Tuesday Matters

Everyday Kindly Forgive

Love is kind. Love forgives despite what the other person does. Yeah, I know the part about setting boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior. But I’m talking about really forgiving someone who’s hurt you and not rehearsing the hurt by dragging the memory around in your head. I know right? It’s hard.

There are those days where you know what you know about forgiveness, yet something triggers past hurt, and all kindness goes out the door as swiftly as it came in. The temptation is to rehearse our hurts and expectations more than our forgiving attitudes and hearts. LORD HELP! I think of the woman prostitute who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and what Jesus said about her; “She loves much because she’s been forgiven much.” Each day I try (when not overwhelmed by my own junk) to thank Him for His grace and loving kindness that never ends despite myself…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Abide in Christ

Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity. But nothing can replace one on one time alone with Jesus reading His book of hope and redemption. Jesus calls us to Himself, “Abide in Me, dwell in me, come to me.” Significantly, Jesus doesn’t say “Come to a day of renewal, a retreat, a prayer meeting, and a conference. But “Come to Me.” Is Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Yes, and if He is not the Savior of the world, He’s a lunatic. He’s the Risen Lord who must be proclaimed as the world’s only hope. Who else would dare to say, “I am the way, the truth and life. Whoever believes in Me will have everlasting life; and the one who does not believe in Me will be condemned.

This is a pretty powerful claim and one to not take lightly. To be sure there are a lot of great events to attend but nothing is better than attending to a relationship with Christ…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Personal Religion

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve or talk about it because it’s personal, it’s private?” I think it’s sad that someone would want to keep private the hope and truth they have in Jesus. But then if it’s just a religion someone has I guess I can see why they’d want to keep it private, there’s no freedom in religion, only rules. But once a person “gets” the relationship, they get excited about sharing the freedom they’re experiencing. Our son Peter recently got a tattoo of the Sword of the Spirit inked on his right arm and he literally is displaying is faith. Millions throughout the centuries have suffered or died in order to get the message of God’s love and forgiveness out, the message of a personal relationship with Christ, not a religion.

Sharing my testimony of what God has done in my life freely and openly allows me to understand Romans 1:16, “I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it’s the power of salvation to all who believe.” I plan on getting tattoo “the helmet of salvation” on my arm. It’s simply another way to share the hope of Christ…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday BUT…I Cannot

Even before I begin to encourage you I can hear some of you crying:

“BUT Debbie just listen to this injustice in my life…it’s so not fair!”

“BUT Debbie I don’t have a godly husband and my life is ruined because of him.”

“BUT Debbie I’m not like you I can’t just call on scripture when I need it!”

“BUT Debbie I know I shouldn’t care so much what others think but I can’t change.”

It sounds like a lot of you have “BIG-BUT SYNDROME.” Because there will always be excuses and even good reasons why you feel the need to start many of your sentences with “But-But… I can’t because…” But I’m telling ya while you can’t change someone else you can allow God to change you and the things you think on.

How about following what Romans 12:2 has to share; “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” through the power of the Holy Spirit…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Emotional Pain

I think that emotional pain is harder than physical pain? Can I get an “Amen?!” I mean I get physical pain from my recovery with scoliosis back surgery and having mono and flu where I never thought I’d leave the bathroom floor. However broken relationships, the loss of a loved one, and the failure of a plan or dream, well … that kind of pain is so much harder for me.

But it helps to remember God uses pain to get our attention. C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasure, but He shouts to us in our pain.” Pain is God’s megaphone. We rarely change when we see the light. We change when we feel the heat. But why does it get so hot? I hear ya. The answer is God’s love turns-up, it warms when it all seems so cold and hopeless. He’s always aware and He always cares. Proverbs 20:30, “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.” Yes, God loves you, everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Praise in Pain

It’s bizarre. “Praise God in the pain.” What? But I’ve done this, and it works. Oh, believe me, I don’t feel like praising God, but I do it because I know I have an enemy and he doesn’t like it because it weakens him. Praising God’s goodness, wisdom and love during times of pain and heartache is a beautiful expression of faith in action, a living expression of trust that shows Romans 8:28 is true; “God makes all things work together for the good of those who have been called according to His will.”

I came across this little book by Dr. Robert Frost who wrote, “There is nothing more precious to God than our praise during affliction. Not praise for what the devil has done, but praise for the redeeming power of our loving heavenly Father. What He does not protect us from; He will perfect us through. There is indeed a special blessing for those who do not become offended at God during adversity. INSTEAD, we become a special blessing to Him…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Jesus Forgives

"How do we love and accept difficult people?” Someone asked me that question. I know…right? God loves us ALL and we are all created in His image. The ONLY way to love others genuinely is by the love God gives to us. 2 Peter 1:9 really made me think, “For whoever lacks the genuine quality of love is blind to what they have been given from accepting Christ. Jesus has wiped off, erased from the books, our own sinful lives.” He's cleared us. We’re free.

I KNOW it’s hard. You’re hurt. It’s unfair. The “other person” has the problem and not you. BUT love covers. God covers you; He sees and knows all the stuff you shouldn’t have done and the things you should’ve done and He still loves you. Forgiveness sets you free. Sometimes I need to ask Jesus to forgive someone for me. So, I picture Him going to the person who’s hurt me and issuing a pardon and then He comes back to me and says, “It’s done. I did it for you. God’s amazing like that.…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Secure Stronghold

Believe me, I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally. And I was surprised at how the issues resulting in my parents’ divorce of 44 years affected me emotionally and physically too. Hurt from someone you love is pure pain. But I’ve noticed that the more I open-up and share my heart of pain the more people respond to sharing their own hurts of an unfaithful spouse, abuse, absent love from a parent and the pain from their own children. Oh, the sins of others have such painful consequences for so many of us.

So more than ever I’ve been holding on to Zechariah 9:12 by returning to Jesus my stronghold of security and prosperity as a prisoner of hope; believing that God will restore double for my trouble. Real hope is given by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. It’s about trusting that God is good and a Redeemer, no matter what may happen. Yes, hope is the belief that things will change for the better…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Jealousy

A few years ago, I watched a music video of a woman I used to mentor. I was amazed at the talent and beauty she displayed. But instead of feeling happy for her, I was jealous; “Why her?” Jealousy is one of the most dangerous poisons which can literally destroy us. It’s challenging because we know we shouldn’t be jealous so we pretend it’s not happening, and we find reasons why the other person shouldn’t have success.

I called my husband and said, “I’m jealous.” As soon as I brought my jealousy to the light it no longer had power over me. I was able to congratulate my friend, and the poison of envy didn’t infect me. We have a special friendship and I’m proud of her. King Solomon asks; “Who can stand before jealousy?” No one can because it’s as cruel as the grave. It’s hard to be honest about this part of our lives, the jealousy that creeps in so let God show you the success He has for you by you BEING YOU…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Pilot Light

“All believers have a pilot light of the Holy Spirit, but not all of us keep it turned on full flame. We go through empty periods when God seems distant.” I like this description from author and friend David Housholder. When we receive Jesus, we also receive the Holy Spirit but having the Holy Spirit WORKING and on fire in our lives is by knowing Him through the Bible and going through the refiner’s fire. (Malachi 3:2) God desires to consume everything in our lives that doesn’t bring Him glory. The Holy Spirit inside of us will bring us conviction of our every wrong thought, word or action.

It’s scary to think; “Go through the fire and share in His suffering?” but yes, as God’s children that’s what means to share in His inheritance. Physically we don’t have to go to the cross because He did it for us, so we are set free from the penalty of eternal condemnation. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the desire to set aside our selfish lifestyles and brings us through the fiery challenges we need to refine us…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday God Mind

I get emails from people who say, “I know God's here. I'm just not exactly sure what He's trying to tell me. We go through these crazy trials and sometimes it’s just a downpour with health and family issues and then there are financial problems to boot. We look up at God and ask, “For crying out loud what are You trying to tell me? I think He wants us to stop and BE STILL because He’s always trying to tell us the same thing, “I AM.” God wants you to know, “I AM what you need when you need it.”

We may not always understand the mind of God, but we do know His heart. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says; "We have the mind of Christ and do hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart." In order for God’s heart and mind to be moving in us we have to allow the Holy Spirit to do what we cannot. We have to abide in Christ which simply means to “stay put” in Him. Read the Psalms aloud because it helps to know you’re not alone and also to hear the heart of God and His promises…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday The Heart

I would be surprised if there isn’t someone who can relate to what the Apostle Paul says to the Romans in Chapter Seven, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on because of the sin living in me.” It makes me think of this quote from Thomas Cranmer, “what the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies.” It’s an internal conflict between logical rational thought and emotional desires of the heart. Aren’t we all on this struggle bus in some way or another?

God tells us in Proverbs 4:23 to guard our hearts. It’s why I give Him my heart to be softened and changed. My flesh only screams for what I want to feel good without consideration for others. Sobriety from alcohol for me came not from determination and a strong will but by surrendering my heart to God. He loves you and wants to set you free too…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Enemy Prowls

There are a lot of messed up circumstances and people in this world but always remember who the real enemy is. Ephesians 6 tells us we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against the evil forces in the spiritual realm. Of course, the enemy uses people and circumstances to get to us. His main goal is for us to abandon our relationship and trust in God. But listen to 1 John 4:4, Greater is God who is in you than the enemy of this world.

Spiritual warfare is our battle with the world, our flesh and the devil. And by the Holy Spirit we have all we need to do battle plus the knowledge hope that God’s already won the battle. Yes, so much of what happens to us and others is not good, but God is good. He is a Redeemer of all things. The enemy won’t leave you alone because wherever God is working so is Satan, but you don’t have to let him bother you. Thank God, praise Him and receive His strength. He’s ready to give it…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Open Door

French fashion designer and businesswoman Coco Chanel said, “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time pounding on a wall hoping for a door to open and circumstances to change. AND YET when I finally surrender, I mean really and not just say it and allow God to work with what He decides is best I have hope. Changes may not come in the way I imagine but it’s God’s best way. Psalm 103:7 is a “go-to” verse for me, “Put your hope in God for with Him is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.”

We can put our hope in other people or circumstances but when we let God have full control He is always on the move, and He’ll open doors. Look for the blessing and lesson in all difficult circumstance and difficult people in your life and God will bless you…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Living Christ

I know Jesus lives. He died and rose again. I can say it, and I believe it. But the real question is “Do I live my life as evidence that I believe Jesus is alive in me? Jesus died and He rose again and from His greatest act of love, His greatest power flows. The living Christ is then certainly not a dead hero.

The Christian lives in Christ and Christ lives in the Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit. Think about it; we are empowered to lead a new life where sin has no place and if we don’t really believe or live this way then where is our faith? When I woke up today, I was worrying about our son’s future and choices, but I certainly wasn’t acknowledging the power of the resurrected Christ who lives in me and receiving the peace He had for me concerning our son. How often are we unwilling to believe that we have been transformed and that the impossible has become possible through Christ who loves us and our children more than we could ever imagine …everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Performer

I am performer. I love the theater and the stage and taking on a new character to present to an audience. But when it comes to real life I don’t want to put on a performance. I aim to be real, honest and sincere. No matter how long we’ve known Jesus personally or professed ourselves as a believer it’s still important to go back to the ABC’S of Christianity: Admit, Believe and Confess. Admit we can’t go at it alone, (we need God’s grace) and believe Jesus is who He says He is. And then confess our sins and stop trying to point out everyone else’s.

Just think if your “thought life” was recorded from just yesterday? Think about how you judge others, including yourself. I’m so thankful t? e’s a God who knows EXACTLY our thoughts, dreams, hurts, motives and desires. He’s there with perfect love with no conditions. He is always on the move with redemption and grace. This love comes from a relationship with Christ and not through religion…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Recompense Payback

I get to share Cindy’s breakthrough in giving real forgiveness. I had been mentoring Cindy and even though she said she’d forgiven her father she continued negatively talking about him and avoided him. “I did forgive him, but you don’t know how much he hurt me.” She had become bitter. So, I told her; “Based on what the Bible says it really doesn’t matter how great the offense was. We serve a God Who is greater and if we will handle the offense in the right way, He’ll bring justice and recompense when we allow Him to.”

God says in Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense.” A recompense is a reward. It’s payback for past hurts. Think of it like worker’s compensation. You work for God and as long as you do, if you get hurt on the job, HE WILL PAY YOU BACK! Cindy finally let go and forgave her dad. She’s set boundaries but they’re reconciled. Remember God is your Vindicator…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Junior High

A couple of years ago I went to my old Jr. High bathroom with the full-length mirror upstairs and cried. I cried remembering my pain at 13 years old. This was the smoker’s girl bathroom where Jenny Baker appeared out of one of the stalls and said, “You don’t have to look. You know you’re pretty? Huh? I was examining my crazy skinny body with no curves except for the curve of my scoliosis. I felt ugly.

My friend Stephanie seemed to be a friend I could hold onto so I would go to Friday night football games with her. Five minutes later she’d disappear and scout for boys. I was left with some loose group of kids sitting by myself when inevitably someone would come up and say, “Ya know, after the game, Jenny wants to beat you up?” I eventually saw who I was and who Jenny was too. The sad thing is Jenny thought she knew what I felt about myself, but she didn’t. We all need to know we’re beautiful and unique in the way God created us. We just can’t always see it…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Live Love

St. Frances of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” I think what this means is “live a life of love” by how you treat others. Telling the list of rules to my non-believing friends along with statements like; “You shouldn’t do that” don’t mean a hill of beans when they don’t know and trust your love and sincerity for their lives. It doesn’t work for me either. God will judge sin. His command to us is to LOVE one another. I don’t disagree that sometimes love means speaking up, but first it’s about showing my love and building a relationship and trust with a person. This does not mean we ignore what is right or wrong, but it’s not just about saying the words. We are commanded to live it.

2 Timothy, Chapter 2 has good guidelines; “Be kind, don’t quarrel and gently instruct another when the time is right in hope that person will come to know God’s love and ways. A relationship over the rules is always what’s most winsome…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Look Up

Although there are downers in this life there are also lifters and in Psalm 3:1-3 the Psalmist says that despite his distressing situation he is not despairing or becoming depressed because his confidence is in the Lord, the lifter of his head. When I’m depressed it seems everything around me is falling apart. I seem to lose strength in all areas of my life and my head, hands and heart all hang down and even my eyes are lowered. I become downcast because I’m looking more at my problems rather than at the Lord.

The Lord encourages us throughout His Word to lift our heads and our hands and look to Him. In Genesis 13:14 God told Abraham, who had been shortchanged by his nephew Lot, to lift up his eyes and look around him in all directions because God was giving him all the land, as far as he could see, for his inheritance. Whatever your life is now you have only two options; give up and quit or keep going. If you’re gonna keep going you've two choices, live in depression and misery or lift your head to live in hope and joy…everyday.