Hearts in Service Blog

1 Thessalonians 1:3-6 ~ For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.  Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.  For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—  and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.  Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica and reminds them here that even though he could have pulled rank as an apostle and received accolades and recognition in that role, he didn't approach them that way. His motive was to please God and not man. The only voice he was listening to was the Lord's. It seems lately that I get that reminder over and over again no matter what passage of scripture I'm reading. I have a tendency to be a people pleaser and it can be exhausting. I find that many times my energy is spent makin...

This week we have been on a staycation and just done daily hiking trips or going to local sites. We woke up to rainy and overcast skies yesterday morning so went to a local museum, but by the afternoon the sun had come back out so Dan and I went to one of our favorite spots to walk.  The major way I connect with the Lord is when I'm out in nature. There is something that stirs within me and I feel a closeness with Him that is stronger than anywhere else. But being out in the woods also causes the creative side of me to rise up. I get some of my best ideas for writing, ministry and other pursuits as I'm walking. Sometimes I feel like I'm a bit weird and wired differently. Often as I'm out in nature tears spring up because I'm overwhelmed with the beauty. And at other times, my imagination can create a thousand stories about the things I see. For example, this tree looks like it is trying to break free of its bondage and walk way.  The moss covered projection in the b...

I spent Friday through Monday traveling to our denomination's district camp in order to be at an event that I had planned. It was a wonderful time of getting away, seeing many friends from around the state and reconnecting with them. I came away relaxed, encouraged and inspired in my district ministry. On the way there I was able to make a couple of stops to visit with friends I haven't seen in a while. As I left the last house, I came to a bridge that was out and a detour in the road. I was surprised to find that the detour led me down the road pictured above through a quiet and isolated patch of forest. It was beautiful and made for a pleasant drive.  I find that there are many detours in our lives. Detours away from the plans we had for ourselves. Detours away from our dreams and goals. Detours that can be extremely disappointing. Those detours often can seem like a huge interruption or inconvenience. And yet, there may be a purpose in the detour. I had been traveling since ...

"An abundant life does not create a thankful heart. It's the spirit of gratitude that creates an abundant life."  ~ Ruth Zimmerman "If I only had a nicer home." "If I get a better job." "If all my bills are paid off." "If I only had different circumstances." "If only....." There are so many "if onlys" that flit through our heads at times that it causes us to be dissatisfied with the life we have. We fall into the trap of believing that if only things would change for the better in our life and all of our needs were met, then we would have plenty to be thankful about. What we are missing is that the only true abundance stems from having a heart of gratitude even in scarcity and even in trouble. If we never learn to look at our lives and find the blessing right in front of us, then even if we had everything we could ever want, we wouldn't see them.  And that's because discontent just breeds more discontent....

Each morning I wake up, stumble my way into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and then make my way downstairs to my recliner where I spend time with the Lord through reading His word and prayer. Many mornings, I wake up and immediately feel the crushing weight of cares and concerns, anxiety and worry over different situations, or feeling burdened by an overwhelming list of items that need to be accomplished. As I settle in my chair and begin to read, I find it difficult to concentrate at first. My mind keeps flickering to all the different thoughts, ideas and worries buzzing around. But then I begin to zero in on what I'm reading. I have to will my eyes and mind to focus. And I have to do this refocusing multiple times before I really begin to concentrate.  And as I read, there is a shift. There is a shift in my mind and attitude from feeling discouraged, discontented and depressed to a sense of hopefulness, encouragement, praise and thanksgiving.  This daily re-shifting in ...

Sometimes it's the little things that bring me joy. I'm not difficult to please and enjoy so many daily blessings. Sitting on my back patio in the early morning, listening to the birds sing.  A handful of wild flowers plucked on a walk. They are brightening up my kitchen windowsil. A gift of dishes from a friend who was getting rid of her stash. She noticed she had the same pattern I did and asked if I would like these. Teaching my son how to make a simple meal. Nathan relies heavily on me to cook because he gets overwhelmed with having to come up with a plan, buy ingredients and then cook. His go to meal is chicken nuggets and French fries. So his Care Coordinator came up with a life plan and part of it is learning to cook in order to live independently. And yes, I did teach him as he was growing up, but he just won't do it because of feeling overwhelmed.  I told him I'd come up with a few very simple meals that are nutritious and yet, easy to make. This was his first ...

I've realized lately that I've dug myself a trench over the past few years. It's a trench of negative thoughts and fixating on what's going wrong in my life. The more I dwell on those things, the deeper that trench grows. Over time, it's become so deep that it's difficult to lift myself up out of it.   There are days when I'm able to climb out and things seem pretty good, but notice that I keep walking right along the edge, so one bad bit of news and I lose my footing and slide right back down. This morning during my time with the Lord I was reminded once again of the need to change my thought patterns.  Psalm 104:33-34 ~ I will sing to the Lord all my life;     I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him,     as I rejoice in the Lord. I've gotten away from my consistently dwelling on the good things in my life. I have allowed discontent to creep in and my meditation (thoughts) have not been very pleasing to the...