If Only I Had… Devotion

If Only I Had ...
Lysa TerKeurst
<http://www.crosswalkmail.com/rlntrwcvtjtpclvqpkfbhpyhcwplnffljgchrrqcnr
vrntn_rclgjvgrgglv.html>
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32 (NIV)
Devotion:
There's a simple little script many of us play in our mind--simple, yet
incredibly dangerous.  Dare I say it's one of the biggest things that
hold us back from feeling fulfilled in our relationship with God. It's a
script tangled in a lie that typically goes something like this: I could
really be happy and fulfilled if only I had ...
... a skinnier body.
... a husband.
... a husband who was more tender and romantic.
... more money.
... a more successful career.
... a better personality.
... a baby.
... smarter kids.
I don't know what your "if only I had" statements are, but I do know
that none of them will bring fulfillment.  They might bring temporary
moments of happiness... but not true fulfillment.
In the book I just wrote, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl
<http://www.crosswalkmail.com/mpbbqscdbwblcpdkltgvzlmzcslpyggpwnczqqkcyq
dqybb_rclgjvgrgglv.html> ," I expose the "if only I had" lie with this
truth:  Apart from a thriving relationship with God, even if we got
everything on our list, there would still be a hollow gap in our soul.
Instead of saying, "If only I had" and filling in the blank with some
person, possession, or position, make a choice to replace that statement
with God's truth. Here are some examples that have helped me battle the
temptation to let people, possessions, or positions take God's place in
my life.
People
I no longer say, "If only I had a daddy who loved me...." Instead, I
say, "Psalm 68:5 promises God will be a father to the fatherless."
Maybe your gap isn't left by an absent father but by a friend who hurt
you. Or perhaps a husband who left you. Or the children you've longed to
have and still don't. Whatever that gap is, God is the perfect fit for
your emptiness. Pray this paraphrase of Luke 1:78-79: "Because of the
tender mercy of my God by which the rising sun will come to me from
heaven--to shine on my darkness and in what feels like the shadow of
death to me--I will find peace."
Possessions
I no longer say, "If only I had more possessions ...." Instead, I recite
Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But
store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Any possession I ever long for, no matter how good it may seem, will
only be good for a limited time. In light of eternity, every possession
is in the process of breaking down, becoming devalued, and will
eventually be taken from us. If I set my heart solely on acquiring more
things, I'll feel more vulnerable with the possibility of loss.
Possessions are meant to be appreciated and used to bless others. They
were never meant to be identity markers. It's not wrong to enjoy the
possessions we have as long as we don't depend on them for our heart's
security.
Position
I no longer say, "If only I had a better position ...." Instead, I say
the words of Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
for my path." I don't need a better position to get where I should go. I
don't have to figure out my path and jockey to get ahead. I need God's
Word to guide me. As I follow Him and honor Him step-by-step, I can be
assured that I'm right where He wants me to be doing what He wants me to
do.
Whatever "if only I had" statement you are struggling with, you can
replace it with solid truths from Scripture that will never leave you
empty. It's a bold assertion to make but it's true. When God's Word gets
inside of us, it becomes the new way we process life. It rearranges our
thoughts, our motives, our needs, and our desires. Our soul was
tailor-made to be filled with God and His truth, therefore, it seeps
into every part of us and fills us completely.
Dear Lord, I acknowledge only You can fill those empty places in my
heart.  Help me to stop the "if only I had" cycle and instead be set
free with Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

God’s Minute

As we end the year 2009, with all the problems the World is facing,
it can be unsettling to the mind.  Today, I will share with you ten
predications that are sure to come true next year!
                  Top 10 Predictions for 2010
       1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
       2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..
       3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
       4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
       5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
       6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
       7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
       8. There will still be room at the Cross.
       9. Jesus will still love you.
      10..Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him. 
          Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control,
         and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever."
                                                ( 1 Peter 1:25 )
All My Love & Prayers,
     Pastor Allen

Return to Me: Devotion

Return to Me
Marybeth Whalen
<http://www.crosswalkmail.com/ddmdpstmdgdftjmnfrkwlfzltsfjhkkjgctlppntrt
hhmcd_zrfszlsmssfl.html>
"Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says:
'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,'
says the LORD Almighty."
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
At first glance, this verse might seem like God is stand-offish and
distant. Why do we have to make the first move? But actually, this verse
depicts His great love for us. Like the prodigal's father, He waits
patiently for our return. He doesn't find us, shake us and demand us to
account for our whereabouts. Instead He scans the horizon for our
return.
Hoping, but not forcing. Waiting, but not pressuring. Ultimately He
gives us free will. We choose when and if we return. And when we do, He
promises to return to us. He is a gentleman who doesn't force Himself
upon us. God has to see us move of our own free will. That element of
choice is intrinsic in His relationship to us.
Returning to God is a practice we will have to engage in over and over
in life. The point is not how many times we return to Him, but that we
make the effort to do so each time it is necessary. Perhaps you need to
return to Him physically-recommitting to meeting with Him in church on a
weekly basis. Perhaps you need to return to Him emotionally-determining
to trust Him in a difficult time. Perhaps you need to return to Him
spiritually-committing to regular prayer and time spent in His Word.
Whatever your return looks like, don't put it off any longer. And don't
doubt that He will return to you. Don't believe lies that you are the
exception or that you are asking too much of Him. His Word tells us
differently. Hebrews 7:19 says, "...a better hope is introduced, by
which we draw near to God" (NIV). God made the ultimate way for us to
return-through His Son, whose death on the cross allowed us to approach
the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). By Him we draw near
to God. Not because we are worthy, but because He is.
God wants us to return to Him. He stands waiting with open arms, at the
ready to return to us. When He sees us coming, He runs to meet us. "But
while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him
and kissed him" (Luke 15:20b, NIV).
Are you ready to make that first move today?
Dear Lord, I need to return to You. Thank You for making it my choice
because You love me and want to be in a real relationship with me. I
thank You for waiting for me with open arms. Today I am choosing to fall
into those open arms again. Thank You that You gave Your Son so that I
can always return to You without shame. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

marriage ups and downs: devotions

January 4, 2010
Marriage Ups and Downs
Melanie Chitwood <http://www.crosswalkmail.com/kffdhflsdtdjlpsgjrkqbjwblfjpmkkptvlbhhglrlpmdsl_ysvkmgklkkvg.html>
"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
Colossians 1:17 (NAS)
Devotion:
Has there ever been a time when you thought that marriage is harder than you expected or more challenging than you want it to be?  My marriage of 18 years to Scott has been a roller coaster of ups and downs this week, and today I'd prefer a whole lot more of the ups, or least some steadiness.  We've argued about how often we're physically intimate and how often we have intimate conversations.  We've argued about who works harder and who's giving more to the relationship right now.  We've argued about really basic issues.
In the private place of my mind and heart I've had questions about my marriage.  I've questioned how two people who are so different can be content to be married to one another. What will continue to sustain us and to create a stronger marriage through the years?
And to top it off, I think to myself, "Melanie, you write about marriage.  Shouldn't you have this marriage thing figured out? What on earth am I doing writing about marriage?" Deep down inside, however, I know that's exactly why God asked me to write about marriage.  I don't have all the answers, as that has been glaringly obvious this week.
But I know the One who does.  I know the One who created marriage.  I know the One who blesses my marriage.  I know the One who holds my marriage together, as today's key verse reminds us.
This morning as I talked to God about me and Scott, I prayed, "Lord, I don't want to be at an impasse with my husband.  I want us to find peaceful ground.  I want us to find oneness.  I want to help him, not hinder him."  As I turned to God with my heart held in my hands offered up to Him, God changed me.
God answered my simple prayer in the most practical way.  I prayed, "How can I please you today in my marriage?"  God's answer to my heart was, Bring Scott lunch today.  Make him a big, delicious, healthy salad because that's his favorite lunch.
"Really, God?  Don't you think Scott and I need to talk through our issues?"  And then I sensed God saying, There will be time for that, but for now, I want you to obey Me.
You see, time and again I've seen that as I let God mold my heart and as I respond in obedience, God's floodgate of love and power covers my marriage, leading us to the place He wants us to be.  There will be time for more conversations between us, but for today God wants me to take one step of obedience.
Okay, God, I'm on it.  I'm off to make a salad.
Dear Lord, Thank You for my marriage and thank You for my husband.  Thank You for holding us together through the ups and downs of my marriage.  Keep me focused on You, Lord, so I can honor You and be a blessing to my spouse.  Lord, when we need to communicate, I pray we can do so honestly and peacefully.  When we need to forgive, I pray we will both freely and readily forgive one another.  And when we have misunderstandings, Lord, bring us quickly to a place of understanding.  Where we need to extend each other grace, let us do so because You have so lavishly covered us with Your grace.  As I trust You with my marriage, let my marriage bring You honor and glory.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Share an award you got or something that made you feel proud

My sister and I entered a coloring contest when we were on vacation one summer. Now, we have always been competitive. This was no exception. I never could out-run Miss Kayla but I knew her 4 years of coloring experience had NOTHING on my SIX.

The picture was a bear in this weird patriotic uniform. I was inspired by its potential and brought the bear to life by gently and specifically selecting the colors from my palette. You know – the ones that make sense when you are coloring a patriotic bear…red, white, and blue.

My sister (now the much more conservative of the two) took a more liberal approach. She did not utilize the colors that inspired her. She used them all… purple, brown, orange, yellow…. They were all there…. She even used that crayon that was called “flesh.” You know the one – it is now apricot or something… I’m dating myself…. Don’t act like you don’t remember it….

The crayon named “flesh” had no place in that box just as much as my sister’s cluster bomb of a picture had no place as an entrant.

But it was accepted. My parents entered Kayla’s hot mess along with my masterpiece.

I was plotting ways to console Kayla for her loss while the panel of judges made their decision. The deliberation lasted 24 hours. This was enough time for me to prepare an acceptance speech as well as perfect the “wave” I would no doubt have to give to my followers and fans after my work was made public.

My parents received a call. It was the decision makers. And the winner of the WHOLE CONTEST out of ALL THE KIDS in the WHOLE RESTAURANT was MISS KAYLA “PURPLE IS PATRIOTIC” ALEXANDER.

I WAS TICKED.

There HAD to have been a mistake! Did they not understand the extra effort that I put into to outline the drawing?! I was utterly disgusted. Four year old Kayla was elated.

My parents have a classic picture of the two of us after the final decision. I’m pouting and Kayla is happily holding her puke picture in one hand and her blue ribbon in the other.

To this day I am still wondering about the obvious conspiracy with the Patriotic Bear Coloring Contest.

Share your holiday traditions

Mark and I are very lucky to have family in the same town. Holidays consist of drives to the Haute, booze, and lots and LOTS of food.

I love attending midnight mass on Christmas, sunrise service Easter morning, and sharing all the things I’m thankful for on Thanksgiving.

Holidays are a great excuse to visit family and overeat, but it is so much more important to remember the reason for the season!

First Car

My first car was a Chrysler Lebaron. It was green and had two doors, so it was super fancy. I have no idea what year it was, I just know that it had four wheels.

My parents bought it for me. Having your parents buy your first car means they are in complete control of the ultimate purchase decision.

I was (and still am) a horrible driver. The awesome part is that my Dad wrecked the car first. Right into a deer coming home from work early one morning. Straight up Indiana style. Haha* He got it fixed for me.

I had it about 4 months before it was my turn to wreck the car. Straight into a telephone pole. It was a disgusting moment in my life and the first time I had ever experienced an airbag. I didn’t drive for a LONG time because it scared the daylights out of me.

My second car was a Pontiac Sunfire. Blue. I got pink princess decals (even for the windshield) and pumped that thing OUT. I was 16 and a half and thought it was awesome. My new boyfriend, Mark, was not as proud as my pink machine….

Share about a time when you got hurt as a child

I used to love my footed pajamas. I secretly still wish I owned a pair every once in a while. Then I remember how disgusting they actually are and change my mind.

I was at my parent’s friend’s house. In standard “Alexanders in Public” fashion, I did something stupid and embarrassing. The couple was very fancy and had a set of fake lawn ornament deer in front of their fire place.

Their fanciness played a large role in their lack of children’s toys.

I utilized the fake deer to entertain myself. I was climbing on them (because apparently that was my definition of fun) when I slipped. The buck’s antlers went right into my noggin.

The husband of the super fancy couple was a doctor who apparently couldn’t administer anesthesia and stitches from his living room (lame) so I headed (pun intended) to the ER.

Once in the ER at my mother’s hospital (as Grandpa Crowley would call it) I was strapped to a Velcro bed like a crazy person. My arms were spread to show my 7 year old wingspan, while my legs were velcroed in a spread eagle position. Not to mention it looked like I’d been shot in the face. BY A DEER.

The nurse shot my fivehead up with some numbing syrup, then went to town sewing me back together. It was traumatizing and relaxing. I’ll never forget watching that needle go in and out of my dome. But that Velcro bed was pretty comfortable. I think drugs might have been a factor in my comfort.

I still have a battle wound in the middle of my fivehead, but it’s fine since there is so much space up there (qualifying it as a fivehead instead of a forehead.)

Lessons of the story:

1. Bring your own entertainment for the children when you go somewhere – especially if they are Alexanders.

2. Lawn ornaments are disgusting in the LAWN. Their appeal does not increase or make you fancier when they are in the house.

3. If you are a fancy doctor in a house decorated with lawn ornaments, keep some supplies at home in case some bored kids decide to play at your house.

COLD WEATHER

S0o0o0o0 cold, s0o0oo0o0 lame. Every time it gets cold we ask why we still live in this state. I want to live somewhere with a beach and lots of craziness at all times. I want to own one turtleneck that I wear home for the holidays each year. Snow….Boo, you whore.

Doctor, Doctor

My accounting professor for my MBA class has his PhD in accounting. Lame, right? Haha.

Anyway, he is a ‘doctor.’

One of his students called his house to ask a question one evening. His son answered the telephone. Dr. “John” only heard one end of the conversation. He assumed it went something like this:

Hello?

Hi, I’m calling to speak with Dr. John.

Well, he’s here, but let me tell you! He is not the type of Doctor that can do you any good!

….and with that, Dr. John answered the phone. Haha*