Category Archives: Christian Life

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God Doesn’t Do It Our Way

The Spiritual Journey is Not What You Think

Life has many markers, decision points, and some of them are spiritual. Either they are markers that record your journey towards God or they mark your distancing away from God. You come to a “Y” in the road and a decision will be made. God is always calling you, but you can turn your back to him. You will make a choice. One cannot go back via the way you came. You may stall–camp there and consider your options–and then make a choice.

Each choice will instruct your future and determine your path. Many voices compete for your attention–some good, some bad, some self-centered, some indifferent, and some spiritual. You know, it’s true. It pays to be wise. By now you’ve probably made some good choices and a few bad ones. Haven’t we all? Some are embarrassing to think about. You wish you hadn’t gone there, done that.

Beware of what side-steps you away from God’s will for you. You can really try hard to do everything right in your own best interest without including any thoughts of God and, consequently, repress the spiritual side of you until God’s voice is almost silenced. Why not do the opposite? I encourage you to listen for the still, small voice of God. Do you hear him? He is there when you consciously look for him, if you’re intent on seeing him. God works in each person’s life in a unique way according to who you are and how you think. I do know he hears the cry of your heart, even when you don’t know you have a “cry” in your heart that needs to be met.

You need God in your life. Seriously, you do. More than because he forgives your sins, more than because he gives meaning to life, and more than because of his helpfulness and care. Everyone needs God. God is your anchor in stormy seas. God is the great controller of all things. God is the most sensible of all in this crazed, upside-down world. He is a stabilizing force we can count on.

God REALLY is an anchor in the turbulent sea of life. But it is up to us to access him as our mainstay. Some miss this. For example, some make radically wrong choices. Suicide is one of them. In 2017 my son got out of the military. He returned to civilian life and is now established in a job. In the short time since, three from his command have taken their own lives. Heartbreaking.

What gives? That is a hard one to answer. There are clues, but they don’t tell the whole story. They needed help, hope, a reason to live. Life was too much and too hard. I hope they knew Jesus. Belief in God is the best reason for living. Spiritual belief is not dependent on circumstances, people, money, health, success, good looks, relational health, achievement or popularity.

God is always there for you. Truly, it doesn’t matter whether you’re on top of the world or down in the dumps, he is there. Respect him. Learn his ways. Don’t try to manipulate God by praying your will instead of God’s will.

I want to share with you four distinct spiritual markers.  Each of these helped me become “anchored” in God and came about as the result of things in life. My spiritual life began when I asked Jesus into my heart as a child. The evening news was scary after the Bay of Pigs invasion. Mother shared that Jesus would take care of us. I’m sure the Spirit of the living God was drawing me as I came to my first Y in the road.

My Most Important “Y” Markers

  1. Salvation. I realized my need of a Savior. I believed in Christ as my Savior and accepted his gift of salvation for my soul. My mother guided this process by explaining how Jesus loved me, died on the cross, rose again, and lives. My brother and I both prayed by the side of the bed that night. I was seven.
  2. Dedication. I gave my life to God when I was sixteen. The Spirit of God flooded my spirit. I was emotional as I drew near to God. I decided to follow him and never looked back.
  3. Surrender. We sing “All to Jesus, I surrender, all to him I freely give.” That’s exactly what happened to me when I quit trying so hard. I was at a crossroads and knew I couldn’t go on as I was–on empty, depleted.  I gave it up and turned to God with my heart, mind, and soul.  Best decision I ever made!
  4. Consecration. My life now is one of consecration to God. I desire to honor God with my life. This is an on-going process, one of sanctification. I allow God to “Mold me and make me, after thy will,” like the potter with the clay, where God molds his children into the shape he wants them to be.

An awakening process of renewal and transformation comes with this pursuit. This initiates healing and freeing. For me, this relaxes my rigidity and opens me in the Lord’s service as a vessel that pours out from its inner abundance.

You and I are either drawing closer to God or slipping further away from him. God promises that if you seek him you will find him, period, in spite of the struggles in life–your relationship issues, financial woes, health crises, loss and heartaches. These will bombard you and make you want to quit.

You also may not believe a word I’ve written, but that’s okay.

It is choice time, again. You’re at another Y. Why not turn to God, he loves you so very much. He is the giver of hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11

God can be your dearest friend. He makes life worth living, and he also makes it beautiful. Don’t regret the hard times. Let them go or give them to God. Trust God and find him as your “enough.” “God, I need you. I want to know you. Please help me. Show me who you are.” I believe God will do that for you.

I would be remiss to not say a word to whoever doesn’t believe God exists. Give him a chance. Allow yourself to be vulnerable by asking God to reveal himself to you. Then wait expectantly. The wait may be hours, days, or months. I am positive he will answer your request if you are willing to reach out to him and are sincere in heart. God is a gentleman and will not force his way into your life. I caution you. No dares and no games. They dishonor and displease God. He is holy.

And to anyone who is mad at God. You got upset with God when he let you down or didn’t do what you wanted him to do … when you wanted him to do it. Maybe you were mistreated and it seems unfair of God to have allowed it. In all honesty I say this to you, you have to let it go because it is wrong-minded. God is not a dispenser that gives you everything you want, pray, and ask for. It simply doesn’t work that way.

Another Y in the road. Now you have a choice to make. Instead of being angry with God, you are given an opportunity to turn to him. He takes it from there.

God does it his way. You will receive when you turn to him and believe on him. Then things start happening. God feeds your soul, gives you peace, helps you discern, guides your thoughts, mends your brokenness, and changes your life for the better good. It all takes time, of course.

When you are in-tune with God, the more you are able to accept and become okay with the way life plays out. You are not living in your own strength. God is with you, sustaining and keeping you. This becomes possible when God is part of your life in an active way.

Try it, you’ll like it!

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The more we are in-tune with God the more we are able to accept and become okay with the way life plays out.
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Next Week:  What you can do when you’re worried about your unbelieving Millennial.

Stay tuned!

 

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What I’ve Learned from Mary DeMuth

‎I’m not sure when I first became aware of Mary DeMuth. I know it was online while doing research three or four years ago. Next I bought one of her books at a Christian book store which helped me assess her tone and message. It did not take long for me to realize four things about Mary: one, she is a prolific Christian author; two, she is passionate about helping people; three, she is also passionate about her writing; and, four, she offers coaching services for writers. At some point I subscribed to her blog to receive it via my email inbox. She concludes each email with a prayer for her subscribers.

I had prayed for Mary and her ministry for a couple of years and had participated in her and Frank Viola’s book launch for The Day I Met Jesus. I felt concern for her. Mary shares with her readers some of the tensions in her life. I felt both concern and excitement for her.  She was going for it, which allows for an extra amount of vulnerability. I think God wanted me to take notice of her. She would come to mind when I was praying.

Today, as in the past, Mary’s story resonates with me. I see myself in some of what she says. I know she is in the process of working through the most delicate parts of her past. That is another reason why I have committed to praying for her. She is on the front lines and needs consistent prayer partners to help with the heavy lifting.

Mary’s been through ups and downs. She allows herself to be vulnerable by sharing her story in real life. And it’s not an easy one at that. Sexual abuse and other circumstances left her wounded. Later God came in and changed her life. Healing is a process that continues to this day. God walks with her as she continues to move forward.

I particularly appreciate Mary’s determination to live out her purpose and carry on despite the difficulties that come her and her family’s way. The author journey is complicated. Remuneration for hours spent are slim at times. I credit her for staying with the mission she’s been given even when other directions might have seemed more viable financially.

To move forward one must persevere, trust fully in God, open self to learning, and follow God’s leading. Here I share a few things about Mary DeMuth and what I’ve learned through following her blogs and our interactions. These are shared to encourage us to follow faithfully the path God has set before us.

  • Serve God with your heart. She pushes through, which equals determination and belief.
  • Treat people right. You are a reflection of your Father God. Mary maintains professionalism.
  • Be gracious and respectful. Mary is respectful of who she is interviewing and her listening audience
  • Care for the right things. Mary asks key questions that address her audience’s needs and interests
  • Be wise. She flushes out answers to the hard questions–about church, family, healing–with practical and spiritual applications
  • Help others. Using first-person accounts, Mary illustrates the concept of restorying your story (how to repurpose your past)
  • Right focus. Mary is in this to bring glory to God and to share his message of hope and healing

Mary and I first connected through emails. Eventually I decided to contact Mary to let her know of my prayer support. One thing led to another and then I got this email asking me if I’d like to be one of her Restory interviews. Using my story is something I do, so I jumped at the chance. Mary DeMuth interviewed me on February 19, 2018 for her Restory series. Mary is posting podcasts on her ReStory site. I hope you avail yourself by listening to mine and other true stories. In addition, Mary conducts a Restory Conference in Texas every year. These conferences are a beautiful way to connect, story to story, person to person.

For my part, this interview was a first for me and my first time talking with Mary. I was nervous and my voice was scratchy. I had prayed and prepared in advance but the dialogue didn’t go exactly as I had imagined it would. Her questions and comments were sharp and thoughtful.  I believe the Holy Spirit, through Mary, took the interview in a distinct direction. Much of what I had planned to say was left unsaid. It was a wonderful opportunity to share what God has done and what he means to me. I hope it has blessed those who have listened to it.

 

The rock I was given, described in the interview.

This just goes to show, you never know what God is going to do or how he is going to use you. I hope you enjoy Mary’s and my interaction and are blessed by it. Please share the interview link with anyone who comes to mind or ask God if there is someone he wants you to share it with. He will have a purpose in it.

Thank you to Mary for allowing this opportunity to reach more people with the message of hope found in Christ. You may visit her website here.

Here is a live link to the interview: Mary DeMuth with Norma Brumbaugh.

The address: https://www.marydemuth.com/5-12/