Author: Carolyn

I am a Christian, a sinner saved by God's amazing grace. Much like my life, my blog is a work in progress. The main objective I have for this blog is to "proclaim the praises" of the One who called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light! (1 Peter 2:9)
Where Does My Hope Come From?

Where Does My Hope Come From?

Carolyn

For the last 14 years, my husband has been leading college student groups around parts of Europe each summer. While they get class credit, he shows them the wonders of the Swiss Alps or the history of the church at places like the Colosseum in Rome. He is a tour guide extraordinaire, and he loves to travel. He’s good at it. He’s flexible, organized, and energetic. He loves teaching and spending time with the students.

I, on the other hand, am a homebody, a creature of routine. I like to travel once I’m there, seeing amazing new places and learning more about the world, but I tend to dread it for the months leading up to it. It takes me outside of my comfort zone.

This summer, while my son was on a separate trip to Italy with a group of students, my husband finally had the chance to take my daughter and me to Italy to see a country that he loves. It was beautiful, and we now love it, too. I didn’t realize there were Italian Alps or an Italian Riviera. I love art, but had never given much thought to what you could see in Florence. The leaning tower of Pisa really does lean, and it’s absolutely beautiful! The waterways of Venice were a favorite. The food was delicious.

Through this wonderful trip, though, I had my eyes focused on July 11. That was the day we would travel home, the day we would meet up with our son’s group in the UK and all fly home together. That was the day the trip would be completed and I would know all had gone well and be able to enter back into my much-loved routine with my much-loved family.

But things don’t always go according to plan. Our flight was delayed. We missed the connection. My son would travel on with his group, catch a ride home with someone to our empty house, spend his first night home alone with us overseas (he is old enough and capable—no concern there), and we would enjoy London and return the next day. That all sounds pretty sweet, really. But when your eyes have been fixed on one moment for six months, when you’ve had this one big expectation, when you’re tired now from several days of travel, there’s a big letdown.

Riding the London Underground into the city, I could finally grab my Bible during which time I was able to refocus on what was true. God is in control, not me. And when I exited the Tube and looked up, my eyes met Big Ben, and I realized this could actually be viewed as a special addition to an already wonderful trip. (We even saw the excitement and activity surrounding their choice of a new prime minister that day.)

FullSizeRender-2

When I returned home, I read one of the last things I had written in my journal before leaving, as I had prayed about the trip: “God doesn’t want me to control my circumstances and environment. He by His Spirit wants to control me in them, to help me be self-disciplined and have self-control over emotions, yes, but also to be Spirit-controlled and Spirit-filled—not just to be managed, but to go forward in His will, way, and calling.”

This story is a small example that serves as a reminder: when I fix my eyes and set my hope on anything other than God, I am sure to be disappointed. But when I fix my eyes on God and His perfect plan, I will adjust more easily to the challenges that enter my day.

Since returning home, I’ve had other opportunities to notice how easy it is for me to be led by my emotions, to react and respond with what I feel instead of what I know, to do things quickly then without prayer, using my common sense, instead of looking to God for what He would desire—and it’s never good that way!

When our ultimate hope is God (not British Airways) and we’re looking forward to a destination like heaven (not our earthly home), there will be less room for disappointment, and great cause to rejoice and be glad in all circumstances. When we put our hope and trust in Him, we will see just how much God loves us and is working for our good, transforming us and making us more like Himself.

Psalm 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

My 30-Day Blogging Challenge

My 30-Day Blogging Challenge

Carolyn

I started blogging in June 2008 as a way to record for myself and my children what God was doing in our lives, to note those times I would see His visible (though invisible) hand and activity, all the while praising Him. Over the years, my goals for blogging have become a little more developed, as shown on my “About” page.

For some time, I’ve wanted to blog more regularly. Though I wake early and have plenty of time in my mornings, I am prone to distraction and don’t always keep my focus long enough to be consistent. So I’m giving myself a 30-day challenge to try post each day. Maybe acknowledging this will help me do it! This may include long or short posts, new posts or re-posts, maybe even linking to others, I’m not sure, but just taking steps forward with a goal I’ve long had.

Let me know if you have ideas or suggestions—or maybe if you have a blog, you want to join me in this challenge.

I know what a challenge this will be, but at least day 1 is in the books! 🙂

Digging for Treasure

Digging for Treasure

Carolyn

I arose this morning and have been digging for gold, for treasure. That’s what it feels like to go to God’s Word, to read it and study it, to meditate on it. I find rich treasure, food for my soul.

Much of my focus this summer has been on studying God’s Word as part of a Bible study I am doing for my daughter and a few of her friends. As I look more closely at Psalm 119 each day, I find more truth in and about God’s Word of all that it is and does for us.

It is true (Ps. 119:142), and it is pure (Ps. 119:140). That gives my mind something to dwell on (Phil. 4:8) when it would otherwise stumble. Thoughts of irritation, frustration, fear and anxiety, dwelling on hurts—these lose their place when my mind becomes focused instead on God’s Word, and its truth is established in my heart and mind.

This is but one small example. Every day brings more light and truth to expose lies that my heart and mind would otherwise believe. I can call out to God, and He will answer and help. He is near (Ps. 119:151).

I learn more of His promises and faithfulness to me. May I, as the psalmist, love His commands more than gold, even the purest gold and carefully follow His precepts, hating every false way (Ps. 119:127-128). This leads to life (Ps. 119:93). Revive me today, Lord, according to Your Word (Ps. 119:149). Amen.

 

Studying the Bible

Studying the Bible

Carolyn

2 Timothy 3:16-17:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:15:

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

This summer, I’m about to begin a Bible study with my daughter and a few of her friends focused on reading and studying the Bible. As I was purchasing some journals for them at the store last week, the lady checking me out said, “If you don’t mind, may I ask you why you are buying all these journals?” So I told her about the Bible study and that we would be learning to read and study the Bible more. She was very interested and said she would love to know how to do that, too.

It occurs to me that many people aren’t sure how to study their Bibles or where to begin. I’ve even participated in a variety of wonderful Bible studies and classes, through which I’ve grown, but where I’m learning what someone else has studied and learned and is now giving to me. That’s been of great value, but do I also read and study on my own?

I also want to know that my children understand the importance of “reading their Bibles” on their own as they get older, and yet have I equipped them with some practical tools for knowing how to do that? It’s easy to outsource this to church or even school and to think they may be further along in understanding than they are.

Of course, it’s true that anyone can (and hopefully will!) pick up the Bible, God’s Word, and begin reading and benefit from this. This is always to be encouraged! John, Philippians or Romans are wonderful starting points. Devotionals can also be a significant aid in helping us as we read and understand. Our focus this summer though will be on learning some practical tools or Bible study methods to help us grown in our ability to read and study God’s Word.

The goal as we read and study is not that we would simply gain more information, but that our lives would be transformed, that we would become more like Jesus. It starts, begins, and ends with prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead and guide us as we study and help us understand this treasured Word God has given to us. And our focus is on God before it is on us. We will see ourselves best when we see ourselves in light of who God is.

With these things in mind, I see today that IF:Equip is starting a new Bible study called “Rooted in the Word.” If you are wanting to learn how to study your Bible more, this might be a good place to begin. Over the next four weeks, they will explain how to study the Bible and then work through the book of Philippians, posting daily on the website so we can follow along. They also have an app you can download if that makes this study more accessible, and you can purchase their book to go along with this.

Another book that provides excellent and thorough insight into this is Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks and his son William Hendricks. Howard Hendricks was at Dallas Seminary for 60 years, and my husband and countless others were able to sit under his teaching of the very content that is in his book. It is quite thorough, yet easy to engage with and very useful.

I think of this quote by Nancy Guthrie: “Day by day, as I was in the Word, God’s Word did a work in me.” Consistent, daily study of God’s Word will over time produce an effect that we can’t begin to imagine. I can testify to that in my life. We just begin and take it day by day, step by step. Much like eating three meals a day for our physical health, we receive this spiritual food and nourishment to help us grow and develop and mature spiritually, to teach us and equip us and give us truth, wisdom, and discernment.

Would you want to join me in growing in this Word this summer? I am praying for you.

Beholding His Face

Beholding His Face

Carolyn

Our church has a wonderful ministry to moms and their young children called Mom2Mom. I am one of the “mentor moms” since I and my children are older. At each monthly gathering, a mentor mom will share a short devotional. I did this last year, and you can read it here, and this week I was honored to share again. This is what I shared.

My Weakness

It is rather ironic to me that I should, first, be involved in this moms ministry and, second, be asked to share. This is because growing up, I was the younger of two girls, and my mom and my sister did everything for me. They did all the cooking and cleaning, and I did as little housework as possible. I was not that domestically minded, and I rarely babysat. So when my own children came along, I loved them wildly, but I didn’t know the first thing about how to take care of them! I was learning through each stage of their development, and as soon as I would figure out that stage and feel on top of things, they had moved right on to the next stage! And just when I thought I had things mastered with my first child and would be an expert with my second (yes, I really expected this!), she came along three months early and threw a wrench into that plan!

Also, my children aren’t yet grown. When I think about giving wise advice to young moms, I’m not even proven! So while it would be great to bring in adult children and point to them, and therefore to me, as models of all that wise parenting can bring, the reality is my kids aren’t that old. Though they have faith that is growing, we’re all still learning and growing, and our story is ongoing—though in reality, I know that’s the case for everyone.

So rather than point to my kids or point to me—which even if I could, I wouldn’t want to—I wanted to point all of us to look up and into the face of Jesus Christ.

Easter and God’s Grace

We just finished the Easter season where I was struck again at the thought of what Jesus has done for us. We who are sinners, separated from a holy God by our sin, are able to know God and have fellowship with Him through Jesus’ death and resurrection. He took the place we deserved, bore the penalty and weight of our sin on the cross, and rose again in victory. Now by faith in Jesus, we are restored to relationship with God. What grace! We didn’t do this; God did! That’s how much He loves us. And there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This gives me great hope, not just for an eternal future with God, but for even today—abundant life in the here and now. When I make a mistake as a parent, be it from ignorance, by accident, through my sin, or whatever it is, I have a God who loves me, who offers forgiveness, who helps me, and who can give me wisdom for parenting.

This doesn’t mean I hang my hands and do nothing as a mom, just trusting God to take care of everything. While I am indeed dependent on Him and trust it will be His Spirit’s work in my children’s life that transforms them, I nonetheless know that I need to teach my children, and I want to do all I can to show my children the grace and love of God that He has shown to me. Rather than simply trying to change their behavior, I want to see into their hearts and help shepherd them to Jesus. I so often fail, but I’m so thankful that God helps me in this wonderful adventure of being a mom.

Beauty Found in His Face

I have just come through a couple of surgeries for skin cancer on my face. During this time, as I wrestled with the idea of having a scar, I was reminded again of the massive love of Jesus for us, that He would suffer and die and bear scars in His body for us (John 20:24-29). Imagine that!

One of the big things I came to realize, though, was that beauty is not found in the absence of scars, but in the presence of Christ. Through my time reading God’s Word, the Bible, each day, He brought me to verse after verse to show me this truth.

Exodus 34 is about Moses who, after having spent time with God, came down from the mountain. His skin shone, and his face was so radiant that the people were afraid, and he had to wear a veil.

Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” The radiant face comes from looking at Him. 

2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God is found in the face of Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 80, the psalmist asks that God would restore them, that He would make His face shine that they might be saved.

Psalm 67:1-2 similarly says, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”

Brokenness and Beauty/Suffering and Glory

During this time, I also began to see that God takes broken things and makes them beautiful so they we might shine for Him. This is also similar to the way He takes our light and momentary afflictions (brokenness) and through them produces an eternal weight of glory (beauty, shining) far beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17, Rom. 8:18).

These experiences are working out something in us that will actually make us more beautiful and able to reflect and shine for Him if we go through them beholding His face and His beauty. Our beauty comes from Him. And we can actually ascribe beauty to His name through our praise (Ps. 29:1-2), which I pray will ever be on my lips and in my mouth (Ps. 34:1), even as a scar sits there to remind me of this necessity.

How Do We Behold His Face?

The question then becomes “How do we behold His face?” We can do this through the study of God’s Word and through prayer, in both ways taking pleasure in the presence of Christ.

Study the Bible

It’s important to study God’s Word, the Bible, not just good books, helpful though they might be at giving us practical parenting tips. Set aside time to read the Bible each day. It can be a psalm or using a Bible reading plan or doing a Bible study. It was through Women’s Bible Study at our church that I began to grow and learn and be transformed by God’s Spirit through spending time daily in His Word. This is a vital spiritual discipline. God’s Word will not return void.

Pray God’s Word

Similarly, we want to pray. Pray before we read the Bible asking God to open our eyes and heart to understand. We can also take what we read in Scripture and pray it back to God, pray it for our children. Here’s one way I’ve done that this year.

May His Face Shine Upon You

The content of this talk has been new to me recently, a new theme, and I haven’t had time to wrap it up into a neat outline. These are therefore somewhat disconnected thoughts that I would like to shape more, but I hope you will remember God’s grace and His face when you think of this talk! And I conclude with Numbers 6:24-26:

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.