{deeply rooted}

Posted in: on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 0 comments

"Why?...I don't get it." These are words I often hear in question as I look into tear filled eyes, muttered when I listen to that hurting voice over the phone. And I often don't have words, but I have the Word. 

Have you ever looked at someone's life and compared it to what yours looks like? Envied theirs? Been jealous or felt forsaken? We can always question the "why" to seasons and circumstances of life. 
Why me? 
Why doesn't my life/story look like theirs? 
Why this load for me carry in life?
Perspective will make or break you. It will strengthen your perseverance and without it you will have fleeting allegiance. 
Better than the devastations and disappointments.
Better than the most fulfilling things and moments.
Better than any relationship.
Better than any dream home or job.
Better than any high or any low. 
Better than life.
I've learned that perspective, right perspective is anchoring to endure. A few specific things have helped shape my sight, to keep it on eternity no matter what crosses my path: Psalm 73 and "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn (consider a summer read of these two).
I appreciate the rawness of Asaph in Psalm 73 that I think we can so relate to:
He was despairing and envious of the wicked’s fortune. Those not seeking God seemed to have it all - wealth, abundance, care free lives, reason to boast, overindulging in whatever they wanted with no awareness of God and at no consequence (v.2-12) - so it seemed. It seemed he was missing out and forsaking these things for a worthless time and a God who was not "blessing" him in the same way. He wondered "what am I doing and what is this all for? Is this God even worth it?" (v.13). He felt hopeless, despondent, and condemned for longing for the things of the world that the wicked seemed to all gloat in and enjoy. He felt ashamed and guilty for even thinking it that he couldn't voice it (v.14-15). Sound familiar? He observed the "wicked" and was exhausted trying to answer “why them” and “why not me?”(v.16). “Until”...this is the game changer,,,
Did you catch it? "Until..." what? Not until he entered the presence of God did he see himself and the world clearly. The sanctuary represented standing in God's presence, holiness, character, spirit and power. I think it was here he was able to set his sights "on things above" and flourish from eternal perspective. He made the Lord His refuge when the world said look elsewhere (v.28).
When you're losing sight, where do you go? To whom do you look to? Fleeting world pleasures or faithful covenant keeping God? 
As I set my gaze on Him, I know Him more. When I grow in sight and view of the unchangeable, unconquerable, immovable, irremovable, untiring, unflinching, unwavering love of God I waver less because my gaze is on the Unwavering one. When looking at the worlds’ ways, Asaph’s (our) sight shifted to a god that seemed to have forsaken him and was holding out, until he fixed his gaze on God did he get it - his end and theirs. 
The Lord's considered every possible "what if" in your life, even beyond what we’ve questioned and chooses what will make us more like Him; what will cause us and others to know and magnify Him. That is to be our joy. 
Asaph began desolate, angry and despising the wicked…yet left the sanctuary in worship after gazing at the Lord, longing to “tell of all your works” (v.28). When you are despairing or tempted to give up or give in – look up. What will be your “sanctuary” place to regularly keep perspective? Find those places – gathering to worship with others, being in the Word, a quiet space away in nature, being in community, or an old place that takes you back to your First Love. Find it and be there regularly to the places that raise your sights. 
As we grow and deepen in eternal perspective our envy and jealousy will begin to weaken when looking at those that have things we desire, when we feel we are more “deserving”. Rather we grow in compassion and a yearning to love them with the Gospel and hope of Jesus because whatever you are seeing in their life that raises discontentment in you – is all they have without Jesus. That’s it and an eternity of suffering. Grow in love and compassion towards them to bring light into the dark places of the Deceivers empty lies they are sinking into unless you show them the Hope and purpose in Christ that is faithful and eternal.
In light of eternity, in light of His glory, He allows and do I dare even say specifically purposes in our lives to bear such things so we could offer the comfort we’ve received (2 Corinthians 1:3-6), that we would grow in dependence on Him, find Him greater than anything, and know His grace as sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). He is worthy. He is worth it. An eternity with Jesus - full restoration and peace realized is worth it.

Posted in: on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 0 comments

Posted in: on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 0 comments

In all of creation that was said to be good in Genesis 1, there was one thing that was not.

"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
Being a helpmate, a submitting, selfless, serving, hardworking, supporting, faithful wife is highly esteemed and often looked to in Proverbs 31 as THE women to be. There are so many definitions, thoughts, and identities behind the idea of being a helper to a husband.  God created and designed men to be cultivators and women helpers. Not limited to, less than, above or below, but different, complimenting each other.  By God’s design we desire to live out those roles. 
So what if I'm not married?  And is that “helper” role only for the context of marriage?
For many Christian women, a prolonged season of singleness or any longing unfulfilled becomes a holding place, while waiting for a desire to be a reality. It can feel unfair if there is a desire/design from God to be that helper yet He has not given you the season of marriage to live that out. But it can be in the context of your life now, for those around you and not something on hold, passively waiting as time and lives pass you by.   
A helper. The Helper. Both come alongside, rescue, offer aid, guide, support, strength, and protect to help others thrive. 
In Genesis 2:18 we read that something was not good and missing, and a suitable helper to Adam is what God designs to fill that which was lacking. A helper - to surround, protect or aid, help, one who fights alongside, ally, act as part of a greater whole, offer support, strength and power. The word for helper, ezer, is used 21 times in OT - two times in reference to the first woman, a suitable helper and the majority use is in reference to God as our helper in a time of great need and protection. This word alone indicates the one giving the help is superior to the one receiving the help. But in the case of Genesis 2, God is intentional with words in the use of a suitable helper/help meet – ezer kenegdo - adds that of equal, rather than superior. One who is the same in value as the other and who surrounds, protects, aids, helps, supports.
Ezer describes aspects of God's character - He is our strength, our rescuer, our protector and our help. We tend to focus on the role of a helper as a wife and I think we often can use a shift of our focus to what that word says about the Lord as our helper and how we are to live that out fully in every aspect of life. 
Don’t miss the here and now of your days by being in a holding place, waiting, hoping. When you look back at these days in your life, what do you want to see, what would have wanted to do with that time? Make that a reality. Don't waste right where God has you no matter the season. Our time is short, but a breath (Job 12:10; Psalm 39:5; 144:4; Eph 5:15-16). Have eyes to see, a heart willing and hands faithful to act.
Unfulfilled desires whatever they may be often shift our focus away from a devotion to Christ, inward towards self. We get discouraged, drained, despondent, and weary in doing good because we focus on what’s missing rather than our mission, entitlement rather our calling. Follow after Jesus and draw others to Him in all seasons of life. When my gaze is on Jesus, I look up and out and see those around me more clearly. There are women hungry, lonely, seeking, and we often miss them when we are focused inward. 
Whatever you may be longing for, wait in active patience, trust, joy, and assurance that allows you give of yourself on the behalf of others.
“Waiting isn't just about what you're waiting for at the end of the wait, but also about what you'll become as you wait.” Paul Tripp
Whether you are married or sitting in singleness The Helper has designed you to be a helper in your home and to those around you. Am I more focused on a longing unfulfilled than I am focused on being present to those God has placed around me?
There is a uniqueness that comes with a season of singleness - opportunity for time, flexibility, an undivided heart and focus. It’s the time God wants to secure a devotion to Him alone. There is a uniqueness that comes with marriage that one can be offered by inviting people into to your life to learn from, observe, and participate. What a gift to put your family on mission to help others – may just be the best thing for them to know how to give of themselves sacrificially and bringing others in even it’s uncomfortable. 
As women we can help others thrive or strive. Thrive to all that God has made them to be. Or strive to measure up, earn approval and please expectations because when we look to self, we are disappointed with what’s done to or for us. They can thrive because you have enough in Jesus to give of yourself. Not cause them to strive because you are unfulfilled and grasping for something from someone. 
We can look to and learn from some the women of old in the Bible that provide glimpses of what it looks like for a woman to come alongside others.
Abigail – 1 Samuel 25
I love this woman and how she steps in to speak into King David’s path. Who’s an Abigail in your life and who are you an Abigail to? Boldly and lovingly approaching someone with helpful truth and guidance. Sometimes the very thing we need saved from is ourselves and the path we are headed down, in need of someone confronting us. 
Esther 
A woman who choose to boldly step out on behalf of others as she was sovereignly placed in a position in a specific physical place and time in history, “for such a time as this”. You are placed in a specific place and time with purpose, Acts 17:26-27, don’t waste that but keep your eyes up on the harvest. 
Proverbs 31 
Not only was this woman an incredible wife and mother but you find her being a helper to others and those around her. All of her doings involved others – whether that is her husband, her kids, the needy, or those seeking her out. She speaks words of wisdom. She is trusted by others to give sound advice. (31:26)
Priscilla 
Rom 16:3-4 – sacrificially gave of themselves at the risk of their comfort, time, and lives.
Titus 2:3-5 
These women could only train, teach, and urge the younger women by living by example and inviting them in. 
1 Timothy 4:11-16 
No matter our age or season we are to set an example for other believers in our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Not to neglect our gift. We have a gift of whatever season we are and our spiritual gifts - both to be used for the good and growth of others. 
2 Timothy 3:16 
The Word disciples us (teach, reproof, correct, and train) and we get to disciple each other by doing these same things, lived out in or lives by coming alongside each other. 
If you are longing and waiting to be helper to a husband, be a helper to those around you. If you feel constrained and restricted as a helper only to your husband, be a helper to those around you also, not neglecting your home but out of an overflow of your home. If you are uncertain what it looks like to be a helper, start by looking at The Helper who is our Help and Shield (Psalm 30:10; 33:20; 115:9; 118:7). 
“Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7
“Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper.” Deuteronomy 33:29
“You make Your saving help my shield; Your help has made me great.” 2 Samuel 22:36

Posted in: on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 0 comments

Posted in: on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 0 comments

As much as I would love to share everything about our trip to Uganda serving alongside Sole Hope, right now I want to share a need and offer you a tangible way you could come alongside and provide for a child an opportunity for a better education. 

During our time in Uganda we got to meet Dickson Nabiru, a local distinguished artist and friend to Dru and Asher Collee (director and founder of Sole Hope) who has a heart for older orphaned children. Before being orphaned himself, at the age of 15, Dickson’s father taught him many different skills of art and also impressed upon him the importance of helping those in need. With his artistic ability and heart of service, Dickson has created a ministry called Arise Talents. At Arise orphaned children come, they are given shelter, food and an opportunity for an education. While the children are at Arise, Dickson also teaches them the skills he knows as an artist, which is a very rare sacrifice because your trade is your livelihood. 

In Africa, education is not free and is a luxury many cannot afford. As Dickson takes in children, not only is he providing for their immediate needs, but he is also putting them through school. Right now the children are in a classroom setting of 80-100 students to 1 teacher. His hope is to send them to a school with a better student to teacher ratio which would give them a better education and provide for them more opportunities. 

We got the privilege of spending time with Dickson and the children of Arise Talent. My heart was immediately drawn to them as a group and individually - getting to know their names, smiles and laughter was such a joy. 

The school Dickson desires the children to be enrolled in consists of three terms in a school year at $220 a term, $660 a year; to provide his children with the education he desires, an education they deserve.

So I ask, would you prayerfully consider as an individual, a house, a group, a family, or as a couple supporting the education of an Arise Talent child for a school year? 

A monthly sponsorship would be $60 a month over an 11-month time frame or any one time donation to help a child get an education. 

Contact me here for more information and to set up your support for an Arise Talent student or consider a one-time donation. 

Arise Talents kids:

Jesse Mwesigina – 15 years old

Posted in: on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 0 comments

What do I have to offer?...Have you ever wondered that?

When reading Mathew 14:13-21 I see Jesus have compassion to feed the multitude and the disciples’ inadequacy in what they had to "offer" to feed the people. I think we often view ourselves that way with the needs around us. In the hands of Jesus, He breaks us, uses, blesses, and multiples when we are willing to give and be used. After feeding all the people, not only was the multitude “satisfied” from the disciples’ shortage, but there also was 12 baskets full (for each disciple) of broken pieces of food. Bring what fish and loaves you had and watch what He will do with your willing obedience and how you walk away filled abundantly in Him.

The reality is I don't have much to offer in and of myself, but I'm willing. To step out in faith and discomfort and insecurities and face the accusing claims from the enemy that I don't have anything to offer. I'm willing, doesn't mean I always do. I'm sometimes immobilized by fear or insecurities. My willingness often carries with it the enemy’s accusations, but if I'm willing to be go with Him anways, He shows Himself all the more to me and through me.

"Cursed by everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them...Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us...so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:10,13,14

So I embrace the enemy’s accusations and point him to the cross - he's right - Jesus saves!

I could listen to all the enemy’s accusations against me - that I have nothing to offer, that I'm in adequate, not enough, lack wisdom or giftings, life experience, etc.

Bring what you have.

Offer what you have.

Watch the Good Shepherd break it, bless it, multiple it...do with it far more than you imagined. He has written your story with great purpose.

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