magnolia high

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

I have always wondered what made Eve say yes to the serpent in the garden that day. Just as daughters blame their mothers for all sorts of things, I blame the first mother for the very existence of the serpent! I fuss and ask her “What were you thinking?!”

[Stick with me! I promise this post is not about animals!!]

In the following passage, we see that the difficulty to say “No!” even plagued the world’s first woman! This pressure that we feel to say “Yes” began with a forbidden fruit tree in the Garden of Eden.

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” 

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’” 

“No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. – Genesis 3: 1-7, HCSB

On a recent morning stroll, I noticed how lovely the magnolia trees were. The blooms were simply magnificent. Their fragrance was intoxicating. The smooth green leaves shone like patent leather against the stark contrast of ivory-white flowers. The beauty of the unfolding flowers on a sea of green simply took my breath away.

For a moment, my head was spinning from the sweet smell drawing me closer. I drew a sharp breath and steadied myself against the magnetic forces drawing me towards the tree. I was inhaling so deeply, like I could capture all the fragrance in one breath.

I could only focus on the tree. It was like I was “under the influence” of an aroma and on a “magnolia high!” 

As I was fighting temptations to climb the tree and live there, because that seemed like a great idea, I decided to cut Eve a little bit of slack. If that forbidden fruit tree in the Garden of Eden smelled anything like this blossoming magnolia, then I totally get it! Y’all, girlfriend must have been high too! Yes! A ‘magnolia high’ completely explains her senseless behavior. If my theory is right, then who can blame her?

Back to the story:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 

And he said, “I heard You in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” 

Then He asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 

Then the man replied, “The woman You gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 

So the Lord God asked the woman, “What is this you have done?”

And the woman said, “It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I ate.” – Genesis 3:  8-13, HCSB

I am curious how Eve felt in the aftermath of her ‘high.’ Surely, a wave of emotions must have swept in and engulfed her.

Was she overcome with feelings of guilt for saying yes and taking the fruit?

Did she chide herself for even talking to the serpent in the first place?

Was she disappointed with herself for not seeking her husband’s input first?

Did she and her husband argue about the whole encounter later and for days to come?

Do any of these questions sound familiar? How often do you regret decisions that you have made?

Whether it is rash or well-thought-out, the decisions we make can haunt us for years to come, especially when the outcomes are not favorable. The scenario will play over and over in our minds, as we play our different endings and better choices we could have made: “If only I had done this…” and “things could have been better if I had only said this…” These mind games are exhausting!

The opposites of decision are hesitation and indecisiveness; both are often projected negatively in our culture. Why are these words associated with weakness?

If a conclusion to a case cannot be reached, more evidence is usually gathered. The same applies to a verdict in a court of law. Should the same principles not apply to determinations we must make in our personal lives? Perhaps some hesitation and time to think could lead to healthier decision-making.

Views of Eve range from a ‘weak woman’ to a ‘strong woman’ who had a moment of weakness. My perspective has softened over the years, and now, I simply think of Eve as a fellow woman! We have all found ourselves in sticky situations and regretted rash decisions that we have made. Her story is no different!

My hope is that we may learn a little something about ourselves and others from Eve’s story. The truth is that we all make mistakes; no human is perfect! We are so quick to judge ourselves and others around us.

Take time to think a decision over, especially when the answer is unclear. Beware of intoxicating situations and temptations. My friends, God will never tempt you or lure you in with a fleeting blessing. Anything He places before us will be steady and unwavering and never a tease. It will not come with an “act now, hurry while supplies last” feeling.

I trust that our God wants to truly bless us! He delights in giving us the desires of our hearts! (Psalm 37:4)

After all, forgiveness of SIN is the whole reason that Jesus came to earth! In his death on the cross, He paid for ALL OF OUR sins … past, present, and future!

That, my friends, is GRACE! Amazing, unwavering, unquenchable.

Now, let us take that remarkable gift of life that He gave us and, in turn, extend that same loving grace to both ourselves and to those around us.

HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible

field expert.

Published on by elizabethgwin1 Comment

“EVERY PROMISE OF GOD PROVES TRUE; He protects everyone who runs to him for help. So don’t second-guess him.” – Proverbs 30: 5-6, The Message

God knows what He is doing. The truth is that He has been doing it for years. He is quite seasoned, an expert in his field.

Doubt is a form of fear. We all have it; it is normal to doubt ourselves, our situations, others around us, and sometimes, even God. This doubt is so hard to recognize God entirely, but we also may not trust him entirely. [Ouch!]

We reach a point in our spiritual maturity, our faith walk, where we realize that we are old enough to know better! In his letters, Paul often spoke of babes in the faith and reassures the new Christians in the churches that trust takes time to build.

Relationships grow when we invest time and energy into them. The same is true in our faith. We grow to know God more as we spend more time together. You don’t become BFFs with someone by meeting them once and seeing them several times a year. That’s not how friendships work, not healthy ones at least.

Our God is a god that can be trusted. Fully. Wholly. Completely. He has only our best interests at heart. When I was less-mature in my faith, I assumed that God’s plan were boring. How could they possibly be exciting? I equated God with constraining rules and limited pleasures in life, which I just knew had to provide a very mundane and eventless existence. Now that I am older [and know better!], I have learned that those rules were simply boundaries to protect me and guide me to the path He had laid out for me. What looked like exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities along the way were really facades planted to draw me into danger. [Note: Danger not planted by God, rather by the enemy to tempt me into sinful activities and lifestyles.] Like when you see a really cute outfit in a store window that you  admire. Then as you think about it later, you start planning how cute you will be in that outfit, the places you will go, the compliments that you will get. Your mind is consumed with coveting thoughts of this outfit, and you just don’t see how you can possibly go on another day without this outfit. So you go to the store, go inside and put this outfit on and realize it’s not well made, it’s not flattering, and the price tag is outrageous. All your dreams suddenly vanish, and you are left feeling empty as though someone stole your grand plans for glamour. You go home and look disappointedly at your closet and can’t fathom looking cute in anything you see. Void, empty, disappointed, feeling less than. Facades planted by the enemy are just like the cute outfit. They catch our eye and plant a seed in our minds that quickly consumes our thoughts and deters us from our paths.

God will never leave a facade for us to follow alone. That’s how you tell the difference.

God tells us that he will never leave us or forsake us. He will guide us along when we need to make a turn or take a different route.

In my experience, the blessing comes after I have journeyed on the new path with God. In other words, I cannot usually see the blessing from the road. God can, but it is not visible to me. I find it when I trust in Him to guide me along the way, and when we get to the blessing, I’m on a clear path, not busy with others, but my own personal road. I can truly enjoy and relish my blessing b/c its just me and God. Fewer distractions. More joy! If you can see it from the road, make that your clue to stop and ask God for guidance. Second-guess the facade, the situation, not God. He will let you know if you’re on the right track. He will either leave you there or He will move you. That’s how you will know!

Once I made it through the wilderness, I could see the beginning of the path that God had for me. Just for me! My only personalized, tailored to my likes, suited for my gifts, path carved out by the creator of the universe just for me! When I was moving forward, I knew I was in some danger zones and some rough areas, but I never realized how much of a wilderness I was in until I made it out to the other side. Once I was able to look back and see the forest, I knew that I would have never made it out without God’s guidance.

Palm Sunday.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

This past sunday, we celebrated Palm Sunday at church. This is always one of my favorite church services. Perhaps my fascination began as a child, excited for the opportunity to get out of my seat and wave a palm branch as we walked into the sanctuary! None the less, my fascination with the tradition has only grown deeper as an adult.

You may be wondering what kind of celebration (or what kind of church) is this? The mention of palms might conjure up tropical images in your mind of flamingos, beaches, and tiki huts. Next thing I know, I will be getting calls from the ladies in my family with concerns about the future of this United Methodist church that I attend!

Just to be clear, Palm Sunday is not code for a luau or beach party!! 

Rather, Palm Sunday is a day of celebration as we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem the Sunday before his death and resurrection. As you may recall, Jesus and his disciples had traveled to Judea, to the city of Jerusalem, for the Passover, also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This annual festival celebrated God’s redemptive acts for His people, as they gathered to remember how God delivered the nation from captivity in Egypt. The captive people were instructed to paint their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb and make bread without leaven because their deliverance was so imminent that there was no time for the bread to rise. See Exodus 12 for the full story of flat biscuits, boiled lamb, and fleeing from captivity.

Now, please turn your attention to the 30s A.D. Jerusalem was a bustling city in the widespread Roman Empire. It was springtime and unusually crowded with visitors in town for the Passover, the largest and most popular Jewish festival of the year. Among those many travelers were Jesus and his disciples.

HISTORY REMINDER: In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people had been under foreign rulers for the past nearly 600 years! The Jewish people had been scattered in every direction, as the nation had been under the rules of Persia, Greece, and now Rome. The province of Judea [where Jerusalem was located] had been conquered by the Roman Empire in 63 B.C. The local Roman government, unlike some previous rulers, did allow the Jews to practice their faith. Although Roman rule allowed freedom of religion, the Hebrew people were frustrated and tired of the political oppression as well as the financial strain of paying taxes to both Rome and the temple.

The Jewish people were anxious for a native ruler to rise up and regain control of their land. They were constantly looking for a military leader to fulfill the ancient prophecies spoken to their forefathers. The following passage from Matthew’s gospel recounts the events of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem the week of Passover.

Now when they [Jesus and the disciples] drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”  

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” – Matthew 21:1-11, ESV

Surely, no one expected the long-awaited Hebrew messiah to ride into town on a donkey! Some must have thought: ‘What? This cannot be our promised hero! He has no horse, no armor, no sword!’ Perhaps some recalled the prophet’s words of promise read aloud in the temple or discussed around the dinner table. Perhaps some shared the same feelings of discouragement as those did in the prophet’s day.

The priest Zechariah survived captivity in Babylon before returning to the promised land and years later, serving as a prophet to the Jewish people. His prophecies spoke promise to a discouraged nation, a weary and displaced people, longing for God to faithfully restore the nation of Israel. They felt that God was absent and wondered if He would ever send the messiah He had promised through many a prophet’s tongue.

Hear the Word of the LORD spoken to his prophet Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9, ESV 

Fast forward to Friday. The party has not stopped in the holy city. The week has been full of excited buzz and speculation over this Jesus, his actions and his identity.

After his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Sunday, he returned to the city on Monday:

He [Jesus] went into the temple and began to throw out those who were selling, and he said,“It is written, my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!” Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to kill him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard. – Luke 19:45-47, CSB

On Thursday, after several days of teaching in the temple, Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples:

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” “Go into the city to a certain man,” he said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. –          Matthew 26:17-19, CSB

On Friday, after a long week of celebrations, the crowd that excitedly welcomed Jesus into town on Sunday with shouts of “Hosanna!” is now the same crowd that excitedly hands Jesus over to be killed, with shouts of “Crucify him!” [Matthew 21:9, 27:22]

The rest is not only history, but the most important event in everyone’s history. Jesus served as the Passover Lamb for all mankind, putting an end to our sins by overcoming death. On the cross, He paid the final and full price for the sins of the whole world. He overthrew the old temple sacrifice system once and for all and paid our debts in full.

Jesus knew all the events to come when he rode into Jerusalem on that donkey. He fully understood the price that he would have to pay and the sufferings that he would endure, and he did it anyway because his love for the world outweighed all pain and suffering that he would experience. He came to save the world from their sins. He came for me, and he came for you. Now that is truly something to celebrate!

CSB = Christian Standard Bible; ESV = English Standard Version Bible

disappointed resolution-ists.

Published on by elizabethgwin4 Comments

New Year’s Resolutions. Who needs them? Who wants them? At least that is how I have always felt about making resolutions at the start of each year. I recently read that only 8% of new year’s resolutions are ever even achieved, so I must not be the only disappointed resolution-ist!

It seems that every year upon prompting, I set out to identify areas of needed improvement in my life, but instead, I find myself scrutinizing my body, my habits, and my entire being. A routine intended to be a healthy self-check can take a turn for the worst very quickly if we are not careful.

Our focus can easily shift from a godly view to a worldly view of ourselves, and that is a danger zone, my friends. When our focus changes, everything else of importance follows; our perspective shifts, our purpose loses definition, and our sense of self-worth diminishes. Moral compasses fail, and peace and joy are no longer within our reach.

Why are we so often swayed by the world and left disappointed with ourselves?

Perhaps you can relate to this: The resolutions that I can recall from years’ past were not always achievable.. or exactly practical.. or God-honoring. To be honest, my resolutions often centered around changes I thought I needed to make to meet social standards.

Have you ever resolved to change your physical appearance or alter your personality with an end goal being to “fit in with the popular crowd” rather than to make  improvements in your overall health or social skills?

Social media “likes” and thinner thighs may bring temporary joy, but the elated feelings will soon fleet when the next best thing or new social standard arrives.

Know that the glitz and glamour of the world will not last, nor will the joy that we find in material possessions and accomplishments. Turn your focus to God, the source of everlasting peace and joy. His love never fails, and you can never disappoint Him. Seek His will for your life, and He will guide you to paths of better ways.

In January, I was itching for a fresh start to the year but saw no value in setting the typical resolutions. Instead, I sought a new approach for 2018 and started by examining the word “resolution.”  I asked God for a new definition that held actual purpose and meaning in my life. Gradually, God revealed the freshest word to my heart! Here it is:

    Think of “resolution” in terms of a camera and the photographer adjusting the lens to capture a picture with the best clarity and the finest detail and the most brilliant colors. The photographer can see the whole scene, the full expanse of the setting, but the viewer can only see what is captured through the camera lens. Not every picture taken turns out well, but a blurry picture does not lessen the beauty of the setting in the eyes of the photographer.

 God is the photographer, and I am the viewer.

      I can only see moments of my life at a time. The pictures I see of my world are not always clear and beautiful; but sometimes they are. Those moments where I can view breathtaking beauty remind me who is really in charge of my life. God is the photographer; he chooses when to adjust the resolution and which photographs to display. He asks me, the viewer, to simply trust his judgement, because I know that he sees the whole picture!

Anytime I think I have received a message from God, I perform a check to ensure that God was the sender and that my interpretation was accurate.  Paul warns that “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14, ESV), so I trust that my request for a verification or a clarification will not offend heaven! Most often, this case included, I find confirmation when my message aligns with scripture. After all, it is God’s written word. Here is my confirmation: √

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” – Proverbs 15:3, ESV

Now it is your turn. How will you make a God-honoring resolution this year? Remember that each day brings a new opportunity, and there is no better time to start than the present!

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

 

merry and bright.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

We all have our favorite Christmas movies, songs and traditions… the ones that really make the season feel right! For some, it is not Christmas until cookies have been baked or wreaths have been hung. For others, the season has not yet arrived until cards have been mailed and wrapped gifts are under the tree. My holiday season officially starts when I light the fireplace and watch Irving Berlin’s White Christmas [for the first of several times during the month of December]!

I do not recall the first time I ever saw the movie, but every time I do, feelings of happiness and contentment wrap me in warmth like a blanket. I love the storyline, set in the post-WWII era, the character plot, and all the song and dance throughout the 1954 film.. especially when Bing Crosby sings ‘White Christmas!’

My favorite line from the tune, “may all your days be merry and bright,” sets the tone for the season.

Something about White Christmas simply elicits a sense of anticipation not only of the holiday season, but also of a new season of life, as new romances bloom and old friends reunite. Two former Army soldiers team up in a song-and-dance act following the war and following two lovely sisters, end up at a small ski lodge in Vermont for the holiday. The men’s former General owns the lodge and is struggling to make a profit in a ski resort with NO SNOW! The men not only bring their entire cast to Vermont to rehearse a special holiday music show, but they also invite every soldier and his family living in the region to join them for the Christmas Eve production to surprise the General.

I tear up every time as I watch the gleaming-eyed General tell his men that their PRESENCE is the best Christmas PRESENT he has ever received! 

What a gift! These men packed up their families and traveled on Christmas Eve to surprise and support a man they loved. Can you imagine? Talk about putting others’ needs before your own…

Their selfless act of kindness reminds me of Jesus’ words to his disciples:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” -John 15:12-13, ESV

With a careful eye, we can see the love of Christ weaved into the storyline of this secular movie. Everyday life is no different. Holiday times tend to be busy with lengthy to-do lists and endless activities. We so easily lose focus of the true meaning of the season in the hustle and bustle.

Peace and joy are ever-present, but I do not always feel the peace and joy of the season until the holiday is nearly over. Is it even possible to make our days merry and bright, or are those just words that we sing?

Surely you can relate to my dilemma!? I believe the answer is quite simple and requires that we DO LESS rather than do more. Yes, I am suggesting that we actually reduce our to-do lists and our engagements and spend the time enjoying the present moment. That is when we will experience merry hearts and bright days. It is far easier to see a bright light when we are not looking directly into a mirror. Slow down and look around you. Take it all in, and search your surroundings for glimpses of Jesus. His light is shining everywhere; we just must stop and see it. Find that light and let it be your guide into this new year, this new season of life.

I leave you with the words of the prophet Isaiah, as he offers encouragement to the Israelites as they prepare to move into a new season of life and anticipate the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ the Lord). I encourage you to take a moment and let these words pour over you. Let them sink deep into your soul. Then your light will shine as you beam the radiating love of Christ to others around you!

“Arise, shine, for your LIGHT has come, and the glory of the Lord SHINES over you. For look, darkness will cover the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will SHINE over you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to your shining brightness. Raise your eyes and look around.. Then you will see and be RADIANT, and your heart will tremble and REJOICE.” -Isaiah 60:1-5, CSB

May your days truly be merry and bright! Happy New Year!

ESV = English Standard Version Bible; CSB = Christian Standard Bible

snow day.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

I woke up to picture-perfect snow falling outside my window this morning! Huge fluffy snowflakes captured my fascination as they slowly drifted down to join the thick blanket already covering everything in sight. Like a child, I dressed in layers and ran outside to play, with both my cocker spaniels leading the way! Worn out, I have since enjoyed the gorgeous view by the fire inside, with dry clothes, warm coffee, and two sleeping dogs.

You see, snow falling is a rarity in central Mississippi, and snow that sticks long enough to accumulate is even more rare.. a Christmas Miracle, if you will! Truly, these several inches of white fluff are a special blessing to a [deep] Southern girl like me!

There is just something about seeing the world covered in white! It is so quiet and peaceful and still. The normal hurried sounds of the day are absent as though the world has slowed its pace. The contrast of browns, greens, and yellows against the pure and simple white create a beautiful tapestry unlike any other in nature.

I love the feeling of freedom that envelops me when snow falls. It is a freedom to just be, to stop and rest in the amazement and joy, and to slow down and savor the beauty surrounding me. As nature tends to do, as I stop to appreciate my surroundings, my thoughts turn to God. I see His hand in each snowflake that falls and stare in wonder as they gather and rest on tree branches without overwhelming or breaking them. The harmony of it all is simply breathtaking. I cannot stop staring at the world around me!

 

Perhaps this state of harmony is how God intended the world to be? Perhaps He longs for us to see the beauty He creates in nature more often and to rest in His peaceful calm?

This snow-covered day gives a deeper and fresh meaning to a favorite verse of mine:

“BE STILL, and know that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10, ESV

Psalm 46 celebrates Zion (the coming city of the LORD) and God’s plans to bless all the earth with His majestic presence. All wars will cease, and peace will rule the nations.

Be still, people of the earth, and welcome the coming LORD! Let God’s peace fall down upon you like snow. Let the blanket of white cover you and the quiet calm envelop you until you can truly rest in the real presence of the LORD.

Take time this Advent season to JUST BE STILL! Take in the beauty of the snow (if you have any), and allow it to calm and soothe you. Remember that God created time. He will not let you “get behind” because you have chosen to pause and be still in His presence; rather, He will bless you with snow flurries of joy and peace as you go about your day!

[NOTE: More to come on the season of Advent in upcoming posts! Stay tuned!]

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

happy fall y’all!

Published on by elizabethgwin2 Comments

I love fall! It is my favorite season. The crisp weather, pumpkins, football and scarves just get me excited! I long to plant mums and cabbage, hang a “Happy Fall Y’all” sign on my door, and start a pot of chili on the stove to celebrate the new season!

Now the autumn season officially began on September 22nd, but as my fellow Southerners can relate, the temperature and humidity have stubbornly rebelled against the change. As a Southern lady, I have spent the last month “glistening” [Southern lingo for perspiring] due to the rebellious nature of our weather.

I look around me and see the leaves changing and the fall plants growing, yet the weather refuses to joyfully embrace the new season. The plants, the animals, even the people have welcomed fall, and I wonder why the weather insists on holding on to the past. Do we not do the same thing sometimes? Do we not go through the motions of moving into another season of life while gripping tightly and focusing our eyes on the previous season?

God created seasons to allow time for rest and growth and renewal. He made all of nature to thrive in ONE SEASON at a time. He made humans no different. We were created to live and thrive within seasons as well! We cannot go through seasons without change.

Notice the opening line from the poem in Ecclesiastes below.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, ESV

What about you? What season of life does God have you in right now?

Perhaps you are in a season of growth and wonder how much further you can be stretched because your body aches from the growing pains.

Or maybe you are in a season of rest and renewal and are plagued with FOMO (fear of missing out) or boredom due to your less active lifestyle.

Perhaps your season is far more challenging than your neighbor’s, and you struggle with envy because your disappointments are racking up in comparison to her successes.

Or maybe you are in a season of loss and struggle to hold onto your faith because all you can feel is numbness from the pain.

Perhaps you are in a season of newness and positive growth, and you long for someone to genuinely share in your excitement.

Or maybe you are on your way out of one season and into another one and not sure how you will weather the storm of change or how you will start over if you lose everything you own.

Each season is different, but one thing remains the same: GOD. He is constant. He is steady. His love for us never changes. His eyes never leave us. His hand is never out of reach.

Storms in life will come, and change is inevitable.

How can we remain joyful, even in the toughest of seasons? How can we hold tight to our faith when everything else is slipping away? By looking up to God instead of all around us. Know and trust that He is faithful and good.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bad driving.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

Bad drivers. We all have seen them, honked at them, and yelled things at them that we are ashamed to repeat outside of our cars! Even worse, some of us have been those bad drivers. Oh no!

I attended an event the other day located deep inside a large neighborhood, more like a maze. When I went to leave, I could not find the exit and realized that I must have missed my turn. You see, I had not paid good attention to all the turns when I followed my friend through the maze to the event.

Now, I found myself on a street that dead-ended in a cul-de-sac of houses. No sight of the neighborhood exit, and I was frustrated!  I made a three-point turn, retraced my path, and said some unsightly words! I was so busy being annoyed from driving in circles that I failed to look both ways before crossing the street.

I ALMOST had a wreck because I was being a bad driver!

At the disturbing sound of many long honks, I hit my brakes and looked up just in time to see a very nasty glare that lasted far longer than necessary.

I sat at that stop sign and thought about how close I was to not only being in an accident, but almost being the cause of one. As I surveyed my surroundings, I realized that I had turned prematurely. I had been on the right street in the beginning but had taken a wrong turn BEFORE I could SEE the exit gate.

So similar to our Christian walks…

We often are on the right path with God, and although we are walking with Him, we still want to turn off the path BEFORE we arrive at the gate. We lose patience with the journey and think that we have missed our turn. On the contrary, most times we have not even arrived to the place where God wants us to turn. We feel lost and frustrated and worry that God has either led us astray or misled us, or (my favorite), that we have gone too far and completely missed our turn altogether. LIES!

Now, the glares and the honks hurt my feelings, but I was grateful for their warning that kept us both out of danger.

Have you ever had warning signs that made you realize that you had veered off the road? What about in your spiritual life, in your journey with God? Have you ever felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit that caused you to stop and turn around? Or perhaps that undeniable gut feeling, or conviction, that lets you know that you need to turn around to avoid danger?

GOD KNOWS that we are human. He designed us “in His image” and empowered us with the ability to make our own decisions (Genesis 1:27). However, this free will can lead us astray when we are not paying attention to our surroundings or decide that our paths are better than the ones God chose for us.

We are not the only “bad drivers” throughout history. King David certainly did not have a perfect driving record! He made many mistakes in life, yet God never gave up on him. In the following passage, he advises his son to OBEY GOD and to STAY ON COURSE!

Hear these words of wisdom from King David of Isreal:

“When David’s time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, “I’m about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you’re made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then God will confirm what he promised me when he said, ‘If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you’ll always have a successor on Israel’s throne.” – I Kings 2:1-4, The Message

We must note that David did not detour enough times to “mess up” or “miss out on” God’s plan for his future. The world may tell us that we have gone too far off course for God to save us, but that is simply not true! We are NEVER TOO FAR GONE for God to save us! God re-routed David [every time!] until arriving at his final destination of establishing the lineage for the kingdom of God through his dynasty!

Twenty-eight generations later, Jesus Christ is born from the house of David:

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:12, ESV

This Messiah, this Savior, was Jesus Christ, the eternal successor of Isreal’s throne.

Remember, God will guide us, but we have to pay attention to look and listen for our directions. It is so easy to miss our turn when we are not paying attention. Turn off the distractions, and focus solely on God’s navigational directions!

ESV = English Standard Version

 

nap time.

Published on by elizabethgwinLeave a comment

I have never been “good” at sitting still. I like to be doing something. I was the child in school who detested nap time and preferred to be coloring or playing instead.

Little has changed in adulthood for me. With the exceptions of an illness or a beach chair, I seldom nap. I still would rather be doing something more fun, more exciting than taking a boring nap!

Although I have outgrown (and graduated!) from grade school, I have not outgrown spiritual school. God teaches me new things every day, and sometimes we spend more days that I would like to admit reviewing the same lesson. Oh yes, the school of God is no joke! He asks me to recall important information I have already received in order to learn from my mistakes. Some of his lessons make no more sense to me than organic chemistry, and his examination style puts my pharmacy professors to shame!

As if all this were not enough, God also insists that I take nap time. I try to explain that I am “too busy” to stop and nap, but it is no use! I try to argue that I am not even tired, but He disagrees!

Hear the words of our Lord Jesus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28, ESV

I sometimes do not even realize that I am tired and worn out until I finally stop. I also do not realize how heavy my burden is until I set it down.

Jesus commands us to come to him with our heavy burdens and our worn down souls so that He can give us rest. I hear you Jesus! I sure do not intend to disobey, but I do have a tough time knowing when my burden has become heavy and when I am tired and need rest!

Perhaps you can relate? We live in a culture that never stops and is always looking for the next best thing. It is so easy to get caught up in the social pressure of doing more, being more, going more. However, trying to keep up with the pace of the world brings nothing but frustrations and disappointments. The world will tell us we are not doing enough, but Jesus tells us the opposite. See my previous post for more about living in God’s timing: Standing on an hourglass

Jesus tells us that we are doing enough.. perhaps we are doing too much! Our loads are sometimes far heavier than we are made to carry. The burdens are not intended to be solely ours. Burdens can be anything that we are carrying around: guilt, sin, frustrations, worries, jobs, to-do-lists.

Jesus continues: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30, ESV

In Jesus’ day, a yoke was a wooden frame joining two animals for pulling heavy loads. It was also a common metaphor within the Jewish community for the religious laws that they were required to observe. There were so many laws to follow that practicing faith had become exhausting. [Remember, that Jesus was born into the Jewish community. Christianity began with His ministry on earth.]

One particular group of Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, were very judgmental and strict about the Jewish laws. Other groups of Jews felt guilty and “heavy burdened” from trying to obey all the laws they imposed to stay in God’s good graces. [See the book of Leviticus for all the many Jewish laws.] Under the Jewish law, the only way that people could receive forgiveness of their sins was by offering sacrifices at the temple, and the priest had to make the sacrifice on their behalf. How exhausting! I would be on a first-name basis with the temple priests for sure from going so often!

Jesus offers a lighter yoke, an easier way to do life. He tells the people to come to Him [instead of the temple priests] to lay their burdens down. Jesus not only will forgive us for our sins; He will also help us carry our heavy loads with no judgement for what we bring to Him.

Jesus, are you serious?! My loads are embarrassingly heavy, and I really do not want anyone to even see what I am carrying around! He says to bring it anyway!

Jesus wants us to come to Him, is willing to take our burdens, and wants to give us rest. He does so because He loves us, unconditionally and always. 

My hope is that you are able to recognize when you are weary and when your load is too heavy to bear, that you go to Jesus for rest, and that you allow Him to lighten your load. I assure you that He is more than willing to help and is waiting for your arrival!

ESV = English Standard Version Bible

propel women.

Published on by elizabethgwin1 Comment

Several years ago, I had the privilege to attend a Women of Faith event in Houston, Texas. I was inspired and encouraged by all the speakers I heard throughout the weekend: Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lisa Harper, Sheila Walsh and Christine Caine.

I began following each of the ladies’ ministry journeys and learning and growing from the materials they were producing. When Christine Caine created Propel Women, I immediately was drawn to her prophetic vision that had developed into a deep and genuine passion to encourage, empower and equip women to do the Lord’s work in everyday life. Yes! I could not wait to learn more!

Next thing I knew, I was co-leading a Propel Women Chapter at my local church and gathering a group for the conference that would be held in the fall of 2016 right here in Mississippi. [Y’all, NO ONE holds their events in Mississippi! This was HUGE!]

At the conference, I was afforded the opportunity to meet other chapter leaders from the region as well as meet the ladies of Propel Women! A few months later, Propel Women invited me to write an article about my amazing experience at their event.

It is my great privilege to present my first published article: My Story at Propel Women.

I hope you find encouragement in my story and can see that God indeed hears us and has a purpose for our lives. Opportunities exist around us daily to see His hand and to hear His call; our eyes and ears must be open to Him, and we must also be attentive and willing to respond in obedience.

This passage spoke to me often during the time period that I reference in the article. These words sustained me during a seemingly silent and lost time, a season of searching and waiting. In retrospect, I can see that God not only met me right where I was, in the middle of the thick, but He also guided me out to a better place and is still leading me today.

“.. Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all… Always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good… He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14b-21,24, ESV

ESV = English Standard Version