Faith Archives – Page 13 of 36

What Does it Mean to be a Woman of God?

05.07.2019 by Tracy Stella //

Welcome friends! FACETS of Faith is delighted you could join us as we explore this woman of God thing. How does one do it when the world tugs this way and that? Tune in each week in May as we explore what it means to be a woman of God. We pray you’ll be blessed with freedom to explore who you are in Christ as you journey along with us.

Don’t worry! I’m not going to break out the Proverbs 31 woman on you. We women (or at least this woman) already feel enough pressure to perform, to get it right, or just plain ole get it together.

Maybe we’re in a wrestling match with God. Maybe we’re wrapped up in a scratchy, wooly blanket called worry. Maybe we wouldn’t want people to see what’s hiding in our closet, crumpled on the floor. Heck, it might be us crumpled on the floor! Maybe just maybe things are unravelling faster than we can stitch them back together.

As a woman of God, I’ve been this woman. Not always shining. Sometimes struggling. You too? (Shhh, it’ll be our secret.)

We’re not less saved. We’re more human. Proof we need Jesus. Oh boy do we!

Even those of us who may look like we have it together (momentarily) have melt downs we wouldn’t want anyone to see. But Jesus does. He sees us in the midst of our muddy mess called life, and I believe He smiles, not because of the mess, but in spite of it. He looks at us through eyes of Love.

God doesn’t see the mud. He sees what He is making ─righteous, holy, pure, clean women of God.

We need to take the pressure off ourselves. Way, way off ourselves. We don’t have enough Clorox® wipes to clean up the muddy places in our hearts, thoughts, words, actions, inaction, and disobedience (and I could go on).

None of us is immune from needing God’s cleansing. No immunity for the pulpit. No immunity for the most pious. No immunity for the amount of pride God’s kids can possess. No immunity for you. No immunity for me.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.─John 14:26 NKJV

Ladies, we have a Helper! The Holy Spirit was sent in Jesus’ name. And our compassionate, loving Jesus wanted to make sure we would know it.

Is there something even now, woman of God, that you need His help with?

Stop. Ask the Helper. Ask Him. He is faithful.

Holy Spirit, God’s Word says you are my Helper. I need your help. Please help me with ________. I have faith enough to trust You at Your Word.

I’m reading a book about the Holy Spirit right now. He’s fine tuning my ability to hear His voice (again). I love that He’s always teaching, always transforming.

Spoiler alert. I’m going to give away the answer to the question much earlier than I normally do in a piece.

What does it mean to be a woman of God?

It means we are women willing to seek after God. He’ll always honor any effort toward that.

He’ll show us who He is, who we are to Him, who others are to Him, and what He wants from and for us.

If we seek God, we’re going to get this “woman of God thing” right after all, and overall, even if we sometimes get a thing or two wrong along the way.

Can I get an amen for grace?

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.─Matthew 6:33 NKJV

Did you catch what the Scripture said?

As we seek God’s kingdom, His kingdom shall be added to us. More of His presence. More of His purpose. More of His power. More of His peace. More of His love. More, more, more. More kingdom.

As we seek God’s kingdom, His righteousness shall be added to us. Like a dash of salt added to a recipe, little by little we grow more flavorful. We taste a bit more like Jesus each bite. Salt has purpose and so will we when we follow God’s kingdom ways.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”─Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

We’re not the dispenser of salt. That’s God’s job. As women of God, we just want to let Him sprinkle us wherever He needs, when He needs to. A dash of love here. A sprinkle of joy there. A pinch of compassion toward this one.

We aren’t in charge of all the world seeing the kingdom in us. God has many ambassadors across the globe to flavor the world. So much flavor sprinkled from one faithful woman of God to the next, neighborhood to neighborhood, nation to nation.

This seeking after God’s kingdom thing? What does it look like? Honestly, I think it looks a lot of different ways. God is creative. He is limitless. He has all sorts of things up His sleeve.

It’s impossible to winnow Him down to one or two ways He’d call us to be women of God, so you won’t be getting the Top 3 Things You Should Do To Be A Woman Of God in this piece.

Instead, I’m going to give you an example from my own life, because I am a woman of God. Messy. Imperfect. Sometimes sweet. Sometimes not. Woman of God covered by His grace.

One of the ways I’m seeking after God is by reading about Him. I want to partner with the Holy Spirit. I know He will honor my seeking after Him, and He will teach me. He always shows up when my heart is open to Him and what He has to say.

Women of God seek the kingdom of God.

I pondered a question posed in the book about the Holy Spirit. I didn’t move past it in a rush, presuming I knew the answer. That’s definitely a risk when we’ve been walking with the Lord and find ourselves in a sweet relationship with Him. But guess what? That’s pride to presume. Just because He said it one way once doesn’t mean He’ll say it the same way twice. Every situation and season of life calls for God’s creative hand.

Women of God can’t think because they know God that they know ALL of God.

Press pause, ladies. Don’t presume. Ask. Seek. Seek the kingdom. Seek the King!

The question was, Have you been frantically trying to change yourself? If so, how? What do you see differently now?1

Before I share my actual response, I want to share how I processed, because it might help you too. Sometimes, I’m not sure on things. I start writing what I think and while I am, I’m praying for myself. I pray that God reveals. I try to go to Him with an honest, open heart to hear. As I do, He reveals His truth, what He wants me to hear in that moment.

Often, I am surprised at where God brings me, of what He shows me. Most certainly He’s revealing Himself, His wisdom, His truth, His love, His compassion, exactly what He knows I need to hear. That looks different today than it did yesterday or what it will tomorrow.

As I processed the idea of frantic changing of myself, I wrote…

I don’t think so now. (Which is what I thought the answer was, only to be led to this…) Other than I think I try too hard, fearful I’ll disappoint God somehow. Like maybe He won’t see me as His good girl. (Woah!) Then, I heard the song lyric “You don’t have to try so hard” and it made me emotional.

God revealed the underlying emotion in all of the above is rooted in fear. Fear of not being good enough, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment. There’s probably more than that, but that’s what I needed to know in this season.

Well now, this woman of God will continue her journey to glean from what God is showing.

Women of God seek the will of God. His will is to make us into His image, which is healthy, courageous, and whole.

God’s will is always a kingdom thing. He gives us free will, but He invites us to follow His.

I want to leave you with a bit of freedom here, because God gave me a good salty dose of it in all of this.

Here’s an excerpt from the book, “Don’t give into thinking, I should be more spiritually mature. It’s not true. It only makes you feel more condemned and drains you of spiritual strength. Pause and pray, ‘Holy Spirit, how do You see where I am right now (my level of spiritual maturity?” What is He saying to you?”1

Here’s what He said to me, When you slow down, you hear Me. Be careful to observe the rhythms of rest and pacing, not performing. I don’t need you to perform. Pray and seek My face.

Isn’t that beautiful? (And reassuring)

Please, please, go back up and read the excerpt from the book. Process the question for yourself. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?

Don’t read past it. Allow Him the quiet space to answer you.

If you’d like to share what He told you, we’d be honored to hear. I’m praying you hear His voice, maybe even for the first time. And because we can never hear it enough, I pray for those of you who have heard God’s voice that you hear it even more.

God sees what He is making ─righteous, holy, pure, clean women of God. And He sent us a Helper to do it!

Seek the kingdom. Seek the King!

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

1Bevere, John. The Holy Spirit: An Introduction. Palmer Lake, CO: Messenger International, 2014.

How I Sing in April’s Rain

04.30.2019 by Anna Hummer //

Welcome to Facets of Faith, space where three friends share their thoughts and experiences on life, friendship, and faith. We also introduce you to other friends who share their perspectives. Today, I (Kim) am excited to introduce you to Anna. Anna and I met about eighteen months ago when I interviewed for a job in Massachusetts. If you were able to sit with her over a cup of coffee, you would be encouraged, challenged, and prayed over with a faith that moves mountains.

Being a pastor’s wife and mom to four adorable kids, Anna has learned how to sing in every season. So grab that cup of coffee, settle in, and be ready to be encouraged as she shares what helps her sing in April’s showers.

The Hospital

I think it’s unlikely to be appendicitis.

I chocked back a sob. The young doctor was uncomfortable and shrugged off the yellow protection robe.

She is really in pain, I said pushing back the hair on my three-year-olds forehead. Right around the belly button.

This wasn’t our first rodeo. Samantha has Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic disease that affects the lungs and other organs, clogging them with sticky mucus. This trip to the ER, however, was accompanied by my 18-month-old son and, without daddy to help, I was in a glass case of emotion. I tried to keep them occupied with Paw Patrol episodes on the iPad.

Samantha started freaking out about the IV. I knelt by her bed and positioned her face to look me in the eyes. I calmed her. Look at me, it’s okay. I love you. I know it hurts and I’m right here.

I turned to the doctor. I just think I need to talk to someone from her clinic?

He tapped the clipboard and went to find another doctor. My phone vibrated with a text from my friend.

I’m praying its not appendicitis.

I’m actually kind of hoping it is! I tapped back.

For her, it could easily be something worse. I took a deep breath and pulled my son onto my lap, kissing his warm fuzzy head. I put my other hand on Samantha’s arm and waited.

Perspective

In my family, we focus on a word each season –biblical words that emphasize God’s character or the fruit of the Spirit. Last summer it was contentment. In the fall, it was faithfulness. This spring season our word is peace.

Ironic. Maybe…

Since plastering that word adorned with rainbows stickers on the fridge, my five-year-old had broken her arm, and now my three-year-old was at the ER. We had just gotten off a merry-go-round of awful winter diseases and daddy was away on ministry. I could only cry, God, what are you doing?!

I suppose I’ve learned by now that when you ask for a trait from the Lord he will be faithful in answering. He will grow you into it. He will teach you, sometimes painfully. PEACE.

Jesus said,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27ESV

Learning to Sing

As we waited in the hospital, Sammy requested a song we’d been blasting in the van. Peace overwhelming peace is the chorus to the electronic dance track. It felt funny to listen to it in the ER, but it made us both smile even as I felt tears on my cheeks.

How do I sing in April showers? Through the tears. Because of Jesus, my current level of happiness doesn’t determine my peace. My inner security isn’t based on my circumstance even when it hurts. I’ve found in suffering our praise becomes not just encouragement, but our warfare.

David in the psalms writes,

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Pslam 121:1-2

After several, owies, pokes and tests. Add an MRI machine constructed to look like a giant sandcastle and it turned out, she did have appendicitis. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. My mom-intuition was correct. Thank you, Lord, you are good! I whispered as we wheeled her out of the test room.

Before she went into surgery, we recited the verse we’d been learning at home.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Is. 26:3

Rain doesn’t always obscure our view. Sometimes it cleans the grime from the windshield. That means I can cry and praise at the same time. Hands lifted, reciting God’s promises on an ER fold-out chair. I can be honest with Jesus because he knows. My prayer lately during a season of showers? Jesus, let this storm rage around me but not within me.

When my eyes are fixed on HIM and not the storm I can hear him say, Look at me, it’s okay. I love you. I know it hurts and I’m right here. And then together, we sing in the rain.

Hope Sings in Spring Showers

04.23.2019 by Kim Findlay //

Welcome to Facets of Faith, a space where three friends get together each month and explore topics of faith, friendship, and fun. I don’t know how it’s been in your part of the world but here in New England, we’ve had our share of rain. So what better question to explore than what helps you sing in April’s showers? Check out what Tracy and Jen shared earlier this month. I’m (Kim) so excited to introduce you to one of my New England friends in a couple of days. But for now, it’s my turn.

THE WIND

They were tired —bone-weary. Not only was it incredible work to serve thousands of people a meal, but they were still considering all they had seen. Basket after basket, there seemed to be a never-ending supply of bread and fish, enough to feed thousands of men, women, and children who sat to hear him speak.

And then it was time to go. Jesus said to his disciples that he would dismiss the people and then steal away to be alone to pray. He told them to get in the boat that bobbed by the shore and he would meet up with them later.

Peter and the others push off their boat from the edge of the shore and began the trek across the Sea of Galilee. Quiet at first, each man pondered the events of what they’d witnessed. Lost in their thoughts, serving the meal felt surreal, like a dream even though they saw the satisfied souls eat their fill with their own eyes.

Suddenly Peter’s cloak whipped about him. The wind picked up as their boat dipped and rose with the waves. Spray from the waves smacking against the boat soaked their clothes. Disoriented, they struggled to maintain the course as fear ignited their souls.

Waves crashed against one side of the boat causing it to dangerously sway and tip. Then smashed from the right, the boat rocked the other way, almost as if the waves and wind were playing a game —a deadly one. The disciples worked together to make their way through the storm, but no amount of striving or struggling could set their boat straight.

WHEN STORMS SOAK OUR FAITH

I’m not a fan of storms. The rain doesn’t bother me as much as the wind that blows through trees as it wipes the remnants of winter away. Here in New England, just as in the Midwest where I lived most of my life, gusts reach 30, 40, even 50 mph blowing over trees and knocking out power.

As I read the events of the disciples crossing the stormy sea, I find kindred spirits as they fought. The striving to keep their boat moving forward —I imagine them calling out to each other, yelling at what needs to be done next.

How often when I’m faced with a storm in my life, I take in the details, assess the situation, and then figure out what I can do to make everything better, to fix the problem —or at least what I perceive that problem to be. I bark orders to those around me, determined to control every drop of conflict toward the outcome I think should occur.

I will fix.

I will fix my problem.

And then I fall in exhaustion as I utterly miss the point.

On my own, I am helpless against the storms. In my striving, I become exhausted and overwhelmed with worry. Disappointment, discouragement, and disenchantment threaten to knock my faith out from under me, soaking me in sorrow.

HOPE BREAKS THROUGH

I imagine the utter exhaustion the disciples felt as the boat tipped and swayed at the mercy of the wind and the waves. What kinds of questions rolled through their minds?

When will this end?

Why is this happening . . .now?

Will we make it?

Where is he . . .

Oh, how often those same questions tumbled and twisted in my mind as the storms of life swirled all around me. The wind wails, drowning out my hope.

And yet . . .

How often I forget truth I’ve learned through other storms, darker monsoons that about destroyed everything. I forget the truth the disciples didn’t see but Scripture declares for us.

He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves.” Mark 6:48a, NLT

Jesus saw the disciples —he knew they were in trouble as they struggled. So often as the darkness of a spring storm unleashes on us, we feel alone, isolated, wondering if the God of the universe even notices our little lives.

He does. “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.” Psalm 139:2-3, NLT

And not only does he see us, He also draws near.

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on water.” Matthew 14:25

In fact, the very purpose of Jesus’ life was to draw us into a relationship with his Father. Through his death, he paid the penalty our sins deserve, once and for all. And through his resurrection, he conquers death, our greatest enemy. It is by him and through him that we have life and breath no matter the storm that threatens us.

He is our hope.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:19, NLT

And he knows our frailty.

TAKE COURAGE, HE IS HERE

He knows we fear and fret what we cannot see, even when what we cannot see is the very One who silences the storms.

. . .but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage! I am here!’ Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed.” Mark 6:49-51, NLT

How do we learn to sing in April’s showers? We take courage —we take courage not only because we are seen and loved by the One who sustains us, but because he tells us to.

We learn to sing as the rain falls because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and doesn’t leave us to flounder in the elements on our own.

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5

We learn to sing because Jesus rescued us —first from sin and death, and then from the muck and mire left by the storms of life.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, our of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3, NLT

And that is a reason to sing.

What helps you sing in April showers? We’d love for you to join the conversation either by posting below or joining us on our Facebook page.