Choices | Inspirational Christian Blogs

June 16, 2013
by Joey Coons 4 Comments

Fire: Keeping the Flame Ablaze

During this summer, I have spent some time clearing out a worship spot at my house in the back of our woods. I must say, I really enjoyed doing it. I wanted a spot that I could go and spend time with God in solitude. I gathered old down trees to use for seating, found various pieces of old furniture to place back there, and Tiki Torches to help keep away bugs. In the middle I built a good-sized fire pit for bonfires. The other evening I went out to that spot to spend some time with God. My brother was with me and we were trying to light the fire. The pit had quite a bit of wood in it so if we ever got it lit, it would be a very big and nice fire. The problem was we couldn’t get the fire lit. Granted the top pieces were a little wet, but the rest of the pile was dry, so we didn’t think it would be much of a problem. We had pieces of cardboard to help start the fire, but it didn’t work. We lit some of the dry leaves in the midst of the sticks, but it didn’t work either. We even found some straw to light to help with the process, but all it did was burn. It didn’t stay lit and the fire died quickly. So finally after much frustration, we got the gasoline. Now, I realize this is not the smartest choice nor safest, but I wanted a fire! Luckily nothing bad happened! So we light a few more pieces of cardboard and paper just enough to keep it a flame for a few minutes. Then we doused the places we didn’t have lit with some gasoline so with the fire caught it, it would light up. The finally we applied the gasoline on the flames that were going and instantly, the fire went ablaze. We experienced the thrill of getting our fire lit and the fire was glorious…for about ten minutes. But soon, that gasoline had burnt away, the wood had never really caught a flame, and the fire died out again quickly. Now I realize that there are better ways to light a fire, and if I did some other things I could have probably got that fire going. However, I’m glad I tried to light the fire the way I did because God used it to teach me something.

When the fire began to die out again, I was getting kind of irritated. Then I felt God speak to my heart saying, “I need people who will tend and stir the fire, not just light it.” I immediately knew what God was saying to me. In order to keep a fire going, you have to constantly add fire to the pile, you have to stir the fire to keep the fire going, and you have to watch it. Gasoline is a nice help, but it is only a temporary fix. It only lasts for a moment. It looks glorious and the flames are huge, but they don’t have much life. God doesn’t need followers who will be like the gasoline. Who will become very passionate and devoted to God one day, and have a devotion to Him that dies at the end of the week. He wants followers who will fan the flames. Who will keep the fire going, even if that means taking longer steps in doing so. Followers who will spend the extra time in prayer, reading of His Word, and living out the life He calls His people to.

I think you would be very hard pressed to find a church, if you asked them, would not want to see people come to know Christ. I mean, that’s just a ludicrous thought. The Church may have many different denomination and beliefs of theology, but I don’t really think there are many people in the Church who do not want to see souls saved. In fact if there are any, I really think those people need to evaluate their life and see if the are in step with the Spirit. But all too often the Church tries to witness to the world with gasoline. With big and glorious displays of various ministries, emotional appeals, etc. Those of you who serve the Lord know exactly what I’m talking about. But those things don’t last. People who come to the Lord on those terms won’t last unless that fire is cultivated. Unless their flames are stirred and wood is added to the fire. If the Church and Christians want to set this world on fire, we first have to cultivate the fire in our own hearts, then also be willing to take the time to minister properly and effectively to help keep the fire lit the hearts of others as well. Jesus told His followers that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they will be His witnesses. The Holy Spirit gives Christians the power to witness to others about Jesus powerfully. God is the source of that fire. I pray that believers everywhere will submit to the Holy Spirit and allow God move in their hearts. I also pray that Christians all over the world will fan into flame the gifts of God and take the steps necessary to keep that flame going. When the fire rises true and proud, the world around us will catch fire too. Don’t use the gasoline. Cultivate that fire.

“Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.” ~2 Timothy 1:6

“Fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out.” ~Leviticus 6:13

May God be with you.

-Joey

June 15, 2013
by Austin Coons 9 Comments

A Problem in the Church

I was thinking recently. Yeah, I know…amazing right?

No, but seriously. I was thinking about how people in the Church today will separate themselves completely from another Christian who commits or is trapped by sin. Or maybe they try to help, but instead just try to find the easy fix. I started thinking, “Well, that can’t be Biblical, can it? Jesus commands us to love one another and be unified in the Body of Christ. And that is true. I started reading Francis Chan’s book, Multiply. In that he said something that I already knew, but it was still just as profound. He said:

“Or when we learn that a friend is struggling with sin, we are quick to explain why that sin is harmful and tell her we will pray for her (whether we follow through or not). But how many of us would take her struggle with sin so seriously that we would walk with her as she works through the issues involved?”

Yes, the Bible is clear that sin needs to be corrected. But it doesn’t end there. We can’t “correct them” and then condemn them. You see, there’s a difference between judgement and correction. Judgment brings condemnation down on the person being judged. Correction is done out of love with the hope of redemption. It’s like a parent. They may spank their son or daughter for hitting someone. A good parent doesn’t spank out of anger. A loving parent will spank (or use other forms of discipline) out of love for the child and to correct a wrong behavior. But the parent continues with loving that child.

It’s the same way with Christians. Yes, we are to correct each other’s sinful behavior. But you had better do it purely out of love and you had better be willing to walk through the issue with them in order to bring them to redemption. I think part of the problem is that many believers don’t want to get “dirty.” They don’t want to be associated with someone who has a sin exposed to the public. It’s the same attitude some have towards non-believers. They don’t want to be seen with the “undesirables.” It might ruin their reputation. Then tell me, how are you supposed to evangelize and disciple them if you don’t associate with them? If they won’t come in to the church, you bring it to them. How can your Christian brother or sister be brought back to the cross if you want to find a quick fix or just blow them off completely? Galatians 6:1-2 says:

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Carry each other’s burdens. That will likely require you to be seen with the “undesirable.” But the attitude I mentioned above is exactly the attitude the Pharisees had. Did you know Jesus had more of problem with the “religious” people than he did with the sinners?

It’s time we get over ourselves and be willing to walk through thick and thin with our fellow believers.

-Austin

May 22, 2013
by Bruce Mewett 5 Comments

My Mum’s amazing message

I was the most fortunate of kids!

I was brought up with a Mum and Dad who loved God.

Being the youngest of five, (I had twin sisters but sadly one died of TB when she was only one year old) I guess things monetary wise were a bit stretched, but we certainly never went without the essentials and we certainly had plenty of love handed out liberally, especially by my hard-working and devoted Mum.

BUT

That didn’t stop us going off the rails – (well the boys that is) unfortunately when we became of age and even had families of our own, the world and it’s lures were all too much and even though I personally put on the face of a Christian and did all the ‘Christian” things – I was far off from the Lord.

But Mum and Dad kept on praying for us – determined and sure that God would bring us back to Him.

Personally for me their prayers have been answered.

Dad died in 1998 and our Dear Mum passed away in 2000. Before they died they both recorded a message to us from “beyond the grave” sort of thing and re-listening to them again recently I was staggered at Mum’s simple yet solid faith in God – determined that her sons would come back to the Lord.

She says at some point that she has never stopped praying for us even before we were born. And in another part that “It doesn’t matter if Dad and I don’t see it for we have prayed fervently for you all.”

Well I’m afraid they didn’t see it – But I know that one day we will ALL meet around the throne of God in unity and love of our Lord and Saviour.

Here is a transcript of her message – I pray that you will be blessed as you read it as I was to hear it.

The prayers of a faithful Mum and Dad for their kids is awesome in it’s simplicity and mighty in it’s outcome – Praise God.

(From my Mum)
As my Savior has said – Weep not for me for I have only gone ahead to rest and wait for you in a place where there is no more pain or loss.

My children, when you were under our care your Dad and I endeavoured under the scant knowledge that was ours to show you that God has an infinite plan for us.

That plan of God’s was to bring home to us the amazing power and love that is available to anyone who has surrendered their hearts and love to the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit which is the gift from God to those, when in faith believe in the hearts and confess with their mouths that Jesus is the Messiah, died to pay the price of our sins and that He rose again.

I tried to teach you of The advantages of a committed life, of the security we have knowing that what ever happens we are the children of the Almighty God and nothing can separate us from Him – we have someone to go to when we are in trouble – and who isn’t in this sad world of ours.

Our God is a prayer answering and miracle working God – how many times have we proven that – over and over again.

He has promised never to fail or forsake those who put their trust in Him.

Sin unconfessed is the only thing that can disturb that relationship which exists between man and His maker for sin uncovered by the sacrifice of the Son of God CANNOT, literally CANNOT, exist in the presence of the glory and holiness of the Father.

So that those who have not come in faith to the Father find that sin puts a barrier between them.

Sin estranges God and Man – for the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ happened only that man may be restored to the relationship that should exist between the creature and his creator.

Gods greatest miracle is not the creation of the world, the suspension of the sun, the ceaselessness of the tide, Gods greatest miracle is the salvation of the human soul that all people should be saved and is unwilling that any should be lost and He has bound up the salvation of men and women with the prayerful ministry of his own people.

There is no doubt that the prayers for the salvation of others are well within the will of God. Your Dad and I have prayed fervently for the salvation of all our family – and this type of prayer is never in doubt and being the will of God shall in is own good time be fulfilled.

It doesn’t matter if your Dad and I don’t see it, for we have prayed for you all and these are just some of these promises we have held for you all.

Isaiah 54:13 That you all will be “taught of the Lord” and great will be your peace.
Psalm 119:11 That you all will “hide God’s word in your hearts.”
Colossians 1:9 That God will fill you all with the knowledge of His will so that you can walk in a way that’s pleasing to Him and that your lives will bear fruit.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 That your hearts will trust in the Lord and not lean on your own understanding
Psalm 5:12 That God’s favour will surround you all like a shield.

I can assure you, my children, that you were prayed for and committed unto the Lord before you were born- the Grandchildren also – and Gods promises are true.

The salvation of a soul is a mighty BIG undertaking for it just doesn’t include cleansing from sin but a full commitment of a life to God’s will and the receiving of a place in the family of God and the freely given gift of a life everlasting to Christians of all ages – there is no generation gap here – and also the presence of our beloved Lord Himself.

No one can be saved unless they are convicted or conscious of sin and when that consciousness of sin is present the way is opened to bring that one to the feet of the Saviour.

To confess and repent, that is being sorry for sins committed, and being determined to turn to Christs way of living will enable us to partake freely of the peace, joy and love that can be found in this earth.

Turning from sin and trusting Jesus also includes safety and perfection in the next world when our Lords presents us faultless before the presence of His Father and ours.

Now I know we have enjoyed a happy life together in spite of troubles that may have sunk the ship, but we also shared the gift of laughter, a sense of fun, of little private jokes as well as tears and I am very pleased to have loved you all and I am so looking forward to a wonderful reunion with you ALL in our Lord’s good time.

Your dad and I praying that you all will see the value of sins forgiven, a walk in a plain path, and a keeping in a world of sorrow and danger.

May God bless you all my darlings from the eldest to the youngest child and may He give through you the answer to our continual prayer.

Will the circle be unbroken? – God grant that it may – see you in the morning – Love you – Mum.

May 14, 2013
by shereiner 2 Comments

Standing in My Own Way

As the Colorado weather slowly becomes more predictable and the sunshine lightens my Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s as if I am opening my eyes after a long sleep. It comes to me in a flood and if I think too long on it, I will be overwhelmed. I have been standing in my own way all winter long.

In my twenties, thirties and even early forties I would have told you if you want something, quit waiting and do it! I would have found it that simple. The kicker is, I would have MADE it that simple too. Now, hitting my mid-forties, I have to admit it isn’t as simple as I thought. I have responsibilities, I have expectations laid on me, I have limitations in time, ability and (dare I say it) finances. I no longer “mind over matter” things impulsively. I think it through, weigh the consequences to my family members, check the schedule and do the math.

There are benefits to impulsive living. I admire someone who can wake up one day, pack a bag and move to Borneo because they feel the Lord calling them to it. That is a freedom and confidence I have never felt. There are things I fear about impulsivity: Unrecoverable mistakes, regret, failure. The thing is, how much of what I allow to slow me down is really necessary? Am I being responsible or stalling? Am I considering others or making excuses? Do I really need the money I think I do or will God provide the answer if I let Him?

With the return of warm weather, my bravery peeks it’s fuzzy head around the corner too… There is a big, amazing world out there. I serve a tremendous God who wants things for me that I cannot even dream to desire yet. I have hope… Hope is huge!

Somedays you need a dash of inspiration and a gentle shove to wipe away the sleepy sandiness from your eyes. Pick something. Big or small, filled with impact or inconsequential, but choose something that you have always wanted to do. Ask God to water that seed and grow your dream. What’s the worst thing that could happen? The time will pass whether you are doing something you love or not – why not do something you love!?!

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Eph 1:11-12)

Be blessed!

May 11, 2013
by Austin Coons 2 Comments

How Can We Escape if We Ignore Such a Great Salvation?

Hebrews 2:2-4: “For since the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. This salvations, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

You know, today people are looking for an escape. I have no doubt that many are seeking God out of the deepest and darkest pits of their life. And others are looking for something else. They’re turning to idols and those idols will never satisfy them. They’ll never comfort them.

I have friends of mine that are in this boat that the verses above mention. They want to serve Jesus. I have no doubt about that. The problem is that they are missing, or rather ignoring the escape or the salvation that Jesus is extending to them. It’s frustrating because they want to do what is right. They want to get rid of their idols and follow Jesus with everything they are, but they just can’t seem to. As soon as something comes along they decided to put God on the back burner. It’s grievous to me. How can they escape if they ignore such a great salvation? They can’t. Jesus is the only Way out. God isn’t something we run to when our boyfriend or girlfriend other cheats on us. He isn’t something we run to when things don’t go our way. And He’s not something we run to when tragedy strikes. He should be our life. We shouldn’t be able to function properly without first seeking the Lord. Yeah, you’ll have to dump some things you might enjoy. But it’s so worth it.

If you find yourself in this situation, I urge you to come to your senses. God is extending his beautiful grace to you. All you have to do is take it. Surrender your life to Christ completely because he bought you with his life. You will either be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. You pick.

If you will please join me in praying for those friends I mentioned. I pray that anyone who reads this is just solidified in the faith. I pray that if you are going back and forth with God, you stop and surrender to Him. You’re fighting a losing battle if you don’t

God bless!

-Austin

P.S. Sorry for not being able to post much lately. School is in the process of rapping up (just six days left!) for the summer and I have been busy with other obligations. I’m so grateful God has given you to me as an audience so that I may bring His Word to you.

April 15, 2013
by shereiner 1 Comment

Back to Basics

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

When someone asks you how many friends you have, what leaps to the forefront of your mind? Is it that awkward moment in time standing in the gym during high school PE and the teams being picked were down to you and Chubs McGhee? Does your Facebook or Twitter account leap to validate your worth? Or do you stop to actually count out among real, live, analog human beings who you would call at three am to help you out of a sticky situation? How do you define your community?

To say community has changed is a gross understatement. It is a reality that is forever changed with the introduction of social media and is still changing at lightening speed. What it means depends largely on your individual perspective and paradigm. For me, community means different things at different times. As a writer, I have a community that I write for. I have made friendships that fuel me creatively online through my blogs and my writing obligations. I don’t discount this community because it is virtual – the blogosphere is still very real and very important to my process as an author.

I have community created by my work environment. As a horse rancher I am welcomed into a community that harkens back to loyalty, old ways and words that come out of your mouth meaning something. It is a comforting community that bonds on a level some people have never been exposed to. We raise our kids together, laugh together, weep together, celebrate accomplishment together – it is the closest thing to an old fashioned barn raising or quilting bee I can think of. Whether your ag involvement is cattle, horses, pigs or farming – we all understand that not many understand us, and we like it that way.

Lastly, there is the community of my relationships. This circle is the smallest by far. Those closest to me are allowed to see my heart, to feel my hurts, to listen to my whispered dreams, my fears and my sins. This community is supposed to be small, sacred, protected. Too often I have watched as someone exposes too much and I cringe. I guard this inner circle fiercely and I expect its protection in return. It is not for every eye to see.

I have been struggling of late with the term “community,” mostly because I have a shy daughter who would rather pull her own fingernails out than be subjected to a room full of people. She is assaulted by the noise, the expectation of inclusion, the fear of rejection. It is not something I relate to easily and so God is working through her to teach me. What is community and what should it be to be healthy? Is that the same for everyone? Should it be?

We are called to fellowship with one another in order to rejuvenate our souls to exist in the World. We are not made to be lone, solitary creatures, of this I am sure. But how much is too much? Is community really found in the pews of a mega-church? Am I invalid as an effective Christian if I cannot make myself stand up and dance in the aisles? Is reservation and introversion a sin? Am I really called to expand my community to encompass all 1800 Facebook friends? Does everyone want to know what I had for breakfast or hear about my latest argument with my teenaged son on Twitter? Somehow, I doubt it.

I long for days gone by when community had a much simpler definition. It included the surrounding farms and homesteads. You counted on neighbors to help with the harvest and to share in the bounties. You knew who was having a baby and your extended family stayed pretty close. Community meant safety, security and provision. Your communal circle was the source of your livelihood, your pantry was open to trading for what you lacked, people cared about each other’s needs and made a point to make sure their community’s needs were met. The lack of technology made things very simple…

Modern convenience has changed our definition of community from a small neighborhood circle to a world wide arena. You don’t have to live right next door to follow the growth of your high school bestie’s kids. While that has widened our horizons it has cheapened the impact when we can hit a button and “like” anything we find funny, inspiring, or worthy of congratulations. Gone are the days of being physically present in order to celebrate with those we know. Gone also are the days of actually knowing someone. You can be anyone you want to be online. You can hide volumes behind a sunny status line. You don’t have to be real, flawed, or human if you don’t want to. This falsity has created a faćade of unattainable perfection and a detrimental sense of inadequacy when we fail. It tells us that if we are not as perfect as our Pinterest buddies we have somehow failed as a human being. It isolates us from participating in the real world that surrounds us. Its effect is tragedy beyond imagining.

All that said, I am confusingly grateful for the ability to connect with others through social media, blogs and the internet in general. Living out here on a horse ranch more than twenty minutes from the nearest coffee shop or Walmart, this widening sense of community has afforded me a lifestyle that I would not have otherwise. I chat with friends I cannot see often, I can FaceTime with family that lives half a country away, I text my husband to let him know how much I appreciate his drive while he works away from home. It isn’t all bad – as long as it is balanced. In that word, volumes of wisdom lie…

If you feel like you are coming away from this with more questions than answers, you are not alone. I still don’t know if there is a “right” answer… I do know that community isn’t going back to the days of knowing your neighbors well, and I am ok with that. I will continue to strive to reach out in the physical sense and be present to those I find dear. I also know that dealing with my daughter will teach me to care for her heart differently. While I will push her to develop friendships that challenge and stretch her, I will also encourage her to nurture her need for solitude. Those times will strengthen her when she steps out to become the woman of God she was always meant to be. That alone is my goal as her mother…

Be blessed!

March 18, 2013
by Austin Coons 11 Comments

Depart From Me. I Never Knew You.

Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

This passage tells us that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will go to Heaven. Jesus says many times that obeying the will of God is a condition for entering Heaven. It doesn’t save us, but it should be a response to our salvation. It is by God’s power and grace that we are able to live according to God’s will. That means we need to pray for that power and put it into action.

Jesus states that “not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven.” There will be people who truly believe they are serving Him, but they really don’t truly know Jesus. They don’t have that relationship. It is important that you strive to know Him more everyday. Your salvation has everything to do with your relationship with Christ. If you don’t have that true relationship, you aren’t saved. No relationship=Unsaved. But when you accept Christ as your Savior (come into a relationship with Him) you get your salvation. Jesus is salvation.

Jesus told the people who “ministered” to people that he never knew them. There it is again. That relationship I’ve been talking about in recent posts. These people are involved in powerful, supernatural activity, but they didn’t have a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul says that what appears to be powerful ministry can actually be the “work of Satan.”

So listen to this warning. Be careful of false teachers! When you hear a message, look into the Word. If the message doesn’t line up with what the Bible says, then throw the message out! Always go back to the Word.

I would want someone to do that for me. If something I say or write doesn’t line up with God’s Word, confront me about it so I can go back to the Word myself and correct my message. I never want to be a false teacher!

God bless! And remember (no matter who the preacher is) check a message with God’s Word.

-Austin

March 4, 2013
by Austin Coons 4 Comments

Suffering is a Blessing

Romans 5:1-5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

How many Christians actually believe that suffering is a blessing? Suffering can include a wide variety of hardships, but did you know God uses our trials to make us stronger? There’s three points I want to hit in this blog.

1) Through Suffering We Become Dependent on God

In the midst of our suffering we realize we can’t do this thing alone. We realize while our wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends,and family will fail us, that God will never fail us. Our hope lies in Jesus Christ alone. When you become dependent on God, you will grow closer to Him. It may be painful, but with the help of God you will come through it stronger than before.

2) The Pain is Temporary

Yeah it may hurt for a time, but remember the pain won’t last forever. If you are in Christ, one day you will be in Heaven and you will no longer have to experience the pains of this life. Nothing will compare to what God has in store for you.

3) Suffering does NOT disprove the existence of God.

Many atheists I’ve heard of say that a loving God wouldn’t allow His people to suffer. Because of that believe they think they disprove the existence of God. They don’t realize that they are dead wrong. God allows us to go through trials because they make us stronger and move us closer to Him. As verses 2 and 4 state above: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

I quote from Lee Strobel’s book “The Case for Faith:”

“God is wise enough to foresee that we need some pain for reasons which we may not understand but which he foresees as being necessary to some eventual good. Sometimes God allows suffering and deprives us of the lesser good of pleasure in order to help us toward the greater good of moral and spiritual education.”

And again from the same book:

Atheist: “First, there is no reason that would justify God in permitting so much evil rather than a lot less; second, if God exists, then there must be such a reason; so, three, God does not exist.”

Response: “That’s like saying it’s reasonable to believe in God if six Jews died in a Holocaust, but not seven. Or sixty thousand, but not sixty thousand and one. Or 5,999,999, but not six million. When you translate the general statement so much into particular examples it shows how absurd it is……

At no point does suffering disprove the existence of God”

Blessings,

Austin

March 4, 2013
by shereiner 3 Comments

Taking “No” For An Answer

Photo credit Creative Commons

I must have cried a gazillion tears. Ok. Maybe that is an exaggeration… Sort of. I cried a lot, let’s just say that. It was the ugly, I’m-not-getting-my-way kind of cry, too. I had petitioned my Lord, waited oh-so-patiently and His answer was in: No. I thought the reply unfair. I tried reasoning my way into a yes from the no I was getting. I asked again, was He sure that He got all the information? I knew I was wrong. I knew this was the final verdict and I didn’t like it one bit. So I chose to be miserable – for a time. I wanted to wallow in my perceived injustice. I wanted God to change His mind. I wanted my own way. I had all of these reasons why I was right and God, the Almighty Omniscient Ruler of the Universe, was wrong.

Ya. I know… When I hear it like that I cringe too. But let’s face it: We have all been in this very same position at one point or another. We have all prayerfully presented our issues to God and He has come back with a shoot ‘em down, “No.” The kicker for me isn’t always the fact that I got the no… It is that I want an explanation. I want Him to tell me why the answer is no. Like He owes me an explanation. Really? Wow… Yeah, I would step back from me too… You don’t want to get hit with that kind of lightening!

Getting a “no” is so much easier when I don’t know what it is I want from the situation. When what I am asking for is guidance, a “no” can be clarifying and welcome. It is, after all, a much better answer than “wait.” But when I am asking permission or for something I desire deep in my heart, the “no” is painful. So painful, in fact, that my response is often a spoiled one. No one likes to hear “no” when we ask for something.

So then the question becomes how do I respond to the “no” in a more pleasing manner? I mean, I am sure God us up there rolling His eyes at me when He hears the whining start, so how do I fix that? Seriously… I am asking you. Nothing? Hmmmm…..

Since I can’t actually hear you talking to your computer screen I have prayerfully sought some answers of my own. The first of which I have to admit comes down to the basic issue of trust. Do I trust that God is all that He says He is? Do I trust that He loves me and wants only the very best for me? If I do, then I have to believe that He is saying “no” because it is either bad for me, or He has something much better planned. I may never know why He said no. The “no” may not even be for me, it could be for someone else’s benefit. (There’s a thought that keeps me scratching my head – Do I want to push my “no” to a “yes” when it could hurt another?) Bringing to mind the omniscience of God is the first step to changing my reactions.

In the heat of the moment, remembering that God has my back isn’t easy. Responding in anger, self-riteous indignation, and spoiled tantrum-throwing is much easier than swallowing hard and saying, “Thank you.” That’s right, I need to say thank you to God for answering my prayers. No matter what the answer is, it is an answer. Unlike an A-list movie star, God is always the one answering His mail. He takes time to listen and answer each and every one of His children and while we may not always be in agreement with the response, we should always be grateful we got one. (Think: Elijah and the worshippers of Baal) I find that when I say thank you, I have little energy to be angry. It refocuses my thoughts on what God might be doing for me instead of to me.

Lastly, I am human and there will be times I fail. I will not always get this right. What I can get right is asking God to forgive me, to take me and my desires into His arms and comfort me in my sorrow. Sometimes the “no” is so overwhelming that I cannot help but break down. Sometimes it is so confusing and hard to see how anything could possibly be right again. It is then that I am allowed to crawl right up into the lap of my Abba-Daddy-Father and be sheltered for a bit from the hurt of it all. Like a father disciplining his mortal children, God doesn’t quit loving me because He says “no” – In fact, He may be loving me even more by doing so. He will give me a moment in His presence to regroup, gather up my tears and start over from the beginning: Who is God? and will I say thank you?

February 19, 2013
by aliciamsmith 2 Comments

3 Ways to Improve the Next 24 Hours

“I don’t need easy, I just need possible.” ~Soul Surfer

I continue to marvel at how much life can change within the span of only twenty-four hours. It is exceptionally difficult when this change is for the worst:

A work project/position taking a nose-dive.
A friend/family member breaking your trust, heart, and in turn, your relationship.
Receiving a dreadful and surreal prognosis from a doctor.
A terrorist attack changing the safety and perspective of all U.S. citizens.

In the words of a cherished song by Switchfoot (condensed):

Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago

Even this very week, I am reminded of how in a moment’s notice, life can knock me to my knees, floundering for meaning and direction. But, is it really that shocking how life/the world can change in only twenty-four hours? I quickly reminded myself of the development that took place in only six days:

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11 (ESV)

This verse has sparked debates as to whether or not the word “days” represents exactly a twenty-four hour period. However, these deliberations do not diminish the weight or content of my message: anything is possible in an amount of time, with God in our corner.

Be a Come-Back Kid

In a world that is constantly in flux, it’s comforting to know that one thing will never change: God’s and your power to change your circumstances. Maybe it can be done within the next twenty-four hours. Maybe your progress will require a substantial amount of time and perseverance. Either way, it’s possible … and that’s all you need.

Positive experiences can also occur within 24 hours (or more), altering your impending future:

Recognition of excellence from your employer, especially in the midst of struggle.
Reassurance of the goodness in others, through an unexpected, helping hand.
A new treatment, a renowned doctor appointed to your care, or a turnaround in your health, given your tireless attention to condition improvement.
A country coming together in solidarity, refusing to fall in the face of fear, rising to become impervious to intimidation.

We may not have had adequate control over our twenty-four hour nose-dive, but we can have empowering control over our come-back.

Now, for the rest of Switchfoot’s lyrics:

24 (continued)

I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
I’m not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.

Take Control over the Next 24 Hours

Be aware of your mindset: There’s nothing wrong with letting yourself feel the pain of a recent reality; just be careful not to let those feelings of pain, anger, or fear control you. You control how a situation affects your actions. Purpose and a positive outcome can follow any negative circumstance.
Pray: Pray for strength. Pray for guidance. Pray for the will to forgive. Pray to resist turning your back on trust. Pray for peace.
Strive for change: Wake up each day reminding yourself that you have been blessed with another twenty-four hours to amend what took place during the days before. God provides a clean slate today. What are you going to fill it with?

God will approach us someday and ask what we decided to do in these moments (and why). What will we tell him?

Nope. Copping out isn’t an option.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. ” Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

Twitter: @AliciaMSmith7