Growing Like an Orchid

My heart goes out to several friends who are walking through some very stressful times right now, in their marriages and in their bodies. This blog is for you, eventhough a hug and a box of chocolates shared over a cup of coffee would have been the best, I pray these words will be still be an encouragement to your hurting hearts. Meanwhile, hugs and prayers being sent and chocolate being eaten on your behalf.

Last week in our small group, my friend and I got to talking to a guy whom I will call the Orchid King. He has a passion for orchids and was explaining all the different species to me which I found very interesting. While I have orchids in my yard, I am just learning how to care for them. They bloom at various times and each one on it's own schedule. The humidity and rain here in Florida provide perfect conditions for them to thrive, except they still need attention. Left alone, they dwindle a little and produce on occasion whereas I see other friend's plants blossoming colorful, bountiful blooms.  The Orchid King explained how he takes care of his orchids so they are the healthiest and most beautifully grown.
Here is what he said to us, "Orchids can become couch potatoes if you let them. They will just sit there stagnant and think to themselves 'I've got all I need' and they will soak in the sun and basically just be lazy and produce status quo. Because of this, sometimes I will water them a little less and fertilize them less so that they get uncomfortable. It makes them stress a little so they get a little desperate for additional nourishment. When they take in the extra water and nourishment, they produce more blooms. It makes them healthier and more beautiful. So, I like to stress them out, then watch them grow."  
My friend turned and looked at me and we both just nodded, we both got it at the same moment. This was something we had been recently discussing. God...not orchids! She said, You know you gotta blog this right?!? So, here it is! (This is for you B! Thanks for your continued support of my writing.) We both said it, "The Vine and the branches!" referring to  to John 15:1-2:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." 

But there are so many other examples of this in the Scriptures:

"...for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." 2 Corinthians 8:2 ESV

"Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man! 

For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." Psalm 107:8-9 ESV

"

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath." Deuteronomy 4:30-31 NIV

And this is why:

"

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

"

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 NIV

Just as the old saying goes, When life hands us lemons, we make lemonade. I'd like to add: When God hands us trials, we make testimonies! Our lives are not our own in the sense of it's meaning. We are here for divine purpose. To love and serve God, bringing Him glory through our hearts lived in Him and to love and serve others from the hearts overflowing in grace.

Trials are neither fun or forever. Every season comes to an end, eventually. As we walk through these seemingly long, droughtful, dreadful desserts, God takes what is seen, working the unseen. Behind every trial there is a testimony being built and refined. I know, why can't we just read about trials and how they make us stronger, and read about how great and grand our God is and believe it?! I mean, really, isn't that enough, to know that God is Healer, Helper, Redeemer, Mighty to Save?!? Apparently not. God wants us to know-know Him. 

Humans obviously need experience plus knowledge in order to understand something fully. We need the intangible to be tangible. So how can an invisible God be seen? How can we know Him beyond knowledge? It's that moment our heart sees the God of our head. When the description of God becomes our desperation. When illustration becomes the illumination. It is here we grow in grace and demonstrate the glory of an amazing God.

The entire Bible is full of lessons learned, testimonies of people and places, trials and wanderings, rejections and redemptions. It wasn't enough for people to hear about Jesus, the coming Messiah. They had to see proof and experience Him personally. Eventhough we cannot see Christ Himself today, we can still experience Him and feel His presence. He is tangible today! Whether we are on life's mountain-top experiencing joy and awe or we are crumpled on the valley floor, it is here in life we come to know this tangible God. 

Our afflictions make us desperate and hungry to seek nourishment. When our stressed, dry bones receive this much needed nourishment, we grow beautiful blooms, on display for all to see. Our lives testify to His greatness and we are made stronger in the midst of it. 

Reading a book about Marriage or Parenting, or something simple like driving or sewing, swimming or fishing, how to blog (lol), explains to me how to start it off, and gives me an idea of how it should be done...but until you experience it for yourself, you cannot fully comprehend what marriage, parenting...driving a car, etc really is. 

When I am struggling in an area, I will find someone who has been there and done that, to mentor me. Out of the comfort they once received, they can now comfort me. They know exactly what I am going through and know the exact nourishment I need. The bestest of friends are the ones who see you are 

hungry and don't just tell you "You should go eat something," they actually bring you something to eat; the ones who see sorrow in your soul and bring you testimony of hope, not just a tissue. Until I went through my first miscarriage or my first birth, or first panic attack, I could not have been able to sympathize or relate to someone else who has on a deep level, to know what they are thinking or feeling. I can now. I can see it in their eyes. I can hear their heart's cry and their souls need for nourishment. Out of my affliction, I can share my affirmation of a steadfast and faithful God. This is why I blog. To share out of my heart what I see in Him, because of Him, what He has done for me and in me. So that...He may receive all the glory. It won't be the best writing you have ever read, but I pray it is always about the best One and Only God you could ever know!! 

The Great I Am, the Alpha and Omega has not left us here to be lazy couch potatoes, blooming on occasion for us to take a few nice selfies. Our God is a big God. He sometimes holds back all we want so we can have all we need! Season to season, He prunes us and restores us! 

My Prayer: Bless our hearts Lord so we can bless Yours. May all glory be on You, the Gardner of our soul. Open our eyes Lord to those hurting so that we can bring them the Comfort we too have received when our spirits too were crushed. Grow us in grace and gratitude that we may boast in You. Thank You for the trials that keep us from being lazy or selfish. Strengthen us in Your Name when we are made weak, so that we can boast in Your glorious strength. It is written, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9. May it be so. Amen.

Don't Be A Stupid Fish

Little Barracuda and his little followers.

Last week, I went with my husband to the local beach so he could do his swim oceanside. I provided moral support and visual along with first aid back up in case of any issues he might encounter. (Basically, I followed him along the shore line and watched! LOL) We came up on a little rock patch swarming with a school of fish and one Alpha, apparently hungry, Barracuda. He was no more than 12" long. (They can get as huge as my 8 year old!) He was stealth, slowly gliding through the water. It was obvious he was stalking the little fish but they didn't seem to care. Mr Barracuda would swim a circle, the little fish following after him, and then he would u-turn into them and then WHAP, he snatched one by it's tail. The rest of the fish briefly scattered only to slowly return as their "friend" fought desperately to escape the entrapment he currently found himself in. He had been lulled into a trusting little swim-along, only for the one he was following to turn on him and bite him in the backside! Literally! 
Why oh why would the fish hang out with their killer?! I am not a fish expect by any means but one thing I have observed is that fish are convenience scoundrels. They are easily enticed by bits of food tossed their way. When a fish is captured, other fish, shark, and rays come from all over to take advantage of the scraps, and sometimes the captured fish puts up a good fight and gets away with minor scars while other fish aren't so lucky. They can be quickly devoured by a larger fish. 
I'm thinking to myself What a stupid fish!! Stop following the guy trying to eat you! I know you want his scraps, but the scraps may be you!! Then I felt the words of my spirit, We are all stupid fish, enticed by convenience, following after easy bits, willing to risk being captured, hoping you could escape the clutch of death if you ever got caught. Oh. True.
We certainly can be stupid fish too! We chase after what's easier, what convenient, without counting the costs or thinking we can escape being captured or caught. Each of us are enticed by something different and the evil one knows exactly what it is and he is happy to swim around with you and toss you a few scarps of delicious whatever so you will keep following along, until he turns on you and takes you! God also knows what your weakness and temptations are and that is why He went to the Cross and rose again on the 3rd day, to conquer death and give us victory over it!! 
I know there are a bagillion whatevers in this world that entice us, but most recently the topic and issue of lust and pornography has come up so I thought I would specifically address this bait.
Again, I am neither a Fish Major or a Psychology Major, but I can tell you this...it starts with bait: moments of seeing something that appeals to you. In that moment, as you watch it glisten in front of you, you have the choice to follow after it, or flee from it. If we follow it, it will only continue to entice and lull us into a false sense of safety as we enjoy tasty little morsels. We are convinced nothing serious seems to be happening, besides, we haven't gotten caught....yet. So we follow. Or, remembering it leads to death, you turn the other way and take no chances. 

Is it hard to walk away from the shimmer of beautiful bait? Yes. 

But can you walk away? Yes. 

Should you walk away? Yes. 

Should you take a chance and hope for the best, believing you won't 

be the one to get caught? Absolutely not! 

What we forget to remember is that purity in our hearts, minds, souls and spirits in the overcoming power of temptation is waaaaaay more exciting, thrilling and satisfying than any sin we could ever join in. 
The pornography industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Sex sells. Every man (and woman) is enticed by sexual temptation from commercials, media outlets, sporting events, programs, to the apparel industry's choice of clothing, to those intentionally playing the role of Barracudas, lulling false hope and fulfillment to their potential followers. We must remain strong and quickly flee these murky waters. Each one of sees the bait but each one of us has the choice to go after it or flee from it. The damage done when we take the bait is devastating not only to a marriage, but to the family and even the friends who will eventually be touched by the consequences and especially to our Lord who stands strong enough to save us from becoming prey in the first place. So what do we do when a bait is cast before us? I could get all spiritual or all emotional here but I pray it's practical application through the grace of God from a sinful woman's testimony and understanding. (That would be me of course!)

1. Admit it and Own it! Immediately recognize it as your bait. One walk through a local bait and tackle store, and you will quickly learn there are hundreds of choices, each one for a specific fish. Do not attempt to minimize your shimmering bait, justify it or excuse it as someone else's. Your wife/husband/friend did not make you to take "it." (A topic for another blog-day right here!) Own it as the bait the evil one lined up for you and be honest about where it came from. Do not lie to yourself. Take your thoughts captive and hold them up to the Light of Truth. It won't be just a quick glance, one time, just noticing, have to, couldn't help noticing, curiosity, etc. Call it what it is. 
2. Confess! Immediately walk away in the Name of Jesus. The risk is defilement not to just you and those you love, but to a Holy God who already made a way for you to turn away and walk in righteousness. If you keep following it, it will turn around and bit you in the backside and even if you are able to get away the first time or two, you won't go unharmed. God loves you too much to allow you to participate in death's games. He has come to give you Life! The world, yes even in church, is full of temptations (lust or otherwise-greed, pride, gossip, etc) but we must not join with it. If you cannot be the Light, run to a bigger Light!
Unless we walk around in a bubble, we will encounter it every day, in school, at work, in church. Sometimes, we cannot just turn off the TV or close the magazine or shut off the computer. We must look away, look down, change seats, change jobs, whatever it takes. These are things that must be done whether you are in church, at a friend's house, in meetings, at the beach, at the movies...anywhere we are enticed to focus on the bait. 
If a woman with a low cut blouse, or a young girl with a short skirt in front of you is causing you to notice her more than the words on the screen or the Preacher/Instructor, or if the man has on a tight shirt and is flirting with you, or if a conversation stirs hatred, jealousy, lustful thoughts, etc. you have a choice...simply move away from them in conversation, or look away or move seats. 
3. Repent! Guilt and Shame are much heavier burdens than the cost taking a stand and fleeing would be. Sometimes just maintaing eye contact is good enough, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes closing our eyes or looking down helps for a moment, but not always. For each of us, what we must do, is what we must do to honor the Lord and our spouse and ourselves. We must turn away from that which entices us, for the sake of Christ.
*While I am specifically referring to the issue of lust, these same principles apply to any other bait...a group of friends gossiping or talking badly about their spouse...foul mouth friends, drinking friends, noticing the "hottie" standing nearby friends, justifying friends, prideful bragging friends...and honestly, even if it isn't a friend engaging in sin, but you being there in that moment is causing you to want to engage in sin, then, you have a choice to justify remaining or turn and flee. 
Example I tell my kids: A beautiful woman is not sinning just because she is gorgeous but you are sinning if you are lusting after her. If your friends are searching YouTube or pointing out hot girls walking by, you can change the subject and bring purity into the group or you can remove yourself from them in that moment. Same applies for us adults. 
Example 2: listening to another couple's loving marriage story of the day while yours is anything but loving may stir feelings of jealousy and at the same time create new hatred towards your seemingly lacking spouse...you should change the conversation or leave. If we had purity of heart and strength in the first place, we would see the reflection of God through them as the glue and seek their wisdom in how you too can have the same unity and love in your own marriage. It all starts with the smallest beginnings in our heart.
Example 3: it is not a sin to drink however if you are a newly recovering alcoholic and your friend invites you to a gathering where you know there will be a wonderful selection of alcohols, be honest with them and then do not attend until you know God's power of resistance is stronger within you than your flesh about this matter. 
I am sure that is enough examples. There are a lot of baits. Satan keeps busy and keeps up, but so does God!!! He is always fighting for us! Bottomline: Do what you can to bring Light into the moment and if you are not able to then flee from it!
4. Trust! Seek forgiveness first from God, then yourself knowing you are forgiven because of Christ Jesus. Satan hates when we turn away and reject his carefully crafted bait, so he will toss in a back up net to capture us. He throws out the net of lies and condemnation, telling you no one will ever know, this is good for you, this will help you, you'll be richer in life and love, God won't forgive you, you're unworthy, you will never be pure or forgiven...we must believe the Truth of God, not the crafty words of Satan. Satan is a liar! God is truth!
Next, forgive yourself and move forward with hope and purity, with endurance to finish this race till the end. If you don't forgive yourself, you will keep a part of your heart away from God, away from your spouse and away from your friends/accountability partners which only leads to deeper guilt, and the cycle of shame goes on and on as you quench the Holy Spirit....till you stop it! Sin hinders our relationships with God and others. Admit, confess, repent and turn quickly to a trustworthy Lord and Savior!

So, what if we already took the bait and find ourselves already caught in the net? Thankfully our God is a Fisher of Men with Absolute Authority over all things and can cut you loose from the net that entangles you. I am reminded of the scene from Finding Nemo when they are caught up in the net swimming crazily as it is lifted up onto the boat, but little Nemo comes along and commands authority and gives direction that focuses the school of fish and eventually frees them. God will send you a Nemo! But you must listen and follow His Way out and stop scrambling on your own. 
The times in my life I have struggled the most, it was accountability that anchored me to The Truth. They kept me focused on and in God's Word. They prayed for me, over me, with me. When we push away (quench) the Holy Spirit, we loose the power given to us to fight our battles. However, what awesome power when we own it, build up our spiritual and heart muscles and use it to conquer our enemy!
There really is no excuse in today's society to not get help. Besides the Nemos God has placed in your life, there are lots of churches who offer free counseling or workshops or Bible studies geared to specific issues. God has placed Christian counselors in local communities, many who take insurance and many who don't. There are recovery centers, hospitals and the list goes on. 
The first place you must go is Calvary. Bend your knee and stop fighting. Allow God's healing grace, mercy, forgiveness and mighty power to break off every chain that has held you captive. There absolutely is freedom in the Name of Jesus! I know lust (sin) is Every Man's Battle and Every Woman's Battle but my Bible says God is Every Man's Victory and God is Every Woman's Victory!!! 
Do not be enticed by life's barracudas or shimmering bait. They will toss you a few tasty morsels to keep you close until it turns on you and devours you. Resist the bait and you will find Life. Take the bait and you will find death. Choose this day whom you will serve!!!!! And please, don't be a stupid fish!!!!!

"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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4

"For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

Where Faith Is: 2009-Today

Recently I have been asked by others who I am and what do I do, so I briefly share that God moved us here to The Keys just a year ago from great country of Texas, I am a Believer, I am a Mom of 4 kiddos and a wife of almost 23 years to the sports-loving guy I met my Senior year in high school, I love photography and I am a blogger. Which leads people here....so, I thought I would take a Blog Moment and say Hello and share a brief get to know about this little blog.
Where Faith Is was born in 2009 after a crisis season in my life. I was blessed to have grown up in church and as I grew into my adult years, I continued going on my own. While I understood who God was and acknowledged what He did for me on The Cross, and I accepted this precious Gift of Redemption and Salvation, I would not have described it as an intimate relationship. It was more of a religion. Something I knew, understood, and believed. God was my "Go To" guy for things I needed for myself or on the behalf of others. He was my BFF whom I shared all my thoughts, dreams, hurts and pains with, much like a favorite stuffed animal (not to compare a mighty God to a teddy bear, but you hopefully get my point) who were the best listeners but never responded back. I didn't expect them to for they infact were a stuffed animal. This was true of how I interacted with God. I sought Him but I wasn't aware of how desperate He was seeking after me, that He still had more to say to me here and now. I though He did His part for me already so the rest was mine, to reverently and fearfully serve and honor Him with my life, and His plan was already set out for me therefore I was to follow the plan all my days. I attended every mission trip I could, participated in every Bible Study I could, never missed church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I did everything I had been taught to do and raised my children in the same truths. I just didn't fully get how to be a Christ follower, as in following, as in being with or near Him. I know that sounds crazy but I am sure some of you get it. We can get so busy or distracted "doing" for God, we forget or stop "being" with God.
The Summer of 2008, I joined a Bible study written for women who felt like they were so busy with life, they couldn't hear God speaking to them or leading them anymore. It had been a while since I had felt His presence or could hear Him. Life was busy and full of a lot of doings as a Mom and church member/volunteer. Not kidding, the 2nd week of class, my study book went missing. Really?!? For a recovering perfectionist, and one who feared the judgement of others, this was devastating. I happened to also be the one leading the worship time...this was going to be embarrassing and humbling. My sweet leader didn't make fun of me, she just emailed me each week's lesson so I could keep up. It was only a 6 week class. 
Sounds silly, but I had to re-learn how to be honest. Years past, I would simply avoid the issue (whatever or whoever it may be) by avoiding and stop attending. I knew I needed to be honest and I really needed this study! Wouldn't ya know it, found the silly book on the last week!! It had been kicked under our computer desk. I believe it was a God orchestrated event however because of two things: I had to fight against the fear of failure and judgement of others and I needed to actually open my Bible and reading The Living Word.
So many studies now-a-days print out the verses for you and you never have to open your Bible. Even church's do this now where they display the Scriptures on the screens and people are not encouraged to look it up for themselves. I mean, how are you going to read along in two places at the same time anyway?! So, we don't open the actual Word hardly ever eventhough we are in The Word. But, because I didn't have the study guide, I was forced to look up each verse in my Bible that my sweet friend sent me each week. How great that she didn't take the time to write it all out! No spiritual spoon feeding here! How glorious it was! Yes, I am a huge fan of the Bible Apps but they cannot substitute for the real thing. (This will be a whole other blog for later!) For me, while I love my apps to get me started, I have to have the tangible pages to flip through and feel and see. Old School maybe?!? Or maybe there is just a special anointing energy that flows off the pages, I don't know. Not to get off on a rabbit trail...
What this did for me was start a fire. My wood had gotten wet over time and only God's Word could be that spark to light it! Only God lights wet wood on fire!!!! I was drawn back into the Word and it was refreshing and igniting. But then, as it always happened, once the study was over, so was my study time at home. Study was how I fellowshiped with God. No study=no fellowship. I could not explain it however, in hindsight, I can now see I had not grown into a mature intimacy with Him. How different the love between "puppy love" and "been together froever" kind of love. So much richer, fuller, deeper to the core. I don't know why I had been like that. I loved being in the Word and yet I was only it in when I was being led through it. I didn't lead myself, on my own. I would pray. I would read daily devotionals. Again, doing, just not being. I was a great doer of all the right things, except for relationship.
Weeks later, once again, my Bible found it's way to church but sat on the nightstand during the week. Then it happened. God finally got my attention with a 2x4. Looking back, I can say He was answering the desire of my heart (to know Him and love Him) and yet while I was in the middle of it, I did not think of it that way. I felt like Job. I felt like I was doing all the right things, and yet the attack on me seemed unwarranted, certainly unwanted! And at one point, I asked What's the point Lord?!? I praise You. I need You, but I give up. 
Living most of my life through the filter of perfectionism, anxiety and fear, God allowed it to fully take hold of me through the horror of panic and anxiety attacks. I felt like I was going to die and at some point I wanted to. God loves us too much to let us idle by. For the first time, I was desperate for Him. My soul was so thirsty, so hungry, so brittle. There was nothing I could do during the many attacks, but wait it out, rest my soul, rest my body, attempt to rest my mind. As if a women could control or stop her laboring contraction, neither could I possibly control or stop these attacks great or small. This season of hell was a refining fire in the furnace, burning off perfection, fear, humility and control. It was a hard lesson to learn but one that needed to be learned so that I could truly Live the life not only did my heart want to live, but one that the heart of God wanted me to live.
When I finally came to terms with the fact that I could not be the one in control of my life, that I needed The Great Physician, The Healer of my Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul, that I could not fix things on my own, that I needed to do more than all the right things, that I could (and must) trust Him, knowing I needed to surrender my all, my fears and worries, my expectations, all my good and all my bad yet I had been so afraid to, I finally experienced real living Faith. Real love, Where Faith Is.
Where Faith Is is where God is. He is in the places we cannot control. Physically when our bodies are broken. Emotionally, in our relationships and our friendships when we have been betrayed. Spiritually, when we cannot understand what we are learning or facing, when the weight of sin or darkness seems more than we can bear. That is Where Faith Is. In those places that we cannot understand. In those people we do not trust. In the places that aren't definite. Faith meets us at the crossroads of healing and grace, at compassion and hope, at the intersection of brokenness and restoration, Faith blankets our fears with wise discernment of truth. Faith brings us into the presence of a Faithful God. Faith shields our joy. Where Faith Is hope is. Joy is. Strength is. Endurance is. Peace is. Comfort is. Freedom is. Love is. Faith is Life!
Where Faith Is worn birthed out of the heart of my soul simply from the overflow within my spirit to journal my walk through this season of rebirth and falling in love with my Savior God. I feel the Lord called me to write not only for my sake of remembering but as a way to share my testimony with others, to encourage others who may be where I was physically, emotionally and spiritually.... maybe stagnant. Maybe lazy. Maybe fearful. Maybe trying so hard to be perfect and do all the right things that you have lost genuine and intimate love with the One you are striving so hard to live for. If you are honest, maybe, just maybe, you are too afraid to have bigger faith because it means you have to give up control, you have to trust in the face of the unknown or betrayals. To self-protect. To avoid pain. We avoid going deeper, or maybe we just don't know how. That was a big part of it for me. I wasn't growing in my faith and the relationship with Christ was mostly based on knowledge, head-led and not heart-led. There was no sacrifice of praise on my part. 
I have since been mentored in walking faithfully, intentionally, with anticipation and hope, with zeal and joy of endurance. There really is a peace beyond understanding because of the Love of our Lord for us.
Unfortunately, I had to be forced into a life-time-out for me to come to the place I was forced to slow down in life, in my marriage, my parenting, my friendships, serving in ministry, etc. Through His Living Word, and intentional longing and seeking The Only One who satisfies my soul, my steadfast Rock and Refuge, my only Judge and Redeemer, my heart and soul were cleansed, nourished and mended, I learned more of who God was and is and I fell more and more in love, while learning to receive His love for me despite my failures and imperfections What a patient God. Wet wood was set on fire once again. Although this time, I tasted and saw the most delightful sweetness I have ever known, and I have never left the altar of praise since. Better is one day with God than a thousand elsewhere!! Never again do I want to go back to a busy life of doing or being in control of it on my own because I will most likely fall right back into the pit God graciously pulled me out of. Been there. Done that. Ain't going back there, Lord willing! That's not to say I have it all together and do life right all the time. All have sinned, but by grace, I give it my all even if my all is the size of a mustard seed!! God is not legalistic. He is loving. He does not fret when I do, He forgives and extends loving correction and reminds me Who is still in charge!
It was and is my heart's desire to seek after The Lord with all my heart, to love Him, know Him, serve Him, honor Him and there are not enough Bible studies or good deeds that could ever replace being with Him. (Deuteronomy 12:10) And the only way to be with Him is by faith! I have so loved blogging God Moments He gives me where I have the ability and privilege to document His glorious Love. Some days He really pushes into my heart and other times I fall into His, so I do my best to share these precious times. They are not all easy moments but there is always a purpose and a plan, a hope for the future in His power!! (Jeremiah 29:11-14.) God is Good!
Where Faith Is began as my own personal journey and my hope is that it will be an encouragement to your own personal journey of finding where your faith is.Our paths may not have the same pits or trials, our weaknesses, issues and thorns in our flesh won't look the same but His promises are true for you too! The steadfast, faithful, Holy Lord Jesus Christ, loves you and is seeking hard after you!! He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). He is above all things and He holds all things together. (Colossians 1:17) He is the same yesterday, today and forever!!! (Hebrews 13:8) God is The AMEN!!!!! If you have breath, let it praise Him! (Psalm 150:6).

"Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.”  (1 Kings 18:30-39 ESV)  

"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- 

that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." Romans 1:11-12 (ESV) 

Thanks for stopping by and saying Hello!!! 
Blessings, Michele 
      

Two Sides of Every Storm

I am not one to jump in the car and chase a storm, but I am one to get out and take peeks close to home of what's going on nearby me, before, during or after the storms roll through. It's also a great way to meet neighbors as assessments are made of everyone's properties! Florida was spared a hit from Erika today and now we are keeping an eye on Mischievous Fred off the tip of Africa. For several days, our area has experienced some frighteningly fantastic lightening storms. (Had they not been so stunning, I would be pretty upset for the loss of sleep a few nights!) Waters have risen to the tops of the docks, large palms and weak branches have fallen under the weight of the winds. And yet, it's been a welcomed nourishment to very dry lands (and our upcoming water bill!) 
This is our first year to ever live by the water's edge, so I couldn't wait to get out today and check out what the ocean and bayside looked like amongst the storm's backdrop. I brewed up a hot cup of coffee and grabbed my camera to set out to explore the wonders of crashing waves, billowing clouds and surely a brightly colored rainbow to top of the day....only that's not what I found. The skies displayed a thick, dull, grey covering where only the darkest of grey clouds could be seen. Amazingly, the waters were breathtakingly flat calm. You could hear the plinking of raindrops over the water. It was amazingly quiet and serene. My soul was awed. Only God can calm a storm like this. How can this be? Such peace in the middle of a storm?!? 

I walked along the quiet, stilled shoreline of one of my favorite spots, excited and thankful to be able to dip my toes into the warm water for a few minutes; and as I was heading back to my car, my eyes were drawn to the trees and I noticed the waterline on them. All the trees had a dividing line from top to bottom. One half was wet, while the other side was dry. In that moment, God spoke to my heart, "Remember, there are two sides in every storm." My heart flooded with names of friends currently battling cancers, fighting against divorce, leaders under attack. I recalled all the different magnitude of storms in my own personal life over the years of divorcing parents, three miscarriages, panic and anxiety attacks, betrayals, insecurity, disappointments, sadness, loneliness...that was soooo true.
Today's storms could have been much worse. Yes, winds littered the ground with debris which now must be cleaned up. Yes, we anxiously discussed and planned for worse case scenarios. Yes, things were broken....this is the bad part of every storm.....but.....there was another side. There was an indescribable peace. We witnessed a calming of the raging cells. There was welcomed nourishment to our dry lands. There was a purging of weak branches we hadn't noticed before. Shallow roots have been exposed. There was heightened awareness. Anticipation carved away callouses. This is the good part of every storm. 
So it is with us. In every storm, there are two sides. While storms rage among us, we can stand strong, holding on to Strength Himself. We can fix our eyes on Peace and be filled without being consumed. As rising waters expose our shallow roots and winds expose our weaknesses, we can be assured this is a good thing for now our once hardened and poorly nourished soil has been toiled, dead weight tossed off and roots can once again dig deeper. Dry, calloused places within us will be softened by the crashing salty waves washing over us for the duration of the storm. While it can be frightening, our hearts and minds may fret and worry, may we step out with anticipation for something new and wonderful to come. Easier said than done, I know. It's hard to have a steady hope in the face of blinding rains as you watch wind scatter debris all around you. 
I can say from personal experience and I have heard others share the same sentiments, it was only after the storm, looking back over it's destructive path, that we found a divine soil, where our roots had forged deeper underneath us. Because of the darkness, we found the greatest Light. It was flooding waters that taught us what it meant to be consumed by something. It was the gusting winds pushing against us that made us aware of the Strength of Who we were holding on to. The removal of weak and dead branches made way for new growth. Because of the storm, I was made new. I was made stronger. My soul was awed. There really are two sides to every storm.

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 

when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 

for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:1-8 (ESV)

 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." Matthew 7:24-26 (ESV)

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

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

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:12-16 (ESV)

A Discombobulated Heart

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1 (ESV) That's not always easy is it?!? When our hearts hurt so much we can't feel it's pulse anymore. When our minds almost feel so numb we have no thoughts. When our soul is so burdened and heavy, we feel weightless. I have found this to be true during the seasons that are the darkest for whatever reason it might be. An overwhelmed soul. A burdened heart and an unsure mind.

I recently experienced such a heart draining season. It wasn't a loss of any one thing, but an accumulation of many things that saddened my soul. My marriage is good. My kids are all healthy. I have amazing friends. As far as I know, my health is okay (despite the continual fight of fatigue), yes, "though my outward body is failing, my inner is renewing day by day," believe me, I know! And for goodness sakes, I live in Paradise. So really, how could I possibly be downcast?!? Believe me, I wondered the same thing day after day. But there's that cloud, that blahness of nothingness. Anyone else feel that way in some seasons?

It is possible to feel such a weight of sadness, eating is something that has to be forced, getting out of bed is a struggle much less housekeeping or having to work, getting out of the house seems like a daunting task, and the thought of going to lunch with a friend isn't even an option. Then there is church. We go because it's what we do week after week. We wouldn't dare draw attention to ourselves by not showing up, and we don't want to lie and say "we didn't feel good" even though it is absolutely true in our heart, so we go, putting on the best possible smile, and cute, but comfy outfit we have.

We hug quickly, avoid eye contact and get to our seats as fast as we can. Music plays and yet it passes right through us. We feel nothing. The Pastor prays and preaches, and we hear mumbled sentences in our numb minds. Nothing is sticking. Nothing is penetrating through the wounded walls of our souls. Until...the name of Jesus, The Word, is spoken. Our spirit leaps within us a hope of help! Please speak to me! Rescue me from this pit! Can you hear me out there?!? You can feel the stirring within you but you have no strength, but then you sense it....He sees your hurt. His hand catches your tears while the other grabs hold of your heart's hand. And....He weeps with you. Oh what relief to collapse and be lifted! What joy of relief! 

The Great Physician has come to heal this discombobulated heart! The Mighty Counselor, The Great I Am, hears my cries! The numbness subsides and you feel breath again. Finally, our heart is hugged. Finally, the joy of the Lord, is our strength once again. It is well with our soul! What amazing grace! We can face tomorrow with hope and joy!!

I don't know what you are facing in your life personally, directly or indirectly, but I pray these words comfort you knowing you are not alone. Even the most positive people, the strongest of us, fall downcast on our knees and can't get up right away. Ecclesiastes describes the variant of seasons we all walk through in our lifetime. How wonderful a God we serve to send not only His Comforter in our time of need, but He sends friends who meet us in these little hidden crawl spaces of life and shine His Light into the dark little corner where we sit.

Maybe you're not the one in a time of sadness, then I plea with you to be a Light to someone who is. You won't know it it until you seek them out. They certainly won't be drawing attention to themselves if they are Giver. Encouragers don't like to be seen, un-encouraging. Yes, I know, Takes one to know one.

You will see it in their eyes if you just look for 3 seconds. Most likely your Spirit inside you is pulling to hug the spirit inside of them! Do not pressure them into sharing, it's the very thing they can't simply do nor do they want to fall apart right there in front of you. But, be the hug from God. Let them know you are there when they are ready to share, or fellowship again. Send them scriptures of hope and encouragement to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. Lift them up in prayer and fight the battle against despair with them and for them. Speak loving truth, help them stay pure and upright. Be that LightHouse, a source of Light in to their darkness. And if you want to be a super great friend, a little chocolate goes a long way!! LOL!!!

Friend, He sees you when you are hiding from everyone else. Satan wants you to isolate and self-destruct, but you must fight back in Jesus Name! God hears your words when none can be spoken. He notices the tears drenching your soul. When you can't muster the strength to fellowship with others, He is with you. When you feel empty and numb, remember the filler of your soul and simply cry out, "Jesus...." He hears you. He is near. I pray your joy comes in the morning and you feel your heart beating again. Grieve when and where you need to grieve but also rejoice and count your blessings. Worship The Great I Am, dance with Him, sit with Him, smile with Him. His heart is for you. Today, be where faith is. Trust His friendship. Rest in His Kingship.

May the Words of Psalm 34 (ESV) encourage you today as a declaration of your heart, soul and mind! Bless your heart eternally and now! Hugs&Hope, Michele

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." 

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. 

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned."

AMEN!!!!!

Letting Go

This Palm in my yard had tugged at my heart for the past month or so.  Yes, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE taking in the details of God's AMAZING Creation, however with the season of life I am walking through, this especially gets my heart every day.

The way palms grow, the new palm is birthed from the middle and over time, it grows outward, spreading it's leaves out into beautiful canopies. But notice the "tether" (see close up on left). There is this fine "thread" stitching all the leaves together which keeps them growing in the same direction and in the the same length together. As the palm grows, and thus the leaves grow, the threading slowly pulls apart, allowing the palm to spread out and become the canopy we see in the mature branches below, and the threading flows freely alongside it's branch almost as if it's directing the leaves from a distance as a director leads his orchestra. 


The palm is birthed, held together as it grows, and is slowly released as it matures into what it was created for...just like my son. I knew this day was coming, for 18 years and 9 months, however, it always seemed so far away and people told me over the years how glad I would be to finally get the kids out of the house. Well, that is not exactly how I feel, at all. I am sad to see him go and my heart hurts, and yet, I know his whole life, as I have sewn into him a Mother's Love, is about birthing, growing, letting go, one leaf or day, at a time as he enters into what he was designed for. 

Every day I walk into my backyard and see this palm, I notice the stretching of the threading on this new branch as if it is my countdown clock. Every day, it stretches a little more with less of a grip than the day before, just like me. I nearly hesitate to look in these recent days for fear it will be completed. It would mean my time is near too, to let go of the last thread eventhough the day is near.

Just as the thread flows freely alongside the palm, so will I in the life of my son. While I will no longer be able to physically touch him and guide him, hug him or protect him, I will still be near for we are connected at the core. We will always be one, and yet separate. Our roots in Christ, physically and spiritually, will be what keeps us alive and together for always. 
How I pray he remembers that all his days. I will love them all always!!!

Father, my Abba Daddy, thank You for being the root of me, keeping me connected and grounded in You. Lord, and for Your Holy Spirit who threads the whole of my life, leading, guiding and protecting me, keeping me close to You, I thank You. Thank You Creator God, for the miracle of Your creation, birthing everything into life with such care and form. Thank You for giving me this palm as a reminder of Your love for me, how You too hold me together to help me be what You created me to be. Thank You for each of my children, for choosing to plant them into my garden of life, to birth them, nurture them and love them but Lord it's hard to release this thread as they grow and mature. This stretching out pulls at the string of my heart and I find myself wishing for each day's minute to stretch instead so I can hold on a little longer. Help me to release them each fully into Your hands. I know they are Yours. I committed each one to You from the beginning of their lives. And yet, I love them so and wish they could forever be with me. I know that You have a greater love for them and a plan and purpose they must live out in You, it's what they were created for so each day is a letting go. Thank You for allowing me to know this kind of love that stretches me so I better understand how much You love me.
Thank You Father for the reminder of how much You long for us Your children and love us with all Your heart. Thank You for life. Thank You for love. Thank You for holding on to us, keeping us together as one with You. I know we will always be one. Holy Spirit, direct me as Your instrument and now, direct my son, keep close to him and may he always see You near even when he's stretching out his palms, may they always and forever be towards You. Thank You for the gift of time, and that we have the assurance of all eternity to be reunited as Your children. Help me here on earth in each Mommy Moment. Thank You. In Your Sweet name, amen.

"O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD,you know it altogether. 

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 

even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," 

even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:1-14

"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 that I have said to you. 

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 14:26-27

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5