Rise Up & Walk

This morning I heard a portion of this letter being read over the radio and it really ministered to me. Spalatin had given wrong advice to another pastor that was contrary to God's Word. Spalatin could not forgive himself for his sin and therefore became depressed and unable to move froward. Can anyone relate? I think so. Luther does not make little of Spalatin's sin, but rather boast in the grace of God. It's a rather long letter, but I think it's worth slowly digesting and processing.

Grace and peace from God in Christ and the consolations of the Holy Spirit to my worthy master in Christ, George Spalatin, superintendent of the churches in Misnia, most faithful pastor of Altenburg, my beloved in the Lord. Amen.

My dearest Spalatin, I heartily sympathize with you and earnestly pray our Lord Jesus Christ to strengthen you and give you a cheerful heart. I should like to know, and am making diligent inquiries to find out, what your trouble may be or what has caused your breakdown. I am told by some that it is nothing else than depression and heaviness of heart, caused by the matrimonial affair of a parson who was publicly united in marriage to the stepmother of his deceased wife. If this is true, I beseech you most urgently not to become self-centered and heed the thoughts and sensations of your own heart, but to listen to me, your brother, who is speaking to you in the name of Christ. Otherwise your despondency will grow beyond endurance and kill you; for St. Paul says, 2 Cor. 7:10: ‘The sorrow of the world worketh death.’ I have often passed through the same experience and witnessed the same in 1540, in the case of Magister Philip, who was nearly consumed by heaviness of heart and despondency on account of the landgrave’s affair. However, Christ used my tongue to raise him up again. I say this on the supposition that you have sinned and are partly to blame for the aforementioned marriage, because you approved it.

Yea, I shall go further and say: Even if you had committed more numerous and grievous sins in this present and other instances than Manasseh, the king of Judah, whose offenses and crimes could not be eradicated throughout his posterity down to the time when Jerusalem was destroyed, while your offense is very light, because it concerns a temporal interest and can be easily remedied; nevertheless, I repeat it, granted you are to blame, are you going to worry yourself to death over it and by thus killing yourself commit a still more horrible sin against God?

It is bad enough to know that you made a mistake in this matter. Now do not let your sin stick in your mind, but get rid of it. Quit your despondency, which is a far greater sin. Listen to the blessed consolation which the Lord offers you by the prophet Ezekiel, who says, chap. 33:11: ‘As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.’ Do you imagine that only in your case the Lord’s hand is shortened? Is. 59:1. Or has He in your case alone forgotten to be gracious and shut up His tender mercies? Ps. 77:10. Or are you the first man to aggravate his sin so awfully that henceforth there is no longer a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities? Heb. 4:15. Do you consider it a new marvel when a person living this life in the flesh, with innumerable arrows of so many devils flying about him, is occasionally wounded and laid prostrate?

It seems to me, my dear Spalatin, that you have still but a limited experience in battling against sin, an evil conscience, the Law, and the terrors of death. Or Satan has removed from your vision and memory every consolation which you have read in the Scriptures. In days when you were not afflicted, you were well fortified and knew very well what the office and benefits of Christ are. To be sure, the devil has now plucked from your heart all the beautiful Christian sermons concerning the grace and mercy of God in Christ by which you used to teach, admonish, and comfort others with a cheerful spirit and a great, buoyant courage. Or it must surely be that heretofore you have been only a trifling sinner, conscious only of paltry and insignificant faults and frailties.

Therefore my faithful request and admonition is that you join our company and associate with us, who are real, great, and hard-boiled sinners. You must by no means make Christ to seem paltry and trifling to us, as though He could be our Helper only when we want to be rid from imaginary, nominal, and childish sins. No, no! That would not be good for us. He must rather be a Savior and Redeemer from real, great, grievous, and damnable transgressions and iniquities, yea, from the very greatest and most shocking sins; to be brief, from all sins added together in a grand total.

Dr. Staupitz comforted me on a certain occasion when I was a patient in the same hospital (in the same situation) and suffering the same affliction as you, by addressing me thus: Aha! you want to be a painted sinner and, accordingly, expect to have in Christ a painted Savior. You will have to get used to the belief that Christ is a real Savior and you a real sinner. For God is neither jesting nor dealing in imaginary affairs, but He was greatly and most assuredly in earnest when He sent His own Son into the world and sacrificed Him for our sakes, etc. Rom. 8:32; John 3:16. These and similar reflections, drawn from consolatory Bible-texts, have been snatched from your memory by the accursed Satan, and hence you cannot recall them in your present great anguish and despondency.

For God’s sake, then, turn your ears hither, brother, and hear me cheerfully singing—me, your brother, who at this time is not afflicted with the despondency and melancholy that is oppressing you and therefore is strong in faith, so that you, who are weak and harried and harassed by the devil, can lean on him for support until you have regained your old strength, can bid defiance to the devil, and cheerfully sing: ‘Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall; but the Lord helped me.’ Ps. 118:13. Imagine now that I am Peter holding out my hand to you and saying to you: ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk.’ Acts 3:6. For I know I am not mistaken, nor is the devil talking through me; but since I am laying the Word of Christ before you, it is Christ who speaks to you through me and bids you obey and trust your brother who is of the same household of faith. It is Christ that absolves you from this and all your sins, and I am a partaker of your sin by helping you to bear up under it.

See that you accept and appropriate to yourself the comfort I am offering you; for it is true, certain, and reliable, since the Lord has commanded me to communicate it to you and bidden you to accept it from me. For if even I am cut to the quick by seeing you in such awful distress because of your deep melancholy, it gives God a far greater displeasure to behold it; for ‘He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.’ Joel 2:13. Therefore do not turn away from him who is coming to comfort you and announce the will of God to you and who hates and abominates your despondency and melancholy as a plague of Satan. Do not by any means permit the devil to portray Christ to you differently from what He is in truth. Believe the Scripture, which testifies that He ‘was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.’ 1 John 3:8. Your melancholy is a work of the devil, which Christ wants to destroy if you will only let Him. You have had your fill of anguish; you have sorrowed enough; you have exceeded your penance. Therefore, do not refuse my consolation; let me help you.

Behold my faithful heart, dear Spalatin, in dealing with you and speaking to you. I shall consider it the greatest favor that I have ever received from you if you allow the comfort which I am offering you, or rather the absolution, pardon, and restoration of the Lord Christ, to abide in you. If you do this, you will, after your recovery, be forced to confess yourself that you have offered the most pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to the Lord by your obedience; for Ps. 147:11 it is written: ‘The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy’; again, in Ps. 34:18: ‘The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit’; and in Ps. 51:17: ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.’ Therefore let the accursed devil with his despondency scamper away like a whipped dog. He wants to make me sad on your account; he wants to blast my joy in the Lord; yea, if he could, he would swallow us all up at one gulp. May Christ, our Lord, rebuke and chastise him, and may He strengthen, comfort, and preserve you by His Spirit! Amen.

Comfort your wife with these and your own more effectual words. I have not the leisure to write also to her.

Given at Zeitz, August 21, A. D. 1544.
Your Martin Luther.

Open Palms

This lenten prayer is my heart's cry, but too often my flesh cries out for something entirely different. 

The dearest idol I have known,
Whatever that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
and worship only thee…

- William Cowper, “O For a Closer Walk with God”

It's Coming

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The Village: God of Victory "Teaser" from The Village Church on Vimeo.

Preparing

The Cross did not happen to Jesus: He came on purpose for it. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The whole meaning of the Incarnation is the Cross. Beware of separating God manifest in the flesh from the Son becoming sin. The Incarnation was for the purpose of Redemption. God became incarnate for the purpose of putting away sin; not for the purpose of Self-realization. The Cross is the centre of Time and of Eternity, the answer to the enigmas of both.

Oswald Chambers

On My List

Leaving on a boat for 6 days on Monday and I am drooling just thinking about lounging on the deck under the sun and READING.  Lots of books on my wish list right now. Which one should I pick to read while we are circling the gulf?

Christa Black is a wonderful recording artist and I fell in love with her song titled, God Loves Ugly, several years ago.  Now that she turned her lyrics into a book makes my heart happy!

Ann Voskamp may be one of my favorite authors of all time. She has an unbelievable way with words and most often leavings me yearning for more of Jesus. You can find her blog here.

The Pioneer Woman tells her love story?! Yes, please!

I have dying to read Angie's book since it was available for pre-order. I still have yet to get my hands on it. I blame Amberton University. I can't even believe that Angie is already about to have another book available for pre-order. I want this one too!

Every Season

This week I have been painfully aware of people in my life who are hurting. And yet, many are rejoicing under the same sky.

Tonight there will be:

Tears caught by pillows.
Prayers uttered for mercy.
Depression that wraps round like a blanket.
Anger that swells like the sea.
Sadness that seems to bury the soul.
Selfishness that has the sting of a scorpin.
Darkness that takes away years of smiles.
Loss that shakes the foundation of faith.
Devestation that crushes flat the mountain.
Dignity stripped away in the clap of thunder.
Confusion that steals any glimpse of rational.

And there will be:

Glasses clinking in celebration.
Hearts discovering one another.
Flowers blooming after the long winter.
Cries of new life.
Joy that bubbles like boiling water.
Peace that covers life snow.
Long embraces wrapped in lovers arms.
Rejoicing that comes with the morning.
Healing that has been long awaited.
Glowing that outshines the sun.
Warmth that thaws the hardest of hearts.

Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Mercy & Goodness | Devotion

From Devotional Classics, written by Brother Lawrence from The Practice of the Presence of God.

I imagine myself as the most wretched of all, full of sores and sins, and one who has committed all sorts of crimes against the king. Feeling a deep sorrow, I confess to him all of my sins, I ask forgiveness, and I abandon myself into his hands so that he may do with me what he pleases.

This king, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastening me, embraces me with love, invites me to feast at his table, serves me with his own hands, and gives me the key to his treasures. He converses with me, and takes delight in me, and treats me as if I were his favorite. This is how I imagine myself from time to time in his holy presence. 

'Round the Bend

Several weeks ago, I arrived to class early just as I always do. I had been fighting off nausea all day and just felt miserable. I went to my professor's office early to let him know that if I left class early, it was due to a weak stomach.  He sent me home and said that several other classmates had reported the same thing and he did not want me spreading the love to anyone else.

I was thankful to go home and rest, but I also knew that I would have to fight rush-hour traffic to make it there. I decided that I would try to take the back roads. I had done it once before, with the help of my GPS. I looked down at my phone - it would die any minute. But I decided to risk it. I tossed my phone into my purse, knowing there was no time to pull up directions.

As I started home, things looked somewhat familiar. I kept looking for landmarks and roads that I had seen on my previous journey. Eventually I ended up in an area that I couldn't say I had seen or hadn't seen before. I kept driving straight. "Surely this will lead me to the tollway", I thought to myself. But it never did. As I headed into the hills of uncharted territory and back country roads that are idyllic for a Sunday afternoon drive, I said a prayer. "Lord, lead me home. Let me be still and quiet enough to hear your voice. Don't let me take one, wrong road.".

I pushed my nausea down, along with the volume to my radio and I paid careful attention to my drive. It was so quiet and peaceful. There was something beautiful about knowing that only the Lord and I knew where I was in that moment. Not a soul out there knew that I was twisting and turning into towns not my own.

I never became completely confident that I was headed in the right direction, let alone was on the right road. But I pushed on, determined not to stop to ask for directions. Not because I didn't want to, but because I wanted to hear from the Lord more. And not some audible voice that guided me to turn left or to turn right, but to just hear something in my heart from Him.

I encountered dozens of streets. Dozens of decisions. And on my final stretch home, I passed a street that had I taken five turns backs, would have put me in my driveway much earlier.

And there it was. So quiet, that I might have missed it as quickly as my car passed by the street sign.

He spoke.

I did not get home the quickest or shortest way available, but I got home just the same. At the end of the night I sat parked in my garage in awe that He had granted my plea,  I had not taken one wrong road.

Every twist and turn along the way led me to the place I so desired, home.

He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. Deuteronomy 2:7

For a deeper look: Hinds Feet on High Places

Exposed

Larry and I spent Sunday reading excerpts from Jeremy Taylor's, The Rules and Exercises of Holy Living (regarding humility). Everything we read was powerful. I would stop reading every few sentences with jaw dropped open. Taylor has much insight into the motives of our hearts, and at times I felt completely stripped down and naked. The quote below is a good example. I strongly encourage you pick up this book for more.

Never say anything, directly or indirectly, that will provoke praise or elicit compliments from others. Do not let your praise be the intended end of what you say. If it so happens that someone speaks well of you in the midst of a conversation, you are not to stop the conversation. Only remember this: do not let praise for yourself be the design of your conversations. (Devotional Classics, page 270)

-Jeremy Taylor

What's In a Name? | Blog post from Superwife Productions

Here is a post that wrote for SWP on how we decided on the name Superwife Productions. :)

Since we launched Superwife, we've received a number of questions related to it's name. We are often asked, "How did you come up with the name Superwife?" As Larry's wife, this can be a difficult question to answer, as I immediately want to make a disclosure statement assuring people that I am by no means "superwife". So, here is a little story of how SWP came to be.

Larry and I were married in May of 2009. About a month after being married, I noticed that Larry still had me programmed in his phone as Courtney Coker and this just did not seem fitting. So, with batting eyelashes I hinted that an adoring nickname was in order since I was after all his new blushing bride. A couple of weeks later I noticed that he had changed my name to Superwife. Ah, much better, I thought to myself.
Fast forward to October. Larry threw me my very own surprise party and premiered our long-awaited wedding video. At the end of the video, Superwife Productions flashed across the screen, along with the sound effect of a big, wet kiss. [Swoon]. I loved it and it meant something really special to me - and he knew that it would.

Okay, fast forward again. Last year Larry was asked to do a wedding video for his friend Dustin Maddux and his bride-to-be, Heather Cunningham. We were thrilled about the opportunity. As we began to prepare for their wedding, it made sense that we could use Superwife Productions for their big day as well. It was during this time that we were beginning to brainstorm about building Larry's freelance business. As time went on and the business began to take shape, we had many, many discussions about potential business names, but we just kept coming back to Superwife.

And that's it, really. It's just a name, born out a husband wanting to encouraging and spur on his wife with a silly nickname.

But to prove I am no superwife, I will first direct you to Proverbs 31. Nothing will humble a woman quicker than this Proverbial woman. Secondly, I will leave you with a quick top-ten list of some of the things that keep me in superwife-in-training status:

1. I leave mounds and mounds of clothes piled up for weeks at a time, rather than hanging them in their rightful place.

2. Larry does way more dishes than I do.

3. I leave the toothpaste cap off - always.

4. A go to bed at 10p. And I have a night owl husband.

5. I can be a very bad listener, particularly when Hoarders is on.

6. I have been known to be much more temperamental than Larry. Who isn't though?

7. I might do leave hair on the shower wall occasionally.

8. I regard macaroni-and-cheese as a complete meal.

9. I leave a trail of my belongings from the bottom of the stairs on up.

10. I spend a lot of our hard-earned money on coca-cola at Sonic.

Superwife Productions | Dallas/Ft. Worth Videographer

Hi friends,

It has been a long time since I have posted, but here I am!  I just wanted to give you all a quick announcement.

In early January we soft launched Larry's new business, Superwife Productions. This is a place where Larry can direct people to his video work and begin to increase his freelance business. When we initially launched, we had included that in addition to helping Larry with business operations, I would also be offering creative design services, such as websites, logos, promotional materials, etc.  In a very short of time, I realized that I am maxed out.  It would be so silly for me to take on any additional work right now. (We only have one night a week to see each other as it is, but I will save that sob story for another time).  I have since removed myself from this role and will only be helping with Larry on SWP's business operations, communications and marketing. I am still interested in doinf creative design when I have time, but I am mainly devoting my energy to my counseling efforts and hope to quickly begin accruing my hours after graduation in May (ahem...a mere 16 weeks away.)

Anyway, back to SWP. If you know of anyone looking for a shooter/editor (videographer), please feel free to pass them on to Larry - we are heavily relying on word-of-mouth referrals at this point. He is currently accepting projects for adventure, documentary, legacy, narratives, weddings, ministry and whatever else you may have in mind. I am dying for him to do a "Day in the Life" family session!

There are a number of places that you can connect with SWP - please help spread the love about SWP.
Website | Blog | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter

We love you!

Merry Christmas from The Causeys

We sure are wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from McKinney!  It has been such a long time since I have posted, but I have been greatly enjoying some much needed rest after having such an intense semester at school.  Since I last posted, I passed my departmental (praise God) and completed my time at Freedom Stones. I will be starting my practicum in January at Hope's Door in Plano. I am really looking forward to it.  

But, as of right now, I am very much enjoying only working three days a week and soaking up my extra two days off by spending quality time with Larry, Christmas shopping, cleaning, playing with our new puppy, Jack. It's been such a blessed time for me. I have been able to slow down and drink deep of the gifts of our Savior. 

As I posted on facebook, Larry and I are going through the Jessee Tree Advent Book, written by one of my favorite blog authors, Ann Voskamp.  She asked that we only share the link through her page or facebook, but I encourage you to check it out on www.aholyexperience.com. It's not too late to jump in now, or you could go ahead and download the book now and save it for next year.  She is an incredibly gifted writer and she has really helped us focus on Jesus as we wait for Him to come. 

I pray that each of you are also able to slow down this Christmas, and enjoy the bountiful gifts that have been lavishly poured out on us, starting with a baby in a manager. 

Much love!

Windows

Our apartment is filled with windows. There is no need for any lights to be switched on during the day because the sunlight streams in at any given hour.  Most people love the idea of having windows illuminating their homes, but for me this is a real problem, particularly when it comes to the kitchen window.  I prefer to keep the blinds down until dusk, because if left open the sun floods the kitchen and living area with its bright rays.

I pull them shut.

Larry pulls them open.

I shut.

He opens.

Repeat.

I know how much Larry loves letting in the natural sunlight.  He loves to open windows too, without screens on, but that's another story. I love the idea of having them open too. Really, I do. I think about all those little cottages in my favorite magazines and how the sunlight burst through the window panes just like so, with subtle sun flare illuminating the golden retriever laying on their spotless white rug.

But when I open the blinds, the sun exposes...

Dust that gathers on the end table.

Dog hair that clings to the sofa.

Streaks that miraculously appear on the refrigerator.

Crumbs that surface on the counter tops.

Sneaky cob webs crafted in the corner.

A tile floor that suddenly needs to be mopped.

Fabric that has begun to fade.

Quite simply, a home that has been lived in.

While most people cheer for daylight savings time, I hate the idea of having a home lit up until nine o'clock in the evening.  That's just more hours that I need to keep those drapes pulled closed.  Once the sun passes over that last hill in the west, I can draw back the drapes, pull open the dusty blinds, and enjoy the house filled with dim lamps and soft candle light.  Each room has a lamp in my house.  Some have three. I would continue to buy more, but my sweet husband has put his foot down.

Just like that, I feel better.  I look around the house and it looks calm and cozy.  There is no evidence of my housekeeping failures, no smudges to attend to, and no more work to be done. Seemingly anyway. 

Huh...

Is this what I do with my Jesus?

For it says (ESV):

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. Psalm 90:8

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:19-20

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible... Ephesians 5:13

Too often I ask the Lord for revelation afresh.  I ask for more of His light in my life.  But His light reveals my wickedness and sin.  And so I picture this...

He swings wide the drapes of  my heart.

I shut them.

He opens.

I shut.

Repeat.

I don't shut Him out because I desire less of Him in my life.  Not at all.  In fact it's quite the opposite.  But that light of His just makes me look so messy.  And that mess compels me to jump up and start cleaning. No time for rest here.  Dust this. Mop that. Sweep there. Bleach everywhere.

Oh, how He's teaching me to stop looking at how the Light makes me look a mess. The Light is not about me at all. It's about Him. And how in spite of all of my measly efforts to keep things clean and pristine, I can't. I just can't. And so, if I will just be willing to sit still long enough to rest while the Light streams in, I may just be so overcome by the Light that all of the crumbs and cob webs begin to disappear. Or at least they will no longer define me.

Now, about those blinds in the kitchen...

May His Light burst forth for you and I both.

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Causey Tips and Tricks

One of the things that I love about being married (but certainly not limited to being married) is determining what works for our family.  We strive to use as many organic and natural home remedies as possible, but I will be the first to tell you that we are not rigid about this. So please, no need to point out that I seem inconsistent because I desire to eat organic chicken, but have no problem gulping down a large soda.  I.am.inconsistent. :)


I want to share some of the things that we do or use regularly in our home.  I hope that you will also share tips and tricks that you and your family practice. I have too many to share all at one time, so I will start with just a few.

White Vinegar 

We use white vinegar to clean just about anything! Counter tops, sinks, toilets and tile floors.  It is a great natural cleaner, free of chemicals and odor absorbing.  It does have a pungent smell but it does not last too long and as mentioned before, it actually removes bad odors. 

Olive Oil  

I use this as a hair conditioner weekly.  Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to wet hair and put in plastic cap for 30 minutes.  Then rinse with tepid water and shampoo (may need to shampoo a couple of times). You can also use any leftover oil to moisturize your body, to shave your legs or to soften chapped lips.

Cinnamon 

In an attempt to save money and reduce the number of chemicals in our home, I use cinnamon (sticks or ground) to fragrance our home.  Just simmer water and cinnamon to make your house smell like fresh baked goodies.  You can also add nutmeg and cloves to alter scent. Though I like this smell, I would love to find other natural options.  If you have any affordable suggestions, please let me know!

Weleda Skin Food 

I adore this body creme!  The scent is a little more citrusy than I would prefer, but it works so well, I don't care.  It's also little pricey for what I use as a body lotion, but it does such a great job at keeping your body hydrated without harsh chemicals that I think it's worth the price.  

 

Home-Made Deodorant 

Yes, I make my own deodorant and I think it works better than any store-bought product out there. It's simple to make, last a long time and it's super cost effective. Here is how to make it:

1/4 c Corn Starch 

1/4 c Baking Soda

5-6 Tbsp Organic Coconut Oil (you will need to sit jar in a pan of hat water to liquefy. Mash all ingredients together until it's mixed together and then let harden in fridge in either a wax mold or travel dish.

You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you prefer some scent. 

Okay, that's enough for tonight.  I am sleepy! Soon I will share about plopping, homemade carpet stain remover (puppy pee anyone?), and ways to avoid bottled water.

House of God

This morning I read Tullian Tchidjian's blog and was challened by one of his four-part blog post. He writes:

In the opening verses of Isaiah 6, what the prophet encounters first in the house of God is the glory of God: “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (v.1). It doesn’t first say he encountered well-dressed people or hot coffee or influential power brokers or a booming sound system or a great organ. What he caught site of first was God’s glory.

There’s a growing trend in some churches to offer door prizes to any returning visitor. One church visited recently by a friend of mine promised him a ten-dollar Starbucks gift card if he came back the following week.

Isaiah shows us the door prize that awaited him when he walked into the house of God—the uncomfortable, wrecking presence of God’s glory: “Woe is me!” (v.5).

To read his entire blog entry, go here.

Heaven Came Down

Yesterday morning, Jesus carried Walker Jack Rainey home to heaven. 

Soon after Walker was diagnoised with a rare and aggressive tumor, the Rainey family contacted our agency to discuss needs for childcare.  I was instantly drawn to the family and the way that Chad spoke of his son, their plan of action, and most of all their faith in a good God. I met with the family in person to discuss their needs and I even entertained the idea of a way to help this family myself seeing that they lived so close by to my home. Walker was deemed precious in my sight from the moment I layed eyes on him and it was obvious that his parents swelled with infectious pride. I have since watched Walker's blog closesly, always waiting for the day that Chad and Missy would announce that he was set free from cancer.

I had always hoped that "free" would be here among the land of the living.  But nonetheless, today Walker is indeed set free.

And Chad and Missy's faith in Jesus continues to inspire and wreck me.

To read more about Walker's ridiculously beautiful and fruitful life, go here. I believe that their faith will leave you changed.

Please pray for the family's healing and that Jesus will be ever near in their darkest hour.

Beauty for ashes, Lord. Beauty for ashes...

**The first song now playing on my playlist is Held, by Natalie Grant. These lyrics are some of the only words that seem to come to my mind and lips when I think about the loss of the Rainey family. **

Panera on a Monday: A Story

A few days ago I mentioned on Facebook that I had the most bizarre experience at Panera Bread.  I wanted to share more, but it required more words than my status update would allow, as you can clearly see by the length of this post.

On Monday I headed up to Panera bright and early to study for my midterm exam.  I was anxious about cramming nine chapters into my brain for a mere four questions.  I like going to Panera because they have free wireless and I can cozy up in the back corner and typically be left alone.  Not this time.

A couple of hours into my study session a large family settled in for lunch behind me. Soon after, another gentleman sat himself at the tiny table directly next to me.  I was deep in thought and had my earphones in, so I just quickly noticed him in my peripheral.  A few minutes later he stood up and I noticed that among his greasy, tousled hair and unshaven gray beard, that he was sweating profusely through his heather grey t-shirt, particularly in his chest region.  I initially thought he must have been working out, but he was in normal clothes. As he went around to the coffee bar, I studied him as he walked away.  That's when I noticed that he had two large poop stains on the back of his shorts. I could not believe it.  Nor could I believe that I was going to be camped out next to this guy for who knows how long.

He soon came back to his tiny table and tiny laptop, and all the while he was trying to talk to the children at the other table and was laughing at every little thing that they did.  I was anything but focused on studying at this point, and as my husband has communitcated to me, I am not the most discreet observer. :) Glancing his direction occasionally, I noticed that his socks were filthy and that one of his soles flopped when he walked. He was an absolute mess, but he did not appear homeless, but rather unclean and extremely socially awkward.

When he finally said something to me, he simply pointed to the tattoo on my heel.  He said, "I just noticed your little cloud there. It's cute." I simply said thank you and then returned to my reading, to politely relay that I was not able to engage in conversation.  A few minutes passed and he said, "Your feet are so small. If you ever committed a crime the police would be looking for a nine year old". I managed to curve my lips into some kind of polite smile and again, returned to my reading.

All that I could think was, "I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A CRIME"!

About this time, another women sits on the other side of me and she is the most odd little pregnant woman I have ever seen. She looks intently at me and gives me the strangest smile while holding her belly.  She sits and continues to look about - as if in a daze. 

Then, following her is another women who I would say is in her fifties. She headed straight to the back asking where another outlet was. She then starts chatting with everyone around her and starts climbing the furniture to close all of the blinds in the back of the restaurant. I noticed while her back was turned that she had these high-rise jeans on with a shirt that only connects near the neck, exposing her entire back.  "So odd", I thought to myself.  She sat down and announced that she was going to be getting on a conference call and that she can be quite loud.  Of course.

I turned my music up.

Then the gentleman taps on my desk to get my attention. I remove my earphone (becoming a bit frustrated at this point) and I focus my attention on his face. 

***Disclaimer - I have this awesome disposition where I feel like I am "on to people".  My husband calls me Crime Dog McGruff because I am always convinced that someone is doing something wrong or bad and it's my job to bring these people to justice.  Hilarious really. So, please picture Crime Dog McGruff kicking in at this point.***

Back to the gentleman...he was typing on his computer and stopped me to ask a question.  This is what I heard, "How do you spell mass killing". Can you even imagine the horror on my face?  I am quite certain that I looked at him in disgust as I shook my head, while also trying to look past him for a manager, police officer, body guard, a grown-up! :) I repeat back to him after a while and say, "Mass killing"? He said, "Huh? No, how do you spell mas-cu-line?"

[body begins to relax]

"Oh, masculine", I say cooly. What an idiot.

After the spelling bee incident, I can't help but laugh at myself.  I text my hubby, who I know will get a kick out of this and then I simply step out of the building to phone my mom to let her know about my Crime Dog McGruff faux pas. We have a good laugh and then I am really ready to get back to my text book.  I walk in, sit down, put on my earphones and pick-up my textbook.  It's after maybe a minute that I realize the woman from the conference call is now off the phone and wait...is she...no, really?...is she talking about me? I remove one earphone and look in her direction and yes, she absolutely is talking about me.  She then says to me, "Must have been a really important phone call for you to take that call outside. You can talk in front of us you know?"

I am so confused.  I let her know that it was a private call. And left it at that.  I wish she had too.

I put my earphone back in and then I soon notice the woman packing up her things, all the while chatting with the gentleman and pregnant woman. Before I realize it, she is standing right next to my chair.  Again, I remove my earphone and ask, "Can I help you?" She then looks at the man, and says, "See what I mean? She sees me as a problem child.  Once a problem child always a problem child. If you don't conform with the masses...yada yada yada".

At this point, I have been looking for a reason to leave this psycho-section of Panera for an hour and so I stand up, quite ruffled mind you, and begin packing up my things.

She then says, "You don't have to leave, I'm leaving soon anyway".

I then tell her, "I am just trying to study for a mid-term. I don't know what I did to you, but I don't have time for this". She replies, "I am just looking for some involvement here". I quickly announce, "I came here to study. I am not looking for involvement".

Again, she says to the man, "See what I mean.  They just don't care. This generation...."

I walk away in complete bewilderment.  Did I seriously just sit next to a guy in poopy shorts AND get into a heated argument with a manic, middle-aged woman (who apparently thought I was in high school)?

And the worst part - they made me CRY! :)

The End.

The Wilderness

Last week we loaded up the car and headed to Creede, Colorado to enjoy YL's Wilderness Ranch. Although it was technically a work trip for Larry, we were surrounded by tons of fun and forever friends. This was the first time either of us had been to Wilderness, and my first time to ever go to a Young Life camp period, and I can easily say that my experience was indescribable. Joy, excellence, amazing food, smiles and cheer-offs abound. If you ever get the chance, check it out and if you have teenagers - SEND THEM HERE for the summer.  They will be changed.

Here are just a few pictures from our road trip.

Goodnight, y'all. So excited to sleep in my own bed tonight!

Nothing Between

Recently I found myself googling the words soda + spiritual battle. Whoa.

I had come to this place where I felt physically ill when drinking soda, though all the while feeling completely compelled to get my next Coke. I was/am miserable. I crave it first thing in the morning, then as treat in the afternoon and why not just finish off the day with an ice cold cola. I think about how much I love it and then race to my nearest Sonic, but when lift the straw to my lips the taste makes me cringe and  I can never put it down. It is never enough. I often think, "How did I get here? I never used to drink sodas".

Anyway, I came across an article that left me speechless...mainly because the author had taken all my words and penned them for me. :)  It was so comforting to know someone else out there had the exact same struggle and conquered it. It was also really good to finally call it what it was in my life...an idol that has come between me and my Lord.

Please pray for me as I cling to the Lord for help to lay this down (everything within me is saying, "Don't publish this yet. Just a few more days."). :)

  Nothing Between

For many years, I was in bondage. It was a subtle bondage, and most people wouldn’t have thought there was anything wrong with what I was doing. However, what comes between my Lord Jesus and myself is bondage.It began innocently enough many, many years ago by simply enjoying a Pepsi with my meal if we went out to eat. After a period of time, probably when we had a little more financial stability, I decided a Pepsi would be a treat when I cleaned house. So I started buying 24 packs of Pepsi at the grocery store enabling me to have a cleaning-day supply at home.

I remember one day when I was pregnant talking to Steve on the phone while he was at work. It was the middle of the afternoon, and I was tired. I told him a Pepsi would be a nice pick-me-up for some extra energy. He said, “Sure. Go ahead.” That one little statement from Steve was all I needed to push my way into having a Pepsi every afternoon—for that caffeine boost.

More time passed, and there was a day when I was weary in the morning. My solution was a Pepsi right then, and before long it was not only an afternoon habit but a morning one as well. If there was a special occasion, Steve might buy me a 2-liter so I could sip on Pepsi throughout the day. When we were out and around, I would get a soda from a convenience store if we stopped for gas or just because it sounded good.
In my mind I justified my Pepsis. I worked hard taking care of a large family and homeschooling. I needed energy boosts, and I felt I deserved a treat. Sometimes the Pepsi was an escape from the pressure and problems of the day rather than turning to the Lord for His comfort.
Are you familiar with the words to the beautiful hymn, “Nothing Between”? It says:

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure—
Jesus is mine! There’s nothing between.
Chorus

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor;
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, tho harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him ever sever—
He is my all! There’s nothing between.

There was something between for me. While it appeared to be a harmless habit of life, it had become a sinful, worldly pleasure for me because it had become so important. During the day, I thought about when I would get another Pepsi. I hoped when we were out that we would stop at the convenience store so I could buy a big drink from the soda fountain. If I didn’t have a Pepsi, I’d get a headache so I was always trying to prevent that from happening.

While I greatly enjoyed drinking my Pepsi, I was truly in bondage. I fought spiritual battles over my Pepsi—defending it one moment and feeling condemned the next. I would drink a Pepsi telling the Lord that it would be my last one, but the next day I’d find myself rationalizing it again.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Paul understood what was important spiritually, and he took steps to keep his body in subjection. I knew that my body wasn’t in subjection. It was ruling me instead of me ruling it.

I knew the amount of soda I was consuming wasn’t good for my health or my teeth. It was an unnecessary expense, and if I didn’t have a Pepsi, I was guaranteed a caffeine headache. I planned to stop drinking Pepsi many times but would end up deciding I’d wait for another day.

Twice I succeed in getting off the caffeine for several weeks or a couple of months only to end up back on it. I thought I could start drinking the Pepsi again, and keep it in moderation. Although I would begin with small amounts, before long I was back to where I had been before.

I remember a friend telling me about how she had stopped smoking. She was trying to stop but was out gardening when a very strong urge to smoke hit her. She cried out to the Lord and said, “If You want me to stop smoking, Lord, You will have to take this craving from me.” And He did.

I thought to myself. “Lord, if You will do it for her, You can do it for me.” That’s how I started praying. However, in my life the Lord hasn’t zapped me from my sinful directions into a righteous path, although I keep hoping it will work like that. It would be so much easier.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). This verse showed me that the Lord doesn’t stop making the temptation a temptation. Rather He provides the way of escape. Then I have to decide if I will take the way of escape or give in to the temptation.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13). Here I saw again that I had to make a choice. What would I yield to—righteous or unrighteousness?

In my spiritual battle with my sin, I knew the Lord was telling me the Pepsi had become an idol in my life. That was evidenced by my wanting to stop drinking it but not being able to and by the focus it had taken for me. Finally, the Lord’s conviction of my sin was so strong that I said in my heart, “It isn’t worth it. I don’t want anything between my soul and the Savior.”

I made the decision to stop yielding to unrighteous, and God’s grace was sufficient. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

On December 31, 2006, I drank my last Pepsi. It was a miserable two days as I suffered through the caffeine withdrawal, but I kept crying out to Him for His grace and strength. The joy I have experienced this past year and a half since being freed me from my bondage is completely worth the discomfort of the withdrawal.

The sodas had become a habit for me. I would drink a soda—when I was happy, when I was sad, in the morning, in the afternoon, on special occasions, when we were running errands—there was almost always a reason to have a soda, and it was all part of the habit of my life. After getting off the Pepsi, when I hit those habitual times, I longed for a soda at first, but every time I put my thoughts on how much I desired the Lord Jesus and how much I didn’t want to be back in bondage. I asked for His help as the days went by. I knew from my previous attempts at freedom that I could justify starting again and soon be back into the old habits.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me” (Philippians 4:13). Experientially, in the release from Pepsi drinking, I found this to be true, but only as I yielded to righteousness and chose to take the way of escape from the temptation. It didn’t happen automatically. The desire wasn’t removed from me. I had to fight a spiritual battle with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. The way of escape was to care more about the Lord Jesus than about my sinful pleasure.

I want to make it clear as I bring this Mom’s Corner to a close that I am not saying drinking a Pepsi is sin. Instead, I am telling you how something that isn’t inherently sinful in itself became sin for me because of the focus it had taken in my heart. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). I knew the Lord was convicting me that I shouldn’t continue the Pepsi habit in my life. I was aware that it wasn’t pleasing to Him. Yet, for a long time, I allowed my flesh to rule my heart.

I share this story because I know many of those who read the Mom’s Corner are in bondage to something. It might be what others would call sin, but it might be like my Pepsi drinking that no one else would consider wrong. From the moms who share their spiritual struggles with me, I know that this list could include soda, coffee, smoking, other treats, an addiction to the computer or TV, and many others. Each of us knows our own hearts. We are aware of what it is that comes between us and our Savior. Don’t think that because you have tried for freedom before that you just give in to it, live with it, justify it, and say it’s the way you are. I had tried before as well. It took becoming more and more miserable in my sin for me to get to the place where I would choose the way of escape.

My heart’s desire is to encourage each of us to be free. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Hardly a day goes by that I don’t rejoice in my freedom and liberty from the flesh. I never want to return to that bondage; the joy of nothing between is too sweet. Would you be free as well?

Teri Maxwell

Written by Teri Maxwell, co-author of Managers of Their Homes, Managers of Their Chores, Keeping Our Children’s Hearts, Just Around the Corner (Vols. 1 & 2), and author of Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit.

Teri Maxwell is the mother of eight children and began homeschooling in 1985. Four of her children have graduated from homeschool, and one is married. Teri is a homeschool conference speaker and has been writing monthly articles of encouragement for homeschooling moms since 1990.

Really?

Did I really write my last post on May 13th?  Wow. I barely have even been online to read any of my favorite bloggers. I am sure missing you guys.  Things have obviously been a little hectic here. Three jobs, a husband in Zimbabwe for 15 days, solo with the residents while the house parents are in Scotland. It has been enough to cause me to collapse into bed every night.

All is well though.  I picked up the husband yesterday which is a glorious gift. He is home for five days and then heads out to Canada for eight days. The residents go home on Saturday for summer break and I will get to enjoy sweet time with family and friends.

I have really been enjoying my time with Freedom Stones. I am learning so much. I will continue to keep you posted on what's going on there, but you can follow F.S. on twitter for regular updates and awesome information on human trafficking.

Much love from our Cornerstone abode,