Hearts in Service

As I walk around my back field each day in the effort to get moving, my thoughts tend to ramble.  I pray, I think, and sometimes my thoughts just meander and ponder on different things going on in my life. Other times, I'm thinking of things I can write about. Some of the reason I enjoy walking and taking photographs is that it inspires me to write. This morning I got out there early to beat the rain that is coming. The air was heavy with moisture and my shoes got wet fairly quickly. As I walked I was thinking that so very often it's hard for me to put some of my thoughts into words. Words just seem so inadequate at times to express what's in my heart.  We live in a society where everyone is quick to use their words. They use them to state their opinions which are often not based on facts. They use them to try and inspire. Some use them to inflict pain and wounds. We have leaders who should really use their words LESS. Sometimes the more words we...

I was sitting and working on writing a Bible study the other day and the thought occurred to me, "Why in the world are you taking so much time to do this?" There are so many resources out there that I could use that would save me time and energy. As I reflected on that a bit, I think it was for a couple of reasons. One is that I enjoy writing and teaching and challenging myself this way. The other reason is that there is a lot of "fluff" out there. I have found Bible studies that are shallow, misinterpret the passage, or take things out of context. They come up with a premise and then try to go and find Scripture to support it instead of taking the passage and seeing what it has to say. Dan and I are always saying that in order to understand what God's word says you have to read it for yourself. Don't rely on a short devotional, Facebook memes or sermons. Open up the Word and read it and study it. Use scholarly commentaries to dig into what it...

Last week was an eventful one and there are so many things for which to be thankful. I haven't listed them by number in a long time, but thought I was due for a Multitude Monday post. This week I'm thankful for the blessings #3,711- 3,720 3,711. A couple of months ago a better paying position opened up in Stephen's company and he applied and got it. It's more money, doesn't involve driving so it's less wear and tear on his car, it's an opportunity to keep moving up, it fits his personality perfectly, and he's learning skills that will get him a job in any organization in the social services field. He starts his training this week and I'm thankful that he really likes the company he is working for and it's fulfilling for him. 3,712. I am thankful for the encouragement and affirmation of my calling I received during my Consecration oral examination. 3,713. After studying for two years it's been a bit weird to not have to do that. So I...

Two people can run in the same race. They both feel tired, feel the screaming muscles, feel stressed, want to give up and quit. But one of them pushes through the feelings, and the pain and stress, and wins the race. What's the difference? The winning runner is the one who endures to the end and crosses the finish line. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." Now does this passage mean that James thinks we should be bouncing around and happy because we are struggling? Not at all. He doesn't say that the trial is joy. No one would ever think that! But he says to consider it as a blessing because the trial is capable of being turned into our highest good. The difference is our attitude. I do believe that joy and grief can exist together. We are gr...

I got out an enjoyed some fresh air yesterday. I feel like I missed most of the gorgeous leaves because I've had my face buried in books as I study. So I'm going to try and enjoy the last few clinging leaves. Stuffed Peppers After two years, I can finally file this folder. It contains my position papers, projects, study notes, and all things pertaining to consecration. Emily sent me this last night and it's a drawing she is working on in an art class. I'm so happy to see her keeping up on that. Well, now the excitement is over after passing my test, life goes on.  There are high points and low points, exciting times and dull times. It's the way of the world.  Yesterday was spent teaching a Bible study, doing some housework, participating in a webinar on Effective Communication in leading volunteers, and worship practice. Today I'll be working on a newsletter, writing an article for our district newsletter, working on a new book, hav...

I started my blog, Hearts in Service in 2008, and since its inception my desire has been to encourage those who read here.  That has also been the goal of all four of my books.  Much of this is because so many people feel discouraged. In this day and age of social media and 24/7 news media it has gotten even worse.  We are inundated with negativity, despair, and hopelessness every single day. People are looking for hope but they seem to look everywhere except to the One who actually can provide it. As I write here and post on Facebook, I try to show how the Lord is working in my life. I attempt to keep my posts uplifting and positive.  Does that mean I am happy all the time?  Not at all.  I struggle with feelings of depression and negativity just like everyone else does. Things in my life are difficult and I have to work my way through a variety of emotions on a daily basis. But my goal is to point others to Christ.  My desire is to be a l...

Dan and I headed out the door at 9:10 this morning and made the hour drive to our district office for my oral examination for consecration. I was so nervous and the fact that I've been stressed triggered a diverticulitis flare-up the past couple of days so I've been feeling ill and was really praying that I'd make it through the morning. I'm thankful to say that after an hour and ten minute interview with our district's licensing, ordination and consecration committee I am now a Consecrated Woman in Ministry. I had to answer systematic theology questions and use scripture in my answers and it was nerve-wracking. But my studying paid off and I was able to not just squeak by, but answer with confidence. In fact, about half way through the interview I felt myself relax and actually enjoyed the interview. Woot! I was encouraged by our district superintendent that I need to be praying how I will use all of this as I have a good grasp of God's word and it is ev...

Honesty is not easy at times when dealing with a problem that has a stigma attached to it. Yet, I feel the need to be honest even though honesty opens myself up to be hurt or judged. I know many struggle with these things, and I'm a writer and want to use this blog to encourage so I'm going to write about it today. I'm not sharing everything because the personal details are not mine to share, but I will share from the perspective of a family member who walks alongside my loved one every day. And I don't share it just for the sake of sharing, but to show that even in the middle of very difficult times, God still wants us to trust and hope in Him. I'm not in despair, but reality is, there are hard days and I want to help others going through similar circumstances. There is a weight on my shoulders and sadness and tension have pervaded our home many days over the past couple of years. It's the weight of dealing with an adult child who struggles with depression ...

Changes happen so quickly and often times, unexpectedly. I have found myself conflicted the past few weeks because while I don't like change, sometimes it's necessary. So while it can cause me unhappiness and stress, it can also bring about good things. My consecration oral exam is on Tuesday and as the time looms near I am feeling conflicted because I want it to be over, and yet, it's been such a wonderful time of digging deep into God's word and studying to show myself rightly able to handle the word.  I know I've studied really hard the past two years and yet, I'm nervous that I'm going to mess up and forget what I've learned. So while I've had feelings of anxiety, they have also produced very sweet times of prayer. This week has been a rough one and a week of conflicts as we said goodbye to the sweet lady in the picture above on Monday. I'm conflicted because while I'm glad she is no longer in pain and suffering from the tumor...

I find that no matter how much I may wish for things to slow down that time just keeps marching on. This is especially true in my role of motherhood. I loved having babies, toddlers, preschoolers and young children. However, no matter how much you want them to stay little, children grow up and change. And I really don't want to perpetually stay in the baby stage anyway. I'm actually enjoying this new stage of having young adults. Once I got past the "still treating them like children" part of motherhood, I find that I like having young adults that I can talk to on the same level. They make me think, cause me to laugh and yes, send me to my knees in prayer often too. Every now and then I slip back into "mothering" and "correcting" mode and that causes a bit of friction, but those fireworks are getting less and less. I've been learning to take an interest in some of the things they are interested in. For example, Stephen loves all things s...

There is a running conversation in my house that goes something like this... Stephen: "I cannot wait until November!" Me: "Why?" "November is such a dreary month!" Stephen: "Because it's almost Thanksgiving and Christmas!" "I love the holidays!" I guess it's a matter of perspective, isn't it? To me November means bare trees, gray skies and the promise of the coming snowmaggedon. To him, it's the promise of good food, music, movies and warm fuzzy feelings. It's a good example of what our lives can be like. Are we living our life in anticipation of what God is going to do, or are we living in dread and fear of the trials we are facing? I have to admit that sometimes I get so fixated on the problems that I forget to see the blessings. And I really don't like the way I behave when I'm in that mode. Because when I'm focusing on the trial, I whine and complain. I worry and cry...

We walk silent through the woods, each lost in our own thoughts. Each feeling a heavy burden in different ways. Mine usually has to do with my children and family. He carries the weight of pastoring a church on his shoulders. It's been an especially tough few days as a dear woman in our church is entering her last days and we are both sad about that. Dan is generally easy going and laid back. He's not a Type-A personality nor strong in the area of programming or administration. But what he is strong in is being relational. He is wonderful with people and can chat with them all day long, talking about whatever they are comfortable with. He is wonderful at comfort care and shepherding. He does a terrific job of getting people involved in ministry who may not normally have been involved. When he's spending time with people and building relationships, he comes away feeling fulfilled. And sometimes that makes this "task-oriented, get things chec...