Beautiful Routine

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” 1 Co. 14:33

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Some people completely freak out at the very word routine, but it is not something to see as stifling and lacking in freedom. On the contrary! Routine brings freedom.
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According to the dictionary, routine is simply “a series of regular or usual activities.” While we are defining things, let’s look at the word schedule. (Are you free spirits hyperventilating yet?) The definition of a schedule is “to plan or appoint for a certain time.” That’s not so bad now, is it?

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If the dictionary does not soothe your fears of the possibility of being bound up in rigidity just remember that the Lord Himself uses routine and scheduling. Creation was worked through using a schedule. Can you imagine if the fish came before the water; or the people before the form and non-voidness? Our bodies perform routines each day while pumping blood, digesting food, and much more. Routine was created by God for us! Ecclesiastes 3 testifies to this.
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Areas of your life that might need a routine revamp could be wake/bed times, meal times, cleaning/laundry, quiet time, ministry, hobbies, and even time with your husband. Having a routine in these areas does not mean that things have to be dull and boring. Instead, think of it as time to prepare to make these daily and weekly events special and more efficient. Most importantly, when family members, including you, know what to expect and when to expect it then your home environment will be more peaceful and calm.
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Our gracious heavenly Father designed us as well as our roles as wives and mothers. He gives us exactly what we need in order to accomplish the myriad of things that come as part of the homemaker package. I encourage you not to lose joy in your homemaking because you are overwhelmed. Take the wonderful gift of routine and use it to its fullest!
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Prayer:
Father of Lights, who gives every good and perfect gift from above, thank You that you have given me a way to enjoy the work I have been called to do. Please forgive me for letting things go and not maintaining order in my home. Help me to use the gifts of routine and scheduling to provide a peaceful and joyful home for my family. Amen
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Challenge:
This week identify one area that could use a routine overhaul. Brainstorm with your husband or a friend on ways to settle into a routine in this area. If you need ideas, please email me at ccf1@windstream.net and I will happily send you the outline of this complete teaching, which contains many tips.

Boundless Mercy

I awoke on Monday with such a ‘blah feeling’. It was not that time of month so no excuses there. I sat on my comfy couch, with coffee in hand, turned on the light and talked to God; “Lord, You MUST show me what my problem is! I want You to tell me so I can fix it.” I began reading my Bible and God gave me an "Aha!" moment.

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Matthew 12:7 But you would not have condemned those who are not guilty if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices.

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You see, the day before I was rattling off to my husband a list of things he did that upset me. Poor man! In addition I had been stewing daily over my children’s behavior and frankly felt like giving up this entire thing called homeschooling! On Monday as I read God’s word I should not have been surprised to get a message straight from the Lord. This is what He spoke to me through Matthew 12:7, "Dawn, you condemned your husband and the kids who are not guilty. No matter how much you ‘do right’ by making meals, loving your spouse, serving your children, homeschooling with this method and that method, keeping a clean house, being a housewife, reading the word, spending time with Me, that is all worthless if you are not merciful. Dawn, I do not want you to focus on those ‘sacrifices’. I love you and will take care of those things. For now I want you to be merciful to your family."

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I began to search the Scriptures and found out what God thought of my ‘sacrifices’. I encourage you to read the same verses: 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Psalm 40:6, Isaiah 1:11-17, Jeremiah 7:21-23, Hosea 6:6, Psalm 51:16-17, Proverbs 21:3, Micah 6:6-8, Mark 12:33.

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Sacrifice: Anything offered to God. Yep, that’s what I was doing when I was trying to be a good wife, be a good mom, be a good homeschooler, etc, etc. God showed me over and over in His Word that what I was sacrificing was not bad, but MOST importantly I needed to be merciful.

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At this point I decided to look up the meanings of the other words the Lord kept speaking to me. Mercy – Forbearance from inflicting harm as punishment, compassionate treatment of an offender. Exercise compassion or forgiveness, willingness to spare or help. When my husband or my children offend me in some way God asks me to show them mercy. I then looked up "offender" in the dictionary because I was not certain it was truly offense that I was dealing with. I’m a slow learner! Offender – To cause to feel hurt or resentful; wound; ANNOY.
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ANNOY. That’s it! My children can often annoy me (sad, but true). When they sin or do not do things as I expect them to I get annoyed. God in His faithfulness directed me to another verse. Romans 2:1 says that I am just as bad as those I am annoyed with. I do these very same things according to God. He also showed me that I am blameless and without a single fault when I am before Him. Colossians 1:22. Wow! God shows me mercy and grace every day when I do not deserve it! That is what God wants of me when I am offended by my children, husband or anyone for that matter.

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I am silly to believe my children will not sin simply because I have taught them the right way. God says in His word that we are bent toward evil from childhood in Genesis 8:21. God is patient and does not give up on me when I come to Him with a repentant heart again and again. In Nehemiah 9:28-31 God repeatedly shows graciousness and mercy to those who do not even deserve it. What an awesome God we serve!

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God confirmed my thoughts after studying Isaiah 1:11-17. He is tired of my sacrifices. I am done sacrificing and ready to show mercy. I still have a long way to go and to be totally honest I do not understand all of God’s ways. To me, it makes more sense to do good for the Lord, sacrificing things for Him, but He says in His word, “I want you to be merciful! I have had enough of your sacrifices.” How can I possibly argue with that?

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Thank you Lord and please help me to be merciful.

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Prayer:

Eternal, Merciful God, thank You for leading me by Your Word. You speak to me clearly and give me perfect solutions to cure my sin. Please help me to keep Your Word at the front of my mind and heart at all times. Amen

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Challenge: Take the time to read each of the verses in this devotional. Each one is linked to Bible Gateway and will allow you to read them in several translations. If you struggle with being merciful to others, do your own in depth study of God's mercy poured out for you. It will change your heart for the better!

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Dawn Borris 2009

Psalm of Life

This week I would like to share some very simple thoughts from a journal I keep while having my quiet time. For the record, I do not write in it every day. Occasionally I even forget that I have a journal. So, any ideas that I am some super together chick can be put to rest right now.
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The thoughts I would like to share are from Psalm 23. For years I have thought of this passage as the "Death Psalm". Movies use this passage for dying moments; many people repeat it in times of fear and uncertainty. As I read it this past week I saw it in a completely different light.
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1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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In King David's time shepherds guarded their flocks fiercely, killing lions and those who would try to steal or inflict harm on the sheep. A shepherd was also responsible for guiding the flock to good grazing areas. They would comb through the fields pulling out poisonous weeds and plants that the sheep might eat and in turn be sickened. This verse shows me that the Lord is my protection and my provision in every area of my life.

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2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

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The Lord brings me to a place of rest through His Word. He feeds me spiritually and gives me refreshment. Through His Word I am led down paths of righteousness in order to bring glory to His name.

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4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

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Sometimes I must have faith in God's perfect character based solely on what He has shown me in previous good times. If I have been faithful in studying His Word and hiding it in my heart then I can rely on those times of refreshment and filling to remind me of His faithfulness and guidance, even when I feel alone and dry in my present spiritual walk.

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5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

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When I am struggling with relationships or persecution He prepares exactly what I need to deal with the situation. The Lord pours His healing on me and gives abundantly what I need for the moment.

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6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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The goodness and mercy of the Father are with me always. At the end of an earthly life filled with His presence, felt or not by me at times, I will spend eternity with Him. What a beautiful promise! I will no longer think of Psalm 23 as the "Death Psalm". It is a Psalm of Life!

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Prayer:

Father, thank You that in these six verses are promises of life, guidance, mercy, goodness, protection, provision, comfort, rest, and eternity with You. You truly are good and merciful! Amen.

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Challenge:

Take one verse each day this week and meditate on it. Throughout the day think of how the Lord is working out that verse in your life.

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Jen Gorton 2009

In the Boat

This past month I received an email from a friend who has been going through a hard trial with one of her children. Although she has been suffering greatly she has been returning to the Word and promises of the Lord. Doing that is what keeps her going while this storm rages around her. I asked her permission to share her words anonymously and she graciously granted it. My prayer is that as you read her exhortation to herself you in turn will be greatly encouraged and strengthened in your walk.

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"I am trying to rest in the fact that the Lord is in control, He is omnipresent and omnipotent. I know all of that in my head and have for my whole life. RESTING in it is not always the easiest thing but I think I am getting there. That means, not worrying about things. As a mom, it is hard not to worry. As a woman whose been around the block a few times, it is hard not to worry. As a person who knows that the Lord allows things to happen that I would never allow to happen if I were God, I have to REST in knowing that HE knows better than I do simply because He is GOD. I am merely a human. His ways are certainly not mine very often. He orchestrated things for His glory even when I don't get it, see it, or understand it. My heart is getting there - at least it is much closer than it has been in recent weeks.
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You see, we cannot be "in the boat" worrying and fretting over the storms that are raging all around us because He is in the boat with us. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5 I am trying hard to quit running to the back of the boat and yelling, "Wake up, WAKE UP!! DON'T YOU SEE THIS TERRIBLE STORM!!!!!!!!" He doesn't need me to point it out OR to point out "the solution"!!!! If I trust in Him, I should just let it be, let Him sleep, and sit quietly waiting for it to pass or for Him to say. "Peace Be Still." He knows there is a storm and He knows what to do about it. Oh, I want it to be "Peace Be Still" right now, but that may not be a part of the Master Plan. Some things simply work out better if the storm rages a bit and then calms down."

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My friend's closing words struck me. "Some things simply work out better if the storm rages a bit..." As hard as it is, we will do well to keep that in mind as we struggle through difficult times. The Lord promises so many times that what ever we go through will bring good fruit if we are His and we are walking in His ways. These verses come to mind: Romans 8:28 All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. These verses are not always comforting when we are in the midst of suffering, but that does not change the fact that they are true. There is hope! There is a future beyond this difficulty! There will be the fruit of maturity and completeness. God is so good to remind us of these things. He is faithful and He is in the boat.

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Prayer:

Father, help me to hold on tightly, remembering Your promises to always be with me and turn my sorrow into joy. Thank You that no suffering is lost. This time in my life will be redeemed and used for Your glory if I keep my eyes on You. Amen.

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Challenge:

If you are in a storm right now, take time to read the account in Mark 4 of Jesus and the disciples in the boat. Meditate on Christ's ability to stop the storm as well as His ability to have peaceful sleep during the storm. Copy the verses above and place them where you can be reminded throughout the day of the good that can come from the bad.

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Jen Gorton 2009

The Idol of Self

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. James 3:16
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When my children were born I knew that being a mother would be hard work. I knew there would be long nights and bad days, a ton of laundry, and changes in what dinner looked like at our house. And yet, when life really did get hard I was completely shocked. Suddenly what I wanted or needed no longer mattered. Who cared if mommy liked lentils and rice? No one else did, so apparently it was a yucky meal. Who cared if mommy liked Pollyanna? No one else did, so it was a banned movie. Who cared if mommy hated the beach? No one else did, so it was a favorite destination. No one else seemed to see the value of a nap, a quiet hour, wiped off counters, or chicken noodle casserole.
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The idea that what I wanted really was a mute point was maddening. After all, I am the mommy. And if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!
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I was bowing to the idol of self. The idol of self is the idea that my needs, wants, and desires are so important that others have no business getting in the way of those things. Getting interrupted during my quiet time brought harsh words and looks of disapproval. Sleeping late was more important than my children getting a good breakfast. My like of certain foods was worth others literally going hungry for the night. Plain and simple, this idol is the sin of selfishness and self seeking.
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James tells us that where self seeking exists, confusion and every evil thing are there. It is true! Think of the last time you insisted that your way was the only way. I am certain that peace was not permeating the atmosphere. In my own experience tempers flared and feelings were hurt.
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But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17,18
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Some might worry that dying to self means teaching children that they are the center of the universe. On the contrary! I am in no way saying that we only cook what our children like or never have rules or discipline. I am saying that our response to situations speaks volumes on what we think of Jesus and His example. Jesus came to serve. He did not crab about washing feet, cooking dinner - on the beach no less, fixing broken things (think of Peter and the guy’s ear in the garden), or dying for something He did not do. He was always available to talk and minister, even when He was trying to get away and be alone for a while. Matthew 14:12-14 He had wisdom from above and lived in that wisdom daily.
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When I insist on living my life as though I am the most important I teach my children to live as if THEY are the most important. I live an example of self seeking and selfishness that is easily learned by impressionable little people. There is a much better way, however. It is not easy by any means, but the fruit it yields is so much more desirable. I need to ditch the self seeking stuff and grab the wisdom from above!

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Prayer:

Father, I desire to be like Jesus, a cheerful servant to all who glorifies You in everything. Please help me to walk in the patience and self control that is mine in Your Holy Spirit. Let my life be an example of Christ likeness to my little ones.

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Challenge:

This week be mindful of times when the idol of self demands your attention. When that rises up it is a sure sign that you need to do the opposite of what you feel - not an easy thing, but possible! Remember to walk in selfless-ness cheerfully or it really doesn't count!

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I highly recommend the book Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp. Although this book is marketed to those with children entering or already in the teen years I believe it is vital reading for all parents, regardless of the age of their children.

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Jen Gorton 2009