Category Archives: Faithfully Following Ministries

Trust the Transfomation

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Trust in the Transformation

It’s always amazing how God teaches me lessons right where and when I need them using what’s familiar. Honestly, I think that’s why so many happened in my Second Grade classroom. He knew I required the “elementary” version! Now retired, I can look back and see how, like my students, the foundation I received there helps me continue to build on and trust those basic truths I’ve learned.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

These words came alive during a favorite project of mine that included one of God’s most mysterious miracles! Every year, my students and I would begin to collect Monarch Caterpillars. Filled with Milkweed to feed them and long twigs to climb on, a large, glass jar on the Science table became their new home and the venue for us to observe an incredible transformation.

Metamorphosis (a profound change) doesn’t happen overnight, but it didn’t take long to recognize that once a caterpillar moved as high as it could go on a stick, the process had begun. That’s just what one of our “guests” did while I was working late at school.

Determined to watch the process from start to finish I settled in. Somewhere between caterpillar and chrysalis, this teacher became the student. It no longer was just a caterpillar’s rebirth I was witnessing; I was also gaining a better understanding of my own. A familiar unit, alone in my classroom, at a time I felt stuck between the old me and becoming “a new person”, amazing God at work? No doubt about it!

I don’t know about you, but I often feel like a caterpillar, slugging along, always looking for the next best, tasty thing to consume, hoping it will satisfy my hunger. And just like a caterpillar, that’s usually when we begin to feel something stirring deep within that compels us to think Higher and prepare for change.

Surprisingly, what struck me the most as I witnessed this wonder of nature, was the struggle. Back and forth the caterpillar swung, writhing as if fighting with all its might against what lies ahead. (Something else we have in common!) Then I blinked. On the branch in the same spot where the caterpillar had been resisting change, hung a chrysalis. The fight was over.

Maybe, like me, as a Christian you too find yourself suspended between old ways and the new life Jesus offers. Fear, worry, perfectionism, and so much more seem to continually worm its way back into our lives, but here’s the heart of the lesson: The struggle is real, but my friends, the fight is over! Jesus hung in our place and was encased in the tomb, taking our sins with Him.

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4 (NLT)

Excitement always built as the children and I waited for each butterfly to emerge. Through every opened chrysalis that released a new creation with furled wings and shaky legs, The Teacher continued His lesson. Even though the cycle was complete and the old caterpillar nature was replaced with the new nature of a butterfly, it took time for each one to stretch its wings, to be a butterfly. I’m learning, and I hope it encourages you, that the same is also true for us.

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.”
Colossians 3:10 (NLT)

Did you catch that? Becoming more like Christ is a profound change. As we learn to know our Creator, we become like Him. Becoming more like Christ doesn’t happen over night. It’s a life long process of learning, knowing, and trusting. Just like the Monarchs in my classroom project, with patience, practice, and lots of love, God takes who we think we are and completely transforms us into who He knows we were always meant to be! As we spend time in our relationship with Christ, we can be certain He is working within us and that our “new life” has begun..

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
We can trust that!

I was honored to write this as part of the #TrustThat Verse by Verse series at http://www.faithfullyfollowingministries.org I encourage you to click over to read more. You will be blessed if you do!

Share Four Somethings ~ March

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Share Four Somethings ~ March

Spring has sprung here in my little part of the West Virginia mountains! Daffodils and crocus have burst forth from the cold ground, leaves are emerging on the lilac tree where my bird guests find their buffet, and the robins have returned doing their “dance” in the grass with the worms below. (The worms are not willing partners). Yes, March has brought blessings of Spring and for me, this month has presented other blessings, too! Join me and others at http://www.heathergerwing.com as we share our “Four Somethings” for the month.

Something Loved

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

March is a big birthday month in our family! Both my son and daughter were born in March. Then we added a son-in-love who was a March baby, too. And….yours truly also celebrated a birthday this month. Not sure how it’s possible that I’m 62 years old, but I’m so grateful God has brought me this far! Truly, every day is a gift!

I don’t know about you, but not being able to gather with family and friends had really begun to weigh on me. My heart felt heavy and my soul, weary. That’s why I loved receiving “visits” from those I love in the mail. My spirit bloomed like the early Spring flowers with each envelope I opened and message I read! To say I am blessed with special people in my life is an understatement! Now, I can’t wait to be able to tell them so in person!

Something Read/Said

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

This whole idea about “being blessed” can be complicated. It’s something I’ve been talking with trusted friends about, engaging in social media on the subject, and this month, participating in a study about it. The Bible has a lot to say about what it means to be blessed and it doesn’t always match our worldly view. Each day in March, the ladies at http://www.faithfullyfollowingministries.org posted a key verse and often with it, insights others have gained in life about the subject. My “Something Said” came from a young woman on day 15 of the study. Alyssa Nelson shared this:

“What makes us blessed is not having all the things we’ve decided we need, even if those are good things, it is to see God for who He truly is and to know Him deeply and personally.”

Such wisdom from a young heart! Her words were the focus I needed and they will stay with me  even though the #Blessed study is over! I encourage you to click over and read more for yourself!

Something Treasured

“May the LORD bless you and protect you.May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)

I have to take you back to my birthday for my “Something Treasured” this month. Not only did I receive lovely cards and notes, I also was given some fun gifts. Truth be told, I don’t need a thing. That being said, I really enjoyed opening bags and boxes containing just the “perfect gift”! I’d hinted to my mom (ok, I sent her the link) about this cute Dove Planter filled with little succulents. It didn’t matter that the delivery date for it was past my birthday, I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to spread the celebration out as long as I can!

Well, a few days before my birthday I received a small box in the mail from mom. Imagine my surprise when upon opening said box, a very strong fragrance escaped! I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what she’d sent and why! Was I ever tickled when under the tissue paper I found this ummmm…aromatic…bar of “Dove” soap with a message on it. Oh, how I giggled at her creativity and how happy I was to receive my hoped for Dove Planter a few days later! Blessings come in all sizes AND smells!

Something Ahead

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

As I’ve told you before, I’m a calendar girl and those empty pages in the midst of the pandemic served to remind me just how much we were missing out on. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to now be able to make plans and write them in those little boxes! We’re still living day by day as we know anything unexpected can happen, but it’s fun to look ahead at the possibilities!

If I’ve learned one thing this past year, it’s to not take our blessings, large or small, for granted. Going to church was one I never thought much about, until I couldn’t go anymore. Last year at this time, churches were closed and Easter felt lonely. As we journey to the cross this week on our way to rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning, I’m looking forward this year, to celebrating together with my church family in our sanctuary, and most importantly remembering from Whom all blessings come!

I always enjoy looking back at my month and picking out things to share with you. I’d love to know YOUR “Four Somethings”! Share them with me in the comments so that I can celebrate them with you. I hope you know that when I count my blessings, you are among them.  I so appreciate the time you offer me by coming here to share in my ponderings! 

 

Jesus Rules!

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I was honored to write this post as part of a series called, “Blessed” at   http://www.faithfullyfollowing.com You can click over to read more of their inspiring words or find them on their Facebook Page called “Faithfully Following Ministries”. Jodie and Donna inspire me and refresh my soul. I know they will do that for you, too!

Jesus Rules!

You don’t have to spend too much time with me before a few of my “quirks” begin to introduce themselves; like, “Hello, I’m a recovering rule follower.”  Many years ago my little girl heart shattered when my dad walked away from our family. As it began to heal, a lie cemented itself in the cracks and I grew up convinced that if I’d only been better, done better, maybe my dad wouldn’t have left. And so, in an attempt to “be good” the confines of adhering to rules slowly but surely became my comfort zone. 

“Praise the Lord! Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

So, what happens when a rule-loving gal reads in the Bible about being delighted and blessed by following commands like in this verse? Well, just imagine a high five being lifted toward heaven and the words “I’ve got this,” slipping from my lips.

“You shall not murder.” Check!
“You shall not commit adultery.” Check!
“You shall not steal.” You get the idea.

Maybe like me, you think having a commandment check-list complete with heavenly high fives sounds “delightful,” but here’s what I’ve been learning: Obeying the rules isn’t what brings us true blessing. Remember the rich, young man? (A champion rule-follower, himself!)

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 

‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’

‘Teacher, he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’

Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.’ ” Mark 10:17-21 (NIV)

Friends, Jesus looks at us too, and He loves us more than we can comprehend (quirks and all). His love is so great, He went to the cross to release us once and for all, from the bondage of rules we were never able to obey on our own in the first place. What the young ruler missed, and sometimes we do too, is that following the rules doesn’t change us; following Jesus does! And while we don’t have to go and sell everything, we do need to rid ourselves of all that keeps us focused on our own efforts rather than on Him.

 In life, there will always be rules to obey. The delight comes when we walk away from depending on our own performance to gain a father’s love or whatever we’re in search of, and instead, with thanksgiving, pursue the One who’s already blessed us with everything we’ll ever need.

“But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” Romans 7:6 (NLT)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)