Worship in the Waiting

Just a few weeks ago a small group of us met to grab a warm drink, catch up, share what God's nudging us about and pray for each other. Repeatedly, music (all kinds) came up. How it provoked us, moved us, and comforted us. While we were together, I jotted some things down so I could continue to pray over them.

As I've been praying for them and pressing into this advent season what has stood out to me is the waiting. We're waiting for the arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day. We're waiting for God in numerous ways. Desperate for Him to speak, to guide, or answer. Anxious for healing, forgiveness, and redemption. Waiting for this season of  to end or begin. Clinging to God's promises awaiting us.

Seemingly, the thread of music connects us to our human condition in therapeutic ways. A song that speaks powerfully to two people  also seems to connect those two people in unspoken ways. I thought I'd share what I've been listening to recently, confident we'll make a connection or two. Connect us in this season of waiting.


Just before the holidays I stumbled upon the album Psalms by Sandra McCracken. It was about the time our church embarked on a time of pressing into prayer. I love this entire album, but most certainly the song "All Ye Refugees".

Christmas by Francesca Battistelli is another great album specifically for this season. I am partial to "You're Here", "Christmas Dreams", and "Go Tell it on the Mountain."

Then even though we've been listening to these songs during church services for years, just yesterday we were gifted with the ability to take them everywhere we go! Arrows by Nick and Julie Nave and handful of others from our very own Heartland worship team have produced a few of our favorite songs. It's my understanding that the cd will be available at Heartland on Sunday and a digital version on Friday. ALL 5 tracks are amazing! 

Hearts

Quiet My Soul

Empty Hands

Only You

Just As I Am

I hope you enjoy these and please share what you've been listening to with me via Facebook, Instagram, and email, or catch me in person! 

Blessings,

Nanette Haskin

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} John 1:9-14

{Day 2} Isaiah 9:2-7

{Day 3} Philippians 2:9-11

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Among

To be with, surrounded by, in association with-together.

Like the playground ball with it's tether,
to be beside, locked in with.
To lock eyes with, eyes.
Coexisting with intention.

Always seasoned with salt and spoken full of grace,
let our conversation be

AMONG.

In association with, included and inclusive.
A walking church. Making space.
Vulnerability surrounds and relationship happens...
As it would, 'cause God moved into the neighborhood.

AMONG.

There is such beauty in the tapestry,
No matter how slowly woven.
Each strand playing a perfect part naturally.

We are broken, and we are busted, but His beloved--
Loved beyond compare.
Be aware,
The closer we are knit, the stronger we become.

Your kingdom come.

AMONG.

Blessings,
Angela Scalise

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Job 1:1-22

{Day 2} Ruth 2:1-12

{Day 3} 2 Samuel 7:1-17

{Day 4} Esther 5:1-8

{Day 5} Jonah 1:1-7

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Seasons

Holidays in a season of grief


Like many of you, I recently ordered our family Christmas cards. I had preselected a few layout options, had our family photos from a session this summer, and had my coupons to stack on Cyber Monday deals -- just like I do every year. But as I looked at our smiling faces in the photo above the simple message of holiday greeting, they felt hollow and false.

Those pictures of us were from an extended family photo shoot I had planned for the one-year anniversary of my father-in-law's death. I had encouraged/bullied my brothers and sisters-in-law to come to Kansas for a small reunion so we could join in support around my mother-in-law and process our emotions from the last year together. It made sense to me to push for this. Even though they would all still be hurting and our gathering would be tense from the obvious absence it would be okay because I would be there for everyone. I would be the strong one, I would be the clear-headed one who could smile, make a joke, and ease some heartache. This time together was what we all needed so that we could figure out what family looked like after their dad was gone. And if we happened to get a few quick snapshots -- by a professional -- of the grandkids with grandma and each sibling with his or her individual family plus one --or two -- of the whole group, well, it would be so natural who would even notice we were doing it?

Then my dad died, almost 11 months to the day after my father-in-law. And this well-planned photo session would now take place in the midst of my own fresh grief. I look at our faces in the photos and the normalcy of us makes me think I have the timing of things wrong. How could the people in these pictures have revisited the grave of one father and four weeks earlier buried the other father? I can't see any of the pain we felt in our relaxed smiles and easy poses. None of the turmoil, the tears, the sleepless nights are there with us in the photos. How is that possible? The most significant loss I have ever felt had just happened, but I look so...normal. There should have been no humanly way we could make smiles.


But we did. And while my grief has muddled my memory of the summer, I know there were moments when we did feel joy. I did crack a joke, my sisters-in-law did comment on how naturally and easily the photo session came together. So how do I capture all that in a holiday message that will look right in sparkling gold script?


For the second year in a row I have tried to pick the right phrase for the front of the card. To craft a short hopeful message on the back that would gracefully acknowledge our sadness and honor our lost loved one, while still allowing others to smile at the photo and then move on in the happiness of the season. It isn't as simple as you may think. This year my husband vetoed the phrases, "a hole that will never be filled," and "a heartache that may never end," as "a bit heavy for the medium" of Christmas card.


The message I settled on both years included thanks for our supportive friends and family. Last year I noted that our year was marked by deep sadness and yet deep joy. This year I wrote that we could remember this year as the hardest one, but instead we will choose to remember the year for all the love.


 John 16:33 says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." God doesn't want us to experience the brokenness of death and sadness. But we do and because that is our reality for now he did something amazing. He sent Jesus. He sent his son to overcome it all. So even in our sadness that is something to find joy in.



Blessings,
Meghan Hemenway

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Exodus 12:1-28

{Day 2} Exodus 17:1-7

{Day 3} Exodus 16:1-36

{Day 4} 2 Corinthians 8:9

{Day 5} Isaiah 9:6-7

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Choose Truth

I’m an emotional lady. I cry at church pretty much every Sunday, cry at songs on the radio and movies often, cry when I see other people crying…you get the picture. I’ve always been very sensitive and wear my heart on my sleeve. My now husband had to learn this early on in our relationship. Poor guy. I know that God made me this way, but these big emotions get me into trouble sometimes. They lead me astray. Let me explain.

It is very easy to go down the wrong path when I am driven by my feelings. If I am feeling hurt, then I might naturally want to be hurtful in return. If I’m feeling sad, then I might want to have a pity party for myself. Yet, as a believer in Jesus, this does not bring glory to Him. When I let my emotions rule, then I am stuck inside my own head and focused on me, not on Him, and not on those He has called me to love around me. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says ‘And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and was raised again.’ What happens when I have a self-centered view instead of one focused on Jesus? I don’t love others well. I am too concerned with my own situation and feelings that I am not an encourager and servant to those around me. I’m too busy worrying about my inner struggles, that I don’t have time to love others the way God calls me to love them.

So what can I do to take my focus off of me and on to Jesus? I need to use God’s truth to replace my negative emotions. I recently heard Lysa Terkurst (Proverbs 31 ministries) say, ‘Lies flee in the presence of truth.’ I need to call to mind God’s promises to me and trust that what He says is true, no matter how I feel. I might feel lonely, but He says I am never alone even for one second. I might feel insignificant, but He says I am deeply loved and special. I might feel ugly, but He says I am a masterpiece and He looks at my heart. I might feel weak, but He says I can do anything through Him. I might feel insecure, but He says I find my identity in Him and am His daughter. I might not feel like forgiving someone, but He says I must forgive because He has forgiven me (many many times). The point is, many of my emotions can lead me away from God’s truth. I have to fight off the natural urge to let my emotions rule and tell myself ’Truth over emotions. Truth over emotions.’ This has become my mantra.

The bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, ’the heart is deceitful above all things.’ That means that my own heart, deceives me. That is scary to think about. Not to be a ‘Debbie Downer,’ but the popular phrase ‘follow your heart’ is actually not biblical. For those who put their hope in Christ, it should be ‘follow God’s truth and promises’ instead. This is a newer truth for me. I definitely lived by the ‘follow your heart’ philosophy of the world for probably the first 20+ years of my life, but it led me into poor decisions and sin and therefore consequences. Can you relate? Images of failed relationships come to mind for me, my heart feeling shattered to pieces. We have to learn to sift our feelings through the lens of God’s word. If our feelings do not gel with His truth or commands, then we have to ’take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This takes practice. This might mean praying immediately, calling a friend who keeps you accountable, memorizing verses to call to mind, etc. I can promise you that you CAN do this. God says so. You ‘can do all things through Christ who gives you strength’ (Philippians 4:13). You CAN take your thoughts captive and grab hold of God’s truth and refocus on the things that bring Him glory. I don’t do this perfectly, but the more I’ve practiced, the easier it has become to quickly switch my thinking. The more I choose to call to mind God’s loving truth and faithfulness regardless of how I feel, the easier it becomes to turn to Him instead of my emotions.

Ladies, we can CHOOSE. Each time we have an unhealthy thought, or a lie the enemy has placed in our heads, we can choose to dwell on it or squash it. We can choose to go down the ‘feelings road’ into self pity or anger or jealousy, etc. OR we can choose to grab hold of God’s perfect truth and the promises He speaks over our lives. I invite you to join me in choosing to not be a woman driven by the ups and downs of her emotions, but a woman who stands firm and steadfast on God’s truth. Jesus says ’the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). Be free ladies, not a prisoner to your emotions. Be the strong woman of God He created you to be.

Love, 

Kristi Brooks

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Isaiah 9:6-7

{Day 2} Genesis 2:8-9

{Day 3} Genesis 4:1-16

{Day 4} Genesis 12:1-4

{Day 5} Genesis 14:17-24

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Why and How Should I Tell Others?

I read through the book of Revelation last year in a Bible study group. It was confusing, terrifying, and then opened up to such beauty and hope that my life felt different with this new understanding of the end of the story. I felt compelled to share, but conflicted because of the intense and graphic nature of this book of the Bible. How exactly do you let people know that you believe that the end of the world is coming with horrific beasts and monsters, but if they believe in Jesus there will be streets paved with gold?

God calls us to share his message because his mercy and love is for all his children and he wants us all to come back home. But sharing that message will look different and sound different for each of us.

My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly this summer. My family was together getting ready to celebrate the fourth of July at the family cabin. Instead of watching the fireworks display over the lake we buried the leader of my family: the oldest son, the big brother to five siblings, my one and only dad. Normal life stopped as we tried to make sense of this new reality. Who were we all now without him? How could any of us feel joy or see good in this world? It was in these times that I found verses from Revelation and other places in the Bible coming out of me as if it were my own words.

I sat on the couch with my uncle and told him that I didn't know exactly what heaven would be like, but I believed in it and I believed that Jesus has gone before us and prepared rooms for all of us in his father's home. (John 14: 1-4). I laid in bed next to my mom and told her that one day God would wipe every tear from our eyes as tears poured down our cheeks. (Revelation 21:4). I told my sons when they couldn't sleep that Papa was now in a place where there was never night or darkness or reason to fear because God is a glorious light that fills every corner. (Revelation 21:23-25). And I told my grandmother who had lost her husband a year and a half before losing her oldest son, that nothing could separate her from the love God has for her (Romans 8:38-39). I told her not to grow weary of doing good and not to doubt her faith, (Galatians 6:9). She has been our family's arrow to Jesus and even her terrible grief is not enough to make that change.

I could say these things because I knew they were true. I didn't have to search for words of comfort for those grieving all around me because the words - God's words - just came out of me. I had read, studied, prayed and when the unimaginable happened I had my heavenly father's comfort to offer to others. I didn't have to look for an opening to share God's truth - I had to speak as I watched His children grieve and question and cry out for answers.

As time has passed and the shock gave way to a different stage of grief, my resolve grew a little shaky, my hope a little dull, my urgency to share a little less important. My Lord felt distant and silent, but even then I had God's word to rely on. Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses's arms when he grew weary I found support from others when I felt weak and alone. I saw that two are better than one because if one falls the other can help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) and I felt the Lord's presence near my broken heart through the kindness and understanding of others (Psalm 34:18).

Sharing God's word won't be the same for everyone. I know some are able to share their beliefs without the need of tragedy ripping open their hearts. For me, when my heart was torn open I found that what came pouring out was not only my sadness and grief, but my trust and faith in how much God loves us. That was too powerful for me to keep silent. As my heart heals, I may be a little less vocal, but that sharing has changed me. I pray that it changes you too.

Blessings,

Meghan Hemenway

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} Matthew 28:16-20

{Day 2} Matthew 5:13-16

{Day 3} 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

{Day 4} Acts 4:23-31

{Day 5} Mark 4:1-20


Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

How Can I Resist Evil?

The battle is constant. I feel exposed and vulnerable in so many ways. I practice many strategies, both offensive and defensive. I am aware that evil exists and I know his tactics. I ready myself with the full Armor of God. (Eph. 6:10-18)

But often I feel like all of my efforts aren't enough. I feel weak and weary in spite of putting all the things I've learned into practice. I'm clinging to it all desperately, but the attacks are still getting in and I don't seem to be recovering quickly.

Feeling alone and isolated by the weight of it all, the thought of sharing the load with someone else is both tempting and repulsive. You know you'd find relief if someone joined you, but you'd first need to expose yourself and your stuff, making you vulnerable in a real way to judgement and rejection. This time instead of hearing the voices say "you're not enough," you hear "you're too much." Too messy, too needy, and no one has the room/time/energy/desire to join you in this.

Who does that sound like?

The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV

When these moments of desperation overcome the fear provoked by the idea of inviting someone else into my mess I seek out those who also practice these strategies. Someone who is also fighting for their relationship with Jesus, saturated in God's word, humble and kind, but bold with truth. 

This person helps me identify the lies and wounds, proclaims truth, and carries the weight of my burdens with me. 

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

Matthew 18:20 KJV

As in scripture when the four friends carry the paralyzed man to the house where Jesus is and lower him through the roof to be placed at the feet of Jesus, we can borrow strength and faith from those God has placed around us. We can lend it to those around us when we find them "paralyzed". 

What is your plan? How do you resist evil? 

This analogy just came to me. I'm writing this on a computer. The program often automatically saves my work. The computer has a program that guards against viruses. I get a warning when the battery is running low. I will upload this post via an internet connection through a router and a firewall. The blog host will save it to a server and that company has protocols that include routine backup saves and likely a disaster recovery plan in the event that their home office location gets destroyed. They have a known secondary location, key employees know where it is and what to do to get them up and functioning again as quickly as possible.  

If this is how a company plans, prepares, and practices for influence and events that could move against them, how much more should we plan, prepare, and practice the strategies laid out for us by God to do the same?

Blessings,

Nanette Haskin

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} 1Peter 5:6-11

{Day 2} Genesis 3:1-7

{Day 3} James 4:1-10

{Day 4} Romans 6:5-14

{Day 5} Ephesians 6:10-18



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

How Does God Guide Us?

I didn't have a volunteer to write this week's blog. Certainly, God has guided me and I could offer my own story. My mind began organizing my thoughts to do just that. But when I sat down to type out those words I thought of all the stories I heard from so many. Actually, many stories were repeated, the details just a little different.

Then this thought popped in my head, "give those stories a voice." I haven't asked anyone's permission, but I feel like these stories are so prevalent that they could belong to anyone and everyone.

Scripture: Sometimes it just POPS off the page. Sometimes it leads me to thinking about something I wouldn't have otherwise been led to think about. Sometimes a verse "randomly" crosses my path in unexpected or unplanned places that fit the state of my heart or circumstances perfectly.

The Holy Spirit: Sometimes a thought, idea, or feeling comes to me that is quite different than what I had been thinking or feeling. Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to do or say something that seems random and unlike me, specifically to encourage, help or build up someone else. Sometimes I hear a song that fits the state of my heart or circumstances perfectly.

Wise Counsel: Sometimes someone randomly shares or speaks scripture or an encouraging and helpful word. Sometimes processing with someone who is also trying to follow Jesus provides perspective.

Circumstances: Sometimes the way seems to be prepared for me. Sometimes the way seems to be blocked. Sometimes when experiencing difficulty or in a long season of waiting I've been put in places where I'm prompted to remember all God has already done for me.


We can be confident God is always guiding us.

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 

God's guidance will always:

• be in line with the Bible
• be loving
• be strengthening, encouraging and comforting
• bring the peace of God

Currently, this song seems to speak to me.





Blessings,
Nanette Haskin

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} John 10:1-18

{Day 2} Acts 12:6-17

{Day 3} Acts 16:6-10

{Day 4} John 14:15-31

{Day 5} Acts 2:1-47



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Why & How Should I Read The Bible

It was June of 2010. I was a brand new mommy to my son Quinn. He was colicky. Breastfeeding was a disaster, but I was determined to keep trying. He did not sleep. The truth about this period of my life is that I was miserable. My dreams and lofty expectations of a sweet and warm transition to a family of 3 were totally shattered. I remember feeling resentment towards the moms around me…the ones who had newborns that slept and didn’t have a ‘difficult temperament’ as the doctor observed about my son. I felt resentment towards my husband as he left for work each morning while I looked at the day ahead with an honest ‘how AM I going to make it?’ I was deep into a place of self-pity and asking God, why?? I thought I was going to be a wonderful mommy. I had read all the books, I had babysat many children in my life, I had taken all the classes, I had known I wanted to be a mommy my whole life! But here I was, a very tired, stressed mommy who thought her baby hated her, and I wasn’t doing this well. It was one of the darkest times in my life. 

Then, when my son was 4 months old, God broke in and told me to get to work. My amazing mother in law offered to take me through a bible study, and I said yes. A very intense, women’s study specifically about suffering, where I would memorize a new passage of scripture every week for 15 weeks. Now, before all this, I would have told you that I was a strong believer in Jesus. It wasn’t until this difficult period of motherhood that I learned how shallow my faith really had been. This was when I fell in love with God’s word, and it changed me forever. I was in His word, meditating on it, every single day for 15 weeks. 

The first verse I memorized was ‘I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word’ (Psalm 119:16). 

Through this period of time, I learned to truly ‘delight’ in the life-giving laws and words of God. I learned to make His words my own. I could see that His promises in the Bible were actually for me.

 I would go into my son’s room in those dark hours of the night repeating scripture to myself such as ‘God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, I will not fear’ (Psalm 46:1,2).

 I would use the countless night wakings to review the verses in my head, solidifying their place in my heart. God helped me to persevere through this rough season. I understood His sovereignty in a new way. I understood that He had me in this hard time for a purpose; He could have taken it away, but He didn’t. 

I called to mind that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love Him’ (Romans 8:28) and that I was given a challenging baby for my ultimate good (even though I couldn’t see it at the time).

 I worked hard to reprogram my old tendencies towards self-pity to trusting that God was weaving all of these experiences into a grander plan for my life, beyond my dreams of having a happy baby. His words were truly a light that broke into my darkness, my blindness.

Now, I can’t say that motherhood was a breeze from then on. After all, difficult babies sometimes grow up to also be difficult children. I have made many mistakes, and there have been many times that I’ve chosen to trust my own understanding, instead of God’s beautiful redemptive plan for my life. But I can say that I will always have His words hidden in my heart. I can call them to mind no matter where I am or what I am doing. When I am sleepless at 4am, when someone has hurt me deeply, when a friend needs encouragement, or when I am looking out at an incredible sunset that He has made. They are there in my heart. They give me life. If you’ve never given scripture memory a chance, I strongly encourage you to try it.

 If you haven’t read the Bible, there is no time like the present. You will not regret it. It will cut you to the core in the most tender of ways. It will change you. That’s what it was designed to do. 

‘For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart’ (Hebrews 4:12).

Blessings,

Kristi Brooks

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} 2 Timothy 3:10-17

{Day 2} Proverbs 4:20-23

{Day 3} Matthew 7:24-29

{Day 4} John 15:1-11

{Day 5} James 1:19-25



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Why & How Do I Pray?

I worry. I worry a lot. You could probably say that I am the dictionary definition of a worry wart (whatever that really means). I thought I worried a lot before…then I became a mom. Oh. Boy. Luckily for my kids, my husband is level headed.

I once was told that worrying is not a thing from God, but rather trickery and mind-play from Satan himself.

Realizing that worrying is a sin was mindblowing to me. I mean if I really think about it I probably knew it was a sin. But much like white lies, occasional gossiping and speeding through yellow lights, I just brushed it off like it was no big deal.

Then God sent me the ultimate test in worry – he made me a heart mom. My son Connor was born with a Congenital Heart Defect. At 20 weeks gestation we knew he had something wrong but even after countless ultrasounds and monitoring we really wouldn’t know what we were facing until he was born.

This is when the prayer warrior inside of me really came to life. I always knew praying was good and I did try to do so every night (if I didn’t fall asleep first…oops) but when you are faced with something this big I knew I had no choice but to turn to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 says ‘ Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand’. This verse became my mantra and I called to my prayer warriors to help.’

July 29th our little man arrived and was the most precious thing I had ever seen. And much like all new moms you anticipate holding your baby right away and getting to know him. That was not my experience. Connor was immediately taken to the NICU to be monitored and before I even had a chance to hold him, was being whisked away to Children’s Mercy for close monitoring leaving me alone, baby-less and quite full of worry.

Connor was diagnosed with hypoplastic aortic arch, which is just a fancy way to say  that the blood wasn’t flowing through his arch correctly. After many days of getting to know our baby, the doctors decided he would indeed need surgery. At 9 days old my husband and I handed our tiny baby over to a surgeon to fix his broken heart. It was truly up to God now.

Why do I pray? I pray because I know it works. When I asked all my friends and family and their friends and family to pray for Connor - those hundreds of prayers were heard and filled when my little guy rocked his surgery and today is a spunky 3 year old.

I pray because I know God is listening and fulfilling his plan for me. I pray because I don’t have any reason not to.  I pray because when I do, I don’t worry or at least I worry a whole lot less.

Praying is something I continue to work on daily. This year, my husband and I welcomed our second heart kiddo, Nathan, into our family. Even though Nathan’s heart condition is still being monitored and unrepaired, I continue to find peace in prayer to God for him because I know He is eagerly listening and saying ‘Kristy thank you for coming to me first…finally’

I once saw a meme that said ‘ Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain’. I can’t say I don’t worry anymore, but I am certainly trying to put my umbrella away more often and use my hands to pray instead.

Blessings,

Kristy Smith

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} Matthew 6:5-14

{Day 2} Philippians 4:4-9

{Day 3} Matthew 7:7-11

{Day 4} Romans 8:22-26

{Day 5} Luke 11:1-13



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

How Can I Have Faith?

I think believers and unbelievers alike often ask themselves this question in some form or another. How do I do this? How do I keep going? Especially when we feel like we're up against the ropes.

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as "The Hall of Faith"

There we find a picture of what having faith looks like:

Acknowledging that God created this world and everything in it, every person and people group.
Admitting that God exists and our heart longs for Him.
Attempting to follow His instructions, even when we don't see the reasoning or know the destination.
Asserting ownership of God's promises, as impossible as they may seem.
Aching for the heavenly places prepared for us.
Appreciating and blessing those around us.
Audaciously expecting Him to protect you, guide you, and strengthen you.
Accepting and abiding in His unconditional love and presence.

When my faith feels shaky and I'm questioning how to proceed, I lean-in and lean-on God. Even when all my emotions direct me to the opposite. We can look to the Word of God for example after example of what walking by our faith looks and feels like.

The definition of courageous is not deterred by danger or pain.
The definition of brave is to endure or face something in spite of fear.

Practicing my faith, even when my emotions would have otherwise, gives me courage and makes me brave.


Blessings,
Nanette Haskin

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} Revelation 3:20

{Day 2} John 10:22-30

{Day 3} Hebrews 11

{Day 4} Romans 8:1-17

{Day 5} Ephesians 2:1-10



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Why Did Jesus Die?

He came already knowing the end,
to be mocked, spit on, and beaten,
to suffer as only He could,
to serve and give His life as ransom for many.    
For Me.
For You.
For All.

His body broken.
His blood poured out.
Laying down His life,
to take it up again.
By choice, He laid it down.
By power, He laid it down,
and took it again.
In obedience to the Father
For Me.
For You.
For All.



He who is holy and righteous,
For Me, a sinner;
For You, a sinner;
For All have sinned.

Making a way,
rescuing the lost from the darkness,
reuniting that which sin separated,
to gather the furthest to Him.
For Me.
For You.
For All.








Offered Himself,
the one and only
pure and perfect sacrifice.
Eternal payment for all the world's sin.
For Me.
For You.
For All.

To save us from our past,
to gift us a new inheritance.
To forgive,
to restore,
to redeem,
to rescue.

Me.
You.
All.

By:
Nanette Haskin

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} Isaiah 59:1-3

{Day 2} Romans 3:21-26

{Day 3} Acts 10:39-43

{Day 4} Romans 5:12-21

{Day 5} 1 John 1:5-2:2



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Who is Jesus?

How many of us look to our own strength and talents to get us through our days? We as women in particular, feel the need to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and rise above. This could manifest in so many different ways—overcoming personal illness to care for children (or husbands), delaying sleep to finish on a deadline for work after volunteering for this or that, going above and beyond the call of duty preparing a meal for a friend with a newborn baby simply to prove that we have everything together and in perfect order. I'll even divulge, I'm currently multitasking by writing this post on my phone, in the car on the way to a wedding shower (do not worry, my husband is driving)! Can anyone else relate?

I have been a follower of Jesus almost my entire life. Raised in a church-going, Jesus-seeking, abundantly-blessed home. I have known his faithfulness and his mercy. However, it was not until recently when the rubber has truly met the road in my life—in the health of my immediate family, my marriage relationship, my career, etc. I’ve always known my need for Jesus, but mostly as an intellectual concept. Never once has it felt that without him, my life will rip apart at the seams and fall into a million pieces.

It has been in this place that I have come to see Jesus as my calm in the storm, my sole provider, and my only source of strength. In all of these situations, I have no control. I cannot “fix” any of them on my own. My manager personality is on the fritz as I, by myself, cannot solve anything. So in the midst of hardship, Jesus has become more immediate and more real. My need for his person-hood is a gut wrenching, cry from my heart.

Who is Jesus to me in this context?

First, Jesus is the redeemer of the earth and all in it—including the land, animals, humankind, Americans, Kansans, my family, myself. He is the only one who can bring about wholeness in the world. Even if I may want to, I cannot force it on anything or anyone, only Jesus can bring it about.

“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” Isaiah 54:5

Jesus is the calm in the storm, a moment of respite from my overly busy days (I’ll admit, in this season of life, I’ve heard his prompting to prioritize the important things. Listened to his voice to remove extra activities that while good things, may not be of most significance).

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8

Jesus is my ultimate source of strength. He knows better than I what is the ideal in my life, even if I disagree in that moment. Perhaps I should try going to him in prayer first, trusting that he knows more than me? (I personally find this very difficult to do!)

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 12-13

So ladies, take heart in who Jesus is! We are not alone, and do not need to single handedly save the world. Let him take the wheel.

He is the better driver anyway!

Blessings on you all,

Sherèe Lutz

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day1} Matthew 4:1-11

{Day 2} Luke 22:39-44

{Day 3} Mark 14:53-62

{Day 4} Isaiah 53:1-12

{Day 5} Matthew 27:62-28:10



Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?