The Way Out Is Always Through

 

When I heard the beginning notes of the song at a recent Worship Night this past weekend, my heart leapt within my chest.

Because this isn’t just a song, it’s MY song. My anthem. My cry.

It’s been the expression of my deepest feelings about a difficult season of life. And it’s been a reminder that in the middle of what seemed like an unfortunate mess, was really unbelievable mercy. Relentless grace. Intensified provision. Radical love.

Because the truth really is that He never forgets an injured heart and He never wastes a broken story. He’s in the business of redeeming the parts of the adventure we’d rather forget, and weaving a glorious tapestry with the fragmented bits of seemingly defective fabric.

And just when you started believing the lie that your narrative was in its closing chapter, you’re once again reminded that He has purposed far more for your life. That His plans outstretch your feeble imagination and that preparation in the waiting was the intention all along.

Because I can only know the excellence of His compassion and rescue by the experience of my wilderness wanderings. I can only know His great kindness and mercy when I look back to examine my own exposure to difficulties that threatened to take me down and render me useless.

But God! But God had other plans. And before I had a problem, He has a redemptive solution.

And the way out is always the way through.

“... BUT GOD remains the strength of my heart...” Psalm 73:26.

And I will keep singing because He never stops pursuing me and wooing me to Himself.

I am Yours forever God!

“Not for a minute was I forsaken, the Lord is in this place, the Lord is in this place. Come Holy Spirit, dry bones awaken, the Lord is in this place, the Lord is in this place.”

Self-Check

Sometimes we are to blame for the brokenness of our purpose.

Job knew it well. “My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My hearts desires are broken.” Job 17:11

And yet I wonder... how much of our spiritual growth is stifled by our own words. By believing a lie and then insisting on verbalizing the defeat. I wonder how much we remain stuck in as a result of our negative speech and our hurtful words.

And so I re-examine the list I created almost one year to the day. Questions for self-check as I reflect upon the the One who’s image I bear and who’s reputation I must honor well - even with the tongue... no especially that!

1. How much have I been adhering to the purposes of the Christian life?
2. Has old sin been avoided?
3. Have I served God with a singleness or heart?
4. Have I denied myself and followed Christ as I dreamed of doing when I first surrendered my life to Him?
5. Have I lived unselfishly and in charity to my neighbors?

Because truly it’s all a matter of keeping my heart flushed (Matthew 5:8, “God blesses theses whose hearts are pure..”). And I must guard my heart, and control my tongue. And strive daily to be better than I was yesterday.

Our Sufficient Defender

Because someone needs to hear: you never walk alone.

Reflect

We reflect, in our face, the world we are most aware of. We hold within our countenance, the very nature we’re closest to. We must be careful of the world we insist on magnifying to an unbelieving world.

It all matters.

Preparation is Progress

God gives us seasons of waiting so that we can learn to draw closer to Him. So that we can remember our dependency on His voice. So we can be radically changed from the inside out.

We may feel, at times, that the delay is nothing more than a disturbance, but when spent in preparation, it’s is always propitious and full of progress!

My Faves

I have had a lot of questions as of late, especially, asking me about some of my favorite things.  Like favorite Bible translations, favorite notebooks, and favorite journaling supplies.

Here is a list of some of my favorite things, favorite sites, favorite purchases, and favorite as-of-today overall goodies I've discovered through the years.

I hope you enjoy!  :)

This has been my favorite journal to use for my quiet time every day.  I have used this one (Markings brand) for at least that past 4 years and I tend to fill one up about every 3 months.


This is the journal I traditionally use for my "ONE" journal.  This is the journal that I washi-tape the sides of.  I use this as sort of a catch-all journal for my entire year.  I usually carry it around in my purse with me and jot things in it like inspirational quotes, bible verses I want to keep handy, prayers I am praying specifically over certain ongoing situations, song lyrics, and just about anything I want to remember for a given year.

I use this journal when taking notes at church.  I absolutely love the buttery pages of this one!

These are really cool tabs to use in your journals and Bibles!  All in fun assortment of colors too!

I have been asked a lot about my Washi Tape ring.  I purchased mine through The Reset Girl (theresetgirl.com) last year,  but unfortunately they are not for sale any longer on her website.  However, you can type in Extra Large Key Rings and get a ploethera of ones that come up, OR you can use inexpensive embroidery hoops, found at places like Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabric.  I also use these smaller Album Rings to add 5-7 rings of washi to them - and they travel really well!  Hey - you never know when you'll be in need of emergency washi tape!  LOL!

Here is the planner I am currently using and have been loving.  Here is the one I have also used in the past and very much enjoyed.  That particular one has covers that can be changed out.

Here is the Bible that I use and that I have been loving for the past 8 years.  I also LOVE LOVE LOVE The Passion Translation.  I got mine here!

This little embellishment tray has been one of the favorite things I have owned!  It is PERFECT for washi tape and individual ephemera pieces to use in your journal or Bible! 

What is ephemra you ask?  Ahh... little die cuts like these from Illustrated Faith, that's what!  They are little journaling accents that you can add to spruce up any page in your journal or Bible! 
Other places to check out include: scrapbook online stores and paper craft online stores.  

This is the cart I got from IKEA about 4 years ago.  I call it my Washi Cart.  It is PERFECT for housing my paper, tape rollers, journal cards, pens, highlighters, markers, washi tape, decorative paper packs, stickers, and other fun journaling supplies.  It is fairly inexpensive and can be shipped directly to your home!  You can get them other places too - but I like my trusting cart on wheels!   I call this cart, "My Creative Headquarters."

These are my favorite pens.  I love the assortment of colors they come in (except black, I don't like the black ones for some reason and I give those ones to Chloe!).  They are inexpensive and write REALLY well (in my humble opinion.)  :) 

These are my favorite markers and I find that there DO NOT bleed through tremendously horrible in your journal and Bible! Actually - ANY ultra fine tip markers are a fav of mine!

I also LOVE these 2-sided marker pens from Hobby Lobby.  They are a little pricey, but I LOVE the way they write and their dual usage for eloquent calligraphy writing!  Remember to use your 40% off coupon to purchase things like this that rarely go on discount.

This is the bag (I LOVE Steve Madden brand!). I use almost exclusively for when I am packing to do a Bible study with friends or away from home (coffee shops mainly - duh!)  ;)   I pack this baby with my 2 main Bibles, my prayer journal, my quiet time journal, my sermon notes journal (if I am going to watch an online sermon), my wash rings (or at least one of the bigger ones) and my cute little pen case I purchased at a craft show a couple years ago filled with highlighters and pens.

This is the backpack that I have been loving since returning home from California (mine is simply all gray though).  I bought it at Dick's there in Redding (where Chloe lives and goes to school at Bethel) and I LOVE it.  I use it mainly for larger books and binders, and my laptop.  It has GREAT pockets and is extremely durable!  I also plan to use it when I go hiking this summer! 

BOOKS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE:

Here are some books that have changed my life.  Books that I have read more than once.  Didn't want to overwhelm, so I am only listing that few that I have loved loved loved!
This one was the first book that impacted me to ACTION - thus the development of my ministry, Inspire Ministries. 
This one I did in a small group setting twice about radical forgiveness.  A MUST read for anyone who struggles with forgiveness and grace of any kind! 
This one was one I read early in my ministry life and it had a large impact on the way I prayed more radically! 
This one I read a couple times.  All about pursuing growth through trials, challenges, and disappointments.  And who couldn't use this topic??  I intend to go through this with my ministry leadership team soon! 

This book is a MUST have for those who are word-nerds like myself and want a more detailed look into the meanings of words.  This dictionary is a direct translation from the original King James version text and it is simply DIVINE!  :)

BIBLE STUDIES THAT I HAVE LOVED ALONG THE WAY:

This is the first in-depth Bible study I ever did and it is very rich and powerful!  If you want to get through the book of Luke in a challenging way - get this one!

This is another great Beth Moore study.  It goes SO MUCH in to depth about the life of David.  Oh to be like David... a person after God's own heart!!!  <3 

This was a great study we did many years ago!  I loved reading more about the life of Jonah and that through our simple acts of obedience God can use us in radically powerful ways!

This was a fun light-hearted study we did a couple years ago.  A simple challenge to see the lovely in every day miracles of God!  GREAT one to do with a small group!

This might be my favorite study we ever did through our ministry team!  It was fantastically challenging as it talks about the power of transformed speech!!  Oh so many of us need this.  In fact, I need to go back through it again!


I have been asked a LOT about the Christian jewelry that I wear.  It MOSTLY comes from this Etsy shop online.  She is FABULOUS and also has an instagram account, where she shares deals of the day frequently!!  Seriously... check her out!

Hope you enjoyed this list!  Happy Journaling!  Praying you seek Jesus with everything you have!

<3

W

Grace Trumps Assumptions

I saw it late on a weekend night. What appeared to be hate being spewed in my direction. And at first glance it nearly took my breath away. Because a heart seeking hard after Jesus is vulnerable to breaking when insults and accusations appear as fiery darts out of nowhere.

And even when godliness is the aim, our flesh-wrapped soul’s immediate response is often riddled with defensiveness and retaliation. So many times it’s easier to repay than to resist what has been intentioned as a distraction right from hell itself.

And so with prayer pleading for a heart filled with grace, I choose the wiser path. Albeit never easy. Because hasn’t we just been studying it in small group that same week. A command from God: “be holy because I am holy.”

And could this be a testing directly from the One who has given clear instructions on living a life more Christlike than worldlike?

Because the truth really is that He left is with two things: 1.) an assignment and 2.) the ability to do the assignment.

And choosing the path to grace is always better.

Because we make assumptions all the time. Assumptions that they “just don’t like me” or “they’re only out to get me” or “that was intentioned to hurt me.” But assumptions are never the healthy way of living. Assumptions are violently dangerous.

Showing grace, being willing to hear the full story, especially in the midst of the heartbreak, has the ability to radically transform our perspective and exceedingly strengthen our spiritual walk.
And we’re always better by choosing the better way. The Jesus way.

And so I pray it again this week: “God help me to become a person who is nervous to make assumptions but delighted to hear Your voice!” Because my hope must remain not in what they say, but in what You’ve said and are saying.

And grace always always always wins.

Making Assumptions verses Showing Grace

Making assumptions is dangerous.

But showing grace, especially in the midst of the heartbreak, can radically transform your perspective and exceedingly strengthen your spiritual life!

Oh God, that we would take great delight in the face-to-face encounter with You that forever altars the trajectory of my life!

Give Me A Passion!

I remember a time when the Word of God was just another book to me. Words on a page. Overwhelmingly large. Difficult to make sense of. seemingly irrelevant to my every day life.
And then I did something different.

Sitting at my kitchen table having what I was attempting to be an intentional “quiet time” daily, I began asking God this, “Give me a passion for Your Word.”

I didn’t care if I understood it with great clarity and wisdom. I just wanted to desire it with every fiber of my being. I wanted it to be something I longed for like nothing else in life. I wanted it to come alive and radically change the course of my life.

And when I began praying that prayer. I mean, really praying that prayer with an authentic heart, everything changed!

Everything!

Because His Word is alive! It’s active! It’s shaking and shaping my world! It’s bringing hope! It’s strengthening my spirit! It’s challenging me to grow closer to Jesus.

I cannot imagine my life without the Word. I cannot imagine my days without His promises. And I don’t want to imagine my eyes without beholding the beauty unlocked within the pages of this beautiful story!

So pray it today if you’re struggling with the desire. “Lord, give me a passion for Your Word!”
I am alive because of His voice discovered right here!

Redeemed

Because we are in a season of waiting.
And today... we still wait.

And we were sure we'd get some answers last week. But we didn't.

And it's okay.

There is pain in the waiting... from human perspective, but listen friends... we are NOT living by human perspective! We are living by heavenly perspective! And when we do that - EVERYTHING changes!!

Yesterday morning, as I was praying, I wrote these words down. And I believe they were directly from the Holy Spirit! And I had to share them with you too. Because maybe you can be inspired and encouraged by them too!

The Holy Spirit spoke this to my spirit... "I am redeeming even this waiting time."

Ahh... YES! And so I followed it up with, "Thank you, Jesus, for redeeming even this waiting time!"

Redeeming = to buy, pay off, RECOVER, TO MAKE UP FOR, offset, repurchase.

YES!!!

And the antonym for Redeem? It's abandon!!

And when I was out driving in the beautiful snow that lays heavy on the earth, I was reminded... He is always good. He is always kind. And He is always faithful. He literally... can be NOTHING else. He CANNOT be unkind. He CANNOT be untrustworthy.

He simply can't. He has no other way of being than good, and kind, and faithful.

And He WILL NOT abandon you and me!

He is redeeming EVEN this waiting period.

He will RECOVER all that was lost.
He will MAKE UP for all that lies behind us.

And I am so grateful for this heavenly perspective this morning!

He is madly in love with you!

Remember, Recall, Repeat

I have come to recognize it when it comes. And the enemy works double time to ensure that the feelings of inadequacy and defeat remain. The sting of success always proves to be more painful somehow than the strain of failure. Because it’s in the triumphant that the enemy is most irritated and provoked to torment a heart set like stone and typically bent toward being unshaken and immovable.

And it’s in the times just following a victory... a win... a celebration... a personal accomplishment... that we often feel the loneliest... the most incompetent... and lacking strength in spirit.

And these are the times it’s most important to fight the hardest. It’s at these times I must remember, recall, and repeat. I must remain steadfast like David who knew what it meant to learn preparation in the waiting.. who knew what it was like to remember victory in the midst of defeat. I must recite it to my soul too, “He trains my hands for battle; He strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.” (Ps 18:34). Because God promised deliverance, and David pleaded with Him on the grounds of that promise. He intentionally chose to remember the goodness and the faithfulness of the Lord in past circumstances.

And so I take seriously the encouragement to self. It’s not waiting for the feeling of refreshment to settle, it’s intentionally transforming the mind to remember, recall, and repeat the faithfulness of God. It’s remembering past rescue that open our hearts to present redemption.

So today I will press on. I will keep going, keep fighting, keep wielding the sword while I anticipate victory.

You too?

Let’s remember, recall, repeat, and be ready!

Imitation of Christ

We are exercising our truest form of worship when we copy the model Jesus left us with.