How To Hold A Burial

By Abby King

All these tears, all this rain. And yet… there is sowing, there is planting.

True, we may cry, but we press on for the crop.

… we still sow though in tears, and let go of every seed, burying hopes and hurts in faith, and out of loss, new life will unfurl, our tears watering rows.  Ann Voskamp

What do you hold in your hand?

Each hurt, each disappointment, each hope, is a seed to be let go of, pushed down deep into the nutrient-rich soil of faith – the soil of I will never leave you or forsake you;   and my grace is sufficient for you - the miracle-grow place of beauty and ashes; prodigals and homecoming; death and resurrection.

And we wait while the Spirit weaves together His mysteries and works all things together for our good in the unseen places. We water our faith as we trust that out of the dirt and the mess and the chaos something beautiful is being grown; that “those who go out weeping carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them” (Psalm 126:6).

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed…” John 20:29

What about you? What seeds are you burying in faith?

If you’re feeling broken…

By Abi Burton

I’ve been thinking lately about just how amazing God is at encouraging us. It has always been a mystery to me how we can be truly made in God’s image and yet completely flawed in so many areas! Countless times I have lacked insight, sensitivity, love, patience, kindness, grace, faithfulness (I could go on) but the Bible tells me I am created ‘in the image’ of a God who is the master of all those attributes and more!

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul shares revelation about how our ‘human-ness’ is seen to God:

And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12 v 9)

Talking this through with a friend last weekend, it became clearer as to how the two could marry up: we are here to reach and connect with a broken world, so how can I do this in any other way than if I myself am broken too? I can speak to a friend about broken-heartedness because I have had my heart broken; I can encourage a colleague who feels useless at their job because I have been overlooked for promotion; I can pray for someone suffering physical illness because I have felt this vulnerability in my own life.

The greatest possible example of a life that knew weakness and yet was made in the image of God is Jesus, who came to earth as a fragile baby, to connect with our world and transform it for eternity. We can now come to our Saviour with any circumstance, knowing that he himself has experienced it too. Sometimes, despite how we feel, we need to see ourselves as the Psalmist says in the Message: “I thank you, High God – you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration – what a creation!” (Psalm 139 v 14)

In this way we see God at work through our weaknesses, not in spite of them. If boasting in the many times I fall short will mean that God’s power reigns down on me more freely and frequently then I think it’s time I swallowed my pride and did just that!

 

 

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Emmanuel, Hillsong

Let the presence of Emmanuel, God with us, soothe your soul this Saturday…

Handing Out Courage

By Julia Hare

“The people who are lifting the world onward and upward are those who encourage more than they criticize.”  Elizabeth Harrison

One day last week, my foster son came home from school with a weight on his heart that I could see, but I was pretty busy with all that I needed to do in order to get to home group on time that evening.  Everything was going according to plan and I had my bag on my shoulder, ready to walk out the door on time.  I had told J that I wanted him to put his video game away before I left just to make sure bedtime went smoothly while I was gone.  Right as I was about to leave, he started to cry.  Instead of telling him that he shouldn’t be crying about a video game and rushing out the door, I felt the Spirit tell me to pause.  So I put my bag down and took a moment.

As I waited, I was able to pick up on the fact that he wasn’t crying about not being able to play the game.  I asked him what was really upsetting him and he just let go of what he was holding back.  Turns out he had been teased that day quite a bit and it was more than he could take.  After he was all done crying, I looked him right in the eyes and told him the opposite of what the kids had been telling him he was: you are strong and healthy and smart.  I will never forget what happened to his face when I said those words; I could see what was taking place in his heart… restoration, fortification.  He gave me a huge hug and I knew that moment was worth missing anything else for.

To inspire with courage, that’s what the word encourage means.  

 Romans 15:2 instructs us,  “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

Inspiring with courage doesn’t come naturally for most of us, so we have to be more determined and deliberate in order to be effective.  Here are some practical things that have helped me:

1. Be aware and be present…

Start by slowing yourself down and taking a good look around.  If we want to be able to speak words that truly encourage, we have to be able to stop and wait.

2. Say what you mean…

Determine to make sure that the people in your life know how much they mean to you and know the great things that you see in them.  Look them in the eye and make sure they really hear it. Say it until it seems like you’ve said it entirely too many times.  Be full of the Word of Truth so that the words you say have eternal impact.  If we can look at the heart as God does, see people the way He sees them and then tell them what we see, what a difference we can make in the world.

3. Consider how you can serve…

Actions are just as powerful to encourage as words are.  As a single parent (at the moment), I can say that my heart is strengthened when someone calls me and says those simple words, “is there anything I can do for you?”  Even if there isn’t anything, it builds me up just to know there are people I can lean on when I need it.

Phil. 2:3-4:  “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

4. Take action…

When a person comes to mind, purpose to do something about it right away.  Pray for that person and if you can, make a call or send a message.  Even if all you say is that you were thinking about them and prayed for them today, that’s bigger than we think sometimes.  A couple of weeks ago I was reading a very familiar passage of scripture and a friend popped into my mind.  I didn’t try to process through why she came to mind , I just immediately texted her the verse that stuck out to me.  She sent a message back saying, ‘…this was timely and helpful to bring hope to my soul.’  Such a simple and easy thing for me and exactly what she needed at just the right time.

What action can you take to inspire someone with courage today?

Each Friday our posts focus around a particular issue. This month we are considering how to tame our tongues.

Tips for the Tap

By Sarah Lehman

So, we all have those “duh” moments, mine was the other day when I was really thirsty.  I grabbed my cup from the counter and, being on autopilot during a hectic morning, I brought it to my lips, tipped back my head and my lips were met with nothing but air.  My cup was empty, easy enough to remedy… especially as I was standing right by the tap.  However, just as I stretched my hand toward the faucet, I noticed my son preparing for a heroic leap from the fireplace.  I set my cup down and applied some preventative attention to a situation that was about to go downhill.  Crisis averted (make no mistake, there was a jump),  I returned to my empty cup and again attempted to quench my thirst.  Again, nothing but air as the cup met my lips. Easy enough to remedy but this time my phone rang.  I answered and chatted which, however nice, failed to quench my thirst.

As I took my cup in hand for the third time I heard that still, small voice say “Sarah, fill up your cup.”  Wow, I was bound to remain thirsty until I went to the source of water to fill my empty cup.  When I filled my cup I was suddenly able to quench the thirst that had been bothering me for so long.  The next time I got thirsty I laughed and went straight to the tap!  I think it is pretty obvious where I am going with this story. We all get thirsty…physically and spiritually. Just like my body, my spirit cries out to be satisfied with the cool water that only Jesus can provide

If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink John 7:37

We have to fill our cups up if we want to take a drink, (lest we try to drink from empty cups, which is just silly) if we want to fill our cups up we have to remember to go to the source.  We are blessed to have different ways to do this but the two biggest I have found in my life are prayer and reading His Word. This sounds simple but you will find yourself battling distractions that steal time from going to the fountain.

For some, it may not always be distractions, you may just feel overwhelmed and not know where to start…

The following are some ways I have found for getting into the word.  Tips for the tap you might say.  I hope they are helpful! Cheers!

Make Time

Have a time set aside when there is as little distraction as possible for you to get into the Word. This seems pretty basic, but it’s so effective. My husband and I are with each other a lot but we still schedule our “special” date time, strictly him and me…a time on which no one else can infringe. This is the best time EVER! Our relationship with Jesus works the same way.. Even though we are constantly with Him, in the Spirit, it is so vital that we take special time with him where we can focus and just drink Him in.  I find the morning to be the best time but between jobs, kids, and other commitments there is always something fighting for my attention.  To help maintain my time in the Word I have downloaded a verse of the day app on my phone.  Even before I get out of bed I read it and have something to meditate on until I can take more time later. If you don’t have a phone that supports apps, have a Bible by the bed and pick one chapter of the week that you’ll read one verse of right away of in the morning.

Take Notes

If you just don’t know where to start it’s helpful to take notes during the sermon on Sundays or in your group Bible studies.  When you go home that week you can read through all the passages of scripture that were read or referenced. Also make use of the footnotes and cross-reference tools that are in a lot of Bibles.  This is such a neat way to really let God reveal what he has to say to you through your pastor’s word. You will be challenged!

Choose a Subject

Have a once a month subject. Pick something you want to know more about. Or if there seems to be a theme that God is working on (patience, food,  moral issues, trust, HIS character, etc.) have special times where you focus on these topics as you read the word. Have FUN! It’s helpful to enlist the support of commentaries and concordances as well as books on the subject.  Study Bibles also a great tool for tackling specific themes.

Talk About It

Another helpful tip is to talk to others about what you are reading.  This not only encourages you to keep reading and studying, it can also encourage and edify others!  When you talk about what you’ve read it really helps you to think and process your time in the Word.  This can add a level of accountability.

Keep a Journal

It’s important to remember the things that you’ve read but that can be difficult when it’s already a struggle to focus.  Try this: make it a point to write down one verse that stands out to you every time you spend time in the Word.  If you are really ambitious jot down a quick note on why.  Keep these notes in a journal that you can go back to from time to time and be encouraged and refreshed.

Listen

The most important thing I’ve found in reading the Word is just to listen.  LISTEN!  God is speaking. He wants to lead you to the still waters that will fill your soul.  “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul”  (Psalm 23:1-2).  Trust Him to be the chef at your meal, preparing your meals, talking to you about what He is serving you. Let Him enjoy watching you eat and drink from His table.

I promise God does not disappoint, nor does he leave us dry.

Every Wednesday we’ll be considering a practice related to our body, soul or spirit to help us completely devote ourselves to Jesus.