this week over the last ten years of my life, namely, the lessons I have learned and areas where I have grown. Through intentional rumination and an enlightening session of self-debriefing, I have constructed a list of the top things I wish I had known (or listened to!) when I was younger. I hope this list speaks to all, regardless of age or gender or current season of life.

things i wish i had known 10 years ago….

1. Life does not end at 30! Seriously. Despite popular belief and urban legend, this is simply not true. Some may even argue that life does not begin until 30! So far, I am loving the 3-0 club! Quit thinking you are old. I will tell you like I tell my customers: OLD has three letters and therefore, three numbers!

2. Life comes in seasons, and the grass always looks greener on the other side. All seasons have their ups and downs, joys and heartaches, fears and victories. One is not better than another, just different. You cannot compare apples to oranges, so focus on enjoying your season because it will come to an end.

3. The storm is coming. It is unavoidable and impassable. Build your life on the firm foundation of Christ, the solid rock, and you will be able to weather the storm. Notice the psalmist does not say he will not be shaken at all, rather he will not be shaken greatly.

“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” – Psalm 62:2

“But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The LORD knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the LORD depart from iniquity.'” – 2 Timothy 2:19

4. Friends come and go. People naturally gravitate towards others in the same life season, as common activities and interests change accordingly. Life is a beautiful blend of various stages of life and different time frames between them. Do not take it personally when a friend moves into another season without you. Do not fear that you have been left behind or left out. It is simply not your time to move into that season.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Be intentional in finding friends. Remember that to have a friend, you must be a friend.

5. Love where you are..right here, right now. God is faithful, and His time is perfect. You cannot fully enjoy anything when you are mostly absent. Embrace your current season of life, and make the most of it. The right here’s are not always pretty, and the right now’s are not always convenient. You never know what purpose God has for you in your current place. Keep God at the center of your life, and He will give you joy and purpose. my plans.

Think of the Queen Esther’s obedience to God’s call. She and her Jewish people throughout Persia and Media were facing imminent death and extinction. The encouraging words of Uncle Mordecai to his niece, the queen: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14b

6. Time is precious. Spend it wisely. Find what is important to you, what matters to you, and invest your time there. Be respectful and mindful of other people’s time. Do not continue to engage in a relationship for which you see no future, simply for the sake of being in a relationship.

7. There is no vaccine to protect you against heartache. The body develops no immunity to heartbreak. Your heart will get shattered, and you will try your hardest to superglue it back together. Your fix will only be temporary. Let the master designer truly heal your broken heart. His powers far exceed your hot glue gun and duck tape collaboration.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

8. Mistakes are unavoidable. You will make them at work and in your personal life. Learn to recognize your error and make corrections with grace. Regrets will come, often at the worst possible times. Acknowledge and address them, but do not let them linger. Learn your lesson, forgive yourself (and others), and move on.

9. Social media life is not real. What you see on TV and on billboards is fabricated. People post only their best online. Don’t fall into the trap of wishing for their seemingly beautiful lives (see #2). Quit comparing yourself to a photo that has been staged, edited, and filtered. Focus on what is real and true. Heaven’s reward system is not based on jean size.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2

10. You are complete in Christ. No exceptions. It is uncanny how easy it is to forget this simple truth. Do not condemn yourself when you do. Know that we all lose sight and wander off sometimes. Jesus can find you and heal your blindness. I expect that grasping the fullness of completion in Christ will be a lifelong journey. Fullness = completion

Through the power of the LORD through his disciple Ananias, Saul regained his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was baptized, ate some dinner, and in his newfound strength, started seeking God and preaching on his journey to fullness in Christ (Acts 9).

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend … and to know the love of christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:17-19

11. God speaks. Take time to talk to God. Make prayer part of your daily routine. He is always there to listen and wants to hear from you. The hardest lesson in prayer life I have (am still) learned is being quiet and listening. You will not hear his voice if you are talking the whole time. God has manners and does not often interrupt our chatter. Be still, be humble, be quiet, and seek Him earnestly in prayer. He will speak to you.

All passages are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible.

 

let them see love.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment
This post is inspired by another one of my new tanks from the light blonde shop. I am borderline obsessed with all these super cute tees and tanks hand-made by a fellow Jesus-loving lady. Y’all must check it out!

How are we, as believers, showing love to others in our day-to-day lives? Do we, as Christians, display behaviors that align with the Word of God? Do we treat both believers and non-believers with the same mercy and love that Jesus showed us?

L E T    T H E M    S E E    L O V E.

How we treat each other can be a truer display of God’s love than any testimony we can write. Our actions often give an unfiltered truth louder than any words we can speak.

Let them see love … by speaking truth and kindness.

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” – Psalm 34:13

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1

“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another .. do not devise evil in your hearts against one another..” – Zechariah 8:16a-17a

Let them see love … by keeping your mouth shut!

We have always heard: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Turns out that is biblical, and we cannot ignore what our mamas told us!

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” – Psalm 141:3

“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” – Proverbs 11:12

Let them see love …  by reflecting the light of God that is within us.

Jesus is the “true light” that shines into every heart that believes in Him. God overcomes all darkness in our lives with His light, bearing love and mercy and grace (John 1:9).

“You [who are in Christ] are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In she same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

“So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”- Romans 13:12b

“.. come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.” – Isaiah 2:5

Let them see love … by being a humble servant to those around us.

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”- 1 Peter 4:9-10

“.. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for  ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” – 1 Peter 5:5b

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord… Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” – Romans 12:8-11,16-17

Let them see love … by welcoming others without judgement.

JUDGING AIN’T LOVING! God has accepted us just as we are, and he also accepts others just as they are. He does not ask for our help in matters of judgment. He only commands us to “love our neighbors as [ourselves]” (Matthew 22:39).

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” – Romans 8:1

“Judge not, that you not be judge. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2

CHECK YOURSELF! Take a step back and make sure your words and your actions are speaking love to those around you. Make sure you are aligned with God and walking in His will for your life. If not, humble yourself and ask for forgiveness and direction. He will provide. He is faithful and just and the sole author of genuine and unfaltering love. 

All passages in this post are from the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible.

 

lovers gonna love.

Published on by elizabethgwin2 Comments
This post is inspired by one of my new tanks from the light blonde shop. I am borderline obsessed with all these super cute tees and tanks hand-made by a fellow Jesus-loving lady. You absolutely must check it out!

Lovers gonna love. Haters gonna hate. Most of us prefer to be called lovers, although we are often tempted to behave as haters. It is so easy to be selfish, yet so difficult to be selfless. God knew when he created us that we would struggle to love others. The flesh innately knows how to hate, so we must depend on God to teach us to love.

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.” – Psalm 32:10, ESV

God pours his spirit of love into our hearts when we accept Christ as our Savior. Don’t miss that. His perfect love POURS directly into our hearts… no filters, no rations, just pure love.

God promises to the Israelite captives in Babylon: “I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” – Isaiah 44:3b, ESV

Paul reminds the church: “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5, ESV

This outpouring of love is available for us anytime and anywhere. Faith in God offers us a limitless supply of His perfect love, pure and holy, and all we must do is ask. His love is like a well that never runs dry and never quits providing.

“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear … We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:18a-19, HCSB

God’s love is steadfast, as in, it is not subject to change. He promises us that his mercies will never run out, they will never expire, and He will renew them for us each and every morning. Yes! Every single morning.. not just Monday mornings.. and they are never-ending. I find great comfort in knowing that when I ‘run out’ of love, God can refill my tank and send me back on my way to do his work.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV

We must remember that, as Christians, we are not only called to love those of OUR choosing, but to love everyone. Loving others takes on different forms in different situations. Sometimes we show love from afar with our prayers, sometimes we show love up close with our compassion, and sometimes we show love by not showing hate. Refraining from hating requires us to let go of our judgements and trying to look at the person as Jesus does. It is hardest for me when the other person is showing hatred to me or someone close to me; however, there is no “unless scenario” in the following passage. [Translation = we still are called to love!]

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen. And we have this command from Him: The one who loves God must also love his brother.” – 1 John 4:20-21, HCSB

Seriously, John? The beloved disciple did not pen this letter from a luxurious yacht on the Mediterranean. He had walked with Jesus in his earthly ministry and had survived the subsequent condemnation, repression, hatred, and violence shown to the known followers of Christ in those early days. He relocated to Ephesus after the Romans destroyed his church in Jerusalem around A.D. 70, where he most likely wrote this letter.

The man had every reason to hate! (I would have!) Instead, John looked to Christ for his strength of heart and source of love. Faith gave John the ability to look beyond all the haters and still be willing and able to trust God and His Word whole-heartedly.

Lovers gonna love. Haters gonna hate. Faith will do the same for us as it did for John when we focus our eyes on Jesus instead of our surroundings. Choose God. His love is PERFECT!

ESV = English Standard Version. HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible

guard your heart.

Published on by elizabethgwin4 Comments

Walls are everywhere. Every day, new ones are created while old ones are destroyed. The boundary concept, however, is not new; in creation, God corralled the sea with the land and Adam with the plentiful surroundings of the Garden of Eden.

“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good … And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.”– Genesis 1:9-10, 2:8-9, ESV

Emotional walls. We all have them. We build them, and we tear them down. Though our circumstances will vary, our motive is always the same. FEAR, both rational and irrational, will drive us to quickly erect a Great Wall around our hearts in record-breaking time.

Some of us fear a broken heart or wounded pride. Others fear disappointment or discouragement. Either way, these emotions are as real as the pain that accompanies them. We always hear that we should guard our hearts, to keep them protected from such dangers, so we build emotional walls to protect ourselves. However, if you are anything like me, these protective measures have a rather low success rate.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” – Proverbs 4:23, HCSB

Throughout my dating life, I have striven to keep my heart guarded by building emotional walls around myself. Another heartbreak comes, I add another layer of fortification to my wall. The longer I live and the more pain I encounter, the thicker and taller my wall becomes. Soon your wall becomes so impassible that you are numb to all emotions in the world surrounding you. You struggle to feel joy and elation while still experiencing pain from each new addition to the fortification.

Can you relate?

This place of confusion and defeat, of despair and resentment, is exactly where I have landed in the past. We hear that we should guard our hearts. But what does that really mean? And what exactly are we guarding them from? And how will we ever find love with our hearts are locked up tight?

And then amidst my maze of questions and emotions, a thought hit me like lightning: It is not my job to build protective measures for my heart or to do the maintenance work on these walls. That is solely God’s job. He never asked me to do his job, nor am I able. God created boundaries to give us life abundantly.

I realized I had been trying to be the gatekeeper, the guard to my heart, instead of letting God do the work that only He can do! Hear the same passage from another translation:

“… Keep [my words] within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4: 21-23, ESV

Life. Healing. Yes please! When we allow God full access to our hearts, He will heal us and renew us in a miraculous way. ASK GOD TO GUARD YOUR HEART. ASK HIM TO LET BOUNTIFUL LIFE FLOW FROM IT.  He is willing and able. Behind God’s protective shield, we are free to be ourselves and enjoy life abundantly. We are made to abound in the confines of His merciful grace and unbounding love. This means we have a safe place to abide with zero judgement and unfailing and unlimited love. 

Ladies, building a wall is man’s work. Let’s leave it to God. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Check out http://www.thelightblonde.com/ to shop for the tee in the photo and lots of other super cute tops created to spread the gospel of love! 💗💗💗

 

never a dull moment.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

There are times when I feel that my life is lacking somehow because I am not married, nor do I have children. I imagine we all have these thoughts at times.. that our lives are just not complete somehow. We are blind to the richness of our current situations when we become focused on what we lack, or what we THINK we lack.

It is just too easy to feel less than or inadequate because our lives do not match up to those of our peers. We quickly fall into a tailspin of worry over our external timelines and internal time clocks. My previous posts Standing on an hourglass and my plans. both speak to those worries.

God never fails to remind me that my life is complete, just as it is.. right here, right now. Whenever I start to feel down (please note: not IF I feel down but WHEN I feel down), God always reminds me of my blessed life in the most simple and sometimes humorous ways. I remember that it is He that dictates my completion, my wholeness and my worth. He deems me valuable; therefore, I am.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17, ESV

Just last week, I was having an off morning and feeling that my life was sub par and boring. I feared that I was missing out on the excitement in life that surely comes with a husband and children. Woe is me! Near the peak of my supposed boring day, I hear a splish-splash in my bathroom. I realize with horror that I left the door ajar while I was running a mixture of bleach and detergent through my tub to clean the jets. Oh yes, Annabelle was in the tub playing and drinking the potent cleaning concoction! Just having a grand time! Just a little bleach!

After the initial shock and mild profanity, I got her out of the tub and washed her off and then begin to laugh. I was laughing so hard that I was nearly in tears. I realized that God was showing me that there is never a dull moment in my life! There are no limits with God. He is the author of creativity. He showed this pity party planner. that her life is indeed full through the devious act of a mischievous cocker spaniel. He will do the same for you.

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act… Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” – Psalm 37:5,7, ESV

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is all about perspective. There will always be someone who has more money, a bigger house, a better job, a better wardrobe. Perhaps you envy the family or the doting husband of your friend. Remember that where we are is where God has placed us, and we are to trust completely and wholly in His purpose, even when we cannot see His reason or the road ahead.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction things not seen… And without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to [Him] must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:1,6, ESV

So even though we are not where we thought we would be in life, or we are longing for more in our current situations, we just need to have faith? Surely not! I find that talking about having faith and trusting God and seeking Him is far easier than the actions. The words alone are simple; the words in action are daunting and scary.

Trusting my future completely to God is scary at least, and attempting to draw near to Him seems impossible. I am a mere human. How can I possibly please God? Through God’s loving grace.. that’s right, G-R-A-C-E! This grace covers all our human short-comings and doubtful tendencies and allows us to draw near to the Almighty God with eager hearts of trust and open minds of faith.

Let us spend less time worrying about what we have not yet achieved or do not yet possess and spend more time seeking God and strengthening our faith in Him and His promises for us. Take comfort in knowing that you are RIGHT WHERE God wants you to be. You may be in a season that is short but bearable or a season that you never want to end. Either way, know that you are never alone, and that God has great purpose for your life in the right here and right now.

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5, ESV

You heard the man! Paul tells us that everything God has made is good. That includes you and your life. What we need is less complaining about our situations and more action to better ourselves. Be thankful. Look at your life with new eyes, and count your blessings, even if running water and coffee is all you can think of! Open your Bible, read His Words of truth, and talk to God! A moment spent with God is never a moment wasted. The same is not true for time spent complaining.

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

my plans.

Published on by elizabethgwin4 Comments

Ever feel like God did just not get the memo you sent him about all the plans you have made for your life? I sure do. I work so hard to construct this perfect schedule and timeline, but God does not even follow it! Not even close sometimes! So frustrating! I thought planning was one of my spiritual gifts!?

“For I know the plans I have for you, declare the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11, ESV

Chances are you know this verse from Jeremiah by heart. Outstanding, so do I, but how often do we truly apply it to our own lives? It is so very easy to read the first half of the verse and move on, half-heartedly believing God and going right back to our planners. We read it.. a verse a day to keep the devil away.. now back to our busy days!

Let’s look at the passage with fresh eyes and open hearts this time, with consideration to the background of the passage. These words of the LORD were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah during a tumultuous time in Judah’s history. The 600s BC were marked as a time of rampant idolatry and spiritual bankruptcy, until the nation is defeated by King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah sends these words of hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declare the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declare the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” – Jeremiah 29:11-14, ESV

A HOT MESS! So the people of Israel had turned from God and been worshipping idols and following whatever superstitious cultic practices had been deemed by the throne. They never stopped being God’s people, just stopped behaving like God’s people. Then King Neb saw an easy target and captured Jerusalem. An even hotter mess! Slight change in plans, Israel, you are now moving to Babylon! Can you imagine?

Isn’t that always when we suddenly remember God and call out to Him desperately? We forget to talk to God until disaster strikes. Don’t you know they were calling out to God from Babylon? God hears, and God responds through Jeremiah. Hear His instructions:

“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters … multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:5-7, ESV

What?! Why not a quick rescue or a swarm of locusts to let the people go? Jeremiah tells them that they will be there for 70 years! Not 70 days, 70 years! Help! My planner is only 18 months! God, can we discuss this please? I can only imagine their anguish and anger.

God tells them to be content in the here and now, with instructions to settle down and plant a garden. Start a family and meet your neighbors. None of those are overnight tasks. Their instructions require obedience and patience and trust in God. In addition to seeking God and being content with their semi-permanent detour, God also instructs them to seek the welfare of their new cities and to pray for them. Talk about praying for your enemies!

Can you relate to the Jewish exiles in Babylon? Perhaps you are frustrated in your current situation that is nothing like what you had planned? A layover turned into a never-ending rerouting, with no desired destination in sight. 

We can plan all we like, but we must remember that God is in charge. Try as we may, things will not always go according to plan and our destinations will not always be of our choosing. Just like the Jewish exiles, God calls us to find contentment in our here and now, no matter how messy or undesirable it may be.

We are to make the most of our circumstances and pray for our cities, our detours in life, with grateful hearts, even when we do not want to. God changes hearts and surroundings, and He is faithful! GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES! He can and will use any situation, any mess we get ourselves into, for His ultimate good. He will deliver us out safely on the other side with blessings greater than we can imagine!

ESV = English Standard Version Bible
Shop glasses and planner in photo: Where do I shop?