Spiritual Blogs

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 08:51 Written by Kim Pullen, Orlando, Florida

Naked and Knotty

I got another epiphany in the shower, but this time I wasn’t alone. In the shower that is. And I wasn’t the one getting sprayed with water unless you count the splashes from the protesting feet, flaying arms, and flying tears of my daughter, dousing me every few moments.

Our dual assault was on a huge knot in the back of her luxuriant hair. And the knot was winning.

My strategy in such battles—which happen every few months—is to sop the snarl of hair with conditioner and water and rake through it with a comb, piece by painful piece. Regardless of how gentle I am, it’s an excruciating experience for both my daughter and me–her twitching and screaming, and me restraining from muttering “I told you so” and “If you only…”.

Despite her protests, I must admit I’m often tempted to pull out my scissors and razor and just shave her bald.

When the two of us finally step out of the shower, and although I’m fully clothed, I’m almost as wet as my naked child.

This time, while I was wetting, conditioning, and cajoling the quagmire my daughter’s hair apart, something occurred to me: Isn’t this just like what God does with me?

When I can’t get a comb through the chaos of my life, I come to him, my head bowed in shame over the mess I’ve made of another situation in my life, neglecting the basic care of my heart.

Then I stand naked before him as he showers me with his love and gently sorts out the shambles I’ve made. It’s always a painful process—him combing, me twitching. He doesn’t have to say “I told you so” since I can hear his Word reverberating in my head. He doesn’t have to chime, “If you only…” since I know what I need to do. I’m not a child, for goodness sake.

Yeah, right.

I think I’ve got one advantage over my daughter, though. I’m learning to say thank you when he combs out my tresses—I mean, messes. I’m at least humble enough to admit my heedlessness and inattention.

I’m also learning what an amazing parent he is since I know he’s not even tempted to hack away at my life.

Hmm, these shower revelations are getting a little too intense. Maybe I’ll start taking a bath.

Originally published on Kim's blog, Pullen Out the Stops.

Saturday, 20 April 2013 18:11 Written by Linda Brumley, Seattle, Washington

God Keeps a Diary

On a mellow, sunny afternoon I was sitting at a table outside a cafe sharing coffee and conversation with a friend. We had no agenda; we were just friends who wanted time together. In the free flow of conversation and the random segues, we began talking about the ways God had changed us.

I was sharing about fighting pride in my life and all the ways (well, really not all the ways--there are too many to cover in a single conversation, but enough to be transparent) it has reared its ugly head in my speech and behavior, and how it had affected relationships--expecially in my marriage. We each reflected on memories of specific incidents where we had struggled, failed or triumphed.

A quest for humility is a valient effort. Any quest for godly traits is a worthy battle. We moved on from there to talk about family and our weeks' activities and a dozen other inconsequential things that friends will share, but the influence of God in our lives was the thread that ran through it all.

As we were parting, I smiled at my friend and said, "I have a favorite Bible verse that comes to mind right now. I think we just made God happy. I think he wrote a little summary of our chat down because he'd like to remember it and enjoy it later."

I don't really get this because it seems illogical that God would have to write anything down to remember it, but.... I love the thought, anyway, that God makes notes on the talks we have down here that touch his heart. God keeps a diary. I hope I make it's pages.

Malachi 3:16
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

Originally published on Linda's blog, My Beggar's Purse.

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 11:04 Written by Jeanie Shaw, Burlington, Massachusetts

When Your Finish Line Moves

I cry for the city I love. When we moved from the southern part of the US to Boston, over 25 years ago, I quickly felt I’d found the place I was meant to live. There is no place I know with more charm, four season beauty, gutsiness, and sports enthusiasm. Truly, God has set my boundaries in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6).

Though tragedy struck here yesterday, inspiration abounds. I’m inspired by those who ran the marathon, I’m inspired by those who supported the runners and I’m inspired by those who ran to help.

One particular younger friend of mine inspired me, who...when her finish line was moved…just kept running.

I’m reminded how we painstakingly prepare for the course of life we know. We study, train, and try to equip ourselves to be successful. However, as the scriptures state:

In his heart a man plans his course,
        but the Lord determines his steps. -- Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
        but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. -- Proverbs 19:21

This is what the Lord says–
        your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
    “I am the Lord your God,
        who teaches you what is best for you,
        who directs you in the way you should go. -- Isaiah 48:17

Rachel planned for this marathon all year long. Yet, because of someone’s senseless act of terrorism she was not able to cross the finish line for which she was headed.

What do you do, when in the middle of your race, everything changes and you don’t know where you are going?

Well, Rachel kept on running. Some of her friends ran beside her, and her husband with some friends marked out a new course….complete with a finish line and tape.

I realize how often life doesn’t go quite as we plan. Circumstances of life change, things around us and things within us change. As Solomon states:

    I have seen something else under the sun:
   The race is not to the swift
        or the battle to the strong,
    nor does food come to the wise
        or wealth to the brilliant
        or favor to the learned;
    but time and chance happen to them all. -- Ecc. 9:11

However, for a disciple of Jesus we have something (someone) to hold on to and someone who has gone ahead and marked our course. It may be a different course than what we have planned. In fact, it likely will be. There is a course marked out for you and me… those who have gone before will help cheer us through to the finish line.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Thanks Rachel, for not being bummed out when your finish line changed. I’m so grateful, as I run the course marked out for me, that I’m surrounded by my spriritual family that cheers me on, and runs along beside me. It makes a difference.

I remember fondly, though with tears, standing by my Dad’s side as he crossed the final finish line. Knowing he had lived his life wholeheartedly following his Lord, and loving His Word….when he breathed his last my sisters and I were able to exclaim, “You did it Dad. You made it!!”

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. -- Acts 20:24

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Shared from Jeanie's blog, My Morning Cup--Refilled...

Monday, 15 April 2013 09:45 Written by Kim Pullen, Orlando, Florida

How to Get a Spiritual Six-Pack

She had no beauty, distinction or grace to attract us to her, nothing in her appearance for which she might be desired. Familiar with both sorrow and suffering, she was actually reviled and rejected by men. Like someone from whom men avert their eyes in disgust, she was abused, abandoned, disrespected, and devalued. This is how I feel sometimes. And for a recovering co-dependent, being rejected by those you love is kinda like getting a knife in the eye.

The amazing thing is the original passage was written by a man and about a man, namely Jesus (Isaiah 53:2-3).

Because the eye craves beauty like a starving child, nearly every artist in history has portrayed Jesus as stunningly beautiful with vivid (blue?) eyes and flowing tresses. If God had been a casting director in his search for the perfect Jesus, surely he’d have cast Hugh Jackman, Matthew McConaughey, or George Clooney. It would have simplified his ministry. People would have flocked to him simply because of his outward beauty.

But Jesus was plain. Other than a few manually-labored muscles (that, by the way, he kept hidden beneath his clothes), he was physically ordinary. He might even have had one of those caricatured Jewish noses.

See, what made Jesus so attractive to his followers was the one thing that makes us resplendent, alluring, and dazzling to God—character.

If I’m close to God, striving to please him each day, I don’t have to cough up $195 for spa treatment to be beautiful—I simply am. If I’m striving to imitate the heart of the most ideal man that walked the face of the earth, I will be a reflection of him—stunning. If I’m simply being a good steward of all he has bestowed upon me—my home, my kids, my finances and yes, even my body—then I am ravishing.

In spite of Hebrews 4:15*, I never really thought about the fact that Jesus understood this insecurity that I wrestle with and that he might have been tempted to feel less because of his ordinariness, or that he was tempted to get his validation from his family, his followers, or his foes, anyone other than God.

It also helps me to remember that as a woman, my pristine beauty goes back to creation, where God fashioned or “made” my sister Eve out of the side of her husband (Genesis 2:22). The Hebrew word translated “made” means to build or create a masterpiece or temple. So without any help from Cover Girl, Clinique, or Calvin Klein, I am literally a masterpiece of God.

What’s more, despite teaching Zumba, Pilates, Body Sculpting, and Yoga multiple times each week to keep my temple in top form, my half-century body is decaying (it even sounds gross). Despite the steps I take to limit the toxins that bombard my body via food, cleaning products, and toiletries, my outward beauty is fading.

But as I continue to strive to “look” more and more like Jesus, I actually become more youthful (childlike) and—God promises—increasingly beautiful (2 Cor 3:18).

That’s like getting a six-pack without doing sit-ups.

*”For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

Do you see yourself as marginal or as a masterpiece? As plain or a prize?

Originally published on Kim's blog: Pullen Out the Stops and giving God the Glory

KIM PULLEN is a mom, writer, entrepreneur, social media explorer, certified fitness instructor, and a daily overcomer of co-dependency. She shares her struggles and victories in any form she can–poetry, plays, blogs, essays, short stories, and novels–with the ambition of helping others to see God through fresh eyes.

She lives in Orlando, Florida with her three kids, a dog, two ferrets, two bearded dragons, and a small population of crickets (for feeding the latter, of course).

Monday, 08 April 2013 10:32 Written by Kasia Kedzia, Washington, DC

Stretched 'Til It Hurts

We need tension to stretch and grow. However, how I respond and engage that tension is very important. To learn from the experiences I am faced with I must be willing to go through it completely. This includes acknowledging the emotions the experience invokes. As I juggled multiple changes in my life, my first response was one of optimism. However, as time went on I encountered the pressure of not dealing with the things I was feeling. Keeping things in perspective is important, but acknowledging what I feel through it all is crucial.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

In the past I have given into my emotions and let them overtake me or I have numbed them completely. This had to change. Sometimes I feel weak and inadequate or simply overwhelmed. Relying on God’s strength does not mean denying my feelings, fears and being artificially optimistic. It means being willing to fall apart before God and allowing Him to comfort me. My feelings are legitimate and I must acknowledge them. When the emotions well up inside me I cannot act like they are not there. I can either give into them allowing them to rule me, or I can acknowledge them and work through them with God and others.

Hbk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food […] yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength [my personal bravery, and my invincible army]

Once I have a good cry, let the emotions out and share them with close friends I am able to work through them. Recently, I made a career change and suffered a loss in my family. As I filled out emergency contact forms, each one bearing the name of whoever happened to be available at the time, I felt a wave of loneliness. It was hard not have that one constant contact, the family member or significant other to place in that spot. When things don’t go according to my plan God is still Sovereign. He is my personal hero. I can share my fears and feelings with Him. It’s ok to feel anxious, sad or afraid.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

God finds value in every situation I live through. He loves me unconditionally. He sees where I am and where I am going. He treats me with the end in mind. Since I cannot see this end, I will sometimes feel fear, angst, and the longing pull of my hopes. Part of the growing and stretching experience is giving my cares over to God. In order to truly give these cares over to Him I must be willing to be in touch with what they are. To experience God’s comfort I must be willing to feel and say out loud even the scary painful things.

Psm 30:11-12 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give my thanks forever.

Originally published at http://www.liveasif.org/. Used with permission.

About Kasia:

God's brought me a long way from the New York City Housing Projects. I studied the Bible, repented, and was baptized for the forgiveness of my sins when I was 17 and have been repenting and striving towards heaven ever since. The hardest thing about becoming a Christian at 17 was trusting that God would take care of me, meet my emotional teen needs, and help me overcome my enormous insecurities...what else would a teen girl have trouble with?

Since those first days, I have made it out of the Projects, finished my Masters degree in International Development, and moved to DC to work in my field. As a young single Christian woman my struggles today are a little different than they were when I first came to know God, but who am I kidding, not much. It's the every day battle for my heart to be pure before God, to strive to please him, and help others to seek and know Him.

Over my years of a faithful walk with God I have received much grace and compassion and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Throughout it all one thing has stayed consistent: God's word. Through His word I have been inspired and it has kept me faithful even when faith seemed like a foreign concept and God seemed deaf to my prayers. I started emailing my Quiet Times which helped me stay accountable as I shared my struggles and fought for understanding. Some wrote back and said they too were inspired and could relate. I hope some of my times can help inspire others who are seeking and fighting just like I am, to get to heaven and take as many as possible with me along the way.

Saturday, 23 March 2013 11:46 Written by Linda Brumley, Seattle, Washington

Women Today: A God Who Seeks

Psalm 119:176
I have strayed like a lost sheep; Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Seeking God is a wonderful pursuit, ("...those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10), but it is actually only in response to God seeking us that we finally turn in his direction to look for his will for our lives. What an amazing love God has for us that he would come looking for us when we stray instead of leaving us to the painful consequences of our sins. He could just say, "Good enough for you!" and he'd be right. But he seeks us.

In John 9, a blind man had been healed by Jesus. Because he would not speak badly of Jesus for healing him on the Sabbath (that would be a bit ungrateful and disloyal, right?), the Pharisees revoked his right to enter the temple. Verse 35 of this chapter says, "Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him...." How beautiful! "When he found him...."
It is so easy for us when we are straying to feel that we need to avoid God and that he's happy to disassociate from us. Or, when we are feeling rejected or persecuted for doing what is right to wonder where God is. The truth is, in either case, he is looking for us, seeking us to draw us close to himself again. What a wonderful Father! What amazing love!
But beyond God seeking us, is the freedom we can feel to ask God to seek us. It's what David was doing in Psalm 119:176. It shows what a depth and security David felt in his relationship with God. Have you ever felt too weak to seek God? Ask him to seek you. He's really good at it!

Saturday, 23 March 2013 11:21 Written by Linda Brumley, Seattle, Washington

First Things First

I've always been a little amused at Jesus instruction in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness...."

Priority number one? Two things! #1, his kingdom; #1, his righteousness. How does that work? I don't think it was that he couldn't decide between the two. I think it's that you can't have one without the other.

This kingdom that he wants us to place at the top of our priority list--in the context of this scripture, contrasts a kingdom-priority with life's urgent demands that we are tempted to make our priorty: food, shelter and clothing. Jesus is telling us that his kingdom (the church on earth and heaven in the afterlife) needs to be our primary concern and not to waste our energy on worry about accumulating life necessities. Certainly he wants us to be responsible in providing for our families, but he doesn't want it to rob our souls of the truly important thing--living faithfully in a community of believers with a focus on making it to heaven. He wants us to have a spiritual perspective on our values.

The second #1 is a pursuit of God's righteousness. Jesus wants us to be ever-mindful of our character development. He wants to imitate the righteousness of God and to grow to be more like him everyday. Jesus lived out that righteousness in his time here on earth and had his story recorded so we could know what perfect righteousness in human flesh looks like.

While the righteousness of God is unsearchable, we can know it includes obedience to his commands, an embodiment of the fruits of the Spirit and, above all, love. What a worthy and challenging pursuit Jesus laid out for our lives! It keeps us facing in the right direction, growing in our spirituality, emphasizing what really matters in life.

If we really let these two things be our first priority, we'll never get bored, never run out of things to strive for, and never be limited by our circumstances. First things first!

Saturday, 23 March 2013 11:07 Written by Jeanie Shaw, Burlington, Massachusetts

Everybody Needs a PT

The surgeon, speaking to us, told us we won’t want someone who is just “sweet and nice” to work with Wyndham. He said we will want someone who will push him well beyond his comfort zone – to things he thinks he can’t do or fears doing.   This was the surgeon’s description of the needed physical therapist.

Yes, as stated in the previous post – God is in charge of the design, working and intricacies of the human body, and we are responsible to do our part in the healing process…but the road to full recovery also involves help from someone else. This person has experience and knowledge of how things are supposed to work and helps to teach, train, encourage, dispel fear and promote trust. In my husband’s physical healing and growth process this person is known as the physical therapist.

So, when the therapist showed up there was a sense of “gulp, well, here we go…”…as who really longs to get uncomfortable and invite pain? However, even though it hurt, the benefit of the time was immediate and deeply appreciated. My husband was on the stairs, was doing a little dance,was on his toes and was doing all kinds of painful activity. Afterward, he was so much more confident that his knee would actually hold him. He made a lot of progress that he wouldn’t have made without the extra “push” and the training from the PT. There are certain windows of opportunity to retrain the muscles…and that window of opportunity is now. The trainer will come back again and again…and then Wyndham will go see the trainer (Physical Therapist) regularly as he strives to make progress – little by little and day by day.

As I watch and anticipate this continuing process…I realize that while the knee is a pretty important part of the body, it (even the titanium bionic version) will not last forever. However, our souls will. Why in the world then, would we not surround ourselves with regular visits with a spiritual “PT” – who I’ll refer to as a “Perfection Trainer.”

I could fill the page with scriptures that teach us our need to have others in our lives. Consider a few of my favorites:

  We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. [29] To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Col. 1:28-29

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16

    Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15-16

    But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

    And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

I’ve been a Christian now for 45 years – baptized as a teen. Throughout these years God has always been faithful to all his promises. As for my part… yes it is hard work with ups and downs, as I’m still a work in progress. I know the love, support, training, correction, encouragement and guidance I have received from others is invaluable – individually and also collectively as I regularly meet together with my brothers and sisters.   I am so grateful for those who help me overcome my fears and help me to be more like Jesus.   I intend to aggressively continue to surround myself with those who offer these things to me (as I will never outgrow the need)- and also to continue to offer them to others as well – as I long to be faithful to my God and his family to the end.

How aggressively do you seek out “Perfection Training?” Do you seek it as Paul describes in Colossians ” with all his energy that he so powerfully works within me.” ??

While the knee may be okay without it, the soul won’t.

Monday, 11 February 2013 11:13

Shot Through the Heart

New seasons in life, new friendships or new career opportunities can all be exciting, but they can also be terrifying. We invest our hearts in things we want and hope for. I know I do. However, I can’t invest my heart without emotions. Sometimes my emotions have nothing to do with reality. I constantly have to filter them through God’s truth to see what is real.

Part of the filter God gives us is spiritual armor. In a physical battle it is clear what equipment to use and how to use it to protect vital organs from injury. Yet, oftentimes, in the spiritual battle, we can leave ourselves exposed.

Sunday, 10 February 2013 03:36

What's in a Name?

Twizzler, Litey, Housey 2, Clothesy-Potty, Sweetie-Sweetie-Holy-Holy, Baby Pups Pink, Blon-Blon, Sister Cordy . . .These are the names given to some very special members of the Miller extended family. I have no idea how they were determined, but every time a new "member" is adopted, special thought and consideration is put into this process as my three year old studies the face of any new stuffed animal and comes up with what they will be called. I'm often tempted to get her more just to hear what name she'll come up with next! I might have a suggestion, but those are never taken. These are her babies, they belong to her and she takes naming them very seriously.

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