Cathy T Burns

Counselor, Teacher, Writer, Spiritual Director

Timely Words of Hope

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Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

The morning was chilly for April. Weary of multiple spring storms, I spent the night listening to winds pound my house. But as a new day dawned, I focused on performing my daily ritual of preparing breakfast while watching the morning news bracing myself to weather the storm “Pandemic 2020”.

The steady rain of grim statistics of infection rate and rising death toll suddenly ceased. I stopped my work and was surprised by a story of comfort. From the kitchen, I heart the sounds of the gifted Andrea Bocelli presenting the world with a free Easter performance on the steps of Milan’s Duomo cathedral.

Hope in the Comfort of God’s Love

I watched the stoic anchors begin to soften, smiling as they paused to listen. They were listening to the familiar words of an old hymn proclaiming the love and grace of God. The verses were known, but its message brought renewal. Miraculously, the whole world seems to refuge in the hope that was discovered as an artist sang in front of a seven hundred-year-old cathedral-hope in the God Almighty! Tears of joy began to flow as I sat down to take in the transformative experience.

The media reported: “Italian global music icon Andrea Bocelli gave a solo performance representing a message of love, healing and hope to Italy and the world.” I was encouraged to see that a hurting world welcomed the message of “love, healing, and hope” that pointed to the love of God. An 18th-century song was now inspiring us during a 2020 pandemic.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Amazing Grace by John Newton

The security of God’s love gives hope in a time of uncertainty.

“Pandemic 2020” is like a raging storm in nature, instilling doubt, fear, and confusion about the present and future. In a hurricane or tornado, we become disoriented with losses and the unfamiliar struggle. In the process of recovery, we will discover the strength and provision that was gifted by God. Despite the storms, we can have peace and joy when the source of our hope is in the Amazing Grace of God.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NLT

Gratitude Redeems Life’s Struggles

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1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.

22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and announce his works with shouts of joy.

43 Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things
and consider the Lord’s acts of faithful love.   Psalm 107: 1,22,43 CSV

23 The sacrifice that honors me
    is a thankful heart.
Obey me,
    and I, your God,
    will show my power to save.  Psalms 50:23 CEV

 

I often hear about and experience struggle all around me.

A young wife and mother with a husband battling leukemia.

A mother to be. experiencing a stillbirth of her loved child.

The only adult child, losing both aging parents within weeks of each other.

A floundering marriage of two wounded hearts battling to be loved.

A young adult beginning her life haunted by memories of abuse.

These are just some of the struggles I came in contact with yesterday.

With Thanksgiving is next week, how can these experiences co/exist with gratitude?

What is Gratitude?

Research would reveal many definitions from a scientific point of view and a spiritual reality.

Gratitude has a twofold emphasis, an appreciation for the goodness of life and the connection with something larger than themselves. I.E. to thankfully receive kindness from other people in the community as well as a connection (for believers in Christ) to the divine creator of the universe, Jehovah God.

Is Gratitude Possible through the Struggles of Life?

When a life has been steeped in suffering, disappointments, losses, illness or injustice, how can or why should we choose to live with the mindset of gratitude?

Gratitude is not only possible during a life struggle but it is highly probable. Gratitude is often strongest during or after a crisis.

The first Thanksgiving was initiated by the pilgrims as a redemptive response to the tremendous number of deaths after the first year of landing in a foreign world. It became a national holiday in the middle of the civil war and was officially designated to the last Thursday in November following the Great Depression.

In good times we become complacent and are less likely to treasure the gifts of comfort and security to which we have become accustomed.

In a crisis, we become acutely aware of our vulnerabilities, searching for strength and security through actions and connections of others. We also have a greater sensitivity and clarity regarding the goodness that is present in our world. This goodness is a light to a heart that is floundering in the darkness of a chaotic world.

The recent victims of the hurricane in Houston demonstrated profound gratitude for their rescuers and the security of the lives of family members. The gratitude was a grounding force that helped the victims press forward into recovery efforts restoring their homes.

 

How is Gratitude a Gift?

The benefits of gratitude have been affirmed in books of psychology and proclaimed in spiritual writings including the Bible.

Physically, the practice of gratitude can relieve stress, improve sleep, and decrease pain, improving the immune system and even rewiring the brain. Gratitude changes the perspective of any bad situation heightening the focus on the goodness that gives security and connection.

The biggest hindrance to having gratitude is an attitude of entitlement and self-absorption. This perspective is blind to the graciousness of others. In contrast, humility heightens the awareness the redemptive presences of blessings bring in the turmoil of life.

In Psalm 107 David writes about many experiences of crisis punctuated with the reality of God’s covering in that moment. The first verse, the middle verse and the last verse are some of the verses in that chapter proclaiming gratitude for the secure goodness of God’s love. These verses indicate the benefit of joy and wisdom in the practice of gratitude.

The sacrifice of a thankful heart in Psalms 50 is a soft heart, humbly honoring God, open to His leading. I get a mental picture of a childlike person captivated by the love of His Father, resting in His presences, confident in His power to save.

3 Spiritual Benefits of Gratitude

These passages outline the spiritual benefits of gratitude for the love of our Father. The gratitude of a humble heart:

  1. Instills Power – confidently receiving His power, creating resilience
  2. Inspires Purpose – lives life joyously and wisely, realizing redemption
  3. Initiates Peace – knows the presence of God is real, releasing anxiety

Gratitude Gives Clarity to the Reality of God’s Presence

The grateful heart is hope(full) hearted, leaning on the power, purpose, and peace of God in every situation of life. The promises of God never waver, His presence proclaims His promises. The practice of gratitude conditions our hearts to seek and sense, with clarity, the presence of God.

The lyrics of this song, The Presence of God, is an offer of thanksgiving for God’s persistent loving presence giving us hope, healing, restoration, and power, guiding to the end.

Father, release the hopelessness from my heart, filling me with your Spirit. I humbly submit to Your guidance and request that you open the eyes of my heart to receive the freedom of gratitude to perceive the reality your presence. Thank you for your everlasting loving kindness that is my anchor in this chaotic world and my light to a path of peace; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST MY LORD.  AMEN

 

To Taste God’s Goodness We Must First Have a Taste for God Part 3

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Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 AMPC

Driving alone with my two canine companions for eleven hours, could not have been better. The dogs were chilled, taking an amazing nap in the back of the car. I stayed alert and the car did not falter.

As a side note, the week I arrived, all four of my brakes had to be replaced. They suddenly began to make an alarming grinding noise. I knew the timing was God’s protection! After two months of intensely trusting Him as a companion in this moving process, my awareness of His protection and provision was highlighting God’s goodness

The awareness of His goodness freed my fears and fed my faith.

The Heart, Mind, and Soul Work Together to Taste the Goodness of God

Taste and see that the Lord is good!
How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him! Psalms 34:8 NET

Written together, the words “taste” and “see”, in the original Hebrew language mean; to perceive, experience, behold, see intellectually, live to see, to be fully aware.

As we trust we must also be intentional about developing our soul awareness of God’s goodness. We must be devoted to staying engaged in the process of softening our wounded hearts and opening our minds.

The 3 Actions that Lead to the Tasting of God’s Goodness

SEEK– To make a delicious dish, research is done first, seeking more information about the combination of spices and cooking temperatures. To seek, to “see intellectually”, to know what is the goodness of God and to understand what His promises are, is the first step toward developing the taste for God’s goodness.

Praying for wisdom and discernment, followed by the study of scripture, will reveal God truths that will heighten trust leaving us with a desire for more divine connection.

ENGAGE– To be intentionally aware of the presence of God. To be mindful of people, protection, and provision that God is placing in your life. To be still, to open your awareness to the presence of God in your mind and heart.

A simple prayer from the psalms or a breathe prayer can slow down the chaos of thoughts and allow you to be more spiritually connected with your Father.

ENJOY – The moment your taste is stimulated, relish in the savory taste of His love. Take note, take a picture, pause, imbibe in the moment. There is no joy like the realization that God cares, He is there, He sees, He loves unconditionally…We are free from the confines of our fears.

Live Hope(full) Hearted

Tasting God’s goodness grows a life that is hope(full).

We become hope(full) hearted living as someone that can say “I have this hope In the depth of my soul”. Your heart is the essence of who you are, your identity, it determines your perspective of life.

A heart full of hope, a confident trust, in God’s goodness will have an awareness of His presence. An awareness that will change your perspective allowing you to see yourself and others with eyes love and compassion.

I am going forward in this new place, two states away, hope(full) hearted. God has become my place of peace and source of joy. Prayers have been answered guiding our church planting team in God’s direction. Some days I do focus on the hurt(full) moments of loss and lose my footing a bit. My good God is patient and forgiving as I take one day at a time.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Please listen to the song I Have this Hope and live in the joy of His goodness.

What is your Focus, Astonishing Actions or Admonishing Words?

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Then the proconsul believed (became a Christian) when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished and deeply touched at the teaching concerning the Lord… Acts 13:12 AMPC

Moving across state lines to help plant a church was an unexpected calling giving me a wake-up call! This faith move revealed how stale my relationship with God had become.

For years I had given counsel, taught, mentored and supported many individuals and groups for the sake of God’s kingdom. As I look back, I realize I had become comfortable with my relationship with God. I had many opportunities to admonish others to make their relationship with God a life priority.

Transplanting myself, with my husband, into a different culture pushed me out of that comfort zone.  As I heard their joyful stories of the astonishing acts of love and acceptance that drew them to learn more about God, the fledgling group of believers began to refresh and renew my view of God

These astonishing acts of bringing unrequested food to a family in need, delivering mattresses when the driver’s mother passed away, mowing a new neighbor’s lawn when a dad was in the hospital then paying the month’s rent, driving a dad an hour one way to a hospital for a day of chemo…the list goes on. These actions were unexpected by the recipient and hard to understand why.  “Why would someone do that for me!” was the common response to these uncommon actions. “Because God loves you” was the true explanation that prompted more exploration into the who and what about God.

The proconsul, a Roman governor, in Acts 13 was seeking to hear the Word of God. He invited Paul and Barnabas to teach him about the word of God. The sorcerer, Elymas, did not want him to believe and was attempting to thwart the teachings of Paul by perverting the true ways of the Lord. With the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul caused a darkness to come over Elymas and he became blind. The scripture says the governor believed when he saw what happened and the teaching concerning the Lord also astonished him.

The teaching was about ” the salvation in the kingdom of God attained through Christ.” (Acts 13:7 AMPC) The salvation truth astonished this “intelligent man of sound understanding”. The Greek word for astonished literally means to “strike with astonishment”.

The Truth of God’s love BLEW HIS MIND!

Are you astonished at the message of salvation? Are you excited enough to be motivated to give in sacrificial, unexpected ways to neighbors and people God puts in your life? Or has the world perverted God’s love in your heart?

God’s children powerfully reveal the reality of God’s love to an unbelieving world through astonishing acts of love.

I am learning that admonishing words of correction from an experienced Christian is not as effective as the unselfish acts of a new believer. The astonishing actions are an outflow of an astonished heart.

Astonishing actions of love point to an astonishing God.

We must show, not just tell others about the amazing love of God. The rewards of peace and joy will be astonishing!

God was my first love and was and will always be astonishingly amazing. The following words to Rend Collective’s song Simplicity express my heart’s tender love toward my Father, my Lord, my God…

I come in simplicity
Longing for purity
To worship You
In spirit and truth
Only You
Lord strip it all away
‘Til only You remain
I’m coming back
To my first love
Only You
You’re the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I’ll sing
Forever I’ll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
I come with my broken song
To You the Perfect One
To worship You
In spirit and truth
Only You
Only You
Give me a childlike heart
Lead me to where You are
Cause I’m coming back
To my first love
Only You
You’re the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever…

4 Steps to Put Love Into Action

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loves-reality-in-your-life-1
The sign said EXPRESS CHECKOUT  15 ITEMS OR LESS. The person in front of me had 20, I counted. I was obeying the rules, I only had 6. It wasn’t fair, who did she think she was? I had things to get done!  I felt minimized and unimportant as she took the extra time to unload her cart. I did not say a word as I stuffed my irritation and continued to hold a wavering smile. I was aware my thoughts were becoming progressively negative, the more my heart increased and my body tensed.

I realized that all my stewing and stuffing was not going to change my situation. My choice to respond with tense inward irritation was not productive, it was life draining. I was allowing my life light to be dimmed by my thoughts and choices. I needed to change my focus. I was loosing sight of the light of God’s love in me.

A truth began slowly filtering into my awareness, the description of love:

 Love is patient and kind.      Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.   It does not demand its own way.    It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.    Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I could have shame myself for messing up AGAIN. Which only would have create struggle and shame. What I needed to do was SHIFT instead of SHAME. To shift my focus from my automatic, habitual was of responding, to the presence of God’s Spirit within me. Shifting from painful shame  to the peaceful truth of God’s love.

Shifting our focus is required in order to understand and experience love. Choosing love is a process. In 1 Peter, he writes, to persecuted Christians, words of empowerment and encouragement. In chapter one he emphasizes the importance of choosing love. The words seem to reveal a process:

Through Him you believe in (adhere to, rely on) God, Who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.  22 Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart.  23 You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal [a]origin ([b]seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.  I Peter 1:21-23  AMPC 

Peter is encouraging these suffering, persecuted children of God, to be loving. He empowered them by explaining how they can love in such difficult times. He reminding them of their connection to God, their reality based on the truth of God’s word.

Eugene Peterson says in THE MESSAGE in verse 23:

Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God’s living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!

From this truth we can make choices. This passage lays out a 4 step process. You can choose to______of God:

  1. Believe in the redemptive love of God v21. (Colossians 1:13-14)  Believing, trusting and relying on the constant reality of God’s saving love will change everything! If He has delivered us from the “domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (ESV) we no longer have to be stuck in our unloving, judgmental, attitudes. These attitudes increase stress and create limitations. We are connected to His Spirit which means we are empowered and enlarged to look at life through the lens of loved child of the creator.
  2. Focus on the true hope found in the love of God v21 . (IJohn 3:2-3)  What we believe turns the direction of our heart focus. The heart if often described as the center of our being. If our belief turns our heart to be “centered and rest” on a confident hope in God, we are accepting a truth that has a healing impact on our soul. A soul focused on God will find peace and serenity in this broken world.
  3. Change into a pure hearted child of God v22. (Colossians 3: 10-12)  As we embrace our transfer to the kingdom of Christ we see ourselves as a loved child. This transfer renews our hearts! As our identity changes we no longer base our value and acceptance on the response of others. We have a new identity, a new heart that is resting in God. When we believe, focus and change through the truth of renewed heart our brains are being reprogramed.
  4. Love from the grace connection of God v23. (John 16:13)  Our renewed heart is powered by the Spirit of God. When the truth of God’s love for us is realized and our actions flow from that truth. Then God’s love is being expressed in His creation. Our decision to love can draw others to His love.

Every step leads us deeper into a relationship with God. We can choose to believe in, focus on, change into and love from the presence of God’s spirit in us. He gives us that choice, he never leaves, but we can choose another direction.  His Truth is a reality that is life giving to our souls. I am not minimized or unimportant as His child. His Truth must be realized to change my heart. Truth, in the embodiment of Jesus Christ, is God’s nature expressed to us. His nature is expressed through his creation as we change and love.

Realizing God’s truth as a reality for your soul reveals love’s reality for your life.

Each time we choose to act, we should ask ourselves, “what is the most loving thing I can do?” A loving action will benefit others, it benefits us as well.

Practicing love is a process of progress. In the check out line I might have counted her items and then chosen to let it go, accept that I cannot change her actions but I can control my choices. I can refocus my brain to the new reality of my heart, I am loved and seen by God.  Acceptance is progress in living with a heart of love. The next step, as I mature in the process, would be to realize that what others choose to do is more about them. Then I would not even find it necessary to count any items. I will have a serene, peaceful heart that habitually focuses on my reality with God and with a grateful heart I will be open and engaging.

SO…the next time I am in a check out line, I will choose not to even count the items. I will kindly engage with the person or I will keep my heart open to God’s leading. I will stay engaged with the moment choosing a more positive mindset. I will feel less stressed freeing my heart to be open in the moment rather than to stuff.

A heart open to God’s light, reveal’s His love to the world. Listen to Brandon Heath’s song, The Light in Me, and be inspired to shine His light in love.

Morning Reflections: Trust the Truth of God’s Love

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Milky Way behind the Natural Bridge in Yellowstone by NPS/Jacob W. Frank

Milky Way behind the Natural Bridge in Yellowstone by NPS/Jacob W. Frank

He counts the stars
    and calls them all by name.                    Psalms 147:4

He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession   James 1:18

 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  Ephesians 1:4

WE ARE HIS PRIZED POSSESSION! Those words penetrated my soul. It startled me how those words of truth,  seem to rise from the page, imprinting fresh on my heart. I have studied the book of James many times and I seem to be discovering this verse for the first time!

Our creation is vast, from the countless stars to the immense oceans of the earth. Elaborately created for our pleasure. We are at the top, the supreme, the first fruit, the treasured prize. To embrace and embody that truth should strengthen our souls, giving us a solid foundation on which to build our life.

Building our lives on this truth empowers our trust and sustains our hope in our God. When we become discouraged in the difficulties of this world, we can choose to be reminded of our God status.

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!  Psalm 43:5  (this verse is mentioned 3 times in Psalm 42 and 43. David expressed a common struggle of all mankind, pointing to the remedy of hope.)

Let my soul be at rest again,
    for the Lord has been good to me. Psalm 116:7

God gives us grace to even help us trust him! The following prayer brings to light the truth of God’s mercy and power:

Grant me, O Lord, to trust in you with all my heart; for, as you always resist the proud

Truth - Debbie Hannah Skinner

Truth – Original Watercolor painting by Debbie Hannah Skinner.

who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN (pg 515 Prayers for Summertime, Phyllis Tickle)

Praise be to our Holy God who treasures us enough to give us the grace to live in His light, to live free from fear and strong in faith!

Morning Reflections: Hope in the Hurt of Bad News

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bad newsSurely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
 They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (NIV) Psalm 112:6-7

Our family has a new member, a 10 day old boy named Samuel. Samuel’s presence opens a flood gate of love, flowing from each member of the family. He will receive constant protection, provision and love, not because he has done anything to deserve it but because he was born into this family. He will be receiving constant love, nurturing and strengthening through any situation.

We choose to join God’s divine family when we profess Him to be the Lord of our life. As His  beloved children, we are made righteous, not by anything we have done, but through, his son, our brother Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21) We have His divine favor, receiving constant love, nurturing and strengthening through any situation. If a human family can provide constant love, the divine creator provides more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:19-20)! In this world, unfair, violent and terrible things happen to good people.  As His children we will be loved, nurtured and strengthen through any bad news this world can create for us. Trusting His love, when bad news is a reality, is the only source of hope in this hurting world. God’s love and hope will shine bright through the darkness of this world. His family is for eternity(Ephesians 2:6), His love wins!

Loyal

I could never earn Your heart
I could never reach that far
But You have pulled me close
You’ve never let me go
I’m safe forever in Your arms
Your promises I can not break
And I know You will never change

Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
More faithful than the rising sun
This grace for me I can’t outrun
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal

You are always there for me
You listen every time I speak
You look into my eyes
You see the things I hide
And say that You will never leave
Your promises I can not break
And I know You will never change

Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
More faithful than the rising sun
This grace for me I can’t outrun
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal

When my world shakes
Your love remains unshaken
So constant, so perfect, unwavering
When my world falls
Your love remains unfailing
So constant, so perfect, unwavering
So constant, so perfect, unwavering

Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal
More faithful than the rising sun
This grace for me I can’t outrun
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is loyal

Written by Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin, Paul Mabury • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC     SUNG by Lauren Daigle

Truth - Debbie Hannah Skinner

Truth – Original Watercolor painting by Debbie Hannah Skinner.

My heart is full, as I embrace, the presence of your love for me. With this love I am confident in any situation. By Your Spirit, give me the grace to release the anxiety, anger and fear I may have as I live in this broken confusing time. May the light of your love, living in me, touch lives, drawing them to the Truth of Your love.   in Your Son’s name, Jesus, AMEN

4 Obstacles to Living Focused on the Spirit in You

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eye pexels-photo-30763 (2)But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1:18 (The Message)

My vision had become gradually hazy with less and less clarity. Cataracts invaded my lens, an unwelcome aliment that caught me by surprise.To have these cataracts removed required an amazingly quick procedure lasting 5 to 6 minutes. The old lens was removed, under local anesthesia, and replaced with a uniquely measured lens, suited to my vision needs.

The results were startling. The clarity of vision was better than I had ever experienced in my life! The new clarity seemed to give me energy as my visual world became more easily assessable.

This visual transformation from a lens replacement is like the heart replacement gained when we take off our old self and replace it with our renewed spiritual self as a child of God. This presence of God within my soul gives me an intensity of energy that is like “nothing and no one else” can give me.

When I trust the divine reality of God’s presence within me, my heart gains a clarity and strength and I am then able to extend the same love and grace to others. Unfortunately, my fear based heart often keeps me out of focus with the reality of God’s love and  Spirit that is implanted in my soul.  This becomes an obstacle, hampering my new heart from controlling my perceptions and responses.

Last week, I spent almost 2 hours, online, attempting to complete airline reservations.   A “glitch” in the system, created much stress for me and was wasting my time. I felt powerless and disrespected by the endless technical dead ends and human errors. Ever felt that way?

I began to push back with irritable words. The person helping me with the reservation had to ask me to “be patient”. Those words penetrated my heart.She was patient with me as she tried to help my reservations become a reality. I had slipped back on my old heart of hazy distorted perceptions. The presence of my patience would have indicated that I was “seeing” clearly, through the eyes of my new heart. I would have realized the technical glitches  were not her fault and they were not about me.

There were 4 evidences that my heart vision was out of focus. All exist as reactions from my old heart wounds. They became obstacles to living with the clarity of God’s love.

1. Overloaded schedule – I have a habit of regularly cramming too many activities into my daily schedule, giving no margin to tolerate any delay. The busier I am the better I am, has been my belief. I believed that my value was defined by what I do. That was the old identity, my old habits. Habits are hard to break!

If I consistently embrace and live out my new identity in Christ I will have more margin in my day. I will be confident in my value as a daughter of an unconditionally loving God. Nothing I can do would make Him love me more!

This heart change removes the haze of fearful doing, giving clarity on how to respond to my circumstances, rather than letting circumstances define me.

2. Unrealistic expectations – I had an expectation that it should take only 30 minutes, tops, to make these reservation. I expected that the technology would be perfect and there would be a perfect backup if things did not go well. Truth is, technical difficulties are a normal reality and humans are imperfect. These glitches had nothing to do with me. I believed that if things go wrong, I am powerless. Correct beliefs are; I am only in control of myself. God will never leave me and He strengthens me. AND What people say or do is more about them and not me.

I can choose how I will respond to life. I want choose the fruit of the Spirit because God choose me as His daughter.  Sometimes I can not do what I want to do and I do the very thing I do not want to do…Paul had a similar problem, read Romans 7.

3. Pride – I selfishly thought I deserved better treatment. Impatience is the “fruit” of pride. Pride is the flip side of the coin of fear.  When I begin to fear I am not valued or in control,  I respond with a critical, irritable attitude because the circumstances are “making” me feel the fear. Correct beliefs are: I can not be made to feel a certain way, I can choose how to feel and how to act. God’s love will drive out my fear as I trust in Him.

“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”  C. S. Lewis

Pride is self focused, promoted by fear. Humility is God focused, promoted by love.

4. Negativity – Our brains have a negative bias. That means if we mindlessly allow our brains to react without a filter, the thinking will be negative. My reaction to the 2 hour experience took a very negative tone. Negative thoughts were dominating my brain, causing stress and unkind reactions.

A brain controlled with the filtered mindset of joy is less stressed, creating a forgiving, patient interaction.

“To live life you need a center of joy. ”    Tim Keller

To have a “center of joy” is to have a joy frame of reference. To delight in the Lord and trust his love and know you are His delight will produce a centering of joy. This fuels my ability to recognize the negative thinking, releasing its power and allowing my focus to be on the joy of living in His love. Seeing the world through the eyes of joy can produce the joy of humor. Humor in this situation would have defused the stress…Laughter is wonderful for the heart, body and soul!

God, the lover of our souls, has chosen to give us His Spirit. We must choose to trust His love and lay down our fear driven agendas and humbly receive His gift. His love is glorified in us when we choose to receive His grace filled light. We are then free from the bondage of our shortsighted (hazy) fears and we receive a clarification of His love that is startling to our flesh. This clarification removes all obstacles to living a life growing in the fruit of the Spirit.

The Lord is God, Who has shown and given us light [He has illuminated us with grace, freedom, and joy].  Psalms 118:27a  (AMPC)

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free…     Galatians 5:1 (NLT)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT)

Please listen: The song Simple Pursuit brings to light the reality that “nothing and no one else” comes close to the perfect love of God!

Morning Reflections – God’s Power My Peace

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God's power my peace

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].4 He determines and counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names.5 Great is our Lord and of great power; His understanding is inexhaustible and boundless.    Psalms147:3-6 (AMP)

God’s unimaginable power and understanding gives me unending security and unexplainable peace!

My Father,  may my heart be open, trusting Your loving presence in my life. May my

Truth - Debbie Hannah Skinner

Truth – Original Watercolor painting by Debbie Hannah Skinner.

words and thoughts be Yours, giving to others the hope You have implanted in me through Your amazing Spirit.  In the name of your gracious Son, AMEN

How to See an Invisible Illness OR Suffering Collides with Compassion

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pic compassion liftsYouth defines Amy’s face, pain dictated her movements. The vibrant life of this medical student has dimmed to a routine of constant pain and rest. Her body is fatigued; her brain a fogged. Lonely;  no one understands her struggle, looking from the outside in.  She does not look sick.

“What do you do?” is a question she dreads and avoids. Surprised skepticism follows her answer as she tries to explain her home bound existence during the cycles of flare ups. She fears the label, the judgement, that she is lazy. She does not look sick.

“You attended the graduation ceremony yesterday, I thought you were well.” Friends inquire about her fluctuating energy level, her inconsistent connection with them. It is hard to explain.  Even harder to understand. She does not look sick.

There is a great chance that either you are someone like Amy, experiencing a chronic illness. OR you know an “Amy”  living with an invisible illness. Chronic illness in the US is on the rise.

Despite the fact that the majority of the US population looks rather healthy, statistics show a different story. Nearly 1 in 2 people have a chronic condition. These illness can include conditions like cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions such as migraines or back pain from a car accident.

Studies conducted on people with illnesses and disabilities often overlook those individuals dealing with chronic pain on a regular basis, as these individuals may have not yet been diagnosed as of yet. Following is a list of chronic illness and invisible illness facts that may open some awareness and provide a new perspective on the complexity of living with a chronic illness in our society.

  • Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million) has a chronic condition
    Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge, a study of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & Partnership for Solutions: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (September 2004 Update). “Chronic Conditions: Making the Case for Ongoing Care”.

  • By 2020, about 157 million Americans will be afflicted by chronic illnesses, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • That number is projected to increase by more than one percent per year by 2030, resulting in an estimated chronically ill population of 171 million.
    Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge, a study of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & Partnership for Solutions: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (September 2004 Update). “Chronic Conditions: Making the Case for Ongoing Care”.

  • 96% of them live with an illness that is invisible. These people do not use a cane or any assistive device and may look perfectly healthy.
    2002 US Census Bureau

  • Sixty percent are between the ages of 18 and 64
    Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge, a study of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

To give a face to the plight of these individuals suffering with invisible illnesses I have included a video that gives a voice to their suffering. The words at times are harsh, but it speaks to the daily burden of an invisible illness that never leaves.

So, why would it be important to be aware of a struggle that impacts “nearly 1 out of 2” people who live in this country? If someone struggles alone, their burden becomes greater and the illness deepens and become overwhelming.

Medical studies have proven that kindness shown through empathy and compassion, has dramatic impact on illnesses. Even a common cold can be lessened by a compassionate connection.

This new body of evidence spanning psychology, neuroscience, and even economics reveals that as a species our default mode is not one of self-centeredness but that we are wired to connect and when we connect our physiology improves for the better.

Could you choose to be a lifter of suffering? Choose to be involved in a life that has been limited by a chronic illness?

“Carry each other’s burdens…Do not become weary of doing good…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…”  quotes of Galatians 6

Lifters of suffering by acts of compassion can bring health. Not only is fact proven by science but it is a spiritual truth as well:

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.  Proverbs 15:30 NLT

As state above, concern and connection produce a physiological change in the body of the one suffering illness. They no longer feel alone, the invisible becomes seen.

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body.. Proverbs 14:30A NLT

There may be sacrifices in helping the suffering. To be involved we must first seek to understand more about the suffering, listen to concerns and spend time comforting with our presences.

My energy and drive to comfort others comes from our Father in Heaven, through the love of His son, Jesus Christ. His love and light is in me.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.   Philippians 2:1-4 NIV

He has comforted me beyond words on many occasions. He is the lifter of my soul. This motivates me to be available to comfort and console with the same love that has comforted me; to be a lifter of suffering.

3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   2Corinthians 1:3-4 NET

 The pain of illness can be a life limiter. It is confusing and confounding that one should have to suffer from an illness that cannot be cured. Medicine cannot always heal the body. Through God’s love, shown by his children though compassion, can be a life lifter. 

Compassion is the messenger of hope. To suffer alone feels empty. To suffer in the company of a compassionate friend is to be filled – to be hope(full).

Please listen to MercyMe’s  song the The Hurt and the The Healer and remind yourself you are not alone in suffering.